CCN
congratulates all the
runners and walkers who took
part in the Gold Coast
marathon last Sunday (1
July).
Gold Coast
Mosque Imam, Imraan Husain
(pictured far left at the
finish with Omar Issadeen
and below left),
completed the 21.1km half
marathon in a creditable
time of 2 hours and 17
minutes. This was his second
half marathon having notched
up five 10km runs in the
past in this event.
Ms Sameera
Bhagoo, a Crescents of
Brisbane Team member, told
CCN that she, and most of
the friends she ran with,
finished the half marathon
in under 2 hours 30 minutes,
well within the 3 hour
cut-off time.
"It was a
cold and chilly 6am start,
but warmed up nicely once
the sun came up," said
Sameera.
Saturday
14th July marks a great day
in the calendar of the
Queensland Muslim community.
With over 1.6
billion Muslims about to
embrace the beautiful month
of Ramadan in only a
fortnight’s time, Brisbane’s
Muslim scholars are coming
together under one roof to
inspire our community though
this journey.
But it’s not
only a series of talks – the
night includes a selection
of captivating videos,
exciting Q&A competitions as
well as the speakers’
motivating words of wisdom
for the month ahead.
Guest speakers on the night
include the presidents of
the Islamic Council of
Queensland (ICQ) and Council
of Imams Queensland (CIQ)
and the Imams of Kuraby
Masjid and AMYN Islamic
Centre, among others.
Proceedings
will commence from 6.45pm at
the Islamic College of
Brisbane (Karawatha) school
Hall, with free entry being
offered to school-going
students (including Year
12’ers).
In 2011, 888,636 people
(20.5% of the population) in
Queensland were born
overseas.
214,329 people (4.9% of the
population) in Queensland
were born in the United
Kingdom.
English and Australian were
the main ancestries reported
by Queenslanders.
423,841 people (9.8% of the
population) in Queensland
spoke a language other than
English at home.
1.1% of the Queensland
population reported they
spoke a language other than
English at home and spoke
English either “not well or
not at all”.
Bachar
Houli, Richmond's star
and the AFL Multicultural
Ambassador, has developed
his
own website to
communicate with his
supporters and, in
particular, the Muslim
Community.
Houli was
born in Australia to
Lebanese parents. The young
left-footer began playing
football with Spotswood
Football Club Under 12s in
2000. After consulting with
a Sheikh, Houli decided to
break his Ramadan fast for
three days during the
physical endurance tests at
the AFL Draft Camp; this
allowed him to record
sufficient times to impress
recruiters and be a viable
selection in the draft.
Houli has said it was hard
growing up a devout Muslim,
and playing Australian Rules
Football at the same time.
There was little sport being
played in Islamic schools,
let alone AFL, and he had to
sneak out when he was young
in his earlier years in
order to just play games
without his parents knowing.
His persistence to want to
play the sport finally led
to his parents accepting and
supporting of his talents
which led him to become a
star AFL player.
On his
website he
devotes a page
explaining his faith and the
basic tenets of Islam
especially for his
non-Muslim supporters.
Houli also
has a Q&A page inviting
questions on how to get
involved in football, on his
faith, or anything about
him.
Despite
the passage of more than ten
years since the horrific
events of September 11,
2001, the public discourse
in America and other
countries with respect to
Islam and Muslims has taken
an increasingly negative
turn.
At the same
time, however, the seeds of
the corrosive public
discourse that eventually
produced the paranoid
hysteria about Islam on the
right were already being
sown via a systematic
campaign based on lies,
misinformation, half-truths,
and gross caricatures of
medieval Islamic teachings,
many of which do not reflect
modern Muslim beliefs or
practices.
As a result,
otherwise obscure legal and
theological terms (e.g.,
taqiyya, dhimma,
and khilafa) have
entered the common parlance
of the right as signifiers
of the “threat” that Islam
poses to the democratic
institutions.
Language Matters: Talking
About Islam and Muslims
is a position paper which
discusses how the media uses
these and other
controversial terms, and
then provide a scholarly
discussion of each, in the
hope that fair-minded people
will be able to draw on this
paper as a resource to help
change the public discourse
regarding Islam.
It concludes
with a discussion of the
democratic ethics that apply
to public discussions of
democracy.
Muslims can
take an
important
step toward
creating a
civil
discourse
about Islam
by providing
more nuanced
explanations
of
controversial
Islamic
doctrines.
Australians
get a bad rap overseas, and
our stocks seem especially
low in India. In fact, a
sizeable chunk of India's
1.2 billion people think
Aussies are dumb, drunk and
racist.
