Speaker of the
House, John Mickel,
introduces the
religious leaders
Imam Akram Buksh
recites SuraFateha and
Imam Yusuf Peer
offers the
translation
Speaker of
the Queensland parliament,
John Mickel MP, hosted a
multi-faith service on
Monday 13 to mark the
commencement of the
parliamentary year.
The service was held in the
Legislative Council Chamber
and addressed by leaders
from six religious faiths as
well as Members of
Parliament representing the
Government, the Opposition
and the Independents.
The theme of the service was
working together.
Muslim World Tour
Students
from Griffith University
have recently returned from
an overseas tour that
took in Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia, for one week:
Istanbul, Turkey for one
week, and Jordan for five
days, returning to Turkey
for two day wind-down on the
slopes of historic Bursa
before trekking home.
The Muslim
World Tour is a course of
study offered to selected
students who are completing
an Islamic Studies major as
part of an Arts or
International Relations
degree at Griffith
University.
Organised
primarily by Dr Halim Rane
of Griffith, it was designed
to give Islamic Studies
students some first hand
experience of majority
Muslim, or “Islamic”
societies.
Recounting
her experiences about the
trip, Ms Mehmet told CCN:
"If I could identify just
one key thing I took from
the trip above all else is
that Muslim societies are
extremely diverse, and
though we uphold one
religion, it is as
multi-layered, multi-faceted
and utterly fascinating as
one might expect from The
Almighty, who has afforded
us such a wondrous and
complex creation."
Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program
Applications
are now open to Australian
Muslim leaders interested in
travelling to Indonesia for
two weeks as part of the
Australia-Indonesia Muslim
Exchange Program. Finalised
travel dates between May 21
– June 17 will be negotiated
amongst successful
applicants.
All costs are covered for
the visit to Indonesia.
Applications are due by
Monday, 27 February 2012.
Applicants should be between
21 and 40, and be an active
member of the Muslim
community in
Australia.
The program offers Muslim
leaders in Australia the
opportunity to visit the
world's most populous Muslim
country and meet with a
range of dynamic Muslim and
non-Muslim leaders in the
community. It is
intended to raise the level
of informed opinion about
Islam in Australia and
Indonesia; increase
awareness about the
diversity of cultures and
faiths in both countries;
and encourage the
development of links between
Australian and Indonesian
Muslims.
The Muslim Exchange Program
2011/2012 is supported by
the Commonwealth through the
Australia-Indonesia
Institute which is part of
the Department of Foreign
Affairs and Trade. The
program is organised by
the Islamic Council of
Victoria.
Set against
the backdrop of the Bosnian
War that tore the Balkan
region apart in the 1990s,
“In the Land of Blood and
Honey” tells the story of
Danijel (Goran Kostić) and
Ajla (Zana Marjanović), two
people from different sides
of a brutal ethnic conflict.
Danijel, a
soldier fighting for the
Serbs, and Ajla, a Bosnian
held captive in the camp he
oversees, knew each other
before the war, and could
have found love with each
other.
But as the
armed conflict takes hold of
their lives, their
relationship grows darker,
their motives and connection
to one another ambiguous,
their allegiances uncertain.
“In the Land
of Blood and Honey” portrays
the incredible emotional,
moral and physical toll that
the war exerts both on
individuals and people as a
whole, and the terrible
consequences that stem from
the lack of political will
to intervene in a society
stricken with conflict.
The movie was directed by
Angelina Jolie and as yet no
official release date for
Australia has been
announced.
Trailer
Material
Riaad Moosa
plays the
lead
character in
the film,
Material, a
young Muslim
man who
works in his
father’s
fabric shop
in Fordsburg,
Johannesburg.
In the
family
tradition
Riaad, as
the only
son, is
expected to
take over
the family
business
from his
father.
Riaad is a
respectful
son and has
certainly
not
considered
any
alternatives;
this is his
life and his
destiny.
Until one
night,
through a
series of
coincidences,
he lands up
doing an
open mike
session at a
local comedy
club.
He discovers
a hidden
talent for
comedy; a
passion is
sparked
within him
like nothing
previously
in his life.
He is
encouraged
to carry on
with the
comedy a
path that
brings him
into
conflict,
not only
with his
father but
other family
members and
some
elements of
his
community.
"This is
essentially
the story of
a family
grappling
with
universal
issues like,
identity,
responsibility
and duty.It will be
a
heart-warming
film that
ultimately
emphasises
the
importance
of family.
It will be a
movie for
the whole
family, will
contain no
profanity,
and should
be able to
be enjoyed
by people of
all ages
both in
South Africa
and the rest
of the
world.
