......a sometimes
self-deprecating and occasional tongue-in-cheek look at ourselves and
the world around us ......
Sunday, 12 October 2008
.Newsletter
0205
News you won't find on CNN!
Imran
makes Eidfest
2008
The
star attraction of another rain-soaked Eidfest this
year was the appearance of cricket
legend-turned-politician Imran Khan who
arrived hovering over the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds
in a specially chartered helicopter, landed on a
strip alongside and then was driven in a golf
buggy to the main arena before a large expectant
crowd of fans and dignitaries who waited impatiently
again for the formalities to run through before he
came on stage.
Wearing his heart on
his sleeve, Imran Khan spoke on Islam, the West and
terrorism, with his central message being that the
problems of the world should be ascribed to politics
and not religion; that there can only be political
solutions, and that the billions of innocent Muslims
in the world should not be made to answer for the
actions of a few extremists. He then went on to
answer question on the political situation in
Pakistan where his views on the current political
leaders was less than flattering.
"At 55, he's still the
full package," a swooning young lady told our CCN
reporter just before he headed off again to another
engagement. "Looks, charm, charisma, conviction,
confidence...the list goes on!"
Queensland Governor
Penelope Wensley officially opened the festival.
The traditional
Eidfest fare was again on offer this year with
stalls, rides, talkfests, cooking demos, workshops,
fashion shows and multicultural performances
(including a range of musical offerings from bands
and singers from Sudan, Turkey, West Java and India
as well as Muslim rappers The Brothahood).
Author Hanifa Deen was
on hand to sign her latest book and Mahboba from
Mahboba's Promise (an Australian charity set up to
look after orphans in the refugee camps of
Afghanistan) also made an appearance.
The Darul Uloom Eid-ul-Fitr
Sports & Picnic Day is on today (Sunday) come rain or
shine!
The
Premier's Reception
Some 350 members of the
Muslim community in South-East Queensland accepted the
invitation of the Premier of Queensland, Ms Anna
Bligh MP to her Premier's Muslim Community
Reception.
The function commenced
with maghrib prayers in the Undumbi Room and then
a gathering in the main Parliamentary Hall where
Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Ms Lindy
Nelson-Carr MP, welcomed the guests with an
assurance of support of the Muslim community by the
Queensland Government.
The Premier's address
acknowledged the work of the various Muslim
organizations, individuals and businesses. She pointed
out that such a reception as this was the Government's
ongoing initiative in meeting informally with many
ethnic groups in similar forums.
Mr. Suliman Sabdia,
president of the Islamic Council of Queensland, was
given the opportunity to return the favour. "I would
like to congratulate the Hon. Anna Bligh and her
government for the noble and admirable recognition her
government has extended to the Muslim community of
Queensland," he said.
"It is confirmation of the
shared belief we have of faith, love and hope and the
highest ethical, moral and religious principles in
justice, equity and fairness," he continued.
Zuleiga Goder and Saadiya
Essof of the Crescents of Brisbane Team
present Ms Bligh with a coveted Crescents of
Brisbane keyring in a personally handcrafted
box
Minister Lindy Nelson-Carr
welcomes the guests
Dr. Adam Stewart and the
Premier
Meeting the Premier
The Premier's address
Prayers in the Undumbi
Captive audience
A sandwiched Mr. Michael
Choi MP Parliamentary Secretary to the
Minister for Multicultural Affairs
(foreground l to r) Police
Minister, Judy Spence, Premier Anna Bligh
and ICQ President Mr. Suliman Sabdia
IWAQ in focus
Making the Indonesian
Connection
Susan Al-Maani, Kholoud
Abdalla, Hon. Judy Spence (Minister for
Police, Corrective Services and Sport),
Aliyah Deen, Shabnaaz Ahmed, Taufan Mawardi
Salam Merebi, Susan Al-Maani,
Kholoud Abdalla, Hon. Anna Bligh (premier of
Qld), Amina Gafoor, Aliyah Deen, Shabnaaz
Ahmed.
