PMAG Members

Dr Zakaria Amin (Founding Member)

Dr. Zakaria Amin is a member of the Brisbane Southeast Employment Taskforce and his impact on the local job landscape is profound. Dr Amin has previously held a position on the QPS Logan Cross Cultural Liaison Unit's Multifaith Committee.

Dr. Amin's leadership extends to his position as Secretary for Australian Centre for Unity (Slacks Creek Mosque) and as the CEO at Queensland Training and Employment Services. Founding the Multicultural Mailer reflects his visionary dedication to multicultural connections. He is also Assistant Secretary General for nation-wide organisation IPDC (Islamic Practice & Dawah Circle).

Notably, Dr. Amin received the Local Legend Award in 2024, AFRI Queensland Award in both 2022 &2023 and the Queensland Day Award in 2022, recognising his significant contributions. His remarkable achievements, including the Brisbane Flood Recovery Award, highlight his unwavering commitment to community welfare. Dr. Zakaria Amin's exemplary work as the project coordinator for the Job Ready Program and lead of the Multicultural Career and Jobs Expo, whilst his compassionate efforts in housing assistance embody his holistic impact on the community.

Dr. Jishu Das (JD) Gupta (Founding Member)

Dr. Jishu Das Gupta, also known as JD, is a passionate supporter of multiculturalism in Australia. JD is a community leader and is instrumental in establishing Mother Languages Conservations acknowledgment and preservation as well as bringing linguistic variety to numerous Federal and State sectors.

As a student from Bangladesh, JD came to Australia in 2003 and fell in love with this amazing land. JD and his wife are blessed with two lovely kids and enjoy travelling and quality family time.

JD represents the multicultural community in several platforms and collaborates closely with a variety of community organisations. His many hats include leading school P&C, advising community programmes and initiatives, preventing domestic and family violence, supporting the refugee community, integrating diverse groups through sports, and collaborating with federal and state government bodies.

By sharing his knowledge and comprehension of the needs of the community as a whole, he hopes to serve as the voice of the diverse community and bring back community sentiments to the table for consideration in the execution of state policies and strategies.

Reverend Emil Rahimov (Founding Member)

Rev. Emil Rahimov's role is to oversee culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities within the Baptist Union of Qld. Currently, the Baptist Union of Qld has 48 diverse CALD communities across the State and their number is growing.

As a migrant himself, Rev. Emil experienced firsthand the challenges of migration, settlement and integration, which encouraged him to study deeper to develop his knowledge of migrants. This provided him the skills to assist migrant communities to settle successfully in their new home and enhance societal cohesion. He pursued his studies including post-graduate ones in Ministry, Law and Migration. Within his studies and work experience, he learnt much about various cultures as well as the challenges of belonging. Rev. Emil continues to study in this field, allowing him to contribute with the migration challenges and making Queensland an even better place to live and enjoy.

In 2025, Emil was awarded as Lifetime Multicultural Achiever by the Honourable Fiona Simpson, Minister for Multiculturalism, and in 2026, appointed to the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Board.

Habib Mahomed Jamal (MBA) PMAG Deputy Chair (Founding Member) PMAG Deputy Chair

Habib is from South Africa and migrated first to New Zealand then to Australia. He has a Master of Business Administration (MBA) Degree from the Southern Cross University, Australia.

Habib is a qualified Justice of the Peace and works in a medical centre in Gold Coast, Queensland. Habib is a trustee of the Gold Coast Mosque and has been the Treasurer of the Islamic Society of the Gold Coast for more than twenty years.

Habib is committed to working in the best interests of the Muslim and wider community and ensures that the less fortunate and needy have their needs catered for. As President of the Queensland Muslims Inc. (QMI), he has served the community with high distinction, which has been acknowledged by government and non-government leaders and through many awards for his efforts and contributions.

As President of QMI, Habib is constantly on the road attending events and meetings with all levels of government, community organisations and faith communities. He is the spokesperson at main events and has worked with all resettlement agencies in relation to the Muslim community needs. He has had two citizenship ceremonies hosted by the Islamic Council of Qld under his leadership.

Current positions held by Habib are as follows:

• Trustee/Treasurer – Gold Coast Mosque
• President – Queensland Muslims Inc
• Deputy President – QFCC
• Qld Ambassador – Mental Health Foundation Australia
• Panel Member - Southeast Region (SER) Skilling Queenslanders for Work (SQW)
• Advisory Board Member – Qld African Communities Council.

Gail Paratz OAM (Founding Member)

Gail was born in Colombo, Sri Lanka and migrated at the age of four (4) with her family to Australia and was raised and educated in Melbourne.

