This will be the last month that Imam Akram Buksh will officiate as the Imam of Kuraby Mosque where he has served the Mosque for the past 8 years.
 

Next year he will begin his lifelong ambition to start his own full time Tahfeethul Quraan institution to be called the Quran Academy Australia. “Inshallah, my wish is that before I die I produce at least 100 high-quality, good mannered reciters of the Quran,” he posted on Facebook.
 

“Alhumdulilaa it has been an amazing experience, wonderful community, a community that I will truly miss,” he added. “I would like to thank the trustees of Kuraby Musjid for their support throughout the years, Alhumdulilaah they have treated me extremely well.”
 

“Also I would like to say Jazaakallahukahirun to my wonderful Musalees of Kuraby Musjid , I truly love you all for the sake of Allah swt.”
 

Imam Akram’s Facebook page has been inundated with messages of praise and good wishes like:

Our community especially our children have been fortunate and blessed to have you as an Imam.
 

May Allah reward you greatly for what you have done so far and make your future endeavors even more rewarding. We will miss your beautiful reading of the Quran.
 

May Allah reward you abundantly. I became deeply attached to Islam since attending Kuraby Mosque, loved your Quran recitation and your short beneficial talks after taraweeh in the Ramadan of 2009. Thanks to you, jazaakAllah khayr.
 

Although it’s sad you are leaving it’s also good because this is your dream and you will be doing a great thing..I’d like to thank you for all your help and knowledge since my daughter and I took our shahada just over four years ago...It was by far the best decision I have ever made. May Allah bless you greatly in your new adventure.

One local community leader told CCN on hearing of the news of the impending departure of Imam Akram: “Just the other night after Maghrib when he (Imam Akram) gave his talk I just thought back of that time when he arrived that first Ramadan as a very young man and how over these years he has matured into such a fantastic leader of our youth and turned out to be probably one the best all round Imams for Kuraby.”

 

 

AMAA 2013 Winners

 

Community Organisation of the Year Award: Crescent Institute

The Crescent Institute was founded in 2006, and is already one of Australia’s prominent businesses, with a focus on leadership and organising an impressive range of networking events and activities. Their aim is to promote a space where there is an opportunity to meet and learn from leading Australians on vital issues. Their activities include facilitating networking for professional Muslims in both Sydney and Melbourne CBDs, as well as organising seminars around a specific issue or member interest. Past highlights include hosting Kevin Rudd, Joe Hockey Bob Carr and Barry O’Farrell. In 2014 they will be launching CIMP – Crescent Institute Mentoring Program. The program will aim to give Crescent Institute members access to Australian leaders of commerce and industry to guide and mentor them in their careers.

Event of the Year Award: Islamic Museum of Australia’s Eid Benefit Dinner

The Islamic Museum of Australia held an Eid Benefit Dinner on the 11th of August 2013. It was an event for the Muslim community and was attended by many community groups and leaders across a national spectrum, with over 300 people in attendance. It included many important guests including the Foreign Minister of Australia, Bob Carr and Samira El Khafir, Masterchef 2013 finalist. The night raised over $3.15million for the completion of the IMA, with over $150,000.00 raised from the community who attended.

Best New Community Initiative Award: Activ8 Youth Mentoring Program

Launched by Bhanin Association, ACTIV8 is an early intervention program aiming to provide students with realistic positive mentors who can provide added guidance in relation to education, employment and community engagement. The program was established in 2012 and specifically caters for disengaged/at risk Muslim youth, predominantly from an Arabic-speaking background, at Auburn Girls High School and Granville Boys High School. The mentoring program is unique as it fosters building a one-on-one relationship between students and their mentors. The program was a finalist for the ZEST Awards and also receives full support from community leader Hazem El-Masri (former Canterbury Bulldogs player) and writer, Arwa El-Masri.

