Coming Up on
Q&A tomorrow
on Easter
Monday on
ABC TV:
Archbishop
of
Brisbane,
Mark
Coleridge
Imam,
Dr
Mohamad
Abdalla
Buddhist
nun, The
Venerable
Robina
Courtin
Comedian
and
atheist,
Josh
Thomas
Jewish
singer
songwriter
Deborah
Conway
Associate Professor Abdalla is the Founding Director of the Griffith University Islamic Research Unit (GIRU) and Director of the Queensland node of the National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies (NCEIS).
Dr Abdalla is a member of the Council of Imams of Queensland, the peak Islamic body in QLD; the Vice-President of Australia branch of Al-Azhar University Office; and a member of the advisory board to the Hon. Glen Elmes MP, Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier.
He has served as the Chairperson of the Queensland Government Muslim Community Reference Group (MCRG, and as the Vice-president and spokesperson for the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Australia's leading Islamic religious organisation.
In 2008, Dr Abdalla was one of 1000 Australians invited by Prime Minister Kevin Rudd to Australia 2020 Summit. Dr Abdalla is an active member of the QLD Muslim community and after 9/11 and the burning of his local Mosque led a reconciliation strategy leading to a successful initiative of building bridges of understanding between the Islamic and Australian communities.
He is also an academic and a public intellectual with a host of publications in the field of Islam and science, media, intimate partner violence, democracy, and Sharia Law. He lives in Brisbane with his Irish background wife, Peta, and son Abdul Jaleel.
A
new
initiative
has just
been
established
from
Brisbane
called
AlUstaadh
ONLINE, a
learning
management
platform
that will
enable
teachers of
Islamic/madressah
courses to
establish
their
courses and
course
content
online and
to interact
and
collaborate
with their
students
over the
Internet.
AlUstaadh
ONLINE aims
to provide
free and
readily
available
access to
quality
Islamic
education,
knowledge
and practice
that is
supported by
technology
and tools
that enhance
teaching,
learning and
engagement.
It aims to
provide an
online
learning and
teaching
environment
for
teachers,
mualims and
mualimas to
develop,
present and
maintain
their course
materials
and
resources
that will
support,
enhance and
stimulate
their
students’
learning.
To get a
feel for the
potential of
this
platform,
CCN readers
are being
given the
opportunity
to
experience
the site
first hand:
1. Go to
http://www.alustaadh.com/
2. Click on
the link to
enter the
online
learning
site
3. Click on
the
AlUstaadh
Online 101
course link
4. Log in
using
a. Username: u13003
b. Password:
Miskeen1@
5. And
you’re in!
6. Explore
the links,
video sample
and try the
quiz.
7. Post a
message/question/suggestion/thoughts
to the
discussion
forum
8. If you
would like
to formally
enrol in
this course,
email
info@alustaadh.com
with your
first name,
last name
and email
address to
join in the
discussion
and learn
how you can
benefit from
the platform
as a
teaching and
learning
tool.
A formal
launch is
planned soon
and there
will be
training
workshops on
using the
site.
If you would
like to be
invited to
the launch
or have any
enquiries
please email
info@alustaadh.com.
The nikah of Jibran, son of
Mohammed
and Rahila
Siddique and
Shereen, daughter of
Abdul Karim (Dado) and
SafiyyaSacur was performed
at the Algester Mosque on
Friday 22 March.
The bridal
reception was held
on Sunday 24 March at the
Links Hope Island.
(l to r)Mrs.
Ruxana Osman,
Mrs.
Dhurdana
Hussein,
Mrs. Farida
Kassim, Mr.
Aboo Kassam
and
Ms. Nikki
Wynn
The Algester
Women’s
Auxiliary
hosted a
luncheon for
over 200
clients and
staff of the
Multicultural
Development
Association
(MDA) on 28
March.
“The meal
was
delicious
and the
clients were
thrilled. It
was such a
wonderful
opportunity
that the
Women’s
Auxillary
provided and
was so
warmly
received by
our
clients," Ms
Naseema
Mustapha of
MDA told
CCN.
MDA's Social
Inclusion
Activities
and
Settlement
Lifeskills
Coordinator,
Ms Nikki
Wynn said:
"These women
had heard
about the
asylum
seeker
situation
and the work
MDA is doing
with people
and they
wanted to
help in some
way. This
made all our
clients feel
very special
and valued.
What a
stunning
example of
community.
