ABOUT
Hoosein has a genuine passion for the well-being of people and a desire to see all people live together in harmony.
Throughout his life he has been committed to this pursuit. During the 1980's he resisted apartheid in South Africa. On moving to New Zealand he worked with migrant communities to help them integrate in their new found home. Here in Western Australia he continues to do the same whilst also serving on numerous boards, committees and not for profit management teams.
Hoosein currently works for a not for profit organisation (Cahoots) that creates inclusive opportunities for children and young people living with disability and others that face exceptional challenges to develop friendships, skills and confidence.
As a Justice of the Peace Hoosein is able to help Western Australians at their time of need, ensuring that their rights under the law are known to them and protected.
Hoosein Ismail
Various Photographers
Hoosein was born and raised in South Africa
and spent ten years in New Zealand before
migrating to Australia. He settled into life
in Western Australia easily compared
to South Africa where everything from
schooling to work opportunities was tied
to race. In Australia, he feels that there
is equal opportunity and protection under
the law.
When asked about South Africa, Hoosein says,
“ Anyone who has left family behind would miss
their country of birth. However, when you
immigrate one needs to expand your network
of social support and adopt your new found
friends as family."
Since migrating from South Africa 20 years ago I have strived to work among migrant communities to ensure migrants integrate to make Australia home.”
One of the difficulties that his family did face was prejudice towards his wife. As a Muslim woman wearing a hijab, there were oftentimes when behaviour was quite negative towards her.
Most often she experienced discrimination
in shops and when interacting with people
who may not be very understanding of Islam.
This is something that Hoosein and his family
continue to manage and deal with.
He feels that multiculturalism has come
a long way since he first arrived in Perth.
There has been a positive move by government agencies as well as religious and cultural groups to work with local agencies to foster greater inclusion and acceptance. Hoosein has enjoyed working with various communities and state government agencies to further the cause of multiculturalism, inclusion and acceptance.
"I encourage every migrant to our country to make this home and work with other communities and organisations to further strengthen our country’s rich history of migration."
As a young man in South Africa, Hoosein dedicated his life to the struggle against the domination of the African people. Hoosein chose to resist apartheid in favour of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities.
During my lifetime I have dedicated myself to this struggle of the African people. I have fought against white domination, and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if needs be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die.
- Madiba [Nelson Mandela] 20 April 1964. Rivonia tria
Hoosein Ismail - Name Meaning
Hussein or Husayn (/huːˈseɪn/; Arabic: حُسَيْن Ḥusayn), coming from the triconsonantal root Ḥ-S-N (Arabic: ح س ن), is an Arabic name which is the diminutive of Hassan, meaning "good", "handsome" or "beautiful".
The literal translation of the name Ismail is "heard by God"
I encourage every migrant to our country to make this home and work with other communities and organisations to further strengthen our country’s rich history of migration.
- Hoosein Ismail