Correspondence from Andrew
Laming (Federal Member
for Bowman and Parliamentary
Secretary to Hon. Simon
Birmingham Federal Minister
for Education) congratulates
the Islamic College of
Brisbane (ICB) on the
impressive academic results
achieved by the 2017 senior
cohort. The correspondence
further indicates that once
socio-economic factors are
taken into consideration ICB
was in the top 10% of Qld’s
370 OP secondary schools.
The correspondence also
refers to forthcoming
analysis of “distance
travelled” from 2014 NAPLAN
to 2017 OP results. On this
measure last year ICB showed
the greatest improvement
when compared with all other
private schools in the
Brisbane Metropolitan area.
Dr Ray Barrett, ICB
Principal, told CCN that
“while the focus is on OP
results, all staff from Prep
to 12 – teaching and
non-teaching – are involved
because achievements of this
nature do not occur
overnight and are the
outcome of all of our
combined efforts.
Congratulations and thanks
to all. Let us celebrate
this achievement and focus
on further continuous
improvement”.
Board Chair Ismail Cajee
congratulated the efforts of
the Islamic College of
Brisbane Board and its CPAC
(College Parents Advisory
Committee) in providing the
environment through
appropriate strategies and
human and physical resources
to facilitate this
achievement.
He said that “While the
Board has been focussed on
compliance issues with the
State and Federal Government
in recent years it has never
lost sight of its main
objective of operating in
the best interests of ICB to
provide the conditions where
students have the
opportunity to achieve to
the very best of their
ability’.
A group from the National
Council of Jewish Women
Australia visited the
Bosnian Mosque on Monday 19
March.
The welcoming committee
consisted of Cassim and
Fouzia Peer, Sadeq and
Feroza Mustapha and Janeth
Deen.
Sadeq Mustapha conducted the
tour and explained various
aspects of the Islamic
religion.
"It was a pleasure to visit
such a beautifully presented
mosque to a group of people,
some of whom have never been
to a mosque before," Janeth
Deen told CCN.
Morning tea was provided by
Cassim and Fouzia Peer over
which the visitors were able
to socialise and get to know
each other.
The group presented a
bouquet of flowers to the
Muslim ladies and a donation
to the Bosnian Mosque as an
appreciation for hosting the
visit.
Mufti of Australia elect, Imam
Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi,
flanked by outgoing Mufti Imam
Dr. Ibrahim Abu Mohammed and
ANIC president, Imam Shady
Alsuleiman
The election for the
position of Mufti of
Australia was held at the
11th General Assembly of the
Australian National Imams
Council (ANIC).
The election followed the
completion of the maximum
constitutionally permitted
period of six years, i.e.,
two consecutive three year
terms, by the outgoing
Mufti, His Eminence Dr
Ibrahim Abu Mohamad.
In their
press release, ANIC
recorded that Dr Abu Mohamad
"served the Muslim community
in Australia well and
provided unprecedented and
invaluable service" for
which he was warmly thanked.
The ANIC Executive
Committee, consisting of
eighteen eminent member
Imams, were charged with
electing the new Mufti,
which they did at the
General Assembly.
The Australian National
Imams Council announced that
Imam Abdel Aziem Al-Afifi
was elected as
the new Mufti of Australia
for the next three years.
The Victorian-based Sheikh
Al-Afifi served as the
president of the Australian
National Imams Council (ANIC)
for two terms from
2010-2015. Born in Egypt, he
graduated with a degree in
Islamic studies. Al-Afifi
also holds a masters degree
in Quranic recitations.
Sheikh Abdel Aziem arrived
in Australia in the year
2000 where he served
numerous Islamic Societies
and schools.
The press release added:
ANIC congratulates Imam
ABDEL AZIEM AL-AFIFI and
wishes him all the
success in the new
position.
ANIC is confident that
the new Mufti of
Australia will be warmly
welcomed by the
community. With the
community's support, the
Mufti of Australia will
be able to perform his
duties and dedicate
himself to the service
of all in this country.
ANIC would like to
reiterate that it is the
peek Islamic religious
authority in Australia
recognised by the Imams,
the Muslim community and
the authorities. ANIC is
the sole body charged
with electing the Mufti
of Australia.
Any claim to the title
of "Mufti of Australia"
by other individuals is
false and incorrect.
This especially includes
the false claim by
Mustafa Rashed, who is
not a member of ANIC,
not an Imam at any
Mosque in Australia and
is not known nor
recognised by the
Muslims in Australia and
any media agency that
promotes him and
introduces his as the
Mufti of Australia had
contributed to this
deception and fraud.
The General Assembly also
saw the signing of the ANIC
Imams Code of Honour which
affirms the unity of the
Imams in Australia, their
mutual respect for one
another and their commitment
to standing united against
any target towards Islam and
Muslims.
ABOUT ANIC
ANIC has over 200 member
Imams from across the
Australian continent. The
core strength of ANIC is the
diversity of its member
Imams, encompassing many
different cultural and
ethnic backgrounds, schools
of thoughts, Islamic
community groups and
movements. This diversity
and inclusivity is also
reflected in the 18 members
that make up the ANIC
executive committee, with
Imams from different states
in Australia, including the
newly elected Mufti of
Australia, Imam Abdul Aziem
Al-Al-Afifi from VIC.
1. Imam Shady Alsuleiman
- NSW - President
2. Imam Moustapha
Sarakibi - VIC -
Secretary
3. Imam Mohamad Khamis -
NSW - Assistant
Secretary
4. Imam Mohamed Imraan
Husain - QLD - Treasurer
5. Imam Yusuf Peer - QLD
- Assistant Treasurer
6. Imam Dr. Ibrahim Abu
Mohammed - NSW -
Former Mufti of
Australia / Executive
Member
7. Imam Abdul Salam Zoud
- NSW - Executive Member
8. Imam Abdul Moez Nafti
- NSW - Executive Member
9. Imam Shabbir Ahmed -
NSW - Executive Member
10. Imam Rabih Baytie -
VIC - Executive Member
11. Imam Mogamat Majidih
Essa - VIC - Executive
Member
12. Imam Abdulla
Abdalhamid Hawari - VIC
- Executive Member
13. Imam Riad El Rifai -
SA - Executive Member
14. Imam Ameen Abou
Samaha - SA - Executive
Member
15. Imam Burhaan Mehtar
- WA - Executive Member
16. Imam Faizel Gaffoor
- WA - Executive Member
17. Imam Adama Konda -
ACT - Executive Member
There is an intentional and
direct correlation between
the members of the ANIC
Executive Committee and the
demographics of the Muslim
community in the different
states:
6 Imams from NSW
5 Imams from VIC
2 Imams from QLD
2 Imams from SA
2 Imams from WA
1 Imam from ACT
The ANIC executive committee
is elected by the Imams
council of each state. These
Imams share a strong
sentiment of brotherhood,
unity and confidence in each
other. The primary focus of
the Imams of ANIC is to work
towards mutual benefit in
serving the interest of the
Muslim community.
