The Brisbane sun shone gloriously over Orleigh Park last Sunday as it heralded the 10th anniversary of the Crescents of Brisbane's annual Fun Run and Walk.

 

With well over 600 registrations, the starting line was bristling with eager boys, girls, young and no-so-young men and women and babies-in-prams waiting for the traditional horn that would set them off on a run, jog, walk and a stroll along our Brisbane river and the leafy Riverside Drive.

 

Orleigh Park was a sea of CresWalk t-shirts and caps as the CresWalkers took off on their 2.5km and 5km routes and then returning to either take part in activities that included a giant slide, rock-climbing and outdoor games or just electing to make the most of the sunny day relaxing over a delicious lunch prepared by the Crescents of Brisbane Team.

 

What was once a somewhat parochial event has become a community celebration that increasingly reflects the diversity of Australia's population with participants from many different Muslim and non-Muslim ethnic and cultural groups supporting the occasion.

 

At the formal presentations, Dr Mohamad Abdalla was awarded the 2013 Hajee Ebrahim Patel/Crescents of Brisbane Special Achievement Award for his long-standing contribution and service to the community.

 

Being the 10th year of CresWalk, it was also an occasion to recognize the contributions of the founding and past members of Crescents of Brisbane and CresWalk as well as those who have remained a part of the team from its inception.

 

A congratulatory message from the Prime Minister of Australia, Julie Gillard was read out to the participants before the much awaited random prizes were drawn.

 

During the course of the week the Crescents of Brisbane Team received many other messages of congratulations and appreciation, and some of them can be read here.

 

By all accounts this year's effort was, as more than one seasoned participant effused:

The best CresWalk ever!

 

 

On this year's CresWalk 2013 winners' podium were:

 

 

 

 

Watch just some of the images that capture and Heart and Soul of CresWalk

 

The CCN Photo Gallery

and

Facebook Photo Album

 

HARRISTOWN resident Tony Gaiter said he has seen a lot of church groups come and go from the location earmarked to house a Muslim mosque.
 

Earlier this week, the Islamic Society of Toowoomba announced plans were under way to establish a mosque to cater for the growing number of Muslims living in the city.

 

The former Westside Christian Church, at the corner of West and Stephens Streets in Harristown, is the preferred location given its proximity to the University of Southern Queensland.
 

Mr Gaiter, whose property shares a fence line with the former church, expressed some reservations about the site being transformed into a mosque.
 

"I do not have a problem with Muslims on a whole," he said.
 

"But, I do not know if I want them next door to me.

If they flew under the radar a little bit more they might be more widely accepted.   Tony Gaiter

 

"In saying that, everyone has a right to their respective religion.
 

"All I have a problem with is the extremists," he said.

Mr Gaiter, who runs a home-based business from his property, said parking in-and-around the area could also pose some minor issues.
 

"Whatever you say on the matter you will be deemed as a racist," he said.
 

"Time will tell whether it becomes a problem.
 

"However, I do not foresee any issues really."
 

Mr Gaiter said the moment the word Muslim is mentioned it becomes headline news, especially since 9/11.
 

"I generally think Muslims get a bad wrap," he said.
 

"But, in some respects, I believe they deserve what they get, especially in relation to wearing burkas in public.
 

"I know for a fact if I walked into a bank or shopping centre wearing a helmet I would get asked to remove it.
 

"Most Australians believe if you come to our country, that is great, but you live by our rules.
 

"If they flew under the radar a little bit more they might be more widely accepted."
 

United front as city leaders back plans for suburban mosque
 

A SENIOR church leader believes a Muslim mosque would be a welcome addition to the fabric of the city.

Toowoomba Catholic Diocese Bishop Robert McGuckin (pictured left) said people in Toowoomba needed to be more tolerant and accepting of people who shared different beliefs to their own.
 

Opinions are divided after it was revealed this week the Islamic Society of Toowoomba was looking at establishing a mosque in the city.

The society is well advanced in their plans to raise the funds needed to purchase the proposed site in Harristown.
 

"We talk about people's right to religion, and then we will not allow them their own place of worship," Bishop McGuckin said.
 

"The site is zoned as a place of worship and Muslims have a right to worship like the rest of us.
 

"People are scared of the unknown," he said.
 

 

McGuckin said Muslim people formed an important part of our community.
 

"People should step back and have a look. There needs to be tolerance," he said.
 

"We have to be welcoming of other people and their beliefs.
 

"It is when you segregate people, that is when you get problems."
 

Pure Land College coordinator Muhammed Haniff Abdul Razak welcomed the establishment of a mosque in the city.
 

