......a sometimes
self-deprecating and occasional tongue-in-cheek look at ourselves and
the world around us ......
Sunday, 6 December 2009
.Newsletter
0265
News you won't find on CNN!
Goss the
Boss
The Labor Party celebrated
the 20th anniversary of a landmark Queensland election
win on December 2, 1989, when Wayne Goss ended 32
years of National Party domination in the state.
Over 900 party faithful
and invited guests attended the Brisbane Convention
Centre function last week at which the Prime Minister,
Kevin Rudd, was scheduled to attend but could not
in the end because of a delay in his return from the US.
Kevin Rudd, together with
Federal Treasurer, Wayne Swan, played a
significant part in that famous victory in their roles
as chief-of-staff and campaign manager respectively.
Queensland Premier,
Anna Bligh and others heaped copious praise on the
guest of honour and his part in laying the foundation
for successive Labor governments.
Wayne Goss addresses
the dinner guests
(left to right)
Farouk Adam, Janeth Deen,
Yousuf Meer, David Forde,
Stephen Robertson MP, Mustafa
Ally and Faisal Hatia
(foreground left to right)
Yousuf Meer, Farouk Adam,
Janeth Deen and Wayne Goss
Australian Government Assistance to Refugees: Fact vs
Fiction
In recent years, a series of emails have
been widely circulated throughout Australia claiming to
describe the social security entitlements of refugees,
compared with those of other Australian residents.
A common claim in these emails is that
refugees in Australia receive higher social security
benefits than age pensioners.
Some also suggest that refugees receive
free gifts such as houses.
Claims of this kind are erroneous and
appear to have caused some confusion in the community.
They are often brought to the attention
of senators and members by their constituents.
This
Background Note describes the current situation with
regard to refugee entitlements to social security and
other assistance in order to clarify this issue for
senators and members.
More than
the minarets at stake
The following statement was issued by the United Ulama
Council of South Africa (UUCSA):
Fifty-seven percent of the 2.67 million Swiss who
participated in a referendum voted against the right of
Muslims to construct minarets with their mosques.
The
move was spearheaded by the racist Swiss People’s Party
(SVP) whose slogan read: “minarets are symbols of rising
Muslim political power that could one day transform
Switzerland into an Islamic nation.”
The SVP campaign
posters showed minarets rising like missiles from the
Swiss flag next to a fully veiled woman.
The minaret
unlike the
Cross has no
‘divine
value.’
People are
certainly
not
attracted to
Islam
because of
tall
minarets.
The Swiss government to its credit was against the
proposal but could not prevail against the provocative
and intolerant rhetoric of the extremist Swiss People's
Party (SVP).
The vote revealed the extent to which
far-right racist groups were winning the battle of ideas
on the future of Europe.
The results of this referendum
have been welcomed by leaders of other radical
right-wing groups in Europe, such as Heinz-Christian Strache, leader of the radical-right Austrian Freedom
Party, and Marine Le Pen, vice-president of France's
National Front, which points to the possibility of
religious and political extremism spreading further in
Europe Muslims comprise 6 percent of Switzerland’s 7.5
million population.
Many of them are the refugees of the 1990s Serb-Croat
ethnic-cleansing of Muslims in Bosnia and former
Yugoslavia. There are about 150 mosques in Switzerland,
only four have minarets which won't be affected by the
ban. Unlike mosques in Muslim countries, these minarets
are not used to call Muslims to prayer.
The idea of
putting issues
related to
religious
freedom and
human rights to
vote is quite
unacceptable and
unjustifiable.
Compare this action of the so-called ‘civilized and
democratic world’ with the religious tolerance which
exists in most parts of the Muslim world.
There is no
restriction on building new churches in the Muslim world
with Christian or Jewish minorities – Indonesia, the
most populated Muslim country (13 million Christians out
total population of 212 million), Pakistan, Egypt,
Islamic Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Sudan, Lebanon, Turkey,
Jordan, Syria, UAE, Kuwait, etc.
The church bells ring
every Sunday and Christmas is an official holiday. Most
Muslim countries have Sunday as weekly holiday.
Christians have held several top positions in both
military and government in Indonesia, Pakistan, Iraq
(Saddam Hussein had six Christian cabinet ministers
including Vice President Tariq Aziz), Lebanon, Egypt,
Sudan, Tanzania, and Nigeria.
The minaret unlike the Cross has no ‘divine value.’
People are certainly not attracted to Islam because of
tall minarets. They reverted to Islam for its simple
teachings and human-brotherhood. Minarets are
architectural structures associated with mosques which
do not have any political significance.