The Imams agree to disagree
on matters where
disagreement is acceptable,
and stand strongly and
united on the fundamental
matters of Islam. The
decisions and resolutions
that the Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) takes
are, without a doubt, always
made with the best intention
and endeavour of serving
Islam, the Muslim community,
and the Australian people at
large.
Furthermore, this diversity
amongst the constituent
Imams of ANIC ensures
transparency,
professionalism, and open
dialogue. This applies to
all the decisions made by
the Council, including both
the election of the
Executives Committee and the
Mufti of Australia.
The Imams take pride in the
unity, brotherhood, and bond
that they share amongst in
ANIC and will continue to
strive towards uniting the
Imams and Muslim community.
Portrait
of Yassmin
by Adrian Cook, a semi finalist
for the
2018 Moran Contemporary
Photographic Prize for
this submission.
Outspoken activist Yassmin
Abdel-Magied, who
spectacularly claimed to be
the 'most hated' Muslim in
the country before moving to
London last year, has won a
prestigious prize for free
speech.
Human rights group Liberty
Victoria yesterday announced
that Ms Abdel-Magied had
been awarded the 2018 Young
Voltaire Award for being a
'role model' to young women,
Muslims and migrants.
Actor and same-sex marriage
activist Magda Szubanski has
been awarded the 2018
Voltaire award, following in
the footsteps of former
Australian Rights Commission
president Gillian Triggs,
television presenter Waleed
Aly and journalist David
Marr.
'I won an award for
Free Speech y’all,'
Ms Abdel-Magied
announced on Twitter
this week.
'This one is for all
those young Muslims and
POC [people of colour]
in Aus [sic] and around
the world who know their
equality is conditional,
but know they need to
speak anyway.'
'And for all of those
who tried to silence me
... Eat your hearts
out.'"
Liberty Victoria president
Jessie Taylor said Ms
Abdel-Magied was a “worthy
winner”.
“Yassmin is sometimes
provocative, but the hate
she receives is despicable
and disproportionate,” she
said.
“Despite being on the
receiving end of personal
attacks and threats of death
and sexual violence, Yassmin
courageously continues to
give voice to a cross
section of society that is
not well-represented in
media or in public debate.”
The Institute of Public
Affairs, a conservative
think-tank, hit out at
Liberty Victoria for giving
Ms Abdel-Magied a prize for
free speech.
In an Australian
cricket team full of stars,
Usman Khawaja stands out. He’s a
fine batsman and an agile
fielder, but there’s something
else. He’s a Muslim. In fact,
Usman is the first Muslim to
ever wear the baggy green cap.
He says it hasn’t always been
easy being different to his
teammates, and in the past he
has hated the attention placed
on his faith. But now he is
proud to celebrate it. And as
Allison Langdon discovered,
“Ussie” also has something else
to celebrate. It’s something
even better than scoring a
century: his upcoming wedding to
Rachel, who, for her future
husband, has happily gone from
being a good Catholic to a good
Muslim.
Muslim cricket star Usman
Khawaja's fiancée, 22, reveals
why she converted to Islam - and
the outrage the couple has faced
since going public with their
relationship
The fiancée of Australian
cricketer Usman Khawaja has
spoken out about why she
made the decision to convert
from Catholicism to Islam.
Rachel McLellan, 22, from
Brisbane, and her Muslim
groom, 31, will tie the knot
in what they describe as a
'big white wedding' next
month following the cricket
season.
Appearing on 60 Minutes, the
bride-to-be admitted she
believed the misconceptions
of the faith before she met
Khawaja.
'Ussie was the first Muslim
I'd ever met,' Rachel told
reporter Allison Langdon.
'I was very ignorant around
Ussie, I will admit to that.
I only listened to what I
had heard on the news. All I
read was well, terrorists
and awful things.'
Leaving behind her Catholic
roots, Rachel made the decision
to convert to Islam last year
The Pakistan-born batsman -
who became the first Muslim
to ever play cricket in
Australia - said his faith
has always come first in his
life.
And so it came as a surprise
when he fell in love with
the Catholic school girl.
Despite trying to challenge
the stereotypes of the
religion, Khawaja said the
pair have faced outrage
since going public with
their relationship.
'A lot of times a lot of the
hate I get is from other
Muslims on social media,' he
said.
'We will put up a photo of
us two, and it will be like,
"Oh she's not Muslim. That's
haram, you can't marry
her".'
Khawaja proposed to his
then-girlfriend - who was
born into a devout Catholic
family - during a romantic
New York holiday in July
2016.
Despite trying to challenge
the stereotypes of the religion,
Khawaja said the pair have faced
outrage since going public with
their relationship
As their relationship
blossomed, the batsman said
he never put any pressure on
Rachel to switch religion
for him - and insisted the
decision was entirely hers
to make.
'I never was going to put a
gun to Rachel's head and say
you have to convert,' he
said.
'I told her I would prefer
her to convert but she has
to do it on her own. Unless
it comes from you, comes
from the heart, then there
is no point doing it.'
Walking away from her
Catholic roots, Rachel made
the controversial decision
on her own to convert to
Islam last year.
The bride-to-be admitted she
initially believed the
misconceptions of the faith she
read about in the media before
she met Khawaja
'[I felt] no pressure from
him, not any pressure from
his family. I just knew it
was so important to him,'
she said.
By sharing their story, the
pair are determined to break
down the religious and
social barriers that still
permeate society.
'When Ussie Met Rachel'
aired on 60 Minutes on
Sunday night.
On Wednesday the 21 March
the Australian International
Islamic College celebrated
Harmony Day with a focus on
this year’s theme of
‘Racism No Way!’
A special assembly was held
to mark the day.
Mrs Banwa, the school
principal, sent a strong
message of “Everyone
Belongs”, in her opening
address.
The students thoroughly
enjoyed the morning assembly
which included presentations
on the theme by the Student
Council, various nasheed
and poetry performances, a
cultural parade and to
finish off, a rousing
rendition of ‘We Are
Australian’ by the whole
school.
The highlight of the
assembly was the didgeridoo
performance by guest speaker
and Ngutana Lui
representative, Eric Ellis.
Students were enthralled by
the different animal sounds
he was able to produce using
the traditional instrument.
The assembly was then
followed by a rotation of
cultural activities and
games which tied in with
another theme of Harmony
Day, ‘Our diversity is our
strength.’
In all it was a wonderful
day and Insha’Allah students
will be carrying the message
of the day with them until
next year’s Harmony Day
swings around.
Nominations for the 2018
Queensland Multicultural
Awards are now open.
Since 1990, the Queensland
Multicultural Awards have
recognised community
volunteers, groups,
businesses, government
agencies and media whose
long-term efforts have
helped all Queenslanders to
participate in our economy
and community.
Last year winners came from
across the state and from a
range of backgrounds, such
as the winner of the
Minister’s Multicultural
Award, Mesh & Knots MASSI
MATSI Women's Group
consisting of mainly
Australian South Sea
Islander elders from Mackay.
The overarching theme for
this year’s awards is:
Building a prosperous, fair
and harmonious Queensland.