"Any place of worship irrespective of faith is very good," Mr Razak said.
 

"I would definitely support a mosque being established in the city.
 

"It is very important to have diversity in Toowoomba.
 

"We want to be seen as a city of peace and harmony.
 

"People need to accept and be tolerant of all faiths," he said.
 

Mayor Paul Antonio (pictured right) said the city had always prided itself on its diversity.
 

Cr Antonio said council would work with the Islamic Society of Toowoomba about its plans to establish a mosque at Harristown.
 

"We are a very diverse society. There has been a solid Muslim presence in Toowoomba for many years," Cr Antonio said.

"There are many faith traditions in Toowoomba.
 

"We have always been very welcoming of those faiths," he said.
 

Cr Antonio said he understood why the city's Muslims were looking at an alternative place of worship.
 

"The Muslim population has been meeting at the University of Southern Queensland for years," he said.
 

"They are just looking for an alternative site to cater for growing numbers.
 

"We are working together in an effort to resolve any issues.
 

"Any development application will be assessed under council's planning scheme."

 

Source: The Chronicle

 

Related article: 'Nothing to fear' over mosque plans: City's Muslim leader

Anver and Yusuf Omar at the at the Turkish Mosque in Mid Rand, Johannesburg seeking divine assistance for the long road ahead

The South African 90km Comrades Marathon is on today (Sunday).

 

The uphill Durban to Pietermaritzburg run starts at 1.30 pm AEST.

 

Taking part his 8th consecutive marathon this year is Caboolture dentist, Dr Anver Omar, fresh from winning the CresWalk2013 5km "walk-in-the-park" last Sunday.

 

"I'm running on about 1,200 kms of training around the streets of Kuraby in the last 9 months with an injury in the last month that has now healed," Omar told CCN.

 

He will be running with his 24 year old son Yusuf who, he says, has had next to no training since his "down run" last year.

 

"Too busy dodging bullets as a reporter in Syria amongst other places."

 

"I hope that his 31 year advantage will help him through."

 

Australians can follow friends and family on the run through the Comrades web site. Follow the prompts to the results page and enter your runner's name.

The Islamic College of Brisbane is hosting its annual Fete on Sunday 9 June between 12pm and 9pm to raise funds for the school.

 

There will be many activities and food stalls that the whole family can enjoy.

 

The famous Crescents of Brisbane, CresCafe stall, will be there as well and if you would like to help the Team help the school simply bake a batch of your best cupcakes and bring them over to the stall on the day (or call Hafizah on 0401 959 295 to make other  arrangements).

The Australian International Islamic College invites you to attend an art project exhibition celebrating diversity and multiculturalism under the theme: Our Culture, Our Community, Our Story

The exhibition was open on 27 May by IWAQ Director, Ms Galila Abdel Salam and was created by the AIIC students: Zaid Hamshari, Salma Sid-Ahmed, Aziz Ullah, Yeasmida Begum, Mohamed Kenneh, Tasnim Akter, Ezna Rashid, Safiyyah Makada

Across five weeks in term two, this group of students was set the challenge of becoming professional artists. They learnt skills and techniques from AIIC artist-in-residence, Magdy Shiha, and were asked to put those talents to work when creating their own art pieces. The students were asked to create artworks which connected to their cultures in some way. The result is a collection of diverse works, which tell cultural stories; and together they tell our story.

"Australia's Generation Jihad is homegrown" - Courier Mail

 

THE message from the young men was blunt: "You're not in Australia now."

They weren't standing on a street in Iraq, Afghanistan or Lebanon. This is Bankstown.

It is a safe suburban street surrounded by family homes but there are fears areas just like this are in danger of being turned into ghettos by young men - usually born in Australia to Lebanese parents - who are cannon fodder for hardline Muslim preachers. They are part of generation jihad.

A recent two-year federal parliamentary inquiry into multiculturalism was swamped by concerns about the rising influence of Islam in Australia and fears that organisations such as Hizb ut-Tahrir and conservative imams were "promoting the radicalisation of second-generation Muslim youth and voluntary social exclusion".

"This was thought to support the formation of Muslim-only enclaves, leading to long-term problems such as unemployment," said the report, released in March.

 

An Islamic women's group told of the influence of alarming conservatism that was even demanding gender segregation at weddings "within parts of the Lebanese community in Sydney".

The same characters and organisations keep popping up to attract young acolytes.

Like the radical political Islamic group Hizb ut-Tahrir, Sheik Feiz Mohammed, the Global Islamic Youth Centre at Liverpool, Auburn's Bukhari House Bookshop and prayer hall, of which Feiz Mohammed is a director.

