L-R : Amar Ali Khan (VP), Muhammad Tamoum (observer), Abdul Jalal, Suliman Sabdia (President), Ahmad Elyasavich (CM), Muhammad Gaffar Deen (CM), Mahabub Ali (Sec), Abdul Rahman Deen (CM).
Absent: Farooq Haq (Rockhampton), Shaheed Ali (Treasurer), Qurban Ali (Bald Hills)
The Islamic Council of Queensland finalized its management committee at a special emergency meeting held on Sunday 14 at the Darra Mosque.
The new President of Queensland's peak Muslim body is Mr. Suleman Sabdia, and Mr. Amar Khan was appointed Vice President.
Hajj 2006
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Connecting Faith to Faith
Queensland is leading the way with a new National Interfaith Festival on the weekend of March 10-11! One national religious leader has already hailed it as ‘the most comprehensive and innovative interfaith event for the public in the country’ and it has been quick to gain support across all religions and strongly among Muslims.
Festival Director Helen Zeckendorf has seen the anguish facing the Muslim community in Australia. “I couldn’t continue to hear the stories and no nothing” she said. We saw a need for a National level engaging and exciting interfaith event for the PUBLIC.
Key Festival Advisor Abdul Jalal and Festival Director Helen Zeckendorf
The Board of the non-profit organisation producing the festival is chaired by Professor Hurriyet Babacan (Professor of Social and Cultural Development, Victoria University and former head of Multicultural Affairs). Bill Hauritz (CEO and founder of Woodford Folk Festival) is also a Director.
Organisers soon assembled an Interfaith Advisory Group and Abdul Jalal has been instrumental as an advisor and a supporter of the process.
People around the country are booking as there are around 100 activities across the weekend - starting with a heart-lifting Opening Ceremony on Saturday morning.
The program includes sacred music, art, poetry, youth programs, games, religious faith stalls, workshops, rituals and customs explained, mouth watering international food (including Halal) and much more.
A separate screening of ‘The Message: Story of Islam’ will be held on the Saturday night.
As the festival seeks to strengthen connections between the major religions, there also are a multitude of educational sessions – all in weather protected venues.
Key Muslim presenters and performers include Imam Imraan Husain, Dr Mohamad Abdalla, Keysar Trad, Galila Abdel-Salem, Rashida Joseph and Sheikh Ahmad Abu Ghazaleh. Prayer sessions are included.
“It is not enough to have a comprehensive program – it is positive contact between Muslims and other faiths that is going to touch people, allay their fears and ultimately build the sense of community which is the Festival’s aim” says Ms Zeckendorf.
It is both vital that this event is well represented by Muslims as well as being a fun and great event to attend – a real chance to celebrate the diversity of faiths in Australia and for all groups to connect with respect.
The event is held in the uplifting, stunning sunshine coast hinterland in Maleny – only 1 ¼ hours drive north from Brisbane. Pre-booked groups can get significant discounts and with the money they save, buses can be organised to leave from each Mosque so it is a wonderful community day out.
There’s even room for picnics and under cover areas for weather protection. The website www.nif.org.au is comprehensive including a program and ticket information.
You can save money and avoid queues by booking in advance on 5499 9788 by mid-February.
In Search for A Veiled Threat
Bulletin Go Girl and Surfers Paradise reporter Shannon Willoughby borrowed a Hijab and took a stroll through the streets of the Gold Coast to discover people's reactions.
Heavyweight champion Muhammad Ali turned 65 on Wednesday.
Here are some of his famous quotes:
ON BEING THE GREATEST
I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round.
It's just a job. Grass grows, birds fly, waves pound the sand. I beat people up.
