MBN's
Vice
President, Mr. Atif
Shafi, MC's the
seminar
The
Muslim Business
Network (MBN) Tax
Minimisation Seminar
was held on Tuesday
12 June.
Over
50 attendees were
briefed on the
recent tax reforms
handed down by the
Government in the
latest budget by Mr
Yousuf Ali Khan (FinancialFirst)
and Mr. Mohammed
Saheed (Accro
Accounting).
Presenter Mr. Yousuf
Ali Khan
Enjoying a delicious
dinner served up by
Michael's Oriental
Restaurant
MBN Directors (l to
r): Mr. Abdullah
Osman, Mr. Mohammed
Saheed - Treasurer,
Mr. Farouk Adam -
President, Mr. Atif
Shafi - Vice
President, Mr.
Yousuf Ali Khan and
Mr. Jaaved Khatree -
secretary
Absent from photo:
Mr. Faris Fazalbhoy
MBN past president
Mr Shummis Rane
presents Imam Ziyad
Ravat with his lucky
draw prize.
"To
write a word or a phrase or
a sentence in Arabic is like
crafting an equation,
because every part is
extremely precise and
carries a lot of
information.”
With a third
of marriages in Australia
ending in divorce, the
process of finishing a
relationship is well
established but how do
couples with different
social and religious customs
go about formally breaking
up?
They take
their case to the Australian
Islamic Judicial Council, an
unofficial group of sheikhs
based in Lakemba, Sydney.
This revealing and
fascinating film takes us
into the world of Islamic
divorce, as viewed by the
couples involved, their
families and the sheikhs -
religious leaders - who hear
petitions for divorce.
In his narrow bookshop
crammed with Islamic texts,
Sheikh Khalil Chami - one of
the Australian Islamic
Judicial Council advises
frustrated suburban
Australian women on how they
can get divorced. All the
women are Muslim and the
discussion is not about
getting an Australian civil
law divorce from the Family
Court, which some already
have, but about getting a
divorce under sharia law, an
Islamic religious law based
on the Koran.
Women who don't have the
consent of their husbands,
can have considerable
difficulty getting a sharia
divorce. Until they do the
community regards them as
married and no sheikh will
agree to marry them again.
We follow three women and
two men as they embark on
the journey to end their
marriages, the Aussie
Islamic way.
Divorce: Aussie Islamic Way
follows a number of Muslim
women as they negotiate
divorce through two
different cultures.
Baby
Safiyya was born to the
Ravat family on the evening
of Wednesday 30 May.
Imam Zeeyad
Ravat told CCN that he
wished to pass on his thanks
for all the warm wishes he
and his family have received
from the community over the
past few weeks.
Safiyya
weighed in a healthy 3.6 kg
at birth and both she and
mom are doing well.
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. 25
Amirul
Mu’minin
Sheikh as
Sultan
Muhammadu
Sa’adu
Abubakar III
Sultan of
Sokoto
Amirul Mu’minin
Sheikh as Sultan
Muhammadu Sa’adu
Abubakar III is
the 20th
Sultan of Sokoto.
As Sultan of
Sokoto, he
is considered
the spiritual
leader of
Nigeria’s 75.7
million Muslims,
who account for
roughly 50
percent of the
nation’s
population.
Although the
position of
Sultan of Sokoto
has become
largely
ceremonial, the
holder is still
a central figure
for Nigerian
Muslims.
Lineage Back
to Sheikh Usman
Dan Fodio
The Sultan of
Sokoto is the
spiritual leader
of Nigeria’s
enormous
Muslim
community. He
gains this
position by
lineage.
Abubakar is the
20th heir to the
two-century-old
throne founded
by his ancestor,
Sheikh Usman Dan
Fodio. Dan Fodio
(1754-1817 CE)
was a scholar,
leader of the
Maliki school of
Islam and the
Qadiri branch of
Sufism, and
Islamic reformer
of the
nineteenth
century. Dan
Fodio believed
that Islam
should have a
more central
role in the life
of the people of
West Africa and
led an uprising
to institute the
changes he
sought. His
figure and his
writings are a
very important
chapter in the
history of Islam
in West Africa,
and Abubakar, by
lineage, holds a
key place in
West African
Islam, and
particularly for
the Fulani and
Hausa people who
followed Dan
Fodio.
