Last week's
Q&A elicited
an
unprecedented
and
overwhelmingly
positive
response of
praise and
congratulations
from all
quarters of
Australia
over the
performance
of Brisbane
academic, Dr
Mohamad
Abdalla who
appeared as
a panellist
alongside
the
Archbishop
of Brisbane,
Mark
Coleridge,
Buddhist
nun, The
Venerable
Robina
Courtin,
comedian and
atheist,
Josh Thomas,
and Jewish
singer
songwriter
Deborah
Conway.
The
questions
included
ones on the
wonder of
creation,
what happens
in heaven,
jihad and
gays and gay
marriage,
Social media
ran red hot
on the night
and CCN has
harvested a
small
selection
from some of
the 9000
tweets that
were posted
while the
programme
was being
aired:
Mohammed
Abdalla
speaks a lot
of sense and
the Muslim
majority in
the
community
need to
speak up and
get wider
media
coverage
The media
has a lot to
answer for
the
misinterpretation
of jihad
too. Why
haven't
explained it
to the
public like
Mohammed is
now?
Imam
Mohammad
Abdalla
spoke really
well tonight
a good
representative
of
Australian
Muslims,
pity
moderate
Muslims
don't sell
papers
That Imam
dude on #qanda
should be
the poster
child for
his religion
in our
country.
#qanda I do
like this
Imam.
Why isn't
this Imam on
Sunrise or
the Today
Show more
often?
This Imam is
good value.
#QandA
I'm diggin
the imam. So
diggin him.
Clearly,
this Imam
has been
carefully
chosen by #TheirABC.
He's a
skilled at
marketing,
and saying
just what
they want
him to say.
The #Imam Dr
Mohamad
Abdalla is
by far the
best panel
member
tonight and
I'm not
religious.
#QandA - the
IMAM seemed
to be the
most
sensible and
peaceful
member of
the panel.
The Muslim
cleric is a
shining
beacon for
his people
and his
religion.
Would love
to pick his
brain.
Enjoyed #qanda
tonight. No
pollies.
Engaging
conversations
from all
panelists.
Muslim
cleric
impressed as
intelligent
voice of
reason.
Very
Impressed
with the
insights and
wisdom being
shared by
this Islamic
cleric
sharing
truth with
Muslim &
non-Muslim
Australians
on #QandA
This cleric
should have
his own
column in
the paper.
#QandA It's
a shame this
cleric isn't
the
spokesperson
for Islam in
Australia,
he is a
voice of
reason.
How
delightful
to have a
Muslim
cleric
talking with
intelligence
and vigour
about what
it means to
be a Muslim.
The Cleric
needs to
comunicate
his logic to
more
Australians.
This cleric
speaks for
the majority
if Muslims.
Why don't we
see people
like him
quoted in
the news?
#QandA the
cleric is
doing a
great job at
explaining
in simple
language
what Islam
is really
about - we
don't hear
that clarity
often enough
#qanda Well
done to Imam
Mohammed
Abdalla for
getting
straight to
the point on
answering
all Q's
honestly..
Not beating
around the
bush.
Imam
Mohammad
Abdalla is
one of the
best thing
to happen to
Australian
Muslims for
a very long
time! Bravo!
#qanda"
Oooh my man
Muhammad
Abdalla is
on #qanda -
he's a good
dude
What product
does Dr
Mohamad
Abdalla use
in his
beard? That
shine is
grand. #QandA
Imam
Mohammad
Abdalla is
doing a
great
service for
our Aussies
muslim
brothers
tonight.
Very calm,
centered,
tranquil,
knowledgeable
#qanda"
#QandA Thx
for a
wonderful
show
particularly,
Imam Dr
Mohamad
Abdalla.
It's so
refreshing
to see an
educated and
articulate
muslims
rep'tive
I have a lot
of respect
for Dr
Mohammad
Abdalla.
Very
intelligent
man and an
excellent
representative
of his
religion #qanda
Brother
Mohammed
Abdalla is
speaking so
peacefully
and well on
all these
topics.
MashaAllah
brother #QandA
Dr Mohamad
Addalla
seemed to be
the most
scholarly
person on
the panel &
was the best
at
explaining
the issues.
