The MuslimCharitableFoundation (MCF) issued the following
report for publication in CCN:
It gives us great
pleasure to present a report on the
activities of the Muslim Charitable
Foundation.
The Muslim Charitable Foundation was
formed to co-ordinate the collection
and distribution of funds from the
Muslims of Brisbane and surround. To
this end, we collect and distribute
zakaat, lillah, fitra, unwanted
interest and assist at the times of
need locally and internationally –
those that have been affected by
natural disasters.
Although we have not had a large
public launch of the organisation,
we have distributed widely through
the masajid and business houses our
flyers detailing the work of MCF. We
have had a meeting with the Imams of
the various masajid, where we
explained what MCF is all about and
the role that they, the Imams could
play in the organisation. The most
important benefit to the various
masajid was that they are now in the
position to refer any requests for
assistance straight through to MCF.
We then investigate the applicants’
circumstances and in many instances
the Imams accompany us on the home
visits. The advice of the Imam is
always sought to ensure that the
rule of shariah are adhered to in
the distribution that we do,
especially of zakaat monies.
We also met with the various Muslim
organisations in and around
Brisbane. Only seven organisations
attended the session that was held
at the Gold Coast musjid followed by
lunch. Again the work of MCF was
explained and their assistance and
co-operation of the organisations
sought.
To date we have assisted
approximately 50 families or
individuals for various forms of
need, e.g. rental assistance,
medical needs, debts in various
forms, rental bonds, unpaid
electricity and telephone bills,
etc.
Each case has a unique file number
and all details are recorded in
separate files.
We receive referrals from Imams,
from Organisations and many
individuals visit Janeth Deen at her
shop in Woodridge. We have also
received calls for assistance from
non-Muslims and we do have limited
funds available to assist if
necessary.
As far as our Emergency Funds
collections are concerned, we have
assisted in Indonesia in 2009 after
the Earthquake damage. Here we have
transferred the funds to an
organisation called Al-Imdaad
Foundation (Indonesia). One of the
members of MCF has visited Indonesia
and met with the representatives of
Al-Imdaad and was satisfied with the
work that they do and the systems of
accountability. Funds raised at the
Fund-raising event in 2009 at the
Islamic School for the Samoa tsunami
victims were handed to the Islamic
Council of Queensland for
distribution in Samoa through their
contacts.
More recently, we have had the
devastating floods in Pakistan.
Through the generosity of the
Muslims of Brisbane and surrounding
areas, we have distributed the
following amounts:
$20 000 – 00 through Dr Maqsood Khan
for quilts;
$40 000 – 00 was given to Mufti
Zeyad Ravat who personally handed
over assistance in the various areas
of need in Pakistan;
$15 000 – 00 was given to Dr Fuzzy
Moolla who rendered medical
assistance to the affected people of
Pakistan;
$10 000 – 00 was given to Mrs
Zuleikha Latiff who went to Pakistan
personally to assist;
And now more recently $ 49 623 – 00
was given to Imam Hamadullah Bhutto
to continue with the relief work on
behalf of MCF and the Muslims of
Australia.
I have to point out that all these
individuals travelled at their own
cost or were sponsored by certain
individuals. No funds collected by MCF for any relief programme is used
to pay for travel or land
arrangements.
We are a fledgling organisation and
also going trough a learning
exercise. We are trying to do our
best and fulfil what we think is an
important role for Muslims in
Queensland. We are not a closed
organisation and have repeatedly
called for help. All the members on
our Trust Board have full-time jobs
and do this work for the pleasure of
Allah (SWT). Anybody is welcome to
attend our monthly meetings which
take place on the first Wednesday of
each month. Remember this is an
unpaid job in this world, but Insha
Allah, you will be well remunerated
in the Hereafter.
As June 2010 was our first official
financial year-end, it took us some
time to appoint an auditor to audit
our financials and deliver a report.
We managed to secure the services of
an auditor who has agreed to charge
a nominal amount of fees for his
services and we are very grateful
for that.
I trust that I have managed to give
you a clearer indication of who MCF
is and what it has done since
inception. We urge to call us at
anytime if you need to know anything
that you are unsure about or have
“heard” from somebody. We are an
open organisation and have nothing
to hide. Because we understand the
amaanah that we carry in executing
the collection and distribution of a
fundamental act in Islam of Zakaat,
we have to act correctly. And that
we are answerable to Allah (SWT) for
our actions.