Gail completed a Bachelor of Education and was a secondary school teacher in the State and Catholic school systems in Victoria. Gail later re-located to Brisbane in December 1987 and taught at Brisbane Girls' Grammar School.

Gail has a deep interest in interfaith and has been active in this area since the early 1990's. Gail is an active member of the Jewish community in Queensland and is currently the Chair of Interfaith on the Queensland Jewish Board of Deputies Inc.

Gail serves on the National Board of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia and has been the Vice President of the National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, Queensland Inc for over 25 years.

Gail was also involved in the formation of the Queensland Faith Communities Council (QFCC), which was launched in May 2017 in the Multi Faith Centre at Griffith University. Gail has chaired the QFCC since it was launched, which has grown to currently over 22 faith member bodies - Bahai, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Pagan, Quaker, Sikh.

Gail was appointed to the Queensland Multicultural Advisory Council in 2026.

Gail received an Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in the June 2023 King's Birthday Honours for 'Services to the Jewish Community in Queensland and to Interfaith.'

Muhammed (Haniff) Bin Abdul Razak (Founding Member)

Haniff graduated from the Singapore Armed Forces Officer Cadet School as a Commissioned Officer and left the service in 1993 to follow his passion for community work.

In 2006, Haniff was given a major assignment to develop and launch the Harmony Centre Singapore, a pioneer centre in interfaith and cultural engagement. The Centre was officially opened by the Prime Minister of Singapore.

Haniff then later served in the United Nations as an Election Supervisor in Namibia and as a militarily liaison officer with the Ministry of Defence Singapore in Brunei. In 2007, through the Australian High Commissioner in Singapore, Haniff was invited to DFAT Canberra to share his works on interfaith issues including engagement with the Muslim community.       
 

In 2010, Haniff was invited by the Venerable Master Chin Kung AM Founder and President of Pure Land Learning College Association Inc. to help set up the Multi-Faith and Multicultural Centre, Toowoomba, Australia. Haniff has travelled extensively throughout Europe and Asia presenting papers and participating in conferences and seminars related to peace building.

In 2018, Haniff was awarded the Paul Myatt Safer City Award for being recognised as ‘an Individual whose life can inspire the rest of us to do better with our own.’

Haniff is currently the Director of the Multi Faith and Multicultural Centre, Pure Land Learning College Association Inc. His work includes promoting inter-faith dialogue and engagement at all levels with leadership, community, grassroots, youths and students through seminars, workshops, experiential learning journey and visits. 

Kamaljit (Kam) Kaur Athwal  (Founding Member)

Kamaljit Kaur Athwal, also known as Kam, is a Sikh by Faith, and moved to Australia some 25 years ago.

Kam has been an influential figure in addressing Sikh and multicultural concerns within State and Federal Governments. She is a community advisor and consultant, often working closely with police services, health departments, education departments, Queensland Human Rights Commission and numerous faith communities and interfaith organisations. Kam was a member of the Queensland Police Ethnic Advisory Group until it was dissolved.

Kam facilitates information sessions, workshops, and seminars catering for school students, government departments and faith groups, as an awareness and introduction to the Sikh faith, beliefs, and practices. These presentations also extend to sessions delivered for the Sikh community, directly relating to health awareness for the elderly and those suffering chronic illnesses such as diabetes.

Since 2016, Kam has also been an active member of the Toowoomba Interfaith Working Group where she actively assists with organising and presenting at conferences, presenting on radio, and promoting interfaith work.

Kam is a visionary creating and facilitating ongoing education programs. She is the coordinator of the Queensland branch of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib Ji Academy, an ongoing project that has been teaching Sikh scriptures and Sikh history to Queensland students of all ages.

Kam has a focus on family life and is immensely grateful to her husband, daughter and son for their continuing support. Without them, Kam would not be able to achieve as much as she does, as their inspiration and support makes it all happen.

Adhis Cole (Founding Member)

Adhis has a strong connection to the diverse and vibrant African heritage and a deep commitment to uplifting the African community. She has a diverse background in leadership and a genuine passion for fostering unity. Her journey has shown the transformative power of collaboration through different professional landscapes and with challenges faced by the African diaspora.

Adhis is a community leader and professional, with extensive experience and a deep passion for promoting cultural awareness, understanding, and harmony. This has been shown through her participation in programs that aim to foster diversity and have gained valuable insights into the challenges faced by multicultural communities. These experiences have fuelled her desire to play an active role in bridging the gap for these communities.

Adhis holds a Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the University of Newcastle and a Bachelor degree in Nursing from the University of Wollongong and is also currently pursuing her Masters in Clinical Education. Her background as a Registered Nurse has allowed her to work with diverse groups and gain firsthand experience of the challenges faced by minorities in multicultural communities.