Dr. Shafiq Allahwala and
Dr. Masroor Alam
Talking Trucks: Mr.
Abdul Gaffar Deen and Mr. Hussin Goss
The Ambassador, Mr. Suleman
Sabdia, Mrs Movahhedi and Mrs Farzaneh Abidi
Mr. Michael Choi and Mr.
Faisal Hatia flank the Ambassador
Mr Michael Choi MP
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for
Multicultural Affairs entertained His Excellency Mr
Mahmoud Movahhedi Ambassador of the Islamic Republic
of Iran to Australia and Mrs Iran Movahhedi at the
Augustine’s On George during the week.
Amongst the 25 guests
present were
Mr. Suliman Sabdia, President of the Islamic
Council of Queensland, Mr. Mustafa Ally of
Crescents of Brisbane, Mr. Faisal Hatia of Hatia
Property Corporation, Dr Hossein Abidi, of QUT,
Mr Homayon Bozorg Nia First Secretary at the
Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran, and Mr
Richard Palk CSM State Director of the Department of
Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Imran Khan
Canberra visit cancelled after donation row
The Canberra-based
Pakistan Australia Friendship Association withdrew an
invitation for cricket legend Imran Khan to visit the
national capital this weekend because it was asked to
donate $25,000 to his political party.
The association's president, Khawar Saleem Khan,
stressed that the demand was made not by Imran Khan
himself, but by Melbourne man Rasim Ali Shah who is the
Australian coordinator of Imran Khan's Pakistan
Tehreek-e-Insaf party.
Mr Shah has denied he demanded money, saying it was
Imran Khan's strict timetable which prevented him from
visiting Canberra. ''The problem is everyone loves him,
the problem is he has a tight schedule,'' Mr Shah said.
He was paid a fee to speak at the Commercial Radio
Australia Awards on the Gold Coast this weekend and will
also attend functions in Sydney before returning to
Pakistan on Sunday.
The Pakistan Australian Friendship Association planned
to have him attend its 25th anniversary celebrations in
Canberra on Sunday.
The Ladies Auxiliary of
the Islamic Society of Algester are hosting a
Relationships Seminar by Sheik Gazaleh at
Springwood Community Centre on Friday October 17 from
8pm to 10 pm.
Tickets are $5 and you can get more information and
tickets by contacting Haleema on 3272 8227.
The Salaam
Project
A film about
the Salaam Project -
profiling the rich cultural
traditions of Islam as
practiced by a group of
Muslim women artists living
in Brisbane.
The Salaam Project is a
creative initiative and
partnership between IWAQ,
ACCESS ARTS and ARTS
QUEENSLAND.
The Project
was officially launched
yesterday at Eidfest.
Imran Khan
at the Gold Coast
Imran Khan made a late but
apologetic entrance at the Southport Sharks Club on
Friday night before a crowd of 200.
But the wait was worth
every anxious would-he-wouldn't-he-turn-up moment as his
largely Pakistani audience lapped up every one of his
English and Urdu words.
Imran spoke passionately
about the political turmoil in his homeland and the role
of his own 'Movement for Justice' (Tehreeke-e-Insaf)
party.
He was brought over to the
Gold Coast by Dr. Maqsood-ul-Hasan and Dr.
Muhammed Bilal Nasir both of whom belong to Imran's
political party.
Hussin Goss, in his
capacity as President of the Islamic Society of Gold
Coast, addressed the audience and welcomed Imran Khan to
the Gold Coast (which our guest had always assumed,
until now, was a one-horse-town).
But it was learning that
the Goss' had been in Australia for over
100 years and watching Hussin's skills as an auctioneer
that seemed to raise Imran's eyebrows and admiration to
the extent that he threatened to steal our famous
auctioneer away from us and take him off with
him on his fund raising
campaign.
Perish the thought, Imran!
