The Ethnic Communities
Council of Queensland (ECCQ) held its annual general
meeting during the week at the Colossus Reception
Lounge, West End.
Queensland Premier Anna
Bligh delivered the keynote address and ECCQ chair,
Agnes Whiten, welcomed the 150 invitees who represented
a diverse list of organizations and government agencies.
The Premier assured the
audience of her unequivocal support for multiculturalism
and praised the work of the ECCQ during the 34 years of
its existence.
A video presentation
highlighted the ECCQ's projects that include a chronic
disease program for CALD communities; an HIV/AIDS,
hepatitis and sexual health program; a program for
strengthening ethnic community associations; cultural
competence training; and tenancy advice. Also, flying
under the ECCQ banner are the
Berlasco Court
Caring
Centre and the
Diversicare Aged Care and HACC program.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE - 2009/2010
Chairperson: Ms Agnes M
Whiten OAM, BA, BE, M.Sc.(Met) Filipino
Silayan Acapella Group
Immediate Past Chairperson: Mr Serge
Voloschenko OAM Pine Lodge Home
for the Aged
Honorary President: Mr Nick Xynias AO BEM
Society of Greeks from Egypt in
Queensland
Senior Vice Chairperson: Dr Max Brândle OAM
Individual Member
Honorary Secretary: Mrs Chalani Gunasekara
Individual Member
Honorary Assistant Secretary: Mr Mustafa
Ally Crescents of Brisbane Inc
Honorary Treasurer: Mr Alex Daniloff
Queensland Russian Community Centre
Honorary Assistant Treasurer: Mr Peter
Vecsey-Dalos OAM JP Mindszenty Hungarian
School & Church Community
VICE CHAIRPERSONS
Ms Evelyn Abadines (Youth
Chair) Filipino Community Council of
Queensland Inc
Mrs Irene Cayas Individual Member
Ms Gail Ker ACCES Services Inc
Mr John Okello-Okanya African Seniors
Club – Australia Inc
Mr Michael Yau
Individual Member
Mrs Victoria Zografos Individual Member
Hikayat
in Queensland: Telling Stories, Memories and Belongings
A forum entitled 'Hikayat
in Queensland' will explore the histories and memories
of Arab communities as part of this year's touring Arab
Film Festival in Brisbane.
All the details about the
Film festival can be found on the website:
During the weekend of 20th
- 22nd November 2009, Dendy Portside will be proudly
hosting the Arab Film Festival 2009.
Fans of Arab film have
spoken – the audience picks of July’s sell-out Arab Film
Festival in Sydney are coming to Brisbane on 20-22
November.
Rarely seen on the screen in all their spectacular
diversity, Arab countries have a complex and nuanced
film culture. The program showcases the best of the
fest, as voted by the Sydney audience.
“The Arab community is massive and diverse, both in
Australia and overseas,” says Festival Co-Director Mouna
Zaylah, “and so are these stories and the Arab people’s
experiences.”
“More Arab films are being produced and arriving on our
doorstep, so we are delving deeper and further into the
richness of the Arab world,’ says Fadia Abboud, also a
Festival Co-Director. “Thousands of people have seen
these films in Parramatta, so be sure to join us for the
national tour.”
Highlights include Captain Abu Raed, a heart-warming
story about an airport janitor whose lofty dreams
inspire local kids. This standout film is the first
Jordanian feature to be screened in Australia, and has
picked up a swag of international awards, including the
2008 Audience Award at Sundance.
Eye of the Sun is a poignant tale from Egypt following
the dreams of 11-year-old Shams with moving
cinematography, screened alongside Huriyya and Her
Sisters, an innovative animation by young Muslim women
in Sydney’s west.
Pulses will race with the screening of Beirut Open City,
a sexy thriller set at the height of the Syrian presence
in Lebanon. It’s a world of danger, fear, violence and
dark-hearted glamour that’s wowed festival-goers in
London, Carthage and Abu Dhabi.
WHERE – Dendy Portside, Portside Wharf, Remora Rd,
Hamilton.
FRIDAY 20 NOVEMBER - 7.00PM Captain Abu Raed (95Mins) +
Personal Calendar (9 Mins)
SATURDAY 21 NOVEMBER - 7.00PM Beirut Open City (100Mins)
+ A Boy, a Wall, a Donkey (4 Mins)
SUNDAY 22 NOVEMBER - 5.00PM Eye of the Sun (90 Mins)+
Huriyya and her Sisters (8 Mins)
Tickets are on sale now $15 full/ $12 concession/ $10
Club Dendy Adult/ $7 Club Dendy Senior.