Although the
story
focuses on a
Muslim
family the
film will
deal with
issues that
exist in
every family
in every
country in
the world",
notes
the movie
website.
Trailers
Srebrenica Remembrance
(from
left) Mr. Dinko Tomac, Member for Moreton
Graham Perrett MP, Bosnian Ambassador Damir
Arnaut, Elma Husic and Edin Husic MP
This week the
Australian Parliament passed
the following motion moved
by the Member for Melbourne
Ports Michael Danby and
seconded by Member for
Moreton Graham Perrett:
That this House notes that:
(1) on 11 July 1995, the
Bosnian town of Srebrenica
which was at that time
proclaimed a Protected Zone
by a United Nations Security
Council Resolution of 16
April 1993, fell into the
hands of the Army of
Republika Srpska, led by
General Ratko Mladic and
under the direction of the
then President of the
Republika Srpska, Radovan
Karadzic;
(2) from 12 July 1995, the
Army and the Police of
Republika Srpska separated
men aged 16 to approximately
60 or 70 from their
families;
(3) Bosnian Serb forces
killed over 7,000 Bosnian
Muslim men following the
takeover of Srebrenica in
July 1995;
(4) all the executions
systematically targeted
Bosnian Muslim men of
military age, regardless of
whether they were civilians
or soldiers;
(5) the acts committed at
Srebrenica were committed
with the specific intent to
destroy in part, the group
of Muslims of Bosnia and
Herzegovina;
(6) these were acts of
genocide, committed by
members of the Army of
Republika Srpska in and
around Srebrenica from about
13 July 1995;
(7) these findings have been
confirmed by the
International Court of
Justice and the
International
Criminal Tribunal for the
former Yugoslavia through
final and binding judgments;
and
(8) the anniversary of the
Srebrenica genocide, 11
July, should serve as a time
to remember the victims.
Pay for our trips home - the Islamic Women's
Welfare Association
NEW
migrants should get taxpayer
subsidies to visit overseas
relatives, an Islamic group
has told the Federal
Government.
The Islamic Women's Welfare
Association also says
Muslims prefer to live close
to their own people and
Australia should consider
how to "facilitate the
purchase of homes for new
migrants".
In a submission to a federal
multicultural inquiry, the
association has urged the
Government to give tax
deductions to newly arrived
migrants so they can visit
relatives in their
homelands.
"Migrants face a lot of
sacrifices such as having to
travel long distances to
visit relatives, spending on
communication costs, missing
out on some events occurring
in native countries etc,"
the submission said.
"This loss should be
compensated by the
Government in one way or the
other to retain migrants in
their country of adoption."
Victorian
Muslim and president of the
Australian Council of
Bosnian Organisations Senada
Softic-Telalovic said while
some help might be justified
for needy refugees who had
to go overseas to settle
their affairs, she didn't
support travel compensation
for all newcomers.
That type of argument will
bring out further outrage
from those who are so
anti-migrant and so
anti-multiculturalism," she
said. Ms Softic-Telalovic
said that Australia was seen
as an ideal migration
destination and new arrivals
shouldn't take the country
for granted.
"Migrants and refugees who
come out now are in a
significantly better
position and you could say a
more privileged position
than those who came out in
the 1970s," she said.
Victorian Multicultural and
Citizenship Minister Nick
Kotsiras said tax breaks for
migrant trips abroad was a
ridiculous idea.
"We are all equal and no one
should get special
privileges," he said.
The Islamic welfare
association is based in
Lakemba, Sydney, which has
one of the highest Muslim
populations in Australia.
Its submission also said
that migrants should be free
to build their own places of
worship "without prejudice
or discrimination from the
communities they live (in)".
The
Islamic Shia Council
of Queensland is in the
process of purchasing land
at 255 Queens Road, Kingston
for their first Islamic Shia
Centre.
An open house was organized
for inspection of the
proposed property which was
attended by committee
members from all the Shia
associations of Brisbane.
The
inspection was followed-up
with a meeting at Kuraby
Husainia, where the
community members were
updated with the progress.
$475,000 has been collected
towards the $1.25 million
cost of establishing the
centre.
The CCN Classifieds
Rental house wanted
Young Family
URGENTLY must find a new
rental ASAP as they must
vacate existing rental
within 4 weeks. Seeking a 4
bedroom / 2 bathroom home.
Preferably in the Southside
areas of Mansfield, Mount
Gravatt, Wishart, and
surrounding areas. Would
like to deal directly with
owner, but not essential.
Prompt and regular payment
can be expected. Please
contact 0422343640 or
noorum@optusnet.com.au.