The Islamic School of Canberra
plans to form an Animal Welfare Club.
The aim of the club will be to
raise awareness of animal welfare issues and
promote responsibility towards the welfare of
animals (Animal Welfare League, Australia).
The Club hopes to involve the
school community and local Weston Creek
community.
The members of the Club will work closely with
organizations and departments that are concerned
with the welfare of animals.
The ACT Department of Education
and Training will be consulted and informed
about the Club’s activities.
Muslims Australia (AFIC)
president and chairman of the school's board, Mr
Ikebal Patel, told CCN, “In addition to
educating the members of the community the Club
aims to offer learning opportunities for all
students at our school about animal welfare
through programs offered by specially qualified
people in this area”.
A Gardening and Humanities
Section will also be introduced utilising the
facilities that the school acquired as part of
the move to the new Weston former CIT campus.
Comedy
night raises more than laughs
By CCN's Man-on-the-Mussallah
A 400-strong, packed to the
rafters Michael's Oriental restaurant was the
venue for a comedy night that helped raise over
$20 000 for the Pakistan flood victims.
With well-known Brisbane
personality, ZaffarKhan
(pictured right), ruling
the roost in his role as impresario, MC,
auctioneer and accidental comic, there was just
enough room left for 'imported' stand-up
comedian, NazeemHussain, to
work through his tried and trusted repertoire.
Full marks to Mr. Khan for
succeeding in raising more funds in his second
organized dinner and for drawing together a
diverse crowd of people to support the cause
that included members of the Sikh, African and
Turkish communities.
They would have been more
than impressed with the passion, enthusiasm and
generosity displayed on the night to say nothing
of the seemingly endless varieties of dishes
that kept arriving at the tables throughout the
evening.
David
Forde of the Kuraby Lions told CCN: "I want to offer my sincere
congratulations to the organizers on a wonderful
evening, not just for the fundraising, but also
the food and the entertainment (and that
includes the auction!)."
Photo Gallery
(includes photos courtesy of
Islam TV and Lewis Lee)
MFS will operate as a Funeral
Director and administer a Funeral Savings Fund
for those wishing to save towards their funeral
services.
Any organizations or individual
wishing to learn more about MFS or have a
similar presentation made can contact Dr Sultan
on 0412 845 786 or email
janaza@bmbs.org.au.
WORONGARY residents celebrated as
a proposed mosque was knocked back by a council
committee yesterday, but were warned their
jubilation could be short-lived.
The council had prepared for the
worst at yesterday's potentially emotive city
planning meeting, with a security guard on hand
to deal with a 50-strong crowd, but concerns
were unwarranted.
Councillors voted to recommend
rejecting the mosque, against their officers'
advice, and are now expecting a legal challenge.
Area councillor and city planning
boss Ted Shepherd led the charge against the
mosque, saying council should listen to the
concerns of more than 500 residents who objected
to it.
He
cited noise, dawn prayer services and traffic
concerns, despite council officers stating these
would not be an issue.
Cr Greg Betts branded the
officers' recommendation of limiting the
mosque's hours of operation to 7am to 8pm as
"culturally insensitive", as Muslims were
required to pray at sunrise.
Cr Peter Young said that, while
he supported the refusal due to the potential
impact on residents, he said they would not have
a leg to stand on in court with the reasons the
councillors gave for rejecting the application.
"With noise, how will people of
this faith be praying any louder than any
others?" he asked.
'We've remained moderate and
respectful during all of our objections, says
Sean Mann Cr Young claimed the approval of the
Nerang Buddhist Temple in March this year which
he said faced similar issues as the Worongary
mosque would give legal precedence for the
council's decision to be challenged and even
overturned in court.
He said this meant the worship
centre could go ahead without any of the
conditions from the council.
Worongary resident Sean Mann who
led the protest against the mosque said the
council had looked past the paperwork to see the
impact it would have on the residents.
"I'm proud of the community that
we've remained moderate and respectful during
all of our objections," he said.
Cr Shepherd said he would welcome
the mosque in another area of his division that
was more appropriate, such as a rural or an
industrial site.
A spokesman for the Islamic
Multicultural Association of the Gold Coast who
are behind the proposal declined to comment.