The Abyssinian Award: Kirrily Boyd

Kirrily is a primary school teacher who has a passion for sport. She has had the privilege of playing many sports, at representative, state and national levels. In 2011 she came across the female AFL team, the Auburn Tigers. Many of the players were Muslim and wore the hijab. Since 2011 Kirrily has been captain of the Auburn Tigers sharing with the girls her love for the sport and the all important values of a team – discipline, determination, selflessness, respect and pride. In that first year, the girls affectionately gave Kirrilly her nickname “Kizz, our Anglo” and shared with her their important values of their faith – modesty, respect, unity and good intention. Together they created a truly ground-breaking multicultural sporting team. They have had many opportunities to promote inter-faith dialogue and empower young women and multiculturalism in Australian sport.

Business of the Year Award: Hijab House

In 2011, Tarik Houchar had an idea – to bring beautiful, modest clothing to Muslim women. Instantly everyone loved the idea. No one could have envisaged that only a few short years later, Hijab House, the local shop that originated in Centro Bankstown, would grow with such welcomed ferocity. With a loyal national and international following, Hijab House has grown to cater for the fashionable the world over, with whimsical designs and a youthful vibe. Hijab House has featured in the “Faith, Fashion, Fusion” exhibition at the Sydney Powerhouse Museum. It has received wide media exposure globally because of its fresh approach to modest fashion.

Media Outlet of the Year Award: Rehana Bibi

Rehana is the editor-in-chief of the Queensland Muslim Times (soon to become the Australian Muslim Times in 2014), a newspaper that already reaches more than 35,000 Muslim readers across Queensland. Rehana has been instrumental in expanding and rebranding this bi-monthly, state-based newspaper that will begin to serve the entire nation in its 10th year of existence. Rehana, who was born in Pakistan and grew up in Norway, arrived in Australia in 2000, completing her journalism degree at the University of Queensland three years later. Rehana is also a mother to three young children.

Professional of the Year Award: Ali Sowaid

Mr Ali Sowaid is an English teacher at Al-Faisal College. Mr Sowaid has also been the speaker at many Friday Prayers where his khutbas (sermons) have quickly developed a reputation for being interesting and entertaining, yet deeply insightful. Mr Sowaid devotes his time within and outside of school hours to his students. He has developed a low cost tutoring program to allow student access to more educational assistance. He has also developed and delivered programs for at-risk boys at Parramatta High School. Calm, intelligent and friendly in nature, he is both loved and admired by all at the school, and by the wider community.

Creative Artist of Year Award: Ahmad Al-Rady

Ahmad is a 23-year-old university student, young community leader and activist of Iraqi heritage. He co-founded the Bankstown Poetry Slam, a monthly event attracting an audience of over 200 people. He is an instigator within the community for raising the importance of the arts and providing performers with an avenue to speak their mind. He also mentors youth of culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and works in street outreach. Ahmad is a 2012 and 2013 Australian Poetry Slam state finalist and 2013 Nimbin World Cup finalist.

Sportsperson of the Year Award: Fawad Ahmed

Fawad is an Australian cricketer who represented our national cricket team against England in the one-day series and T20 Internationals, while refusing to wear the logo of an alcohol brand on his uniform due to Islamic beliefs. He has also been an outstanding performer for the Melbourne Renegades and Victoria in the Sheffield Shield. Fawad, born in 1982, is a Pakistani refugee who fled to Australia in 2010.

Volunteer of the Year Award: Janeth Deen

Janeth was the founder and president of the Muslim Welfare Association, co-founder and president of the QLD Muslim Historical Society and diligently collects and records QLD Muslim history. She served as the secretary of the QLD Multicultural Council and a member of the Ethnic Community Council, The Global Organisation of People of Indian Origin, Multicultural Development Association and the Kuraby Lions Club. Amongst these awards, Janeth also received the Australia Day award from the Brisbane City Council and the Federal Electorate of Moreton. She is a mother of five and grandmother of twelve.

People’s Choice Award: Sonny Bill Williams

Sonny Bill has represented the Canterbury Bulldogs and the Sydney Roosters in the National Rugby League, and New Zealand’s National Rugby Union team, the All Blacks. He has also been boxing professionally since 2009. Williams has been a source of encouragement and an inspiration to many young Muslims and the wider Australian community through his athletic excellence on the field. He was also the first Muslim to play for the All Blacks.

