The Victoria Bush Fire Appeal reached slightly short of the $12 000 mark yesterday with donations that included contribution from the staff and students of the Australian International Islamic College, the Kuraby and Gold Coast Mosques, Crescents of Brisbane, Hope for Happiness, the Queensland Muslim Welfare Association, Queensland Muslim Times, and many other individuals, organizations and businesses who preferred to remain anonymous.

There aren't many novelists who'll confess to deciding the direction of their literary career on the toss of a coin.

But Pakistan-born British novelist Nadeem Aslam likes to tell people he did exactly that.

After his award-winning first novel, Season of Rainbirds, he says, he had two novels inside him, bursting to get out: one a story set in Afghanistan, the other about a Pakistani community in an English town.

"The Afghanistan story was important to me, because I would not be here in the West if it weren't for Afghanistan.

I was now living in the West in an immigrant neighbourhood and certain things were happening within that community the Muslims were finding it difficult to fit into the host society and that to me seemed like an urgent matter as well ... and so I tossed a coin and then began writing my immigrant novel, which 11 years later became Maps for Lost Lovers."

Lauded for its prescience as well as for the lyrical way it distilled beauty and sadness on to the page, Maps for Lost Lovers explored the tensions within a working-class Pakistani community in a northern English town in the wake of a double honour killing.

It won him a swag of prizes and a long-listing for the 2004 Booker Prize.

But all during long years writing it, Aslam kept a notebook on events in Afghanistan and immediately it was finished began writing The Wasted Vigil, his much acclaimed recent novel.

The Wasted Vigil (reviewed below in the CCN Readers' Bookclub) is so much more than a catalogue of recent horrors in Afghanistan. It is that rare novel that speaks to the human soul as potently as it does to the global moment. A novel of such visual beauty it brings to mind Ondaatje's The English Patient.

For Aslam, The Wasted Vigil is like his previous books, very much a novel about love. Yet it is also a continuation of previous concerns in that it is an attempt to illuminate what he believes to be "the key battle in the world, perhaps, at the moment, the battle between the moderates and the militants which was going on before 9/11".

He describes 9/11 as "a spectacular manifestation of that thing that was already happening in the world. You might say, that I would still be writing the books I'm writing if 9/11 hadn't happened, because I was articulating something within my own culture and within my own religion, that was already happening quietly.

But now the world knows about it."

He recalls a fundamentalist uncle who, as he described in an essay "God and Me" published in Granta, would wait for his sister, Aslam's mother, with a cane to beat her for attending devotional music for a type of Islam, he points out, "that he did not believe [in], the kind that Saudi Arabia does not support. He appears on the pages of my very first novel, Season of Rainbirds. He takes toys from children's hands and he breaks them and he hands them back, because toys are idols. My uncle used to do that to us, and yet there were other uncles who actually would buy us toys, so I was aware of these tensions, long before the world became aware of it."

He notes, "Thirty years ago, my uncle had links with the same mosque [in Leeds, England] where those boys who blew themselves up on the London Underground later became radicalised."

Aslam was 14 when his family fled persecution by General Zia ul-Haq in 1982 and settled in Huddersfield, North Yorkshire, the model for the town in Maps for Lost Lovers.

His family and their friends were among those who voiced concerns about the long-term consequences of the weapons and money the United States lavished on Islamic fundamentalists at that time, to help defeat the Soviets and shore up Zia's regime.

"Some of them ended up in hospital, some of them ended up in the graveyards, and some of them ended up abroad, so my links with these issues go very deep."

Indeed, one of the things he wanted to explore in writing The Wasted Vigil was "whether it was possible for a superpower to go into a smaller, weaker country, play its geopolitical games, then withdraw and expect there not to be any consequences.

And I hope I proved that, no, you can't. In many ways," he adds, "I wanted to write it because I thought that Afghanistan had been forgotten. Now this sounds like a very strange thing to say, because Afghanistan is in the news every single day.