But doesn't every
country have its negative
stereotypes?
In this
six-part factual series,
journalist Joe Hildebrand
takes four Indians on a road
trip around Australia to
examine our worst
stereotypes -- are we really
beer-swilling, racist
bogans, or are we simply
misunderstood?
Shot on
location in India and across
Australia, this series puts
its Indian protagonists
smack bang in the middle of
passionate debates and
immersive experiences that
could change their opinion
of Australia forever.
After three
weeks of seeing the good,
the bad and the ugly up
close, will our intrepid
Indian travellers still
think that Australians are
dumb, drunk and racist?
And what will
we think of ourselves, after
seeing Australia through
their eyes?
Journalist
Joe Hildebrand sets out on a
pilgrimage to Delhi and
beyond to examine this
anti-Australian sentiment.
While in India Joe meets the
four locals who will join
him on a road trip across
Australia. As a newsreader
and journalist for a Hindi
network, Gurmeet Chaudhary
was shocked by the negative
stories appearing regularly
in the Indian media. Call
centre worker Mahima
Bhardwaj takes Joe through
the unpleasant encounters
she’s had with Aussies over
the phone. Amer Singh is a
third year law student in
Chandigargh who decided it
was safer to stay in India
to study. Radhika Budhwar
advises Indian students
where they should study
overseas; she hasn’t
recommended Australia for
the last five years. All
agree to risk life and limb
to visit our reviled and
dangerous country.
Episode 3
(Warning:
Classified MA)
In
this episode Daily
telegraph journalist Joe
Hildebrand takes Amer,
Radhika, Gurmeet &
Mahima to what the
Indian media claim is
the most dangerous city
in Australia –
Melbourne.
Although many
Australians think of
Melbourne as our most
liveable city, for
Indians it’s infamous
for attacks on Indian
students, in fact
education advisor,
Radhika advises students
not to risk studying in
Australia at all. In
tonight’s episode Joe
and the Indians
investigate the nature
of these attacks – were
they really racist or
just a case of Indian
students being in the
wrong place at the wrong
time?
Gautam
Gupta an Indian student
leader at the time of
the attacks and now a
practicing surgeon,
tells Gurmeet & Radhika
that he has no doubt
that the attacks were
racist. Later, in one of
Melbourne’s famous
laneways, Joe confirms
that many Victorians are
scared of Melbourne
after dark and shows the
Indian’s CCTV footage of
a brutal attack on
Indian student, Sourabh
Sharma, then he reveals
to a visibly shocked
Mahima and Gurmeet, that
they are going to meet
Sourabh and hear first
hand about the attack.
Meanwhile Radhika & Amer
patrol the mean streets
of Melbourne with the
Victorian Police,
Radhika is appalled by
the level of drunkenness
but Amer seems less
concerned. A few weeks
back in India, he told
the crew that he wanted
to walk the streets of
Melbourne at 2 or 3 am,
to see for himself if
Australia is a racist
country, Joe grants
Amer’s wish and Gurmeet
accompanies him. The
walk is uneventful until
he and Gurmeet return to
Swanston street where
they are abused and
threatened.
WITH
the notion of
multiculturalism being
kicked around like a
political football, the
diversity being showcased on
reality TV shows such as
MasterChef Australia is a
testament to the fact that
the infamous M-word is here
to stay - and not just in
the form of Chinese
dumplings and Turkish
kebabs.
The MasterChef 2012
contestants this year
included not only people
from different ethnic and
cultural backgrounds but
also from several religious
backgrounds too.
Georgian-born schoolteacher
Alice Zaslavsky has a Jewish
background, which she says
has influenced her cooking
style. Public servant
Dalvinder Dhami said early
on in the show that she had
virtually no experience in
cooking with beef due to her
Hindu faith.
And paediatric nurse Amina
Elshafei is a devout Muslim.
Her impressive culinary
skills, bubbly nature and
infectious smile made her an
early favourite on the show.
Woman's Day described her as
the "contestant the whole
country has fallen head over
heels for".
Despite early predictions
that she could take out the
title, Amina narrowly missed
out on a top 10 placing in a
double elimination on
Thursday night.
Her surprise departure sent
shock waves through the
social media world, with her
fans on Twitter expressing
outrage at how some
contestants were able to
make their way into the top
10 over Amina. Truth be
told, I was one of them.
But in any event, the
MasterChef set this year
seems to be far more
inclusive and diverse than
ever before.