Role Model of the Year Award: Saara Sabbagh

Saara is the founder of Benevolence Australia, an organization that aims to nurture spiritual development through a conscious and ethical lifestyle. Benevolence has created a space for Muslims to connect without judgment. There are weekly fiqh classes, monthly community dinners, a sports program for young females and weekly madrasah (religious studies) for children. Saara has undertaken courses in Dawah, studying abroad with esteemed scholars, and specializes in counseling and intensive convert care. Saara has endeavoured to tackle this issue with an exceptional amount of tenacity, perseverance and professionalism.

Youth of the Year Award: Akram Azimi

Akram won Young Australian of the Year 2013 for his work as a mentor for young Indigenous people. Arriving in Australia thirteen years ago from Afghanistan, Akram is now studying a triple major – law, science and arts – at University of Western Australia. In 2011, he co-founded a student-run initiative to raise awareness about Indigenous issues in universities. For three years, Akram mentored young Indigenous people in the Looma community in the Kimberley region, and has mentored primary school students in the small farming community of Wyalkatchem, in the Western Australian wheat belt. Akram is also mentoring a Special Olympics athlete to help raise community awareness concerning disability issues.

Woman of the Year Award: Tasneem Chopra

Tasneem serves as chair of the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria. Tasneem works to facilitate Muslim women’s full participation in Australian society through programs and services designed to empower while promoting social justice. She is also the Chairperson of the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights (AMWCHR). Tasneem is completing a Masters in International Development in addition to running her own cross- cultural consultancy. She is listed in The Age Magazine’s Top 100 as one of Melbourne’s most influential “Movers and Shakers” of 2008 and one of the Top Ten Thinkers by The Australian Newspaper in 2009. She is also a mother of three.

Man of the Year Award: Oguz Hakan Taskun

Oguz is the director of World Orphan Fund (WOF). Established in 2010, WOF has a 100% donation policy with many including Oguz who work on a completely voluntary basis. Currently Oguz coordinates over 100 Australian volunteers for WOF and has changed the lives of over 300 orphans in Cambodia, who had experienced genocide, child sexual assault and child trafficking. He launched a program to help orphans and financially disadvantaged students to get into university. Oguz was awarded the Commonwealth’s highest bravery award as well as the Star of Courage for putting the life of another before his own.

Lifetime Achievement Award: Hajeh Maha Abdo-Krayem

Maha is the Executive Officer of the United Muslim Women Association, celebrating its 30th anniversary of service to the community. She has developed partnerships with various government and non-government organisations at a local, state, and national level. Maha has been involved with many Advisory Committees that focus on correcting misconceptions about Muslim women and highlighting the difference between religious and cultural practices, ensuring Muslim women’s needs are taken into consideration in the development and implementation of services, programs and policies. Some of Maha’s past work includes chairing a subcommittee researching the needs of young Australian Muslims in Out of Home Care, and being on the Muslim Foster Care Advisory Committee, NSW Premier’s Council for Women and Community Harmony Reference Group with the Community Relations Commission. She has received many awards, including 2013 NSW Premier’s Multicultural Medal, 2008 Queen’s Birthday recipient of the Order of Australia Medal and 2003 Award of the Centenary Medal.

Source: Muslim Village

Photos: Riaz Lalla

Being Me, the First Muslim Women's Conference organized by women for women, was held at the University of South West Sydney on 1st December by Mercy Mission Australia.

The conference focused on the roles of Muslimahs, discussed the struggles of the changing society as it relates to the role of women, as well as addressing the daily challenges faced by women.

Speakers at the conference were:

Sr Zohra Sarwari, the author of 12 books and many E-books including "9 Steps to Achieve your Destiny"

Dr Sara Hassan, a renowned Melbourne speaker who has conducted classes on "The Rights of Women in Islam", 'Empowerment of Females Through Islam", "The Secret Women's Business", and "What Women Want to Know, But are Too Shy"

Sr Silma Ihram who pioneered Islamic schooling with Al Noori in 1983 and was the Principal and co-founder of the Noor Al Houda Islamic College and also the author of two books and producer of an educational video in Arabic. She converted to Islam more than 25 years ago..