A final decision will be taken on
the mosque on Friday at a full council meeting.
Source: Gold Coast Bulletin
Wednesday 8/12/10
Angry mob
no guide to prices
Terry Rider Weekend
Australian
BRITISH novelist Terry Pratchett
writes that "the IQ of a mob is the IQ of its
most stupid member divided by the number of
mobsters".
I think about that rather biting
observation whenever I see residents shouting
and waving banners over plans for affordable
housing in their suburb or a Muslim school down
the road.
The imagined horrors that will
decimate the agitators lives include destruction
of property values.
No one has ever produced any
research to show proximity to allegedly
undesirable things such as mosques or government
housing actually hurts values.
My three decades in Australian
property suggests it isn't so and that many
protesters fit the Pratchett definition.
It's often assumed suburbs with
high crime rates or social disadvantage show
inferior real estate performance, but I
continually find the opposite.
The
IQ of a mob
is the IQ of
its most
stupid
member
divided by
the number
of mobsters
Inala is a stigmatised area of
Brisbane but, with a long-term annual growth
rate of 14 per cent, it has pulled ahead of most
of the city's suburbs.
There are many similar instances.
One of most farcical examples of
"much ado about nothing" came last year when
residents of new estates in downmarket
Keysborough in Melbourne clamoured for a name
change, to distance themselves from the apparent
stigma which they claimed would damage property
values.
But Keysborough, with an
average annual growth rate of 12 per cent, has
one of the best long-term records anywhere in
Melbourne. In the year since the new estate
snobs raised their vacuous concerns, its median
price has risen 15 per cent.
Residents always go ballistic
whenever the Muslim community applies to build a
school or a mosque. It's nothing to do with
racism, you understand, its all about planning
issues or lack of consultation.
However, I never hear anyone
protesting against development plans by one of
Australia's biggest property owners, the
Catholic Church.
Strangely, whenever I look at
properties for sale in the Sydney suburb of
Lakemba, I notice homes advertised with "close
to mosque" as a big selling feature. The 15 per
cent rise in Lakemba's median price in the past
year suggests the highly-visible Imam All bin
Abi Taleb Mosque hasn't decimated property
values.
Some of the
same people
shout down
anyone who
speaks in
support of
the refugees
at public
meetings,
thereby
demonstrating
a contempt
for
democracy.
When they do
that, they
cross the
line between
community
and mob.
The most high-profile recent fuss
comes from Woodside in the Adelaide Hills, over
plans for an immigration detention centre
nearby. The media reported expressions of fear,
betrayal, anger and outrage from local
residents, who claim their biggest beef is a
lack of democracy because they had no say.
Some
of the same people shout down anyone who speaks
in support of the refugees at public meetings,
thereby demonstrating a contempt for democracy.
When they do that, they cross the line between
community and mob.
Adelaide lecturer on property
investment Peter Koulizos says residents have
over-reacted to the prospect of having
asylum-seekers in the community. He says Port
Augusta has felt benefits from refugees living
at the immigration facility there and that
Woodside residents might do likewise, especially
local businesses. "I just think they're being
ridiculous," he says. Neighbours of the Port
Augusta's facility support Koulizos' view and
suggest Woodside residents should "get over it".
One says: "I think the Hills residents are being
a bit silly."
Me too. Port Augusta's median
price has grown an average 14 per cent a year
over the past five years. And the Sydney suburb
of Villawood saw values grow 15 per cent in the
past year, despite the presence of a significant
detention facility.
Terry Ryder is the founder of
hotspotting.com.au.
Kuraby
Mosque Jalsa
The Kuraby Madrasah held its
annual Jalsa at the MacGregor State School Hall
last Sunday.
It was an occasion for the pupils
to show off their talents and for all, teachers,
students and helpers alike, to be recognized for
their hard work, dedication, commitment and
achievements over the year.
A video presentation highlighted
the daily activities of the Madressah and the
pupils entertained their parents, family members
and supporters with plays and nasheeds.
A ladies Jalsa committee saw to
the elegant table settings and desserts.
The teachers were presented with
certificates of appreciation and Mr. AK Surtie
was particularly singled out for mention
for his outstanding and unstinting contribution
to the administration of the Madressah and the
Mosque.