Book online at www.dendy.com.au, by phone 3137-6000, or
in person at Dendy Cinemas Portside box office, Portside
Wharf, Remora Rd, Hamilton. Bookings essential! Free
undercover parking is available.
What is
the name of the playful, inquisitive
11-year-old, who dreams of travelling to
downtown Cairo in tonight's movie
The Eye of the Sun?
Include a
mobile number in your email so that we can
contact you with the details of how to pick
up the tickets should you be a winner.
The
Pilgrimage Business: ABC TV COMPASS
Where can you spend almost
$US150, 000 per square metre on a piece of land?
Not the Champs-Elysees in
Paris, or Broadway or New York.
But Mecca!
This film shows the
transformation of the holiest place in the Islamic world. More
than 3-million Muslims from around the world now attend
the world’s largest pilgrimage, the Hajj.
Following the pilgrims’
journey, this film features a rare interview with the
Bin Laden Group behind much of the monumental
development of Mecca.
NEXT WEEK IN CCN: South African Muslims
in Australia: A young Brisbane Mum's perspective
Plans
for the expansion of the Holy Mosque
Palestinian Ambassador visits Brisbane
Ambassador Izzat Abdulhadi (pictured standing),
head of the Palestinian delegation to Australia, NZ and
Pacific, as part of his four day visit to Brisbane met
with members of the Muslim community to provide an
update on the latest situation in the occupied
Palestinian territories and issues relating to the
current stalled peace process.
His
visit, organised by Labor 4A Just Palestine,
included meetings with various organisations, church
groups and members of Parliament.
The
main focus of the event was a forum held at Queensland
Parliament House to discuss what was meant by a two
state solution to the Israel Palestinian conflict, how
best to achieve such an outcome and what are the
consequences of failure.
Rita Fitria, Izzat Abdulhadi
and Fenti Forsyth
Faisal Hatia, David Forde,
Izzat Abdulhadi and Iqbal Sultan
No Naan
Nazi Here
(left to right)
Camron the Baker, John and Feroza
Mustapha the Naan Maker
Brumby's Bakery @ Big Gun
Shopping Centre Underwood will again have South African
Naan available this Sunday and every Sunday from now on.
Next weekend, they will
have Naan available on Fri 27th, Sat 28th and Sun 29th
in time for Eid-ul-Adha celebrations.
The recipe of this South
African-styled Naan was volunteered by Mrs Feroza
Mustapha who keeps a more than watchful eye over
proceedings to ensure its authenticity and originality
for the store's very discriminating patrons.
It would be helpful to the
shop for planning purposes if customers continue to
pre-order by calling 3841 3755.
John James, the owner of the store, told CCN: "We
are very dependant on the feed-back from our valued
Muslim customers and would appreciate hearing from them
in regard to the products we produce and the customer
service they receive from our Brumby's Underwood Team".
[Editor] While the
South African Naan is in high demand, you certainly
won't be confronted by the likes of a Seinfeld-styled
Naan Nazi in this friendly and accommodating store.
The CCN
Comedy Corner: Wonho Chung
Expression of interest - Rise and Shine Dance Fitness
Classes 2010
The Rise
and Shine dance group
who put on a fantastic
performance at the recent
Crescents of Brisbane's "Celebration
of being a Woman" event
would like to offer ladies
an opportunity to enjoy
dance fitness as much as
they do!
Rise and Shine is happy to
invite you to “bring out the
music in you” with this
fantastic experience!!!
Our dance
fitness classes…
a combination
of aerobic exercise and
dance steps in one package.
In this class
you will experience a
practical and effective
method for improving
physical and emotional
health. We teach skill and
co-ordination as well as
increasing cardiovascular
health and body toning. The
best part of these classes
is the fun to be had while
exercising.
Rise and
Shine is not a dance school
or a singing academy… we
just use these services to:
unlock
creativity make
a difference in life have
fun give
encouragement and support inject
positive energy
awaken
enthusiasm inspire
to be your best support
other women to realise their goals create
networking opportunities belong
to a passionate group of women with a common
purpose
when:
the second Wednesday of
every month (commencing
10 Feb 2010) where : Brisbane
Southside (venue to be
confirmed) time: 7.30-9pm cost : $20
Canning of Qurban can be one of the most
viable alternative in poor, drought-stricken and
war-torn places that are lacking infrastructure such as
electricity.
