Sydney Muslim community station 2MFM 92.1 was awarded two prestigious national awards by the Community Broadcasting Association of Australia last week.
The awards evening, attended by 300 people first recognised Muslim Community Radio as the winner of the 2013 Excellence in Community Participation Award, from five finalists. Then, sooner than was expected, the station was called to the stage once again to receive anther award; this time for Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting.
2MFM President Mohammed Mehio said: “Both these awards reflect the organization’s commitment to actively seeking and encouraging the participation of the plethora of linguistically and culturally diverse groups in the Muslim community of Sydney.
“I thank all the community organizations for their engagement with 2MFM and particularly the participation of Darulfatwa-the Islamic High Council of Australia, who have supported our ability to reach the Sydney Muslim community in many ways.”
2MFM Vice President Mona Hwalla, in her speech accepting the Excellence in Community Participation Award, thanked the CBAA and their judging panel for recognizing the efforts of the Muslim Community Radio, in actively seeking the participation of the Muslim Community, as evidenced in both the awards won.
She reassured the sector of 2MFM’s continued commitment and acknowledged the Muslim community’s support: “The Muslim Community Radio is a multilingual multicultural radio station licensed to meet the religious and social needs of the Muslim community in Sydney. Performance-wise, in 2006 according to a McNair Ingenuity survey, we were the first on the minds of Muslims in Sydney; and in 2010 we were the most listened to among the radio station who serve a similar audience.”
Ms Hwalla acknowledged the hard work of the 2MFM members, volunteers, staff and long list of community organizations who have participated in enabling 2MFM to maintain its many services mentioning live internet streaming, digital broadcasting, and activity on social platforms, as some of them.
CBAA President Adrian Basso was impressed with the efforts and win of 2MFM. Commenting on the Excellence in Community Participation Award, he said:
“Community radio is about access and participation within the community and I think this award acknowledges the great contribution [2MFM] is doing. It’s a fantastic achievement. Also, winning the Excellence in Ethnic and Multicultural Broadcasting Award highlights your achievements across all other stations. Congratulations, Well done.”