Head of the Middle Eastern Crime Squad, Detective Superintendent Deborah Wallace, said even convicted murderer Bassam Hamzy, founder of the Muslim gang Brothers for Life, had achieved an almost mythical status from behind bars.

So far intelligence agencies have stayed one step ahead of the terrorism threat.

 

 

Courier Mail

 

The Courier Mail provides a map of where the "Generation Jihad" is supposed to be across Sydney

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Extremist groups must be exposed - The Telegraph

THE first mosque in NSW was built in 1887. During the many decades since then, Muslims have co-existed peacefully with their fellow Australians of all other faiths.

Yet the recent rise of an extremist element within the Islamic community worldwide raises justifiable concerns over similar elements within Australia.

Last year, for example, Islamic rioters carrying signs that threatened non-believers with beheading rampaged through the centre of Sydney. The provocation for this display of division and hatred was a YouTube video made and posted online in the US. It had nothing to do with Australia, yet extremist Muslims took out their anger on their own home.

Plainly, certain Islamic groups in Sydney are exploiting global events to set young and impressionable Muslims against the rest of society. Australia's Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed warned on the weekend that Islamic youths were turning to backyard prayer halls and "mini mosques" where extremist imams preach intolerance and loathing.

 

 

The Telegraph

 

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Angry young men hijack sport icon - Courier Mail

THEY carry jihad in their hearts - and Lonsdale logos across their chests.

Fashion by the UK clothing giant - preferably hoodies - has been hijacked by the angry young Muslim men of Sydney.

The moniker sits uneasily for a famous sports company that has gone out of its way to distance itself from racism in the past and has become the leading global brand for young men and women. The international sporting giant - owned by Sports Direct - is a multi-million-dollar company.

At protests and in court it is Lonsdale or nothing.

Milad bin Ahmad-Shah al-Ahmadzai, 23, turned up at court on Tuesday in his white Lonsdale hoodie after being arrested by Australian counter-terrorism police.

The mates of two-time national boxing champion Ahmed Elomar put on their Lonsdales when they turned up to support him when he faced riot charges last year.
 

 

Courier Mail

 

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'Free speech' used to mobilise hatred of Muslims - The Sydney Morning Herald

Comment by Randa Adbel Fattah

 

In the aftermath of the horrific murder of an English soldier in London last week, Islamic schools and mosques in Australia were on high alert for any acts of vandalism, and many individual Muslims, particularly women who wear the hijab, felt vulnerable to potential abuse. While the Muslim community deals with this kind of hostile environment, Paul Sheehan lost no time in adding fuel to the fire with his Islamophobic invective, Twisting Islam to justify cruelty (May 27).
 

Sheehan poses as some kind of expert on Islam, quoting verses from the Koran as if the body of sophisticated Islamic jurisprudential methodologies applied to interpret the Koran does not exist.
 

In the logic of Sheehan's world, Muslims seem too uncivilised and primitive to engage in any sophisticated way with the koranic text. Never mind the dynamism inherent in over 1400 years of Islamic jurisprudence, or the continuing dynamic engagement with the koranic text, it is enough for "Sheikh" Sheehan to pull out some verses from the Koran to support his "Islam is evil" rant.
 

The sheer intellectual dishonesty and shameful absurdity of this approach is evident if we approach the Bible in the same way. For one could just as easily cite out-of-context passages from the Bible to mount an argument that Christianity is a violent faith:
 

"Blessed is the one who grabs your babies and smashes them against a rock" (Psalm 137:9)
 

"[Jesus] will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power." (1 Corinthians 15:24)
 

"For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet." (1 Corinthians 15:25)

 

"He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood … Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations." (Revelation 19:13-15)

 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald

 

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Killing of innocent people has no place in Islam - The Sydney Morning Herald
Comment by Dr Mohamad Abdalla

 

Paul Sheehan said that there are "more than 100 verses in the Koran that call Muslims to violence against the Unbelievers."

Relying on the dubious website Thereligionofpeace.com Sheehan concludes that "the Koran groans under the weight of its own contradictions, with entreaties to kindness co-existing with exhortations to merciless war."

It is questionable whether such an opinion is a result of a direct insight into Islam – or based merely on an old prejudice against Islam that goes back in time: that Islam is inherently violent and intolerant of others.

Critics of Islam frequently quote out of context the more aggressive passages of the Koran, arguing that these verses could easily inspire and endorse terrorism.

They ignore the fact that the Jewish and Christian scriptures can be just as aggressive, if taken out from their historical context.

For example, the Old Testament says: “Now therefore, kill every male among the little ones, and kill every woman who has known man intimately. But all the girls who have not known man intimately, spare for yourselves” (Numbers 31:17-18).

