Muslim
community
leaders met
this week
with
outgoing
Police
Commissioner,
Bob
Atkinson,
the newly
appoint
Commissioner,
Ian Stewart
and other
senior
police to
discuss
issues
arising in
the
aftermath of
the Sydney
protests
a few weeks
ago.
Incidents of
graffiti and
abuse
directed at
Muslims were
brought to
the
attention of
the meeting
and what
steps were
taken to
report and
attend to
them.
The Islamic
Council of
Queensland
undertook to
call up a
meeting of
members of
the Muslim
community to
identify
strategies
and
initiatives
to engage
with the
youth and
the QPS more
effectively.
A number of
other
stakeholders
were also in
attendance
including
ASIO and the
Anti-Discrimination
Commission,
the latter
offering to
meet with
the Islamic
Women's
Association
of
Queensland
to update
its members
on how to
exercise
their rights
in the event
of abusive
and
discriminatory
encounters.
Sergeant Jim
Bellos, who
coordinated
the meeting.
told CCN: "I
want to
express our
gratitude to
the Muslim
community
for their
attendance,
especially
at such
short
notice. The
Muslim
community in
Queensland
and the QPS
enjoy a
close
working
relationship,
and we
support the
many
functions
that are
held in the
Muslim
community. I
also look
forward to a
long lasting
and
harmonious
relationship
with you."
By Naseera Naeem (granddaughter of
Haje Ebrahim Patel)
This chant
is one that
I will not
likely
forget
anytime
soon. But it
is not a
slam at the
current
Government.
It is a war
cry that was
gleefully
cried out by
more than 40
young people
last week:
young people
that were
shouting at
their peers
in front of
Parliament
House.
My name is
Naseera
Naeem. I am
an Academic
Captain at
MacGregor
State High
and actively
involved
within the
local
community.
Last week, I
had the
privilege of
being one of
the 93 young
Queenslanders
aged between
15 and 25
selected
from over
200
applicants
to represent
our
communities
in the 2012
YMCA
Queensland
Youth
Parliament (QYP).
At the risk
of sounding
a little
geeky…last
week was
awesome!
T
he YMCA
Queensland
Youth
Parliament
has been
conducted
annually
since 1996,
for young
people, by
young
people. It
is an
apolitical
program that
is designed
to give
youth the
opportunity
to learn,
through
experience,
about the
role and
operations
of
government
and empower
them to have
a positive
impact in
their local
community
and upon
state
government
policies. It
is also a
fantastic
opportunity
for youth
people to
interact
with peers
from all
over
Queensland,
each with
varying
opinions and
backgrounds.
This year,
in addition
to the 89
electorates,
4 Indigenous
electorates
were
represented
as well.
I was
selected as
the 2012
Youth member
for
Sunnybank.
Joining me
were two
other young
Muslims:
Hamdi
Abdinasir,
the Youth
Member for
Logan and
Hamza
Surbuland,
the Youth
Member for
Bundaberg.
In addition
to
representing
the youth of
Sunnybank, I
was also
selected on
the
Education,
Youth
Services and
Employment
Committee,
one of the
eight
committees
(one of the
best
committees!)
within the
Youth
Parliament.
Each
committee
wrote and
amended a
Bill,
presenting
it, debating
it and
passing it
in
Parliament
House. These
Bills are
now being
reviewed by
actual
Parliamentarians.
It all began
in April
when all 93
members, a
little
awkward and
a little
shy, met the
young
executives
for the
first time,
during a two
day forum.
Over these
two days, we
got to know
our
committees
and mentors,
began
writing our
Bills and
were kept
enthusiastic
and awake
with a huge
supply of
lollies. The
next five
months saw a
flurry of
Bill writing
and
amending,
all in
preparation
for the
residential
week in
September.
On September
the 23rd, we
met again,
carting
suits and
camping
gear,
uncertain of
what the
week at YMCA
Camp
Warrawee
would bring.
The first
two days
were full of
“ice
breaking”
activities
(including a
trivia night
in which
flour, baby
powder and
spaghetti
were
involved…boy
was that an
ice
breaker!),
bowling in
togas,
leadership
activities
and
leadership
elections
(Youth
Premier,
Opposition
leader and
other
positions
were elected
from among
the Youth
Members).
The next
four days,
from the
25th to the
28th, saw us
in the
Parliament
House
Legislative
Assembly
Chamber (the
Green Room),
our sessions
presided
over by
Members of
Parliament
and the
Premier,
Hon.
