ABC
Radio's Rebecca
Levingston
interviewed the
Mehmets of Brisbane
this week to find
out how you go not
eating or drinking
anything during the
day... for a whole
month.
Ismail and Sarah
Mehmet, along with
their children Sam,
Misha and Ozzy, went
to the ABC studios
to talk to Rebecca
about what it's like
to observe Ramadan.
If you cannot hear the sound, your computer or browser doesn't support the sound format. Or, you have your speakers turned off.
You can also try
downloading the audio
Four
years
ago, a
small
group of
AMARAH
volunteers
hosted
their
first
“iftar”/community
meal for
the
homeless,
mentally
ill, and
those
living
in
desperate
situations,
financially
and
physically.
The
experience
had such
a
profound
impact
on the
volunteers
that it
has
become a
much
anticipated
annual
AMARAH
event.
On
Friday
night,
the
AMARAH
team,
including
a large
group of
over 15
eager
volunteers
(with
quite a
number
of new
faces),
once
again
hosted
and
served
the
community
meal at
St
Andrew’s
Anglican
Church
to over
70 of
the less
fortunate
members
in our
community.
And what
a great
way to
start
this
blessed
month of
Ramadhan
- to be
able to
share a
meal
with
some of
the most
vulnerable
in our
society
and to
truly
comprehend
how
blessed
we are.
It was
an
enjoyable
night
for all
those
who came
hungry
and
tired
left
with
full
bellies
and
smiles.
Indeed,
quite a
number
of
people
told the
AMARAH
volunteers
that the
meal
served
that
night
was one
of the
best
meals
they
have had
in a
long
time.
There
was a
bit of
food
left
over,
allowing
some to
take it
back
with
them to
share
with
others
who
could
not make
it to
the
church
that
night.
Volunteers
were
also
encouraged
to sit
down and
share a
meal
with
those in
attendance;
this is
an
important
part of
the
community
meal
where
conversations
are
exchanged,
stories
shared
and new
connections
are
formed.
Even
children
of the
volunteers
made new
friends.
For
the
AMARAH
team and
their
volunteers,
it was a
once
again a
very
humbling
experience-
those
who
participated
were
thankful
for the
opportunity
to make
a little
bit of
difference
to some
people’s
lives.
This
simple
act of
sharing
a meal
and
exchanging
stories
with
those
less
fortunate
in our
community
truly
exemplified
the
compassionate,
generous
and
empathetic
spirit
of this
blessed
month.
AMARAH
would
like to
thank
the
generous
donors,
the
cooks,
the
serving
and
cleaning
team for
making
this
night
happen.
And a
big
thanks
to *Dave
Andrews
and his
friends
at St
Andrew’s
Anglican
Church
for
allowing
us the
space
and
opportunity
to host
this
dinner
once
again.
We look
forward
to
joining
you for
another
one
towards
the end
of the
month
inshaAllah.
For
notification
of the
event or
other
AMARAH
events,
join us
on
facebook
(AMARAH)
or send
an email
to
info@amarah.org.
AMARAH
also
seeks
your
donations
for the
following
AMARAH
Ramadhan
events
and
projects:
1.
InshaAllah
we are
also
planning
to host
an iftar
for some
of our
refugee/asylum
seekers
brothers
and
sisters
later on
this
month.
Date and
venue to
be
confirmed
inshAllah.
2. We
are also
organizing
the
annual
EID Toy
Drive
for
Refugee
children.
We would
appreciate
monetary
donation,
rather
than
toys
themselves
as it is
easier
for us
to
purchase
them,
having
knowledge
of age
and
gender.
If
you
would to
donate
to any
of these
events
and
initiatives,
you can
do so by
directly
depositing
into the
AMARAH
account-
Westpac
Bank;
BSB:
034-109;
Account:
22-
5057.
Any
questions,
please
contact
Nora
Amath on
0422 349
786.
The
AMARAH
team
would
like to
take
this
opportunity
to wish
everyone
Ramadhan
Kareem.
As we
embark
on this
blessed
month,
let us
renew
our
God-consciousness,
faith,
hope,
generosity,
kindness
and
compassion.