The top performing students were:
Aaishah Jassat (Grade 1)
Naadirah Seedat (Grade 2)
Aaliyah Abdullah (Grade 3)
Nabeel Khan (Grade 4)
Amna Alam (Grade 5)
Sara Alam (Grade 6)
Aysha-Imaan Rane (Grade 7)
Photo Gallery
(includes photos courtesy of
Islam TV)
You can watch the video on Islam TV
Australia
Seafood
Takeaway needs local support
The Kuraby Seafood Takeaway
opened recently at shop 2/1347 Beenleigh Rd,
Kuraby (directly opposite the Kuraby Railway
Station)
Run by Asgar and Saiyad (both from
Fiji) the Kuraby Seafood Takeaway opens daily at
9.30am and closes at 7.30pm.
The menu includes fish and chips, other fish
products, and steak and chicken burgers.
Asgar told CCN that his was the only halal
seafood takeaway run by Muslims on the Southside
and he hoped that with the support of local
Muslim community he would be able to continue to
improve the variety and service that he is
currently offering.
Feedback from returning customers are that the
food is great and at a very reasonable price.
So if you want a change from red meat and
grilled chicken you surely can’t go wrong with a
place with the slogan that says: “When you come
to Kuraby you SEE Food so why not come in and
try something FISHY”.
You can call 3341 3746 for more information.
Mention CCN when you visit the
shop and you can come away with 4 pieces of
crumbed cod, imported chips, tartare sauce and
lemon for just $17 - enough to feed a family of
four!
Yusuf
Islam speaks and performs over webcast (February 2010)
MWCSS
holiday activities
The Muslim Womens' Convert
Support Services (MWCSS) was established to
serve the needs of the women converts to Islam
through education, information sharing and
social interaction within and outside of the
Muslim communities.
Falling under MWCSS's
administration recently has been the Sister's
House in Kuraby which offers temporary emergency
accommodation for new women converts.
MWCSS is currently organizing a
number of activities over the summer period
that include cooking and sewing classes and
classes for young girls and boys.
For more information, contact
BayaanWeise 0431 7473 56 or
KhadijahHurst 0423 474 807.
The might
of the melting pot
Peter Roebuck (Edited)
England's
resurgence has come about
thanks to intelligent use of
its natural resources,
whether the variety within
the immigrant community or
the grey matter of former
captains
The
influence of the immigrant
populations has been crucial for
English cricket, as seen from
the Monty Panesar example
Fifteen
years ago I predicted
that by 2010 England
would be the strongest
team in the world. It
was a bold forecast,
since they have not
claimed the top spot
since Len Hutton was
taking the shine off the
new ball, Frank Tyson
was terrorising batsmen
and Jim Laker was
outwitting them. And it
has proved premature.
England are not yet top
of the tree but are
climbing fast and
showing no signs of
vertigo.
Several
factors lay behind the
predication. England's
main advantage is that
for historical reasons
most of its incoming
populations are familiar
with the game, if not
devoted to it. Alone
among the colonial
powers England took its
sports with them and
sought to convince
locals of their merits.
Of course they argued
that the games were
character-building and
so had an educational
value. It was arrant
nonsense. Englishmen of
a certain sort have long
tried to pretend that
they are above all this
nonsense. The poor dears
spent too long fielding
at third man in house
matches and never quite
recovered. Accordingly
they became snooty and
pseudo-intellectual and
wasted their lives
writing for obscure
magazines.
..............
But the
influence of
the
immigrant
populations
has been
crucial. At
the last
count about
150
foreign-born
players had
secured
county
contracts.
And that
does not
count
fellows like
Monty
Panesar,
born and
bred locally
but into a
Punjabi
family. His
ancestors
come from
Ludhiana, a
teeming city
not far from
Chandigarh.
But the
influence of the
immigrant populations
has been crucial. At the
last count about 150
foreign-born players had
secured county
contracts. And that does
not count fellows like
Monty Panesar, born and
bred locally but into a
Punjabi family. His
ancestors come from
Ludhiana, a teeming city
not far from Chandigarh.
Thanks
partly to European
labour laws most of
these players counted as
locals. As a result
English cricket became
ever more diverse.
England's
success has been due to
its ability to make the
most of these various
influences. Africa
arrived with its rigour.
Four of the top seven
team members were born
on that continent. Two
of them were imports but
England could hardly
turn them away. Two were
raised locally but
brought with them the
harder outlook required
to survive in raw
places. Those convinced
that their place of
birth is a coincidence
are defying a
mathematical certainty.