This year’s award categories
are:
• Outstanding Young
Achiever – Under 25
years, including
volunteers.
• Outstanding
Individual Achiever
– 25 years and over,
including volunteers.
• Community – For
not-for-profit community
organisations or groups.
• Education, Training
and Skills – For
government and
non-government early
childhood education and
care, schools,
universities, TAFEs or
registered training
organisations located in
Queensland.
• Business – For
businesses, companies,
or media.
• Government (Local
and State) – For a
government organisation
or team within a
government organisation.
• Multicultural
Queensland Ambassador
– For organisations
participating in the
Multicultural Queensland
Ambassador Program.
• Minister’s
Multicultural Award
– This recognises the
outstanding achievements
of a nominee, selected
by the Minister from all
nominations.
Nominations for the 2018
Queensland Multicultural
Awards close on Monday 7 May
2018.
Award winners will be
announced at a special lunch
in August, during Queensland
Multicultural Month.
Don't let your location
deter you from nominating.
If you're not within driving
distance to Logan City,
Multicultural Affairs
Queensland will arrange
flights and transfers for
finalists and include a
ticket to the Awards lunch*.
The Malek Fahd Islamic School
in Sydney's south-west has had
its future in doubt for the past
two years.
Australia's largest Islamic
school's future hangs in the
balance after a full bench
of the Federal Court
dismissed an appeal against
its $19 million federal
education funding cut.
Malek Fahd Islamic school in
Sydney's west had its
funding cut two years ago by
Federal Education Minister
Simon Birmingham over poor
governance issues and
because it was operating for
profit.
The school of 2,500
kindergarten to Year 12
students, which has its
largest campus in Greenacre,
had been able to keep going
due to interim appeals in
lower courts, internal
reforms including a change
of board and an overhaul of
its relationship with its
landlord, the Australian
Federation of Islamic
Councils.
The Federal Court today
upheld an earlier judgement
by the NSW Administrative
Appeals Tribunal.
In applying to appeal the
matter, the school argued
"things had changed under
its new management" and the
school was no longer
operated for profit, the
judgement said.
"The [Education] Minister
accepted that some things
had changed as a result of
the change in [Malek Fahd's]
management, but maintained
that the school continued to
be operated for profit," the
judgement said.
'All schools must comply':
Minister
In a written statement
issued today, Mr Birmingham
said all schools must comply
with the Education Act.
Dr John Bennett, chair of
Malek Fahd school board, with
lawyer Rick Mitry after this
week's decision.
"All school authorities must
meet the requirements of the
Education Act and ensure
that our taxpayer dollars
and any private investment
by parents is being spent to
benefit Australian
students," he said.
The school's board chair
John Bennett said he was
extremely disappointed in
the decision.
"It was a split decision by
the full bench of the
Federal Court. We now need
to look at the decision and
look at our options," he
said.
"We will look at appealing
the High Court.
"If that appeal fails we
will not be able to afford
to stay open," Dr Bennett
said.
School to stay open for now
The school would continue
operating during any appeal
process, the chair
explained.
"We are telling the parents
and students that we are
doing all we can — this is
not the same school as two
years ago," Mr Bennett said.
"I am fully supportive of
the money provided by the
Government being spent
properly.
"But looking briefly at
today's orders, we believe
things have changed since
last May's federal court
hearing."
Dr Bennett said he would
also look at appealing
directly to the Education
Minister.
Senator Birmingham said he
had written to NSW Education
Minister Rob Stokes to "work
together to support the
school's students, families
and staff".
A new wave of food bloggers
is putting the spotlight on
halal foods and carving out a
niche on social media.
In a world dominated by
influencers, “food porn” and
sponsored posts, a new breed
of Muslim foodies -
colloquially known as
‘haloodies’ are carving out
a niche on social media for
the odd 1 billion consumers
of halal food (meaning
lawful in Arabic) around the
globe. According to The
Economist, the Islamic
market will be worth more
than $5 trillion by 2020, so
you could say these bloggers
are onto something.
Their task? Broadly,
convincing the rest of the
world that halal food isn’t
actually that scary (on the
contrary, it’s delicious,
ethical, and more than
worthy of the popular
Instafood hashtag), and
dissolving the negative
stereotypes unfortunately
pinned to Muslims and the
food they eat.
Of course, it depends who
you ask. Each ‘Haloodie’
food blog is as unique as
the person or team behind
it, with different aims and
philosophies underpinning
them.
The London Haloodie
showcases fine halal food at
luxury restaurants around
the world, while Tazzamina
is a lifestyle influencer
who wants her audience to
know Muslims can pull off
fabulous flatlays just as
good as anyone else.
For Lina Jebeile of
The Lebanese Plate,
running her blog is less
about showing the world the
wonders of halal and more
about preserving her
cultural heritage for her
children.
“When my parents migrated
from Lebanon to a whole new
country and a whole new
lifestyle, it was difficult
for them to adapt,” she
tells SBS. “My mum was
constantly trying to hold on
to her ‘Lebabese-ness’, and
I feel like it’s important
to be me, to be able to hold
on to it, too. The only real
thing I have to pass on to
my kids is the food.”
While Jebeile doesn’t make a
point of bringing the
attention of her audience to
halal food specifically,
eating halal is an important
part of her life – all the
recipes featured on her
website and Instagram are
made with halal ingredients.
The Lebanese Plate
normalises halal food, and
paves the way for other
Muslim bloggers to share
their experience of cooking
at home for their families.
"I do see [Muslim food
bloggers] more often than I
used to,” Jebeile says.
“There are a lot more people
in the community wanting
that kind of food, they’re
eager to go out and
experiment at different
restaurants. I always get
comments from people who are
excited to learn there are
halal options of their
favourite dishes.”
Following
Cassie Cohen and Jackson
Bursill on their marathon a
day (see
CCN), here is another
migrant/refugee personal
story:
Story 100: Naba
Naba, the daughter of a
doctor and a dentist, was 10
years old when her family
fled from Iraq to Jordan
following the American
invasion.
From there, her family came
to Australia on a
humanitarian visa and
settled in Melbourne.
Now 24, Naba has graduated
from Medicine at Monash
University and is completing
her intern year at Eastern
Health, working in the
emergency department at the
Angliss hospital.
Throughout her degree, she
volunteered on projects in
Uganda and in a refugee camp
in Jordan.
Her experiences in the
Australian education system
inspired her to start ‘Happy
Brain’ a not-for-profit
organisation which provides
tutoring and mentoring
services to young people and
involves them in meaningful
and impactful social
projects.
Tensions have
long been high over the Chinese
government’s influence and
continued crackdowns on the
cultural identity of the Uighur
ethnic group
Xinjiang is a key region in
Beijing’s One Belt, One Road
initiative that will link China
to the east and west. This
massive infrastructure project
will span more than 60 countries
across Asia, the MidXinjiang is
a key region in Beijing’s One
Belt, One Road initiative that
will link China to the east and
west. This massive
infrastructure project will span
more than 60 countries across
Asia, the Middle East, Europe
and Africa
There are approximately 1.84
billion Muslims in the world
today, making up 24.38% of
the world’s population, or
just under one-quarter of
mankind. As well as being
citizens of their respective
countries, they also have a
sense of belonging to the ‘ummah’,
the worldwide Muslim
community.