Let us
especially
spare a
thought
for our
less
fortunate
brothers
and
sisters,
due to
poverty,
deprivation,
oppression,
and
occupation
who are
gravely
suffering.
Let us
strive
to use
whatever
means we
can to
ease and
alleviate
their
hardships.
Finally
as
servants
of Allah
SWT, let
us serve
Him by
serving
humanity.
May your
fasting,
intention
and
deeds by
accepted
and
rewarded
by the
Al-Mighty.
*Dave
Andrews
(pictured
left
with Ms
Nora
Amath)
is a
close
friend
of
AMARAH
and is a
devout
Christian.
Dave is
fasting
again
this
Ramadhan
in
solidarity
with his
Muslim
friends.
He is
also
reflecting
this
month on
what the
dua
“Bismillahi
Rahma ni
Raheem”
and how
to
implement
this
more in
his own
life.
Also attending the conference were AFIC vice
president, Mr. Ikebal Patel, and AFIC
president, Mr Hafez Kassem seen with SANHA
PRO, Mr Ebrahim Lockhat (right)
The South
African National Halaal
Authority (SANHA) hosted its
5th International Halaal
Conference entitled,
“Navigating in the Halaal
economy” on Monday 16th July
in Gauteng, South
Africa.
Among the
keynote speakers were Prof
Sira Abdul Rahman of India
and Mr. Fazal Bahardeen of
Singapore.
Prof. Rahman
is actively engaged in
promoting Animal Welfare in
Islamic countries by raising
issues of cruelty to animals
prior to slaughter, long
distance of transport
especially in the Middle
East. He is a member of the
World Global Halal Forum and
International Halal
Standards.
Mr. Bahardeen
the Founder & CEO of
Crescentrating, which set up
the world’s first Travel
portal dedicated to the
Halal conscious travellers
and launched its Rating (Crescentrating)
system to rate travel and
tourism services for their
Halal friendliness.
What thunder
slaps your face so hard that
you’re simultaneously left
guilty and satisfied?
What's so
fascinating that it causes
fingers to grip on to seat
edges?
What causes
your eyes to plead, mouth to
silence and ears to crane?
It was
Brisbane's phenomenal 'Worst
of the Worst' course last
weekend, which featured the
trio who must not be
named...Shaytan, Fira’wn and
Dajjal.
Taught by AlKauthar's Sheikh
Furqaan Jabbar, the two day
Islamic knowledge dynamite
blew 90 students minds.
Topics in the
course included:
- Protection from evil -
Practical duas and actions;
- Satan's deadly long and
short term goals;
- Wisdom behind the creation
of evil: Satan, Jinn and
Human villains;
- The Pharaoh’s story;
- Dajjal, his conniving
powers and impact; and
- The Mahdi, Isa ibn
Maryam's return and Dajjal's
End
There was also a heartfelt
presentation by Kuraby
Masjid’s Imam Akram about
sincerity and the importance
of seeking knowledge which
touched the hearts of those
in attendance.
Students fuelled themselves
with delicious refreshments
and lunch, prayed their five
and were open to humorously
witty comments from the
Sheikh whilst educating
themselves.
One
particularly insightful
student shared his views
saying “The wisdom in the
existence of good and evil
lies in that without good
there can’t be evil and
without evil there can’t be
good and Allah SWT is the
most wise”.
Keen for
more? AlKauthar's next
course 'An Epic Journey' is
to be enjoyed with Sheik
Daood Butt (Canada) this
October 20th and 21st. Here,
a 'life lessons 101'
equivalent story of Prophet
Yūsuf ʿalayhi al-salām's
Epic journey from Palestine
to Egypt will unravel.
Students will witness the
inspirational leaps of
Prophet Yūsuf ʿalayhi al-salām
from demeaning to powerful.
Join Prophet Yūsuf ʿalayhi
al-salām's Epic Journey by
enrolling at
http://www.alkauthar.org/course.php?course=345.
Till NEXT
time, RAMADAN KAREEM to CCN
readers from the AlKauthar
Brisbane team.
