We are proud to announce this year's winners and finalists in the 2012 CCN Young Muslim Writers Awards.   Over one hundred entries in 8 categories were submitted by young Muslim writers from all parts of the country, and with the entries being of such a high standard this year, the judges were hard pressed to come to an agreement on the final list.   The complete second anthology of the works of our winners and finalists is available here and showcases just some of the literary talent, creativity and imagination of our young poets and writers.   CCN also wishes to acknowledge the generous sponsorships of the following organizations and businesses for this year's awards: Brisbane Diagnostics Griffith Islamic Research Unit (GIRU), Griffith University Australian International Islamic College (Durack) Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) Queensland Muslim Historical Society (QMHSoc) Crescents of Brisbane Inc. These are the final results from the rigorous two-stage blind review judging process (with the addition of a plagiarism check this year):
First Name Last Name Category Title Age Group School State WINNER Hidaya Rane Poetry The Countryside 7 to under 10 Young Academics Learning Centre QLD Finalist Zaakirah Ali Poetry Friends 7 to under 10 Australian International Islamic College QLD                 WINNER Raisa Anwar Poetry Seraphic Cascade 10 to under 13 Australian Islamic College WA Finalist Sarah Ozrain Poetry A Mother's Promise 10 to under 13 South Perth Primary School WA                 WINNER Iman Mesbah Poetry Beautiful Malice 13 to under 16 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD Finalist Zahraa Altaey Poetry So Long 13 to under 16 Australian Islamic College WA Finalist Amel Moussa Poetry While Down the Craters Morning Burns 13 to under 16 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD Finalist Ayan Gowdan Poetry A riddle from my heart 13 to under 16 Australian Islamic College WA                 WINNER Misha Mehmet Short Story The Glitter Fairy 5 to under 7 Warrigal Road State School QLD Finalist Zaahid Ali Short Story The Rainbow Fish 5 to under 7 Australian International Islamic College QLD                 WINNER Nourah Mangerah Short Story The Monster Behind My Door 7 to under 10 Newington Public School NSW Finalist Aisha Wilson Short Story Imaginary World 7 to under 10 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD                 WINNER Sumayya Vally Short Story Dear Diary 10 to under 13   TAS Finalist Zahra Ali Short Story The Pride of One Man 10 to under 13 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD Finalist Zeba Zia Short Story Picture Perfect 10 to under 13 Willetton Primary WA                 WINNER Hadiyah Stephens Short Story Whispers of a Yesterday 13 to under 16 Homeschooled WA Finalist Syeda Rehman Short Story YOLO – You Only Live Once 13 to under 16 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD Finalist Zuha Ali Short Story A Single Tear 13 to under 16 Islamic College of Brisbane QLD Finalist Zahra Noorgat Short Story Stowaway 13 to under 16 Concord High School NSW
Misha Mehmet receives her certificate and android tablet prize from Dr Mustafa Ally for her short story, The Glitter Fairy, which she told CCN was a desire to express her dislike for dark spaces and places. Asked what she would do with her prize, Misha said that she would use it to "read more books and play some games".	Dr Mubarak Noor, principal of the Islamic College of Brisbane, with Hidaya Rane. Hidaya's poem, The Countryside, was commended by the judges for its technical structure and her obvious love of the countryside which, she told CCN, was inspired by her visits to her grandfather's farm in Boonah, Queensland.
Imam Mesbah receives a netbook computer for her winning entry, Beautiful Malice, which tells of a young girl who pretends that she is something that she isn't, and uses a 'mask' to protect herself. "The poem is about how people estimate your worth by how you look simply because they don't look any deeper than that, and it also plays with the term beauty is only skin deep," Iman told CCN.	Nourah Mangerah of Newington Public School in New South Wales won the award for her short story, The Monster Behind the Door. Norah's sister, Zahraa, was a finalist in the 13 to 16 years category. Their mother, Munira, told CCN: "My kids were over thrilled to enter, and it was a good way to keep them busy over the September break. Nourah has a passion for reading and writing"

Being the last day of school for many Queensland students, Dr Mohamad Abdalla took the opportunity at yesterday's Friday kuthbah (sermon) to deliver a impassioned appeal to the young boys and girls in the congregation to embrace their identity in this country both as Muslims and as Australians. The message would not have been lost amongst the more senior members as well.

He addressed the many challenges that they faced going into the real world, ranging from the question of boyfriends and girlfriends, drinking alcohol and smoking, music and what constituted ‘fun’.

He criticised the community―its Imams and leaders and their various organisations for not having been unable to work together to find solutions for these challenges.

 

 

"Often internal conflict, politics and our inability to work together is the leading cause for not being able to provide the youth with proper answers, proper infrastructures to help them meet these challenges."