The Muslim500 publication
sets out to ascertain the
influence some Muslims have
on this community, or on
behalf of the community.
Influence is: any person who
has the power (be it
cultural, ideological,
financial, political or
otherwise) to make a change
that will have a significant
impact on the Muslim world.
Note that the impact can be
either positive or negative,
depending on one’s point of
view of course.
12
"The suppression of ideas
and thought is a major sin,
and we will never allow
anyone to stifle freedom of
thought. In our religion
there is tolerance ,
morality and openness , and
the venerable Qura'an stands
for knowledge and thought.
These verses do not call for
sitting idly, unthinking, or
to go through life blindly.
It has never been, at any
time, against inquiry or the
seeking of knowledge".
Sultan Qaboos bin Sa’id Al-Sa’id,
the 14th descendant of the
Al-Bu Sa’idi dynasty, is a
socially and politically
active monarch, who has
ruled for over 40 years as
Sultan. Sultan Qaboos has
revolutionized and
modernized Oman,
transforming it from a poor,
isolationist nation into a
land closely-linked with the
African continent and
devoted to economic
development, regional
stability, and religious
tolerance.
Leader of Omani Sultanate:
Sultan Qaboos Al-Sa’id
reigns over a country
strategically situated in
the Gulf region. Oman has a
stake in the crude oil
market due to the Strait of
Hormuz, which connects the
Gulf of Oman to the Persian
Gulf and the Arabian Sea,
producing over 950,000
barrels of crude oil per day
in 2014, according to Oman’s
Oil and Gas Ministry.
Historically, Oman is
significant as one of the
only countries with a large
population of Ibadi Muslims
and as the most
authoritative state in the
Ibadi movement—one that is
recognized as one of the
oldest schools of Islamic
thought.
Beacon of Islam:
Sultan Qaboos has helped
build or restore thousands
of mosques at his personal
expense, the grandest being
the Sultan Qaboos Mosque,
which can accommodate up to
20,000 worshippers. The
Sultan is a discreet but
strong supporter of moderate
Islam and has created a
unique Islamic culture in
Oman that has carefully
combined the best of
traditional Islam with the
benefits of the modern
world. Sultan Qaboos has
promoted culturally-specific
Islamic dress, art,
architecture and education,
and is a keen advocate of
environmentalism. This
quiet, measured rise has
made Oman a hidden pearl of
the Islamic world.
Personal Leadership:
The Sultan has raised the
Omani standard of living by
building up Oman’s school
system, health care,
infrastructure, and economy.
He cites political
participation as one of his
major long-term goals.
Within the last two decades,
he has introduced political
reforms; including a
bicameral representative
body, a basic law, universal
suffrage, and a supreme
court. Moreover, despite
Oman’s relative lack of oil
and gas compared to other
Gulf States, the Sultan has
invested his country’s
wealth so wisely that all
citizens are guaranteed free
education up to the doctoral
level (should they qualify);
free healthcare, free land,
soft loans for building
homes, jobs and social
security for the disabled,
orphans and widows.
Furthermore, unlike
neighbouring countries, Oman
has resolved all its border
demarcation issues with all
its neighbours, has no
foreign debt and has a
Sovereign Wealth Reserve
Fund of over 30 billion
Riyals (about $100 billion).
Oman is thus arguably the
best administrated country
in the Islamic world, if not
in the whole world. He
continues this leadership
even though he is receiving
treatment for cancer.
International Leader:
Sultan Qaboos has been
recognized by organizations
such as the United Nations
and the National Council of
US-Arab Relations for his
leadership in the Persian
Gulf region. In 2008, he
presided over the GCC
Summit, where he was
commended for his ongoing
efforts toward political and
economic cooperation amongst
the GCC states. Sultan
Qaboos has made an effort to
strengthen ties between Oman
and Iran, as well as the
strategic partnership
between Oman and
India—showing the Sultan’s
foresight in carving foreign
policy independent of that
of his Arab neighbours.
ANOTHER FROM THE TOP 50
INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS IN NEXT
WEEK'S CCN
14 stages of
love according
to the Arabic
language
By Rayana Khalaf
Arabs are in a
league of our
own when it
comes to
romance. I mean,
just look at the
ways we express
love, we're
always ready to
sacrifice our
skin and bones
for the people
we love.
Over-the-top
demonstration of
love goes beyond
our everyday
conversation, as
it is rooted
deep within our
literature.
There is no
shortage of epic
and fiery poems
in Arab
literature,
brought to us by
the likes of Abu
Nawas and Nizar
Qabbani.
In these poems,
we see
variations of
words referring
to love, like "'oshk"
and "gharam"...
but contrary to
popular belief,
these words are
not synonymous.
They each refer
to a unique
degree of love.
Actually, there
are 14 degrees
of love in
Arabic language.
Here they are in
increasing order
of intensity:
In 2016, an
Essential Report
found that 49%
of Australians
supported a ban
on Muslim
immigration to
Australia.
Another poll by
the Australian
National
University found
that 71% of
Australians were
concerned about
the rise of
Islamic
extremism
locally. In the
same year
however,
researchers at
Griffith
University found
that 70% of
Australians
believed that
they themselves
knew “little to
nothing about
the religion and
its adherents”
(O’Donnell
2017), despite
the
disproportionate
coverage of
Islam and
Muslims in the
media shown
above.
It takes a
special kind of
fear mongering
and
sensationalism
to convince the
majority of a
nation to ban a
community they
themselves
recognise they
know almost
nothing about.
It is simply
naive to ignore
the serious role
the media plays
in making
Muslims seem
‘different’ to
the rest of
Australian
society. As Anne
Aly, an academic
and MP for
Cowan, put it:
“In the
popular
Australian
media…
Muslims have
been
characterized
as
non-members
of the
Australian
community –
relegating
them to the
space of the
‘other’,
alien,
foreign and
incompatible
with
Australian
cultural
values.”
(Aly 2007)
In 2016, 2,886
Australians died
in relation to
suicide, whilst
0 people died
from a terrorist
attack on
Australian soil.
Yet in the 2017
budget, the
federal
government
allocated $7.2
million to the
ANZ
Counter-Terrorism
Committee, and
only $2.1
million to
suicide
prevention and
awareness. That
is not to take
away from the
work that our
police and
intelligence
agencies do to
keep us safe.
But it’s
essential that
we remember that
our beliefs as a
society do not
just affect how
we view or treat
the individuals
around us. They
shape government
policy,
institutional
agendas and
cultural norms.
And those things
have a far
greater power to
harm a community
that is already
struggling to
find its place
in Australian
society.
