Source: moonsighting.com

 

Yasmin Khan, the President of Eidfest, talked to Michael Smith on Radio 4BC about the upcoming Muslim festival which is being held on the anniversary of September 11th and competently held her own against some rather specious and spurious objections.   Listen to the audio:    failing this, go directly to the 4BC website.

 

The Queensland Intercultural Society (QIS) held its annual ifthaar dinner at the Queensland Parliament House during the week. It was an opportunity to bring together various members of the local community and politicians in a social gathering and learn about the importance of the Ramadan month to Muslims around the world.   The proceedings commenced with the adhan, the call to prayer, and there was a recitation and translation from the Qu'ran.   Amongst the speakers were the Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh, the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly, John Mickel MP, Minister for Disability Services and Multicultural Afffairs, Annastacia Palaszcuk MP, leader of the Opposition, John-Paul Langbroek MP, Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of ECCQ, Ms Agnes Whiten OAM, QIS member, Mr. Murat Coskun and Prof Gerard Hall of the Australian Catholic University.   Master of ceremonies on the night was QIS Public Relations officer, Ms. Maria Maruca.   There was bi-partisan commitment to the continued support of multiculturalism in Queensland and the Speaker of the House, who welcomed the guests to Parliament House, wished that some of the spirit of Ramadan of tolerance, generosity, humility and forgiveness was more in evidence at Parliamentary sessions.   Mr. Murat Coskun described the day in the life of an Australian Muslim and Prof Hall talked of the increasing efforts of the Universities in Australia to encourage studies and dialogue on religion.   In her speech, Ms Agnes Whiten said that the ifthaar gave everyone present an opportunity to reflect on and value the significance of the occasion on a personal level. Australia, she said, stood as a beacon in today's world for the freedom of its citizens who are able to practice their religions and faiths without fear of victimization, discrimination or assault. "When we see what is happening in New York right now, with the controversy over the construction of a mosque and the violence that has followed that controversy, you will see why I can say that we here in Australia have much to be grateful for."   Mr. Fatih Asar, QIS president, concluded the night's programme with two QIS Special Achievement awards to Mr. Murat Coskun for his support of the soon-to-be-opened Resha College in Algester, and to Prof Gerard Hall for his work in fostering inter-faith dialogue.   Mr. Yasar Sevran of the QIS renders the call to prayer Premier Anna Bligh makes a guest appearance   Mustafa Kemal Omar and Opposition Deputy Leader Lawrence Springboard enjoy a quiet tête-à-tête (left to right) Yaseen Sabdia (Sabdia Professionals); ECCQ Executive Committee members: Serge Voloschenko, Chalani Gunasekara, Alex Danilof  and Nick Xynias; and Garry Page (MAQ) Meeting with the Minister in the foyer of the House     Agnes Whiten John-Paul Langbroek John Mickel Annastacia Palaszcuk Sponsors of the function were presented with certificates of appreciation   Anastacia Palaszcuk and Fatih Asar flank the recipients of the QIS special achievement awards, Murat Coskun and Prof Gerard Hall

 By Nada Ibrahim

 

