A second memorial gathering was
held yesterday (Saturday) evening for the wife
of Imam Quddoos, Sister Saleema, who lost her
life, along with her two sisters-in-law and
niece in a tragic boasting accident in late
December of 2010.
Over 500 men, women and children
were present at the Australian International
Islamic College (AIIC) to hear Imam Fedaa
Majzoob, Australian National Islamic Council's
vice president speak of the loss to the
community with the passing away of Sister
Saleema.
Other speakers were Councillor
Angela-Owen Taylor who represented Brisbane's
Mayor, Campbell Newman and Julie Attwood MP who
represented Queensland's Premier, Anna Bligh.
Mr Kyser Trad was the Master of
Ceremonies and several local community leaders
came on stage to express their condolences.
Islamic
College of Melbourne opens its doors in 2011
Muslims
Australia (AFIC) president Mr Ikebal Patel
announced the opening of Muslims Australia’s
newest school, the Islamic College of Melbourne
in Tarneit.
Mr Patel expressed gratitude to the Department
of Education in Victoria, Wyndham City Council
and all partners of Muslims Australia who
contributed to the establishment of this new
school.
Mr Patel reiterated the importance of delivering
quality education that is accessible and within
the framework of Australian curriculum
standards. “Our successes at Muslims Australia’s
Malek Fahd Islamic School in Sydney, Islamic
College of Brisbane, Islamic College of South
Australia in Adelaide, Islamic School of
Canberra and Langford Islamic School in Perth is
a testament to my administrations’ commitment to
provide quality education to all our children”.
Education and the pursuit of excellence in ones
endeavour is the key to success, he said.
Commenting on the availability of Islamic
schools, Mr Patel said that one can never have
too much, when it comes to choice in education
and services.
Australian-Indonesian Exchange
Applications are now open for the 2011
Australia-Indonesia Young Muslim Leaders
Exchange.
Are you active in the Muslim community? Are you
interested in a terrific opportunity to visit
the world's most populous Muslim country and
meet with a range of dynamic Muslim leaders in
the community, Islamic schools, the government,
NGOs, and more?
If you answered, “YES”, please consider applying
for this programme. You will have a chance to
travel around Indonesia and visit some of its
most picturesque locations, as well as making
valuable contacts among Indonesia's up and
coming generation of community leaders.
All costs are paid by the programme. Please let
your friends and contacts know about this
opportunity. Application deadline is 11 February
2011. Enquiries can be addressed to
milas@unimelb.edu.au or
see the flyer for further information and
visit
www.icv.org.au.
Sign up
for Sisters House
The
"Sisters House" in Brisbane is starting a
register of Muslim women's housing.
There will be two sections to the
register - those offering accommodation and
those needing accommodation.
Any sister with a room or
dwelling to offer Muslim women can register, as
well as any sisters who require somewhere to
live and would like to share with other Muslim
sisters.
All details with be kept
confidential and only used for the purpose of
helping sisters find suitable, safe and secure
housing.
Multicultural event
Several ethnic community
associations have joined together to hold a
united one-off event on 5th March from 4 -7pm at
the Queensland Police Service Academy, Rudd
Street, Oxley.
Janeth Deen, through the
Queensland Muslim Welfare Association Inc. will
be representing all the communities which make
up the Muslim community.
The hall will display the banners of each group.
Anyone from the other Muslim organizations is
welcome to bring their banners along.
Tickets will be $50 each and the event will have
national dress, speeches by guest speakers,
music and dance by ethnic groups, halal finger
food, and an auction. Jessica Watson, Young
Australian of the Year, will be the patron, and
she will also make a speech.
People who attend are encouraged
to dress in national costume to join in with the
theme.
The event will have wide media coverage and many
of the important Multicultural politicians will
be there.
Janeth Deen is one of the ticket
sellers and you can contact her on 0435 086 796.
Durban-to-Damascus turns into Cairo-to-Cape for Omar
Cadet
journalist, Yusuf Omar, whose three-month
hiking adventures through Africa have been
followed by many CCN readers, found himself
stranded in Cairo just as the protests against
the Egyptian President Mubarak began in earnest.
Caught up in the middle of one of
the biggest breaking stories of the year, Omar
was on his way to South Africa to start his
cadet course with Independent Newspapers in Cape
Town when he learnt that his flight from Cairo
had been cancelled.
"It was chaos there. You would
have seen nothing like it. But at the same time
it was the only stable place in the country
then," Omar told newspapers on his arrival in
South Africa. With the only clothes he had being
the ones he was wearing, Omar was forced to use
a bundle of cardboard as a makeshift bed as he
prepared to settle down in anticipation of
spending a second night on the cold marble
airport floor.
