......a sometimes
self-deprecating and occasional tongue-in-cheek look at ourselves and
the world around us ......
Sunday, 10 January 2010
.Newsletter
0270
News you won't find on CNN!
From the
QMWA Desk.....
By Janeth Deen
We have had a busy time over
the holiday period
processing donations that
have poured into the shop.
It is a great pity that we
still do not have a
warehouse and volunteers to
aid in the quick processing
of the goods. We are
thankful to all those who
donated to our cause.
We also express regret that
so many of our refugees and
other people in need are
unaware of the existence of
our shop when they are
struggling with everyday
needs. We have ample
clothing and household goods
to make their life easier
and have also been able to
source furniture for all
those who have asked for
help.
We are approaching the time
when children return to
school and are requesting
any school bags or shoes
that are not being used as
we have a great demand for
these items at this time of
year.
The Welfare shop has a
supply of used uniforms from
the International Islamic
College, the Karawatha
Islamic College, John Paul
College, MacGregor State
High and Primary Schools and
Kuraby primary School. The
items sell at $5 a piece if
anyone is in need of these
items. Needy people get the
items free of charge.
We also have some University
Text Books and school books
for sale.
The CCN
Cradle
Raeesa and SameerGutta of Kuraby are
the very proud parents of
their third son, Husain,
who was born on Sunday 3rd
January at the Mater Private
Hospital weighing in at a
healthy 3.3kg.
Siki and SharifaGutta have now
notched up their 8th
grandchild.
From the
Gold Coast Imam's Desk.....
By Imam Imraan Husain
New Year Gold Coast Babies Galore
Congratulations to Brother Amien and his wife for their
first new born baby girl "Layla". No wonder Amien is
full of smiles. Masha Allah Baagos (good). Baby
description: Indonesian European.
Congratulations
to Brother Ahmad and Ana
from Satay House on their
new born baby boy. Brother
Ade Tawfeek was truly
excited on his first
grandchild. He couldn’t even
sit in my Ta’leem after
Isha..umm…Welcome to the
club. You are now my equal
“GRANDPA”. Baby description:
Pure Indonesian.
Congratulations to Brother Zaahid and his wife on their
new born baby boy. Haji Umar Hashimi is now a great
grandfather. Well done. Baby description: Pure Afghani
Congratulations to Brother Gabriel and Andrea on their
new born baby boy. Baby description: Egyptian Kiwi
Saudi Students are also having Gold Coast babies.
Congratulations to the Brother and his wife. I don’t
know his name, buts sits very often in my taleem after
Isha. Baby description: Pure Saudi made in Australia.
The Dawa Squad
Our Mosque indoor Soccer
team “Dawa Squad” is still
running in first position at
the Runaway Bay League.
Players are Umar Flyn our
Captain, Imraan (that's me,
missing all the goals),
Abdullah (my son) pass the
ball man…, Gabriel the magic
Brazilian, Shukran our
unbeatable cat in the goals
and our youngest star Aaron
Kapel. Aaron Kapel has been
chosen as a State player for
“Football Queensland Futsal”
He leaves for Canberra today
and will be competing with
other States for the
Australian National Indoor
Soccer Team U14’s.
Coldroom facilities
We are working on setting up
a COLDROOM next to the
kitchen. This is a desperate
need for our fast growing
community with all it’s
feasts on various occasions.
Hmm…. We’ll need to dig deep
into our pockets insha
Allah.
A Cuppa with the Constable
My dear friend Senior
Constable Jim Plowman has
invited me for a tea at
police headquarters on
Monday. Sorry, no samosas
this time…. He’s always been
wonderful to us Muslims here
at the Coast.
Little
Mosque on the Prairie: Season 4 Episode 5
Death By Chocolate
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Meeting
of Imams
The first CIQ (Council of
Imams QLD) meeting for the
year will be held today
(Sunday) in Brisbane.
There are at present 25
Imams and Du’aat on the CIQ
board.
The President is Imam
Yusuf Peer, the
Secretary is Imam Imraan
Husain and Treasurer is
Imam Mohammed Tauab.
The CCN
Trader
Pitter Patter has a one
week only sale of
ladies' and children's wear
with prices ranging from $5
to $30.
Arte
Family Charity Drive
POLICE and a Mansfield
church will lead a charity
drive for Wishart’s Arte
family which has just buried
a son and expects the birth
of another child within
days.
The Somali refugees buried
Salman Arte, 13, last
Thursday, two days after he
disappeared in the swollen
waters of Bulimba Creek.
