Raeesa accepts her award from Prime Minister Rudd

Raeesa Lambat, daughter of Iqbal and Farida Lambat, received an award from Prime Minister Kevin Rudd in recognition of a short fiction story that she wrote about Anzac Day.

The award, titled the Ernie Adsett ANZAC Day Art and Literature Award, is presented annually.
 

The ceremony was also attended by State and Council politicians and heads of a number of schools.
 

The award recognises students in three categories - lower primary, upper primary and secondary. The winning entries were chosen by an independent judging panel.
 

Raeesa won an award in the secondary category. She is a year 9 student at Our Ladies College in Annerley. She wrote a fictional story of a battle encounter and the friendship formed between two soldiers and the impact that it had on successive generations.

Read Raeesa's winning story 
 

CCN is offering its readers a chance to win a "Group of Five" ticket to the Sounds of Light concert.

Watch the video below and email us at ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org with the answer to the following question:

How many members make up the group Seven8Six?

The winner will be drawn from the CCN Inbox on Saturday 27 June 2009 at 5pm and announced in next week's CCN.

Sounds of Light Concert is one of the finest campaigns in charity work in Australia offering children around the world a new hope, a new light. Over the last two years, Sounds of Light attracted well over 13,000 attendees resulting in the sponsorship of more than 1800 orphans. This was by far the most talked about event that the Australian Muslim Community has ever hosted.

Sounds of Light 2009 will once again focus on disadvantaged children, and all proceeds will go towards education, food and healthcare programs to provide them with hope for their future.
 

The Qur’an has become one of the most ideologically influential texts in the world, but what does it actually say?

And how much do Muslims and non-Muslims understand its message and history?

By examining its actual text and providing comment from a wide selection of observers, award winning film-maker Antony Thomas takes us into the heart of the Muslim world - from Ayatollahs and Grand Imams to simple farmers; from women in positions of power to women living in veiled seclusion; from those who speak of its uncompromising message of peace and tolerance, to those who find justification in the text for violent conflict and suicide bombing.

  Part 1

  Part 2

by Rayna Mishra

Budding charity organisation NS Charity is set to present the spiciest theatrical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet ever seen in Brisbane.

‘Romeo and Juliet: Butter Chickened!’ will be on stage at the Schonell Theatre at the University of Queensland on July 24^th and 25^th. Tickets are available at www.nscharity.com.

Darul Ihsan Islamic Services Centre, Sea Cow Lake, Durban

• Grappling with a chocking financial meltdown, Australia is eyeing a share of the booming Islamic finance market to beat a growing recession and create more jobs.
 

• "I think there's great opportunities such as Islamic finance," Chris Bowen, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation and Corporate Law, told the Sydney Morning Herald. He said Sydney is seeking to take a portion of the booming Islamic finance market from Asia. "The majority of the world's Islamic population lives in Asia, and Singapore and Kuala Lumpur are trying to corner this market for themselves," he explained. "I think Australia can play a role."
 

• Islamic finance is one of the fastest growing sectors in the global financial industry. The Islamic banking industry, which began almost three decades ago, has made substantial growth and attracted the attention of investors and bankers across the world.
 

• Currently, there are nearly 300 Islamic banks and financial institutions worldwide with assets predicted to grow to $1 trillion by 2013.
 

• Islam forbids Muslims from usury, receiving or paying interest on loans. Islamic banks and finance institutions cannot receive or provide funds for anything involving alcohol, gambling, pornography, tobacco, weapons or pork.
 

• Bowen, who was formerly the assistant treasurer, said luring Islamic finance would help rejuvenate the Australian economy and create more jobs. "Even if we only take a small percentage of the market it could generate a lot of wealth and a lot of jobs in Australia."
 

• A global financial crisis has swept the US and the world since September and knocked down Australian markets. Thanks to its transactions that don't deal in toxic assets or pay interests, Islamic finance institutions have managed to largely survive the crisis.
 

• Minister Bowen regretted that Australia has not yet passed a law allowing the operation of Islamic finance institutions. "This is just one example of the untapped opportunities out there for Australia."
 

On Monday 13 July Brisbane will host one of the world’s most eminent professors of Islam, Mohammad Hashim Kamali.

Prof Kamali is a world-renowned expert in Islamic law and is a leading scholar on the maqasid al-shariah (higher objectives of Islamic law).

He was a professor of shariah at the International Islamic University Malaysia and is now the Chairman of the International Institute for Advanced Islamic Studies Malaysia.

Prof Kamali is on the International Advisory Board of eleven academic journals published in Malaysia, USA, Canada, Kuwait, India, Australia and Pakistan.

He has served as a UN consultant on constitutional reforms in the Maldives, and as a shariah expert on the constitution of Iraq (2005–2006).

Prof Kamali is a member of the Global Expert Finder Network of the UN Alliance of Civilisations, Chairman of the CIMB Shariah Committee and Chairman of Shariah Board, Stanlib Corporation of South Africa.

He is the author of numerous books including Principles of Islamic Jurisprudence, Freedom of Expression in Islam, and Shariah Law: An Introduction.

