Zia Ahmad, 73, is widely recognised as editor-in-chief of the Australasian Muslim Times, known as AMUST. This independent Muslim newspaper and news portal is Australia’s leading publication of its kind. It was established with his father in 1991.
Under his leadership the outlet expanded from a small print community paper into a multimedia platform. It now reports on Muslim and multicultural Australian life for audiences across different faiths and backgrounds.
AMUST operates as part of Seena Incorporated, a not-for-profit organisation based in Bonnyrigg in Sydney’s south-west.
“I accept this recognition with gratitude and humility,” Mr Ahmad said. “This honour belongs not only to me but to the many individuals, organisations, colleagues, volunteers, friends and family who have accompanied me on this journey – and to the communities I have had the privilege to serve over many years.”
He described founding the Australian Muslim Times with his father in 1991 and developing it into the Australasian Muslim Times in 2014 as his main contribution to journalism. The publication now includes print, digital and social media platforms.
The Ahmad family story reflects a distinctly Australian experience. Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad, a mechanical engineering professor, arrived in Australia in 1971 with his wife Jamal Ara and six children after leaving Kashmir. He later completed a PhD at the University of Sydney and helped establish Islamic institutions and interfaith groups. He received an OAM shortly before his death.
Zia Ahmad, a biochemist who retired in 2013 after more than 40 years at the University of Sydney, has built a comparable legacy. In 2021 he received the Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards Lifetime Achievement Award for promoting multiculturalism and social cohesion over nearly 50 years.
He had previously won the same panel’s best editorial prize in 2016 and best print report in 2019. Additional honours include an interfaith dialogue award in 2018 and recognition from the Multicultural Communities Council of NSW.
Mr Ahmad serves on the Abraham Conference Organising Committee and the board of Western Grammar School. He noted the value of diversity and respectful engagement across cultures.
He encouraged Australians to nominate deserving volunteers and community members for national honours.
His daughter Rubinah Ahmad has worked as AMUST’s graphic designer and technology director since 2014. She also manages the office of the Australian Islamic Medical Association and received a technology volunteer award in 2022.
