"I believe that we are potentially permitting acts that have no place in our wonderfully multicultural communities": Liberal MP Craig Laundy. Photo: Janie Barrett

A Liberal MP has signalled his readiness to cross the floor and vote against the Abbott government if controversial changes to the Racial Discrimination Act proceed in their proposed form.

Craig Laundy, whose electorate of Reid is one of Sydney’s most ethnically diverse, has written to Attorney-General George Brandis to outline his opposition to plans to water down race hate protections.

Mr Laundy has received 3000 individual pieces of correspondence from constituents on the government’s intentions for sections 18C and 18D of the Discrimination Act.

None was in support of Senator Brandis' ‘‘right to be a bigot’’ reforms, which he insisted were in defence of freedom of speech.

‘‘I believe we are potentially permitting acts that have no place in our wonderfully multicultural communities,’’ Mr Laundy said.

When asked whether he was prepared to become the first member of the Abbott government to cross the floor, he said he would vote with his ‘‘community and country’’ as his priorities.

‘‘I brought my integrity to Parliament and I intend to take it with me when I go," he said. "We [as politicians] should always seek to add value for our children, not take value away.

‘‘At the right time I will make a decision [on how to vote] based on what is put in front of me."

Mr Laundy received immediate support from fellow Liberal David Coleman, who held the nearby seat of Banks.

‘‘The Government has released an exposure draft of legislation which attempts to strike the balance between free speech and protection from racial discrimination," he said.

"In my view, the exposure draft does not achieve this balance, and needs to be amended to provide greater protection against racial discrimination. I will be conveying this view to my colleagues.’’
 

Mr Laundy said his opposition was as personal as it was political after his 14-year-old daughter witnessed her friend being abused in public for wearing an Islamic hijab.

John Alexander, whose seat of Bennelong had as many people who identified as ‘‘Chinese’’ as ‘‘Australian’’, was another Liberal rattled by the fierce public response to removing elements of the act that made it unlawful to "offend, insult or humiliate’’ someone based on their race or ethnicity.

The proposed law would instead offer protection for ‘‘vilification and intimidation’’, with sweeping exemptions provided in 18D.

Mr Alexander, who last week was reported as having considered pushing a petition around the backbench, met with Senator Brandis to express his opposition.

A spokesman for Victorian Liberal Jason Wood confirmed he was opposed to the changes as drafted. Veteran Liberal Philip Ruddock and Aboriginal MP Ken Wyatt had also expressed concern about the direction of the reforms.

Mr Laundy said his opposition was as personal as it was political after his 14-year-old daughter witnessed her friend being abused in public for wearing an Islamic hijab.

‘‘Over the duration of many discussions that I have had on this issue, not a single person has suggested to me that their right to free speech has been restricted by the act in its current form," he said.

"Consequently, I do not believe that the case for such far-reaching and potentially damaging changes has yet been made.’’

The Opposition has begun to capitalise on the heat in marginal electorates. On Wednesday, shadow attorney-general Mark Dreyfus held a town hall meeting in Dandenong, outer Melbourne, with Hugh de Krester of the Human Rights Law Centre. More meetings are planned in Sydney and Brisbane.

Last week, Senator Matt Thistlethwaite held a press conference in Chinese for Chinese-Australian media to stoke concern.

Twenty Chinese community groups have come together to fight Senator Brandis’ proposal.
 

Source: Brisbane Times

As decided by the Islamic Society of Toowoomba the first Jumma prayers were held in the Garden City Mosque on Friday, 4 April 2014. We were planning for this day and put in place all facilities and instructions for months.

 

The demountable was prepared and placed behind the Mosque building with toilets and ablution facilities. The carpet were brought from United Arab Emirates last month and laid last week. Women ablution facilities were set up inside the large Hall.
 

To avoid traffic and reduce the parking need we advised Muslims associated to the University of Southern Queensland to use a chartered bus for the travel. A bus was set to leave USQ at 11:50and and another trip at 12:05PM to the Mosque. The return bus was scheduled to leave the Mosque at 12:50pm and 1:15pm.
 