Floats like a butterfly, sting like a bee, his hands can't hit what his eyes can't see. Before the 1974 fight against George Foreman
I done wrestled with an alligator, I done tussled with a whale; handcuffed lightning, thrown thunder in jail; only last week, I murdered a rock, injured a stone, hospitalised a brick; I'm so mean I make medicine sick. Again, before the 1974 Foreman fight
I'm so fast that last night I turned off the light switch in my hotel room and got into bed before the room was dark. Yet more '74 pre-fight build-up ahead of facing Foreman
The fight is won or lost far away from witnesses - behind the lines, in the gym, and out there on the road, long before I dance under those lights.
Superman don't need no seatbelt.
When you can whip any man in the world, you never know peace.
I'm the best. I just haven't played yet. On playing golf
ON BOXING
Boxing is a lot of white men watching two black men beat each other up.
Champions aren't made in gyms, champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision. They have to have last-minute stamina, they have to be a little faster, they have to have the skill and the will. But the will must be stronger than the skill.
Only the nose knows where the nose goes when the doors close.
I never thought of losing, but now that it's happened, the only thing is to do it right. That's my obligation to all the people who believe in me. We all have to take defeats in life. After losing to Ken Norton, 31 March 1973
ON RACE, RELIGION AND LIFE
I am America. I am the part you won't recognise. But get used to me. Black, confident, cocky; my name, not yours; my religion, not yours; my goals, my own; get used to me.
Cassius Clay is a slave name. I didn't choose it and I don't want it. I am Muhammad Ali, a free name - it means beloved of God - and I insist people use it when people speak to me and of me. Announcing his conversion to the Muslim faith after first Sonny Liston fight
"What's my name, fool? What's my name?" To Ernie Terrell during their 1967 fight - Terrell had refused to call him Muhammad Ali
I know I got it made while the masses of black people are catchin' hell, but as long as they ain't free, I ain't free.
Why should they ask me to put on a uniform and go 10,000 miles from home and drop bombs and bullets on brown people while so-called Negro people in Louisville are treated like dogs?
I got nothing against no Viet Cong. No Vietnamese ever called me a 'nigger'.
Nobody has to tell me that this is a serious business. I'm not fighting one man. I'm fighting a lot of men, showing a lot of 'em, here is one man they couldn't defeat, couldn't conquer. My mission is to bring freedom to 30m black people. Before his fight against Jerry Quarry in 1970.
A man who views the world the same at 50 as he did at 20 has wasted 30 years of his life.
What's really hurting me - the name Islam is involved, and Muslim is involved and causing trouble and starting hate and violence. Islam is not a killer religion, Islam means peace. I couldn't just sit home and watch people label Muslims as the reason for this problem. 21 September 2001, in the aftermath of the World Trade Center attacks
ALI vs FRAZIER
Frazier is so ugly that he should donate his face to the US Bureau of Wildlife. Ali
It will be a killer, and a chiller, and a thriller, when I get the gorilla in Manila Ali, before the "Thrilla in Manila" against Frazier
Joe Frazier is so ugly that when he cries, the tears turn around and go down the back of his head. Ali
I always bring out the best in men I fight, but Joe Frazier, I'll tell the world right now, brings out the best in me. I'm gonna tell ya, that's one helluva man, and God bless him. Ali, after the "Thrilla in Manila"
I said a lot of things in the heat of the moment that I shouldn't have said. Called him names I shouldn't have called him. I apologise for that. I'm sorry. It was all meant to promote the fight. Ali
The Butterfly and me have been through some ups and downs and there have been lots of emotions, many of them bad. But I have forgiven him. I had to. You cannot hold out for ever. There were bruises in my heart because of the words he used. I spent years dreaming about him and wanting to hurt him. But you have got to throw that stick out of the window. Do not forget that we needed each other, to produce some of the greatest fights of all time. Frazier in reflective mood.
ON OTHER OPPONENTS
Hey Floyd - I seen you! Someday I'm gonna whup you! Don't you forget, I am the greatest! To then-world heavyweight champion Floyd Patterson during the 1960 Olympic Games.