Canned meat provides longer 'shelf life'
allowing the poor and destitute to sustain their
families for a longer period in times of calamities and
trial.
Cairns
Mosque Under Construction
Under construction
The Old Building
The Cairns Islamic Society
is a small but growing community that has, after more
than a hundred years and 5 generations of Muslims in the
area, finally got a Mosque that is currently being
built.
The Society is calling for
donations for the completion of this Mosque in this far
north Queensland town.
The community has been
praying for many years in the houses of the locals
before they purchased this old run down house.
They have since had to
fight an expensive court case, which they won, before
any construction could commence.
The Mosque is currently
under construction and to complete it they require about
$200 000.
Details on how you can
donate to this cause can be found
here.
[Editor] The next
time you head out for the wonders of the Great Barrier
Reef or take your overseas visitors on a trip to Cairns
you will certainly welcome and appreciate the new
facilities and perhaps the part you played in the construction
of this Mosque, insha'Allah.
Grant
Application Workshop
Want
to maximise your chances to access and apply for
community grants in 2010….then come along to the last
session in 2009!
Session will cover:
• Developing project ideas
• Developing a funding submission
• Overview of funding sources
• Managing the project
VENUE: MDA UPSTAIRS COMMUNITY MEETING ROOM VULTURE STREET ENTRANCE DATE: THURSDAY, 10 DEC 2009 TIME: 5:30-7:30PM
The
Australian Journey: Muslim Communities - DIAC
publication
Adapted from
Australian Journey - Muslim
communities
The
Australian Journey – Muslim communities,
a new DIAC publication, is characterised by
contributions of people from all over the world who have
made Australia home.
Muslims were some of the
very first visitors to the shores of Australia and have
helped to build this country into the prosperous and
successful nation it is today.
Many have chosen to live
in Australia for the sake of their children, for
education opportunities and for a better life.
They
bring with them a wealth of different ideas, skills and
talents.
In this and following issues of CCN we highlight one of the successful Muslims in Australia
from the report and their thoughts about what it means to be both a
Muslim and an Australian.
Pinar YesilLocal Government
Pinar Yesil was
elected the City of
Greater Dandenong’s
first Muslim Mayor
in 2009.
As Mayor of the City
of Greater Dandenong
and as a young
Turkish Muslim woman
I believe I am a
role model for young
Australians.
Becoming Mayor at
such a young age was
a significant
achievement.
I hope it acts as
inspiration for
other young people
to achieve their
dreams.
Mayor Pinar Yesil
Coming
to Australia - from Iran
Annabel
St Vincent is of Assyrian descent, born in Tehran in
1972, and has lived through the 1979 Islamic Revolution
and the Iran-Iraq war.
Her family moved to Australia to find freedom and a
better life.
"Life was pretty normal to me, I grew up in a country
that was free," but that was before the 1979 Islamic
Revolution.
She lived through the Iran-Iraq war and "lived in
basements for months.
"The reason we came to Australia was to run away from
the war... to have the freedom of being a minority and
live in a country where... we could live a better life."
At the end of Year Nine she came third in her English
class, a language that is her third, she went on to get
her HSC, studied engineering at university, and
graduated, "and it's been a great life," she sums up.
Islam is the second most common religion in Australia
(2006 Year Book, Australia).
Traditionally in the
Muslim community, babies are named on the sixth day
after birth.
The meaning of the name is
very important.
Muslims favour names that
are virtuous and honour the prophets, as they believe
this will inspire a righteous life and bring blessings
to the baby.
The first name is
sometimes just an honorary name that shows a link with
the Islamic faith, as the baby is given a second shorter
name by which he is commonly known.
The Muslim name Mohammed is currently a popular newborn
name in Australia, if all 14 spellings of the name are
taken into account.
The name means “one who is
praiseworthy”.
Parents like this name
because it will associate their son with the Muslim
Prophet Mohammed, so he will be recognised as one of his
followers.
Top 10 UK Muslim names (2007)
Girls' Names
Boys' Names
1.