But it's in the news every day for what it is doing to the rest of the world. So many American soldiers have died there, so many Canadian soldiers, so many NATO soldiers.

But what the world did to Afghanistan over the past 30 years seems to be news to most people."

But he also wanted to celebrate the beauty of this world, and ascribes the lyricism and intense visual imagery of his writing to his ambitions to become a painter, as well as to his desire to give life to his father's thwarted ambitions to become a poet. Indeed, his father appears in all his novels as the great Pakistani poet Wamaq Saleem.

But Aslam wanted to go a step further than mere lyricism in The Wasted Vigil, where the five rooms of Marcus's half-ruined house symbolise the senses.

"What I was trying to say is that we have been given this instrument called a human body with which to explore the world, and it is a thing of delight here and now, as opposed to living this life in a marginal way or thinking of this life as something marginal and that the real life is waiting for us after death.

My commitment is to the here and now." For Aslam, even non-political writing, is political. "For me it's about feeling a certain responsibility toward the world I live in, and if the darkness is there it must be acknowledged." He believes too that he, like all moderate Muslims, must speak up for a moderate Islam.

"The Taliban said that only one book was allowed and I wanted to have a house in which the books were nailed to the ceiling, so that there is a constant literary rain throughout the novel, so that when the books fall to the ground and the characters pull out the nails there's a hole through them and then they read whatever it is.

I wanted to say that I don't want to live in a world where the Koran is the only book ."

And if the book is painful to read in places, he adds, imagine how difficult these things must have been to live through?

"As Toni Morrison said, 'If they can live it, I can write it', and I would say that if they can live it we can read it. I think as writers and artists we can keep a quiet ledger of the world's faults. I don't know if anyone heeds those warnings but at least on my deathbed," says Aslam,

"I would know that I did all I could in trying to roll back some of the ugliness in the world."

BY Bron Sibree/CANBERRA TIMES
 

Source

The Islamic Society of Algester will be celebrating the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awwal MEELAD-UN-NABI (SAW) on the 10th of March Tuesday evening after salaatul Eshaa.

The programme will commence at 8:00 pm with Salaatul Eshaa, followed by recitations of Hamd and Naat and a speech from one of our guest Ulema.

For more information, please contact Ml. M. Nawaaz Ashrafi on 37116097 or Ml. M. Aslam on 0431620629
 

The Rihla programme is organized by the Deen Intensive Foundation on a yearly basis.

The programme affords students the opportunity to learn directly from scholars such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Imam Zaid Shakir and is usually held in the holy cities of Makkah and Medinah.

This year’s Rihla will be held in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States and an Australian contingent is expected to partake in this programme in joining students from the US, UK and Canada.

Confirmed teachers are:

• Shaykh Abdallah bin Bayyah
• Imam Zaid Shakir
• Shaykh Hamza Yusuf
• Ustadh Yahya Rhodus

 
Applications are now open at www.deen-intensive.com. 

Visit the website for more information about the curriculum and travel costs.

For more information, contact Sr. Asme Fahmi at: rihla.australia@gmail.com.

Jimad Khan from Wellington set the first ever record for the biggest cricket hit in New Zealand, smashing the ball an amazing 98.27 metres.

Khan who plays cricket for Onslow Cricket Club, is now an official New Zealand Cricket record holder, says he was thrilled to take out the winning title in the State BIG HITS competition.

“Going up against a Jacob Oram and Ian Butler was extremely nerve racking, I just smashed the ball as hard as I could and was stoked to win on the day” he says.

The record was set at the final of State BIG HITS a three-week nationwide search for New Zealand’s biggest hitter. Taking part in the ultimate show-down to make the biggest cricket hit in the country were six members of the public (regional finalists) against Ian Butler from the State Otago Volts, and top BLACKCAP batsman Jacob Oram.

