Interacting with as many people throughout our beautiful Muslim community as I do on a daily basis, it never ceases to amaze me just how many wonderful individuals there are in our midst, doing their utmost to help their fellow human beings….all for the sake of Allah SWT, of course!

One man whose deeds I have truly marvelled at in recent years is Sydney orthopaedic surgeon and human rights advocate Munjed Al Muderis, who earlier this week was named New South Wales Australian of the Year for 2020 at a special function at Government House.

Professor Al Muderis’ story is one of incredible perseverance and absolute dedication to his fellow man – and to say that he has overcome extraordinary obstacles over the past two decades to perform work that helps less fortunate people throughout the world is an understatement.

Professor Al Muderis was detained on Christmas Island and in several other Australian detention centres after he fled Iraq by boat in 1999 during the Saddam Hussein regime.

Despite many setbacks, the 47 year old has become a world renown orthopaedic surgeon specialising in hip, knee and reconstructive surgery.

He is a pioneer in osseointegration technology, which involves the fusing of bone and prosthetic limbs, and he has performed more robotic-leg surgeries than anyone in the world.

“Living in a war-torn country like Iraq, I’d seen a lot of people who lost their limbs and I always wanted to do something about it,” Munjed told SBS News in an earlier interview.

Organisers of the NSW Australian of the Year award heaped praise on Professor Al Muderis earlier this week

“Munjed’s surgical innovations and breakthroughs are helping Australians and people throughout the world.

“He exemplifies the valuable and positive contribution that refugees can make – leading by example to show what it means to be Australian.”

I am sure all readers will join with me in congratulating Professor Al Muderis on receiving this much sought after award and of course he is now in the running to be named Australian of the Year for 2020.

* Another well known figure in the Muslim community is 16 year old Bassam Maaliki, whose own inspirational story can be found in an earlier story on this website.

Bassam was nominated for, and reached the Final Four in, the NSW Young Australian of the Year award, for his efforts in highlighting refugee awareness as well as raising funds for his many worthy causes.

Indigenous mentor and fundraiser Corey Tutt, who is 11 years Bassam’s senior, was named NSW Young Australian of the Year at this week’s function, but given this category was open to young people of up to 30 years of age, Bassam’s effort to be named in the final four when he is still a high school student is nothing short of remarkable.