The effect of showcasing
such diversity on prime-time
TV means the mere presence
of an effervescent character
and visibly Muslim person
such as Amina has played a
significant role in breaking
down commonly held cultural
and religious stereotypes.
With national studies
concluding that anti-Muslim
sentiment in Australia sits
at just under 50 per cent,
real, positive coverage of
Muslim women is to be
welcomed. The results of a
parliamentary inquiry, due
in August, will investigate
Australia's acceptance of
people from culturally
diverse backgrounds.
It will conclude that one of
the largest issues facing
our nation is the acceptance
of - you guessed it -
Muslims.
The effect
of
showcasing
such
diversity on
prime-time
TV means the
mere
presence of
an
effervescent
character
and visibly
Muslim
person such
as Amina has
played a
significant
role in
breaking
down
commonly
held
cultural and
religious
stereotypes.
Sadly, Muslim women such as
Amina who choose to wear the
hijab (head scarf) have
often borne the brunt of
animosity, racism and
discrimination.
But fortunately the
situation has improved,
particularly compared to the
hostility Muslims faced in
the immediate aftermath of
September 11.
Many Muslims will tell you
that the increased levels of
enmity directed at them
during that period have
instilled in them a strong
sense of identity and a
desire to proactively engage
with the media and the
public to demystify their
faith. This is certainly
true for me.
Given this climate, it's
incredibly refreshing to see
someone like Amina on TV not
being defined by her
religion or her hijab alone.
Amina is a shining beacon of
hope who has helped to
create a positive image of
Muslims just by being
herself, instead of trying
to represent an entire faith
of 1.5 billion people.
She has been judged purely
on her cooking ability, on
her own merits, not favoured
nor discriminated against
due to her faith. That is
great progress.
What's more impressive and
heartening is how Australia
has come to embrace Amina.
Fans have inundated her
Facebook page. Logie
award-winner Chrissie Swan
tweeted: "Whenever I look at
Amina, or hear her speak, I
get a rush of what can only
be described as love. Warm,
fuzzy, sunny love."
Many, including Chrissie,
admitted to being moved to
tears when she was
eliminated on Thursday
night's episode.
Amina's mixed family
heritage is a beautiful
example of the diversity of
the Muslim community in
Australia. It negates the
assumption that all Muslims
are Arabs.
Largely defined by our
religion, we are often seen
and treated as some sort of
homogenous blob, ignoring
the fact Muslims are
ethnically and culturally
diverse.
Amina's father is Egyptian
and her mother South Korean.
She is the only woman in her
immediate family who has
chosen to wear the hijab.
It's a personal choice which
some women choose to embrace
and others don't.
It is a fact that one of the
best ways to tackle racism,
discrimination and eliminate
the fear of the "other" is
to interact and engage in
inter-faith, inter-cultural
and inter-community
dialogue.
Dare I say
that Muslim
women are
moving
beyond being
merely
tolerated.
No one is
born racist. Racism is
taught, whether
intentionally or
unintentionally, and it can
be untaught.
The so-called "fear" of
Islam often arises because
of the lack of interaction
between those who hold this
"fear" with your everyday,
garden-variety Muslims.
Amina gave viewers a
valuable insight into Muslim
Australia, brightening the
slightly battered image we
have.
This is no small
achievement.
So, why I am pointing out
what may seem to some to be
the bleeding obvious?
To applaud those in the
media world who are getting
the depiction of Muslims and
other minority groups right
for a change, irrespective
of whether they are doing it
overtly or inadvertently.
And, to encourage others to
adopt a similar approach.
What's apparent is that
there is a gradual and
welcoming shift in
attitudes. Dare I say that
Muslim women are moving
beyond being merely
tolerated.
Community Meal/Ifthar with the Homeless & Disadvantaged
AMARAH
St Andrew's Anglican Church, cnr Cordelia & Vulture St, West
End
0422 349 786
6pm
22
July
Sunday
Ifthaar: Experience the tastes of Indonesia
Indonesian
Islamic Society of Brisbane
UQ Campus, Multi-faith Centre
0407 632 492
After Maghrib
28
July
Saturday
Ifthaar: Experience the tastes of Indonesia
Indonesian
Islamic Society of Brisbane
Griffith University, Nathan Campus TBA
0407 632 492
After Maghrib
4
August
Saturday
Ifthaar: Experience the tastes of Indonesia
Indonesian
Islamic Society of Brisbane
Darul Uloom, BURANDA
0407 632 492
After Maghrib
11
August
Saturday
Ifthaar: Experience the tastes of Indonesia
Indonesian
Islamic Society of Brisbane
QUT, Kelvin Grove TBA
0407 632 492
After Maghrib
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:
When our
spirits are ascendant, and
our carnal lusts retreat, we
will be able to engage in
the type of fast described
by one of our righteous
forebears when he advised:
Fast your entire lifetime.