(See coverage in
last week's CCN).
There is no cot, no baby
capsule, no car seat and no
high chair at the Wishart
home despite an expected
birth date of January 15.
They were all left behind
when the family of 12 were
transferred from a Kenyan
refugee camp to start a new
life in Australia last year.
Queenslander of the Year and
police cross-cultural
liaison officer Jim Bellos
said the Artes were still
setting up home when
disaster struck.
Sgt Bellos will lead a
charity drive in partnership
with Mansfield’s Citipointe
Church.
He said: “We need to do all
we can to help this family.
“I cannot comprehend or even
imagine what this family has
been through over the past
few days.
“To watch the father break
down when he was required to
identify his son’s body was
very difficult for me. I
realised at this point that
I needed to do more for this
family.”
Sgt Bellos said all proceeds
from the QPS/African Nations
(Football) Tournament on
March 20 and 21 would be
given to the family.
“That weekend happens to
also be Harmony Day. Harmony
Day is about dealing with
cultural, racial and
religious intolerance and
promoting respect, fairness
and a sense of belonging for
everyone.
“We ask for as much
community support as
possible (and people) to
attend.”
The family has nine children
aged between three and 16.
Mr Arte has been studying
English in the hope of
finding work but now his
focus has turned to
emotionally supporting his
family.
With 5 months to the event
of the year, you can keep
abreast of all the fixtures
by downloading the Outlook
calendar file
here
and then add all the
2010 FIFA Soccer fixtures to
your Outlook calendar, from
the group matches through to
the final game.
Follow the following steps
to install:
• Double click the file you
downloaded;
• Select ‘Open’;
• Put a tick next to the
2010 FIFA World Cup South
Africa header and click
‘OK’.
• The dates will be
automatically imported to
your Outlook calendar.
For IPhone aficionados,
several apps are available
at the Itunes store.
Funeral
Notices
The Brisbane Muslim Burial
Services (BMBS) sends Janaza
(funeral) notices via SMS
directly to your mobile
phone.
If you wish to subscribe to
this free service send an
e-mail with your full name
and mobile number to
janaza786@hotmail.com.
If you wish to have a
message sent with regards to
a deceased person within
Queensland, this is free.
Any message for a person who
passed away outside
Queensland and overseas will
incur a fee $50.00.
Any other community notices
will also incur a fee of
$50.00
Get
motivated with MBN
The Muslim Business Network
kicks off its 2010 MBN
calendar of events with a
workshop on motivation,
leadership and personal
excellence. on Saturday 23
January.
Click the thumbnail for all
the details.
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 Muslims from all over the world who have
made Australia home.
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.
Fatima Killeen
Music, art & the
written word
Fatima Killeen is a
painter and
printmaker who uses
Arabic calligraphy
and Islamic design
in her work.
She has studied in
Morocco, Australia
and America and has
exhibited
extensively
throughout
Australia.
Use
whatever skill you
are blessed with to
make a difference in
the lives of those
who are desperate
for hope, love and
peace. We cannot
afford to lose the
passion that
nurtures our
traditions and our
Islamic values.
We
must work together
to close the gap of
misunderstanding to
be able to live in
peace and to love
again.
Fatima Killeen
Around
the Muslim World with CCN
Ex-Indonesia leader
Abdurrahman Wahid mourned
Thousands of mourners
gathered in Indonesia to pay
their respects to the former
president, Abdurrahman
Wahid, as his funeral
was held in East Java.
Often referred to by his
nickname, Gus Dur, Wahid led
the country from 1999 to
2001. He died on Wednesday
aged 69.
He was the first elected
president after the fall of
the Suharto regime.
Mourners wept as they lit
candles and burned incense
for a leader who was widely
renowned for his tolerance
and openness to other faiths
and ideas.
Wahid was removed from
office in 2001 over unproven
allegations of corruption,
but remained politically
active until his final
years.
A nationally televised
memorial service for Wahid,
led by current president,
Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono,
began a week of national
mourning.
Flags were be flown at half
mast across the country.
Rich diversity
Speaking at the memorial, Mr
Yudhoyono said Wahid had
made Indonesians "realise
and respect the diversity of
ideas and identities brought
about by differences in
faiths, beliefs, ethnicity
and locality".
"Whether we realise it or
not, really, he was the
father of pluralism and
multiculturalism in
Indonesia," he said.
The former leader was buried
in his East Java hometown,
Jombang, where about 5,000
supporters gathered to
welcome his motorcade.