Campbell
Newman
himself.
Along with
our Bills
and Matters
of Public
Importance (MPIs),
we also
debated the
National MPI
(a motion
debated by
Youth
Parliaments
in all
states of
Australia).
Each member
was also
given two
minutes to
talk (on a
topic
related to
their
electorate
or youth in
general) and
Question
Time was not
forgotten in
the attempt
to make QYP
as close to
the real
thing as
possible.
Throughout
the week,
debates were
fierce,
witty
remarks
tossed
around often
and laughter
abound.
Emotions
also ran
high as the
lack of
sleep (due
to speech
writing
commitments),
bucket loads
of lollies
and all the
recreational
activities
caught up
with us.
Bullying was
a topic
discussed
with much
passion, as
was
disability,
education
and the
multicultural
nature of
our state,
among
others. The
true
hardships
our farmers
endure and
the high
rate of
suicide in
rural areas
were topics
that moved
even the
acting
Deputy
Speaker (a
current
Member of
Parliament)
to tears.
Now, a week
after
residential
has ended, I
still can’t
help but
“Hear Hear”
everything I
agree with
(wonder how
that will
work out
when I get
back to
school!). I
have been in
touch with
many of my
new friends
and hope to
maintain the
close bonds
we have
formed.
My
experience
as Youth
Parliamentarian
was not just
about
politics,
but about
people,
communication
and
understanding.
It is an
experience
that proved
both
enjoyable
and
educational,
in ways I
had never
considered
possible. So
in the true
spirit of
QYP, I “Hear
Hear” the
comment made
by a
previous
Muslim Youth
Parliamentarian:
“The support
and respect
shown by
everyone
including
the
organisers
towards me,
really makes
me feel we
have no
excuse not
to play an
active role
in society.”
I urge youth
aged 15 to
25 to
consider
participating
in next
year’s Youth
Parliament,
not only to
represent
your
electorate
and Islam,
but for
yourself,
even if
politics is
“not your
thing”. It
was an
experience
of a
lifetime and
a truly epic
week.
So get out
there, speak
your mind
and make a
difference!
For more
information
on this
program, how
to apply for
next year or
to view the
details of
each bill,
visit
http://ymcaqyp.org/
.
Police are
appealing
for public
assistance
to help
locate a
17-year-old
Acacia Ridge
man reported
missing this
week.
Hamayun
Jaffari
(pictured)
was last
seen at an
address on
Kirkley
Street at
Acacia Ridge
around 3pm.
Police and
the man’s
family hold
concerns for
his welfare
as he
suffers from
a medical
condition
that
requires
medication.
He is
described as
Middle
Eastern in
appearance,
approximately
175cm tall
with a
proportionate
build and
short black
hair.
He was
wearing a
dark blue
shirt, light
blue shorts
and white
slippers.
Police and
family hold
concerns for
his welfare
and are
urging
anyone with
information
to contact
Crime
Stoppers on
1800 333
000.
Anyone with
information
which could
assist
police with
their
investigations
should
contact
Crime
Stoppers
anonymously
via 1800 333
000 or
crimestoppers.com.au
24hrs a day.
Crime
Stoppers is
a charitable
community
volunteer
organisation
working in
partnership
with the
Queensland
Police
Service.
(From left to right)
Hussain Baba (ISGC- Secretary), Sr.Sergeant
William Lythgo, Imam Imran, Father Columba
Macbeth Green, Superintendent Paul Ziebarth,
Inspector Glenn Allen and Station Sergeant
Ray
The Imam and
the
secretary of
the Islamic
Society of
Gold Coast
Inc (ISGC).
attended the
national
Police
Remembrance
Day on 28
September
2012.
Queensland
Police and
New South
Wales Police
paid tribute
to the
officers who
have lost
their lives
while on
duty,
marking this
year’s
National
Police
Remembrance
Day.
"This is the
first time
ISGC has
been invited
to attend
this special
occasion in
the Police
Calendar, "
Mr Baba told
CCN.
Left to right
Michael Hayworth [Amnesty International],
Senator Claire Moore, Sujauddin Karimuddin
and Hossian Jahur [Rohingya community
representatives]
Last Monday
evening, the
Multicultural
Development
Association
(MDA) hosted
a community
information
session
organised by
Brisbane’s
Rohingya
community.
