The Griffith Islamic
Research Unit hosted a dialogue between
journalists and Muslim community
representatives at the Multi-faith
Centre at Griffith University on
Wednesday 23 February.
The discussion was
moderated by writer and journalist,
Mr. Sandy McCutcheon (left)
and the panel was made up of Dr Halim
Rane, Deputy Program Leader at GIRU
and author, Dr Mustafa Ally,
lecturer and Editor-in-Chief of
Crescents Community News (CCN), Ms
Margaret Wenham, senior journalist
with The Courier Mail, Mr Stephan
Armbruster, SBS television, radio
and online news correspondent and Dr
Jacqui Ewart, lecturer and author, .
You can view the
Islam TV recording of the event next
week in CCN.
The Daily
Show
Aasif Mandvi hopes to change
America's perceptions of Muslims by starring in
the Qu'osby Show.
Algester
Society celebrates Meelad-un-Nabi (saw)
by Yahya Hasham
The
Islamic Society of Algester hosted it's annual
Meelad-un-Nabi (saw) last Sunday at the
Beenleigh Events Centre, Beenleigh.
A large crowd of over 500 people
attended the programme.
The main highlight of the day was the Naat
recitals of the famous Qari Sayed Rehan Qadri of
Pakistan, who kept the crowd captivated with his
beautiful voice and unique style of recitation.
The main speaker for the evening was Sheikh
Ahmed Abu Ghazaleh who spoke about the
importance of inculcating the prophetic morals
into our lives and placing special focus on the
youth of today.
There were many other Ulema who graced the
function with their presence.
The programme ended at maghrib. After the
salaah, Niyaaz was served.
From the
Welfare Shop
by Janeth Deen
The Welfare shop is overstocked
at the moment. Please do not bring any more
clothing until it is requested. We have more
than enough to help any flood victims that may
need it. In fact, we hope to send a truck of
Winter clothing to Theodore in April. We have so
much to meet this objective.
What we do need urgently, is reliable
volunteers. We are trying to sort the backlog of
donated items and then to work on making our
Welfare shop more customer friendly, with less
items on display.
We have continued to help out the needy and
flood victims who have contacted us. The welfare
work is ongoing.
The shop station wagon was stolen on Sunday
night, and has not yet been recovered. It was
useful for delivering small items to those in
need and was used exclusively for welfare work.
The CCN
Trading Post
Used furniture and appliances
to sell urgently
Dining set glass table 6 fabric chairs (new
$800.00) price $300.00
Fabric lounge suite 3 piece (new $900.00) price
$400.00
CRT TV + table price $150.00
King size bed + mattress (new $1100.00) price
$500.00
Single bed and mattress ensemble price $150.00
Fridge freezer side by side no ice and water
through door 6 years old Whirpool (new $1600.00)
price $800.00
Chest freezer 220litre 6 years old (new $599.00)
price $250.00
520 litre Fisher Paykel fridge 6 years old (new
$1600.00 ) price $800.00
All reasonable offers welcome. Call Erfaan
Ismail on 0431 725 121
The University of Queensland's
"Social Networks & Belonging" project is seeking
a group of young leaders, and potential leaders,
to take part in a one-day forum on Saturday 30th
April 2011.
They are looking for a total of
30 participants, with equal numbers from three
cultural groups: African, Arabic, and Pacific
Islander.
Participants aged from 15-23 are
welcome to this event, which will include
activities, guest speakers, facilitated
discussions, and more.
The “Social Networks, Belonging
and Active Citizenship among Migrant youth in
Australia” project is a four year, multi-state
research project that seeks to learn more about
migrant youth and social networks. Specifically,
the ‘Social Networks’ project is investigating
the manner in which young people of Arab,
Pacific Islander and African backgrounds draw
upon both formal (e.g. government agencies and
non-government support services) and informal
(e.g. family, peers and sub-cultural groups)
networks to develop a sense of social
connectedness and belonging in Australia.
The findings generated though
this project will improve our understanding of
the challenges faced by migrant youth, explore
the role of resilience in the presence of such
challenges, and provide a greater awareness of
the significance social networks play as a
critical source of feelings of belonging and
social connectedness.
We are committed to ensuring that
research findings translate into practical
recommendations for social service providers.
Findings will be disseminated within the social
service sector via collaborative symposiums,
workshops and policy recommendations.
The young people taking part in the April forum
will be a vital element to this project. Their
involvement in this project will ensure that the
most accurate and culturally appropriate
information is collected, leading to real world
changes that reflect your needs. Not only will
they have a chance to contribute a real 'youth
voice' to the project, but they will also be
able to:
* connect with other young leaders
* take a look at some of the positive things
taking place in their community
* talk about things that are important to them,
their friends, and family
* spend a day learning about other cultures
* tell facilitators how they would make changes
* take home a bag of goodies!