As Vice-Chairperson and Co-founder of FGMAA (Female Genital Mutilation Awareness Australia), Adhis and the team use empirical evidence to raise awareness on FGM/C in Australia and globally. Additionally, Adhis is the Founder/CEO of Illuminate Insight FGMAA Consultancy Agency.

Furthermore, Adhis serves as the Team Lead Representative with the African Australian Advocacy Centre Queensland (AAAC, QLD), is a volunteer with the Queensland African Communities Council (QACC) and has recently established the African Australian Parents Support Council (AAPSC). She collaborated with community service and engagement providers to find solutions and strategies for the challenges facing African parents and youth.

Other roles Adhis is involved in includes:

• Advisory Member of the Queensland Mental Health Tribunal Review Board
• Member of the Working Group Youth Matters Network
• Board member/Director with Multicultural Communities Connect Queensland (MCCQ).

Pa Enari (Founding Member)

Pa is a family man, with five (5) sons. He has been married to his wife, Adele for more than 30 years. Pa is a matai, which is a (Samoan) chiefly title. His title is Fa’alafi, from the village of Safune, Savai’i, Samoa. A matai has responsibilities in the family and in the village, and which he carries his responsibilities proudly and dutifully.  

Pa has worked in the recruiting industry for 25 years, in both New Zealand and Australia. Pa has developed effective job coaching and employment plans and works specifically on communicating with clients (employees and employers) to understand their goals and ambitions.

Pa holds an Advanced Diploma in Business and Marketing. Pa has a long history as a coach in rugby Union and, in addition to school rugby teams, coached regional and national rugby teams. Part of Pa’s approach with teams focuses on the importance of communication, the importance of personal responsibility for the team, learning team dynamics, and developing collaboration and leadership skills. Pa continues coaching of both men’s and women’s rugby teams at international level.  

Pa is also currently working as a Culture and Welfare officer for FIP Group, working alongside local communities to bring awareness of spiritual, cultural, and recreational activities among the businesses FIP Group operates within. 

Through the FIP Group, Pa supports PALM workers through spiritual, education, sporting events, and community engagement, working with a range of stakeholders including local council, police, sports organisations, and churches.

Yi Ling Angela (Angela) Sim

Born in Singapore and fluent in multiple languages and dialects, Angela is a researcher and cultural storyteller specialising in the documentation of Asian heritage traditions and intangible crafts. Utilising her platform, Hakka Moi, Angela translates academic insights into accessible community narratives. This includes documenting at-risk cultural practices and sunset industries, ranging from the craftsmanship of lion and dragon head construction to the ritual complexities of Chinese theatre and effigy restoration.

Angela’s professional foundation is built on managing high-pressure environments and sensitive crisis scenarios. During her tenure with Singapore Airlines, she served as part of the first responders group involved in the complex repatriation of remains following the SQ006 tragedy. In her work with Auscript, she collaborated closely with Department of Justice and Queensland Court system, Domestic Violence victims, ATSILS, Legal Aid, Corrective Services, and the Queensland Police Service, navigating the intricacies of the legal and justice systems with precision and deep empathy.

Now based in Brisbane, driven by a personal mission to contribute to community safety, Angela sought involvement with the PMAG to bridge cultural gaps through education and her expertise in visual storytelling. By leveraging her background in research-driven communication and crisis management, she aims to foster mutual understanding and ensure heritage documentation serves as a vital tool for connection, building the cultural bridges necessary to enhance trust and safety within Queensland’s diverse cultural landscape. 

Dr. Shweta Goyal

Dr. Shweta Goyal is an educator, researcher, and community leader based in Australia, with a strong commitment to education, wellbeing, and social impact. She holds a PhD in Education and has extensive experience as an educator. Her work bridges academic research and real-world application, with a particular focus on supporting diverse and multicultural communities.

Dr. Goyal is actively involved in community initiatives that promote mental health, cultural understanding, and social cohesion. Drawing from both her professional expertise and lived experiences, she advocates for culturally responsive approaches to challenges such as domestic and family violence and mental health, particularly within migrant communities. She has collaborated with international organisations and participated in global forums focused on peacebuilding, interfaith dialogue, and community empowerment.

In addition to her academic and community work, Dr. Goyal is an author and speaker who shares insights on emotional resilience, personal growth, and the practical application of philosophical teachings in modern life. She is passionate about creating inclusive spaces where individuals feel supported, informed, and empowered to navigate life’s challenges.

Through her work, Dr. Goyal continues to contribute meaningfully to community wellbeing, education, and cross-cultural understanding.