Approximately
130 people
attended,
with about
half being
non-Rohingyas,
an excellent
turn out
considering
it was a
public
holiday.
Four
panelists
provided
short
presentations;
Michael
Hayworth
[Amnesty
International],
Senator
Claire
Moore,
Sujauddin
Karimuddin
and Hossian
Jahur [Rohingya
community
representatives].
A 30 minute
period of
Q&A
followed.
The audience
heard how
the Rohingya
people are
of Muslim
descent and
are native
to the
northern
Arakan
region of
Burma
(Myanmar)
which also
borders
Bangladesh.
Currently an
estimated
800,000
Rohingya
live in
Burma, with
another
500,000
outside
Burma mainly
in Pakistan,
Bangladesh
and
Thailand.
The Rohingya
community in
Queensland
is
approximately
400.
While the
Rohingya
representatives
expressed
deep
appreciation
to Australia
for
providing a
safe and
secure
environment,
they could
not forget
what they
left behind
and the
continuing
persecution
of their
people.
The audience
heard claims
(and
according to
the UNHCR)
that
Rohingyas
are one of
the most
persecuted
people in
the world.
The Burmese
Government
stripped
most of them
of their
citizenship
in 1982
therefore
making them
stateless.
They are not
allowed to
travel
without
official
permission,
have
restricted
access to
basic
education
and medical
care, are
banned from
owning
properties
and are
required to
obtain
permission
to get
married and
sign a
commitment
to have no
more than
two
children.
Recent
unrest has
resulted in
hundreds of
deaths and
tens of
thousands
being
displaced
along with
thousands
fleeing to
neighbouring
Bangladesh
where their
treatment is
not much
better.
Senator
Claire Moore
spoke about
her recent
trip to
Burma and
that on the
occasions
she raised
the issue of
the Rohingyas
with Burmese
government
and
opposition
officials,
neither
would engage
in
conversation
on the
issue.
Senator
Moore also
said
Australia is
providing $1
million in
emergency
aid to
provide
clothing,
blankets and
basic
supplies for
people left
homeless by
the current
conflict.
Australia
has also
recently
announced it
will double
its aid to
Burma.
The evening
very much
highlighted
the need for
the Rohingya
(and other
minority
groups) in
Burma to be
afforded
basic human
rights, not
least
through the
repelling of
the 1982
Citizenship
Act.
Community
members and
concerned
people were
encouraged
to lobby
their
federal
Parliamentarians
on the
issue.
The evening
finished off
with some
excellent
Rohingya
cuisine.
CONTROVERSIAL
anti-Islam
campaigner
Geert
Wilders has
postponed
his visit to
Australia,
on the same
day the
federal
government
announced it
would not
block his
visa.
Immigration
Minister
Chris Bowen
on Tuesday
said he
would not
use his
ministerial
powers to
stop the
"extremist"
right-wing
Dutch MP
from
visiting
Australia
for an
October
speaking
tour.
Mr Wilders
(pictured
right)
was
scheduled to
make two
public
speeches in
Melbourne
and Sydney
later this
month at the
invitation
of the Q
Society, a
local group
concerned
about the "Islamisation
of
Australia".
But shortly
after Mr
Bowen made
his decision
public, the
Q Society
said the
visit had
been
postponed.
The group's
media
representative
Andrew
Horwood said
the long
delay in the
visa
approval had
left them
without
enough time
to get the
logistics in
place.
"We're
hoping to
postpone
until
February. We
think that's
the next
window of
opportunity
that will be
good for all
parties," Mr
Horwood told
AAP
Geert is 100
per cent
committed to
coming out
here."
Mr Horwood
said he
believed Mr
Wilders'
visa
application
would still
be valid in
February.
Mr Wilders,
founder of
the
fourth-largest
political
party in the
Netherlands,
told a UK
newspaper in
2009: "I
don't hate
Muslims. I
hate their
book and
their
ideology."
Mr Bowen on
Tuesday
condemned Mr
Wilders'
views,
calling them
"extremist
and
offensive".
"I've taken
the view, in
the end,
that I
didn't want
to make him
a cause
celebre," he
told ABC TV.
"I think
probably
what he
would like
me to do is
refuse his
visa so he
can make a
hero of
himself and
get his
cause more
attention."
It would be
better to
defeat him
with the
force of our
ideas, he
said.