The Forum will take place at the
University of Queensland. Transport can be
arranged, if needed, and full catering will be
provided for the day. If this sounds interesting
to you, or if you work with young people from
these cultural groups who exhibit signs of
emerging leadership quality, please speak to
them about this forum, and contact
socialnetworks@uq.edu.au for more
information.
Prayer
session under fire from anti-Islam group
MELBOURNE: A row has broken out in a
Jewish-dominated area of Melbourne over a Muslim
prayer group that meets in a council-owned hall.
The St Kilda Islamic Society has held Friday
prayers at the facility for years, but the
council now wants to change the venue's permit
to formalise the arrangement.
That council decision has given opponents of the
prayer group the opportunity to get vocal.
The prayer group started in 2008 with a group of
Melbourne taxi drivers who were looking for a
place to worship.
They began meeting at the Alma Road Community
House in Melbourne's inner south-east, an area
recognised as a Jewish enclave and does not have
a local mosque.
These days about 35 men attend Friday prayers,
including Qaiser Mohammed.
"They think that we are going to occupy this
place. We are here for one hour [a week], just
for the Friday prayer," he said.
It is well
documented
that in many
parts of the
Islamic
world,
Friday
prayers are
noted for
escalating
violent
outbursts
towards
non-Muslims.
The
gathering of
a large
group of
Muslims in
East St
Kilda will
likely
strike
terror into
the hearts
of local
residents
Port Phillip Council, which owns the hall, is
seeking to change the facility's planning permit
to allow bigger groups to congregate.
This has focused attention on the venue's
existing uses, and suddenly a practice that has
been happening quietly for years is now a matter
of public debate.
Vickie Janson is from the Q Society, which is
dedicated to fighting what it calls the "Islamisation
of Australia".
She says the group behind the Friday prayers are
"doctrinally aligned" with extremists.
"I am against Sharia law in Australia. People
have come here to embrace our freedoms, embrace
the equality. Let's not go down the track of
Britain that has now set up 85 tribunals that
act as Sharia courts," she said.
Q Society is distributing petitions warning of
unrest if the prayer group is allowed to
continue.
"It is well documented that in many parts of the
Islamic world, Friday prayers are noted for
escalating violent outbursts towards
non-Muslims. The gathering of a large group of
Muslims in East St Kilda will likely strike
terror into the hearts of local residents," she
said.
"There is a lot of Jewish people in the area. We
know if we look around the world with these more
extreme groups, anti-semitism is a problem."
Mr Mohammed rejects claims his prayer group
increases violence or in some way is anti-semitic.
He said the group does not want to introduce
Sharia law and thinks those objecting to the
prayers must be misinformed.
"They are linking us to the terrorist group. I
saw their petition. It is completely wrong," he
said.
"They think that we are going to change this
place to a mosque or something like that. That
is not going to happen.
"Most of the people they don't know what we are
doing here. If someone comes up with something
and they never come to us."
Basic concerns
The petition also raises more basic concerns
such as parking and water use.
Those viewing the petition online are referred
to the website of Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi,
who last week said "Islam itself is the
problem".
Victorian State Labor MP Martin Foley says the
situation is being blown out of proportion.
"The dog whistling that we have seen in Canberra
in recent times has encouraged this kind of
behaviour, and this group (Q Society) has just
sought to whip up fear and pander to the worst
elements of our community [and] should pull
their head in," he said.
The council has received about 50 objections to
the planned change, though more than 200 have
signed a petition supporting it.
Sandy Joffee operates the Community House on the
council's behalf.
The dog
whistling
that we have
seen in
Canberra in
recent times
has
encouraged
this kind of
behaviour,
and this
group (Q
Society) has
just sought
to whip up
fear and
pander to
the worst
elements of
our
community
[and] should
pull their
head in
"I'm a little surprised. I think there is
prejudice in every community and we saw in the
news recently the level of it. Nonetheless, I am
a little disappointed that it is in my community
as well," she said.
But Ms Janson maintains there is genuine
community concern.
"It's not that you want to demonise people.
While we have freedom of speech, I think we have
to publicly discuss the issues, not just say
'well that's no
t nice, we can't talk about it'," she said.
Planning Minister Matthew Guy says he wants the
matter resolved swiftly.
"We are confident that councils can manage
issues such as place of worship competently and
well, and indeed we want them to resolve this
issue as quickly as possible," he said.