An
Illustrious
Family
The position
currently does
carry with it
some
weight—though
largely
ceremonial since
British colonial
rule diminished
its political
significance.
Much of this
clout is derived
from the respect
that was earned
by Siddiq Abu
Bakar Dan Usman—17th
Sultan and
father of
Abubakar—who
held the
Sultanate for
over fifty
years. The rule
of Abubakar’s
father from 1938
to 1988 earned
the position
significant
social capital
and popularity
with ordinary
Muslims.
Administrative
Power
Abubakar holds
important
administrative
influence in
Nigerian
religious life.
Abubakar is the
titular ruler of
Sokoto in
northern Nigeria
and is also the
head of the
Nigerian
National Supreme
Council for
Islamic Affairs.
Leadership of
this council
means that the
Sultan of Sokoto
remains the only
figure that can
legitimately
claim to speak
on behalf of all
Nigerian
Muslims. This
role has become
increasingly
influential over
the years with a
rise in
interreligious
tensions between
Nigeria’s
Muslim-majority
north and
Christian-majority
south. The late
Sultan Siddiq
Abubakar dan
Usman was widely
respected for
trying to ease
tensions between
Nigeria’s Muslim
and Christian
communities,
which
occasionally
spill over into
sectarian
violence.
Abubakar also
possesses
military
experience in
conflict areas.
The Arab
Spring
•• The Arab
Spring events
have not
significantly
affected the
influence of the
Sultan.
Talking is
very
important
and is
critical to
finding an
amicable
solution to
the
violence.
If
you’re holding
public iftars,
lectures,
exhibitions,
homeless food
collections,
fund-raising
initiatives or
anything else this
Ramadan email
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org
with the following
details:
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Tower Residence
The Heart of Surfers
Paradise
Relax
in one of the newest and
most exciting developments
in the heart of Surfers
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located at 6 Orchid Ave
Surfers Paradise. A stroll
away from the beautiful
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supermarkets, restaurants,
cafes, boutiques etc right
at your doorstep.
Our two bedrooms residences
offer luxury in abundance
with extensive floor space,
convenient open-plan layout,
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separate living and dining
areas, fully equipped
kitchens and internal
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residence with expansive
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Please
contact the booking office
to check dates required on
P: 0422237860 or E:
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A real event sits at the heart of this novel, a real event
about which I knew nothing. A real event, which I think is
still worth thinking about almost a century later.
But first, the novel. In 1914, Gool Mahommed returns to
Broken Hill (in New South Wales, Australia) from his home in
Afghanistan. Mahommed dreams of his assimilation within
Australian society, of belonging, of being accepted and of
having his own successful business. Perhaps, Mahommed
thinks, a submarine shipping line. As part of this, he wants
to learn to read English. Mahommed's mentor and benefactor
is Abdullah, a camel driver, who also serves as the halal
butcher and the mullah to the small community of Muslims who
live in a camp on the outskirts of town. Mahommed chooses to
rent a room in town where his landlord gives him lessons in
reading English.
Alice Mercer meets Mahommed on the train to Broken Hill as
she returns from a short holiday in Adelaide. Alice longs
for a more exotic life, and is drawn to Mahommed even though
her friends disapprove. In remote Australia in 1914, any
relationship between Alice and Mahommed is doomed to
failure, especially once war breaks out with the Australians
and the Ottoman Empire on different sides.
Mahommed is driven
to despair after being the victim of some cruel and
thoughtless acts. His despair drives him to revenge.
`If those two hours can be stitched out of the day,
then none of this will exist.'