#qanda
Mohamad
Abdalla's
voice and
speaking
manner is
captivating
#qanda
Mohamad's
beard is
glittering
under the
lights. #qanda
It so
refreshing
to hear Dr
M. Abdalla
explains
Muslim
values and
meaning of
jihad on #qanda,
more Muslims
should
follow his
steps.
Imam Abdalla
is doing so
well. What
an eloquent
and
intelligent
man. #qanda
#qanda
Associate
Professor
Mohamad
Abdalla you
are awesome.
Well spoken
tonight.
It's
fascinating
to hear your
views.
I have so
much respect
for Mohamad
Abdalla on #qanda
tonight.
Thank you
for showing
us, and
educating us
on, your bel
...
Mohamad
should have
been on the
radio the
day of the
Cronulla
riots not
Alan Jones #qanda
I'm
completely
mesmerized
by the
sparkle of
Dr Mohamad
Abdullah's
beard. #QandA
Whatever
your faith,
nobody can
deny Dr
Mohamaf
Abdalla has
the shiniest
beard ever #QandA
In one tweet
panellist
Josh Thomas
replied:
People
implying I
didn't
criticize
the Imam
because I
was scared
of Muslims
obviously
didn't
listen to
him, he was
a peaceful
dude. #Qanda
CCN has also
compiled
some of the
emails
received
that
reflected
the views of
a
cross-section
of the
Australian
community
here.
Lawyer,
Human Rights
Advocate,
Muslim
community
advocate and
occasional
opinion
writer, Ms
Mariam
Veiszadeh,
went as far
as
suggesting
in her blog
entitled,
Finally, an
articulate,
highly
educated
Imam
appearing on
TV,
that Dr
Abdalla be
considered
for the role
of the next
Mufti of
Australia,
as did a
number of
others on
Facebook.
If you
missed (or,
like many,
can't get
enough of)
the
discussion,
watch it
here:
You can also
download the
complete
transcript
here.
Crescents of
Brisbane is
proud to
announce our
partnership
with
Crescent
Wealth, in
this year's
10th
Anniversary
Crescent
Wealth
CresWalk2013.
Crescent
Wealth
is
Australia's
First
Islamic
Wealth
Manager.
They offer
an
innovative
series of
ultra-ethical
investment
funds that
are based on
Islamic
investment
principles,
unique in
the
Australian
market.
Similar to
socially
responsible
investing,
Crescents
Wealth also
filters out
socially
detrimental
activities
such as
gambling,
alcohol and
weapons.
This year's
Crescent
Wealth
CresWalk2013
will start
later than
in previous
years at
10am to
allow
everyone to
enjoy the
early winter
mid-day sun
and to
celebrate
the 10th
anniversary
with an
after
run/walk
FAMILY
PICNIC IN
THE PARK
with a free
lunch,
activities,
tug-of-war,
lucky draw
prizes and
loads more!
Online
registration
for Crescent
Wealth
CresWalk2013
is
now open.
Hurry and
get your
registrations
in because
this year
ONLY THE
FIRST 400
registrations
will receive
a
commemorative
t-shirt.
The
Muslim
Charitable
Foundation
(MCF) has
been active
in helping
many of the
refugees
during
March. Many
of them are
on visas
that do not
meet their
needs and
these
refugees
have found
themselves
in dire
circumstances,
even after
the trauma
of being in
detention
centres.
Also people
are
struggling
with the
daily cost
increases on
low
pensions.
Medical
expenses
have also
been met.
One such
case was to
help
supplement
funds for a
life saving
operation
which could
only be
performed by
a specialist
in another
state. The
patient
could not
wait for a
public
hospital and
could not
afford
private
health
insurance.
The patient
is now on
the road to
a slow
recovery,
and the
prognosis is
good.
MCF needs
all the
support it
can get to
carry on
this much
needed work.
We are
fortunate in
Queensland
to have a
charity that
cares for
the needs of
the local
people. Most
other Muslim
charities
send funds
to help the
needy in
overseas
countries.
MCF can only
continue to
operate
whilst it
has funds in
the
accounts.Therefore
it is
continually
needing
donations as
it has often
to act
urgently to
meet the
needs of
cases that
arise.
150 years
ago
Australia
gained a
small but
permanent
Muslim
population.
During a
time when
the nation
was still
forming its
identity, it
was decided
that camels
were the
best way to
explore and
service the
outback. In
1866, the
first large
shipment of
121 camels
arrived in
Port Augusta
on the
Blackwell
steamship,
accompanied
by 31 camel
handlers.