A workshop
held in Brisbane this week
explored a new online
resource, Difference
Differently, which is
aligned to the Australian
Curriculum and has modules
in English, History,
Geography and Civics &
Citizenship for years 3-10.
The workshop explored
diversity education
strategies to support the
resource.
Sheik Ahmad
Abu Ghazaleh is pictured
left reading a message from
the Australian Prime
Minister, Julia Gillard.
The holy
month of Ramadhan brings
with it the need to care for
the needy, both at home and
abroad.
The Muslim Charitable
Foundation (MCF) is the
organisation that the needy
turn to in Queensland and it
has the capability to also
channel funds overseas for
those who need to send
Zakaat abroad.
MCF needs funds to carry out
the important work for the
local needy, as their
numbers are increasing daily
due to retrenchments and the
impact of global economic
conditions.
MCF will be collecting
ZAKAAT at the mosques on 3rd
August, after Jummah.
For those who wish to place
money directly into the bank
the details are:
The committee of MCF wishes
to thank all those who have
contributed to the accounts
in the past and look forward
to the generosity given
during Ramadhan. We offer
our thanks for enabling us
to help so many needy
people, both home and
overseas. JazakAllah! May
Allah reward you all!
Ramadhan Mubarak to one and
all.
The committee of MCF wishes
everyone a successful and
healthy Ramdhan and we hope
to share some time together
during this Holy Month.
Ramadhan 2012/1433 calendars
may be downloaded from the
MCF website.
Muslims need
to know the Qibla direction
wherever they are in order
to direct themselves towards
it at the time of prayers.
The question
always raised strong furor
among Muslims worldwide
that, how can we locate the
Qibla direction in any place
of the world?
Thanks to the
new technology invented by
Soner Ozenc a London-based
Turkish designer the
Janamaaz (Prayer mat) that
lights up when facing Makkah.
According to
Soner Ozenc, only two
prototypes exist currently,
one of which was purchased
by New York’s Museum of
Modern Art for its show last
year on interactive design.
Ozenc is
trying to raise $100,000
through Kickstarter.com, the
online fundraising tool, to
bring the mat into mass
production. If he reaches
his goal, for $500, donors
can expect one of the first
mats out of the factory
Detroit Free Press reported.
Named EL
Sajjadah — the "EL" stands
for Electro Luminescent and
sajjadah is Arabic for
prayer mat — the rug uses an
embedded digital compass to
find Mecca based on the
mat's current location,
information the user gives
to the mat's tiny computer.
The whole
mat, which is made partly of
neoprene, doesn't glow, but
the designs do. "The mosque
pattern was drawn pixel by
pixel by looking at a
small-scale model of
Istanbul's Blue Mosque,"
Ozenc said to the Detroit.
A group of
brothers and sisters came up
with an idea in America to
promote the love of our
Prophet Muhammad SAW and the
message of Islam he brought
to this world for all of
mankind.
This idea was
thought about not long after
the Danish Cartoonist
Jyllands-Posten had posted
cartoons in the Danish
newspapers ridiculing our
prophet Muhammad SAW (Na
Audhubillah).
The first
event was aired on the
internet back in 2010 and
since then, it occurs twice
a year.
Each event
has a theme that various
speakers (Shaykhs, Imams and
Ustadha's) around the world
speak about in recorded
videos.
There are one
or two surprise speakers who
get to talk live depending
on the time of the webcast.
Although the
videos are played via
YouTube it is not available
for viewing at any other
time on YouTube.
Showtime 3: Sunday, July 22
at 1.30pm
Showtime 4: Monday, July 23
at 2.00pm
Showtime 5: Saturday, July
28 at 1.30pm
Showtime 6: Saturday, July
28 at 4.30pm
Showtime 7: Monday, July 30
at 4.30am
As-salaam Institute of
Islamic Studies is also
hosting a viewing session in
the IWAQ function room on
Sunday at 1.30pm and
everyone is most welcome to
attend. The event goes for
3.5 hours but brothers and
sisters are welcome to
attend and leave at anytime
through out the viewing. Of
course anyone can register
and view this from the
comfort of their homes
amongst their families and
friends and what a better
month to do this, then in
the month of Ramadhan.