He was a
Muslim, but
he became a
blessing to
all faiths
Archbishop
Julius
Darmaatmadja
SJ
His supporters have held
vigils at mosques, churches,
temples and schools.
"Gus Dur was a saint. Every
time he visited, I always
came to receive his
blessing," said mourner
Maryamah, 47, in Jombang.
Such was the emotion in
Jakarta that Gus Dur's
wheelchair-bound widow,
Shinta Nuriyah, and tearful
daughter Yenny, were swamped
by crowds.
Wahid's brother said he had
been "humorous, happy,
clever, brave" and that he
had cared deeply about the
community.
"He was full of life and his
fighting spirit was strong.
Even when he was sick, he
would fight on," Salahuddin
Wahid told the AFP news
agency.
The Jakarta Post newspaper
reported that news of Gus
Dur's death had prompted
spontaneous prayer
gatherings across the
country - and not only among
fellow Muslims.
Jakarta Archbishop Julius
Darmaatmadja SJ said Gus Dur
had left an indelible mark
on people of all faiths.
"He was a Muslim, but he
became a blessing to all
faiths," the newspaper
quoted him as saying.
The leaders of Indonesia's
political elite gathered at
the funeral.
"We just lost a great
statesman who fought to keep
the country pluralist, while
fighting fundamentalism,"
lawyer Todung Mulya Lubis
said.
"He was a true democrat,
respecting even his
political foes."
Messages of condolence also
poured in from abroad.
The White House said Wahid
had been "a pivotal figure"
in Indonesia's transition to
a free government, who "will
be remembered for his
commitment to democratic
principles, inclusive
politics, and religious
tolerance".
Australian Prime Minister
Kevin Rudd said Wahid had
been "much admired and
respected not only within
Indonesia, but also by many
Australians and others
throughout our region".
"Our thoughts go in
particular to his family,
including his widow and four
daughters," he said.
BBC News
The president of the Australian
Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), Ikebal Patel,
expressed his condolences in an
open letter.
“I am Muslim, I am
American” Ad Airing in Times Square
The
New York chapter of
CAIR, an
American civil liberties and
advocacy organization for
Muslims, is currently
running an ad in Times
Square.
The ad,
entitled “I am Muslim, I am
American,” began airs on the
CBS Super Screen. The point
of the public service
announcement (PSA),
according to CAIR-NY
Community Affairs Director
Faiza Ali, is to highlight
“ordinary American Muslims
whose everyday lives are
dedicated to building
community and serving
country.”
The 15-second PSA will air
every hour for 18 hours each
day until January 16th, and
is targeted at the over one
million people that pass
through Times Square each
day. CAIR got a bonus with
the timing too: the ad aired
during the annual Times
Square New Year’s Eve,
ball-drop celebration as
well.
The PSA features an NYPD
sergeant, as well as a
Little League all-star, a
human rights activist, a
doctoral candidate, and an
attorney - all pictures with
the caption “I am Muslim, I
am American”.
French law could see
fines for burqas
The
author of a new anti-burqa law in France has told the
press he will propose €750 fines for women wearing the
head-to-toe covering.
Jean-Francois Cope, the leader of France's ruling
centre-right UMP party, gave advance notice of the bill
in an interview with Le Figaro magazine out on Thursday
(7 January).
He said the legislation
"would prohibit the covering of the face in public
places and on the streets, with the exception of special
cultural events or carnivals" meaning that "wearing a
burqa would qualify for a fine, probably of the fourth
class, that is to say €750."
Any person forcing a woman to wear the garment would
face a "worse fine."
Mr Cope defended the proposals on grounds of national
security and women's rights. "We can measure the
modernity of a society by the way it treats and respects
women," he told Le Figaro.
The burqa is worn by a
tiny handful of French Muslims.
“No matter how busy
you may think you are, you must find time for reading,
or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”
- Confucius
This week
CCN
recommends
iMuslims: Rewiring the House of Islam (Islamic
Civilization and Muslim Networks)
by
Gary R. Bunt
Exploring
the increasing impact of the Internet on Muslims around
the world, this book sheds new light on the nature of
contemporary Islamic discourse, identity, and community.
The Internet has
profoundly shaped how both Muslims and non-Muslims
perceive Islam and how Islamic societies and networks
are evolving and shifting in the twenty-first century,
says Gary Bunt.
While Islamic society has
deep historical patterns of global exchange, the
Internet has transformed how many Muslims practice the
duties and rituals of Islam.
