Latest news with #Abdullah
Yahoo
a day ago
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
Abdul Abdullah: ‘People made assumptions about who I was and what I stand for because of my name'
At Bankstown Central, Abdul Abdullah has become lost. 'Far out, this place is bigger than I thought' he texts while gamely trying to locate me, also lost. 'I think I was in the basement.' It's been three decades since the artist, then nine years old, fell in love with the labyrinthine and luminous shopping centre then known as Bankstown Square. He has since built a successful career across major galleries and public broadcasting, and relocated to Bangkok – and the Square has been demolished and redeveloped. 'The best place in the world was the World 4 Kids toy shop, and the koi pond in the old town square,' he says. These are happy memories from what he remembers as a tough time. He and his parents moved to Sydney from Perth for a year so that his dad could work at Malek Fahd Islamic high school. His three older siblings, all over 18, stayed on the other side of the country. It wasn't just that Abdullah and his parents were living in a sparsely furnished one-bedroom apartment and sleeping on a shared mattress ('I can remember every piece of furniture,' he says, laughing), or the long days accompanying his dad to the school early in the morning and then staying back until he finished his work day. It was the culture shock. The Perth Muslim community he'd grown up in had been predominantly south-east Asian; in Sydney, he says, 'I was one of the only kids in the class who didn't speak Arabic. You were kind of thrown in the deep end.' Related: Archibald prize 2025 finalists: Nicole Kidman, Aaron Chen, Jackie O and others – in pictures Abdullah is wary of 'poor-bugger-me stories' and tends towards laughter and lightness in conversation. 'It wasn't the best year for me and my family,' he admits, as we escape the mall and make our way across the train tracks and down into Bankstown's bustling central plaza. 'But it was interesting living in a completely different place. And that koi pond was pretty nice.'He has often felt like a fish out of water. Growing up as a Muslim with mixed Malay and white convict ancestry in Perth's south-eastern suburbs, he has previously recalled how only the white kids were referred to as 'the Aussies'. He followed his two brothers into boxing and drawing at a young age, and travelled an hour to attend a high school with a selective art program, but as he grew older he came to feel 'too boxing gym for art school and too art school for the boxing gym'. He laughs as he says this, framing it as a joke – but also describes approaching art school with an underdog boxer's adversarial chutzpah. '[I felt like] the brown kid from the wrong side of the tracks who didn't really fit it in,' he admits. We reach the Grahame Thomas cricket ground and pause to chat while watching a men's soccer team limber up under a moody, overcast sky. 'I think all artists are a little bit outsiders,' Abdullah reflects. 'We're all sort of gremlins looking in from outside the house.' But even as recognition and accolades have accrued – including a mentoring role on the ABC's arts and mental health show Space 22, and most recently, winning the Archibald's packing room prize – Abdullah has felt this more than most. He can't shake the feeling, he jokes, of being an 'outsider among outsiders'. *** Abdullah was 15 and playing Gran Turismo with his brother Abdul-Rahman when planes flew into the World Trade Center in September 2001; they turned on the TV and watched the footage in horror. 'At first I didn't think it had anything to do with me,' he says. 'Then the next day my mum was assaulted.' Men pulled her into a store in a busy Perth street, and tore off her headscarf; no one intervened. The family's local mosque was defaced. Overnight, Abdullah's experience of being a Muslim in Australia changed. 'It reframes you immediately,' he says. It forced a political awakening that has infused every aspect of his life – though it took a while for him to embrace it. He enrolled in art school and fell in love with painting. 'I didn't really think about politics a great deal while I was there,' he says. 'All I wanted to do was portraits, and I would just paint pretty pictures of my friends.' It's a characteristic moment in which Abdullah flips from earnestness and sincerity into irreverence and self-deprecation. Then two years after graduating, in 2011, he entered a portrait of author and commentator Waleed Aly into the Archibald prize – and got his first hate mail. 'As soon as the finalists were published online, I got a spate of really nasty messages telling me to go back to where I came from,' he says. It shocked the young artist. 'I hadn't been personally targeted like that before.' The painting is innocuous – a sombre portrait of Aly on a plain background – and at the time Abdullah was a virtual unknown. 'All [they] had was my name, and people made a lot of assumptions about who I was and what I stand for because of that,' he says. Institutional spaces in this country have, for a long time, felt not welcoming to huge swathes of people Abdul Abdullah Five months later Abdullah won the Blake prize's human justice award for a photographic self-portrait titled Them And Us, in which he displayed a torso tattoo combining a Southern Cross with an Islamic crescent moon. Again, he copped a backlash. It was the beginning of a prolific era in which Abdullah used his body and the camera to turn a lens on mainstream Australia via a series of images of himself as a supposedly monstrous other. With age and time, the work changed – but the complaints kept coming. 