A new study has found job seekers with ethnic names are less likely to be considered for positions than those with Anglo-Saxon names.

Researchers at the Australian National University sent out more than 4,000 fake applications to employers, all containing the same qualifications but different names.

They found those with Anglo-Saxon names received more calls than those with Indigenous, Chinese, Middle Eastern or Italian names.

ANU economist Professor Andrew Leigh says it is not clear whether employers were being deliberately racist.

"It could be that a very small share of employers are behaving very badly," he said.

"Or possibly, a large share of employers are just subconsciously making the mistake of choosing the less qualified Anglo candidate over the more qualified Chinese candidate."

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ACCI) has rejected the research findings.

ACCI director of economic policy Greg Evans denies employers are racist.

"We think its an unfair and misleading characterisation of Australian business," he said.

"Australian business actually values diversity amongst its workforce. and if you look at this is an elaborate experiment but unfortunately its disproven in reality."

Source

In Australia, job seekers with ethnic names find it much harder to get a job than those with Anglo-Saxon names, according to a new academic study into job discrimination.
 

"Job applicants find it easier to get an interview if they have an Anglo-Saxon name," concluded the experiment study conducted by the Australian National University.

Researchers sent 4000 fake resumes using Chinese, Middle Eastern, Italian, indigenous and Anglo-Saxon ethnically distinct names, responding to online jobs ads in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

"By varying the names on the CVs, we were able to estimate precisely the extent of hiring discrimination," says economist Andrew Leigh, one of the study authors.

The study found employers much more likely to offer a job interview to applicants with Anglo Saxon names than those with foreign names or names referring to ethnic minorities.

"Because all other characteristics are held constant, we can be sure that we are really measuring discrimination."

The results showed a Chinese and a Middle Eastern must submit 68 and 64 percent more applications than an applicant with an Anglo-Saxon name to get the same number of interviews.

International reports have warned that racism is rife in all walks of life in Australia, a country where one quarter of the population was born overseas.

A hard-hitting report by the Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission in 2007 found that racism became a part of all Australia's major sports and was "prevalent" among professionals, coaches, spectators and fans.

The UN Committee on the Elimination of Racial Discrimination said in its 2005 that acts and incitement of racial hatred exists in most Australian States.

Sorry Ali, Hi Hannah

The study cited the story of Ragda Ali as a clear case of employers' prejudice.

"I applied for many junior positions where no experience in sales was needed – even though I had worked for two years as a junior sales clerk," said the Sydney resident.

After applying for every job she can find and getting no reply, Ali suspected that her distinctively Middle Eastern name may be the problem.

"I didn’t receive any calls so I decided to legally change my name to Gabriella Hannah," she recalled.

Expectedly, the job road for the new Ms. Hannah was much easier.

"I applied for the same jobs and got a call 30 minutes later."

The researchers further expanded their experiment to find out whether the kind of discrimination in the job market was found in the general population.

"In one experiment, we mailed letters to several thousand households, to see whether they returned them or put them in the bin," said Professor Leigh.

"We found that letters were slightly less likely to be returned if they were addressed to non-Anglo people."

The study concluded that the old maxim hailing Australia for its ability to absorb new migrants into its social fabric may be nothing more than a myth.

"The Australian melting pot may not be so successful after all."
 

Source

Read the full report
 

The MYServices two-year Muslim Youth & Community Development Project is concluding at the end of this month.

Review by Des Partridge (Courier Mail)

THE film version of J. M. Coetzee's Booker Prize-winner has been handled with care and sensitivity by Australian screenwriter Anna-Maria Monticelli.

It's a film with the intelligence and insight demanded to faithfully move the widely read novel to the screen.

Near-flawless casting through the film ensures it will be recalled as one of the year's outstanding dramas from Australia, or anywhere.

The one-line synopsis - "Set in Cape Town, a twice-divorced literature professor retreats to his daughter's farm after having an impulsive affair with a student" - doesn't hint at the depth of the drama or the grandeur of Jacobs' filmmaking (shot on stunning locations in South Africa, with one interior restaurant scene filmed in Sydney).

American chameleon John Malkovich plays Professor David Lurie, a twice-divorced sensualist and Byron fan. When his weekly trysts with a prostitute end suddenly, he seduces a mixed-race student, Melanie (Antoinette Engel). As knowledge of this affair becomes widespread, Lurie's called to front a university committee hearing into his indiscretion.

The proud academic doesn't barter for his professional life, and admits his guilt.

Resigning, he heads to the mountainous Eastern Cape district to visit his lesbian daughter, Lucy (Jessica Haines, so good it's hard to believe this is her first film).

South Africa's decades of sanctioned apartheid have ended and Lucy, who sells her produce at a local farmers' market, has set up a co-operative with an African farmer, Petrus (Eriq Ebouaney) who is building a house on the farm.

Petrus is curiously missing on a day when three young black men turn up, claiming they need to use a telephone.

They launch a violent assault during which Lucy is raped (off-screen), and her father is beaten and doused in methylated spirits before being set alight.