Many violent Jewish and Christian groups have used these biblical texts to justify their actions. Crusaders used them against Muslims and Jews. Nazis used them against Jews. Serbian Christians used them against Bosnian Muslims. Zionists are using them regularly against Palestinians. But non-religious people have done the same in the name of one ideology of another.
 

 

The Sydney Morning Herald

 

Mr Kemal Omar, who wrote to journalist, Mr Ross Coulthart, objecting to his handling of certain aspects of his reporting on the rape of a woman in Dubai (see CCN0445) received this reply form Mr Coulthart:

Hi Kemal,

Thanks so much for sending me this email raising your concerns about how we explained Sharia law in the Alicia Gali story. I am very sorry if you feel that the story was misleading but with great respect to you and your very good intentions, I do think your concern is misdirected.

 

I appreciate that you have the view you hold about Sharia law, that you believe that it does not require four male witnesses to the rape to demonstrate that it was non-consensual. But the facts of the case show that that is how Sharia law was specifically enforced in the UAE by the Saudi judge (the judge was an expat for some reason) in Alicia’s case and this is borne out by the court documents she was able to obtain about her case.

 

She was specifically told by her lawyers that that is what the law required as enforced in the UAE courts – and this was made very clear to us in the interview we recorded with Alicia’s Australian lawyers Maurice Blackburn in Brisbane.

As with the Christian faith, there are many different interpretations of scripture as there are with your holy book the Koran. You quite rightly observe that Sharia is not a monolithic system that defines every aspect of a legal system – and therein lies the explanation for why a different believer in a different country takes a different view from you about what Sharia requires.

I fear my response will not address your concerns but I hope you understand that our story was focussed on one country’s interpretation of Islam – and we do understand that, of course, there are people like your good self who hold a different view.

With very best wishes and kind regards
Ross Coulthart

MORE mosques should be built to stop young Muslims becoming radicalised, Australia's Grand Mufti has warned.

Islamic youths are increasingly turning to backyard prayer halls and ``mini mosques'' where self-styled imams are teaching extreme doctrine because there are not enough traditional centres, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed said.

The frequent rejection of building applications not only meant the number of mosques can't keep pace with the growing needs of the faith but also led to increasing isolation and anger among Muslims, who felt they were being rejected.

Dr Mohamed said his long-term vision, along with the Australian National Imams Council, was to build mosques large enough to accommodate gyms, lecture halls and facilities for women and children.

Rudd's hard line on court defiance

``People need to understand a mosque is not a source of threat,'' he said. ``A mosque is not a radicalising factor. A mosque is a source of security. A person who has a connection to a mosque is also a person who is law-abiding, who is respectful to others.

``If you look at the percentage of Muslims in Australia and the number of churches and mosques in terms of representation, there is a vast difference. There are a lot of churches but on the percentage of Muslims there are not enough mosques to cater to their needs.''

But local councils were preventing the balance from being restored, with numerous development applications resulting in ugly court battles. While the relationship between Muslims and the broader community was ``growing'', every mosque or educational facility knocked back hit hard.

``Any rejection of any mosque or Islamic school, that has a large impact on the general Muslim community,'' Dr Mohamed said.

``Many elements in the Muslim community would feel the public is against us, the government or the country is rejecting us and it creates a feeling of isolation, which leads people to live in ghettos and further isolate themselves from the wider community, and this is wrong.''

Radical Islam hit the headlines this week, with a British soldier murdered on a London street and an accused Sydney rioter refusing to stand for a magistrate.

Accused rioter berated for refusing to stand in court

``These terrorist attacks are alien to the traditional Islamic understanding and it will put more weight and responsibility on Muslims to put Islam in a positive light again,'' Dr Ibrahim said.

He said the Boston marathon bombings were the actions of ``evil'' men, not religious ones.

Magistrate's strength in weak legal system

In relation to Mohammed Issaka, who cited religious reasons for refusing to stand for magistrate Jacqueline Milledge last week, Dr Mohamed said the behaviour was a confusion between religious customs and social customs.
 

Source: Herald Sun

Meeting with Malaysian-born Minister for Finance and Deregulation, Ms Penny Wong were (left to right) Ms Jenny Deen, Mr Graham Perrett MP, Mr Kemal Omar, Mr Faisal Hatia, Ms Penny Wong and Dr Yunus Solwa.