Laila/Layla (an Arabic literary
character)
2. Aisha/Ayesha (“prosperous”; wife of
Prophet Mohammed)
3. Maryam/Mariam (mother of Prophet Isa
[Jesus], the Biblical Mary)
4. Yasmin (the flower jasmine)
5. Zainab ("a beautiful fragrant tree")
6. Fatima (daughter of Prophet Mohammed)
7. Zahra (“radiant”)
8. Laiba (“prettiest woman in the
heavens”)
9. Safa (a hill near the sacred Kaaba)
10. Iqra (“study, read”)
1.
Mohammed (all spellings) (“one who is
praiseworthy”; a Prophet)
2. Ibrahim (“kind father”; a Prophet)
3. Ali (“noble”; a name of the Prophet
Allah)
4. Yusuf (a Prophet)
5. Hamza (“lion”; the Prophet Mohammed’s
uncle
6. Syed (“lord”)
7. Ahmed (“most praised”; a name of the
Prophet Mohammed)
8. Zain (“beautiful”)
9. Abdullah (“servant of Allah”)
10. Abdul (“servant”)
Phillip George, fiber glass,
carbon fiber fins and imagery on the boards,
made with digital decals.
A University of New
South Wales
COFA staff member Phillip George has been
shortlisted for the Basil Sellers Art Prize, with his
artwork of surfboards detailed with Islamic designs.
In 2010, an acquisitive
prize of $100,000 will be awarded to a single,
outstanding artwork, displayed in an exhibition of
shortlisted finalists at the Ian Potter Museum of Art,
the University of Melbourne.
As one of Australia’s newest and richest art prizes, the
Basil Sellers Art Prize breaks with tradition,
developing a substantial prize that concentrates
entirely on sport.
This prize is supported by Basil Sellers in order to
encourage contemporary artists to develop their
practice, to engage with the many themes within sport
past and present, and to contribute to critical
reflection on all forms of sport and sporting culture in
Australia.
If you are interested in
teaching English in China, then the
letter of invitation from Daud Wang (ifancahalal@yahoo.cn)
of the Tsinghua
Children’s English School will be of interest to you.
The Inbox
As Salaamu Alaikum,
Rubana and I wish to thank everyone who rang and
emailed us and congratulated our daughter Nooree on
her achievements.
As her parents we are
grateful to Allah (SWT) for giving our daughter such
talents and we are grateful that she is a determined
young woman who is making very good use of these
talents and Insha Allah she continues using these
talents in the service of Islam and the Australian
community at large - Aameen
Was Salaam, Ismail Moola
Around
the Muslim World with CCN
Hi-tech Jamrat facility
fully operational
MINA:
Saudi authorities have
completed the construction
of the five-story Jamrat
Bridge (pictured left)
in Mina, enabling pilgrims
to make full use of the
high-tech facility this year
for stoning the Jamrat.
The SR4.5 billion project
aims to ensure a smooth flow
of thousands of pilgrims
during the ritual. Many
pilgrims have, in the past,
died in stampedes while
carrying out this rite.
“We’ll not
allow pilgrims to squat
along the roads leading to
the Jamrat,” said Maj. Gen.
Saad Al-Khelaiwi, assistant
commander of Haj Security
Forces. “We’ll also monitor
and control the flow of
pilgrims,” he added.
He said the Jamrat Bridge
would not be able to
accommodate more than
300,000 pilgrims an hour.
“So we have appointed 19
commanders along the roads
to stop pilgrims when the
number exceeds 300,000.”
Addressing a press
conference in Mina, Al-Khelaiwi
said pilgrims would not be
allowed to carry large bags
while going to perform the
stoning ritual, adding that
more than 12,000 men would
be taking part in the
operation.
Maj. Muhammad Al-Shahri,
commander of the Command and
Control Center, said his
center has the ability to
monitor all operation areas.
“We have installed more than
1,850 cameras in different
parts of the holy sites and
the Grand Mosque,” he said.
Maj. Gen. Khidr Al-Zahrani,
assistant commander for
Security Affairs, said his
forces would focus on
preventing crimes.
“We have established about
30 police stations in the
holy sites to receive
pilgrims’ complaints.”
The state-of-the-art Jamrat
Bridge is designed to
accommodate five million
pilgrims. It has 10
entrances and 12 exits
distributed over the four
levels plus others to
accommodate pilgrims coming
from different directions.
There are some more works
pending: construction of
four helipad towers and
eight escalator towers,
which will be ready next
year.
We have
installed
more than
1,850
cameras in
different
parts of the
holy sites
and the
Grand Mosque
Another major project is
currently underway to
redesign and develop Arafat
at a cost of SR500 million.