Farhad Afshar, leader of the Swiss Coordination of
Islamic Organisations said: "The most painful thing for
us is not the ban on minarets, but the symbol sent by
this vote. The idea of putting issues related to
religious freedom and human rights to vote is quite
unacceptable and unjustifiable. Furthermore, the
situation where the majority votes on issues related to
the rights of the minority is fundamentally at odds with
the spirit of democracy, which cannot be allowed to be
used as an open door to incitement, and an excuse to pit
citizens against their fellow partners in society.”
Mosques and minarets in European cities are
manifestations of the proudly indigenous nature of Islam
in Europe.
It is tragic that the far right is stripping
away at the illustrious heritage of coexistence between
different faiths and cultures in Europe and replacing it
with their warped and xenophobic political agendas.
On the 14 November the Kuraby Madarassah
held a Qur’an Competition for the first time in its
history,
The Qur’an Competition attracted 70
participants and 3 judges.
The students were very nervous and at the
same time excited as well, but in the end all performed
exceptionally well.
The judges were extremely impressed with
the students’ performances.
Imam Imraan Husain (the Imam of
the Gold Coast Musjid), who is a specialist in the field
of Qur’an, commented that, “The level of recitation
displayed by the students was of a high standard.”
Imam Ikraam Buksh (the Imam of the
Darra Mosque) added, “Kuraby Madrassah has always been a
role model for other Madarassahs and this statement has
been proven in the witnessing of the standards of
Maulana Akram’s students.”
Imam Basheer Khan (the Imam of
Australian International Islamic College) was also
equally impressed and said,” Of all the Qur’an
competitions that he had judged this was by far his best
experience.”
Due to the high quality of standards produced by the
reciters, it was a very hard decision for the judges to
make.
They also commented on the which was very
well organised programme and format of the competition.
This event highlighted some of the objectives of the
Kuraby Madrassah which are to produce quality reciters
of the Qur’an, to inculcate the message of the Qur’an in
their lives and also help them develop a passion for the
Qur’an in their hearts.
Summer
classes
Imam Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh will be
conducting Islamic classes over the December holidays.
Little
Mosque on the Prairie: Season 3 Episode 16
Recipe For Disaster
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Australian Muslim
Newsletters
The Al-Ghazalli Newsletter
of the Sydney-based Al-Ghazalli Centre can be
viewed
here.
Topics include:
• The Importance of
Madhab
• Understanding Crescent
Sighting
• Parliament of World Religions
• Arabic Language Program 2010
• Foundations Diploma in Islamic Sciences 2010
• Intermediate Tajweed Program
• Letter to a Disciple
• Mizaan Ecology - Cooks River Regeneration Project
• The 2nd Crescent Project
• Mizaan Ecology - Kooragang Island Rehabilitation
Project (Newcastle)
• The Crescent Project
The
Affinity Intercultural Foundation
Newsletter can be
viewed
here.
Topics include:
• Travel to Timeless
Cities 2009 Tour of Turkey
- Fifth Regional Interfaith Dialogue
- Muslim-Buddhist Dialogue
- Talking Dialogue at St Mark?s National Theological
Centre
- Laos and Myanmar Educators visit Affinity Centre
- Muslim-Christian dialogue in Wagga Wagga
- Conference: Living Islam in the Contemporary
Global Society
- International Scholars visit Affinity
- Bookchat at Kogarah Library
- Staff Development Day at Affinity Centre
- Talking Women at Wenona Girls
- MEFF Festival Reception
A Ball of
a Time
Fa'izah Batchelor
The Eid Ul-Adha Ball for ladies was held on Saturday
28th of November at the Runaway Bay Community Centre.
The evening was a roaring success. Upon entering the
venue, guests were treated to room filled with stalls
and Marquees giving the venue a Middle Eastern Bazaar
feel.
The meal was superb. The buffet dinner include beef,
lamb and chicken, roast veggies, salads, mousaka, and
chicken curry, catering for all tastebuds. The desert
was a selection of pavlova, chocolate mud cake and fruit
salad.
Organiser Juanita Taylor said "The response from the
women was excellent, it really was a great chance for
everyone to let their hair down and have a great night".
The evening was accentuated by Duff playing in the
background. The real entertainment began with basic
dancing lessons from professional dancers and a duff
workshop where participants sat on Arabic lounges in a
marquee and learnt to play the duff. Aisha Stacy, a
participant, commented, "I can't wait till next year!
Everyone had an awesome time."
The Eid Ul-Adha ball also had a larger purpose, to
encourage different community groups to attend and share
the services available for women.
Juanita said "This is the inaugural Eid Ul-Adha event.
It catered to Muslims of all levels and backgrounds,
bringing together everyone in a spirit of unity. Next
year we hope to be bigger and better involving more
sections of the community to come together and share
their activities for women."
