A number of Muslim organizations were invited to a presentation during the week by the Department of Immigration and Citizenship on the progress of the Federal Government's National Action Plan (NAP) that was set up in response to the "increased threat of global religious and political terrorism".

With an initial budget of $35M, the aim of the National Action Plan was to address various issues within the Muslim community.

Attendees learnt of the national programmes that were undertaken during the course of the past two years like the Muslim Youth Summit, the establishment of the Islamic Centres of Excellence, the Conference of Imams, research surveys and community projects.

 

The Queensland Muslims Historical Society Committee (left to right) Wilma Bothwell, Shafiq Allahwala, Faisal Hatia, Malik Issadeen, Sadeq Mustapha, Shummis Rane, Janeth Deen, Fathima Adat and (at the other end of the camera) Mustafa Ally

The Queensland Muslims Historical Society (QMHS), the first such society in Australia,  was formally constituted yesterday (Saturday) afternoon at the Kuraby Community Hall.

Ms Janeth Deen accepted the role of interim President, Mr. Shafiq Allahwala, Vice President, Ms Wilma Bothwell, Treasurer and Ms Fathima Adat, Secretary.

The first of the projects to be embarked on by QMHS is to set up a display for Eidfest in October this year.
 

The only GOPIO member in the world of non-Indian origin, the Mayor of Ipswich, Paul Pisasale, hosted the Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO) Queensland Conference in Ipswich last week-end.

At the conference GOPIO's newest chapter for the Asia Pacific Region was established.

Visitors from as far as Sri Lanka, Malaysia, Singapore, Mauritius, India and South Africa attended the inaugural conference.

"The key to a successful global city is friendship and our city is well known for its spirit of friendship, heritage and hospitality," Mayor Pisasale said at the end of the conference.

The conference theme of new networks, stronger ties, interaction aimed to strengthen Queensland's GOPIO ties, and interact with and "build a greater understanding of our regional partners and engage with some powerful motivational and inspiring key note and guest speakers."

Mr Umesh Chandra is the President of the GOPIO Queensland Chapter and Mr Sunil Gurram was appointed as the Honorary Indian Business Ambassador for the City of Ipswich.
 

Just as some Muslims have converted to Christianity, young Christians have also abandoned their faith to embrace the teachings of Islam.

Watch this Fox News video.

Camden council is insisting no decision has been made on plans for a Catholic school, which has sparked claims of racism after a Muslim school was rejected.

The Camden Macarthur residents group which was a vocal opponent of the Muslim proposal has welcomed the Catholic plan, despite not having seen the development application.

Camden mayor Chris Patterson has told 2GB’s Jason Morrison no decision has been made yet.

“Any application is site specific – if a Catholic church had put in for the Quranic Society site, it would not have been approved.

Read the rest....

Related article: Catholics welcome, Muslims not

Tales from rural India, secretive Ireland and strike-riven northern England are all vying for the Man Booker Prize for Fiction, one of the world's most prestigious literary awards.

Aravind Adiga, whose book "The White Tiger" tracks the ambitions and divided loyalties of the son of a rickshaw puller from an Indian village, is a first-time novelist.

The former TIME magazine correspondent is the  favorite to take the annual prize, worth 50,000 pounds ($88,000) to the winner. (The book has also occupied pride of place on the CCN Readers Book Club Bookshelf for some months now).

 

A second Indian writer is on the shortlist of six, Kolkata-born Amitav Ghosh with "Sea of Poppies," a story set on an old slave ship before the Opium Wars.

But there was no place for Mumbai-born Salman Rushdie, who was named "Best of the Booker" winners in July to mark the prize's 40th anniversary.

The renowned novelist won the Booker prize in 1981 with "Midnight's Children," but his latest work "The Enchantress of Florence" failed to make the shortlist despite being heavily backed by bookies when it appeared on the longlist.

Chair of the judges Michael Portillo described each of the six pieces of work as an "extraordinary example of imagination and narrative," as he announced the shortlist on Tuesday.