Rajabu (Raj) Mudanzi

Raj is a multilingual community engagement specialist committed to strengthening relationships between CALD communities and government institutions. His career spans multicultural health, policing, youth support, education, and international humanitarian work—giving him a deep understanding of community dynamics, cultural safety, and inclusive service delivery.

Raj previously served as a Police Liaison Officer with the Queensland Police Service, where he built trusted connections between police and CALD communities. His work focused on early intervention, crime prevention, conflict resolution, and creating safe, respectful spaces for open dialogue. This experience continues to shape his contribution to community‑centred policing and advisory work.

In his current role as a Multicultural Health Liaison Officer at Townsville University Hospital, Raj leads culturally responsive engagement and supports advisory structures that promote equitable access to healthcare. Fluent in more than nine languages, he is widely recognised for his ability to bridge communication gaps, navigate complex social issues, and advocate for individuals and communities with empathy, clarity, and professionalism.

Raj holds a Bachelor of Political Science in International Relations and a Bachelor of Arts in Human Services, and he is completing a Master of Social Work at James Cook University. His work is grounded in cultural humility, strong community partnerships, and a commitment to strengthening safety, inclusion, and resilience across Queensland’s multicultural communities.

Nooria Ahmadi

Nooria Ahmadi is a law student and emerging legal professional with a strong commitment to community advocacy and access to justice. She has worked across key areas of the legal system, including experience with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions and, more recently, in family law at Legal Aid. Through these roles, she has developed practical insight into the justice system and a passion for supporting individuals navigating complex legal issues.

Nooria’s involvement in community advocacy began in her final year of high school and has continued throughout her university studies. She has contributed to initiatives focused on youth engagement, social justice, and the experiences of culturally diverse communities. She has also had the opportunity to speak on national platforms and engage with national decision-makers, sharing perspectives on issues affecting young people and underrepresented groups.

She is particularly interested in improving access to justice and ensuring that legal systems are responsive to the needs of diverse communities. Through both her professional work and advocacy, Nooria aims to contribute to more equitable and inclusive outcomes within the legal system.

Dr. Adam Ka-Ho Lo OAM

Dr Adam Lo is an Occupational Therapist and Mental Health Clinician working in the Disaster Recovery Mental Health Team in Metro South Health. He previously worked extensively in Child and Youth Mental Health for more than 22 years. 

In addition to clinical work and academic experiences, he was involved in various activities such as partnership development, community liaison and education, consumers and carers engagement and the promotion of mental health, prevention of mental illness and early intervention programs. Adam was also the WFOT (World Federation of Occupational Therapists) Delegate for Australia and worked extensively with international representatives from 100+ countries and regions across the globe.

A strong advocate for the arts and health, Adam is the creator and Festival Director of the Positive Mindset Creative Arts Festival, which has been running since 2015. The festival promotes mental health and aims to reduce the stigma of mental illness and addiction issues in young people through music, visual art, drama, dance, and media art.

Outside of his life as a health professional, Adam is an active community volunteer for more than thirty years in various capacities particularly with multicultural, health, arts and youth organisations. He received a Queensland Multicultural Award for services to the community in 2006 and in 2021, he was recognised with the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) for his contributions to mental health and the multicultural community of Queensland.

Adam is also a reservist officer in the Royal Australian Air Force and an Officer of Cadets in the Australian Air Force Cadets. He is passionate about strengthening community cohesiveness and capability, promoting psychosocial wellbeing in families and individuals across the lifespan. Adam is delighted to be a part of the PMAG for the Queensland Police Service.

Laure Coleman

Laure is a bridge-builder: connecting cultures, faiths, and communities with warmth and purpose. Born French but proudly Australian, she calls herself a "Fraussie".

Laure's international journey began in Europe, where she designed and implemented an initiative with the European Council supporting students from CALD backgrounds. She then took her passion for cross-cultural connection to the Pacific, working with the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Vanuatu and building deep ties with the Islander community. 
 

In Brisbane since 2014, she went on to become Director of the French-Australian School of Brisbane, championing French language and culture in Queensland and nurturing the next generation of bilingual learners.

Laure's interfaith life is equally rich. As Foundation General Manager of the Queensland Holocaust Museum, she has helped preserve vital memory and foster education around one of History's darkest chapters. She is also active with WIZO and Together for Humanity, and her faith finds joyful expression as a worship leader, bringing people together through music and concerts across both her Jewish and Christian communities. Laure is a Board member of Voices of 

Survival, championing the voices of survivors of genocides to serve as education.

A passionate advocate for cross-cultural understanding, Laure founded Glossophia, which runs workshops on diversity and inclusion, helping individuals and organisations appreciate the beauty of difference; something she lives every single day.

At home, she is a devoted wife and mother to several multilingual children, proving that a life lived across cultures truly starts at the kitchen table.