Muslims
Australia
vice-president
Ikebal Patel
said the
Muslim
community
would
welcome the
opportunity
to engage
with Mr
Wilders to
"explain
what Islam
is and try
and work out
with him
what his
problems are
with one of
the great
religions".
Shajarah
Islamic
Kindergarten
is due to
open shortly
but due to
unforseen
circumstances
we still
require one
key staff
member.
We are
looking for
a Muslim
sister with
a
Supervisor's
Certificate
in Early
Childhood to
work 35
hours per
week
inshaAllaah.
The response
to staff
positions
has been
very good
and we have
5 other
sisters
ready to
work with us
and many
more on our
relief staff
list but
still need
this one key
sister in
order to
open.
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.
Each week, CCN
publishes
a
personality
selected
from the
list:
No. 41
Maulana
Mahmood
Madani
Leader and
Executive
Member of
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind,
India
Country: India Born: 3 March 1964 (age 47) Source of Influence:
Scholarly, Political, Administrative Influence: 10 million Muslims
are members of Madani’s Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind School of Thought: Traditional
Sunni, Deobandi
Maulana Mahmood
Madani, a
leading Islamic
scholar and
politician in
India, has
gained influence
for his
forthright
condemnations of
terrorism
and unfaltering
support of the
Indian Muslim
community.
Religio-Political
Heavyweight
Madani has
served as
Secretary
General of the
Jamiat
Ulema-e-ind, or
Organization of
Indian
Scholars—one
of the most
prominent
Islamic
organizations in
India. He
has been
outspoken in his
opposition to
the misuse of
the term
jihad as a
tool of
terrorism in
India. Following
fatal bomb
blasts in 2008,
he and others of
the Darul Uloom
Deoband
institution
hosted events
condemning
terrorism
as inherently
un-Islamic.
Defender of
the Faith
As a respected
political leader
and Islamic
scholar of
India,
Madani
represented the
Jamiat Ulema-e-Hind
and the
esteemed
community of
scholars from
Deoband
when he
addressed the
Pakistani
government, and
Pakistani
High
Commissioner
Shahid Malik in
particular, in
an open letter
regarding the
commissioner’s
remarks in
December 2008
at the UN
Security Council
about terrorism
stemming from
‘mullas in
Deoband’.
Maulana Madani
is also a strong
opponent of
government
interference in
the madrassa
system.
French
rapper stuns fans, makes first TV appearance
wearing hijab
PARIS: Amid a nationwide
debate in France surrounding attitudes
towards the Islamic veil, or hijab, a French
rapper has surprised fans by announcing her
conversion to Islam and choosing to wear a
headscarf.
Mélanie Georgiades, known as Diam’s, has
gone through what onlookers have described
as a “complete transformation” from an image
she had prior to 2009.
Since 2009, Diam’s had been unusually absent
from the mainstream rap scene, prompting
more than three years of controversy over
her whereabouts, despite making the odd
public appearance with her scarf.
But recently the French rapper made her
first television appearance with her new
image.
Diam’s appeared in an exclusive TV interview
with French TV station TF1, to talk about a
past experience with drugs, including
hallucinating narcotics, and being in a
mental asylum until she discovered the
“serenity of Islam.” The rapper said the
religion was introduced to her by
coincidence, when she saw a Muslim friend
praying.
Diam’s, said she has been
married for over a year and is a now a new
mother, moving far away from her drug-relate
past.
In her TV interview she said her “conversion
to Islam was the result of a personal
conviction, after understanding the religion
and reading the Holy Quran.”
When asked about wearing the hijab in
France, a country which has banned the niqab,
she said: “I believe that I live in a
tolerant society, and I don’t feel hurt by
criticism, but by insults and stereotyping
and ready-made judgments.”
Asked by her host about why she is wearing a
hijab while many Muslim women don’t wear it,
and don’t find it to be a religious
obligation, she answered: “I see it as a
divine order or a divine advice, this brings
joy to my heart and for me this is enough.”
Stardom?
Diam’s said that by converting to Islam she
gained comfort, adding that stardom doesn’t
fit in with her life anymore, adding “this
has warmed my heart, as I know now the
purpose of my existence, and why am I here
on Earth.”
Diam’s criticized the media which
photographed her coming out of one of the
mosques in France, wearing her Hijab and
looking at her mobile, preceded by a man in
a training suit, which many believed to be
her husband.