Community Meal/Ifthar with the Homeless & Disadvantaged
AMARAH
St Andrew's Anglican Church, cnr Cordelia & Vulture St, West
End
0422 349 786
6pm
EVERY SATURDAY DURING RAMADAN
SATURDAY
FAMOUS BBQ CHICKEN & STEAK ROLLS on sale
ISLAMIC SOCIETY OF ALGESTER
ALGESTER MOSQUE
AFTER TARAWEEH
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:
The moon was sighted
in Brisbane on Friday evening (click
on moonsighting.com image on
left). Those who went by this
sighting began their first fast
yesterday (Saturday)
Indonesian
Islamic Society of Brisbane hosts
visiting scholar for Ramadan
The Special
Committee of Nahdlatul Ulama
for Australia and New
Zealand hosts a Safari
Ramadhan every year.
They have
invited Ulama Scholars to
visit Australia and New
Zealand during Ramadhan to
fulfil the spiritual needs
of Indonesians who live in
Australia and New Zealand,
for the last five years.
Again this
year Brisbane will host the
Safari Ramadhan thanks to
the Indonesian Islamic
Society of Brisbane (IISB)
as main sponsor for the
programs in Brisbane and
Gold Coast .
This year's
visiting scholar will be KH
Dr. Abdul Ghofur Maimoen
Zubair, M.A. (pictured
left).
His
achievements and
accomplishments are well
documented in
this brief resume.
The schedule for The
Safari Program, Ramadhan 1433 H.
VENUE
DATE
Perth
19 – 20
July
Adelaide
23 – 25
July
Melbourne
26 – 28
July
Auckland
29 – 31
July
Brisbane
1 – 5
August
Wollongong
6 – 9
August
Canberra
10 – 13
August
Sydney
14 – 20
August
The
Nahdatual Ulama (NU) represents
traditionalist orthodox Sunni Islam
in Indonesia. The ulama are the
scholar-legists of Islam, trained in
the religious sciences such as the
Qur'an, exegesis and interpretation
of the relgious law, shari'a. For
more information
visit the website.
Ramadan traditions
with a digital twist
LIVE from MAKKAH
Google is sharing the
Islamic prayers live from Mecca on a
dedicated
YouTube channel (see above).
Millions of people from around the
world will be able to experience and
comment on the event by tuning in
via video.
Ramadan is about
more than just prayer; it is also a
special moment to gather with
friends and family. Muslims gather
to watch special television shows
produced for the holiday and shown
only during Ramadan. Often the shows
overlap in scheduling. This year,
for the first time, YouTube is
enabling people to watch their
favourite shows anytime, anywhere. A
new
YouTube Ramadan channel lets
viewers see more than 50 premium
Ramadan shows the same day they air.
In the clip below, famed Syrian
actor
Jamal Suliman appears in a drama:
Ramadan’s tastiest
tradition is the food. After fasting
through the day, families gather for
evening break-the-fast meals called
Iftar. Through Google+ Hangouts,
we’re hosting 30 virtual
get-togethers in the 30 days of
Ramadan, in which celebrity chefs
will share their favourite recipes
and
doctors will give tips on eating
healthy.
The hangouts will engage people in
subjects far beyond eating.
Actors will talk about their
favourite Ramadan shows. Poets will
discuss literature inspired by the
holiday. Religious
figures will answer questions.
Stay tuned to the
Google Arabia page on Google+
for more details and and join in.
We hope you enjoy experiencing your
favourite Ramadan traditions with a
digital twist this year. Ramadan
Kareem!
Posted by Maha
Abouelenein, Head of Communications
Middle East and North Africa
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. 30
H.E.
Mohammad bin
Mohammad Al
Mansour Imam of
the Zaidi
Sect of
Shi‘a
Muslims
Country: Yemen Born: 1917 (age 94) in Riyadh, Saudi
Arabia Source of Influence: Lineage,
Scholarly Influence: Imam of 10 million Zaidi
Shi’a in Yemen and Saudi Arabia School of Thought: Traditional
Zaidi(Fiver) Shia
His Eminence
Mohammad bin
Mohammad Al
Mansour is
the Imam of the
Zaidi branch of
the Shi‘a sect
of Muslims, one
of the three
main branches of
Shi‘a Islam.