Peer
Performs Prayers for Parliament
Religious leaders from different faith
groups were invited to Parliament House a fortnight ago
to offer prayers for the last sitting of the Queensland
Parliament this year. Imam Yusuf Peer represented
the Islamic faith.
The
Australian Journey: Muslim Communities - DIAC
publication
Adapted from
Australian Journey - Muslim
communities
The
Australian Journey – Muslim communities,
a new DIAC publication, is characterised by
contributions of Muslims from all over the world who have
made Australia home.
In this and following issues of CCN we highlight one of the successful Muslims in Australia
from the report and their thoughts about what it means to be both a
Muslim and an Australian.
Asim Gorashi
Music, Art and the
Written Word
Asim Gorashi is an
accomplished oud and
violin player who
performs around the
country. His
combination of
Sudanese traditional
music with
contemporary jazz
and Middle Eastern
influences has
garnered a strong
following.
All religions are
meant to be pathways
towards wellbeing
and proper
humanity. I believe
that Islam is the
religion of peace,
love and
forgiveness, however
like any other
religious
communities we have
radical and tolerant
members. Australian
Muslims specifically
have been
participating
everywhere -
reflecting the
multicultural face
of Australia and
providing role
models for other
young Australians.
Asim Gorashi
The CCN
Centre Link
Teaching positions
The Islamic College of
Brisbane is a P-12 Co-educational College. As a
result of ongoing expansion and increase in its
student roll for 2010, the College invites
applications for the following vacancies commencing
2010.
• ARABIC (LOTE) TEACHER (B.A in Arabic, B.
Ed. preferable or permission to teach)
• ISLAMIC STUDIES TEACHER (Applicants should
have an Aalim degree from a recognized institution
and also have effective communication skills in
English)
Abu Dhabi named in top 10
cities of the world list
Abu Dhabi: Abu Dhabi has
been ranked among the top
ten best cities to visit by
Lonely Planet.
The report titled ‘The Best
Ten Cities to Visit in 2010'
was based on scientific and
field studies that took into
consideration a range of
factors. The achievement is
especially noteworthy given
that Istanbul (Turkey) Kyoto
(Japan) Lecce (Italy)
Vancouver (Canada) and
Singapore were among the
others that made it to the
list.
Although the report
attributes the selection of
some cities to the global
financial crisis, the fact
is that this does not apply
to Abu Dhabi, which was not
as badly impacted as other
well-known urban centres the
world over.
Gulfnews.com
Playboys of Dubai fall
from grace
Robert Fisk
.......Dubai
may soon
find itself
a satellite
not of its
Abu Dhabi
capital, but
of India.
The biggest
merchants in
Dubai are
Indian -
they run the
gold market,
even the
bookshops in
Sheikh
Mohamed's
playpen -
and west
India is
only two
hours'
flying time
away. In
fact, until
1962 - and
you have to
be an oldie
to
understand
the
emirates'
economic
world - the
Indian rupee
was the
currency for
most of the
Gulf,
including
even Kuwait.
Allah was
kind to Dubai yesterday.
Just when the emirate's
unspeakable wealth appeared
on the point of collapse -
stock markets, naturally,
"trembled" - along came the
feast of Eid al-Adha and
sent all the kings and emirs
and sheikhs off to their
diwans to celebrate the
decision by the father of
monotheism - the Prophet
Ibrahim himself - not to
kill his son Ismail.
But then again, Sheikh
Mohamed bin Rashid al-Makhtoum
knew that the week-long
holiday in Dubai would close
down the local markets even
if it couldn't stifle the
rumours.
Among the latter came the
old canard that Sheikh
Mohamed will have to hand
over his immensely
profitable Emirates Airlines
to his Abu Dhabi cousin, the
ever-beneficent Sheikh
Khalifa bin Zayed bin Sultan
al-Nahyan, who seems to
spend much of his time
bailing out Dubai's
outrageous tourist and
oligarchical ambitions.
“So please, oh PLEASE,
we beg, we pray, Go throw your TV set away, And in its
place you can install, A lovely bookshelf on the wall.”
- Roald Dahl, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
This week
CCN
recommends
A
Black Englishman by
Carolyn Slaughter
Synopsis
India, 1920: exotic,
glamorous, and violent, as the country begins to resist
England's colonial grip. In the midst of this turmoil,
Isabel, a young British military wife, begins a
passionate liaison with Sam, an Indian doctor and Oxford
graduate who insists, against all odds, on the right to
be both black and British. Their secret devotion to each
other takes them across India in a terrifying, deadly
race against time and tradition. This powerful love
story combines the themes of colonial exploitation,
political and ethnic tensions and race, and the many
forms of partition, both secular and religious, that
endanger our world.
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.