Thank you to
Naseema and
the Islamic
Women’s
Auxiliary
for making
it happen."
The
Queensland
African
Communities
Council (QACC)
constituted
an Advisory
Board to
provide an
expert
consultative
mechanism to
allow the
QACC to work
towards the
socio-economic
needs of the
African
communities
residing in
Queensland.
It will help
the QACC
formulate
advocacy
policy and
strategies
to improve
the
participation
of African
communities
and
individuals,
address the
challenges
facing new
arrivals and
enhance
their social
and economic
integration
and help
develop a
self-sustainable
community
capable of
participating
in and
contributing
to an
inclusive
society.
(l to
r)
QACC
Advisory
Board
Members:
Ms
Abi
Zrobok,
Dr
Mustafa
Ally, Ms
Yassmin
Abdel-Magied,
Mr. Abdi
Hersi
(Board
Chairman),
Ms
Sallymatu
Kuyateh,
and
Mr.
Benjamin
Agyare
Other
Board
members
are Mr.
David
Bilal,
Dr Helen
Tumusiime
and Mr.
Tom
Ogwang.
The
five
finalists
for the
Queensland
chapter of
the Barista
Championships
were
announced on
Wednesday
and Raihaan
Esat of
Runcorn
received
news that he
had
qualified.
He will
spend much
of Easter
touching up
on his
knowledge
and skills
before the
five
contestants
face a panel
of judges on
Wednesday 10
April.
The
competition
will be
tough more
so because
the current
Australian
champion Tim
Adams is a
Queenslander
and he is
again
participating
this year.
Last year he
finished a
creditable
13th as
Australia’s
representative
in the world
championship.
Raihaan was
full of
praise and
appreciation
to members
of the
community
for their
support.
On
Wednesday,
21st
March
the
Australian
International
Islamic
College
(AIIC)
celebrated
Harmony
Day
at
the
college.
The
day
provided
opportunities
for
the
students
to
embrace
the
many
things
that
make
them
special
and
to
share
those
things
they
have
in
common.
The
students
came
in
their
traditional
attire
and
brought
traditional
foods
to
share
with
each
other.
The
sense
of
belonging,
acceptance
and
understanding
of
others
was
promoted
throughout
the
day.
Harmony
Day
has
been
celebrated
at
AIIC
for
the
past
10
years.
The
students,
staff
and
parents
recognise
the
day
as a
way
to
celebrate
the
positive
aspects
of
living
in a
multicultural,
diverse
country.
A
program
was
held
at
the
morning
assembly
with
a
talk
by
the
college
captain
and
vice-captain,
a
few
classroom
presentations,
nasheeds
as
well
as a
poster
presentation
by
the
year
4
students.
Food
sampling
and
tasting
was
the
highlight
of
the
day!
Pupils of
the Emerald
Christian
College, a
co-educational
independent
college from
the town of
Emerald in
the Central
Highlands
district of
Central
Queensland,
visited the
Kuraby
Mosque
during the
week to
learn about
Islamic
beliefs and
rituals.
Students
from the
college have
been
visiting the
Mosque every
year for the
past seven
years.
The
Islamic
Women's
Association
of
Queensland (IWAQ)
has launched
a creating
art project
that seeks
to use art
as a
universal
tool of
communication
to address
some of the
current
misunderstandings
and conflict
between
communities
and
cultures.
The project
will target
young people
from a wide
range of
cultures and
religions
across Logan
City.
Mr Magdy
Shiha
(pictured
left at
work),
who
specialises
in digital
art, graphic
and visual
art, has
been engaged
to direct
the project.
"Young
people are
the
generation
of our
future. It
is through
influencing
their
understanding
and
perceptions
that we have
the capacity
to mobilise
a generation
that has a
new aspect
and healthy
appreciation
and
understanding
of what
multiculturalism
should be,"
Mr. Shiha,
project
coordinator
and
director,
told CCN.
Mr. Shiha
will run a
series of
workshops
with young
people that
seek to
document
(through
stories,
drawings and
interactive
media) an
understanding
of their
culture, how
they came to
live here,
their dreams
and hopes
and personal
stories.
The young
people will
also be
involved in
putting
together an
e-magazine
and video to
upload on
YouTube that
will ensure
that this
information
is conveyed
to young
people
across
Australia
and the
Nation.