"These fine page-turning stories nonetheless raise highly thought-provoking ideas and issues. These books are in every case both ambitious and approachable."

The Booker, founded in 1969, rewards the best novel of the year by a writer from Britain, Ireland or a Commonwealth country. The winner of the award will be announced on October 14.
 

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Last year Crescents of Brisbane inaugurated their "healthy lifestyle through education" motto by having a breast cancer awareness day with the help of their 'Pink Team".

Following the huge success of the event emphasizing the epidemic of breast cancer, they decided to carry on with the theme once again, but this time with a little twist to it.

Breast cancer affects 1 in 3 women each year irrespective of race or colour and the National Breast Cancer Foundation has been working tirelessly to find a much needed cure. However, with research comes much needed funds which is where the Crescents Pink Team steps in.

This year, the Crescents Pink Team will be hosting a "PINK RIBBON PAMPER BRUNCH" which is to be held at the Kimberley Park Hall in Shailer Park on Saturday the 25th of October from 11am - 2pm.

The price of the tickets is $20 each.

What you will be getting for your $20 is a sumptuous brunch while speakers remind us once again about the importance of having a mammogram among other things.

Thereafter, the ladies will be treated to something very special.

Since one of the major factors contributing to all cancers is stress, the Crescents Pink Team decided to treat our ladies to an afternoon of relaxation.  Everyone attending will then be pampered with hand massages, neck and shoulder massages, face and foot spritzers and much, much more.  Then allow your tastebuds to be tantalized with cooking demonstrations by the Chefs Toolbox Team and learn how NOT to wear your hijab with local Muslim fashion gurus.

There will also be the usual prizes and since it is a fundraiser, a silent auction, featuring local artists of all kinds.

Seats are limited to 150 ladies only (no children please - you deserve the time out on your own!).

You can, however, buy tickets with your friends and enjoy this ladies' day out together!

So before your days in October get booked out, give yourself a much needed treat and play your part in finding a cure for breast cancer.

After all, we all probably know of someone with BREAST CANCER - be it a family member, colleague, friend or acquaintance.

For more information, contact Saalihah Seedat on 0404 296 297 (mob), 3219 8274 (home) or at salseedat@hotmail.com for more information or any of Crescents of Brisbane Team members.

The Crescents Pink Ribbon Pamper Brunch has a web page of its own here

where all updates and the latest news will be posted.
 

A GROUP of Sydney investors has failed in a bid to bring a dispute with the Sultan of Brunei before a Sydney court.

The New South Wales Supreme Court last year permanently stayed the case, brought by Sydney company Garsec against His Majesty Haji Hassanal Bolkiah Mu-izzadin Wuddaulah, over a 400-year-old Islamic relic.

Garsec claims the Sultan verbally agreed, through representatives, to buy a tiny gold-lined Koran, valued at up to $10 million, for his third wife.

Garsec's directors bought the holy manuscript from a former KGB agent, and claim the Sultan entered into an oral contract via promises from his private secretary and godson.

Justice Robert McDougall last year ruled that the contract was brokered in Brunei and therefore fell within that country's jurisdiction.

The judge said the Sultan - whose own constitution proclaims he can "do no wrong in either his personal or any official capacity" - was entitled to his sovereign legal protection and could not be brought before a NSW court.

Read the rest.....
 

Iftaars on Fridays and Saturdays at the Kuraby Mosque have become increasingly popular with many groups and individuals vying to cater for the hundreds of fasting Mosque-goers who turn up in the evenings.

This year we have also seen generous donations of Turkish bread, lollies, chocolates, dates, and even bags of meat.

The recently installed marquee in the car park has added to the congenial atmosphere during the ifthaars and this year Kuraby Mosque has an atmosphere of goodwill and camaraderie reminiscent of Ramadan in the Holy Cities. 

Rami's Team Thunders On

Written by Mounir Mesbah

On 3rd September, ten of Rami's Thunder students went to Sydney to participate in the 2008 Nationals Competition, it was the largest ever national tournament with over 2000 competitors from as far afield as New Zealand, Korea, Japan and other surrounding countries.