This was the
beginning of
a new
adventure
for these
men and the
men that
followed.
Their life
was one of
hardship,
unpredictability,
segregation
and
alienation.
Most traces
of the
cameleers
have
vanished
today,
although
their houses
of prayer
still stand
in some of
the places
where they
lived and
many of
their
artefacts
can be found
amongst
their
descendants
hidden away
in old
chests or
proudly
displayed on
a mantle
piece. Only
in the
memories of
their
descendants
and in local
histories of
outback
towns, has
their
heritage
remained.
The
Cameleers
contributed
greatly to
the building
of this
nation; in
outback
exploration,
in
construction
and carting
goods across
the dry
interior.
There were
several well
known
cameleers
who made
their mark
on
Australian
history such
as Bejah
Dervish the
great
explorer,
Mahomet
Allum, the
herbalist
who is
reputed to
have cured
thousands of
people, the
desperate
love story
between Jack
Akbar and
his
Aboriginal
wife Lallie
and the
tragic
episode of
Gool Mahomet
and Mullah
Abdullah who
took out
their
vengeance on
a picnic
train loaded
with
innocents
during the
new years
day shooting
in Broken
Hill in
1915.
The Battle
of Broken
Hearts
retraces the
steps of the
early Afghan
cameleers,
and explores
the amazing
lives of
some of
these men
and the many
years of
discrimination
and
injustice
that many of
the
cameleers
had to
endure in a
white
Australia.
The story is
told through
the words of
historians
and
descendants
of the
cameleers.
The film
will evoke
what life
was like for
a Cameleer:
their
survival
instincts,
their
religion,
their
relationship
with
Europeans
and
Aborigines,
and the
discrimination
they
experienced.
It will
illustrate
how the
Cameleers’
legacy lives
on through
descendants
and their
children.
Multicultural
Development
Australia (MDA)
has put out
a call out
for
non-profit
organisations
interested
in holding a
Food Stall
or Fashion
Show/Stall
at their
World
Refugee Day
Community
Festival
2013.
QANTAS has
removed pork
from its
in-flight
menu on
flights to
and from
Europe as a
result of
its
partnership
with Middle
Eastern
airline
Emirates.
No food
containing
pork or pork
products
will be
served on
those
flights -
which now
has a
stopover in
Dubai -
because it
is strictly
forbidden in
Islam and is
considered
"unholy".
All meals
offered on
the route in
first,
business and
economy
classes will
also be
prepared
without
alcohol in
keeping with
the Islamic
religion.
A note on
the Qantas
menus on
flights in
and out of
Dubai states
that the
meals do not
contain pork
products or
alcohol. The
airline has
also
introduced a
mezze plate
offering
traditional
Middle
Eastern fare
in its upper
classes and
has Arabic
translations
after
in-flight
announcements.
A Qantas
spokesman
said the
decision to
remove pork,
ham and
other
related food
items had
had minimal
impact on
its menu and
it was still
offering the
same meal
choices.
"Qantas
in-flight
catering
often
reflects the
cultural and
regional
influences
of the
international
destinations
we fly to,"
he said.
"On flights
to and from
Hong Kong
and China,
our menus
include
regionally
inspired
dishes such
as stir
fries and to
Singapore we
have noodle
options."
Qantas also
offers meals
without pork
and alcohol
on flights
to the
Indonesian
capital
Jakarta,
which also
has a large
Muslim
population.
Several
other
airlines
which fly
from
Australia to
the United
Arab
Emirates and
Malaysia do
not serve
pork either.
Virgin
Australia
does not
serve pork
on flights
to and from
Abu Dhabi
and all
meals that
are prepared
are halal
accredited,
with meat
prepared in
a way
prescribed
by Islamic
law.
The time for
the
Knowledge
Seeker's
class which
is run every
Tuesday
morning
(9.30 -
11.00 am) by
Maulana
Muhammad
Aslam at the
Algester
Masjid has
been changed
to Tuesday
evening
after
Salaatul
Isha ie 8.00
- 9.30 pm.
This is due
to the fact
that Maulana
has Hifz
students in
the mornings
during the
school
holidays.
This is a
great
opportunity
for those
who are
working and
feel they
miss out on
the morning
classes, to
attend the
evening
class. If
the evening
class proves
more popular
than the
morning
class,
Maulana may
consider
holding
classes in
the evening.