Incidentally, the two
signed bats went for around $3000. During the
well-presented finger supper that followed the speeches,
Imran Khan mingled with the diners, signing everything
from bats to bags and engaging in conversation with
everyone.
Fundraising for Darra Mosque
The Darra Mosque is in
need of curtains to cover windows throughout the mosque.
The estimated cost is $8000).
If you are able to help by making a donation, please
contact Aliyah on 0402904181 for more details.
Around
the Muslim World with CCN
Rare manuscripts of Quran
on display in Kashmir
Sri Nagar : Some rare Quranic manuscripts written by
legendary calligraphists of the world hundreds of years
back are being exhibited by the state Academy of Art,
Culture and Languages in Srinagar. The three-day
exhibition will be held at Saqafat Ghar, Lal Mandi, in
the heart of Srinagar City located on the banks of river
Jehlum, an academy spokesman said. Zaffar Iqbal Khan
Manhas, Secretary of the Academy, stated that this
exhibition will be the first of its kind in which the
rare centuries-old manuscripts written by renowned
calligraphist and scholars of the world will be
exhibited. He said this will include holy Qur'an written
with an ink blending gold with saffron. This is the only
manuscript in the world calligraphed in saffron ink.
This manuscript bears the colophonoed year and
calligraphed in 1594 A.D, Kashmir Observer reported.
He said about 35 hand written manuscripts and nearly 2
dozens printed copies of the Quran would be exhibited in
this historic exhibition. The main attraction of the
exhibition will be a manuscript of Persian written in
calligraphy with nail of thumb popularly known as
Khat-e-Nakhun, adding that this manuscript is a marvel
of calligraphy. The margin of the manuscript is
decorated with illustrations of men, birds, animals and
beasts. The calligrapher used to calligraphy with the
nail of his finger and surprisingly in reverse. Another
specimen of calligraphy to be exhibited during the
exhibition will be the collection of calligraphy
specimen of the Quran by Usman-Qadri the renowned
calligrapher of South Asia.
In this exhibition, the Academy is going to exhibit a
marvelous work done in 1711 AD. These Quranic
manuscripts bears a Paper Machie cover which may be one
of the earliest specimen extinct in Kashmir. He said,
another attraction of the exhibition will be the oldest
available manuscript of the Holy Quran in Kashmir
calligraphed by one Fateh-ullah Kashmiri in 1237 AD,
i.e., about 83 year before Muslims assumed political
power in Kashmir. This contains the Persian translation
also. Zaffar said that another interesting exhibit is a
manuscript which contains the parables of great
philosophers and kings. It is a beautiful specimen of
calligraphy. Some of the pages of this manuscript are
illuminated with gold. Elegant paintings of major mughal
emperors including the manuscript have added to the
grace and value of this manuscript.
Leicester guide dog is first to be
allowed to enter UK mosque
After months of work by The Guide Dogs for
the Blind Association and The Muslim Council
of Britain (MCB), guide dog Vargo has become
the first guide dog in the UK to enter a
mosque after the Islamic Shari’ah Council
issued a historic fatwa stating “a blind
person, in the light of Shariah Law, will be
allowed to keep a guide dog to help him and
if required to take him to the mosque for
his prayers”.
In this momentous event today (on Wednesday
24 September), Vargo accompanied his
18-year-old owner Mahomed-Abraar Khatri to
his local mosque in Leicester, seen as a
massive step forward for other blind and
partially sighted Muslims. Previously a
guide dog has not been able to accompany its
owner into a mosque as the Islamic faith
recognises dogs as being used for guarding
and hunting only. However Vargo – and other
guide dogs – are working dogs and so
necessary adjustments to encourage
independent mobility are supported.
A specially constructed rest area has been
set up in the entrance of the mosque for
Vargo to stay in whilst Mahomed-Abraar is
praying. Previously Mahomed-Abraar - who
attends the RNIB College in Loughborough -
had to be accompanied to the mosque by a
sighted assistant.