Why, Chump, I bet you scare yourself to death just starin' in the mirror. You ugly bear! You ain't never fought nobody but tramps and has beens. You call yourself a world champion? You're too old and slow to be champion! To Sonny Liston before their fight on 25 February 1964
I shook up the world! I shook up the world! After beating Liston
That all you got George? To Foreman late in the Rumble in the Jungle in Zaire on 30 October 1974
12 year-old Abdullah is severely disabled with cerebral-palsy, having fits and spasms, paraplegic since birth and spending his days in a wheel-chair.
Another truly special, remarkably brave boy, trapped in a disabled-body and wheel-chair.
But he displays an uncanny bubbly over-flowing zest for life, smiling, as though looking forward to something exciting about to happen.
Abdullah exudes warmth and a most friendly captivating smile. His mom says she has promised to help him keep the smile on his face by making him very happy.
At the hospital room at Westmead Childrens’ Hospital, Sydney, Abdullah greets visitors with this smile and bursts out laughing with excitement. Of course he can’t talk, yet his mom understands his language and gestures.
Abdullah needs transport to appointments, numerous appointments. There are appointments at Westmead Childrens Hospital for treatment, emergencies and regular check-ups, appointments at the Spastic Centre, appointments at the Physio-Therapy and he has to be taken to school every day from Lidcombe to Carlingford.
The past 7 months have been extremely hard on the family since they lost the van used for transporting Abdullah. Now they have to rely on, and wait endlessly for disabled-taxis or rely on friends to lend them a car in emergencies.
Abdullah’s mom, a talented Islamic-calligraphy artist and Arabic teacher, is not well herself, and is experiencing an uphill battle trying to fund-raise on her own and be a mother and carer for Abdullah as well as also taking care of his 9 year-old brother.
Nowadays, spending so much time caring for her Abdullah, and being inconvenienced in not having fixed transport arrangements, she does not have the time and energy to do any of her beloved calligraphy paintings.
In her efforts at raising money she has also been producing Cookery Books, but it would take her a very long time to raise any substantial amount to purchase a vehicle and to have it modified to suit Abdullah’s wheel-chair.
She has tried, and is still trying.
So far she has raised approx. $5,000, selling some of her Paintings, Cookery-Books and her personal mementos. In addition she is confident she can arrange some personal long-term loans among her friends of an additional $5,000 to raise collectively approx. $10,000 in order for her to purchase a second-hand Tarago.
If she could be assisted to raise an additional $12,000 to go towards retro-fitting a Tarago-van with a lifting hoist for a wheel-chair it will be a huge boost for the family fundraising efforts. Every dollar will count.
If you wish to donate ……..
Cheques can me made out to: Ebrahim Rahman (CCN) and posted to:
Sister Jasmine or Sister Mariam,
c/o Muslim Aid Australia Office 8, 168-176 Haldon Street, Lakemba 2195
Or Direct Deposit to:
Commonwealth Bank, Riverwood Branch
Ebrahim Rahman A/C. No. 06 2234 1030 1162
Reference: CCN Abdullah
TOTAL RAISED SO FAR: $4500.10
Al-Nisa goes Healthy!
Youth Group Inc. has been talking to Healthy Inspirations, a women’s health and fitness centre at Pineland Plaza about the possibility of addressing the needs of Muslim women so they can have access to heath and fitness related services.
Healthy Inspirations at Sunnybank Hills, Pineland Plaza (overlooking the BP petrol station) is a new women’s only health center that provides weight loss and exercise programs as well as massage or other beauty treatment amongst its range of female friendly services.
Ms Tracey Johnson, the owner and manager of the franchise welcomed the idea and is looking forward to working closely with Muslim women and addressing their needs.
Their gym is a low impact resistance activity whereby you work for one minute at a range of machines at your own pace and fitness level. The machines are placed on a circle and by the time you have completed the circle you have worked your thighs, arms or abdominal muscles.
If you feel inspired to do something positive about your health and would like to check out Healthy Inspirations give them a ring on 3345 5533 to check out what they have to offer and if you book an appointment before the end of January, make sure you mention this article for a 20% discount.