With
approximately
ten million
followers,
Zaidis
constitute
almost half the
entire
population of
Yemen, and
around 3 percent
in Saudi Arabia.
Lineage in the
Imamate
Zaidi Muslims
are a Shi‘a sect
named after the
followers of
Zaid bin Ali,
grandson of al
Hussein
(grandson of the
Prophet
Muhammad). The
sect was formed
by the followers
of Zaid bin Ali
who led an
unsuccessful
revolt against
the Umayyad
Caliph Hisham
ibn Abd Al Malik
in 740 CE.
Current Social
Influence
In the past
decade a Zaidi
movement known
as the Shabab al
Mumineen led by
Hussein Al
Houthi has been
gaining
prominence in
the northwest of
Yemen. This has
stoked some
sectarian
rivalry in
Yemen, between
the Zaidi
andradical anti-Shi‘a
groups who are
fearful of the
resurgence of
Zaidi rule in
Yemen. Al
Mansour has
maintained his
quietist
approach and
enjoys much
respect in
Yemeni society.
Al Mansour was
influential in
stemming the
escalation of
conflict in
2005.
The Kuraby Mosque Food
Group (KMFG) would like to thank all those who
contributed towards the fundraising on Fridays.
The group raised $44 000 from last Shawaal to this
Shabaan.
We thank the people who donated the meat, rice,
vegetables, spices, containers, oil, gas, etc. as
well as the ladies who cooked every Friday without
fail.
Our thanks also go to the brother who brings the
curry and rice pots to the Mosque, the people who
help serve on Fridays, the boy who washes the pots
every Friday, and not least the people who buy the
food every Friday.
The KMFG is looking for volunteers who would like to
donate drinks and put them in the esky, and someone
who wishes to donate fresh vegetables (onions,
potatoes, tomatoes, garlic, ginger).
If you like to donate or help with the serving or
cleaning please contact Imaam Akram
Wasalaam
KMFG Spokesperson
Ramadan
Mubarak
We would
like to take this opportunity to wish our many Muslim
friends, acquaintances and neighbours, a very
blessed and spiritually rewarding Holy month of
Ramadan.
Understanding and acceptance of each other’s
differences, including that of faith, is an
important part of ensuring social cohesion, equality
and strength within the community, a community that
would be greatly weakened without our Muslim friends
and neighbours.
May
peace be with you during this Holiest of months, a
time that provides for reflection through the
teaching of the Prophet Mohammad.
Dia duit (dee-a-gwith) Irish for “God be with you”. David and Nadine Forde
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.
With Ramadhan
starting soon Eidfest is
sponsoring a photo
exhibition highlighting what
we eat during Ramadhan. It
will showcase what Muslims
eat for breaking fast, and
for breakfast during
Ramadhan.
There are many diverse
cultures within the Islamic
world and we all appreciate
that many foods are eaten in
different households across
Brisbane. During Ramadhan,
there are also many foods
eaten that wouldn’t be eaten
during other times of the
year.
So we ask that you take a
photo of your breakfast, or
of you breaking your fast,
and show us what foods you
eat, how many you cater for
and the diversity of the
dishes that make up the
Muslim community in
Brisbane.
An exhibition of the
photographs will be
displayed at Eidfest and the
best photograph winner will
receive a ticket to
somewhere exciting!
We look forward to seeing
all your entries and
highlighting some of the
rituals of Ramadhan for our
non-Muslim friends.
Entries to be sent to
info@eidfest.com.au with
details about the meal, and
your name and contact
details.
Entries close August 10th,
2012.
Please contact Yasmin Khan
on 0419 025 510 for further
information.
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
Accommodation
Granny Flat
Wanted
A
Muslim sister
single mom with
infant is
urgently looking
for a granny
flat to rent.
Max rent $230
per week.
Cannot share
accommodation.
Must have
separate living
and entrance.