Sr Faiza Matthews who has completed advanced studies in the Science of the Quran Recitation and is currently undertaking further studies to obtain formal qualifications in the teaching of Tajweed.

Sheikh Yahya Ibrahim, a religious adviser and Deputy Principal of the largest Islamic School in Australia. He is an Islamic Chaplain attached to Curtin University and an instructor for the Alkauthar Institute.

Sheikh Alaa ElSyed who is a Director of Religious Affairs for the Islamic Centre of Canada, prior to being the Executive Director for the Canadian Islamic Congress and is also an instructor for the Alkauthar Institute.

There was also a Children's Program entitled "Little Explorer;s World"
which ran from 10am -7.45pm and was divided into two groups 4-6 year olds and 7-10 year old.

More than five hundred women attended the conference from all parts of Australia.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The nikkah of Abdul, the son of Abdul (Dado) and Safiyya Sacur, and Shaaira, the daughter of Dr and Mrs Hashim Ibrahim was performed on 5 December at the Algester Mosque.

 
The walimah was held on Friday 6 December at the Islamic College of Brisbane.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A permanent salaah (prayer) facility has been established in the Brisbane CBD located at 187 George Street, at the bottom of the Empire Kebabs outlet.

 

To use the prayer room, simply ask the staff to let you in.

 

It is open 24 hours a day and caters for both males and females.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Last Thursday Mr Anas Abdalla, chairman of the Future Leaders Group, delivered the key note speech at the 50th National Supply Chain and Logistics Awards night at the Sydney Opera House on leadership in corporate Australia.

 

The Queensland Police Service's 'Partnering for our Community’ workshop was held on on Saturday 30 November at the Multi Faith Centre, Griffith University Nathan Campus.

Despite the inclement weather, more than 70 participants, including Imams, Mosque representatives, community leaders and teachers, as well as ADCQ, MFC and QPS members attended the first of a number of planned workshops for multicultural communities.
 

Commissioner Stewart said in his opening address: "The workshop opens the lines of communication and provides an avenue for frank discussion that benefits all areas, by holding workshops with cultural groups. We can work together to make our community safer and build stronger relationships.”

Mr. Robert Cavallucci MP, Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs; Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, Assistant Commissioner Gayle Hogan, Imam Yusuf Peer, Imam Uzair Akbar, Associate Professor Mohamad Abdalla and ADCQ Commissioner Kevin Cocks addressed the workshop.

Presentations were made by: Deputy Commissioner Neroli Holmes, Senior Conciliator Tom Lipscomb, Det. Sgt John Kilburn, Det. S/C Nigel Johns, S/Sgt Ken Koplick, Sgt Leisa Wathen and Police Liaison Officer Sabrina Rabbani.

Dr Brian Adams took on the role of Master of Ceremonies and the Hon. Gary Hardgrave facilitated the Q & A session.

Muslim community leader Keysar Trad has been ordered to repay Alan Jones (pictured) $10,000 after the broadcaster was granted the right to appeal against a tribunal decision Mr Jones had incited hatred of Lebanese Muslims.

The NSW Administrative Decisions Tribunal found in 2009 that Jones had "incited hatred, serious contempt and severe ridicule of Lebanese Muslims" through comments made on air in April 2005.

The tribunal awarded $10,000 in damages to Mr Trad, ordered the talkback host make a public apology and directed Jones' employer, Harbour Radio, to conduct a "critical review of its policies and practices on racial vilification" and staff training in such matters.

Jones has since launched two attempts to overturn that decision and on Wednesday the NSW Supreme Court ordered that his appeal be allowed.

The court set aside a decision made by the tribunal in October last year to dismiss an appeal and also ordered that Mr Trad repay the $10,000.

The decision means the eight-year court battle will continue into 2014.

 

Source; Sydney Morning Herald

Muslim or halal travel is becoming a big business, and countries beyond the Muslim world have begun to develop strategies to attract these typically high-spending travelers from around the world. These include catering to their halal food habits, prayers habits and other modesty requirements that come with the religion.