All this
depends
entirely on
the turn out
InshAllah.
Annual
Mother's Day
Brunch
Date:11.00am,
Sunday 12
May
Venue
:Islamic
College of
Brisbane,
Karawatha.
Contact:
Yahya on
0403 338 040
Website
The Mosque
upgraded
website is
up and
running now.
All Friday
Khutbas,
lectures etc
etc will be
uploaded to
the site
making it
easy for all
to easily
access and
listen to
them. Please
pass this
message on
to the
ladies of
the
household
especially,
as they
don't have
the
opportunity
to attend
the Masjid
to listen to
the
Lectures.
All
constructive
criticism/suggestions
and comments
to help
improve the
site are
most welcome
and every
effort will
be made to
continually
improve the
site and
keep it
updated at
all times.
Ms Utami
Pujilentari.
an
Indonesian
PhD
accounting
student at
Griffith
University,
has been
invited to
present her
paper on
Market
Orientation
and
Financial
Performance:
An Empiical
Evidence,
and the
second paper
on Industry
Dynamum and
Financial
Performance:
the Role of
Proactive
Market
Orientation,
MAS
Information
and Customer
Performance
at the
British and
Finance
Association
(BAFA)
Annual
Conference
in
Newcastle-on-Tyne,
U.K. in
April.
She will
also present
the first
paper at the
36th
European
Accounting
Association
(EAAQ)
Annual
Congress in
Paris on 6th
- 8th May.
Utami has
her family
with her in
Australia
and has
cared for
them whilst
studying.
She has also
volunteered
in the
Queensland
Muslim
Welfare shop
whilst it
was in
operation,
turning up
every
Saturday
morning to
help out.
She has also
come to the
assistance
of the
Queensland
Muslim
Historical
Society on
more than
one
occasion.
According to
one reviewer,
Islam -
Empire of
Faith
was the
first
documentary that
presented
Islam and
the Muslims
fairly.
"It is
strongly
recommended
for anyone
who lives in
the West,
particularly
in the USA,
and is
sceptical of
the
propaganda
that is
constantly
spread by
the current
U.S.
administration
and certain
special-interest
think tanks
and groups,"
said the
reviewer.
"If you are
curious
about Islam,
and one of
those who
listen with
a critical
ear, this is
a movie for
you to
watch. It is
a first rate
production
that
describes
the faith
accurately
and recounts
history as
it was. It
is also well
crafted,
with a
beautiful
cinematography,
an excellent
narration
and a
stunning
display of
art and
architecture.
Yes, it is
missing a
few things,
but I don't
believe
anyone could
have done a
better job
in trying to
recount 1400
years of
history in
two hours."
The video
includes:
(1) Prophet
Muhammad (sallallāhu
'alayhi wa
sallam) and
rise of
Islam (2)
The
Awakening
and
(3) The
Ottomans.
Last
year CCN
called on
readers to
donate
towards a
cochlear
implant for
Mujahid
(pictured
left).
We are
pleased to
announce
that total
strangers,
anonymous
donors,
corporate
bodies,
schools,
friends and
family the
goal has
been reached
and
sufficient
funds have
been raised
for the
operation.
Mujahid's
parents,
Farzana and
Sharif
Omarshah,
wrote saying
they had no
way of truly
expressing
their
gratitude to
those who
came to
their
assistance.
"We can only
pray that;
for whatever
you gave,
you find
more with
our Lord and
Creator. May
He reward
and
safeguard
you for all
your days."
Mujahid’s
operation
took place
on the 28th
of January
2013. He
received a
cochlear
implant in
his right
ear. The
surgery was
conducted in
South
Africa.
After a post
operation
healing
period of
three weeks
the device
was
activated on
the 18
February
2013.
Mujahid is
currently
attending
speech
therapy and
device
mapping
sessions.
All
indications
are that the
operation
was a
success and
Mujahid has
begun to
show
significant
progress in
vocalization.
Flanked by
the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, Graham Quirk,
the Premier of Queensland, Campbell Newman
and the Premier's wife, Lisa, is Mr Farouk
Adam, Muslim Business Network (MBN)
president, at the opening yesterday
(Saturday) of the newly refurbished Brisbane
City Hall
I am pleased to inform you that, Alhamdulillah, the
Islamic Society of Holland Park has taken possession
of the Salvation Army properties. By selling the
three properties owned by the Holland Park Society
and generous donations from a very large number of
people, as well as a highly successful fund-rising
night, we achieved our objective. Alhamdulillah.