Melbourne Souq 2013 by YIMSA (Young Indonesian Muslim Students Association) was a big success. Around 500 people gathered at the Coburg Town Hall on Saturday May 18th 2013 and experienced the multicultural Muslim market in addition to the two stages of entertainment. The main stage opened with a recitation of the Holy Qur’an, followed by a series of performances including: Indonesian Saman dance by Tahsin children, Pencak Silat (Indonesian martial arts) performance by Wijaya Dharma Nusantara group, Oud (Syrian musical instrument) performance by Adnaan Baraky, standup comedy by Melbourne’s own Khaled Khalafalla, modern rap music by The Brothahood, contemporary Islamic music by Ahmed Iwaz (Malaysia), and concluded by a film screening by Youth Victoria. Part of the proceeds from this event is going to support an Australian organization, Olive Kids, who helps improve the lives of Palestinian children.

 

“I’ve done gigs in three of their (Olive Kids) events,” comedian Khaled Khalafalla (24) reflected when asked why he decided to be part of Melbourne Souq this year. Having great passion in doing charity, Khaled said that he aims to be a successful comedian who earns enough money to build schools in Egypt or Somalia. Unlike many other Muslim comedians whose profile may be tied-up to their religious identity, Khaled claimed he does not intend to be known as a Muslim comedian as he does not use his career to represent a specific community or to appear as a social changer, but merely a business that gives him the opportunity to be able to help people. The Saudi Arabian born comedian enjoys watching people laugh and he would try anything to achieve that, including jumping off the stage and spontaneously interacted amongst the audience – just as he did at Melbourne Souq.

 

Fashion Show by Dian Pelangi
While Khaled entertained the audience at the main stage, the ladies-only event was starting in the room next-door, featuring a worldwide well-known fashion designer, Dian Pelangi. The room was packed full of female audience who were excited to see Dian’s fresh and colorful designs in Muslim wears. Indonesian fashion designer Dian Wahyu Utami (22) herself was also excited to be here. During the interview, she mentioned how grateful she was to be invited by YIMSA to Melbourne this year, as she often gets her inspiration from travelling to different countries and watching the local fashion trends.

 

The love for colors and the mix-and-match style has become the unique attribute of her design. She believes that such style would attract more Muslim women to wear and be comfortable with wearing hijab (head-scarf).

 

 

This time Dian had prepared a Ramadhan-Rose collection as well as a soft-colour candy collection, which was specifically tailored to Melbourne Souq audience. Models were equipped each with a heart-shaped balloon and a thank-you card to give to the audience. After an interactive Q&A session, Dian ran the hijab workshop where she shared her hijab-styling skills with the audience. There was also the hijab-styling competition where participants applied their new skills in the shortest time and received a gift pack from Dian Pelangi.

 

The Market – the Souq
Some pieces by Dian Pelangi were being displayed for sale in the market stall area of Melbourne Souq. There are a number of other stalls selling a variety of products, starting from clothes, headscarves, accessories, books, paintings, photography service, wall decoration to perfume oil and candles. An owner of the Let it Glow soy-candle stall, Houda Abdul (Australian-Lebanese) said that although she often opened her own stall in the local community weekend markets, this event was different. “We never really had a Muslim market here so this is great,” Houda commented, “I saw the Melbourne Souq poster the first time at the women’s hospital prayer room but it only says ‘Coming Soon’ and I was so excited I called up the number to find out more details about this event!”

 

YIMSA’s Project Leader, Ratna Dewi Purnamasari, explained that the Melbourne Souq 2013 committee came up with the idea of combining a market setting with stage performances to introduce the Muslim cultures from different nations to the Melbournian community. The fashion show was to bring highlights to Indonesia, which is aiming to be the capital of Muslim fashion in the world. “Alhamdulillaah we received a lot of good feedbacks from the communities as this is the first time we are inviting Indonesian talent and at the same time collaborating with local performers from various backgrounds.”
 

“We will be honoured to be given the chance and faith to create better events in the future and to get the Muslim communities to engage with one another in good relationships, in Islam,” Ratna continued, “So yes, Melbourne Souq 2014 probably becomes one of our plans, insyaAllaah!”

This was the first event of its kind run by YIMSA.

Check out YIMSA on facebook: http://www.facebook.com/yimsa

The Australian Arab Association in WA is hosting a forum on The Arab Spring Challenges and Opportunities. Dr Emile Nakhleh will speak on Sunday 16June when he will be talking on the challenges and opportunities facing the region in the second Obama administration, with emphasis on Egypt, Syria, Bahrain, and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
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Date: Sunday 16 June 2013; Time: 6:30pm for 7:00pm start; Venue: Huntingdale Community Centre, HOLMES ST lot number 1645 Huntingdale

RSVP: Salim on 0408 772 118 or email info@australianarab.org.