Peter Dwan, New Zealand Cricket Commercial Manager, says the joint venture between New Zealand Cricket and State was not just about setting a record but showcasing the best from cricketers and members of the public all around the country.

“Whether you’re playing cricket competitively, for a club or in the back yard cracking a big hit is always a big adrenalin rush.

“Today’s competition proved there are a lot of Kiwis out there who can really smash a cricket ball and setting a New Zealand Cricket record makes it official” he says.

Throughout the competition, all hits were measured using technology from Duffill Watts surveyors.

Watch the video footage
 

Suffering from a root canal last week Ms Debbie Dunne headed off to her medical centre in a regional Queensland town to have it fixed but was surprised her dentist Dr. Mohammed didn't charge her.

In return for the consultation he requested she give to those rebuilding their lives following the Victorian bushfires.

Ms Dunne said she happily donated $100. "I thought, what a lovely man. I was very surprised, very pleased."

Note: Names in this story have been changed to protect the modest. 

A LIFE-defining chat with Bulldogs star Hazem El Masri has helped inspire controversial Muslim boxer Omar Shaick (pictured right) to resume his career as a pro.

The champion amateur caused a stir in mid-2006 when he elected to accept a two-year ASADA ban rather than expose his genitals for a urine sample, claiming that his religion prevented him from doing so.

Shaick was poised to appeal in the Court of Arbitration for Sport, but suddenly quit boxing in early 2007. He began a plumbing apprenticeship and gave up training altogether, but regained his hunger for the sport when his ban ended last September.

It was then he turned to El Masri for advice on how to resolve religion and the requirements of the World-Anti Doping Authority, which demands that all athletes must submit to drug tests in full view of the sample collector.

"He wanted to know how I go about it and asked me for some advice," El Masri said.

"I told him that the tests are something I have to go through up to five times a year and that our religion is flexible on things that are necessary.

"For example, people can break their fast (for Ramadan) if they are elderly or ill. There's no black and white rules. It's the same for athletes - they don't have to give up their careers for something like this.

"I've found that most testers are understanding. It can be done in a discreet way."

The boxer did not answer calls last night, but trainer Chris McCullen said his charge had overcome his stance against being watched while providing a sample.

"It's still not something he feels comfortable doing, but when the time comes he will," McCullen said.

"Omar was only young at the time and there was a lot of confusion back then."

Shaick will make his return at light-heavyweight over four rounds against Ryan Coppick in Brisbane on 13 March.

Source

Al Kawthar Publications in the United States has developed a software called SABA which teaches various aspects of the Quran and teachings within the Quran.

It includes memorization, etiquette, games stories etc. You can check out a demo at www.SABACDS.com.

Executive members of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) met at the Ummah Centre in Sydney for a bi-monthly meeting which focused on the Victorian bushfire victims.

The Mufti of Australia, Fehmi Naji El–Imam led an invocation, asking Allah to ease the suffering of the Victorian bushfire survivors, members were requested to work with their communities for fund raising initiatives.

Imam of the Gold Coast Mosque, Imraan Husain said he encouraged the Jum’ah or Friday congregation to give generously, leading to approximately three thousand dollars donated.

‘Supporting the victims of the bushfire in Victoria is not only our duty but privilege’, said Sheikh Imraan Husain.
President of ANIC," Sheikh Moez Nafti said. "Muslims are part of Australian society and are obliged to assist fellow Australians in their time of need."

Numerous Muslim organisations Australia-wide organised fund raising drives after ‘Black Saturday’ but fires still continue to burn throughout Victoria.
 

Imam Imraan Husain

ANIC Secretary

ABC 2 TV: 8:30pm Wednesday, 11 Mar 2009

ABC PROMO: A provocative and hilarious look at five Arab-American comedians working the stand-up circuit in the wake of 9-11.

When people of Middle Eastern origin were advised to lay low, these men and women all chose to stand up... and crack jokes.

Each comic is at a different point in their career but they are all striving for the same goal: to break through the typecasting and achieve mainstream comedy success.