Make death your ‘Eid! Life
itself is a fast for the
righteous. Their fast is
from all forbidden lusts.
When death comes to them
their fast has ended. At
that time they find the new
moon of ‘Eid.
Majlis ul Ulamaa
of Australia
Announcement
The Majlis ul
Ulamaa of
Australia
announce the
names of the
Ulamaa from
various states
of Australia
(including
Victoria,
Queensland,
Western
Australia, and
New South Wales)
who have decided
that all Islamic
lunar months
will be observed
by local
moon-sighting.
These include
the commencement
of the month
Ramadān,
Eid-ul-Fitr, and
Eid-ul-Adhā.
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. 28
Mufti
Muhammad
Akhtar Raza
Khan Qaadiri
Al Azhari
Barelwi
Leader and
Spiritual
Guide
Country:
India Born: 23 Nov 1943 (age
68) in Bareilly, India
Source of Influence: Administrative,
Scholarly
Influence: 2 million barkatiya
Barelwis
School of Thought: Traditional Sunni,
Hanafi, Sufi
Abdullah Mufti
Muhammad Akhtar
Raza Khan is the
leader of the
Indian Barelwis
and considered
by his
followers as the
Grand Mufti of
India. He is the
great grandson
of Ahmed Raza
Khan (d. 1921)
who founded the
Barelwi movement
in South Asia.
Scholarly
Lineage
Mufti Akhtar
Raza was
ordained at the
age of 20 by his
predecessor
Mufti Mustafa
Raza Khan. He
was subsequently
granted
permission to
lead the
Qaadriya,
Barakaatiyah,
and Nooriyah
Sufi orders in
India. He was
also appointed
to the position
of Muslim Chief
Justice of India
in 2006.
Dynamic Mufti
Mufti Akhtar
Raza is esteemed
for his
extensive
collection of
English-language
rulings, the
Azharul Fatawa.
He became
involved in
issuing Islamic
rulings from the
age of 17 and is
noted for having
issued over
5,000 rulings
since attaining
leadership as
mufti.
Spiritual
Tradition
The Barelwis are
an apolitical
Sufi community
based in a
volatile region
where religion
has been used as
a platform for
violence—
despite this, it
thrives as a
socially engaged
mystical
movement. A
missionary
movement, the
Barelwis have
spread their
message within
South Asia and
also among
diaspora
communities.
This group is
distinct from
Deobandi
Muslims—who
practice a more
conservative
brand of
Islam.
The
competition for the
CCN Young Muslim
Writers Awards (YMWA)
for 2012 is now
open.
Please encourage our
young boys and girls
to participate.
Last
year's inaugural
awards were a
resounding
successful with
entries coming from
all around Australia
and many considered
by our independent
panel of judges as
being of a very high
standard.
Kindly please send me the Ramadhan time table for
2012 for the Mackay area. Actually I have found it
on the Internet but there are two time tables which
is I don't understand because in the first time
table it's written fiqah E-Hanfi and the other time
table is written fiq E-Jafria so I prefer to get
time table from you.
Thank you very much
Wassalam Novy
[Editor] The
timetables we have are for the Brisbane and
surrounding areas. You are best to use the one from
the local Mosque.
But we have have
created a timetable from Islamic Finder for Mackay
in case you have problems getting one.
Dear CCN
Salaams to all,
I have a few tee times available for the Sunday 15th
of July and would like to extend an offer to all to
bring your group of 4 or more and have a game for
$75pp which includes the cart and green fees.
If you would like to book your 4 ball and have one
good round before Ramadan please let me know by next
Wednesday 11th July.
I have tee times available between 8:40am and
10:00am.
I'm researching a
national TV show concept for a Perth based
production company for SBS, and I’m on a tight
deadline.
What we are looking at
is Australian people of different ethnic backgrounds
who have experienced racism simply for looking
‘different’.
We would like to hear
their stories, and would also like to hear from
people who are considering or have altered a
physical trait that represents part of their
cultural heritage, such as whitening their skin,
having their eyelids operated on, their nose
altered, face narrowed etc.
We would like to speak with
people considering or pursuing such procedures about
their reasons for doing so and their desired outcome.
I've found there are a lot
of different reasons for why people undergo such
surgery. At the same time there are varying beliefs in
the wider community, whether right or wrong, as to why
people have this done.