First
Muslim Parliamentarian: Mr Ed Husic on multiculturalism
and restricting Muslim immigration
HANSARD – TUESDAY 22
FEBRUARY 2011
Mr HUSIC (Chifley) (4.12 pm)—As I stand
here today, I think of the mums, dads, students,
small business people, professionals, community
workers and sportspeople—those drawn from the
Islamic faith who are trying to do their best to
contribute to the betterment of our nation.
How are those people supposed to feel when they
ponder on how they were admitted to share the
richness of life here but that others of their
faith have been locked out?
I
still hear from refugees who have escaped
war-torn nations and of their expressions of
guilt and shame that they survived and prospered
while others less fortunate suffered or
perished.
And we would then, by operation of a
discriminatory policy, seek to place on our
citizens the weight of that guilt—to enslave
them to that shame?
Once we put up that barrier, how are those who
live here supposed to feel?
We would give comfort to those people who seek
to prey on fear and anger, setting us back from
where we want to be.
What does this do to the strength of the
nation’s unity and purpose, when we enslave our
own to the burden of this shame?
We have as a nation learned from our mistakes,
yet we have a party where elements therein are
ready to walk headlong into another mistake.
How is this leadership? How does this advance
our nation? And how does it help us
internationally?
Let me take the House, in broad terms, to the
value of our exports to the following countries
in 2009-10: Indonesia, $4 billion; Malaysia, $3
billion; United Arab Emirates, $2 billion; Saudi
Arabia, $1.5 billion; Pakistan, $600 million;
Bangladesh, $400 million; Turkey, $300 million;
Jordan and Iran, respectively, $150 million; and
Lebanon, $25 million.
Just out of those countries, during that time,
we earned a shade over $12 billion in export
dollars.
They are nations with over 50 per cent of people
who consider themselves Muslim.
Do not forget the other $18 billion we earned
from countries with sizeable Muslim populations
within our very region: India, the Philippines
and the Russian Federation.
How are
those people
supposed to
feel when
they ponder
on how they
were
admitted to
share the
richness of
life here
but that
others of
their faith
have been
locked out?
If we were to regress to a discriminatory
immigration policy, would we effectively say to
those countries, ‘We’ll take your dollars but
not your people’?
It is absurd. Do we believe that people in these
countries would not react? Do we think that
governments in some of those nations would be
mute while their local citizens ask why their
governments tolerate a policy of discrimination
by our government?
Remember that through the seventies and eighties
we placed massive international pressure on
countries that abided and supported
discrimination.
Given this proud history, what then would this
do to our ability to advocate on the world stage
the need for countries and other corners of the
globe to embrace liberal democracy, tolerance
and fairness?
We would be hamstrung, utterly and completely
crippled in our ability to get others to do
something which we are simply unable to do
ourselves.
Mr STEPHEN JONES (Throsby) (5.03 pm)—I am
very pleased to stand and speak in relation to
the matter of public importance that has been
brought to this House by my good friend of 12
years, the member for Chifley.
I say I have known the member for
Chifley for around 12 years. It was probably
three years into that relationship before I
discovered that the member for Chifley is
Muslim.
That goes to show that those who
say that you can know everything about a person
if you know what their religion is are wrong.
Muslims Australia president, Mr.
Ikebal Patel wrote a
"please explain" letter to Mr. Tony Abbott MP,
leader of the Federal Opposition
AUSTRALIA
ranks as one of the most successful immigrant
nations on the planet, opposition frontbencher
Malcolm Turnbull said.
Mr Turnbull said the Liberal Party remained
committed to a multicultural Australia and a
non-discriminatory immigration policy.
"We believe one of Australia's greatest
strengths is its cultural diversity," Mr
Turnbull told ABC Television.
"We are one of the most successful immigrant
countries in the world."
"Scott Morrison has
recognised that his
remarks had been
ill-timed and he
apologised for
that," Mr Turnbull
said.
He said the putting
down of any
religion, culture or
race was "unhelpful"
in the integration
of people from
around the world in
Australia.
"Whatever problems
there might be in
relations between
people of different
backgrounds,
denigrating people
from one faith
undermines that
harmonious
relationship," he
said.
We are
defined as
Australians
because of
the
commitment
to the
shared
political
values of
this country
Neither
complexion, religion
nor ethnicity
defined how
Australian a person
was, Mr Turnbull
said.
"We are defined as
Australians because
of the commitment to
the shared political
values of this
country," he said.
UK: A letter from a Portsmouth-based
Muslim group has saved the position of a
councillor who walked out of a council
meeting to avoid listening to a Muslim
supplication (dua’a).