Alhamdullilah, the club returned with its best ever medal tally with everyone returning with a medal with a total tally of 3 gold medals, 4 silver and 3 bronze which beats the club's previous best of 3 medals.

Gold medal winners included 3 times Australian champion Mohammed Peer (left in picture on left) and double national champion Ali el Merhebi (picture on right). The club also sent 4 debutants.

For our outstanding results the club was congratulated by the President of Taekwondo Queensland who also heaped words of praise on the club.

With the Nationals done and dusted for the year, the club will be preparing for a bigger and a more successful year in 2009 with the club planning on sending students to international tournaments, and with the results like these, it seems not too long that we start to turn out Olympic champions insha'allah.

 

Remember this and you can become the next champions inshallah Powerful Thunder!!!
 

For more Information you can call Coach Rami (right in picture on left) on 0433 5565 17

Rawlins Rakes in Medals

The other team that took part in the championships in Sydney was Haris Olomi's team of 6 fighters who won 6 medals: 3 national championships, 2 runners up and 1 bronze.

According to coach Haris Olomi all of the fighters fought very well the three that missed out on gold were unlucky to miss out because they only missed by 1 or 2 points.

Coach Olomi said that he was very proud of all the kids who give him there 100%.

"Well done kids and we will do our best in Bundaberg on the 26th of October when 8 student will be fighting to defend their titles," Olomi told his intrepid fighters.

The medal tally was:

 Zulaikha Deen Gold
 Mousaab Houadchia Gold
 Mustafaa Olomi Silver
 Abdullah Houadchia Gold and Silver
 Jahan Olomi Bronze
 

A book containing everyday dua's and prayers in Arabic, English Translation and English Transliteration is available for free from Faisal Essof (Mobile 0402 575 410)

The book is recommended for new Muslims, people who cannot read Arabic and Maddressas.
 

The first ever masters degree in Islamic commerce to be offered at an Australian university has some overseas Indian students excited about future prospects in this fast-growing segment of global finance.

"I am very excited that La Trobe University will be offering a course in Islamic banking and finance (IBF). By learning about Islamic commercial laws, I can help the people of my community in their development," Mohammed Rizwanuddin, who is originally from Hyderabad, told IANS.

He is nearing completion of a two-year masters in professional accounting at the university.

The Islamic commerce course will commence in February 2009 and will cost Australian $17,000 per annum for the one or two years required to complete it, depending on prior study and experience.

The eight subjects include legal and Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic commercial law, Islamic banking, Islamic insurance and Islamic financial markets and general areas of finance.

"As the concept of 'interest' is considered 'haram' (prohibited) in Islam, there are many Muslims who need financial support for their progress. I feel that Islamic commercial law can overcome this problem," said Rizwanuddin, who would like to return to India and help the Muslim community despite good job prospects in Australia and the Middle East.

According to The Banker global report, in the next five to 10 years, Islamic finance will require an estimated 50,000 employees to run the industry.
 

Read the rest....

Record anti-terror petition will be brought to London

British Muslims will be asked to sign a record-breaking petition to denounce terrorism.
 

"I'm advocating a world anti-terrorism day in two to three years where we could hold concerts simultaneously - London could be a focal point. We are looking to approach City Hall. I think Boris would love the idea."

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Makkah's large iftar stretches for 12km

Makkah: The squares within and outside the Holy Mosque of Makkah witness in Ramadan the biggest iftar in the world.

More than 12,000 metres of tablecloth are stretched daily for iftar along the Mosque area for worshippers to end their fast. Officials in charge of the iftar in the Holy Mosque say its daily cost amounts to about one million Saudi riyals (Dh982,200). Iftar does not take more than 15 minutes - from the time that people stretch the tablecloths out to the clearing of the remaining food.

The area where people take iftar is cleaned as fast as possible in order to leave room for people to perform Maghreb prayers. The meal is served by various benefactors who are assisted by cleaning boys.

The Presidency of the Two Holy Mosques Affairs divided the squares around the Holy Mosque into various sections and assigned them to charity givers willing to provide iftar for worshippers.