That's what we would
eventually like to explore through real stories. We'd
like to inform people, and perhaps create debate about
racial issues and ideals of beauty in our society. We
want a positive outcome to come from this. I'd like to
speak with people who are undergoing such procedures for
beauty reasons, cultural reasons, to better fit into
mainstream society, to alleviate racial prejudice or a
combination of these. I'd also like to speak with people
who have suffered racism because of how they look. It's
real stories I'm after.
These stories are not for
broadcast at the moment, but for my understanding and to
help this project develop to the next stage.
I would really like to speak
with people anywhere in Australia who are considering
this type of surgery, or have experienced racism because
of how they look, and wanted to look different. I have
13 years experience with the ABC, and absolutely pride
myself on my ethics. In no way do I intend to breach any
privacy issues with yourself or anyone else. Anything
told to me remains off the record until I'm given direct
permission for that status to change. I am more than
happy for my contact details to be forwarded to anyone
you think might be able to assist. If they call my
mobile, I can return the call to save on the cost.
I am not here to pass
judgement. I want to hear people's stories as they are.
Again, anything told to me is not for broadcast, it's
for my understanding.
Is there any way you can put
my request to your community members?
I'm very keen to hear your
ideas and suggested contacts. Please don't hesitate in
contacting me at any time.
In a time when
women are
striving to be
professionals,
sometimes
neglecting their
spiritual
connection with
Allah, is a
privilege for us
to have sister
Haaifa Younis
here in
Australia this
July.
An example to
all, Sister
Haaifa is a
gynaecologist by
profession but
has also pursued
her Islamic
studies in
Jeddah and is a
hafiza.
A well-versed
and inspiring
scholar, Sister
Haaifa has
inspired women
from all around
the world
through her many
lectures and
spiritual
retreats. Insha-Allah,
she will be
hosting a ladies
retreat on the
6th-8th July at
the Gold Coast.
Due to requests
from many ladies
in the
community,
Sister Haaifa
will be giving a
few lectures in
our local
masjids during
July.
Monday 9th:Kuraby
Mosque 8pm-9pm
Tuesday 10th:
Gold Coast
Mosque after
magrib
Wednesday 11th:
AMYN Centre,
16/157 North Rd,
Woodridge
8pm-9pm
Thursday 12th
Rochedale Mosque
11am-12pm
We hope that you
will not pass up
this opportunity
and will Insha-Allah
attend the
lectures.
Job
Vacancy
Masjid Al-Farooq
(Kuraby
Madrassah) is
looking for a
permanent
secretary.
Responsibilities
will involve
handling student
enrolments and
payments,
addressing
parent enquiries
and aiding the
principal and
teachers.
MYOB experience
preferred but
not necessary.
Hours: 3.45 to
6.15 pm Mon to
Thurs
For more
information or
to express
interest
contact: Farouk
Adam
farouk.adam@bigpond.com
or 0422 191 675
House for
Rent
4
Bedroom, 2
bathroom house
in Marsden.
Separate
laundry, lounge
and double lock
up garage. Big
backyard.
Situated in a
quite
cul-de-sac, and
down the road
from Logan
mosque. Rental
is $370 per
week. Can be
viewed at
http://www.realestate.com.au/property-house-qld-marsden-407883589
Contact 0430 284
356 or Rental
agency directly
on 07 3200 3773.
Call Laila on 0415467868 /
32197808 to place your
order.
Please note that we already
have many pre booked orders
so please place your orders
asap as we will be only
taking a limited number of
orders.
Boulevard
Tower Residence
The Heart of Surfers
Paradise
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.
Our two bedrooms residences
offer luxury in abundance
with extensive floor space,
convenient open-plan layout,
two bedrooms, two bathrooms,
separate living and dining
areas, fully equipped
kitchens and internal
laundry. Experience pure
tranquillity from your
residence with expansive
ocean views over the famous
Surfers Paradise Beach.
Please
contact the booking office
to check dates required on
P: 0422237860 or E:
yunus.omar@yahoo.com.au
CAIRO – Unlike former
elegant, half-British first ladies, Egypt’s
presidential palace is welcoming a
small-town home-maker who loves to be called
with a traditional nickname identifying her
as the mother of her eldest son.
“She looks like my mother,” Dalia Saber, 36,
an engineering lecture told The New York
Times on Thursday, June 28, referring to the
wife of Egypt’s first democratically-elected
president Mohamed Morsi.
“She looks like my husband’s mother, she
probably looks like your mother and
everybody else’s.”