Every Ramadan the same scenario gets played out. In the first few days of Ramadan, the women’s section is bursting at its seams to accommodate females of all ages praying taraweh.   A few days later some of the women will start complaining about how the children are making so much noise and are being distractive. Then the blame shifts on the mothers that goes something like this “Please control your kids, they are making so much noise and running around”. Then it progresses to “You should not be bringing your child to the mosque if you can’t control them”. Then it progresses to “If you can’t look after your child, then stay at home”. Then it progresses to the Imam making an announcement that goes “We have had some sisters complaining about kids making noise, so can you please look after you kids?” Slowly the numbers of women start declining and along the way the number of children attending the mosques decreases. Why do we abuse the mothers, get angry at them and humiliate them like this? Why do we argue with these mothers about them bringing their kids to the mosque? Don’t they have a right to introduce their kids to the mosque so that their kids get attached to the mosques from a young age? Don’t the kids have a right to see the beauty of Ramadan in the taraweh prayers? Don’t these mothers and kids deserve our compassion and leniency? Have these women who complain forgotten that their own kids did the same thing not so long ago? Where is the rahmah (mercy) towards these mothers? This is a call for us to return the rahmah towards mothers in the month that is all rahmah. Who gave us the right to stop mothers from coming to the mosques? There is a hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) that states: “Do not stop the handmaidens (female believers) of Allah from the mosques”. Based on this no one has the right to stop a woman from coming to the mosque, let alone a mother with her children. We complain that the youths are not coming to the mosque, but little do we realise that we had a hand in it when we stopped the mothers from bringing their children to the mosque. During the time of the Prophet (peace be upon him), it was a common sight to see children at the mosque. They ran around and did exactly what our children today are doing. They made noise, they cried, they chatted, they screamed, they are kids! That’s what kids do! The Prophet never prohibited a mother from coming to the mosque. In fact there are numerous hadiths that illustrate the involvement of children in the mosque. Let me share three of them. 1. The Prophet (peace be upon him) says “I begin the prayer and wish to prolong it, then I hear the crying of the child so I shorten the prayer from my mercy towards its mother”. Imagine the Prophet shortened his prayer to be merciful on the mother just because a child cried. 2. Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) entered the mosque and found Umamah bint Zaynab (his granddaughter) and picked her up. He led the prayer with the Muslims, while carrying Umamah. This was not only to show the mothers that it is okay for her to carry her child while praying, but as an illustration of mercy and tenderness.   3. Once the Prophet (peace be upon him) was delivering a sermon and his grandchildren, Hassan and Hussein, walked into the mosque and kept stumbling on their long gowns. The Prophet (peace be upon him) got down, picked up his grandchildren and while carrying them completed the sermon. The companions looked at him with confusion and he said “I saw them stumbling and felt sympathy for them, so I said to myself I’ll pick them up”. Where are we from these examples of the Prophet (peace be upon him). I make a plea to all Muslim women and men to show compassion, leniency and mercy towards our mothers. They are already distressed enough when they hear their children cry, please do not distress them further. Many of them have no one to leave their kids with, so they have to bring them to the mosques to share in the spirit of Ramadan. If we show mercy for the mother and respect for her role as a mother, that Allah has elevated, it can only foster a positive experience for all during this blessed month of Ramadan inshaAllah. Let’s not humiliate and demote the position of our mothers. They have the right to be at the mosque with their children just like anyone else. Our mothers are precious and valuable in our society; and so deserve leniency, compassion and mercy!   About the Author: Nada Ibrahim is a PhD Scholar at the Griffith Islamic Research Unit, Griffith University   If you have any comments on the subject email ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org.

 

Read the Eid message from Ikebal Patel, President of Muslims Australia (AFIC)

 

Zuleka Latif (Julu) of the Gold Coast sent in this update on the flood relief progress in the area:   The first cluster of houses to be rebuilt has been secured by Dr Rubina in Pakistan, thus offering a glimpse of hope to about 70 families.   Different villages around Peshawar will eventually benefit as this project progresses In Shah Allah.   I have attached an outline of this project for anyone who may be interested in knowing how it will be run.   I will also be leaving for Peshawar on the 19th of September to help with this task.   If anyone would like to contribute Zakaat or any other donation please either contact me on 0400142786 or deposit to my account:     Commonwealth Bank O.Z Latif 064 117 00676328   Every penny will go towards the Pakistan relief.

 

The Zonta Club of Brisbane North seeks applications from women living or working in Brisbane or in surrounding areas for their Advancement Grant which helps to improve the status of women. They will be offering 3 grants this year. One is for a woman from a migrant or refugee background in honour of a member of their Club who died three years ago and left special funds for this purpose.   The grant has been awarded in the past to assist with the cost of:  Educational courses  Child minding to allow attendance at courses  Books for study and/or research  Transport assistance to allow access to development opportunities   More more details, click here.

 

Al-Imdaad Foundation Australia appeal for Pakistan Flood Victims.   Full details here.

 

30 Mosques in 30 States is Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq’s Ramadan road trip across the United States. Beginning August 11 in New York City, the two spend each night of Ramadan at a different mosque in 30 states around the country.   The two’s 12,000 mile route take them on an outline of the entire country and conclude in Dearborn, Michigan – home to one of the largest concentrations of Muslims in the country.   Each day during Ramadan, Aman Ali and Bassam Tariq visit a different state and blog about the experience each night, highlighting stories about the people they’ve met, the mosque they prayed in and of course the tasty cuisines each place has to offer.               CNN report   The first 15 days in photos

 

The Queensland Muslims Historical Society will be at EidFest again this year.   A video on the history of the Muslims of Mt Gravatt has been developed with the Mt Gravatt Community Centre and the Mt Gravatt Historical Society and will be launched at EidFest by the Mayor of Brisbane, Campbell Newman.   Called Muslim Roots, the video showcases the lives of the Muslim residents as narrated by the decedents of the pioneering families who settled in the area in the early 1900s and will be on sale at the QMHS stand.