This could not have been achieved without the
willing help of various people.
Help came in many different ways - from Crescent
Community Newsletter regularly updating the
progress, to people assisting by giving their time
to go for collections, to people rallying in support
at mosques in Brisbane, Gold Coast, and Sydney, to
students digging deep. The sense of community spirit
was amazing to see and gave me a deep appreciation
of the power of unity.
I would like to thank:
• Mustafa Ally and CCN for the regular updates and
constant support. Your input and contribution
towards this worthy cause was quite noteworthy.
• The congregation at Holland Park Mosque, Kuraby
Mosque, Gold Coast Mosque, and the various mosques
in Sydney who donated money very generously.
• The congregation at Jumma in Brisbane (Elizabeth
Street) - particularly the students. Despite their
limited abilities, they showed a lot of support -
not only by contributing money, but also by
contributing ideas.
• The people who gave up their time to help the team
with the door-to-door appeal for funds. We
appreciate your time and efforts.
• Hussin Goss for his personal support and his
efforts on the night of the Fund-Raiser. He really
put in a great effort to help us achieve a record
collection of $90 - $100 thousand on the night.
• The donors who contributed significant amounts and
kick-started the fund-raising drive soon after the
purchase of the Salvation Army properties. You all
know who you are. Thank you all very much.
• Lastly, the "project" team who met weekly and
planned each step of the way. There were times when
the task seemed daunting, but you all remained
dedicated. We delivered against the odds.
May Allah SWT reward each and everyone who
contributed in any way to this worthy cause. You
have secured the future off Holland Park Mosque for
a very long time.
If I have missed out anybody, please accept my
apologies.
Was-salaam,
Farooq Dudhia
Dear Editor,
Assalamulaikum.
Thank you so much to Janeth Deen for a wonderful act
of kindness in taking the time to take my mother Mrs
Emma Khan to Meadowlands Park to celebrate her 92
years young.
"Muslimah
Pride Day" was organised in
response to Femen's self-declared "Topless
Jihad Day", a day of
topless protests
around the world to support Tunisian Femen
activist
Amina Tyler.
Below is a screenshot from
the "Muslimah Pride Day" event on Facebook:
The organisers of the
counter-protest urged Muslim women to speak
out for themselves and assert their diverse
identities. "This event is open to ALL
muslim women, Hijaabi's Nikaabis and women
who choose not to wear it. Muslimah pride is
about connecting with your Muslim identity
and reclaiming our collective voice. Most
importantly it is about diversity and
showing that muslim women are not just one
homogenous group. We come in all shapes and
sizes, all races and cultural backgrounds.
Whether we choose to wear hijaabs or not is
nobodies business but ours. So please get
clicking, get creative, get loud and proud."
SCOTLAND: On a bitterly cold
and snowing afternoon in Aberdeen, the doors
of St John's Episcopal Church are open to
hundreds of Muslim worshippers, arriving for
daily prayers.
The familiar sounds of
Christian hymns have been replaced with
Islamic prayer in the chapel this Friday
lunchtime and the church priest with the
imam from the neighbouring mosque.
Muslims from the Syed Shah
Mustafa Jame Masjid mosque next door share
this church with Christian worshippers up to
five times a day.
Church leaders believe this
may be the only place in the country where
Christian and Muslim worshippers pray side
by side.
The rector at St John's has
opened his doors to Muslims because there
was not enough space for them to pray in
their own mosque and many were forced to
worship outside on the street.
St John's
Episcopal Church has opened its doors to
Muslims for Friday prayers
The Reverend Isaac Poobalan,
who grew up in Southern India surrounded by
Islam, said he would not have been true to
his faith if he did not help his neighbours.
"It was a very cold day, like
today, and when I walked past the mosque I
saw dozens of male worshippers praying
outside, on the streets, right near the
church.
''Their hands and feet were
bare and you could see their breath in the
freezing cold.
''Jesus taught his disciples
to love your neighbour as yourself and this
is something I cannot just preach to my
congregation, I had to put it into
practice."
Reverend Poobalan adds: ''I
felt very distressed when I saw my
neighbours praying out in the cold and I
knew I needed to do something to help.''