The first phase of the
project was begun earlier
this year and will cost
about SR170 million. It
consists of reconstructing
roads, service utilities,
tent locations, leveling
eight small rocky
outcroppings, and a sewage
network for rain and
floodwater.
Once completed, it will be
easy for pilgrims to enter
and exit Arafat. The service
roads and emergency exits
will be clearly marked. The
leveling of the outcroppings
will provide an empty area
that can accommodate some
100,000 pilgrims. It will
also provide space for the
construction of more than
200 toilets and a major road
700 meters long and 30
meters wide.
“The man who does not
read good books has no advantage over the man who can't
read.”
- Mark Twain
This week
CCN
recommends
Haneef: A
Question of Character by
Jacqui Ewart
Synopsis
Jacqui Ewart's book Haneef: A Question of Character
traces the behind the scenes machinations between
police, media, lawyers and key characters involved in
the Haneef case.
It follows the story from
when it broke in 2007 through its many developments
until September 2009.
Ewart wrote the book in a
literary journalism style "so that it and its messages
are accessible to a broad reading public."
The book draws on
interviews with dozens of people involved in the story,
observation from attending public events associated with
the case and my reportage of the court cases associated
with the case.
There is a preface from
international human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson and
interviews with Kevin Andrews and Philip Ruddock.
The book is available
through Riverbend Bookstore and Angus and Robertson
stores.
Would you like to see the
cover of your favourite book on our book shelves below?
Using the book
club you can see what books fellow CCN
readers have on their shelves, what they are
reading and even what they, and others,
think of them.
3 Avocados cubed
1 Onion finely sliced (water to be squeezed
out)
1 Green apple cubed
1 green chili sliced
1 tomato finely cubed
1 grated green mango (optional)
Dressing
1 Tab Salad Cream
2 Tab Mayonnaise
1 Tab Condensed Milk
Salt and Pepper to taste
Lemon Juice
A drop of Green Food Coloring
Method
Pour the dressing over the
Avocado Mix and refrigerate before serving
on a bed of lettuce.
It’s simply great in summer!
Do you have a recipe to
share with CCN readers? Send in your favourite recipe
to
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org
and be our "guest chef" for the week.
Kareema's Keep Fit Column
Q: Dear Kareema, I'm trying to strengthen and tone my
muscles by walking daily and I am even managing a run
every other day. How long do you think I'll have to do
this before I notice some results?
A:
The most effective way to build and tone muscles
quickly will be to lift weights!
You don't have to do a lot of it, just incorporate it
into your daily exercise routine.
As we get older, we lose muscle mass, so the best way to
strengthen them is to keep challenging them.
Studies show that running / walking alone does not
improve muscles as much as lifting weights does.
Remember, any activity is better than none.
So try and swap one of your walks for a strength
training session, or shorten your walk and do some body
weight exercises to finish off with.
University of Queensland, 323 Hawken Drive, St. Lucia
Every Friday
Subject:
Fiqh Made Easy
Venue: Room E215 Building 1 (Forgan Smith),
University of Queensland
Time: 7pm to 7.50pm
Every Friday
Subject:
Tafseer al Qur'an (Explanation of the
Qur'an)
Venue: Room E215 Building 1 (Forgan Smith),
University of Queensland
Time: 8pm to 9pm
Sunnah Inspirations is a
non-profit organisation to cater for Muslim
social support and supplying information to
Muslims and non-Muslims. They have
been doing various activities around
Australia, and have organised Da'wah
information stalls at various universities
in Brisbane. More info can be found on
their website above.
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 to the Crescents Community
please e-mail
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org.
Share
your thoughts, feelings and ambitions for our community
through CCN.
If there
is someone you know who would like to subscribe to CCN
please encourage them to send an e-mail to
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org with the words
“Subscribe Me” in the subject line.
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.
......
unlock
creativity 
Want
to maximise your chances to access and apply for
community grants in 2010….then come along to the last
session in 2009! 
Annabel
St Vincent is of Assyrian descent, born in Tehran in
1972, and has lived through the 1979 Islamic Revolution
and the Iran-Iraq war.
MINA:
Saudi authorities have
completed the construction
of the five-story Jamrat
Bridge (pictured left)
in Mina, enabling pilgrims
to make full use of the
high-tech facility this year
for stoning the Jamrat.
C