I had to drive my car to come early to the Mosque to put signs to “Remove Shoes Here”, “Turn Off Phone”, “Ladies Payers Area” etc and make sure that no one takes the shoes inside the demountable to avoid outsides darts and follow up cleaning. There were some Muslims who came before me and opened the Mosque and window doors. Previously, I ask Br Faisal via Br Abdulatif to take some photos of the Mosque and the prayers to preserve the history of the landmark day in the history of Muslims in the city.
 

It was quite emotional for me to stop praying Jumma in the USQ Islamic Centre which I initiated 15 years ago in 2000, and prayed regular Jumma prayers while I was in Toowoomba.

Last Friday, 28 March was the day when we had the last Jumma prayers in the Centre.

 

When the portable building was available for potential users within USQ, there were 7 contenders to have it. Finally the decision was taken in favour of the Islamic Centre. My good colleague and friend, Mr Jeff McKenzie was a strong advocate for the project. The building was relocated to its current position from the parking area beside the Q block of USQ.

 

For me, it was quite emotional to close the Jumma prayers in the Centre. But, like many others, I found it more exciting and satisfying to offer Jumma prayers in a place of worship that has been set up and won by the Muslims of the city. Definitely it was a much preferred and long waited option, but the memory and history of 15 years Jumma prayers in the Centre can’t be erased so easily, if ever.
 

When I came to the Mosque for the first Jumma prayers I found Mr Mohammad Salahuddin was making the Adhan. As per my Jumma practice I prayed two raqat (units) of Tahiyatul Masjid followed by 4 raqat of Quablul (pre) Jumma sunnah prayers. I thought that the Mosque will not be completely full on the first Jumma and there may be some confusion on the venue/time/parking etc to deter some Muslims to join the prayers on time.
 

The Khutbah (sermon) started on time at 12:20pm. The Imam covered the topic of importance and reward of the setting up this first Mosque in Toowoomba and need for the continuous support to run the Mosque smoothly. From time to time I was overlooking my shoulder to see the number of worshipper inside the Mosque and the vacant space for newly arrival ones. Gradually the whole Mosque was getting filled. I counted every row fitted 30 Musallis (worshippers) and there were 10 rows. So a full capacity Mosque will accommodate 300 males, and the women area could fit about 30 females.
 

Near the end of the Khutbah, Imam Abdul Kader asked the Muslims sitting inside the Mosque to move forward to make room for the Muslims who were still entering to the Mosque. That was a clear indication that the Mosque was almost full by that time.

 

To our surprise, we found many Muslims had to pray outside the Mosque on additional carpet. This means that there were at least 350 Muslims prayed first Jumma in the first Mosque in Toowoomba. Clearly the number of worshippers prayed in the Mosque was markedly higher than that used to pray Jumma in the Islamic Centre. Allahu Akbar!!! This is how people expressed the emotion, and some even added that angels of Allah joined the Jumma making the prayers so special and satisfying.
 

Imam Abdul Kader asked me to find some volunteers to ask for donations after the Jumma outside the entry/exit of the Mosque. We found Br Athif Hameed, Br Shium Reza and Br Firoz Islam along with several others were holding donation boxes and EFPTPOS terminal to receive donations. The Imam encouraged people to donate for the Mosque. I saw different feeling among the Musallis and many contributed to the Mosque in cash or via electronic transfer. At the end I was told that the total collection of the day was $1600. Normally our Jumma collection in the Islamic Centre varies from $300-$500. So it was a significant improvement on the previous Jumma.
 

Supply of meat after Jumma also moved from the USQ Islamic Centre to the premises of the new Mosque. Br Murad AlKateb organised the meat order and distribution after the Jumma. He also arranged bags of peta bread for sale to the members of the community. Dr Shahid helped selling the breads. All these activities are aimed to help raise fund for the Mosque.
 

Everyone was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the Jumma prayers and the high turnabout exceeding all estimates. Some Muslims interpreted with phenomenon is a clear evidence that a Mosque in Toowoomba was absolutely essential for the growing community of Muslims. The Mosque has taken its full load on the first day and will continue to serve the community until the day of doom.

"Several sailors have had their employment terminated": Vice Admiral Ray Griggs.