''I know I cannot solve the
world's problems, but when there is a
problem I can solve, I will.''
Reverend Poobalan asked his congregation for
permission to open the church doors to
Muslims.
At first, Muslims were
reluctant to accept the invite, but they
have now settled in well into their new
home.
Worshipper Mozhid Sufiyan said: ''We are so
grateful to the church for giving us a space
for our prayers.
The Mosque is
next door to the church
"It was very difficult,
especially for the elderly, to pray outside
on the floor.
''Father Poobalan has been
very kind to us all by inviting us into his
church.'
''He has respected all of our
beliefs and made us feel comfortable."
There has been some
opposition to the arrangement, with Reverend
Poobalan facing abuse by online trolls on
social networking sites.
Christians believe Jesus is
the son of God, while Muslims regard him as
a prophet.
But despite these differences, there does not seem to be any tension in St
John's Church, with both faiths having
learnt to respect each other.
Reverend
Isaac Poobalan grew up in Southern India
surrounded by Islam
Peter, a member of the church
congregation, said: "Any opposition is from
people who do not belong to the church and
do not understand the arrangement we have
here.
"We do not have any issues
with sharing our building.
''My faith says if you see
anyone out in the cold, you invite them in,
so I don't have any problem with it all."
Muslims and Christian
worshippers at St John's Church hope their
special relationship could serve as a model
for the rest of the country.
The Episcopal Bishop of
Aberdeen and Orkney, Dr Robert Gillies, said
the arrangement at St John's could serve as
a lesson for the rest of the world.
''What we are doing here, is
something local that has global
significance,'' he said.
''We have demonstrated that
Christians and Muslims do not have to agree
with one another.
''But they can learn to
respect each other's different beliefs and
actually come to get along and even like one
another."
France's
first private Muslim school tops the ranks
Averroès
High School in Lille has been in the
spotlight for a decade. Ten years ago, it
was France's first private Muslim school to
follow the national curriculum. Now, it's
one of the country's top-rated schools.
The classes may be a source of envy for many
a harried high school teacher trying to
instil discipline and impart knowledge to a
roomful of teenagers interested in anything
but spending their days in a classroom.
At the Lycée Averroès (Averroès High School)
in the northern French city of Lille, the
students – boys and girls, some of the
latter veiled – assiduously concentrate on
their classwork under the supervision of
their teachers.
Over the past few days, the students’
concentration has not waned despite the
presence of news cameras and crew at the
back of some of the classrooms.
Averroès has been attracting a fair amount
of attention in France after the private
Muslim school ranked at the top of the
regional list of quality schools and was
among the top three on the national list.
While most French students are enrolled in
state schools, around 15 percent of children
in France attend some form of private
school.
In theory, all public schools should provide
the same quality of education. But as every
French parent knows, that is not strictly
true. The annual school ranking systems have
long featured some of the better-known
public high schools from across the country.
The private
Muslim
school
ranked at
the top of
the regional
list of
quality
schools and
was among
the top
three on the
national
list
Over the past few years, private schools –
either Catholic, Jewish or secular, with
varying levels of state funding - have
increasingly made their way to the top
high-school rankings.
Averroès High School’s top ranking has
raised eyebrows across France in part
because it’s a private Muslim school that
has been providing quality education to its
students.
Home to Europe’s largest Muslim population,
France has often been criticised in the
international press for what many see as the
country’s uncompromising commitment to
laïcité - or secularism. A 2004 law banning
the explicit display of religious
affiliations in public schools was widely
criticised in the international community,
as well as by some minority groups inside
France, although the vast majority of French
people supported the ban.
Given France’s complex history of communal
relations with its Muslim population, the
success of the Averroès school has provided
some welcome good news.
It’s something Averroès High School staff
have grown used to over the past decade.
In
2003, when the school opened, it was the
first private Muslim school in France to
follow the national curriculum. “On our
first day, there were 34 journalists,
including one from Japan – compared to only
11 students and 19 teachers,” said Amar
Lasfar, rector of the Lille mosque and
president of the Averroès school, in an
interview with the leading French daily, Le
Monde.
Ten years later, France’s first private
Muslim school has grown to include more than
330 students and has left its old premises
at the Lille mosque for a new building that
can accommodate up to 600 students.