As a matter or
urgency, please
forward to
anyone you think
may be relevant.
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.
MARSDEN (Logan)
3
bedroom; 1 study
carport
shed 1
bathroom 1
toilet
large block
1518m2
fully fenced
pet friendly 5km
to Logan
Mosque
Address 101 1st
Avenue Marsden
$340 per week
rent
Contact
Najmul 0403 681
452
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
Download a pricelist.
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.
'Most
Muslims want democracy, personal freedoms,
and Islam in political life'
The US-based Pew Research
Center has published a report looking at
attitudes towards democracy, freedom and
Islam’s place in political life in Arab and
other predominantly Muslim nations.
The findings come from a
survey conducted by Pew in six countries;
Pakistan, Jordan, Egypt, Tunisia, Turkey and
Lebanon.
The report also contains a
special section on Tunisian public opinion
following the revolution. The poll is part
of the broader spring 2012 Global Attitudes
Survey which is conducted in 21 nations.
The survey finds that “More than a year
after the first stirrings of the Arab
Spring, there continues to be a strong
desire for democracy in Arab and other
predominantly Muslim nations.” Many
publics support specific features of a
democratic system, and a significant number
want Islam to have a larger role in
political life, though there are differences
as to the nature of this role. The economy
also remains a top concern for many in
Muslim majority countries.
Some of the key findings are summarised
below:
Views of democracy
• Solid majorities in the Arab nations
surveyed believe the 2011 popular uprisings
will lead to more democracy in the Middle
East, including nearly three-quarters in
Egypt and seven-in-ten in Tunisia. Roughly
two-thirds in Jordan and Lebanon agree.
• Majorities in five of the six nations
polled (and a plurality of Pakistanis)
believe democracy is the best form of
government.
• Consistently, majorities in Lebanon,
Turkey, Pakistan and Jordan say is it
important that a democracy have specific
rights and institutions, and large numbers
say these features of a democracy are very
important. For instance, majorities in all
four nations consider free multi-party
elections and freedom of religion very
important, and in Lebanon, Jordan, and
Pakistan, majorities say free speech is very
important.
• Majorities in four of six nations believe
they should rely on a democratic form of
government to solve their country’s
problems, rather than relying on a leader
with a strong hand.
• Other goals are also clearly important.
Many say political stability is a crucial
priority, and even more prioritize economic
prosperity.
• When respondents are asked which is more
important, a good democracy or a strong
economy, Turkey and Lebanon are the only
countries where more than half choose
democracy. Egyptians are divided, while most
Tunisians, Pakistanis and Jordanians
prioritize the economy.
• Turkey and Saudi Arabia are seen as
supporting the spread of democracy in the
region, while the U.S. and Israel are widely
viewed as opposing it.
Islam in Public Life
• In five of six nations, solid
majorities say Islam is already playing a
large role in the country’s political life,
with a larger number in Tunisia, Egypt
(where islamist parties have been successful
in recent democratic elections) and
Pakistan, believing that this is the case
than previously.
• More than 60% believe Islam plays a large
role in public life in both Turkey and
Lebanon. Jordan is the exception, where only
31% believe Islam plays a large role in
public life.
• Broad majorities in Pakistan, Jordan and
Egypt believe their nations’ laws should
strictly follow the teachings of the Quran,
including 82% in Pakistan. Meanwhile,
respondents in Tunisia, Turkey and Lebanon
are less likely to endorse a dominant role
for Islam. Only about two-in ten in each
country believe laws should be based
strictly on the Quran. Rather, a majority in
Tunisia and a plurality in Turkey say the
law should follow the values and principles
of Islam but not strictly follow the
teachings of the Quran. Younger people are
less likely to endorse a strict role for the
Quran in Egypt and Lebanon.
• A substantial number in key Muslim
countries want a large role for Islam in
political life. However, there are
significant differences over the degree to
which the legal system should be based on
Islam.
Gender Equality
• Majorities in all six believe women
should have equal rights as men, and more
than eight-in-ten hold this view in Lebanon
and Turkey. Moreover, while many support the
general principle of gender equality, there
is less enthusiasm for gender parity in
politics, economics, and family life.