The
objectives
of the
project are
to:
1. Document
through art,
stories and
digital
media, the
personal
stories and
dreams and
visions of
our
multicultural
youth
2. Broaden
the minds of
young people
to create an
understanding
and
acceptance
of different
cultures and
religions
3. Utilise
electronic
media to
redesign,
reshape and
re-establish
modern views
and to
promote
integration
of different
cultures
Outcomes of
the project
will
include:
1. An
E-magazine
which is an
interactive
media for
the ipad or
computer.
The magazine
has content
that is both
educational
and
entertaining.
2. A digital
video
portraying
different
cultural
groups
working
together in
workshops to
produce the
products as
a well as a
visual
portray of
what
multiculturalism
means to
this
generation.
Young people
from across
the Logan
and Brisbane
regions will
be targeted
and the
project
workshops
will take
place
between 29
April to 31
May.
The Islamic
Museum of
Australia
(IMA)
building
process in
Melbourne is
on schedule
and the
Leighton
team are
working hard
to achieve
lock up
stage before
Melbourne's
winter
arrives.
According to
Moustafa
Fahour the
building
completion
is estimated
to be at the
end of
November
2013 with a
potential
launch soon
after.
"This
quarter's
most
exciting
building
milestone
was the
assembling
of the roof
and
structure of
the
building,"
said Mr
Fahour.
While the
IMA is on
target to
open late
2013 the
organizers
are facing a
shortfall
for the
final
building
costs. They
have been
fortunate to
have had
support from
donors like
the
Australian
Federal
Government,
State
Government,
Habtoor
Leightons
Group,
Etihad
Airways and
ANZ Bank.
As part of
our
fundraising,
IMA is
offering
interested
parties the
opportunity
to purchase
a Limited
Edition name
plaque on
the front
row of the
IMA
Theatrette
for $10,000.
The first
two have
already been
purchased by
the United
Arab
Emirates
Embassy and
AmBank
Malaysia,
and there
are only 14
remaining.
If anyone is
interested,
you can
click here
for more
information.
The Forum on
Australia’s
Islamic
Relations
(FAIR)
announced
the launch
of its new
website
islamate.org.au.
The website
is designed
to give
young people
an alternate
and engaging
viewpoint
about Islam
in the
Australian
context.
Kuranda
Seyit,
Executive
Director of
FAIR told
CCN, “This
site gives
Australian
Muslim youth
two
opportunities,
one, to
learn that
Islam is a
religion of
moderation
and
tolerance;
and two,
that Islam
has been in
Australia
for over 400
years and
Muslims
contributed
significantly
throughout
the building
of this
nation.”
The website
takes the
approach
that
Australian
Islam has
developed
over 150
years in
Australia.
Starting
with the
Afghan
cameleers in
the 1860’s,
up to the
1970’s when
a new
generation
of Aussie
Mossies,
mostly born
here,
developed a
unique blend
of
Australian
pragmatism
and honesty
combined
with values
of mateship,
hospitality
and humour,
encased in
Islamic
teachings.
There are
Aussie
Sheikhs
answering
common
questions
about Islam,
Aussie
descendants
of the
Afghan
cameleers
telling
their
stories and
just lots of
Aussie
Mossies who
are very
similar to
the average
Australian,
engaging
with the
viewer.
“Hopefully,
this will
give young
people a
sense of
understanding
that as
Australian
Muslims we
have a
different
approach to
Islam than
what we see
in Pakistan
or the
Middle East
and just
like the
Afghan
cameleers,
present day
Muslims have
a lot to
offer this
country.” Mr
Seyit added.
This
week's
nasheed
is
brought
to
you
by
the
organizers
of
the
Queensland
Nasheed
Competition
(click
on
left
thumbnail
for
more
details)
to
help
you
get
your
vocal
and
lyrical juices
flowing.
Thank you for putting our request for contacts for
our Saudi families in
last week's CCN.
I have already received promising responses, which
is great.
I will be drawing the students’ attention to your
website in the next meeting with their team leaders.
It is certainly very comprehensive, and I’ve already
found it helpful.
Regards, Judi
Judi Tenison-Woods
Student Services Officer
Aviation Australia
Dear Editor,
Please pass on my sincere thank you to Imam Imraan
Husain, Secretary of CIQ, who responded on behalf of
CIQ Imams. I humbly thank both you as editor for
being willing to
publish my letter and Imam Husain for replying
so sincerely and so eloquently. This is yet another
example of why I converted to Islam. Thank you.