And the
event, at the heart of this novel? On 1 January
1915, about 1200 Broken Hill residents were
travelling by train to Silverton where they were to
attend a picnic to celebrate the New Year. Two
Muslim men, Gool Mahommed (a Pashtun tribesman from
Afghanistan) and Mullah Abdullah (from what is today
Pakistan) armed themselves with rifles and
ammunition, a homemade flag, and launched a surprise
attack on the picnic train a few kilometres outside
Broken Hill. They directed fire on the train - the
people were packed into forty open carriages - from
the cover of Gool Mohammed's ice-cream cart. Both
men knew that they would die, and left notes
explaining that they had become martyrs defending
their faith and the caliphate. Two people on the
train were killed, and six were injured. A seventh
person, a policeman, was injured in the pursuit that
followed and ended in the deaths of Gool Mahommed
and Mullah Abdullah.
This is Ms McCourt's first novel and while I enjoyed
reading it, I found it disturbing. Ms McCourt's
novel brings to life the people, and their
attitudes. Could things have turned out differently?
How far have we come in the (almost) 100 years that
have elapsed since this event took place? Are any of
us more tolerant and accepting? Really?
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: With Ramadaan fast
approaching I will be putting up some popular recipes to
help us through the fasting month and the first one is a
Healthy Muska recipe, an easy one to make and an ideal dunker
with a cup of tea. This recipe was shared by Shenaaz Momla.
Healthy Muskas
Step 1
Combine the following
2 cups flour (sifted)
¼ tsp salt
4 tsp baking powder
½ cup brown sugar
125g grated butter
1 cup crushed all bran flakes
1 tab jeeru (cumin seeds)
¼ cup chopped almonds
Step 2
Add approx 1 cup of nestle cream or milk or
buttermilk to form a soft dough.
Step 3
1. Pat the dough into a rectangle approx 10mm
thick.
2. Cut into strips or squares and place on a
baking sheet.
3. Brush with buttermilk and sprinkle with
sesame seeds or nuts.
Step 4
1. Bake at 180degrees until very light brown,
reduce the temperature to 100degrees and allow
to dry out for 3 to 4 hours or until crispy.
2. Pack in an airtight container.
Q: Dear Kareema, I’m achieving the small goals I’m
setting for myself, however, I’m struggling with my abs. I’m
happy with my fitness routine when it comes to working
my core, it’s my diet I need a little help with. What can I
do to gain a flatter tummy.
A: My number one tip is to go RAW. Opt for salads
(without the dressing, as they can be high in saturated
fat). Make your own vinegar-based dressing you have to have
it (instead of using oil). Raw foods take twice as much
energy to break down as cook and processed foods, hence a
nice fresh salad and lean protein source is perfect for
helping to achieve a flat stomach. Stay away from fizzy
drinks as well, as they may leave you feeling bloated and
does not even quench your thirst. Raw nuts may not be as
tasty as the salted or roasted one’s, but they are
certainly a smarter choice when it comes to fat loss.
A
certain conqueror said to Nasruddin, “Mullah, all the
great rulers of the past had honorific titles with the
name of God in them. There was, for instance,
‘God-Gifted’, and ‘God-Accepted’, and so on. How about
some such name for me?”
The Immense Ocean by Imam Ahmed Ibn Ajiba
al Hasani
Date: Saturday 3 March 2012, then
every second Saturday of each month Time: 3pm - 4:30pm Venue: IWAQ Office, 11 Watland St, Springwood
Light refreshments provided.
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.
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 CCN Inbox:
Letters to the
Editor
Sakeenah
is a new Brisbane-based
initiative offering a
marriage introductions'
services to the Muslim
community free of cost.
Baby
Safiyya was born to the
Ravat family on the evening
of Wednesday 30 May.
Relax
in one of the newest and
most exciting developments
in the heart of Surfers
Paradise - Boulevard Tower
located at 6 Orchid Ave
Surfers Paradise. A stroll
away from the beautiful
sandy beaches of Surfers
Paradise. Walk to Hard Rock
Cafe, and enjoy the
convenience of shops,
supermarkets, restaurants,
cafes, boutiques etc right
at your doorstep. 
A
certain conqueror said to Nasruddin, “Mullah, all the
great rulers of the past had honorific titles with the
name of God in them. There was, for instance,
‘God-Gifted’, and ‘God-Accepted’, and so on. How about
some such name for me?” 
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our Wall
7
August 2011