Up to six Navy sailors have been sacked or ordered to justify their jobs over racist and anti-Muslim Facebook posts.

But despite suspicions raised by Fairfax Media in January, a formal investigation has found that no sailor belongs to the racist Australian Defence League.

Chief of Navy Ray Griggs said in a statement on Tuesday that the investigation had found that “a number of personnel have … been found to have made inappropriate comment on social media or to have an affiliation with different social media groups that are not consistent with our values”.

“Several sailors have had their employment terminated or have been issued with notices of cause for termination,” Vice Admiral Griggs said.

“Others have received a range of disciplinary punishments or other administrative sanctions.”

It is understood that at least three, and possibly as many as six, sailors have been sacked or ordered to show cause whey they should not be sacked.


Fairfax Media revealed in January that a Navy member working on border protection duties had posted comments on the Facebook page of a friend who claimed to be a member of the Australian Defence League.

The friend had written that asylum-seekers whose boat had sunk were coming to Australia ''to jump on Centrelink and get free government housing''.

The navy member commented: ''I'm about to head out today to deal with these f---ers.''

Vice Admiral Griggs said sailors should be proud to identify themselves as Navy members on social media sites but the job carried “responsibility to act in accordance with our values and behaviours at all times”.

Navy has a strict social media policy that bans personnel from posting offensive material based on “personal traits, attributes, beliefs or practices that exploit, objectify or are derogatory of gender, ethnicity or religion”, Vice Admiral Griggs said.

 

Source: The Sydney Morning Herald
 

Al-Imdaad Foundation’s Sheikh Burhaan Mehtar reports live from the border of Turkey and Syria where 31 aid organisations from 15 different countries have come together to deliver 1000 containers of emergency aid inside ‪‎Syria. This joint campaign was initiated by Turkish Humanitarian NGO, IHH Insani Yardim Vakfi. Amongst the containers being distributed are flour, rice, water, milk, baby packs and the Help Syria Move Forward mobility aids donated by the Australian Muslim community. Muslim Aid Australia, Queensland's Muslim Charitable Foundation and the Al-Imdaad Foundation are amongst the local ‪Australian NGOs who have joined forces to help the large numbers of distressed Syrian families.

"The first ever comedy/action movie of it's kind, A movie by Muslims everyone can enjoy.
 

A dedicated cop name Mohammed is partnered with a dedicated Muslim name Abdul as part of a plan by the chief of police in order to be re-elected again.

 

However these two cops stumble on a series of violations made by Islamaphobic cops who prey on Arabs and Sisters in Niqab.

 

It's up to these two cops to make a decision to be dedicated to Islam or dedicated to their job.

 

The film stars Omar Regan, Baba Ali, YaztheSpaz, TrueStoryAsa, Joshua Salaam, Junaid Jamshed, Amina Matthews, Freeway, Amir Sulaiman, Quadir Lateef and many more...."

As part of this year’s fundraising activities we are planning a Kuraby Masjid Fun Day on the 8th of June at the Islamic School of Brisbane in Karawatha.

 

We are requesting your support and involvement to make this day a success.
 

We are calling on all the businesses, individuals and other organisations that call Kuraby Masjid home, to participate in taking a stall on the day.

 
Would you like to hire a stall to sell you merchandise, such as clothing or kids toys?
 

Would you like the opportunity to showcase your products, such as home-made crafts?
 

Are you a community organisation that would like to let the Muslim community know who you are and what you do?
 

For more information, please call 1300 133 956 or email fetesc@kurabymosque.org.au
 

This is for our Masjid, our Madrassah and our children’s future.

Quran has inspired generations of leaders, scientists, jurists, artists, architects and in fact people from all walks of life.

 

Modern breakthroughs and discoveries bring many blessings but they also present moral challenges. Quran continues to inspire millions today as it did for centuries before.

 

Quranic Inspirations, the Cradle of Heroes & Civilisations, the 4th annual Islamic Conference, aims to connect today’s Muslims with the spirit of past glorious multi-faceted achievements and proverbial character of Quranic-Inspired heroes from the past!

 

The four-hour conference brings together local, interstate and international Muslim scholars as well as inspiring multi-media presentations on various aspects of Quranic Inspirations.