The Portsmouth Council Cabinet meeting on
January 25 opened with a Christian prayer
but when Imam Sheikh Fazle Abbas Datoo stood
up to recite a du’a Conservative Cllr
Malcolm Hey from the Standing Advisory
Council for Religious Education (SACRE)
left, only returning after it was finished.
On January 29 an emergency meeting was
called by Education Cabinet Member, Terry
Hall, to determine the fate of the Copnor
Ward Councillor Hey. Hall, a Liberal
Democrat Councillor, said she called the
meeting after concern from the public about
his role with SACRE, and whether his beliefs
conflicted with the views of the Council.
Lib Dem Cllr Gerald Vernon-Jackson wrote to
Conservative Party Chair, Baroness Sayeeda
Warsi, to ask her to dismiss Hey.
His letter said: “Not only were his actions
hugely disrespectful to the Lord Mayor and
the Imam but also to the whole of the Muslim
community. It plays into the hands of Muslim
extremists here and across the world who
want to portray the UK as somewhere Muslims
are not welcome.
“I hope you exclude him from the
Conservative Party to send a clear message
the level of bigotry Councillor Hey showed
is not acceptable in any mainstream
political party in the UK.”
However, Hey kept his SACRE post after a
written plea from the President of Muslim
Wessex Jamaat, Roshan Gangji.
In a letter to Hall, Gangji pleaded for Hey
to be “forgiven”.
In his letter he said: “We have a
responsibility to each other. What has
happened is at best an aberration and we
need to give thought to create space for
deeper understanding.
“We need to ponder whether suspension will
create a change of attitude. I very much
doubt it.
“I humbly request to consider what Jesus and
Prophet Muhammad would do. Show compassion
and forgive the aberration. I request he
take time out to reflect. The cabinet could
ask he meets with other faith leaders in the
community and share a meal.”
Hall, responding to the letter said,
“Despite community concern I recommend Cllr
Hey not be suspended. I hope he’ll take the
opportunity to reflect. We’ll forward him
the Jamaat’s letter, and tell him if he
leaves prayers in future, consideration will
be given to removing him from SACRE.”
Cllr Hey still insisted he had not done
anything wrong, but admitted he thought he
would be taken off the panel. He said: “The
Jamaat has been gracious in its attitude.
I’m grateful. I don’t feel I was wrong, but
I expected to be removed from SACRE…I will
stay on it, as I hope I make a contribution
to it.”
Wessex Jamaat Interfaith Director, Yasin
Rahim, told The Muslim News that their
reaction was “based on us thinking how the
Prophet would have acted in this kind of
situation and we believe he would have
demonstrated compassion and embraced
“The Muslim community here is mature. We
aren’t angry; we just regard this as a host
who doesn’t know how to behave towards his
guest. It’s a real shame.
But we invite him to come to read a
Christian prayer to Muslims at one of our
prayer meetings. That way, he can experience
what interaction between faiths can do.”
SACRE includes members of religions,
teaching staff, and representatives of
Portsmouth City Council. It guides religious
education in city schools.
UK: Former England internationalist
defender Gareth Southgate has praised a
teenager for her work in the local
community.
Rabiya Ahmed, from Preston, was this month
awarded the Barclays Community Sports
Awards. At the age of 18 she has dedicated
two years to Fishwick Rangers Youth and
Community Development Scheme as well as
managing - single handedly - an Asian female
team. She began volunteering with Fishwick
Rangers at 16 and has gained qualifications
in both Sports Leadership and football
coaching.
Southgate, who is heading up the judging
panel for the award, said: “Rabiya Ahmed is
an inspiration to young people in the UK.
She saw a gap in the opportunities available
for young Asian women in her local community
and set up a women’s football team that
enables them not only to train and exercise
weekly, but to work on important skills like
team work and self confidence.”
In addition to her work with young people,
she recently delivered a 40 week scheme for
Asian women that involved swimming and
fitness sessions in a female environment,
run by qualified coaches.
Rabiya commentated: “It was a complete
surprise to be nominated and even bigger
shock to win the Barclays Community Sport
Award. I do the work because I enjoy it and
to be recognised in this way for doing
something I love is fantastic.”
Fishwick Rangers Secretary, Fayyaz Ahmed,
said: “Rabiya has been a great benefit to
our organisation and she has overcome major
barriers within the community and cultural
differences enabling young Asian females to
volunteer and gain skills and confidence.
She alone has managed to talk and persuade
elders within the Asian community to allow
their daughters to take part and assist
within the community.”
You know
your newsletter has finally come of age when you
receive a "Disgusted
from Tunbridge Wells" letter to the editor.