In 2017, the
Islamophobia
Register
Australia
published the
report
Islamophobia in
Australia:
2014-2016, which
found “an
observable
coincidence
between spikes
of vilification
reported to the
Islamophobia
Register and
terror attacks,
anti-terror
legislation and
negative media
coverage of high
profile Muslim
leaders” (Iner
2017), such as
the with the
case of the
Grand Mufti. It
also showed that
the majority of
Islamophobic
insults were not
related to
terrorism,
meaning that
simply the
existence and
visibility of
Muslims and
Islam is now the
main motivation
behind these
hate attacks.
Aly also noted
that “attempts
by Muslims to
articulate their
views and
opinions in the
popular media
often draw
opposition from
the public about
accommodating
the needs of
Muslims” (Aly
2007). This can
clearly be seen
in the case of
Yassmin
Abdel-Magied’s
infamous Q&A
appearance and
ANZAC day post,
or in the
debates
surrounding
Halal food.
In other words,
whether Muslims
stay silent and
take the heat,
or ‘play the
game’ and push
back, the result
is the same:
public animosity
and resentment
of Islam in
Australia.
Hana Assafiri
speaks out about
her violent past
as Muslim child
bride
Hana is the
founder of Speed
Date a Muslim, a
community event
designed to
combat
Islamophobia
Hana Assafiri
opened
Melbourne's
Moroccan Soup
Bar 20 years ago
this June.
Now the owner of
two restaurants,
she is also the
founder of Speed
Date a Muslim, a
community event
to combat
Islamophobia.
Since
revelations of
sexual abuse and
harassment have
gone viral with
the #MeToo
movement, Hana
Assafiri
believes it's
her turn to end
the silence. For
the first time,
she shares her
personal story
of abuse.
I saw him many
years ago. I had
been driving,
and in my rage
imagined I would
ram him into the
wall. So I
revved the car
and then a calm
came over me. I
got out of the
car and looked
at him and said:
"Be very
afraid. We
will all be
accountable
for our
behaviour".
He just [said
nothing]. And to
me this is an
Islamic
principle which
takes you back
to what is the
ultimate arbiter
of what is right
and wrong. In my
belief we've all
departed from
this. This is
where I find
solace as an
adult.
While my Mum was
alive all I
wanted was to
protect her. In
many respects I
was the
emotional adult
with her. She
was diagnosed
with
motor-neurone
disease. It was
an awfully cruel
disease. Nearing
the end, when
she could still
speak, she
looked at me and
said "I'm
sorry".
My anger was
never with Mum
or Dad. They
were doing their
best and when
people do their
best you can't
be angry with
them. My anger
was aimed at the
abuser.
Why break the
silence?
I want to
encourage
younger women to
speak up — not
just younger
Muslim women,
but across the
board — to say
it's
unacceptable.
It's not OK.
There's nothing
Islamic about
condoning abuse
and continuing
the silence
around it.
Violence against
women is not
[women's] fault
and certainly
nothing to be
ashamed of.
It's important
to call out
abuse and not
allow these
things to define
you.
"It's
important to
shift the
shame and
place it
where it
belongs;
with the
abuser."
In December
2016, the Darul
Uloom Deoband
issued a fatwa
that probably
stands as the
strongest
indictment of
Maulana Saad’s
leadership,
painting it as
both deviant and
divisive: “Due
to a lack of
knowledge, [Maulana
Saad] has
strayed from the
path of the
majority of the
Ulema ... in his
ideologies and
his explanation
of Quran and
Hadith, which is
undoubtedly the
path of
deviation,” the
statement said.
Maulana Saad’s
tendency to let
his mouth run at
times was often
discussed within
the movement.
Those who heard
his contentious
remarks would
not know if they
were more than
isolated,
off-the-cuff
remarks. The
Deoband fatwa,
by listing seven
offensive
remarks that
were
investigated and
proved to have
been made by
him, would have
greatly damaged
his standing,
given the
source.
In 2017, the
Islamic seminary
went one step
further and
issued an order
banning TJ from
its campus.
Restricting the
group from
conducting any
activities
inside the “four
walls” of the
sprawling
madressah, the
seminary’s
administration
announced, in
August 2017,
that any student
found involved
in Tablighi
activity would
face punitive
action. This is
the first time
in the
seminary’s
over-100-years-old
history that it
has shut its
doors on the
Tablighi Jamaat,
its own
ideological
offshoot.
The action, said
the seminary’s
rector Mufti
Abul Qasim
Nomani, was
needed to
prevent a clash
among Deoband
students who
were getting
divided into two
camps. “We are
not against
Tablighi Jamaat
or its works but
were only
worried that our
students might
get sucked into
the fight
between the two
factions,” Mufti
Nomani was
quoted as saying
in the Indian
media. “We tried
to mediate
between the
groups to help
them sort out
their
differences but
failed. The ban
will be lifted
only after the
two factions
bury their
differences.”
In the latest
development,
Maulana Saad is
reported to have
admitted to a
‘mistake’ while
confined at the
Kakrail Mosque
(another
designated
markaz for the
movement).
Barred from
attending the
congregation in
Tongi, perhaps
Maulana Saad may
finally repent
and correct his
‘mistake’. Darul
Uloom Deoband
has expressed
satisfaction on
the reports of
repentance and
admission of
making mistakes
by Maulana Saad
but has said
that it couldn’t
ignore the
intellectual
waywardness
which was the
basis of Darul
Uloom Deoband’s
original
pronouncement.
A VACUUM OF
LEGITIMACY
The split in TJ
has greatly
frustrated some
lifelong
devotees
worldwide and a
London-based
volunteer sums
it up really
well.
“There are those
who follow
Nizamuddin and
Maulana Saad
Kandhalvi and
then there are
others opposed
to him, hence
following Aalmi
Shura. But there
is a third camp,
comprising
people like me,
who are confused
at the state of
affairs,” he
says.
It is a fact
that the outcome
of the current
struggle will
decide the
future direction
for the
missionary group
— whether it
marches ahead on
the road to
personal piety
or remains
wedded to its
archaic ways and
customs having
no foundations
in religious
literature,
whether it
develops into an
all-inclusive
group where
decisions are
made through
consultations or
orders are
imposed from the
top leadership
decided on the
basis of
bloodline.
The largest umbrella in the
world has began to be installed
in Masjidil Haram Al Makkah
Bharia News TV
H
eight
45 m and gross weight 600 tons,
coverage area of 2400 sq m.
There’s nothing funny about
bullying
OnePath Network
Keysar Trad Interview with
Sean Stone
re Australia/New
Zealand Conference Tour
The interview
with filmmaker Sean Ali Stone
(who reverted to Islam and has
become an expert on the Middle
East)
PLEASE
NOTE
It is the usual policy of CCN to
include notices of events, video links and articles that
some readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices
are often posted as received. Including such messages/links
or providing the details of such events does not necessarily
imply endorsement or agreement by CCN of the contents
therein.
Summary
by Mohideen:
Mufti Junaid
commenced by
reciting
sura Asr and
explained
what Imam
Shafi said
about this
sura. He
said to be
successful
in the eyes
of Allah
there has to
be four
qualities.