Seen as looking like most
Egyptian women, Egypt’s new first lady,
Naglaa Ali Mahmoud, wears a headscarf.
Unlike her predecessors, Suzanne Mubarak and
Jihan el-Sadat, aloof, half British fashion
plates with well-coiffed hair and advanced
degrees, she did not attend college and
never took her husband’s last name.
She even refuses to take the title of “First
Lady”, preferring instead to be called “Um
Ahmed”, a traditional nickname that
identifies her as the mother of her eldest
son.
“People like Suzanne Mubarak are the odd
ones out — you don’t see them walking down
the street,” said Mariam Morad, 20, a
psychology student.
“This is exactly what we need: change.”
The beginning of Egypt’s new first lady was
very typical of many Egyptians.
She grew up in the poor Cairo neighbourhood
of Ain Shams and married her husband, Morsi,
when she was 17 and still in high school.
She looks
like my
husband’s
mother, she
probably
looks like
your mother
and
everybody
else’s.
Dalia
Saber
Morsi himself had grown up
poor in the village of El-Adwa in the Nile
Delta province of Sharqiya, but excelled in
the engineering program at Cairo University.
Three days of their wedding, Morsi left for
Los Angeles to complete his Ph.D. at the
University of Southern California.
Meantime, his wife finished high school and
studied English in Cairo.
Mahmoud joined her husband in Los Angeles a
year and a half later, where she volunteered
at the Muslim Student House, translating
sermons for women willing to revert to
Islam.
In Los Angeles, they got the first two of
their five children, who hold American
citizenship.
Completing his degree, Morsi decided to
return to Egypt to have his children grown
up there.
In Egypt, Morsi taught engineering at
Zagazig University, while his wife, a
homemaker, became an instructor in the
Brotherhood’s parallel women’s auxiliary,
teaching young girls about marriage.
New Egypt
But some Egyptians opine that the new first
lady is unfit for the position.
“I can’t call her a first lady under any
circumstances,” said Ahmed Salah, 29, a
banker having coffee with his friends on the
Nile island of Zamalek.
“She can’t be an image for the ‘ladies’ of
Egypt.”
Debates have also raged in Egyptian
newspapers and social networks about the
image of Egypt’s new first lady.
“How could she receive world leaders and
still adhere to her traditional Islamic
standards of modesty? “Don’t look at her.
Don’t shake hands with her,” El-Fagr
newspaper asked in a column, calling it a
“comic scenario.”
Noran Noaman, 21, an engineering student,
also fumes at the image of the new first
lady.
“If you travel to New York or wherever,
people would make fun of you and say: ‘Your
first lady wears the abaya,” she said.
“Previous first ladies used to be elegant.”
But this argument is rejected by many
Egyptians, who see Morsi and his wife as an
example on the major changes in Egypt
following the revolution.
“They’re people like us,” Saber, the
engineering lecturer, said.
“It is a strange relief to people. The
people feel that there’s a change.”
In Egyptian culture, men rarely talk about
their wives publicly and mentioning their
name is almost a taboo.
All I want
is to live
in a simple
place where
I can
perform my
duties as a
wife
Um
Ahmed
But Morsi, who was sworn in
on Saturday, June 30, is unusually
appreciative of his wife.
He once said in a television interview that
marrying her was “the biggest personal
achievement of my life.”
Mahmoud remembers that her husband sometimes
helped her with chores and even cooked for
her.
“I like everything about him,” she told the
magazine Nesf el-Donia.
“Our fights never lasted for more than a few
minutes.”
Now, it is only about a few days before
Morsi and his wife move from their home to
the presidential palace.
“All I want is to live in a simple place
where I can perform my duties as a wife,”
she said.
“A place like the presidential palace
completely isolates you from the world
people live in, and going too far hardens
the heart.”
South Africa: Following the
public statement issued by the Jamiatul
Ulama South Africa regarding Ulama appearing
on television, a meeting was convened for
ulama at Baitul Hamd on Saturday 30 June
2012.
The aim of the meeting, from the Jamiatul
Ulama South Africa's perspective, was to
explain the thought process and rationale
behind the position the ulama body has
adopted.
Well over 150 members of the ulama
fraternity attended the meeting, wherein the
Jamiat reiterated its position of neither
endorsing nor condemning ulama appearing on
television.
This position is based on the far-reaching
impact of television on the one hand and its
indisputable spiritual, physical and
emotional harm on the other.
Regardless of the clearly-stated objective
of the meeting, the Jamiat allowed delegates
to express their views in the interest of
dialogue and openness.
In expressing their views, some Ulama very
passionately spoke out against the
permissibility of appearing on television
based on the fact that picture making was
haram.