Incidentally David Gower
and Derek Pringle (the
most underestimated of
the English scribes) are
also sons of Africa.
Next,
England had the sense to
choose another African,
Andy Flower, as coach.
Flower is tough,
respected and measured,
exactly the combination
needed to get the best
out of an ambitious
team. Every player could
respond to him. Hs task
was not to harden the
team but to bring out
its hidden strengths.
Neither England nor its
cricketers had ever been
soft. No one ever
accused them of that.
The island story tells
quite another tale. Just
that they had lacked
leadership. But a
culture can become
self-indulgent without
realising it and then an
outside voice is
essential.
Pietermaritzburg boy, Kevin
Piet
After a
long period England are
back on track.
Australia's problems
have just begun. The
first and last wickets
in Adelaide told the
story.
Two
middle-aged Australian
players lost in a
confusion of calls as an
Africa-raised opponent,
previously regarded as a
commonplace fieldsman,
seized the chance and
threw down the single
stump in his sights. A
few days later the home
team's incompetent
tailender was baffled
and beaten by an
off-break that curled
away and turned back
between bat and pad.
Of all games
cricket is
the most
diverse, and
ought to
shout it
from the
roof tops.
In a few
nations it
embraces
white, black
and brown,
Hindu,
Muslim,
Buddhist and
Christian,
colonial,
post-colonial
and
anti-colonial,
first and
third world.
This was
not merely a battle
between 4th and 5th nor
yet between
long-standing opponents
or between north and
south. It was a contest
between rising and
falling, young and aged,
ambitious and anxious,
expectant and hopeful,
ruthless and delusional.
For the first time in
decades, Australia were
the older and weaker
side.
English
cricket still has a
little way to travel. Of
all games cricket is the
most diverse, and ought
to shout it from the
roof tops. In a few
nations it embraces
white, black and brown,
Hindu, Muslim, Buddhist
and Christian, colonial,
post-colonial and
anti-colonial, first and
third world. All the
more reason to excite
the local Caribbean
community so that their
contribution is not
wasted and English
cricket becomes not
merely an example of
excellence but also a
means of unification.
Peter Roebuck is a former
captain of Somerset and the author, most
recently, of In It to Win It
Miss Momina Allahwala seen
receiving an award from Mr.
Osman Rane and Mr. Mohammed
Yusuf
MominaAhmed
Allahwala, College Captain and College Dux
2010, at the Islamic College of Brisbane, has
recently been awarded the 2010 Caltex All
Rounder Gold Medal Award which recognizes participation and excellence in academic,
leadership, sporting and community service
activities.
At the Graduation Ceremony held
at the Islamic College in November, Momina also
received the Long Tan Leadership and Teamwork
Award for Year 12 students from the Australian Defence Forces.
At the
Algester Mosque....
ASHURA PROGRAM
There will be a program of Ashura (10th of
Muharram) to honour the Shuhada-e-Karbala.
Venue: Algester Mosque
When:16 December Thursday after Isha (Isha time
8:20pm)
The program will consist of Yaseen Khatam, Hamd
of Allah ta'ala, Naate Rasul,Manqabat of Hazrat
Imam Husain and a lecture about
Shuahda-e-karbala. It will end with salatu-salam
and a final dua.
ANNUAL MADRASSA JALSA
Algester Madrassah is holding its annual program
this Sunday. A variety of items will be
performed by the students.
Please come and support the
event.
Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane (Karawatha).
Date: Sunday 12 December
Time:1 pm
For further details please contact Ml Nawaz on
0401576084 or Ml Aslam on 0431620629.
ALL ARE WELCOME
Darra
Mosque Jalsa
Photo Gallery
(photos courtesy of Islam TV)
You can watch the video on Islam TV Australia
Bosnian
Bulletin from Brisbane for Bosnian Readers in Bosnian
This is a job
opportunity for a part time/casual accountant in the
new year. The applicant should, preferably, have
experience in the following areas: MYOB, either
Solution 6 or Accountants Office, Income Tax, BAS
preparation and Simple Super.
Bed and desk
provided if you need it.
Contact Adam on 0411 704 786.
The Inbox
Dear CCN
Assalam Alykum
Thanks for keeping me posted with the news from our
community in Brisbane.