Dr Abdalla argued that the media attack on Islam and Muslims over the past decades might have caused many to feel inferior, and not being able to belong, or feeling un-Australian despite the fact that you may have been born here, nurtured here and who know no other country than Australia.

He offered this advice:

One of the best ways to meet this challenge is to educate yourself about Islam, Islamic history and the many great contributions that Islam and Muslims gave to the world. Educate yourself beyond the usual rhetoric that you hear at ‘usual’ Friday Khutba, or madrassa. You need to rise beyond that level of education.

 

And, don’t wait for someone to come and take you by the hand. Don’t wait for the leaders and Imams. They have their hands full. You must initiate the process. You must lead the way. Learn more about Islam, its people and its history. And know that knowledge is power.

His Grace, The Most Reverend, Mark Coleridge, and the recently installed Archbishop of Queensland, invited a group of Muslim community leaders and their familles to his residence in New Farm (named Wynberg by a Capetonian, South African builder of the residence in the late 1800's) to share a Sunday afternoon tea with him and other leaders of the Catholic Church.   The Archbishop enquired about ways to effectively communicate with the Muslim community on matters of mutual interest and to identify ways to engage more practically with the Muslim community.   Haji Sultan Deen gave the Archbishop a copy of a Qu'ran as a gift which he said he would read alongside his knowledge of the Arabic that he acquired from his University days.
Dr Mustafa Ally presents the former Melbournite with a Crescents of Brisbane/Brisbane Diagnostics prized hand towel to see him through the sweaty Brisbane summer.	Outside Wynberg, the official residence in New Farm
Representing a part of the Queensland Turkish community, Mr. Ahmet Ozcelik, Mr. Murat Coskun and Mr. Yasar Savran.	Ms Galila Abdel-Salam is shown around one of the many rooms in the residence

Controversial broadcaster Alan Jones (pictured top left) has been ordered to apologise over comments he made in 2005 describing Lebanese Muslims as ''vermin'' and ''mongrels''.
 

The Administrative Decisions Tribunal has ordered Jones to apologise on his 2GB radio show between 8am and 8.30am any day next week over the comments he made on-air in April 2005.
 

It comes two months after Jones lost a lengthy legal bid to overturn the 2009 decision, which found he incited hatred, serious contempt and severe ridicule of Lebanese Muslims.

The case was taken against him by Sydney-based Lebanese-born Muslim leader, Keysar Trad (pictured top right).

In its latest decision handed down on Wednesday, the tribunal rejected a submission that an apology made by Jones on December 6 was "an adequate acknowledgment of wrongdoing".
 

Instead it ordered him to read out the following apology any day next week from December 17:

"On 28 April 2005 on my breakfast program on Radio 2GB, I broadcast comments about Lebanese males including Lebanese Muslims.
"The comments were made following a Channel Nine television current affairs show about the conduct of young Lebanese men in Hickson Road at the Rocks.
"The Administrative Decisions Tribunal has found that my comments incited serious contempt of Lebanese males including Lebanese Muslims.
"Those comments were in breach of the NSW Anti-Discrimination Act.
"I apologise for making those comments which I recognise were unlawful.
"I also apologise on behalf of Radio 2GB." 

The original complaint related to comments he made on April 28 about a Nine Network current affairs story reportedly showing young men of Lebanese origin taunting police.

"If ever there was a clear example that Lebanese males in their vast numbers not only hate our country and our heritage, this was it," Jones said.
 

Referring to the men as "vermin" and "mongrels", he added: "They simply rape, pillage and plunder a nation that’s taken them in."

"In the original 2009 decision, the tribunal awarded $10,000 in damages to Mr Trad, ordered the presenter make a public apology within eight weeks, and directed Harbour Radio to conduct a ‘‘critical review of its policies and practices on racial vilification’’ and staff training in such matters.
 

The tribunal found Mr Trad was not ‘‘vilified personally’’ and he should not be apologised to personally.

Source Brisbane Times

	The Nikkah ceremony and wedding reception of Zakiya, daughter of Dado and Safia Sacur and Zubair, son of Ismail and Zahira Khan, was held last night (Saturday) at the Beenleigh Events Centre.   The Nikkah was presided over my Imam Ahmad Ghazaleh and the 600 guests were treated to a delicious biryani prepared by the Algester Mosque Ladies Auxiliary.

As part of the 2013 Australia Day Festival, to be held at the Parklands, Southbank, a Celebration of Faiths event will be held.

Faith communities including Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Islamic, Jewish, Hindu, Sikh and Taoist will unite to share messages of togetherness.

Everyone is welcome to come along to watch a faith procession, enjoy live entertainment and join in special reflection time. The event is part of the Australia Day Festival.

