Opening of the 17th branch of the A-B Street Library in Sydney

The 17th branch of the A-B Street Library has been inaugurated at 16 Surrey Street Mint, Campbelltown, Sydney, Australia. It is not just a library; it is a symbol of a humanitarian movement built on the connection of books, art, and people.

A-B Street Library Secretary Councilor Ashiqur Rahman Ash conducted the inaugural ceremony.

Guests included Mayor Darcy Lound's representative, Campbelltown City Council Deputy Mayor Councillor Karen Hunt, Councillor Masud Chowdhury, Mal Fruan, Chairperson of the NSW Council for Pacific Communities, Sonali Luthra, Principal of Al-Faisal College Campbelltown, Brian Lawle, Chairperson of Rainbow Crossing Inc., Eric Contos of Southwest Voice, Moana J. Strickland and Diana Mailata of Hands on Hearts Macarthur, Mina Scandari, Founder of the Scandari Foundation, Author Glenn Kosar, Lee Needham of Mr. Perfect, respected community elder 'Uncle David', community figure Md. Shafiqul Alam, Bangladeshi actor Mizanur Rahman, Jessar Ahmed Jewel, and others.

Deputy Mayor Councillor Karen Hunt has been a strong supporter of the initiative from the beginning. With her support, the AB Street Library has moved from a small space on the side of the road to a location in the city council's parks.

Kamal Pasha, president of AB Street Library, said, "These colorful boxes were designed by students of Al-Faisal College — they are not just a place to store books, they are a bridge. That connects readers, writers, communities, and neighbors. We are not just opening libraries, we are opening minds."

Today, 17 libraries have been opened through AB Street Library, thousands of books have been exchanged, and a humane, inclusive, story-based culture is being developed.

This library, built through community collaboration and love, reminds us that a book is not just a doorway to knowledge; it is a story of relationships, a story of compassion.