The assaults, and Lucy's refusal to involve police in bringing her attackers to justice, cause Lurie to examine his own life, the racism that's been part of him, and to accept sacrifices have to be made to survive in the new South Africa.

The novel's ending has been adapted to provide a powerful metaphor for black and white living together without divisions.

The spot-on casting flows even into small roles in the film, such as Australian actor Fiona Press as the animal welfare worker Bev Shaw whose agency puts down dogs.

Australian cinematographer Steve Arnold fills the widescreen handsomely, and even achieves dramatic shots when the actors aren't in close up.
 

Watch the trailer

 Yusuf - The Rain

by Zuleka Latif

Speed Intros for Muslims.....it's really a brief introduction of yourself to others, whereby you may meet a potential marriage partner or at least make new friends.

This event is planned to help bring together the many Muslim brothers and sisters of all communities who are interested in marriage partners.

It's a proven concept in London and I believe in other countries as well.

As it is a new here, it has probably made many people nervous, and understandably so.

However, this event will be kept very informal and friendly and everyone who will attend, will attend with the same purpose in mind.

Also complete confidentiality is assured
 
What it involves is a few minutes "chat" across a table, and if any interest is sparked then it can be taken further by either participants or through me.
 
Imam Tariq has endorsed this event and has offered his full support as he has also helped in the one in London.

Parents and community leaders have also encouraged it, confirming the need here to bring together all the Muslim communities
 
People interested should apply as soon as possible as numbers need to be confirmed
 

E-mail muslimintros@hotmail.com for application forms or call me Julu on 0400142786

Muslim Speed Intros in the UK 

by Ismail Essof 

For the purpose of this report and the ones that will follow over the season, the terms: Maradona’s Mates, the Saints and Sunnybank will be used interchangeably when reference is made to the team.
 

Last week, due to unforeseen circumstances the write up for Maradona’s mates did not reach the CCN headquarters. This week’s write up will include a double dose…
 

Saturday 13th June 2009
Sunnybank Saints aka Maradona’s Mates v North Pine Mavericks
Venue: Calamvale College. Kick off – 3pm
Result: 2-1 to the Mavericks

A convincing 7-1 win two weeks before, coupled with a week’s break of football due to the long weekend, meant the boys at Maradona’s Mate’s were eager to get back onto the soccer field. The game started off well for the boys, dominating possession and creating several opportunities in front of goals. The only thing missing were the finishing touches. Five minutes before the interval the goal finally came courtesy of a Nawaaz Malik tap in.
 

The second half started off brightly for the lads, still holding the lion’s share of possession. However, with a one nil score line the game was still in the balance. Fifteen minutes from time, the away team grabbed an equalizer against the run of play after a defensive mix up. Five minutes later, disaster struck, after a North Pine cross from the sidelines found its way into the back of the goals. With the final whistle, the score line read 2-1 to North Pine, and a shattered Sunnybank team could only lament on what might have been had they only taken their chances. A loss in concentration and a failure to kill off the game resulted in the Saints downfall that day.

Saturday 20th June 2009
Sunnybank Saints aka Maradona’s Mates v North Pine Kalangaroos
Venue: Calamvale College. Kick off – 1pm
Result: 1-0 to the Saints

With last week’s disappointment behind them, Maradona’s Mates shifted their attention to a clash with top of the table; North Pine Kalangaroos. The Kalangaroos (Roos) only previous loss in 9 games came at the hands of the Saints and this promised to be an interesting game of football. A win was vital for the Saints, in a bid to keep with the title race.

The game began with the Roos on the offensive and taking the game to Sunnybank. Sunnybank stood firm in this opening onslaught and slowly began to find their feet in the game. With a makeshift defensive line up due to injuries, there was always a little concern for the team with every attack that was thrown at them. Despite this, the defense held firm and both sides went into the half time break at nil all.
 

The second half was a more even contest, with the Saints showing more aggression and playing better football. The Roos continued to press forward but some strong defensive work ably aided by a tireless midfield and some brilliant goalkeeping, kept the Saints in the game. In the 60th minute, a slick interchange of passes presented Kamal Hassan (Maradona’s Mates) with a good opportunity in front of goals. His curling shot went agonizingly wide. Ten minutes later though, Kamal made no mistake when he found the back of the net, after a training ground routine paid dividends for the boys. The Roos had one last attempt on goals in the closing stages which was effectively dealt with by the Saints, who have now recorded the double over the league leaders.

 
Next week the team travels to John Oxley to face second placed Lifehouse. After today’s result, next week promises to be a blockbuster.
 

Following on from a fantastic team performance, mention of one outstanding player would not do justice to the performances of the team as a whole.

The line up of the team that produced a great performance reads: Imran Danka (gk), Azahar Omar, Mohammad Raja; Arshad Hatia;  Ismail Essof, Riaz Essof; Nawaaz Malik; Muhammad Sabdia; Ziyaad Hassan; Musa Goder; Kamal Hassan; Yaseen Saffruddin; Yusuf Hatia
(click on thumbnail image on left)

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