After three days and three nights
at the airport, Omar and 70 other South
African-bound passengers were evacuated to
Istanbul, Turkey.
From there it was Doha and
finally Johannesburg. His much relieved mother,
Bilkish, wrote to CCN:
Yusuf had 30 minutes to pack
his bag for his three months cadetship. With no
time to shower or eat, in the same clothes that
he had been wearing for six days, he was rushed
to ETV NEWS studios where he was interviewed
live on the news at 12pm. ETV crew then took him
to the airport where they interviewed him again
for the 8pm news. He then left on the 4pm flight
to Cape Town. Yusuf was in all the local
newspapers and even had an article published in
the Daily News.
The next morning he started his first day at
work at 8.30. I think I'm the one that needs the
holiday after all this, I am exhausted keeping
up with him! This morning, ETV have offered to
double his salary if he works for them, but he
turned them down.
Independent newspapers have put up Omar, one of
10 budding newshounds selected from 1000
hopefuls, at the Holiday Inn with serviced rooms
and all meals for the next 3 months.
Photo sources: Cape Argus, Daily
News and Post
The CCN
Middle Link
Project Coordinator - Part Time Contract
AMARAH, Crescents of
Brisbane and Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) are
seeking to employ a Project Coordinator to assist in
the organisation and implementation of Democracy
Workshops. Application from suitably qualified
persons are invited.
A Muslim working mum is
looking for a full time (Monday to Friday), female
nanny to assist her with her 4 year old daughter, in
Kuraby.
You will travelling to work with the mum and she
will always be with you to support you, so you are
not left alone to manage.
Whilst formal qualifications are not essential, a
friendly, easy going, active and playful disposition
is essential.
This is a long term role.
Please call 0400125 786 if you are interested.
Around
the Muslim World with CCN
Tabloids
Round on Two 'Traitorous Muslim Councillors'
UK: The Daily Mail, Daily Express and Daily
Star today drew the public’s attention to
the acts of councillors Salma Yaqoob and
Mohammed Ishtiaq (both members of the
Respect party) at a meeting held yesterday
to pay tribute to Lance Corporal Matthew
Croucher for his “outstanding bravery not
involving direct contact with the enemy.”
From the DE:
“Salma Yaqoob and Mohammed Ishtiaq drew
fierce criticism after ‘sitting with their
arms crossed’ and failing to join a standing
ovation in honour of Lance Corporal Matthew
Croucher.”
“He became the most highly-decorated serving
Royal Marine when he received the George
Cross for ‘outstanding bravery not involving
direct contact with the enemy’.
“More than 100 members of Birmingham City
Council attended a meeting to pay tribute to
L/Cpl Croucher, but councillors Yaqoob and
Ishtiaq, both members of the Respect Party,
refused to get to their feet for the
standing ovation.”
The DE headline refers to this act as “shameful”,
while a Conservative councillor who was also
present, referred to Salma Yaqoob and
Mohammed Ishtiaq as “traitors.” He
said:
“Not so long ago, these two would have
been locked up as traitors. Sadly, we can’t
do that any more – but these two deserve
it.”
In
her blog, Councillor Yaqoob (pictured
right) defended her and her colleague’s
actions:
“Almost ten years of war in Afghanistan
has produced nothing but death and
destruction on all sides. Any talk of
democracy and progress is long forgotten.
And the war has plunged neighbouring
Pakistan into a hell of daily car bombs and
suicide attacks. This disastrous and
interminable war is driving more and more
people into the arms of the religious
extremists.
“This disaster is not the fault of the
individual soldiers. It is entirely the
fault of our hypocritical politicians who
cry crocodile tears over the plight of our
troops, and do nothing to bring this war to
an end.
“Of course it is easier to mask the
dereliction of their duty to interrogate the
flawed premise of the war by awarding medals
and platitudes instead. And it is easier to
stifle any dissent by portraying it as a
lack of respect for troops and patriotic
duty.
“I have every sympathy with Lance Corporal
Croucher and all his comrades serving in
Afghanistan. Indeed, I have spoken out
before now on the disgraceful lack of
support that returning soldiers receive from
the very governments that sent them to war
(including on BBC's Question Time). But I
refuse to stand with those politicians who
lack the moral courage to question sending
our soldiers to lose lives and limbs in a
war that they know cannot be won.”
“If our politicians really want to
demonstrate their support for our troops,
they should abandon substituting medal
pinning and phoney patriotism for rigorous
and honest debate. And they could also try
reflecting the will of the majority of
British people who are opposed to our
military presence in Afghanistan, and put
their efforts into getting these soldiers
home and safe where they belong.”