'It's never from the general public that the furore starts. It's from [politicians or] the media,' Abdullah says. So he is wary of media coverage. During our photoshoot he notes a recent article in The Australian about his packing room prize win that characterised him as a 'Pro-Palestinian activist artist' and used an old headshot of him frowning, his cap backwards. 'I don't know where they got it, that photo's from so long ago,' he says. 'I'm always smiling in my photos.' Given his own experiences, he was not surprised when his friend and fellow artist Khaled Sabsabi – a Lebanese Australian Muslim – was attacked in The Australian and then in parliament over old artworks supposedly promoting terrorism. But he was shocked when Sabsabi was sacked as Australia's representative at the prestigious 2026 Venice Biennale less than 48 hours later. He worries about the message it sends. 'Institutional spaces in this country have, for a long time, felt not welcoming to huge swathes of people that they should be for … [and] things like this just reinforce the idea that [the arts] is not for some people. That as hard as you work, you won't ever be accepted and celebrated or acknowledged,' he says. The racism against Muslim and Arab Australians that reared its head after 9/11 has never really gone away, Abdullah says. 'It felt like it went away for a while, a little bit, but it's all very much still there.' Recently, he's been reflecting on another flashpoint of anti-Muslim and anti-Arab sentiment: the Cronulla riots. Abdullah was 19 when mobs of young white men descended on Cronulla beach on 11 December 2005, yelling abuse at and physically assaulting anyone of Middle Eastern appearance. 'I remember seeing [on the news] people wearing T-shirts that said 'save 'Nulla, fuck Allah' and 'ethnic cleansing unit',' he says. December marks 20 years since the riots. Abdullah recently completed a large diptych painting depicting the train carriage where rioters attacked two young Lebanese Australian men, for a group exhibition at Mosman Art Gallery. The right-hand panel shows a throng of violent bodies pressed up against the windows; the left is eerily empty. Graffiti-style text over the top reads: So where the bloody hell are you? It's the slogan from Scott Morrison's Tourism Australia campaign, which debuted the following year; it also echoes the text messages sent out by the instigators of the Cronulla riots. Related:Tony Armstrong: 'The tone of the world is shifting. The way that I'm getting spoken to is wild' It's the first overtly political art Abdullah has made in five years. In the intervening time, he moved to Bangkok and branched into the international commercial art market – and jettisoned political and Australia-specific references in his work. 'I don't know if it's just getting older as well – being a little bit gentler with the way that I'm practising, and also wanting to enjoy people's reactions a little bit more,' he says, with a slightly sheepish laugh. I ask him if he anticipates another backlash, and he shrugs. 'I guess I'll brace myself for it a little bit.' 'I've never been under the false impression that this wasn't an adversarial space,' he says, with a wry smile. 'When people talk about safe spaces in museums and that sort of stuff, it's never really rung true for me. Like, I'm working in spite of things.' Abdul Abdullah's packing room prize-winning portrait is showing at the Art Gallery of NSW until 17 August as part of the Archibald prize exhibition. His painting Cronulla is showing at Mosman Art Gallery until 17 August as part of Curlew Camp. He will present new work as part of Sydney Contemporary art fair from 11-14 September and the Biennale of Sydney from 14 March-14 June 2026
India Gazette
2 days ago
- Politics
- India Gazette
RJD MP Manoj Jha urges Centre to prioritise tourist safety in J-K
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): After Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the need for coordination between the Centre, the J-K government, and LG for security operations, RJD MP Manoj Jha on Thursday stated that the security of the tourists should remain the topmost priority for all stakeholders, underlining that the Centre should conduct an open dialogue to address the issues of the territory. Speaking to ANI, Jha said, 'If you see, J-K is not a state yet. The Centre should talk about all issues (regarding J-K) openly, and it should not become a Centre vs state thing, but the safety of the tourists should be the topmost priority.' This comes after Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the need for coordination between three power centres--the elected government, the Union Government, and the Lieutenant Governor's office--to ensure security and law and order in the region after the Pahalgam terror attack. Earlier on Wednesday, J-K CM Abdullah pointed out that the security of tourists currently resides within the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. Addressing a press conference, Chief Minister Abdullah said, 'The fact is that security and law and order are not the responsibility of the elected government. Whose responsibility is it? The Lieutenant are three sets of power centres that need to coordinate to ensure that things go smoothly here... I can promote tourism; I can create infrastructure for tourism... However, the security of the tourists currently resides within the powers of the Lieutenant Governor. That is the point I made that the Union Government, elected government, and Raj Bhavan need to work together to ensure that what happened on 22nd April doesn't happen again...' On April 22, in a dastardly attack, terrorists killed 26 people, including one Nepali citizen, in Jammu and Kashmir's Pahalgam. The attack was one of the deadliest in the Valley since the 2019 Pulwama strike, in which 40 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) jawans were killed. CM Abdullah exhorted that his government is making efforts to restore normalcy in the region, for which the government itself has been conducting meetings here. To restore normalcy in the region, Abdullah has directed the Education Minister to resume picnics in schools and colleges and encourage visits to popular tourist destinations like Gulmarg and Pahalgam. He also chaired meetings to discuss the situation and plan for the future. He asserted, 'Everything was stopped after April 22. Before people from all over the country come here, we should come first here. Hence, a cabinet meeting was called in Pahalgam yesterday and today a meeting of administrative secretaries and senior department heads was held...I have directed the Education Minister to ensure that picnics are resumed in schools and colleges and visits to Gulmarg and Pahalgam are made to move towards normalcy...' (ANI)