According to Thomson Reuters’ first “State of the Global Islamic Economy Report 2013“, which released at the Global Islamic Economy Summit last week in Dubai, the global Muslim spending on tourism (outbound) is estimated to be around $137 billion in 2012 (excluding the religious hajj and ummrah travel), making it about 12.5 percent of global tourism expenditure.

 

Among the top source markets, expenditure wise for 2012, the country rankings from this report is a bit of a surprise, with Iran topping as the country that spends the most, ahead of even Saudi Arabia and UAE. Russia, Germany and France are the three largest Muslim travel source markets from countries where Muslims are a minority.

Spending from tourists from these countries below, internationally, in dollars, in 2012:

Country	Size (US $ Bill)	Country	Size (US $ Bill)
Iran	$18.2	Egypt	$2.4
Saudi Arabia	$17.1	United Kingdom	$2.2
UAE	$10.1	Singapore	$2.2
Kuwait	$7.4	Lebanon	$2.2
Indonesia	$7.2	Morocco	$2
Qatar	$5.7	Iraq	$1.9
Malaysia	$5.4	United States	$1.85
Turkey	$4.9	Pakistan	$1.7
Libya	$4.7	Oman	$1.7
Nigeria	$4.5	Azerbaijan	$1.7
Russia	$4.1	India	$1.24
Germany	$3.5	Belgium	$1.22
France	$2.5

 

Source; SKIFT travel 

 

Lack of access to safe drinking water is major concern in Somalia and it is one of the primary causes of displacement. Around 70% of Somali population do not have access to water; only 29% of urban population have access to improved drinking water, while only 10% in rural areas have access to water.

What we're doing
To help combat this issue, we've developed a Sadaqah Jaariyah project to dig a borehole in Somalia which will assist 10,000 people and animals gain access to clean water. This will in turn provide safe water collection for women, renewed education for children and improved health for the community.
Location: Lower Shabelle Region, Somalia
How much is needed: 1,799 shares (3,201 shares already donated)
Estimated drilling and construction time: 10 weeks

How YOU can help!
By donating a share of just $20, you can reap the benefits of continuous rewards whilst also providing clean water for a community, in shaa Allah.
Please click on this link to Dig Deep 4 Somalia: http://9nl.eu/digdeep4somalia.
or to donate via Direct Deposit:
Muslim Aid Australia | Commonwealth Bank of Australia | BSB: 062-191 | Account no: 10 448 216 | Reference: Somalia water (Your Name)

*Sadaqah Jaariyah: a form of charity which will provide you with rewards for as long as people benefit from your good deeds.*

 

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Queensland appeal for clothes

 

Once again Somalia has been hit by devastating floods. This time it is in the Puntland area.

The Somali community is aiming to raise funds for a container to be sent as soon as possible. To fill the container the following goods in good condition are required.

Women's clothing including abayas and hijabs Children's clothing Men's clothing Shoes Linen Blankets Prayer mats.
School books and writing implements.

Janeth Deen has agreed to be their collection point and will pack the goods for their weekly collection.

Janeth Deen 0435 086 796 please ring before dropping off goods.

Muslims as an Economic Threat	Muslims as a Cultural Threat
Content Dehumanising or Demonizing Muslims	Threats of Violence, Genocide and Direct Hate Targeting Muslims
Hate Targeting Refugees / Asylum Seekers	Muslims as a Security Threat or Threat to Public Safety
Other Forms of Hate Speech

STAFF REQUIRED

 
Currently seeking part-time experienced retail staff for our business on the Gold Coast. Potential candidates with exceptional customer service skills, own transport and availability between Monday and Saturday please send resume to: nadiyah@bigpond.com.

During the Middle Ages, when Europe was plunged into the Dark Ages, Arab scholars and historians translated most of the works of the Greek scholars, thereby preserving some of the greatest intellectual achievements that are the cornerstone of Western civilization.

 

For the next few weeks CCN will offer an English word that has, as its origin, the Arabic language:

 

English	Arabic Origin	Arabic Meaning
magazine	al-makhzan	a storehouse; a place of storage