CCN is a great newsletter, it
keeps me informed with many events and news in
Brisbane and around the world.
May Allah reward the efforts of the people
running CCN.
Wasalam Alykum
NasserAbdalla
Expat from Abu Dhabi
Around
the Muslim World with CCN
FBI plant
banned by mosque – because he was too
extreme
In the
Californian case, FBI informant Craig
Monteilh's mission backfired. Muslims were
so alarmed by his talk of violent jihad that
they obtained a restraining order against
him.
Irvine,
California: The spying game wasn't all it
was cracked up to be for Craig Monteilh (pictured
left), a convicted criminal recruited by
the FBI to investigate the march of radical
Islam into Southern California. His endless
talk of violent "jihad" so alarmed
worshippers at the local mosque, that they
took out a restraining order against him.
Monteilh
spent 15 months pretending to be Farouk
al-Aziz, a French Syrian in search of his
religious roots. He prayed five times a day
at the Islamic Centre in Irvine, Orange
County, wearing white robes with a camera
hidden in one of its buttons, and carried a
set of car keys that contained a secret
listening device.
The enthusiastic attempt to catch local
Muslims discussing terror campaigns
backfired, however, when community leaders
went to the police with fears that the
suddenly devout young man, who got up to
pray at 4am, had become a radical in their
midst.
The terror
case Monteilh had been helping build against
Ahmadullah Niazi, the brother-in-law of
Osama bin Laden's bodyguard, collapsed in
September, when the bungling informant
revealed that his FBI handlers had
instructed him to entrap his potential
target and told him that "Islam is a threat
to our national security".
He would
walk up to
one of my
friends and
say, 'It's
good that
you guys are
getting
ready for
the jihad'
Yesterday, as
details of his efforts to persuade Niazi to
blow up buildings became public, leading US
Muslim organisations said they have
suspended all contact with the FBI in
protest against the excesses of agents who
are secretly, and in some cases illegally,
monitoring mosques.
"The
community feels betrayed," Shakeel Syed,
executive director of the Islamic Shura
Council of Southern California, an umbrella
group of more than 75 mosques, told The
Washington Post. "They got a guy, a bona
fide criminal, and obviously trained him and
sent him to infiltrate mosques... It's like
a soap opera, for God's sake."
Monteilh, who had previously served time in
prison for forgery, says he was recruited on
his release in 2006 by FBI agents, who he
met in doughnut shops and Starbucks outlets.
After being given the code name "Oracle", he
was told to root out radicals among the
region's 500,000 practising Muslims.
Over the 15 months that he posed as al-Aziz,
Monteilh was paid almost $200,000 to pass
secret tape-recordings of his conversations
with local worshippers to his handlers. He
became a regular at a local gym patronised
by young Muslim men.
They got a
guy, a bona
fide
criminal,
and
obviously
trained him
and sent him
to
infiltrate
mosques...
It's like a
soap opera,
for God's
sake.
"We started
hearing that he was saying weird things,"
said Omar Kurdi, a Loyola Law School student
who trained there. "He would walk up to one
of my friends and say, 'It's good that you
guys are getting ready for the jihad'."
In May 2007, Monteilh recorded a
conversation in which he suggested to Niazi
and another young man that they blow up
buildings. Niazi appeared to agree with the
idea, and the tape was subsequently used as
evidence in the terror case against him.
However, it now seems that Niazi had simply
been attempting to humour someone he
regarded as a dangerous extremist. Indeed,
he was so concerned by "al-Aziz's" attempts
to plot an attack that he reported it to
community leaders, who passed details to
police and took out a restraining order to
prevent him from entering the Islamic
centre.
"Farouk had told them he had access to
weapons and that they should blow up a
mall," Hussam Ayloush executive director of
the Los Angeles chapter of the Council on
American-Islamic Relations said. "They were
convinced this man was a terrorist." Soon
after the restraining order was obtained, in
June 2007, the FBI attempted to cut their
ties to Monteilh. Several months later, the
former agent was arrested and imprisoned on
a separate theft charge.
In January this year, after being released,
Monteilh sued the FBI, alleging that the
bureau conspired to have him arrested, then
allowed his informant status to become known
in prison, where he was stabbed. That
lawsuit failed in September, prompting him
to shop his bizarre story to the media.