The Price of Progress:
Transforming Islam’s Holiest Site
MECCA,
Saudi Arabia — Five times a day across the globe devout
Muslims face this city in prayer, focused on a site
where they believe Abraham built a temple to God. The
spot is also the place Muslims are expected to visit at
least once in their lives.
Now as they make the pilgrimage clothed in simple white
cotton wraps, they will see something other than the
stark black cube known as the Kaaba, which is literally
the center of the Muslim world. They will also see
Starbucks. And Cartier and Tiffany. And H&M and Topshop.
The Abraj al Bait Mall — one of the largest in Saudi
Arabia, outfitted with flat-panel monitors with
advertisements and announcements, neon lights, an
amusement park ride, fast-food restaurants and a
lingerie shop — has been built directly across from
Islam’s holiest site.
Not everyone considers this progress.
“Mecca is becoming like Las Vegas, and that is a
disaster,” said Ali al-Ahmed, director of the Institute
for Gulf Affairs in Washington, a Saudi opposition
research organization. “It will have a disastrous effect
on Muslims because going to Mecca will have no feeling.
There is no charm anymore. All you see is glass and
cement.”
A Nigerian man with 86 wives will go before
a criminal tribunal after an Islamic Sharia
court transferred his case there.
The upper Sharia court judge Abdulkadir Imam
ordered that the criminal case against
84-year-old Muhammadu Bello Masaba,
arraigned for marrying 86 wives, in breach
of Islamic penal codes, be moved to a
magistrate court for trial.
"The court based its decision on the fact
that the offences involved have some
criminal elements in them as contained in
the penal code of the state and could
therefore not be tried in a Sharia court,"
court clerk Usman Egiworo said.
Masaba was arrested three weeks ago after he
failed to divorce 82 of his 86 wives.
The case of Masaba, an Islamic cleric,
captured public attention some three months
ago when he admitted to having 86 wives.
The revelation attracted sharp criticism and
indignation from Islamic clerics with the
Jama'atu Nasril Islam (JNI), the Nigerian
Muslim umbrella body that slammed a fatwa,
or death sentence, on Masaba.
He later agreed to divorce 82 of the wives
and keep four, following an ultimatum issued
by the influential traditional chief of his
hometown Bidda to either part with his
excess wives or quit the town.
Related Article:
The man with too many wives in which the
Nigerian Tribune states that "...[Masaba]
does not break hearts, he steals them. He
does not lead women up the garden path; he
leads them into his parlour. And all his
women come to stay and apparently never
stray. Masaba has 86 wives. Masaba is a
preacher and a healer in Bida, Niger State.
He is 84 years old, but his face has no
fissures; it is almost as smooth as the face
of a statue. And though age has long
triumphed over youth, Masaba still has
somewhat pleasing looks."
"Masaba has a harem of houris. They are not
purdah prudes; they pose for photographs and
many of them look sophisticated and stylish.
The preacher is a very attentive husband. He
has close to 200 children. He is proud of,
though not boastful about, his sexual
strength. He said: ‘A man with 10 wives
would collapse and die, but my own power is
given by Allah. That is why I have been able
to control 86 of them.’"
The CCN
Readers' Book Club:
You are what you read!
This week
A CCN Reader
recommends
The Twelfth
Fishby
Graham Perrett
ADULTERY
and racism are just a few of the touchy topics Federal
Labor Member for Moreton Graham Perrett explores in his
first fictional novel.
The former
English teacher, solicitor and Independent Education
Union organiser, and now politician, recently released
The Twelfth Fish through publisher The Vulgar Press.
Set in 1992 when
the Mabo case was dominating the headlines and
indigenous land rights were well and truly in the
spotlight, the book charts the life of a young Gold
Coast teacher during his three-year posting to a
Catholic primary school in the fictional outback
Queensland town of Lawson.