It’s a commendable rise for a school that
has only been “sous contrat” (under
contract) with the state since 2008. Under
the French system, private schools are
either “sous contrat” – with the government
paying teachers’ salaries and the school
following the national curriculum – or “hors
contrat” - not funded by the government and
therefore not obligated to follow any
particular curriculum.
When asked about the secret to the school’s
success, Lasfar is categorical: “Have faith
– not necessarily religious faith, but
believe in the project,” he told Le Monde.
At Averroès High School, students' parents
appear to believe in the project as much as
the staff, with volunteer parents running
the school cafeteria, for instance.
While most of the students are Muslim, the
school is open to non-Muslims as well.
As for the students, the advantages of the
school are numerous. Averroès graduates list
the small class size, the studious
atmosphere and the staff’s commitment to
quality education as the school's best
features.
They also said they happened to have a lot
of fun while they were at school.
Kyrgyz
designers show their new collections of
Muslim fashion
BISHKEK: A fashion show in
Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan featured a collection of
colorful dresses for a unique spring 2013
collection targeted to Muslim women, who
want beautiful clothes that still protect
their modesty.
“I think that a woman,
whether she is Muslim or Christian, has to
follow fashion and her appearance should be
decent, and she has to look beautiful,
womanly,” said ‘Fashion Muslim Kyrgyzstan’
attendee Ruhina Kozhambekova.
Like Kozhambekova, hundreds
of Kyrgyz women attended the fashion show,
clapping to the pulsing beat of the music
while the models flowed along the runway in
long-sleeved, high-necked gowns paired with
veils framing their faces.
Delicate chiffons to cotton
blends to intricately-designed silks were
featured in the show, which presented
fashions for a range of tastes - from dressy
to sporty.
Fashion from
designer Zhanara Chyngysheva during a Muslim
fashion show in Kyrgyzstan’s capital,
Bishkek. (AFP
Fashion designer Mavluda
Usupova even showed a line of wedding
dresses.
“Not only fashionable women
but all Muslims too could look beautiful,
even in Islam. Once in her lifetime a girl
gets married. Therefore you have to look
beautiful to please your husband and his
family,” Usupova said.
Her creations featured full
skirts, bordered by lace edging and pearl
details, as well as empire-waisted and full
A-line forms. Some of the dresses were
paired with jackets, and all of the models
wore intricately decorated veils.
Organiser Aijan Akilbekova
said the show was a huge success and showed
that fashion could be compatible with life
in Kyrgyzstan and modesty.
“Actually, it’s simply a
trend for our sisters about how you can
dress up according to our customs,
traditions and without forgetting about the
geographical conditions of our country. For
example, we have a severe winter, we have a
slushy autumn, we have spring, we have
summer. In our country we can't be like
Arabs who wear one dress all year long,”
Akilbekova said.
Kyrgyzstan, a poor Central
Asian country of 5.5 million, is about 75
percent Muslim.
From
Indonesia, an inspiring, record-breaking
bestseller—and a modern-day fairy tale Ikal is a
student at Muhammadiyah Elementary, on the
Indonesian island of Belitong, where graduating from
sixth grade is considered a signal achievement. His
school is under constant threat of closure.
In fact,
Ikal and his friends—a group nicknamed the Rainbow
Troops—face threats from every angle: pessimistic,
corrupt government officials; greedy corporations
hardly distinguishable from the colonialism they’ve
replaced; deepening poverty and crumbling
infrastructure; and their own festering
self-confidence.
But in the
form of two extraordinary teachers, they also have
hope, and Ikal’s education is an uplifting one, in
and out of the classroom.
We root
for him and his friends as they defy the town’s
powerful tin miners. We meet his first love, a hand
with half-moon fingernails that passes him the chalk
his teacher has instructed him to buy.
We cheer
for Lintang, the class’s barefoot math genius, as he
beats the rich company children in an academic
challenge.
Above all,
we gain an intimate acquaintance with the customs
and people of the world’s largest Muslim society.
First
published in 2005, The Rainbow Troops , Andrea
Hirata’s autobiographical debut novel, sold a
record-breaking 5 million copies in Indonesia.
Now it
promises to captivate audiences across the globe.
This is classic storytelling: an engrossing
depiction of a milieu we have never encountered
before, bursting with charm and verve.