UAE
Foreign Minister Shaikh Abdullah
Bin Zayed Al Nahyan
UAE: Giving
young people a substantial stake in society
is the best way to fight extremism, which
feeds on lack of hope and opportunity.
This means
that the best guarantor of any nation's
security is sustainable economic and social
development, which allows its people to
nurture their ambitions and work confidently
to see them come to fruition.
This is why
the UAE has been right to concentrate its
efforts on improving education, and
increasing individuals' opportunities to
seek their ambitions, be they for themselves
in private, or in the work place, or in
society.
In an important speech at the Manama
Dialogue this week, Shaikh Abdullah Bin
Zayed Al Nahyan, Foreign Minister, spelt out
why a nation's security does not depend on
military force, or fences and walls. He was
blazingly confident that winning hearts and
minds was much more important:
"We cannot
win an ideological war except through
changing mindsets. And in order to change
mindsets in the region we must demonstrate
to people that there are multiple reasons to
be optimistic about the future. We must
provide positive opportunities for youth,
and empower ... women in society, to ensure
that all are stakeholders in their society.
The UAE believes in this positive,
alternative approach to security, and it is
the approach we apply to security challenges
across our region".
Shaikh Abdullah was also very clear that
open engagement with the international
community is beneficial to everyone's
security. "Whether through sport or trade,
culture or political dialogue, international
exchange gives people a shared stake in a
positive and peaceful future. Greater
opportunity for citizens at home, combined
with greater understanding and exchange
between nations internationally, is the
surest way to security".
A large part
of Shaikh Abdullah's message was that this
focus on social development and strong
education is the right answer for all
countries in the region, not just the UAE.
Theory and Practice of Modern Islamic Finance
The Case Analysis from Australia
by
Abu Umar Faruq Ahmad
Synopsis
Theory
and Practice of Modern Islamic Finance seeks to
contribute to the existing body of work in the area of
Islamic finance through examining the extent of
divergence in practice of Islamic financing from the
traditional Shari`ah in the Australian context. The
author makes a discursive analysis of the regulation of
Islamic finance in Australia in terms of (a) the
financing instruments used, (b) certainty of
transactions between participants in the system, and (c)
institutional risk management of Islamic financial
institutions. The work's objectives are two-fold: (a) to
analytically study the extent to which Islamic Financial
Services Providers (IFSPs) of Australia differ from the
traditional Shari`ah in their current practices of
Islamic legal financial system by their use of different
financial products and techniques, and (b) to create
awareness and transparency about the various products
and instruments used by IFSPs of Australia.
REVIEWS "It is indeed a most comprehensive, methodologically
sound, well organised, lucid, comprehensively documented
and analysed, and convincingly argued and concluded
research. It systemically addressed all the research
questions raised and very convincingly and successfully
resolved them to logical conclusions. The study can
convincingly claim to have made a breakthrough in the
frontier of knowledge in the field of Islamic finance"
Professor R. I. Molla, Multimedia University, Malaysia
"Discussions of the topics throughout the book are
logically coherent and presented in plain language. It
is an insightful, well researched, logically organised
and lucidly presented research work having overwhelming
strengths and very limited weaknesses. I have no
hesitation to say that this book may provide useful
guidelines for dealing with the emerging issue of
Islamic finance around the world."
Dr. S. M. Solaiman, The University of Wollongong,
Australia
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.
KB SAYS:During summer,
barbeques are very popular and if you are looking for a
potato bake with a difference try this recipe. Try it
sometime soon and let me know what you think at my new
email address:
kbcooks@crescentsofbrisbane.org.
Ingredients
5 medium
potatoes thinly sliced
1 medium sized onion, thinly sliced
1 tray of mushrooms, cleaned and sliced
1 green pepper, sliced
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
1 can mushroom soup
1 cup milk
1 tsp green chillies
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp lemon pepper or ground pepper
2 Tab Olive oil
1 cup of cream
Grated cheese
Method
1. Place sliced potatoes in your oven proof
casserole which has been greased with 1tab
olive oil.
2. Add 1/4 tsp salt, corn, green chillies,
lemon pepper, and toss into the potatoes.
3. Liquidize the milk and the mushroom soup
and pour over the potatoes.
4. Stir fry quickly (3mins) on high heat,
the mushrooms, onions and green peppers in a
1 tab olive oil and place over the potato
mix.