If you know anyone that may
be able to assist, kindly
pass on the information.
Your assistance is very much
appreciated.
In pictures: The History of the Hajj
Over the next
few weeks, CCN will post
images from a new exhibition
at the British Museum in
London that traces the
history of the Hajj:
David Jacobs, senior
conservator at the British Library, holds
one of the oldest known copies of the Koran,
from the 8th century
The World's Most Influential Muslims in 2011
There are
over 1.6
billion
Muslims in
the world
today,
making up
approximately
23% of the
world's
population,
or more than
one-fifth of
mankind.
The
Muslim500
publication
is part of
an annual
series that
provides a
window into
the movers
and shakers
of the
Muslim
world. It
gives
valuable
insight into
the
different
ways that
Muslims
impact the
world, and
also shows
the
diversity of
how people
are living
as Muslims
today.
The 2011
Muslim500 lists the
world's most
influential
Muslims who
have
impacted on
their
community,
or on behalf
of their
community.
Influence
is: any
person who
has the
power (be it
cultural,
ideological,
financial,
political or
otherwise)
to make a
change that
will have a
significant
impact on
the Muslim
World. The
impact can
be either
positive or
negative.
The
influence
can be of a
religious
scholar
directly
addressing
Muslims and
influencing
their
beliefs,
ideas and
behaviour,
or it can be
of a ruler
shaping the
socio-economic
factors
within which
people live
their lives,
or of
artists
forming
popular
culture.
Over the
coming
weeks, CCN
will publish
a
personality
selected
from the
list:
No. 8
Dr
Mohammed
Badie
Supreme
Guide of the
Muslim
Brotherhood
Dr
Mohammed Badie
succeeded
Mohammad Mahdi
Akef as the 8th
Supreme Guide of
the Muslim
Brotherhood in
January 2010.
Badie is a
professor of
veterinary
pathology at
Beni-Suef
University in
southern Egypt,
but has been
elected to his
position due to
his work with
various
administrative
offices,
Education
Association, and
subsequently,
the
International
Guidance Bureau
of the Muslim
Brotherhood,
which is the
largest Islamic
political party
in Egypt.
Leader of an
Expansive Muslim
Network
Dr Badie heads
the largest
Muslim social,
religious, and
political
organization in
existence. The
Muslim
Brotherhood
forms the
leading
opposition party
in many Muslim
countries and
has branches in
most of the
Muslim World,
besides its base
in Egypt.
Members of the
organization can
be found in
Bahrain, Syria,
Palestine,
Israel, Jordan,
Iran, Iraq,
Saudi Arabia,
Kuwait, Algeria,
Sudan, Somalia,
Tunisia, and
Libya, as well
as the United
States. In light
of its expanse,
Dr Badie is a
strong advocate
of internal
unity within the
Brotherhood as
well as
globally,
between all
Muslims.
New Focus
Dr Badie
represents a
conservative
shift in the
leadership of
the Muslim
Brotherhood. Due
to his
background in
education and
religious
conservatism,
analysts predict
that he will
emphasize the
Brotherhood’s
social work.
Though he has
been imprisoned
in the past on
multiple
occasions due to
political
activities, Dr
Badie stressed
in his inaugural
address the need
for gradual
reform based on
dialogue and
non-violence.
Post
Mubarak-Era
With elections
due in November
2011, the
Brotherhood
created the
Freedom and
Justice Party
and aligned
itself with the
liberal Wafd
Party. This
increases its
chances of
winning a
parliamentary
majority. The
Brotherhood has
historically
advocated
political
activism and
charity work
with a
distinctive take
on Islamic Law,
stating that
apostasy should
not be
punishable,
rather permitted
as a freedom to
all Muslims.
What makes the
organization’s
work distinct
and far more
influential than
other Islamic
political
parties is the
emphasis on
making faith a
guidepost in all
political
endeavors and,
importantly,
neither a
hindrance to
political
progress nor a
deficiency.
The Arab
Spring
The Muslim
Brotherhood is
one of the
biggest winners
of Egypt’s
revolt. The
greater
challenge for
them is to show
people that
under them, the
rights of
minorities will
be protected.
The Hope is
the emblem
of the true
believer …
We are
guided by
hope, love
and
brotherhood.
Those are
the
measures
applied by
the Muslim
brotherhood
to encounter
difficulties.
Dr
Mohammed
Badie
Around the Muslim World with CCN
OIC
rights commission and the challenges ahead
With the approach of the
first official session of the Independent Permanent Human
Rights Commission (IPHRC) in Jakarta, Indonesia on Feb. 20,
the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) is embarking
on a path replete with challenges, not the least of which is
promoting and protecting human rights in the Muslim world.