Perrett injects
liberal doses of humour and poignancy into a tale that
examines, among other things, racial tensions and the
steamy relationships that transpire beneath the surface
of a seemingly sedate country town.
Although Perrett
grew up as the seventh of 10 children in the central
western town of St George, he is quick to dismiss
suggestions the book is to some extent autobiographical.
He said the book reflected his personal interest in
native title and the Mabo case - he once worked as a
native title adviser to former Queensland Natural
Resources and Mines Minister and now Health Minister
Stephen Robertson.
"I'm sure
there's elements of my character in there, but I have
stolen parts of other people's lives and put them in
there as well.
"The theme in
the book is that idea of gaining a truth by looking at
something from a different direction, which's really
what the High Court did with Mabo."
Would you like to see the cover of
your favourite book on our book shelves below?
Using the book
club you can see what books fellow CCN
readers have on their shelves, what they are
reading and even what they, and others,
think of them.
All questions sent in are published here anonymously and
without any references to the author of the question.
KB's Culinary Corner
Baba Gounush
INGREDIENTS
1 large eggplant
1 clove garlic
1/4 - 1/2 cup lemon juice (depending on taste)
3 tab tahini
1 tsp salt
3 tsp olive oil
Topping
2 tab lemon juice
2 tsp olive oil
PREPARATION:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees and bake eggplant for 30
minutes, or until outside is crisp and inside is soft.
Allow to cool for 20 minutes.
Cut open eggplant and scoop out the flesh into colander
and allow to drain for 10 minutes.
Removing the excess liquid helps to eliminate a bitter
flavor.
Place eggplant flesh in a medium bowl. Add remaining
ingredients and mash together. You can also use a food
processor and pulse for about 2 minutes.
Place in serving bowl and top with lemon juice and olive
oil. Add other garnish according to taste.
Serve with warm or toasted pita, flatbread or turkish
bread
Garnishing Ideas for Baba Ghannouj
Baba ghannouj always has to have olive oil on top for
garnish. However you can spice things up a bit by adding
crushed red pepper, a dash of cumin, parsley or
coriander.
Do you have a recipe
to share with CCN readers?
Send in your favourite recipe to
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org and be our "guest chef" for
the week.
The CCN Chuckle
Mula Nasruddin and
his friend Jalalludin were driving down the road.
Mula Nasruddin driving looks at Jalalludin in the
passenger seat and asks him to see if his blinker is
working.
So Jalalludin
looks out the window and says, ''Yes. No. Yes. No.''
Venue:
Room S201,
University of Queensland, 323 Hawken Drive,
St. Lucia
Contact: 0421 731 797
Time: 6.45pm to 9.00pm
Sunnah Inspirations is a
non-profit organisation to cater for Muslim
social support and supplying information to
Muslims and non-Muslims. They have
been doing various activities around
Australia, and have organised Da'wah
information stalls at various universities
in Brisbane. More info can be found on
their website above.
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particularly if they eventually turn out to be libelous,
unfounded, objectionable, obnoxious, offensive,
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from time to time, notices of events that some readers
may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are often
posted as received. Including such messages or providing
the details of such events does not necessarily imply
endorsement of the contents of these events by either
CCN or Crescents of Brisbane Inc.
The
star attraction of another rain-soaked Eidfest this
year was the appearance of cricket
legend-turned-politician Imran Khan who
arrived hovering over the Mount Gravatt Showgrounds
in a specially chartered helicopter, landed on a
strip alongside and then was driven in a golf
buggy to the main arena before a large expectant
crowd of fans and dignitaries who waited impatiently
again for the formalities to run through before he
came on stage.
MECCA,
Saudi Arabia — Five times a day across the globe devout
Muslims face this city in prayer, focused on a site
where they believe Abraham built a temple to God. The
spot is also the place Muslims are expected to visit at
least once in their lives.
ADULTERY
and racism are just a few of the touchy topics Federal
Labor Member for Moreton Graham Perrett explores in his
first fictional novel. 
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Crescents
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