5. Sprinkle with remaining salt and pour
over the cream and lastly sprinkle with
grated cheese.
6. Seal the casserole with foil and bake for
between 45 to 60 mins on 180degrees or until
the potatoes are cooked.
7. Serve warm.
1: DIET IS KEY. Aim to eat 5 small meals, instead
of 3 big ones. Don't eat a heavy meal just before
exercising, and be sure to keep your liquids up before,
during and after a workout.
2: RESISTANCE TRAINING. This is proven to burn
more fat than aerobic exercise. Working out with
resistance bands allows you to work multiple muscle
groups at the same time. It is also an inexpensive
option than can be used anywhere and no matter what your
fitness level.
3: TRY DOING THREE 20-min SESSIONS A WEEK. Have
at least one day off between sessions to allow your body
to recover. Select 5 exercises and do three sets of each
with 20-30 reps per set.
4: AFTER SIX WEEKS, look at changing your routine
as the body will adapt to training and results may slow
down. Taking a break every other day so you don't burn
yourself out.
5: MAKE SURE YOU ENJOY YOUR WORKOUT ROUTINE.
Chances are you'll continue thriving if you have fun
with what you do, so choose exercises you enjoy!
All questions sent in are published here anonymously
and without any references to the author of the
question.
The CCN Chuckle
Mula
Nasruddin, the citizen of a less than democratic
regime, went to the polling station on
election-day and was handed a sealed envelope to
put into the ballot box.
“Aren’t I allowed to see who I am voting for?”
Mula Nasruddin asked.
“Of course not!” the stern-faced official
retorted indignantly, “In our country, we have a
secret ballot!"
Assalamu Alaikum.Jazak-allah
khair. I would like to thank FLIGHT STAR & THE
STAFF & MANAGEMENT for selling me an excellent
package for Hajj 2010. It was a trip of my life
time. I would pray to Almighty to reward
each and everyone for there effort in making our
trip more enjoyable. Special thanks to QARI UMAR,
MAULANA NURUL-AL HASSAN and BROTHER YASEEN. May
Allah reward them all. Zahid
Just a short note to say thank you so much for
all the effort and hard work you, Fatima, Uncle
Omar and the team at Flight Star Travel put in
to ensure what I would describe as a most
beautiful Hajj experience. From my initial
enquiry, to obtaining visas, issuing of tickets
as well as the farewell I must say a very big
thank you of which we are most grateful and
appreciative of. Jazaakallah. Salaams and Duas.
Mohammed and Abdul Rashid Osman
Taleem
this week will be held on Thursday 16
December
from 11am-12pm at the
residence of:
Naseema
Hassen
228 Gaskell
Street (cnr Coneybeer and Gaskell streets)
Kuraby
Tel no: 3426 0534
All ladies
welcome
Girls Game
Night
Sitting at
home on a Saturday Night?
Want to do
something constructive, but FUN?
Inspiration
talk, pizza, BBQ, fun and games
Topics that
are relevant, Iman-boosting and
mind-capturing. Where: AMYN Islamic Youth Centre,
16/157 North Road, Woodridge When: Every Saturday,after Maghrib
Info:
www.AMYNweb.com Everyone is invited
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.
A 400-strong, packed to the
rafters Michael's Oriental restaurant was the
venue for a comedy night that helped raise over
$20 000 for the Pakistan flood victims.
He
cited noise, dawn prayer services and traffic
concerns, despite council officers stating these
would not be an issue. 
Accounting
Room for rent in a brand new house in Calamvale.
Theory
and Practice of Modern Islamic Finance seeks to
contribute to the existing body of work in the area of
Islamic finance through examining the extent of
divergence in practice of Islamic financing from the
traditional Shari`ah in the Australian context. The
author makes a discursive analysis of the regulation of
Islamic finance in Australia in terms of (a) the
financing instruments used, (b) certainty of
transactions between participants in the system, and (c)
institutional risk management of Islamic financial
institutions. The work's objectives are two-fold: (a) to
analytically study the extent to which Islamic Financial
Services Providers (IFSPs) of Australia differ from the
traditional Shari`ah in their current practices of
Islamic legal financial system by their use of different
financial products and techniques, and (b) to create
awareness and transparency about the various products
and instruments used by IFSPs of Australia. 