From the CCN Cradle
Congratulations to Mohammad Elshemy and Nazmen Mohamad on the birth of their baby daughter.
This is the first grand daughter to Emad Elshemy and Galila Abdelsalam.
Bollywood comes to Brisbane
Five of India's biggest Bollywood stars filmed around Brisbane during the week for a new major film Heyy Babyy.
And the winner of the Funniest Video show recently was Bollywood Bub.
Lions looking for volunteers
As you would be aware, Lions clubs do a tremendous amount of work for the benefit of the less fortunate in the community.
On the weekend of the 26 - 28 January, several Lions clubs have taken on the task of providing catering for the Queensland Rail workers involved in the third rail line construction. Lions clubs are being paid by QR for taking on this substantial task, several thousand meals will be prepared over the 3 days, which in turn will provide Lions clubs with much needed funds to carry out a variety of community projects.
100% of all funds raised through Lions clubs goes directly to the community.
In order to fulfill this commitment, volunteers are needed to assist with cooking / catering etc for 3 hour shifts during the following times:
Friday 26 January 00.01am - 9am
Saturday 27 January 6.00am - 12 midday
Sunday 28 January 12 midday - 9pm
This project will take place in Kuraby in a marquee and any assistance will be greatly appreciated.
Two sessions of the Muslim youth focus groups will take place next Sunday 28 January at Svoboda Park from 10am onwards.
The first session is from 10am-12:00 (including lunch). The second session will be from 1pm-3pm.
The contact person for the focus groups is Ms Susan Al-Maani and she can be reached on 0433 182 520.
The CCN Classifieds
FOR URGENT SALE!
Holden Astra cd, 2001 manual Sedan, Fully optioned $9800,00
Honda Civic Gli 1995 Auto Sedan, All extras, $7800,00
80cm Sony TV $1400,00
1 x LG Touch control Automated washing machine $350,00
1 x Fisher and Paykel Auto sensing dryer with crease Guard $295,00
1 leather lounge suite( 1x2 seater and 1 x 3 seater) used for six months only $1200,00
1 Broadway Lounge(6 Seater) suite with 2 Chaise(12months old) $1350,00
2 x Single Beds with mattresses, which can be doubled as bunk beds $100 each
1 x Queen ensemble with Natural Latex Mattress
1 x coffee table with slide out 4 shelves $150,00
1 x computer desk $30,00
1 x work desk $30,00
Girls 20” BMX Bike $65,00
Boys 20” BMX 6 speed $90,00
Samsung microwave/convection oven large size
Sarfaraz Leeya
0415880458
The CCN Chuckle
A teacher is asking her class to describe what work their parents do and see if the rest of the class can guess what job it is.
So Adam comes up "My dad puts on a blue shirt and blue pants and a blue hat, he rides a motorbike and has a big bag a letters."
"Ok who can guess what job that is?" says the teacher. That's a Postman the children call out.
Then Brittany gets up "My dad wears a white shirt and white pants and looks in peoples mouths."
"Ok who can guess what job that is" says the teacher. That's a Dentist the children call out.
Now its Toms turn "My dad wears a black leather shirt, black leather boots and black leather pants, with buttock holes, and he sees lots of women every night".
"Ok who can guess what job that is" says the teacher reluctantly. That's an entertainer the children call out.
Very good class. Just then the bell rings, the class go out for lunch.
The teacher calls Tom. "Tom that was very brave of you to tell the class about your dad but I didn't know he was a stripper"
Tom replies " Well he's not, he's actually a member of the English cricket team, but I was too embarrassed to tell them that!"
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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.
I'm not the greatest; I'm the double greatest. Not only do I knock 'em out, I pick the round. 
Youth Group Inc. has been talking to Healthy Inspirations, a women’s health and fitness centre at Pineland Plaza about the possibility of addressing the needs of Muslim women so they can have access to heath and fitness related services.