He spoke
about how
Allah will
test
everyone. He
advised why
everyone
should be
praying
Tahajud
salah every
night. He
compared our
mattress and
the Prophets
(pbuh)
mattress. He
explained
why Allah
wants to
test us. He
asked who we
are giving
preference
to, Allah’s
command or
your nafs
and spoke
about one
being a
level of
Shirk. Spoke
about Abu
Salma and
the tests
his family
got from
Allah. He
said how
this family
returned to
Mecca on
false rumour
and decided
to migrate
to Medina
and how they
were
intercepted
by their
clans and
how the two
tribes took
the wife and
daughter
away from
them. He
spoke of how
much of
sacrifice
they had to
go through
for the sake
of Allah and
his Prophet
(pbuh) and
how Allah
was pleased
with them.
He concluded
by advising
to put the
trust in
Allah.
Summary
by Mohideen:
Mufti Naeem
commenced by
speaking
about the
month of
Rajab as one
of the
sacred
month. He
encouraged
everyone to
ask for
forgiveness
from Allah
in this
month of
Rajab. He
also spoke
about the
months of
Shaban and
Ramadan. He
went on to
explain the
first few
ayahs/words
of the Quran.
He
complained
how today
people come
to salah and
instead of
joining the
jamaath they
are talking
on the
phone. He
explained
the
etiquettes
of the
Masjid. He
related the
story of how
the people
in the grave
telling the
Angels that
they envy
the people
in the
Masjid doing
ibadah. He
complained
that people
disturb by
talking
loudly when
taking wudu
thereby
disturbing
the jamaath
which has
already
begun. He
once again
reminded the
congregation
to do tauba
in this
month. He
concluded by
advising not
to talk
during
kuthba and
advised that
talking at
that time is
haram.
Saudi
women do not need to wear black abayas,
Mohammed bin Salman says ahead of trip to US
The crown
prince is trying to burnish his
reformist credentials ahead of
his US trip.
SAUDI ARABIA: Women in
Saudi Arabia do not need to wear
traditional black abayas or headscarves,
Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has
said, as he tries to burnish his
reformist credentials ahead of his first
trip to Washington as Saudi heir to the
throne.
The 32-year-old prince, who will meet
Donald Trump at the White House on
Tuesday, said that Saudis had “come a
very long way and have a short way to
go” to roll back laws which have
restricted Saudi women for decades.
"Saudi women still have not received
their full rights. There are rights
stipulated in Islam that they still
don’t have,” he told CBS News.
“The laws
are very clear and stipulated in the
laws of sharia: that women wear
decent, respectful clothing, like
men,” the prince said.
“This,
however, does not particularly
specify a black abaya or a black
head cover. The decision is entirely
left for women to decide what type
of decent and respectful attire she
chooses to wear.”
Black abayas, a loose
fitting robe, are not mandatory for
women in Saudi Arabia but they are so
widely worn that they are strongly
associated with the conservative
kingdom. The prince’s comments will be
taken as a sign of his ambitions to
further ease Saudi Arabia’s social laws
and customs.
Prince Mohammed has pushed through
widespread domestic reforms since rising
to power, including allowing women to
drive from June, attend football games
in stadiums, and join the Saudi
military.
However, he has not rolled back the
country’s male guardianship laws, which
make it almost for women to travel,
work, or get married without permission
from a male relative. Human Rights Watch
call the laws “the most significant
impediment to women’s rights” in Saudi
Arabia.
The meeting between Prince Mohammed and
Mr Trump will be their first face to
face encounter since the prince usurped
his older cousin to become Saudi
Arabia’s heir to the throne last June.
He is considered one of the most
powerful men in the Middle East and may
potentially rule Saudi Arabia for
decades once he takes power from his
frail 82-year-old father King Salman.
“Only death” would stop his reformist
mission, the prince said.
While Prince Mohammed is well-liked by
the Trump administration, especially for
his hawkish tone on Iran and promises to
fight Islamist extremism, members of the
US congress have voiced serious concerns
about his policies ahead of the trip.
Surge
in Muslims being jailed for drug offences
despite drop in overall prison population
‘This increasing Muslim prison
population is a symptom of a
broken justice system and a gang
problem that is rapidly getting
worse,’ says Dr Mohammed Qasim
More
than a quarter of all Muslims
currently in prison have been
incarcerated because of drug
offences, compared to 13 per
cent of all non-Muslim prisoners
UK: An alarming surge in
the number of Muslims being jailed for
drug offences has prompted accusations
that the Government is failing to deal
with growing social problems in
Britain’s impoverished Islamic
communities.
The number of Muslims in prison for drug
offences in England and Wales has jumped
by 63 per cent over seven years, rising
from 2,089 in 2010 to 3,406 in 2017,
according to figures obtained by The
Independent using Freedom of Information
laws.
Over the same period, the number of
non-Muslims in prison for drug offences
has declined by more than ten per cent.
More than a quarter of all Muslims
currently in prison have been
incarcerated because of drug offences,
compared to 13 per cent of all
non-Muslim prisoners.
Experts say these numbers should serve
as a warning to the Government that more
needs to be done to integrate young
Muslims from deprived areas into
mainstream British society.
“This increasing Muslim prison
population is a symptom of a broken
justice system and a gang problem that
is rapidly getting worse,” said Dr
Mohammed Qasim, a criminologist at Leeds
Beckett University who has spent more
than a decade researching crime in
British Muslim communities.
“Mosques and the older generations
within Islamic communities don’t know
how to stop young people turning to
dealing, and at a Government level there
is no real understanding of the
problem.”
Dr Sundas Ali, a lecturer at the
University of Oxford who studies Muslim
integration in the UK, believes that
demographics are a major factor.
In this set of three
powerful essays, the late world renowned scholar
and philosopher, Ismail al Faruqi, displays his
formidable insight, vast knowledge, and unique
trademark logic, brought to bear on subjects
still considered to be at the forefront of
discourse on comparative religion.
Al Faruqi delves
deep into the heart of the debate on the
metaphysical nature of values in the Western and
Muslim traditions, of the history of religions,
and other issues, ultimately to guide readers to
a clarity of understanding and Islam's position
in relation to them.
This will interest
and stimulate many readers, enlightened
thinkers, modern secularists, philosophers and
theologians, Muslim or otherwise - as al Faruqi
strives to arrive at an accurate assessment of
the fundamentals of these important subjects,
and their significance for the human condition.
KB says:
Sharing Raeesa Khatree's recipe from her The
Great Australian Bake Off appearance.
Add some heat to
your kitchen with these spicy chicken sausage
rolls.