Borneo Post
2 days ago
- Politics
- Borneo Post
Journalists as vital as educators, security forces, says S'wak deputy minister
Abdullah says that the contributions of ethical media practitioners such as those who report truthfully and with integrity, play a vital role in building an informed and progressive public. – Photo by Chimon Upon KUCHING (May 29): The work of experienced and responsible journalists is more critical than ever in shaping a knowledgeable, constructive, and competitive society, said Deputy Minister in the Sarawak Premier's Department (Corporate Affairs, Information and Sarawak Public Communications Unit (Ukas)), Datuk Abdullah Saidol. In conjunction with the National Journalists' Day, Abdullah in a statement stressed that the contributions of ethical media practitioners such as those who report truthfully and with integrity, play a vital role in building an informed and progressive public. 'As the media landscape continues to evolve alongside the digital revolution, the integrity and professionalism of journalists must be upheld to counter the spread of misinformation and misleading narratives often found on alternative platforms,' he said. He also acknowledged that the rise of social media and influencers has introduced new characters in the delivery of information, stories, and commentary, often blurring the lines between fact and opinion. 'Ethical journalists who sincerely strive to deliver verified and accurate information now face mounting challenges, especially when irresponsible use of media platforms leads to confusion and distortion of facts,' he said. Abdullah also paid tribute to the tireless efforts of media personnel who work in all conditions, from reporters on the ground braving the elements, to those behind the scenes ensuring news reaches the public in a timely manner. 'The sacrifices and dedication shown by members of the press, whether out in the field or rushing to meet deadlines in the office, deserve the utmost appreciation,' he said. Apart from that, he also likened the role of journalists to that of educators and security personnel, saying their contributions to the nation are equally essential in safeguarding the public's right to accurate information and fostering critical thinking. Abdullah Saidol journalists
Mint
3 days ago
- Politics
- Mint
Omar Abdullah invokes Faiz's iconic couplet on hope to draw tourists back to Kashmir: ‘Lambi hai gham ki shaam'
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on 28 May chaired a meeting of administrative secretaries and other top officials in Gulmarg health resort as part of his governmentís efforts to bring back tourists to Kashmir after the deadly Pahalgam terror attack. The visit came a day after he held a symbolic cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the site of the April 22 terror attack that killed 26 people, mostly tourists. Abdullah is leading from the front the campaign for revival of tourism in the Valley, which was hit by the unprecedented terror attack. The chief minister's visits have infused a new hope among stakeholders and increased the chances of a turnaround after the tourist season this year was washed out due to the terror attack. In Gulmarg, speaking with media, Abdullah also quoted a couplet of Pakistani Urdu poet Faiz Ahmad Faiz, 'Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai,' as he tried to explain why optimism is pivotal in adversity. 'These lines, which I also quoted at the recent NITI Aayog meeting, serve as a reminder that even in dark times, hope must prevail. What happened recently marks one of the most difficult phases in recent years, but we have endured worse over the past four decades and always found a way to bounce back,' Abdullah was quoted as saying by local newspaper Greater Kashmir. The couplet loosely translates to: 'The heart is not hopeless, just defeated for now. The evening of sorrow is long, but after all — it is only an evening' Born in British Punjab (now in Narowal District, Pakistan), Faiz was considered one of the most celebrated, popular, and influential Urdu writers of his time. His revolutionary ideas remain widely influential in Pakistan and beyond. People who analysed his work often say that it was difficult to differentiate if Faiz's beloved in his Ghazals is his country or a person. Urdu poetry lovers cite this and other couplet as an examplify Faiz's ability to blend sorrow with resilience. The 'Dil Na Umeed to Nahi..' line is actually a couplet from Faiz's famous Ghazal 'Hum par tumhari chaah ka ilzam hi to hai…(All I am accused of is loving you)' that he wrote in 1954 while in Rawalpindi's Montgomery prison. On March 9, 1951, Faiz was arrested with a group of army officers under the Safety Act, and charged with the failed coup attempt against Liaqat Ali Khan's government that became known as the Rawalpindi Conspiracy Case. He was sentenced to death and spent four years in prison before being released After chairing the meeting at the Gulmarg Club on 29 April nestled in the meadows and surrounded by mighty pine