The Jamiat’s position of non-condemnation of
Ulama appearing on television is based on
the respect of the view of those ulama who
regard it as a necessary medium to denounce
misconceived notions about Islam and
Muslims.
The debate is not unique to ulama in South
Africa. Similar debates took place among
ulama connected to the alma maters of most
of South African ulama who had studied
abroad.
It should be noteworthy that the ulama
abroad arrived at different verdicts on the
matter without castigating, breaking ties or
judging each other.
We hope that ulama will continue this debate
with maturity and the decorum that has been
part of our Islamic tradition, heritage and
values where differences of opinion do not
constitute divisions in the ranks of
scholars.
AUSTRIA: Austria has had a
chequered history when it comes to relations
with Muslims, but its 100-year-old Law on
Islam is seen as a symbol of tolerance.
The law gives Muslims the same rights as
other officially recognised religions in
Austria, such as Catholicism, Lutheranism,
Judaism and Buddhism.
At the weekend senior members of the
Austrian government and the country's
Islamic Community attended ceremonies to
mark the centenary.
So Islam has been an officially recognised
religion in Austria for 100 years.
Yet another historical event is probably
more familiar to most people - the 1683
Siege of Vienna, when the Muslim Ottoman
army's advance on Christian-controlled
Europe was halted.
And in recent years, the anti-Islamic
rhetoric of some Austrian far-right
politicians has made the headlines.
The Law on Islam, described
as unique in Europe by members of the
Austrian Islamic Community, guarantees
Muslims in the country wide-ranging rights
including religious education in state
schools, administration of internal affairs
and public worship.
Muslim
dignitaries celebrated the Austrian law that
protects their community's rights
In a speech at Vienna's neo-Gothic town
hall, the head of Austria's Islamic
Community, Fuat Sanac, described the law as
an example for the rest of Europe. Islam in
Austria, he said, was seen by most people as
an enrichment, not as a danger.
Austria's President Heinz Fischer, speaking
at the same ceremony, called for peaceful
and respectful relations. He stressed that
Austria's official religions, because of
their legal status, were obliged to "respect
and accept the laws of the state".
A Vienna City councillor,
Omar Al-Rawi, says the law does much to
integrate Muslims into Austria, giving them
a sense of being accepted.
"Austria is a model in Europe in dealing
with Islam, but the Austrian Muslims are
also a European model," he said.
"The Muslims know that with rights there are
also obligations and duties. And if you have
a lot of rights and benefits, you also have
something to lose," he said.
"Austrian Muslims go all over the world
saying we are Austrians, we belong to this
country that gave us respect and recognition
and gave us a lot of benefits that even some
Muslim countries don't enjoy. And that is
why they are very proud saying that they are
Austrians."
Turmoil of war
The Law on Islam was brought into force in
1912, under the Habsburg Emperor Franz
Joseph, as a result of Austria's annexation
of Bosnia-Hercegovina.
Law on
Islam 1912
Article 1: The
adherents of Islam shall be granted
recognition as a religious community in the
kingdoms and crown-lands represented in the
Imperial Council in the meaning of the
Constitutional Law of 21 December, 1867...
The religious community of the adherents of
Islam according to the Hanafite rite
shall... enjoy the same legal protection as
is granted to other legally recognised
religious communities. The doctrines of
Islam, its institutions and customs shall
enjoy the same protection too, unless they
are in contradiction to state law.
It began as an attempt to integrate Muslim
Bosnian soldiers into the Habsburg Army, and
referred at first just to adherents of the "Hanafi
rite of Islam". It was later expanded to
include other forms of Sunni and Shia Islam,
who are now all represented by the Austrian
Islamic Community.
After the empire collapsed at the end of
World War I, Austria's Muslim population was
reduced to a few hundred people.
But it started growing after World War II
with the arrival of Turkish and Yugoslav
workers in the 1960s and Bosnian refugees in
the 1990s.
Now about half a million Muslims live in
Austria, about 6% of the population. In
Vienna, Islam is the second-largest
religious grouping, after Roman Catholicism.
About 60,000 children take part in Muslim
religious education classes in Austrian
state schools, according to the Islamic
Community. The classes are held in German.
KENYA:
Muslim leaders in Kenya have agreed to form
self-defence groups to protect churches
following a deadly attack on Sunday.
Fifteen people were killed in the raids on
churches in Garissa, a town near the border
with Somalia.
Kenya's border region has been tense since
it sent troops into Somalia to pursue al-Shabab
Islamist militants.