• Women are considerably more supportive of
equal rights than men. With the exception of
Turkey, where no gender differences emerge,
there is at least a 10 percentage point gap
between the sexes on this issue.
Views of Extremism
• Extremist groups are largely rejected
in predominantly Muslim nations, although
significant numbers do express support for
radical groups in several countries. For
instance, while there is no country in which
a majority holds a favorable opinion of the
Palestinian organization Hamas, it receives
considerable support in Tunisia, Jordan and
Egypt.
• Majorities in all the predominantly Muslim
nations polled express negative views of al
Qaeda, including more than seven-in-ten in
Lebanon, Jordan, Egypt and Turkey.
• Less than two-in-ten in all Muslim
countries polled have a favorable view of
the Taliban, with majorities in every
country holding an unfavorable view. This
distaste for the extremist Islamist
organization is evident across age, gender
and educational groups in each of the
countries surveyed.
The research builds on and corroborates
the findings of previous studies carried out
by Pew looking at Muslim communities and
attitudes towards democracy and Islam in
public life. Specifically, since the first
Pew Global Attitudes survey ten years ago,
Pew have “consistently found broad support
for democracy among predominantly Muslim
publics", and this report in no exception.
One only need look to the Arab spring to see
the thirst for democratic change which has
swept many Arab countries. Previous research
has also found minimal and waning support
for violent extremism, and research by
Gallup and the Coexist Foundation has found
strong levels of national loyalty amongst
European Muslims. Pew has also found that
tension persists between the west and
Muslim-majority countries, which is
reflected somewhat in this study’s find that
many Muslims believe that America does not
supported democracy.
UK:
British journalist and commentator, Mehdi
Hasan (pictured left) has written a
comment piece in the Guardian on the
Islamophobic and personal abuse that he and
many other Muslim journalists and bloggers
are subjected to online.
He argues that such abuse
hinders Muslims from entering journalism or
engaging in discussion on online forums.
He further argues that for
Muslims, disengaging or censoring the voice
of the voiceless would be to let the
Islamophobes win.
SEE THE NEW LOOK
ISLAM TV
AUSTRALIA NOW
WITH INDIVIDUAL
CHANNELS FOR
EASY ACCESS TO
YOUR FAVOURITE
SPEAKERS.
WWW.ISLAMTV.COM.AU
DOWNLOADABLE
AUDIO LECTURES
WWW.ISLAMTV.COM.AU
ISLAM
TV IS SUPPORTED
BY SALAM CARD
SUPPORTING LOCAL
MUSLIM AND
MUSLIM FRIENDLY
BUSINESS
Review The
Hadj, or sacred journey, is the pilgrimage to the
house of God at Mecca that all Muslims are entreated
to make once in their lifetimes. One of the world's
longest-lived religious rites, having continued
without break for fourteen hundred years, it is,
like all things Islamic, shrouded in mystery for
Westerners.
In The Hadj, Michael
Wolfe, an American who converted to Islam, recounts
his own journey as a pilgrim, and in doing so brings
readers dose to the heart of what the pilgrimage
means to a member of the religion that claims
one-sixth of the world's population.
Not since Sir Richard
Burtons account of the pilgrimage to Mecca over one
hundred years ago has a Western writer described the
Hadj in such fascinating detail. At a time when the
eyes of the world are on Islam, The Hadj offers a
perspective and a much-needed look at its human
face.
The Literary Review
calls The Hadj "the most engaging of travel books"
and says that Wolfe's "pilgrimage will move people
of all faiths -- and of none at all, because it
describes a universal journey for meaning,
transcendence and peace".
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 recipe was inspired
by Mrs. Mariam Mahomedy, the author of Cosmopolitan Cuisine,
with a few of my own personal preferences.
Chicken and Mushroom Pies
Pastry
2 cups self-rising flour
1/2tsp salt
3 tab butter
ľ cup sour cream
Approx. Ľ cup milk
Method
1. Sift flour and salt.
2. Grate the butter and mix lightly with a fork.
3. Work with light hands and add sour cream and
the milk (which you may need to adjust) to make
a soft scone like dough.