A place of religious
instruction may exist solely in the virtual world, for
example, or a community may gather only online.
Drawing on more than a
decade of online research, Bunt shows how
social-networking sites, blogs, and other "cyber-Islamic
environments" have exposed Muslims to new influences
outside the traditional spheres of Islamic knowledge and
authority.
Furthermore, the Internet
has dramatically influenced forms of Islamic activism
and radicalization, including jihad-oriented campaigns
by networks such as al-Qaeda.
By surveying the broad
spectrum of approaches used to present dimensions of
Islamic social, spiritual, and political life on the
Internet, iMuslims encourages diverse understandings of
online Islam and of Islam generally.
A Q&A conversation session held with Gary
Blunt can be read
here.
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.
Ingredients
½ 4 cups Flour
125g Butter
2 tbls Sugar
1 tsp Salt
10g Yeast
1 ½ to one and three quarter cups - lukewarm
milk.
1 kg cubed chicken breast fillets
1tsp of green chilies,
1tsp salt
Juice of 1 lemon
1 tsp crushed cumin
½ tsp of ground ginger and ½ tsp garlic
1 box frozen spinach
1 grated tomato
Filling
Cook 1 Kg cubed chicken with green chilies,
ginger, garlic, salt, lemon juice and cumin.
Add 1 Grated tomato and braise, then add
frozen spinach and sauté until all the water
has evaporated. (You can substitute frozen
mixed vegetables for the spinach)
Method for
Dough
Sift Flour and salt and add sugar. Rub in
butter and then add yeast. Make a soft dough
with lukewarm milk & leave to rise. Divide
dough into 6 equal portions. Roll each ball
out and then fill like a swiss roll. Slice &
sprinkle with blanched almonds, cheese or
sesame seeds. Place the sliced wheels on a
baking tray which is lined with baking paper
and bake in a moderate oven until light
brown. Great for school lunches.
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
ACTIVE PARENTS = ACTIVE / FIT KIDS
LEAD BY EXAMPLE: ENCOURAGE YOUR KIDS TO LEAD ACTIVE,
HEALTHY LIVES
Last year a national survey revealed that Australian
children's eating and activity habits were not that
encouraging..
The best way for us to teach out kids to be more active
and eat nutritious meals, is to be good role models.
Our homes are central in our kids lives, lets adopt
healthier habits and make it a fun and active
environment.
Encourage them to move a little more, even if it means
you need to extend your walk by another 15 minutes.
Let them ride their bikes to the park - this will be a
great workout for you as keeping up with them is not
that easy.
Turn off the TV - create opportunities for indoor and
outdoor play. Take turns in suggesting games /
activities for the day.
The more you get involved, the more they will want to
participate!
All questions sent in are published here anonymously
and without any references to the author of the
question.
The CCN Chuckle
BREAKING NEWS!
In keeping with the times,
Mula Nasruddin upgrades his mode of transport to the
more environmentally friendly BMW model.
And now for the rest of the news.......
Mula Nasruddin was sitting on the edge of the bed,
observing his wife, looking at herself in the mirror.
Since her birthday was not far off he asked what she'd
like to have for her birthday.
'I'd like to be twelve again', she replied, still
looking in the mirror.
On the morning of her birthday, Mula Nasruddin arose
early, made her a nice big bowl of Coco Pops, and then
took her to the Wild Wadi theme park in neighbouring
Dubai.
What a day!
He put her on every facility in the park; body-boarding
and surfing in the wave pool, the Corkscrew, the Wall of
Fear, the Jumeirah Sceirah Monster ride, everything
there was.
Five hours later they staggered out of the theme park.
Her head was reeling and her stomach felt upside down.
He then took her to a Mc Donald's where he ordered her a
Happy Meal with extra fries and a chocolate shake.
Then it was off to the cinema with popcorn, a huge Cola,
and her favourite sweets......M&M's.
What a fabulous adventure!
Finally, Mula Nasruddin wobbled home with his wife and
both collapsed into bed exhausted.
He leaned over her with a big smile and lovingly asked,
'Well dear, what was it like being twelve again?'
Her eyes slowly opened and her expression suddenly
changed.
Australian Muslim Youth Network (AMYN)
Find out about the latest
events, outings, fun-days, soccer tournaments, BBQs
organised by AMYN. Network with other young Muslims on
the
AMYN Forum
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 libellous,
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.
The
New York chapter of
Exploring
the increasing impact of the Internet on Muslims around
the world, this book sheds new light on the nature of
contemporary Islamic discourse, identity, and community. 
C