Adan Wachu, head of the Supreme Council of
Kenyan Muslims, told the BBC the attacks
were acts of terrorism.
"There are people out there
who are determined to make Kenya another
Nigeria," Mr Wachu, who also chairs the
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya, told the
BBC Network Africa programme.
"It's not going to be allowed to have a
sectarian division in this country - whoever
wants to do that will of course fail."
'United front'
Mr Wachu said that at a meeting the
Inter-Religious Council of Kenya on Tuesday
it was unanimously agreed the church attacks
were acts of "terrorists and terrorism".
"Therefore we all resolved to stand together
as one united front," he said.
"We decided as solidarity that the Muslim
youth will provide a vigilante service to
the churches not only in Garissa but in any
other places that the Christians may deem
fit."
He said that it was now up to
the Muslim leaders in Garissa to organise
out how the estimated 30 churches in the
town would be protected.
Muslims felt
that because
those
Christians
are a
minority in
their domain
they must be
protected at
all cost
Adan Wachu
Supreme
Council of
Kenyan
Muslim
"Muslims felt that because those Christians
are a minority in their domain they must be
protected at all cost."
Most of the people living in and around
Garissa are ethnic Somalis and Muslims.
Last October, Kenyan troops entered Somalia
in pursuit of al-Shabab militants accused of
being behind various kidnappings on Kenyan
soil and of destabilising the border region.
But since then, al-Shabab, which has joined
al-Qaeda, has been blamed for a further
string of grenade and bomb blasts across
Kenya.
The group's officials have not responded to
accusations that it was behind the Garissa
attack.
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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 savoury steak roll
could serve as a starter for ifthaar or as a main meal with
chips and salads. If you want to stay away from bread use
the filling in a wrap instead, for a healthier alternative.
Q: Dear Kareema, it’s holiday time again and we’re off
for a little R & R. Any suggestions on keeping fit while
away?
A: Whereever you’re going, plan to get lost. Aim to
run / walk at least three times a week for 30 – 60 mins on
each outing, turning your run into a sight-seeing expedition
(going without a map).
Make
your way to a monument or landmark that you can see in a
distance and then try to get back to where you started. Not
only is this a great challenge for your body but it will
keep your mind healthy as well.
Another alternative is to find a gym close by and try some
new classes that you would not normally do when you’re home
to ‘shock’ and further challenge your muscles.
Don’t forget to fit some quiet time in there somewhere
as well.
Jallalluddin,
Habibullah,
Rasshidun
and Mula Nasruddin were
sitting on a bench
at brisbane's Mater Hospital waiting room because their wives
were having babies.
A nurse comes over and says to Jallalludin,
"Congratulations! Your wife had 1 baby."
Jallalludin says, "What a coincidence! I live in One
Mile in Ipswich"
The nurse goes away.
Then the nurse comes back and says to Habibullah,
"Congratulations! Your wife had twins!"
Habibullah says, "What a coincidence! I live in Twin
Waters in the Sunshine Coast!"
The nurse goes away.
The nurse comes back and says to Rasshidun,
"Congratulations! Your wife had triplets!"
Rasshidun says, "What a coincidence! I live in Three
Rivers near Mt Isa!"
The nurse goes away.
The nurse comes back and sees Mula Nasruddin alone on
the bench crying.
She asks, "Why are you crying?"
Mula Nasruddin replies, "I live in Eight Mile Plains!!"
O you who
believe! Stand out firmly
for justice, as witnesses to
Allah, even as against
yourselves, or your parents,
or your kin, and whether it
be (against) rich or poor:
for Allah can best protect
both. Follow not the lusts
(of your hearts), lest you
swerve, and if you distort
(justice) or decline to do
justice, verily Allah is
well acquainted with all
that you do.
.
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.
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someone you know who would like to subscribe to CCN please
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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.
.
In 2011, 888,636 people
(20.5% of the population) in
Queensland were born
overseas.
Australians
get a bad rap overseas, and
our stocks seem especially
low in India. In fact, a
sizeable chunk of India's
1.2 billion people think
Aussies are dumb, drunk and
racist.
WITH
the notion of
multiculturalism being
kicked around like a
political football, the
diversity being showcased on
reality TV shows such as
MasterChef Australia is a
testament to the fact that
the infamous M-word is here
to stay - and not just in
the form of Chinese
dumplings and Turkish
kebabs. 
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. 
KENYA:
Muslim leaders in Kenya have agreed to form
self-defence groups to protect churches
following a deadly attack on Sunday.
Jallalluddin,
Habibullah, 
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011