4. Wrap the dough in cling wrap and refrigerate
for at least an hour, you could leave it
overnight.
Ingredients for filling
1 tab ghee/olive oil
1 small grated onion
1 tsp. ginger garlic
1 cup cubed chicken fillet
2 tsp. ground chillies
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. salt
Juice of I lemon
1 cup sliced mushrooms
Ľ cup water
˝ cup milk
2 tab. Flour
1 cup grated cheese
1 beaten egg yolk (for the top) and I beaten egg
white (for sealing)
Poppy seeds/sesame seeds for sprinkling
Method for filling
1. Heat the ghee, sauté’ onions until light
brown and add the ginger garlic.
2. Add chicken, salt, green chillies, lemon
pepper and cook until chicken is tender.
3. Add lemon juice, mushrooms and stir fry for a
few minutes.
4. Add flour, mix in with the chicken and then
add milk and stir well.
5. When cool add cheese.
Putting it all together
1. Roll out dough and cut out round shapes to
fit into your muffin pan.
2. Place a circle on the base of the greased
muffin pan and spoon your filling into it.
3. Place another circle, the inside of which has
been brushed with egg white to cover the filling
and seal the edges.
4. Using scissors or a knife make a V incision
on the top.
5. Brush with egg yolk, sprinkle with poppy
seeds/ sesame seeds or a topping of your choice.
6. Bake at 180degrees until light brown.
7. Serve warm with a chutney of your choice.
Q: Dear Kareema, I used to love boxing and skipping but
I have not been doing any exercise over the last few years.
My doctor has just ordered me to get active or risk becoming
diabetic. Any tips for a beginner?
A: Why not start with boxing and skipping (because
you know that it’s something you’ll enjoy and continue to
do).
WARMUP: For a short beginners’ workout, try skipping for
three sets of 3 minutes with a 1 minute break in between.
Start each 3 minute block with 30seconds of ‘sprint’
skipping, then reduce the pace as you go.
Pop on your boxing gloves and complete a round of about 50
punches, quick run on the spot and then some push-ups.
Repeat for 5 minutes and then add in some squats as you go.
Finish off with some stretches and set your sight higher
when you next workout! N-JOY!!
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.
.
Four
years
ago, a
small
group of
AMARAH
volunteers
hosted
their
first
“iftar”/community
meal for
the
homeless,
mentally
ill, and
those
living
in
desperate
situations,
financially
and
physically.
The
experience
had such
a
profound
impact
on the
volunteers
that it
has
become a
much
anticipated
annual
AMARAH
event.
For
the
AMARAH
team and
their
volunteers,
it was a
once
again a
very
humbling
experience-
those
who
participated
were
thankful
for the
opportunity
to make
a little
bit of
difference
to some
people’s
lives.
This
simple
act of
sharing
a meal
and
exchanging
stories
with
those
less
fortunate
in our
community
truly
exemplified
the
compassionate,
generous
and
empathetic
spirit
of this
blessed
month.
If
you
would to
donate
to any
of these
events
and
initiatives,
you can
do so by
directly
depositing
into the
AMARAH
account-
Westpac
Bank;
BSB:
034-109;
Account:
22-
5057.
Any
questions,
please
contact
Nora
Amath on
0422 349
786.
The holy
month of Ramadhan brings
with it the need to care for
the needy, both at home and
abroad.
%20Prayer%20Times.jpg)
%20Prayer%20Times,%20Qiblah,%20Mosques%20(Masji.jpg)
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. 
UK:
British journalist and commentator, Mehdi
Hasan (pictured left) has written a
comment piece in the Guardian on the
Islamophobic and personal abuse that he and
many other Muslim journalists and bloggers
are subjected to online.
The
Hadj, or sacred journey, is the pilgrimage to the
house of God at Mecca that all Muslims are entreated
to make once in their lifetimes. One of the world's
longest-lived religious rites, having continued
without break for fourteen hundred years, it is,
like all things Islamic, shrouded in mystery for
Westerners. 
Mrs
Jallaludin: Yesterday, I saw an amazingly good looking
woman. 
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011