Spicy Chicken Sausage Rolls
Recipe by Raeesa Khatree
from The Great Australian
Bake Off
Ingredients
Rough puff
pastry
250 grams cultured
salted butter
250 grams biscuit,
pastry and cake
flour (soft low
protein plain flour)
+ extra for rolling
and sprinkling
¾ 1 teaspoon fine
salt
2 teaspoons lemon
juice
150ml ice cold water
Sausage roll
filling
500 grams chicken
mince- organic
chicken
7 tablespoons ghee-
clarified butter
1½ teaspoon crushed
garlic
1 small red onion-
chopped
½ red capsicum-
chopped
½ bunch fresh
coriander- chopped
1 green chilli-
finely chopped
1 teaspoon cumin
seeds
2 teaspoons finely
ground coriander
1 teaspoon finely
ground cumin
1 teaspoon fennel
powder
1 teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon fine
white pepper
½ teaspoon cinnamon
powder
1 egg
2 slices white bread
1 block of feta
cheese- Australian
style
Egg wash
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon milk
Topping
2 tablespoons white
poppy seeds
2 tablespoons black
sesame seeds
Dip
1 tablespoon mustard
seeds- black
2 tablespoons oil
½ teaspoon cumin
powder
½ bunch coriander
1 green chilli
1 cup mayonnaise-
any brand
Method
1. For the rough
puff pastry using a
food processor,
place flour and salt
and mix together.
Start adding cubed
pieces of cold
butter into flour
and do short pulses
for butter to
combine with flour,
making sure that
pieces of butter are
still visible. Once
all the butter has
been added, add
water and lemon
juice and process
for approximately 15
seconds or until
dough forms and
leaves the side of
processor bowl. Use
pastry scraper to
turn out onto
floured surface and
knead lightly into a
rectangular shape.
Place in cling wrap
and refrigerate for
15 minutes.
2. Using flour below
pastry and on top,
knead gently and
form into a smooth
rectangle. Roll out
in one direction,
about 20x50cm and
fold in thirds. Give
the dough a quarter
turn to the left and
roll out again to 3
times the length.
Fold in thirds and
cover with cling and
chill for 20
minutes. Repeat the
process 3 more
times, but
remembering to
rotate 90 degrees
each time before
rolling.
3. Once all the
folds and rolls are
done, place onto a
lined tray and cover
with cling wrap.
Chill pastry for at
least 20 minutes
before using.
4. For the filling,
soak bread in ¼ cup
of water, place 5
tablespoons of ghee
into a pan and saute
chopped onions. Once
onions are almost
pink and soft, add
chopped capsicum and
cumin seeds. Saute
for a few minutes
until capsicum is
soft. Cool down.
Season with salt and
pepper. Squeeze out
water from bread and
add to mince.
Combine the
remainder of
ingredients and mix
thoroughly together.
Add the remainder 2
tablespoons of ghee.
5. To assemble,
preheat oven to
200°C and line 2
baking sheets with
baking paper. Roll
out pastry onto
floured surface into
a rectangle, making
sure that the dough
is not too thick,
approximately 3mm in
thickness. Cut into
long strips. Brush
one end of the
pastry strip with
egg wash mixture.
Place filling onto
the long end of the
pastry and roll up,
sealing the pastry
by overlapping the
pastry and placing
underneath. Cut into
5cm little rolls and
place onto prepared
baking tray. Using a
sharp scissor, cut
triangular bits on
top of pastry. Brush
with egg wash and
sprinkle with white
poppy seeds and
black sesame seeds.
Bake on 200°C for 20
minutes, then reduce
to 180°C and bake
until done,
approximately 20
more minutes, making
sure that the layers
are cooked through.
Welcome to my weekly
column on
Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind.
If you’re taking
time out to read
this, pat yourself
on the back because
you have shown
commitment to taking
care of your mind
and body.
Today, In Shaa
ALLAH, we will
explore the topic:
How To Love
Yourself
Unconditionally
How
many times in a day
or week do you tell
someone you love
them? How many times
do you tell yourself
that you love
yourself? Daily?
Weekly? Monthly?
Almost never?
Observe your body
and your thoughts as
you try this little
exercise - read this
affirmation out
loud:
I Love Myself.
Say it again, a few
times. If you’re
feeling a little
uncomfortable saying
it, ask yourself
why. It took me 38
years to learn to
love myself. My goal
now is to love
myself
unconditionally. I
am yet to master the
‘unconditonal’
aspect of self-love.
I usually do a
“mirror” exercise
with my clients
where they look at
their face in a
compact mirror and
say “I love you”.
Only a handful of my
clients have been
successful at
completing this
exercise. Some even
told me they ‘hate’
themselves. Some
expressed that
‘love’ was a very
strong word and they
didn’t feel they
deserved it. Some
said ‘there was
nothing there to
love’. I resonate
with all these
statements. It’s not
easy to love
yourself. In fact,
it’s easier to keep
living in shame or
guilt. But remember,
what is easier to do
isn’t always in
alignment with
ALLAH’s
commandments.
“Be
steadfast,
enjoin kindness,
avoid ignorance,
and bear with
patience
whatever befalls
you.”
(Holy Quran:
Surah Luqman)
Ponder on this ayat.
One can only
implement this
commandment if one
lives with
unconditional love.
That unconditional
love must start from
unconditionally
loving yourself
first.
So why is it so
difficult for so
many people to love
themselves?
It’s because we tend
to forget that we
are not our
experiences. We are
a force that can
overcome
experiences, no
matter how negative
they may be.
Whatever you have
been through in
life, you are still
here, well and
alive. You made it.
I realised something
when I learned to
love myself. It
wasn’t that I hated
myself - it was that
I hated all the
choices I made in my
life that brought
about the negative
experiences. It was
that I hated my
behaviours that I
was displaying most
of my life. It was
that I couldn’t
differentiate that
my body was
different from my
soul. I learned
self-love when I
began to connect
with my essential
self - my intuitive
voice, the voice of
my soul. The voice
which never
misguides because it
is pure and isn’t
affected by past
conditioning. When I
began to acknowledge
my authentic,
essential self, I
understood that I am
a pure being created
by ALLAH and I must
love this being that
dwells inside my
body.
SELF-LOVE
You say
you care
about
the
world
Yet you
care not
for
yourself
You say
you love
the
children
of the
world
Yet you
love not
the
child in
you
You say
you
forgive
others
Yet you
forgive
not
yourself
You say
you want
the best
for
others
Yet you
embrace
not the
good
that
comes
your way
You say
you want
to heal
from all
that
causes
you pain
Yet you
choose
to
re-live
painful
memories
everyday
You say
you love
ALLAH
Yet you
are
unkind
to
ALLAH’s
creation
that is
closest
to you
Yes, you
are
ALLAH’s
creation
that is
closest
to you
Appreciate
yourself
Care for
yourself
Be kind
to
yourself
Be
compassionate
with
yourself
Forgive
yourself
Love
yourself
Remember…
You are
ALLAH’s
creation
that is
closest
to you.
Daily Practice of
Self-Love
1. After salah, sit
on your prayer mat
for about five
minutes and focus on
your breathing.
2. With each
in-breath, feel your
body energised with
light. Imagine light
entering through the
crown of your head
and dispersing
through every part
of your body..
3. With each
out-breath, praise
ALLAH for creating
you and giving you
this precious body
to live in. Imagine
the light pouring
out of your body and
reaching other
members in your
home, your
neighbours, your
community, the
nation, and to the
rest of the world.