It is such a blessing to have been able to see the
issue acknowledged in your e-newsletter, plus a very
warm response from Imam Husain. I hope that those
people who have caused this concern in the first
place read both the letter and the response. I
deliberately chose not to name the events or the
Imams because they know in their hearts where they
have slipped up and will try to do better moving
forward. I do not subscribe to naming and shaming, I
would rather appeal to the heart and humanity of
people and hopefully see the blessing of
improvement.
The dear friend that I referred to in my initial
letter attended an event in Boonah a couple of weeks
ago. He was representing Sufis at an Interfaith
forum held by the Eremos Society. As mentioned in my
previous letter my friend is of Scottish extraction
and before the event began he had a conversation
with a delightful woman, also of Scottish heritage.
As he was unpacking his oud she asked him what the
instrument was and being keen to share, he explained
what an oud was and that he was going to be playing
Sufi music for the program. She asked first about
Sufism and consequently about Islam. She was
completely shocked to learn that he was a Muslim, as
she figured someone who had the same colouring and
accent as herself would be of the same religion.
What astounded my friend was her next comment: "When
I joined the Interfaith study group I thought it was
just to get Catholics, Protestants and Anglicans
talking together."
The problem of isolationism is certainly not
monopolised by the Islamic community. There are
still plenty of people who have no experience
outside of their own community and it is by
extending our hands and hearts in friendship and
dialogue that we enrich not only our own lives, but
the lives of others.
Again, I am deeply, deeply appreciative of both the
publication of my concerns and the sincere response.
ROME: Pope Francis washed the
feet of 12 young offenders including two
girls and two Muslims at a Rome prison in an
unprecedented version of an ancient Easter
ritual, seen as part of efforts to bring the
Catholic Church closer to those in need.
The pope knelt down, washing and kissing the
young prisoners' feet in the first Holy
Thursday ceremony of its kind performed by a
pontiff in prison, and the first to include
women and Muslims.
"Whoever is the most high up must be at the
service of others," Francis said at the mass
in the Casal del Marmo youth prison, a
fortnight after being elected Latin
America's first pope.
"I do this with all my heart because it is
my duty as a priest, as a bishop. I have to
be at your service. I love doing it because
this is what the Lord has taught me," the
76-year-old said.
Vatican spokesman Federico Lombardi said
many of the participants broke down in tears
at the ceremony, which was open only to
Vatican media. One young man had to be
replaced at the last moment because he was
too overcome with emotion.
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: It's the
holiday weekend and you deserve to indulge just
a tiny bit, right?
Here is a fancy baked potato that
is fun to make and fun to eat too. It is full of butter, cheese and creamy
deliciousness as well. Don't blame this on our
guest-chef-of-the-week, Aakifah Suleman, who
was, I am told, simply acting on a
brother-in-law's request.
Hasselback
Potato
Ingredients
1. 2 very large
potatoes
2. 100g garlic butter – grated and place in the freezer
to prevent it from melting
3. 100g parmesan cheese – thinly sliced
60ml cream
4. 60g cheese
5. Salt
6. Crushed chilli flakes - optional
7. Sour cream – optional
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200c.
2. Scrub the potatoes clean.
3. Using a sharp knife, make slices across the
potato, being sure to stop before you reach its
bottom. (Tip – place the handle of a wooden
spoon alongside the potato when slicing so it
prevents you from cutting to the bottom)
4. Next, open the potatoes’ crevices and place
the Parmesan and butter in it, alternating
between the two.
5. Transfer the potatoes onto an oiled baking
sheet and drizzle a little oil on top of the
potatoes.
6. Season with salt and chillie flakes. You can
be quite generous with the salt.
7. Bake for 60mins
8. After about 45 minutes, remove the baking
sheet from the oven. Drizzle cream over the top
and top with grated cheese any cheese you like –
but I prefer a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella
cheese.
9. Return the baking sheet to the oven for the
last 15 minutes.
10. You can serve with a dollop of sour cream
Q: Dear Kareema, please tell me why I get so
exhausted on the days I go to gym? Instead of feeling
energised I feel tired, help…
A: Well you're right, after working out you
should feel energised.
One problem might be that you're not getting enough
protein and not eating as healthy as you should be.
Make the time to refuel your body after a workout
because it will affect your whole day if you don’t.
Also be sure that you stay well hydrated. Before, after
and during your workout.
Not getting a good night’s sleep is another reason your
body might be rebelling after a workout. Try to get at
least eight hours of z’s a night, hard as it is these
days..
