By Muslim Mirror Staff
On April 6th, 2023, Jihad Deb, a newly elected member from Bankstown, made history by becoming the first Muslim Minister of New South Wales. Previously, Deb had served as the NSW state member for Lakemba.
During the oath-taking ceremony, which was attended by NSW Governor Margaret Beazley, Deb took the oath on the Holy Quran. This event was particularly notable as it was the first time that a NSW minister had taken an oath on the Quran.
Thank you @ChrisMinnsMP – I hope this serves to show all those who have thought “I can’t” to say “I can”. I hope it encourages people to appreciate that everything is possible in this great state of ours and the limits placed on achievement are ones you place on yourself. https://t.co/obmrBs6h3O
— Jihad Dib MP (@jihaddibmp) April 5, 2023
Deb has been appointed to several important portfolios, including Minister for Customer Service & Digital Government, Minister for Emergency Services, and Minister for Youth Justice.
Jihad Deb was born in Lebanon but migrated to Australia at the age of two with his family. He began his career as a teacher at Ulladulla High School and eventually became the principal of Punchbowl Boys High School, a position he held from 2007 to 2014.
In recognition of his contributions, Deb received the Pride of Australia Award in 2013.
What’s ‘ghan down in the town? Hope Springs eternal Alice, as the sacred struggle bears the fruits. It wasn’t Macassar-easy 😉