Would
you like to see the cover of your favourite book
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: Methi or
Fenugreek leaves can be stored while they are
fresh for whenever you need them. Take off the
leaves from the thin stems, brunch them together
and slice through them. If you are going to use
them in a couple of days time, do not wash the
methi until you are ready to use them. Put the
cut up methi in a plastic bag lined with a paper
towel at the bottom. Seal the bag after removing
all the air from it. If you are going to keep
the methi for longer than two days, then
pre-wash them, place in a plastic bag without
the paper liner and store it in the freezer.
Methi
Bhaji Rotlas (Fenugreek Leaves Crumpets)
Ingredients
3 bunch methi bhaji
or 3 blocks of frozen methi bhaji (which I have
used)
1 large grated onion (with water squeezed out)
2 beaten eggs
1 tab chana flour (besan flour)
1 tab Mielie meal or polenta
1½ tab whole meal flour
½ tsp. dhana and jeeru mix (crushed coriander
and cumin seeds)
Pinch of turmeric
½ tsp. green chillies or add more if you prefer
¼ cup of corn kernels which have been thawed out
or use the canned variety
½ tsp. baking powder
¼ cup milk
Method
Mix all the above ingredients together.
Lightly grease a
non- stick frying pan and place a tablespoon of
the mixture, spreading it into a circle or you
could use non-stick egg rings which may need to
be slightly greased.
Cook for approx. 3
mins, the base will be light brown and when the
top is set, flip it over and cook for a further
minute or 2 until light brown.
Repeat with
remaining batter, setting aside the cooked
crumpets in a warm place.
Q: Dear Kareema, I’m a regular at the gym mixing
up my workouts – Pump, zumba, step, combat and a bit of
circuit on my own if time permits. I’m not as flexible
as I used to be as stretches especially around the groin
and upper leg area are sometimes awkward and
uncomfortable. Any suggestions?
A: Try incorporating some yoga or balance classes
into your workout regime.
Not only is it great for muscle toning, but you’ll find
that over time your flexibility will improve.
Focus on the areas around the hip, lower back and core
as this may help the muscles you are trying to stretch
and relax.
Try making yourself as comfortable as you can during
your stretches to get the most out of it…
“Every Winter I Lose My Favourite
Chilli Plants..........Help!”
Yes
it is annoying especially when you have a
high-bearing chilli bush. In this part of the world
most chilli plants are treated as annuals, surviving
through Spring, Summer and Autumn. Come the first
cold snap of winter and the chilli goes into decline
eventually dying out when the frost arrives. There
is very simple way you can overcome the problem.
Method
When
the plant starts showing signs of decline, cover it
securely using a large empty plastic bottle.
Ensure that the lower part is
fortified with a little garden soil to prevent
the wind blowing the bottle over. If this
happens and the bush is exposed to cold for
several days you will lose the plant. Water
several times a week-you can easily do this by
removing the cap. As you can see, this
particular plant was so happy that it began
flowering again.
Zimbabwe Birds Eye Chilli
Once the temperature settles in early
Spring, You will notice that the plant will be
sending out new shoots. At this point remove the
bottle, fertilize lightly and watch your chilli bush
produce masses of fruit instantly. If you get late
frost replace the bottle till the threat is over.
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.
.
Mohammed
Abdalla
speaks a lot
of sense and
the Muslim
majority in
the
community
need to
speak up and
get wider
media
coverage
Craft
and info
stall
expression
of interest
form
Knowledge
Seeker's
Classes
Last
year CCN
called on
readers to
donate
towards a
cochlear
implant for
Mujahid
(pictured
left). 
Averroès
High School in Lille has been in the
spotlight for a decade. Ten years ago, it
was France's first private Muslim school to
follow the national curriculum. Now, it's
one of the country's top-rated schools.
In
2003, when the school opened, it was the
first private Muslim school in France to
follow the national curriculum. “On our
first day, there were 34 journalists,
including one from Japan – compared to only
11 students and 19 teachers,” said Amar
Lasfar, rector of the Lille mosque and
president of the Averroès school, in an
interview with the leading French daily, Le
Monde.
From
Indonesia, an inspiring, record-breaking
bestseller—and a modern-day fairy tale Ikal is a
student at Muhammadiyah Elementary, on the
Indonesian island of Belitong, where graduating from
sixth grade is considered a signal achievement. His
school is under constant threat of closure. 
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our Wall
7
August 2011