Their work environment, however, is far from ideal. From false arrests and death threats to audience walkouts and backstage confrontations, each of the comedians faces challenges from both the mainstream society and the Muslim community.

Loaded with performance footage, this is an inspiring look at what it takes to make people laugh - and have a chuckle yourself - in the face of adversity.
 

A Survivor's Tale
Sunday, 8 March, 2009

SBS PROMO: Just three weeks ago, the Defence Department revealed Australian troops were involved in a fire-fight in Afghanistan.

Out of at least six people killed in the battle, five were children.

This week Dateline brings you an exclusive interview with the family of those children, who claim it happened without warning or provocation.

Find out more this Sunday, 8:30pm on Dateline.
 

SHARED values ... Moustafa Allouche, Ramzan Mohammed and Khodr Baki. Picture: Derek Moore

THE famous Southern Suburbs Magpies will take on a distinctive Muslim flavour in the Brisbane Second Division Rugby League competition.

The club where Queensland State of Origin legend Mal Meninga began his senior career in 1978, has embraced a team made up almost entirely of Muslims who want to play rugby league while observing the traditions of their faith.

Souths chairman Haisam Allouche said some players feared their customs and traditions might look out of place in other dressingrooms and were keen to form their own team.

Allouche, a former Souths and Wynnum-Manly player, said the team was made up largely of players from the now defunct Islamic Rugby League, including his younger brother, Stephen.

"There isn't much difference to any other league side," Allouche said. "It's not as if the players are going to stop mid-match for a prayer, although there will be prayers before and after the match.

"But things like short shorts are not really acceptable for Muslims, so we have had special longer shorts made. And getting naked in the dressing room in front of the other players is also something that is frowned upon."

Souths player Khodr Baki said he felt more comfortable playing league with teammates who understood the requirements of their religion.

Second Division chairman Mick Tierney said his league had no objection to a Muslim team, particularly as the competition had admitted Greek Orthodox and Christian Outreach sides in previous seasons and also featured indigenous sides.

A total of 84 teams from 50 clubs will contest the various grades in Second Division this year.

Source

A.R. Keri writing for CCN

When the phrase ‘anger management’ is mentioned, images of a psychologist on a leather recliner are evoked but at Kingston Park raceway, male Muslims youth were counselled about controlling their anger in accordance with Islamic traditions.
 

Over 30 young Muslim men attended the ‘Take a Chill Pill’ session hosted by Muslim Youth Services, encouraging the men to imitate how Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) managed his anger.
 

Imam of Logan Mosque, Ahmed Ghazaleh mentioned the restraint of Prophet Muhammad when he entered Mecca unopposed, endowing amnesty to his tormenters; mercy as an example of anger management.
 

Another example from the Prophet's life highlighted by Imam Ghazaleh was an incident when a poet defamed him; angering his companions, and the Prophet calmed them down by showing his indifference to the poetry.
 

Boystown youth worker, Ali Ghafoor also spoke to the boys about the consequences of mismanaged anger.
 

Muslim Youth services community development officer, Riyad Rahimullah said anger management is part of Islam that could assist the boys with their behaviour at school and encourage them to be inclusive members of society.
 

Brisbane State High School student, Imraan Omar said he plays competitive sport that can create tension between players and lead to moments when other people’s emotions could affect him.
 

‘I though this [session] would help me manage my anger if I do get angry on the sports field’, he said.
 

Imraan Omar said he experienced offensive racist and anti-Muslim comments off the sports field but kept things in perspective by dealing with the situation and not allowing Islam or himself to be disrespected.
 

‘Other people [should] end up with a good impression of us than a negative one’, he said.
 

After the presentations, the boys performed Dhur or midday prayers in congregation, followed by lunch.

For the remainder of the day, they raced each other in go carts, hopefully minus the road rage!

Have your say on www.ccnforum.ning.com

Current readers' topics under discussion include: