12 Muslim Australians Who Crushed It In 2014

A collection of Australia's best and brightest.

1. Mariam Veiszadeh

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Mariam Veiszadeh was born in Kabul, Afghanistan during the Soviet War in 1984. After years of jumping countries with her family seeking asylum they were granted asylum in Australia in 1991. Mariam Veiszadeh is a lawyer and human rights advocate who has been leading the charge against Islamophobia.

2. Aamer Rahman

Facebook: Aamer-Rahman

Aamer Rahman is a stand-up comedian who has travelled the world with sell out shows, from Australia to the United Kingdom. He is one part of the comedy duo Fear of a Brown Planet, alongside comedian Nazeem Hussain. Rahman also holds a bachelor of law from Monarsh University in Melbourne.

3. Delina Darusman-Gala

muslimstreetfashion.blogspot.com.au

Delina Darusman-Gala a fashion blogger and the creator of Muslim Street Fashion, a fashion blog for Muslim women. She has gained a lot of traffic online with many followers from Malaysia and Indonesia as well as Australia. Asked why she set up the blog, she stated "All my friends used to ask me where I purchased my clothes from, so I decided to set up the blog to help them out… I also wanted to let them know that Muslim women can be stylish as well."

4. Rashid Mahazi

AAP Image/Joe Castro

At the humble age of 22, Melbourne-born soccer player Rashid Mahazi has been playing for Melbourne Victory in the A-League as a midfielder. Mahazi is of Kenyan descent and is being tipped as one of the breakout stars in the league in 2015.

5. Waleed Aly

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Waleed Aly is an Australian radio host and television personality who has also worked as a lawyer, academic and musician. The Melbourne born 36-year-old of Egyptian descent has become a frequent commentator when it comes to Australian Muslim affairs and he has also written a book titled People Like Us: How Arrogance is Dividing Islam and the West. In 2014 it was announced that Waleed Aly will become a co-host of The Project.

6. Samina Yasmeen

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Samina Yasmeen is currently a Professor of Political Science and International Relations at the University of Western Australia – but is also well known for being the Director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies within the University. She regularly appears in the media – both in text and on television – and helps to explain and open the conversation about Islam in politics.

7. Bachar Houli

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Bachar Houli is a football player currently playing for Richmond Football Club in the AFL. The 26-year-old Melbournian has Lebanese parents and became the second devout Muslim to play in the AFL. Houli is seen as a role model for young Muslims in Australia. In 2008 he was also a nominee for the AFL Rising Star award.

8. Yassmin Abdel-Magied

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Yassmin Abdel-Magied created Youth Without Borders – a youth led organization that empowers youth to work together for change in their communities - at the age of 16 and has gone on to be awarded the Young Australian Muslim of the Year in 2007 and Young Queenslander of the year in 2010. She

blogs regularly about her life and issues within the Muslim community.

9. Nazeem Hussain

Facebook: nazeem.m.hussain

Aussie comic Nazeem Hussain has been behind a series of successful and hilarious television shows – most recently Legally Brown. The Logie Award nominee is also the director of the Islamic Council of Victoria. Hussain has Sri Lankan parents and was born in Melbourne - where he went to Deakin University and graduated with a Bachelor of Science and a Bachelor of Laws. You can see him on SBS, ABC, Channel 10 and a host of other channels performing standup comedy – including the Oxfam Comedy Gala.

10. Ed Husic

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Western Sydney local Ed Husic is the current Member of the Australian Parliament for Chifley – and is widely tipped to be a future labor leader. He was the first Muslim to be sworn on to the government frontbench during Kevin Rudd's time as Prime Minister – and works for campaigns against domestic violence in his region.

11. Mona Shindy

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Mona Shindy is the current Strategic Advisor on Islamic Cultural Affairs for the Australian Navy. She is one of 15 Muslims serving in the Navy. She serves as a leader to young Muslims, speaking to the Lebanese Muslim Association of Australia in an effort to break down barriers and create an understanding and respect between communities.

12. Randa Abdel-Fattah

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Randa Abdel-Fattah is a litigation lawyer / writer who has several books published, dealing with issues of race, identity, cultural stereotypes, and adulthood. Her third novel, Where The Streets Had A Name deals with the Israeli occupation from the perspective of a 13-year-old girl. She is a regular on ABC's Q&A, and also tours schools around the country discussing social justice and inequality with students.