It is relevant at this point to ask
whether, if these two councillors had not
been Muslim, their religious identity would
have been splashed all over the headlines as
it was in the DM, DE and DS?
If a councillor of Jewish faith or Christian
faith had highlighted the ‘false patriotism’
of politicians in the same way as
Councillors Yaqoob and Ishtiaq, would the
headline have read “Jews snub war hero”?
It’s highly doubtful. Questions would
rightly be asked on what their religious
identity has to do with their political act
here.
The fundraising event last Sunday
at the Islamic College of Brisbane was a big
success. About 4000 people attended and
approximately $40,000 was raised for the
Premier’s Flood Relief Appeal. Several MPs,
Police Commissioner, President of AFIC and the
Ambassador of UAE attended the event.
I had several positive comments from those were
present including the one below from Senator
Claire Moore :
Thank you for the chance
to share in the wonderful family day
fundraiser. Congratulations to the Islamic
Council, the volunteers, the school
community and all the people who gathered
together to raise support for those in need
after the floods .We always know that the
Islamic community will be generous, but it
is important to acknowledge the commitment
and great spirit gives us hope. I
particularly enjoy the community engagement
through a family fun day, so that the
generous fund raising involves a marvelous
family experience, again building community.
I am always happy to help.
Claire
Senator Claire Moore
Labor Senator for Queensland
I would like to take this
opportunity to thank all the
societies/organisations, Islamic College of
Brisbane & CPAC, Qld police, Crescents of
Brisbane, Lions Club of Kuraby, Rotary Club of
Archerfield, Nigel for the sound system, and all
the volunteers who helped in whatever way
possible to make the day a success
M Yusuf
President, ICQ
The CCN Photo Gallery
Dear CCN
Salaam,
I am working with UQ on a research project
investigating migrant youth and their
relationship with social networks.
We are looking for around 70 people between the
ages of 15 and 23 from Arabic speaking
backgrounds (first and second generation
Australians) to participate. Their are
incentives for participation.
We are also looking for service providers who
actively engage with Arab youth to participate
in a focus group at the end of February.
As
a response to Zeenat’s question on the “halaal
gelatine” issue in
last
week's CCN, I can shed some light on this.
Firstly, the company is claiming that the
gelatine is halaal, however the product may have
other ingredients that are not halaal. This, I
believe, actually misleads the muslim population
into thinking that the product is halaal when in
fact it could contain other haraam ingredients.
Secondly, I have contacted some of the companies
and requested that they give me the name of the
supplier so that I may confirm as to whether the
gelatine is halaal or not. The reply I receive
is always that of “it is confidential and we
cannot disclose suppliers”. I have stumbled at
this point and there is no way to actually find
out as to who the supplier is or who certifies
them and whether they are actually halaal. In
addition, many of these companies thereafter
state that they don’t claim that their products
are halaal, and that the products are not
certified as such.
And
lastly, it is not only the halaal gelatine that
should be a concern for muslim families as there
are many many products out there that are not
certified; that contain animal content or other
haraam content (i.e. alcohol etc.); that we as
the muslim ummah consume and serve to our muslim
guests everyday without a thought about its
ingredients.
Insha-Allah, the Almighty will give us the
understanding to uphold everything that is right
in this beautiful religion.
Jazakhallah
Bilal
Dear Editor
I'm
a regular reader of your e-newsletter and would
like to kindly request you the favour to
circulate the attached invitation flyer among
your wide electronic mail group.
It is to attend a
free group program specially designed for adults
and parents with a migrant experience or
background to assist them to overcome issues
arising around migration and re-settlement.
The program has been developed by the Qld
Transcultural Mental Health Centre.
For more information
please do not hesitate to contact me or visit
our website.
Thanking you very much in anticipation,
Elvia Ramirez
Mental Ill-Health Prevention and
Early Intervention Coordinator
Qld Transcultural Mental Health
Centre
Some
time ago the CCN Readers' Book Club recommended former
President, Jimmy Carter's best-selling 2006 book,
Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.
Jimmy Carter has become the target of a
class action lawsuit over ostensibly mean things he said
about Israel in the book.
The lawsuit, filed in New York by an
Israeli firm, alleges that the book "contained numerous
false and knowingly misleading statements intended to
promote the author's agenda of anti-Israel propaganda
and to deceive the reading public instead of presenting
accurate information as advertised."
The five American plaintiffs, two of whom are dual
citizens of the US and Israel, seek $5 million in
damages over the book (which is being sold for less than
$10 on Amazon) on the basis that its criticisms of
Israel violated consumer protection safeguards.
The plaintiffs alleged in a press release that the 39th
US president and Nobel Peace Prize winner "violated the
law and, thus, harmed those who purchased the book" by
unfairly "attacking Israel."
