Hyder Gulam transcript
Thank you very much for the award, La Trobe University. I’ve got a very short speech because I do note that we have a number of other recipients. In particular I’ve got very fond memories of the Agora and that my particular law teachers who were very helpful for me, John Wishart, Heather King and Jianfu Chen who I understand is now head of the Law School. I would like to thank my family for without family you are nothing. In particular I want to point out the special contribution to my life of a person that’s very dear to me, and that’s Peter Barnett, and you’ll see him third row down on the left hand side to your right. Peter is almost eighty years old and is currently writing a book on a very famous Turkish sufi saint and he’s travelled to Turkey last year to research that. His patroned the City Circle which aims to help young Muslims be aware of other ideas from other communities. He is a role model for me in terms of his community service and dedication.
Now, why am I committed to community service? In Islam, the prophet Mohammed, peace be upon him, taught us three things continue to benefit a person after their death. The first is charity he has given, which continues to benefit others. Number two – beneficial knowledge, which he has left behind, such as a book, authored or taught, or any supplications made on his behalf by his children. For me, community service is one of those ongoing legacies which in turn benefits my forefathers in whose footsteps I humbly follow. With that, thank you very much La Trobe University.