Your mind is
powerful enough to
create this
imagination. Praise
ALLAH for the power
of your beautiful
mind.
4. Say these words
in your mind or out
loud if you are
comfortable: I am a
beautiful creation
of ALLAH. I love
myself. I receive
only love, light,
peace and joy. I
give out only love,
light, peace and
joy.
In Shaa ALLAH, next
week we will explore
the topic:
Turning Every
Experience Into An
Opportunity
DOWNLOAD
Muslimah Reflections
- my new ebook of
poetry and
affirmations
DOWNLOAD The
Ultimate Self-Care
Guide For Muslimahs
WATCH VIDEOS
from Muslimah Mind
Matters YouTube
Channel.
DOWNLOAD
Muslimah Meditation
Moments - audio
files for
self-awareness
meditation.
If you wish to know
about a specific
topic with regards
to Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind,
please text or email
me or visit
www.muslimahmindmatters.com.
If you wish to have
a FREE one hour
Finding Clarity
telephone session,
contact me on
0451977786.
Q:
Dear Kareema, I’m new to the gym, am cleared for
exercise, and was wondering if you could suggest
any classes I can try?
A:
I recommend mixing it up (trying all the
classes) on offer.
Taking your time of course, and always let the
instructor know that you’re new so they can
advise you more on safety and what to expect
throughout the class.
This will give you results quicker and once you
know what the classes are about, you’ll tend to
enjoy it more.
Never think that you can’t or are not strong
enough..
Work at your own pace and start challenging
yourself as you go.
And do not go near the
orphan’s property, except
with the best of intentions,
until he has reached his
maturity. And honour your
pledge, because the pledge
involves responsibility.
Every year in
Darra Masjid
Australian
Muslims gathers
and listen to
talks by senior
Islamic
scholars. Their
talks focus on
the importance
of faith in one
God and the
prophethood of
Prophet Muhammad
(PBUH), prayer,
knowledge,
service to
humanity,
sincerity and
making an effort
towards
uplifting
goodness.
Food (breakfast,
lunch and
dinner), parking
and security is
also arranged
for those who
attend.
PLEASE DO YOUR
BEST TO ATTEND
IT AND ALSO PASS
THE MESSAGE
AROUND.
Timings:
Starting from
Friday
30/03/2018 Asar
time to Sunday
01/04/2018 Fajar
time.
Venue: Islamic
Society of Darra
Address: 219
Douglas St,
Oxley QLD 4077,
Australia
Are you looking at starting your own
business? Do you have a business idea that you would
like to explore with a professional?
This interactive, practical
experience that provides you with tools to start or
grow your business!
Workshop 1: Thinking like an
Entrepreneur Workshop 2: The Entrepreneurship
Journey Workshop 3: Branding and Design Workshop 4:
Communication and Pitching
COST: $80 Workshop Series (Four
Workshops)
MELBOURNE
click on image
Need to improve your English for work or
social settlement? Learn for FREE with the Adult Migrant
English Program at TAFE Queensland.
The AMEP provides up to 510 hours of free English
language, literacy and numeracy training to eligible
refugees and migrants, at more than 40 sites throughout
Queensland.
At National
Zakat Foundation (NZF) we
aim to utilise Zakat funds
collected in Australia to
provide a lifeline for
local, deserving recipients.
This group consists of some
of the most vulnerable
members of our community,
including widows, orphans,
refugees, the elderly and
the homeless.
National Zakat Foundation
has had the opportunity to
assist our local sisters &
brothers right here in QLD.
Sara, a mum with 5 children
had been in a violent and
abusive relationship for
many years. Fearful for her
children's well being and
hers, she needed to move to
a new and safer place away
from her husband. NZF helped
her relocate by paying for
upfront costs. Sara moved to
new premises immediately.
She and her children are no
longer living in constant
fear and have started a new
and happier life.
David had just lost his
business where he had
invested a lot of money and
with mounting debts and a
young family to take care
of, he needed help urgently.
NZF came to his assistance
immediately.
Sadia a single mother and a
refugee came to Brisbane few
years ago with a young
child. She had been
hospitalised with serious
medical conditions. NZF has
assisted her with ongoing
financial support and
provided her with equipment
to start a small home
business, empowering Sadia
to do something she is
passionate about.
(ALL names have been changed
to protect identity of
clients)
Assalamu
alaikum warahmatullah.
I am sure you are aware
of the hell that Syrians
are going in the face of
non-stop bombing of USA,
Russia, Israel, ISIS,
and you name it.
The ultimate goal is to
kill as many Muslims as
possible. It is a race
that no global leaders
want to stop.
Please raise your hands
to Allah for the
Mustadafeen, helpless
sufferers of modern
killing machines.
Islamic Society of
Toowoomba has decided to
collect donations for
the recent victims of
Syrian war.
Donations should be
directed to the Imam
Abdul Kader of Garden
City Masjid, Toowoomba.
Alternatively, please
deposit/transfer your
charity to the Comm Bank
of Australia:
BSB 06 4459 A/c 1000
3579 (Reference Syria).
May Allah accept your
charity for the best of
His creation, and
protect our helpless
children, sisters and
brothers in Syria.
Jazak Allah Khair.
Fi amanillah,
Shahjahan
GOLD COAST ISLAMIC CULTURAL
CENTRE
Update as at
February 2018
The external
structure has been completed and
the scaffoldings were removed
this week. Now, the work will
commence inside the complex.
We still need donations to fund
this construction.
1. All Islamic Event dates given above are supplied by
the Council of Imams QLD (CIQ) and are provided as a guide and are
tentative and subject to the sighting of the moon.
2. The Islamic date changes to the next day starting in
the evenings after maghrib. Therefore, exceptfor Lailatul
Mehraj,
Lailatul Bhahraat
and
Lailatul Qadr – these dates refer to the commencement of the event
starting in the evening of the corresponding day.
Nuria Khataam
Date: Every last Wednesday of the month
Time: After Esha Salaat
Venue: Algester Mosque
Contact: Yahya
Ph: 0403338040
MASJID TAQWAH
Bald Hills, Brisbane
Daily program
(after Esha salah by Mufti Junaid)
Monday to Thursday = Quran Tafseer
Friday = Prophet’s (pbuh) Seerah
(All programs run for approximately 15 minutes)
Weekly Madrasa
Monday to Wednesday
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Conducted by our Imam Mufti Junaid
Every Sunday
Jaula & remembrance of Allah
between Maghrib and Isha.
HikmahWay offers online and
in-person Islamic courses to
equip Muslims of today with
the knowledge, understanding
and wisdom to lead balanced,
wholesome and beneficial
lives.
Articles and
opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the CCN Team, its Editor or its
Sponsors, particularly if they eventually turn out to be
libellous, 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 CCN
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
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Hana Assafiri
speaks out about
her violent past
as Muslim child
bride 
Saudi
women do not need to wear black abayas,
Mohammed bin Salman says ahead of trip to US 
s
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011