trees and sparsely snow-clad mountains, Abdullah took a Gondola (cable car) ride to Kongdori, a bowl-shaped area that lies between Gulmarg and the summit of Apharwat mountain range where the first phase of the ropeway ends. At Kongdori, a group of tourists from Gujarat and Mumbai requested the chief minister's security detail for a meeting with Abdullah. The chief minister promptly acknowledged the request. He met the tourists with warm hand shakes and smile, and sought from them feedback about their Kashmir visit. Abdullah lauded the courage of the tourists, and happily posed for photographs and selfies with them. The chief minister appealed to the tourists to promote the Valley as a safe and peaceful destination. The visitors expressed gratitude for Kashmir's hospitality. They lauded the government for the arrangements that made their stay comfortable. The visits by Abdullah are seen as an effort counter the "boycott Kashmir" campaign. "Terrorists also want this, that you don't go to Kashmir. Those people are enemies of this country. They are not only enemies of Kashmir, they are enemies of the country. Of India. They are enemies of India who are running such a campaign. Because they are doing the same work as the terrorists did on April 22," Abdullah told NDTV. Two weeks after the Pahalgam terror attack, India on 7 May conducted precision strikes on at least nine terror camps in Pakistan in what is now known as 'Operation Sindoor'. India and Pakistan indulged in four days of military action post Operation Sindoor. The two nations agreed on an understanding to halt military action on 10 May. The CM also said that if Prime Minister Narendra Modi could convene a meeting to review tourism in J&K and tour operators from Maharashtra and Gujarat could visit the region voluntarily, not because they were invited, but because they want to contribute to the normalisation process. 'Then it was imperative for the J&K government to take the matching steps,' he said. Dil na umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai, lambi hai gham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai.
The Print
3 days ago
- Politics
- The Print
Amarnath Yatra would be a challenge this year, but all arrangements will be made: Omar Abdullah
According to a government spokesperson, the preparedness for the upcoming religious festivals was discussed in detail. The chief minister, who chaired a high-level meeting in Gulmarg to assess the functioning of various departments, reviewed CAPEX works, emergency preparedness, tourist safety, sports and adventure tourism, mobile connectivity, and works in sectors like health and rural development. Gulmarg (J-K), May 28 (PTI) Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday said conducting the annual Amarnath Yatra this year would be a 'challenge' in the aftermath of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, but expressed confidence that all the necessary arrangements would be made for the smooth pilgrimage. He said that while discussing the upcoming religious events like Mela Kheer Bhawani, Eid, Muharram and Amarnath Yatra, Abdullah asserted that 'this year's pilgrimage will be especially challenging'. 'From a security and logistical standpoint, we must ensure that the Yatra is conducted smoothly. I am confident, given your experience, that all necessary arrangements will be made,' the chief minister said in the meeting. The meeting was attended by the council of ministers, all administrative secretaries, divisional commissioner of Kashmir, deputy commissioner of Baramulla, senior police officers and heads of several departments. Quoting the Urdu couplet 'Dil na-umeed to nahi, nakaam hi to hai; Lambi haigham ki shaam, magar shaam hi to hai (Just because my heart is helpless, it is not hopeless; the grief-filled evening is long, but it's still just an evening),' Abdullah reflected on the importance of optimism during adversity. 'These lines, which I also quoted at the recent NITI Aayog meeting, serve as a reminder that even in the dark times, hope must prevail. What happened recently marks one of the most difficult phases in recent years, but we have endured worse over the past four decades — and always found a way to bounce back,' he said. A day earlier, Abdullah chaired a meeting of his council of ministers in Pahalgam. He said holding back-to-back meetings at tourist resorts Pahalgam and Gulmarg is an effort to instil public confidence and encourage people to visit Kashmir. 'These meetings are not symbolic. They are part of a larger effort to initiate a return to normalcy and restore confidence,' he said. Abdullah said this was the first time such an administrative meeting was held outside the twin secretariats of Jammu and Srinagar. 'In my previous tenure, we took the cabinet to remote areas, but senior-level departmental reviews were confined to the capitals. Holding this meeting here is to transition away from the unfortunate events of the last six weeks,' he added. Referring to his participation in the recent NITI Aayog meeting chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Abdullah said he had urged the Prime Minister and other ministers to consider Jammu and Kashmir, especially the Valley, as a venue for central PSU board meetings and conferences, particularly in summer when most seek respite from the heat. 'We had several parliamentary committee meetings scheduled in the Valley, which were cancelled after April 22. I have requested the Centre to work with the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha Secretariats to bring those meetings back. Some ministers have already committed to doing so,' he said. Later, the chief minister also met delegations from various trade associations in Gulmarg and interacted with visiting tourists. PTI SSB RUK RUK RUK This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