Attorney Nitsana Darshan-Leitner said her clients'
lawsuit "will expose all the falsehoods and
misrepresentations in Carter's book and prove that his
hatred of Israel has led him to commit this fraud on the
public."
Publishing company Simon & Schuster, which is also
targeted in the lawsuit, dismissed it as a frivolous act
and a "chilling attack on free speech that we intend to
defend vigorously."
"This lawsuit is frivolous, without merit, and is a
transparent attempt by the plaintiffs, despite their
contentions, to punish the author, a Nobel Peace prize
winner and world-renowned statesmen, and his publisher,
for writing and publishing a book with which the
plaintiffs simply disagree," Simon & Schuster spokesman
Adam Rothberg told the Washington Post.
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:This week's delightful
recipe comes from Miss Zara Omarjee of Kuraby who
recently returned from South Africa after a wonderful
time there and brimming full of cooking ideas. So watch
this space for more contributions from our budding young
master chef.
Ingredients
1 125 g butter
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11/2 cups caster sugar
2 eggs
2 tablespoons cocoa powder
1 cup buttermilk
2 tablespoons red food coloring
1 teaspoon white vinegar
1 teaspoon bicarb soda
Method
1. Heat oven to 180
degrees.
2. Beat butter, extract, sugar and eggs with
an electric mixer till fluffy.
3. Mix buttermilk and food colouring
together.
4. Fold in the buttermilk and sifted
flour/cocoa into the beaten mixture in two
batches. Do not beat.
3. Combine vinegar and soda in a cup. Allow
to fizz then fold into the cake mixture.
4. Divide mixture into cupcake cases. Fill
cases 3/4. Bake about fifteen to twenty
minutes.
Vanilla Frosting
Ingredients
3 tablespoons flour
1 cup milk
225 grams butter, softened
1 cup icing sugar
1 teaspoons vanilla extract
Method
1. In a medium-size saucepan, whisk flour
into milk until smooth.
2. Place over medium heat, stirring
constantly, cook until mixture becomes very
thick and begins to bubble, 10-15 minutes.
3. Cover with waxed paper placed directly on
surface and cool to room temperature, 30
minutes.
4. Use an electric mixer to beat the butter
for 3 minutes, until smooth and creamy.
5. Gradually add sugar, beating continuously
for 3 minutes until fluffy. Add the vanilla
and beat well.
6. Add cooled milk mixture, beat on the
medium high speed for 5 minutes until
smooth.
7. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes. Use
immediately.
8, Decorate the cupcakes with a swirl of
cream and raspberry.
Q: Dear Kareema, I'm finally
getting back into routine and need to slim down, but I'm
feeling a little overwhelmed and don't quite know where
to start. Help!
A: Take a breath, focus, and start with ONE
change and build from there. Try to make one good
decision about your next meal or exercise session, not
about doing everything perfectly from day one.
Over time, gradually increase the number
of healthy meals you eat until most of them are
nutritious, and add exercise sessions until you're
working out more often than not!
The goal is to simplify early in the process so you can
focus on being mindful and making your new healthier
habits stick.
Remember, it's always harder to get back into things
after you've had a break, so cut yourself some slack and
ease back into things.
A
journey of a thousand miles begins with a single
step. Lao-tzu (Chinese philosopher)
All questions sent in are published here anonymously
and without any references to the author of the
question.
The CCN Chuckle
Mula
Nasruddin went to his lawyer and said, 'I would
like to make a will but I don't know exactly how
to go about it.'
The lawyer
smiled at Mula
Nasruddin and replied, 'Not a problem, leave it
all to me.'
Mula
Nasruddin looked somewhat upset and said, 'Well,
I knew you were going to take a big portion, but
I would like to leave a little to my family
too!'
Taleem
classes resume this Thursday from 11am to
12pm at the residence of
Fatima
Jangda
29 Jakaranda
Place
Eight Mile
Plains
Tel: 32198150
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.
Muslims
Australia (AFIC) president Mr Ikebal Patel
announced the opening of Muslims Australia’s
newest school, the Islamic College of Melbourne
in Tarneit. 
The
"Sisters House" in Brisbane is starting a
register of Muslim women's housing.
Cadet
journalist, Yusuf Omar, whose three-month
hiking adventures through Africa have been
followed by many CCN readers, found himself
stranded in Cairo just as the protests against
the Egyptian President Mubarak began in earnest.
Project Coordinator - Part Time Contract
In
her blog, Councillor Yaqoob (pictured
right) defended her and her colleague’s
actions:
Some
time ago the CCN Readers' Book Club recommended former
President, Jimmy Carter's best-selling 2006 book,
Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid.
