Lebanese-Australian singer Ghada Daher-Elmowy has received an award from the Government of New South Wales (NSW), Australia.
Elmowy was awarded the Premier’s 2021 Multicultural Community Medal, the National News Agency reported on Thursday.
This medal, presented annually to a number of recipients, expresses the appreciation of NSW authorities of what they describe as a “valuable contribution” by expatriates. It also aims to promote social harmony and cohesion.
Elmowy was awarded the medal in the arts and culture category, which is given to individuals who have made achievements that have helped enhance mutual understanding between cultures and who had artistic projects within communities with different cultural or linguistic backgrounds.
It’s worth noting that NSW’s capital, Sydney, is regarded as one of Australia‘s most culturally and linguistically diverse areas. In 2016, there were nearly 60,000 Lebanon-born people living in NSW.
Elmowy, who in 2017 became the first artist of Lebanese origin to sing at the Sydney Opera House, performs cultural concerts featuring Lebanese songs with the “Andalus Arab Choir,” which she founded in 2013.
NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian praised Elmowy and her fellow medal recipients for their “services and dedication,” noting their sacrifices over the past year in the midst of the pandemic.