25 green mangoes (choose
mangoes that have a hard seed/core)
1 cup white vinegar
3tbl rough salt
2 tbl chilli powder
500g golden syrup
4 tbl brown sugar
2 tbl crushed red chillis
(adjust depending on strength of chillis)
Method
1. Peel and chop the mangoes in 4 pieces and
then soak them in the mixture of vinegar,
salt and chillie powder overnight
2. The next day, arrange all the mangoes in
a tray and leave out in the sun to dry for 2
days covered with a net so insects don't get
in (you can bring it inside at night)
3. When mangoes are dry, cook in a pot the
syrup, sugar and red chillies and then add
the mangoes to the mixture
5. Allow to cook on low heat stirring now
and then until the mangoes are well coated
in the syrup mixture
6. Once again, place the mango pieces on a
tray with cut side facing up and allow to
dry in the sun for 2 days (in the same
manner as done earlier)
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.
Kareema's Keep Fit Column
R A N D O M F A C T S
O F F I T N E S S
Add some of these acts of fitness into your daily
routine for faster results:
• Arm tighteners / toners - Stand with your arms
extended to your side and rotate in small, rapid
circles. Continue for about a minute and rotate in the
other direction.
• Walking lunges - Take a big step forward with one foot
and sink into a lunge (keep your tummy in tight).
Alternate your legs as you make your way from one end of
the room to the other.
• Wall squats - Place your back flat against the wall
with your feet out wide (knees are bent and facing the
same direction as your toes).
Hold the squat for as long as you can and repeat a few
times.
• Step-ups - Step up and down on a step for about a
minute, then alternate your leading leg.
• Calf raises - Stand on a step with your heels hanging
off. Raise up on your toes and then lower your heels.
• Crab crawls - Begin in a seated position (hips off the
floor). Try and walk forward and backward on your palms
and feet.
Add a few more of your favourite exercises in between
for more of a challenge.
Remember, you don't have to do it all in one go...
Break your workout up into a few minute mini-workouts
and reap the rewards!
All questions sent in are published here anonymously
and without any references to the author of the
question.
The CCN Chuckle
Mula
Nasruddin lived on a quiet, rural highway.
But, as time went by, the traffic slowly built up at an
alarming rate.
It became so heavy and so fast that his chickens were
being run over at a rate of three to six a day.
So he called the local police's office and said, "You've
got to do something about all of these tourists driving
so fast and killing all of my chickens."
"What do you want me to do?" asked the policeman.
"I don't care, just do something about these drivers."
So the next day the policeman put up a sign that said:
SLOW: SCHOOL CROSSING.
Three days later, Mula Nasruddin again called the
policeman and said, "That sign didn't help a bit. They
are still hitting my chickens."
So the next day, the policeman put up a sign that said:
SLOW: CHILDREN AT PLAY.
Again, no change. So Mula Nasruddin called and called,
every day for three weeks. Finally, he told the
policeman, "Look, your signs are just not working. Mind
if I put up one of my own?"
The policeman told him, "Sure thing, let's see if yours
works better."
He was willing to agree to anything to get him to stop
those daily calls. Well, the policeman got no more calls
from Mula Nasruddin.
After three weeks, he decided to call Mula Nasruddin and
see how things were going.
"Did you put up your sign?"
"Oh, I sure did. And not one chicken has been killed
since. I've got to go. I'm very busy." And he hung up
the phone.
The policeman thought to himself, "I'd better go have a
look at that sign. There might be something there that
WE could use to slow down drivers..."
So the policeman drove out to Mula Nasruddin's house,
and he saw the sign.
It was on a whole sheet of plywood. Written in large,
yellow letters were the words: SLOW: NUDIST COLONY.
Brumby's
Bakery, Big Gun Shopping Centre
Underwood, has South African Naan available
every Sunday and Tuesday.
We would also like to thank CCN readers for
their continued support of our Bakery and we
look forward to any feed-back you may care to
give us.
The best
ideas and the best feedback come from our community of
readers. If you have a topic or opinion that you want to
write about or want seen covered or any news item that
you think might be of benefit to the Crescents Community
please e-mail
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org.
Share
your thoughts, feelings and ambitions for our community
through CCN.
If there
is someone you know who would like to subscribe to CCN
please encourage them to send an e-mail to
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org with the words
“Subscribe Me” in the subject line.
Disclaimer
Articles and opinions appearing in this newsletter do
not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Crescents of
Brisbane Team, CCN, its Editor or its Sponsors,
particularly if they eventually turn out to be libelous,
unfounded, objectionable, obnoxious, offensive,
slanderous and/or downright distasteful.
It is the usual policy of
CCN to include 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 Al-Ghazalli Newsletter
of the Sydney-based Al-Ghazalli Centre can be
viewed
The
Teaching positions 
C