How wonderful !!
Salaams
Anver
Omar
Dear KB, Assalaamu Alaikum
I am just sending this short note to tell you
that the chocolate cup cake recipe (in
last
week's CCN) is excellent and the result is
divine cakes. I am so proud of them that I will
share them with the neighbours.
Thank you and Salaams, Suraya
[KB
says] The credit must go to Miss Farzanah Hatia
who perfected the recipe.
Dear Editor
Salams,
I was wondering if you could put this in your
next newsletter inshallah:
Youth Without Borders is writing to invite CCN
readers to attend and support a Youth Without
Borders' dinner at Parliament House in Brisbane,
on Thursday 31st March 2011 from 6:30pm.
Youth
Without Borders is holding the event to raise
funds for those affected by the Brisbane floods.
There will also be the opportunity to support
the victims of the recent floods in Pakistan and
Brazil if you choose to do so. We anticipate
raising $15,000 to $20,000 from this event
depending on the level of sponsorship we can
attract.
Youth
Without Borders will channel these funds through
the Premier’s Disaster Relief Appeal, the
Australian Red Cross and Save the Children to
ensure that these funds reach young people
affected by the floods.
If you
are interested in attending this fundraising
dinner, or have any queries regarding ticket
details and further information, please email us
at
events@youthwithoutborders.com.au
ZERO TOLERANCE OF
INJUSTICE
Imam Imraan Hussain – Gold Coast Masjid
Support Local Muslim Business by visiting
the Salam Card site and printing many
vouchers to
present all over town to get great discounts
and special offers.
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 is an innovative
way to serve your home made ice cream. You can also add
other types of fruit like mangoes or passionfruit when
in season. This is an easy dessert to make and will be
much appreciated during these hot summer months.
.
Ingredients
20 Ice Cream Wafers
200g strawberries, hulled and thinly sliced
1 litre Ice Cream softened
¼ cup desiccated coconut
Method
1. Place strawberries into a large bowl and
mash with a fork.
2. Add ice cream and coconut and sir until
smooth and well combined
3. Line a rectangular baking tin or a Pyrex
dish with cling wrap leaving some overhang.
4. Spoon ice-cream mix into the container,
smoothing the top.
5. Fold to cover with overhang and place in
a freezer to firm. (approx 2-3 hours)
6. Remove from the freezer, unwrap from
plastic and cut into even slices.
7. Sandwich between 2 ice cream wafers and
serve.
Q: Dear Kareema, Dear Kareema, I'm
currently in training for a run which is coming up in a
few months time. Is running on soft sand better than
running on the footpath? If I have the option of both,
which is better for the body?
A: Running on sand can be a great addition to your
training. I wouldn't say that it is better than running
on the footpath, but it is a great example of cross
training. Sand adds a strength and stability component
and the footpath adds speed, power and agility. Why not
try to do every second run on sand to mix things up.
Make sure you wear shoes the first few times to
strengthen your ankles and run where there is not too
much of a slope in the sand.
As you get stronger and closer to the day
of the run, challenge yourself by adding mini-drills to
your run on the sand, eg. run for a minute then drop and
do ten push-ups, commando-crawls, or hovers, etc.. The
key is to vary your workouts as much as you can to
constantly challenge your muscles.
Remember your diet is just as important,
both leading up to, and on the day of the event. Make
sure you have a good breakfast on the day for heaps of
energy!!
All questions sent in are published here anonymously
and without any references to the author of the
question.
The CCN Chuckle
Little Jallaluddin
arrived at his Saturday morning Madressah late.
Sister Safia, his mualimma, knew that Jallaluddin
was usually very punctual so she asked him if
anything was wrong.
Jallaluddin replied no, that he had been going
fishing but his dad told him that he needed to
go to Madressah.
Sister Safia was very impressed and asked the
lad if his dad had explained to him why it was
more important to go to Madressah than to go
fishing?
Jallaluddin replied, "Yes he did. Dad said
he didn't have enough bait for both of us."
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clean out BAD CHOLESTROL and PLAQUE from your
arteries?
ArgiNox Maintain is available from Zakiya
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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
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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
Islamic Society of Algester hosted it's annual
Meelad-un-Nabi (saw) last Sunday at the
Beenleigh Events Centre, Beenleigh. 
I
still hear from refugees who have escaped
war-torn nations and of their expressions of
guilt and shame that they survived and prospered
while others less fortunate suffered or
perished. 
AUSTRALIA
ranks as one of the most successful immigrant
nations on the planet, opposition frontbencher
Malcolm Turnbull said.