Iftar offered by these benefactors are made of dates, juice, milk, and cakes. Dates and Zam Zam water are served first before iftar.

The number of dates consumed daily by worshippers in the Holy Mosque is estimated to be more than 5 million.

With about 1.2 million worshippers attending Maghreb prayers in the Holy Mosque, that huge number still only equates to three dates per person. In the meantime, more than two million bottles of Zam Zam water are consumed by worshippers during iftar.

In the Tawaf area inside the Holy Mosque, the iftar tablecloths are not stretched until the last moment in order not to block the way for worshippers who want to finish the Tawaf rituals before Maghreb prayers.

Iftar inside the Mosque differ from that served in the outside squares. It is not allowed to bring any food other than dates and coffee into the Holy Mosque to maintain the cleanliness of the Haram area.

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Muslim gets payout over 40th birthday card saying 'too old to be a terrorist'

UK: A Muslim IT programmer agreed to a cash settlement after telling a tribunal colleagues gave him a 40th birthday card saying 'too old to be a terrorist' and said his praying was 'disgusting'.

Omar Fikri, 42, of Dartford, Kent, told the hearing he was horrified at being given the card in March 2006 at freight firm Davies Turner, also in Dartford.

He agreed to the out-of-court settlement, believed to be £20,000, on the first day of the race and religious discrimination hearing in Ashford.

'He ignored me - that's what made me angry, not the fact he was praying,' he said.

Mr Fikri was dismissed on 21 April. He claimed this was because he had started proceedings against the firm.

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Met is facing race bias claim by its top Asian woman

UK: The most senior Muslim woman in the Met police is set to lodge a claim of race discrimination against her employers.

Yasmin Rehman, a director of diversity with the force, intends to file a claim with a London employment tribunal within days claiming she has been subjected to racist bullying and victimisation.

It is another blow to Scotland Yard, which has been rocked by a race row involving Commissioner Sir Ian Blair and his third in command Tarique Ghaffur.

Ms Rehman's post of Director of Partnerships and Diversity for Territorial Policing puts her at the equivalent level to a chief superintendent in terms of civilian staff at the Met.

She has sought advice from the Metropolitan Black Police Association, the same organisation which is backing Mr Ghaffur in his multi-million-pound claim.

A friend said: "Yasmin has been one of Scotland Yard's shining stars on working with ethnic minority communities and tackling-vital issues like forced marriages and honour killings.

"She has worked very passionately on helping the police get to grips with these types of crimes.

"But she has been off sick for a year with stress-related problems and feels she has been targeted because she is Asian. Her thinking is, 'I've worked too hard to let them force me out'. "

Ms Rehman is employed by the Met at the "Band A" level, earning more than £60,000 a year. She was promoted to her post two years ago, so Sir Ian would have been aware of her appointment. Her department is based in Westminster and comes under the Met's Territorial Policing branch, headed by Assistant Commissioner Tim Godwin.

The focus of her role has been improving the force's links with ethnic communities rather than ensuring the police employ more ethnic minorities.

As one of the force's leading experts on community cohesion and domestic violence, she has spoken at conferences around the world.

A police source said: "Yasmin is very well thought of in the Met.

She is the last person you would think would end up in this situation. She is determined to bring her case against the Met. It's not a question of if this will happen, but when. That one of Scotland Yard's most successful female employees and, indeed, their head of diversity, is suing is a damning indictment on what is going on there."

A Met spokeswoman said they had not received notification that Ms Rehman was to bring a claim.

Yesterday Sir Ian "temporarily relieved" Assistant Commissioner Ghaffur of his duties. Mr Ghaffur, 53, is to be investigated by the Metropolitan Police Authority for possible misconduct for speaking publicly about his race claim against the Met.

Mr Ghaffur is taking the Met to an employment tribunal. His actions have prompted the biggest race row to hit the force since the Macpherson inquiry into the Stephen Lawrence investigation. Sir Ian said his comments were affecting the Met's "effectiveness".

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