Mayor of Bankstown, Councillor Khal Asfour, has today launched a special music CD for Arabic children as part of Refugee Week (17-23 June) celebrations in the city.

He was joined by around 15 children and their parents for the launch at Bankstown Library.

The CD was produced as a joint project between Bankstown City Council and the Department of Immigration and Citizenship, under the Multicultural Bankstown Initiative, and follows the running of a song writing competition for the community to write new lyrics to popular Arabic melodies.

“The competition was aimed at encouraging child development, with Arabic parents and guardians spending time singing to and with their young children,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Music is a special part of Arabic culture and a powerful way of expressing feelings.

“By using songs we can also educate our children and teach them important values that will last a lifetime.”

Refugee Week has been a busy week in Bankstown.

An event was held earlier this week at the Bankstown Council Chambers, hosted by the Canterbury-Bankstown Migrant Interagency, which enabled attendees to network with community and government service providers including Legal Aid.

Mayor Asfour also used the opportunity to reaffirm Bankstown’s commitment as a Refugee Welcome Zone and re-endorsed the Refugee Charter.

“Bankstown is home to one of the most multicultural and diverse communities in Australia, with more than 130 cultural groups,” Mayor Asfour said.

“Our city has a great reputation when it comes to welcoming refugees.

“Every month, as part of our local citizenship ceremonies, I hear stories of migrants leaving their countries to start a new and better life here in Bankstown.”

Copies of the CD can be obtained by calling Council’s Community Development Officer on (02) 9707 9863.