JAKARTA:
It seemed only appropriate that a year marked by popular
uprising in different parts of the Muslim world against
injustice, corruption and abuse of power should conclude
with the landmark establishment of a human rights commission
duly equipped with a progressive vision and mandate.
The announcement of establishing the OIC Independent
Permanent Human Rights Commission at the Islamic Conference
of Foreign Ministers (ICFM) in Astana, Kazakhstan in June
2011 is a milestone achievement that is part of a process
for restructuring the OIC, which began in 2005 at the
Extraordinary Summit in Makkah.
The historical significance of establishing the commission
is derived not only from the timing but also from the
foresight and commitment of the member states reflected in
the decision. The statute of the commission entered into
force within the considerably short time of three years
after it was accorded the statutory status by the new OIC
charter adopted in Senegal in 2008.
The establishment of the Commission is the start of a new
journey for reform in the Muslim world, and it will most
likely be a long and strenuous journey.
Arab News
Muslim
designers mix the hijab with latest fashions
Shaimaa
Khalil gets a hijab makeover
UK: How do you combine Western
fashion with a Muslim dress code?
Fashion is a form of self-expression. It's all
about experimenting with looks and, in many
cases, attracting attention.
The Islamic headscarf, or hijab, is exactly the
opposite. It's about modesty and attracting as
little attention as possible.
However, a growing number of Muslim women are
successfully blending the two.
They get inspiration from the catwalk, the high
street and fashion magazines, and they give it a
hijab-friendly twist - making sure that
everything except the face and hands are
covered.
Sarah's range
is sporty and features Islamic art
They are known as Hijabistas.
Jana Kossiabati is editor of the blog Hijab
Style, which gets as many as 2,300 visits a day
from across the world, including Africa, Middle
East and the United States.
"I started two-and-a-half years ago," says Jana,
who is British of Lebanese origin.
"I'd seen so many fashion blogs and so many
Muslim blogs but hadn't seen anything
specifically dedicated to the way Muslim women
dress.
"I started my own site to bring together
elements of what Muslim women are looking for
and to make mainstream fashion wearable and
relevant to them."
Jana says one of the reasons why
so many young Muslim women are reading hijab
fashion blogs is that the Muslim fashion
industry is lacking inspiration.
"I get comments on my blog from people saying
that the clothes offered to Muslim women are too
Islamic looking - they look very ethnic, very
foreign," says Jana.
Hana believes
hijab can be colourful
"Young Muslims are increasingly
looking for fashion that doesn't set them apart
from the rest of society."
According to Jana, events such as 9/11 and 7/7
also had an effect on fashion-conscious Muslim
women.
"Our generation became more aware
of their identity when were thrust into the
limelight after 9/11 and 7/7 and other events of
the past decade or so. We were forced to deal
with people questioning our faith, our identity
and the way we look."
This may have prompted some women to choose to
wear the hijab - but it also increased the urge
among many young hijab-wearing women to fit in.
Hana Tajima Simpson is a fashion
designer who converted to Islam five years ago.
In the beginning, she found it very hard to find
her own style while following hijab rules.
"I lost a lot of my personality through wearing
the hijab at first. I wanted to stick to one
mould and look a certain way," says Hana, who
comes from a British and Japanese background.
"My label is a celebration of
Islamic culture and art and it's not apologetic” Sarah Elenany, Fashion designer
"We were forced to deal with
people questioning our faith, our identity and
the way we look”
Jana Kossiabati, Editor, Hijab Style
BBC
Halaal
panel calls for public comment
SOUTH AFRICA: An independent
body established to interrogate the Muslim Judicial Council
Halaal Trust’s halaal certification processes has urged
members of the public to submit recommendations to the
panel.
The Independent Halaal Review Panel was established after
the Muslim Judicial Council (headquarters pictured left)
called for its certification processes to be reviewed by an
independent group.
This followed a
scandal when a meat distribution company, Orion Cold
Storage, was dragged to court over allegations that it had
relabelled imported pork products as halaal. The panel will
investigate the halaal certification process and make
recommendations to improve its overall performance.
On Wednesday the panel’s chairman, Haroon Kalla, said the
community should make written submissions to the panel.
These would be taken into consideration when the panel made
its report.
We
must put religion back into public life, says Warsi
UK:
Religion must be given a greater role in public life to push
back a wave of "intolerant secularisation", a Cabinet
minister said today.