Remember too that you need a rest day after a weight
session so your muscles can recover in time for the next
workout. NJOY!
One day Mula Nasruddin went to the Arab Bank in Jeddah
with a large bag full of money.
Mula Nasruddin insisted on speaking to the president of
the Bank in order to open a savings account because, he
said, he had a lot of money.
After much discussion an employee took Mula Nasruddin to
the office of the president, who also happened to be a
member of the royal family.
The president of the Bank asked Mula Nasruddin how much
he wanted to deposit.
He said US$250,000.
Curious, he asked Mula Nasruddin how he had saved such a
large sum of money.
Mula Nasruddin said he made bets.
The president, quite surprised, asked: “Which kind of
bets?”
Mula Nasruddin said: “For example, I bet you $25,000
that you can't wriggle your toes”.
The president started to laugh and pointed out that this
kind of bet was impossible to win!
Mula Nasruddin replied: “Would you like to make a bet?”
“Certainly”, answered the president, “I can guarantee
you that I can wriggle my toes”.
Mula Nasruddin said to him:
“Given the size of the bet, I’ll come back tomorrow at
10am with my lawyer as a witness, if it’s alright with
you”.
“No problem” said the president.
That evening, the president became very nervous about
the bet and spent a long time in front of his mirror
examining his toes, turning them in all directions,
again and again, in order to make sure that his toes
could be wriggled and therefore be sure to win this bet.
On the next day, 10am sharp, the Mula Nasruddin arrived
with his lawyer at the office of the president.
The president then removed his shoes and wriggled his
toes so that Mula Nasruddin and his lawyer could see
everything.
Mula Nasruddin came closer and asked him if he could
touch them.
“Of course please do!” said the president, given the
fact that there was so much money involved, “you must be
100% sure.”
Mula Nasruddin, smiling, started to do so.
The president looked up to see the lawyer banging his
head against the wall.
He asked Mula Nasruddin “What is he doing?”
Mula Nasruddin answered: “It’s probably because I bet
him $100,000 that around 10am today, I would be holding
the toes of the president of the Arab Bank in my hands!”
Be sure We
shall test you with
something of fear and
hunger, some loss in goods
or lives or the fruits (of
your toil), but give glad
tidings to those who
patiently persevere.
KNOWLEDGE SEEKERS CLASS Venue: Algester Mosque When: Every Tuesday Morning Time: 9:30am to 11am Teacher: Imam Aslam Al Qadri 1st topic: Understanding Hijab and it's significance
in Islam/ Implementing the sunnah in everyday life, eg the
sunnah of eating, sleeping, interaction with people socially
etc etc.......
For any further information please contact me on 0433552409
or ladies can contact Shakira Ayoob on 0449800205.
Seeker's Circle
Kuraby Mosque Tafseer &
Taalim
Tuesday tafseer and taleem classes at Kuraby Mosque every Tuesday
11am - 12.30pm
Bald Hills Mosque Weekly Tafseer
The weekly program schedule is as follows:
Mondays: Tafseer
Wednesdays: Tafseer
The above lessons will start at 7:30 pm and will go for
approximately 1/2 an hour each day.
All brothers and sisters are welcome.
Queensland Police Service/Muslim Community
Consultative Group
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
Articles and
opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the Crescents of Brisbane Team, CCN,
its Editor or its Sponsors, particularly if they eventually
turn out to be libellous, unfounded, objectionable,
obnoxious, offensive, slanderous and/or downright
distasteful.
It is the usual policy of CCN to
include from time to time, notices of events that some
readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are
often posted as received. Including such messages or
providing the details of such events does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the contents of these events by either
CCN or Crescents of Brisbane Inc.
The 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.
.
A
new
initiative
has just
been
established
from
Brisbane
called
AlUstaadh
ONLINE, a
learning
management
platform
that will
enable
teachers of
Islamic/madressah
courses to
establish
their
courses and
course
content
online and
to interact
and
collaborate
with their
students
over the
Internet.
The
five
finalists
for the
Queensland
chapter of
the Barista
Championships
were
announced on
Wednesday
and Raihaan
Esat of
Runcorn
received
news that he
had
qualified.
The
Islamic
Women's
Association
of
Queensland (IWAQ)
has launched
a creating
art project
that seeks
to use art
as a
universal
tool of
communication
to address
some of the
current
misunderstandings
and conflict
between
communities
and
cultures.
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7
August 2011