Discussing how her life was like before her
conversion to Islam, Diam’s said: “I was
very famous and I had what every famous
person looks for, but I was always crying
bitterly alone at home, and this is what
none of my fans had felt.”
She added: “I was heavily addicted to drugs,
including hallucinating narcotics and was
admitted in mental asylum to recover, but
this was in vain until I heard one of my
Muslim friends saying ‘I am going to pray
for a while and will come back,’ so I told
her that I want to pray as well.”
Recalling that moment, Diam’s said: “it was
the first time that I touched the floor with
head, and I had a strong feeling that I have
never experienced before, and I believe now
that kneeling in prayer, shouldn’t be done
to anyone but Allah.”
Islam, a religion of tolerance
Diam’s said that she moved to Mauritius to
read the Quran, and have a better
understanding of Islam, discovering during
her retreat, the tolerance of Islam.
When asked by her host about her views on
Islam, and those who commit all the murders
and atrocities pretending to be doing it in
the name of religion, she answered: “I think
we should differentiate between the ignorant
and the knowledgeable, and the ignorant
should not speak about what he doesn’t know,
Islam does not allow murdering innocent
victims the way we see it nowadays.”
RUSSIA:
The Jamiatul Ulama KZN of South Africa made
a trip to various cities within Russia and
the Caucasus and provided an overview of
their trip which can be
viewed on the Jamiat website.
The visit was an opportunity
to distribute 5000 copies of the book
“Sovromennye Fetve” (which is the Russian
equivalent of Contemporary Fatawa) produced
by the Fatwa Department of the Jamiatul
Ulama (KZN) under the guidance of Mufti
Ebrahim Desai of the Darul Iftaa, Sherwood.
The report includes
photographs of Mosques and religious sites
across a number of cities and towns.
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: Muskas make
the ideal snack to take along with you on a
journey. I highly recommend preparing a batch to
take with you if you are going on Hajj and if
you are not then bake
some up for someone who is.
They'll thank you for it when they get back!
Health Muskas (Rusks)
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 pecan nuts or 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.
Good
news ladies, hit the pool and you’ll be rewarded with
stronger abdominal muscles.
Studies show that
after consistently swimming twice a week for a period of
time (about 24 weeks), women were able to complete an
average of around 28 more abdominal crunches than when they
started.
They also
experienced a 15% reduction in body fat and an 8% drop in
blood pressure.
So there’s no
excuse ladies… warmer months are here and we can only get
stronger!
Jallaluddin and Najeebuddin entered a chocolate shop.
As they were busy looking around,
Jallaluddin steals 3 chocolate bars.
After leaving the store
Jallaluddin says to Najeebuddin, "Brother, I'm the best
thief ever, I stole 3 chocolates, and no one saw me, you
can't beat that".
Najeebuddin replies, “You want to see something better?"
Let’s go back to the shop and I'll show you real
stealing."
So they went to the counter and Najeebuddin says to the
shopkeeper: "Do you want to see magic?
Shopkeeper replies, "Yes!"
Najeebuddin says, "Ok, give me one chocolate bar."
The shopkeeper gives him one, and he eats it.
He asks for the 2nd and he eats it as well.
He asks for the 3rd and finishes that too.
The shopkeeper asks, "But where is the magic?"
Najeebuddin replies: "Check in my friend's pocket and
you'll find them!"
That which
you lay out for increase
through the property of
(other) people, will have no
increase with Allah: but
that which you lay out for
charity, seeking the
Countenance of Allah, (will
increase): it is these who
will get a recompense
multiplied.
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
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seen covered or any news item that you think might be of benefit
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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,
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It is the usual policy of CCN to
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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
Muslim
community
leaders met
this week
with
outgoing
Police
Commissioner,
Bob
Atkinson,
the newly
appoint
Commissioner,
Ian Stewart
and other
senior
police to
discuss
issues
arising in
the
aftermath of
the Sydney
protests
a few weeks
ago.
Senator
Claire Moore
spoke about
her recent
trip to
Burma and
that on the
occasions
she raised
the issue of
the Rohingyas
with Burmese
government
and
opposition
officials,
neither
would engage
in
conversation
on the
issue.
RUSSIA:
The Jamiatul Ulama KZN of South Africa made
a trip to various cities within Russia and
the Caucasus and provided an overview of
their trip which can be
Good
news ladies, hit the pool and you’ll be rewarded with
stronger abdominal muscles. 
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our Wall
7
August 2011