Baroness Warsi (pictured right), a Muslim, will also
be using an official speech in the Vatican to call for
Europe to become "more confident in its Christianity", in a
defence of faith backed by Prime Minister David Cameron.
She is leading a delegation of seven British ministers to
the Holy See, and they have been granted an audience with
Pope Benedict XVI tomorrow.
In the first speech to students of the Pontifical
Ecclesiastical Academy by an outside minister, she will
compare intolerance of religion with totalitarian regimes.
"In order to encourage social harmony, people need to feel
stronger in their religious identities, more confident in
their beliefs. In practice this means individuals not
diluting their faiths and nations not denying their
religious heritages," she will say.
"If you take this thought to its conclusion the idea you're
left with is this: Europe needs to become more confident in
its Christianity."
After the High Court ruling that prayers cannot be a formal
part of local council meetings, she will also say it is a
myth that to protect minorities "we need to erase our
religious heritage".
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DISCLAIMER: CCN publishes
articles in good faith and takes no
responsibility for the contents
supplied by its writers. Any
complaints regarding any articles
should be sent by email to
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org for
us to act on.
CCN Readers' Book Club: You are what you
read!
Would you like
to see the cover of your favourite book on our book shelves
below?
Using the
book club you can see what books fellow CCN readers
have on their shelves, what they are reading and
even what they, and others, think of them.
KB says: This week I
discovered the most fabulous of fish shops virtually in my
backyard and so I decided to try their red emperor for this
week's recipe. I have added almonds to give the dish a
special nutty flavour. I hope you enjoy it as much as my
family and friends did with the Friday dhall and rice.
Fish Amande
Ingredients
1kg fish filleted, washed and drained.
Fish Masala
1. 2 tsp ground garlic
2. 2 tsp crushed coriander seeds
3. 2 Tab lemon juice
4. 1 small onion grated
5. 2 tsp crushed jeeru (Cumin)
6. 1 tsp salt
7. ½ tsp turmeric
8. 2 tsp fresh red chillies
9. ¼ cup almond meal
10. 2 tsp fresh or desiccated coconut
11. 1 tsp coconut oil/vegetable oil
Mix all the above into a smooth paste, leave a
quarter aside and smear the rest on the fish
fillets.
Sauce
1. 1 large onion
2. A handful of curry leaves
3. 2 cups of tomatoes cut into cubes.
4. ½ tsp salt or more
5. ¼ of the fish masala above.
6. ¼ cup lemon juice
7. ¼ cup oil
1. Fry the onions and when they become light
brown add the curry leaves, simmer for a minute
2. Add the fish masala, simmer for 2 mins and
then add the tomatoes and allow to cook until
the sauce thickens.
3. Add lemon juice and cook for a further 5mins.
You could puree the sauce if you like.
Putting it together
1. Shallow fry the fish in hot oil, vey quickly
one minute on either side, do not overcook.
2. Place the fried fish in a baking tray and
pour the sauce over.
3. Bake for 30mins in 180 degrees oven.
4. Garnish with slivered almonds and sprigs of
curry leaves.
Fitness isn’t
just about being able to run 5km or lifting heavy weights at
the gym, it’s really about preparing and maintaining your
body for everyday activities..
When it comes to fitness, most of us have goals associated
with toning muscles, or losing weight.
But real useful
fitness is what’s called functional fitness, which helps us
perform daily tasks without risk of injury or strain.
Performing these
daily tasks (like home-based activities – gardening, hanging
washing or starting the lawn mower) is when we are most
likely to pull a muscle or sprain an ankle or shoulder.
So focus your training on challenging activities which will
prepare and also maintain your body for those daily tasks..
and stay fit for life!
All questions sent in
are published here anonymously and without any
references to the author of the question.
Flightstar Fozi's Travel Tips
Q: Dear Flightstar Fozi, we are about to travel
overseas via Sydney, with a child and I am wondering about
the liquid restrictions on flights, How can I get my babies
milk on board.
A:
Some people say it is a big hassle travelling now that the
liquid restrictions are in place, but if you follow the
guidelines there is no problems.
The restrictions are only on cabin luggage, and liquids must
be in containers less than 100ml.
You must place all liquids and gels (including creams) into
a plastic see through bag and it is scanned separately
during the screening process.
The restrictions with liquids are only for international
flights, if you are travelling on a domestic flight (not an
international domestic) then there are no liquid
restrictions.
It includes water and drinks, however when you are
travelling with a infant there are exemptions.
You are allowed to take on board milk and other baby needs
for the child.
Don't forget though that if you are travelling on an
international flight the cabin crew can provide boiled water
for the bottles.
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.