Maha Abdo Oam

Mrs Maha Abdo OAM is a widely respected Muslim activist who has won various awards for her extensive community work, particularly in the field of social welfare over the last three decades, and is the Executive Officer of the United Muslim Women Association. Maha has accomplished great strides amongst young Muslim women, holding positions on multiple advisory committees and has worked in partnership with the Premier’s Department of NSW to develop strategies dealing with young people from Arabic and/or Muslim backgrounds, correcting misconceptions about Muslim women and ensuring the needs of Muslim women are taken into consideration in the development and implementation of services, programs, & policies. Maha has also given presentations at various local, national, and international conferences highlighting the difference between religious and cultural practices in Islam and the status of women in Islam. She continues to be involved in religious dialogues at all levels.

Maha has served the Australian Muslim community on Ministerial Advisory committees, such as:

The Department of Sport & Recreation.
Substitute Care where she chaired a subcommittee researching the needs of young Australian Muslims in Out of Home Care.
The Muslim foster care Advisory committee.
The NSW Premier’s Council for women.
The Community Harmony Reference group with the Community Relations Commission.
The Human Rights Equal Opportunity Commission’s Reference group (the Isma’ project), giving advice on eliminating prejudice against Muslims in Australia.
The Clinical Excellence Commission Citizens Engagement Advisory Council.

Awards

The 2002 Premier’s award for her work on the Muslim Foster care program.
The 2003 Muslim woman of the year award, which was awarded by Affinity.
The 2004 Muslim woman of the year award from Bayt Elzakat Sydney.
The Award of the Centenary Medal.
The 2008 Order of Australia Medal.
The 2013 Premier’s Multicultural Community Medal.
Maha also holds a Social work degree and a Masters in Social Science, majoring in young people and children’s studies, and is finalising her Graduate Diploma in Family Dispute Resolution.