	The Islamic Women's Association of Queensland (IWAQ) held its AGM during week.   Three new members were elected onto the Management committee, Ms Emane El-Mezin, Ms Mirsada Meco and Ms Mona Obaid.

Mecca, the spiritual heart of the Islamic world, is now home to the world's second tallest building.

But this phenomenal structure is just a small part of a building frenzy that's seen the destruction of many of Islam's most sacred sites, including the home and burial place of the Prophet Mohammad.

Philip Adams interviews Dr Irfan Al Alawi, Executive Director of the Islamic Heritage Research Foundation based in London.

Note: If you having any problems listening to the audio click here.

After a year of studying under Imam Ikraam Buksh of the IQAMA Madrasah for their first year of the Alim course the four students packed their bags for a two weeks trip to South Africa to sit their examinations.   Luqman Najib, Abdur Raheem Haase, Hakim Najib and Yusuf Khan embarked on a trip to visit their associate Madrasah, Darun Na’im, and their future madrasah, Madarasahtul Arabiyah Islamiah.   The students did exceptionally well, with Yusuf Khan getting an average mark of 99%, whilst Hakim Najib, Abdur Raheem Haase and Luqman Najib all receiving an average mark of 97%.   Luqman Najib provides a comprehensive account of their experiences on their first trip to South Africa.

	The newly established Wisdom College in Algester held its first graduation ceremony this week at the Macgregor State School Hall.   In addition to receiving their certificates, the pupils entertained the audience of parents, politicians and well-wishes with performances of traditional and modern dances.   It was also an occasion to farewell Mr Yasar Savran (pictured left receiving a gift) and his family who embark on a new venture and initiative in Perth early next year. Mr Savran has been a key player in the establishment of the school and is well-know for his community involvement.

Afghanistan-born Hakim and host of ABC's Dateline will, from next year, present a new current affairs program on BBC World News.

It is a plum appointment for the versatile and courageous 29-year-old video-journalist, who cut her teeth producing and filing stories for SBS from behind Afghanistan borders.

Hakim said she had been in talks with BBC executives since April after she attended a broadcasting conference in Brisbane at which she was approached by a BBC executive.

Meetings in New York, Dubai and Afghanistan followed before she finally signed on last week.

"It's incredibly exciting. But really I wouldn't be here without the encouragement given me by the SBS news team. It's very bittersweet. I've had an incredible run at SBS," said Hakim, who in 2011 took over from veteran George Negus as host of Dateline alongside colleague Mark Davis.

Hakim's own story is every bit as inspirational as the ones she has captured during her time at SBS.

Born in Afghanistan, Hakim, who speaks six languages, moved to Australia as a baby after her father fled Kabul in the late 1980s following Russian invasion.

She says she has only ever called Sydney home and despite her global reporting experiences is struggling with the idea of leaving her parents.

Her partner, who is in the RAAF, is moving with her. The couple will ship out in a fortnight.

"I don't really know what the new job entails yet but the BBC are relaunching the world service and I'm very excited to be part of it," she said.

BBC executive Richard Porter said this week: "Yalda is an exceptionally talented young journalist, who has already achieved a great deal in her career and we're very excited to welcome her to the team."
 

Source: Courier Mail

Amongst the top 20 loudest Australian female voices that have driven women’s issues onto the public agenda, ignited debate and agitated for change 2012 was Ms Susan Carland, wife of Waleed Aly.

With Prime Minister, Julia Gillard at number 1, Ms Carland's 20th position was awarded for being a positive voice for Muslim women within Australian society, tackling issues including domestic violence, disability and multiculturalism. Through her community work and media appearances this year, she has dispelled many misconceptions held about the Islamic community and Muslim women, promoting greater tolerance and a more cohesive society for all.

Source: DailyLife

This week's chart shows the fundraising status to date for Holland Park purchase of the Salvation Army property.

A spokesman for the Islamic Society of Holland Park told CCN: The news is not so good this week. We didn't progress much from last week. In fact the majority of the progress can be attributed to the collections in Sydney, which raised around $50,000. JazaakumAllah to all the people who donated - may Allah reward them for their generosity. We are looking for people (and organisations) to step up and assist Holland Park Mosque to get over the line.

 

The Holland Park Society has also been in the process of trying to sell the property at 33 Crest Street.   The details are: • 2-bedroom house, close to Holland Park mosque • Approx. 600 square metres of land • Asking price is $440,000 negotiable.   Anyone interested can contact one of the following: Mohammed Abdul Gaffar Deen - Mobile +61 418 721 165 - email admin@sailmove.com.au Shaheek Hassan - Mobile +61 412 414 786 - email hasan51@optusnet.com.au Shaheed Ali - Mobile +61 411 229 559 - email shaheedali@hotmail.com