 

Topics of videos and panel discussions include: elucidation of how we know today that Quran was preserved authentically, reasons why we believe in Quran to be a miraculous book of guidance from God, and ways to study and memorise it.

 

The panel will bring together the collective wisdom of participating local and international scholars on Quranic Inspirations to overcome modern challenges, inspirations to shine in our most intimate and rewarding relationships such as marriage and Islamic modern parenting.
 

The Conference is on Saturday 26th April from 12:15pm to 4:15pm in Brisbane at University of Queensland, St Lucia Campus, Steele Building (#3); and the next day the event is repeated in Perth.

 

To encourage maximum audience participation, competitions will be held on the day and highly cherished prizes, such as the latest iPad Air, will be given to the quiz winners at the event inshaAllah.

 

Please see the conference details at our beautiful www.QuranicInspirations.com website, few light hearted humorous video trailers as they are released over the next two weeks at www.YouTube.com/QuranicInspirations and we will see you at the exciting, inspiring and yet FREE entry event with free dinner after it inshaAllah!

 

 

Quranic Inspirations Conference Trailer

 

iQraa Islamic Centre is the newest bookstore in Brisbane, Australia and offers a variety of goods and services.

 

A new generation of young, modern Muslims are carving out new ways to entertain themselves, yet remain loyal to their faith. By Omar Shahid

 

Maher Zain is a fast-rising star of the Islamic entertainment industry

We’ve all heard of Hollywood and Bollywood. Some of you may have even heard of Lollywood (the Pakistani version) and Nollywood (the Nigerian version).

 

But what about Halalywood? No? Well, as of 2014, you probably will. American actor and comedian Omar Regan, who has appeared in films such as Rush Hour 2, has set out to create a halal-certified film industry for Muslims.

“There are 1 billion Muslims around the world and there is nobody catering for us and our stories. So I left Hollywood and I’m going Halalywood!” Regan says in a video encouraging people to donate to his Kickstarter project.

“Here is our mission: we are going to provide halal entertainment, that’s entertainment we [Muslims] can relate to. Secondly, we want to re-educate the masses about Muslims and Islam. Thirdly, it will provide a platform for young Muslim writers, actors and directors, where they can go and get their stories made and they won’t be turned away,” he says.

 

Regan is set to release his first movie American Sharia, a comedy/action film about rogue government officials using Islamophobia to maintain power, later this year. However, the up and coming Islamic Film Industry is just one of the many new and emerging scenes being created.

Reacting to the world they see around them, a new generation of young, modern Muslims are carving out new ways to entertain themselves – yet remain loyal to their faith. This new generation is showing that Islam and entertainment can go hand in hand. Along the way, they are shattering stereotypes about what it means to be Muslim in today’s world.

Of course, many of these emerging subcultures have been criticised by conservative Muslims as “unIslamic” for swerving away from traditional and accepted forms of entertainment. One such example is the Islamic Music Industry: launched ten years ago and although growing in approval by many Muslims, it is still attacked because of the use of musical instruments, which some see as haram.

Awakening Records, a UK-based publishing house and record label founded in 2000, saw that Muslims were craving an alternative to the mainstream music industry. Instead of the sexually explicit, violent and misogynistic lyrics in many mainstream songs, Awakening decided to provide a modern, faith-driven alternative.
 

Poster for American Sharia, coming soon to a theatre near you.

Their first signing was the British-Azeri singer Sami Yusuf, who in 2003 shot to stardom with his debut album Al Mu’allim. Yusuf’s success was so extraordinary and sudden, it caught Awakening by surprise – he was soon labelled “Islam’s biggest rockstar” by Time magazine in 2006.

But after a famous fallout with Awakening in 2008, Yusuf, 33, later left the record label. Today, he is still among the most popular Islamic musicians in the world as he continues to produce Muslim-friendly music. Yusuf’s departure, however, gave rise to another star. Maher Zain, 32, coming from the mainstream music scene and working with the likes of Lady Gaga, had a change of heart in 2007. He fully embraced his Islamic faith and soon signed to Awakening.

Today, with two multi-platinum albums under his belt, along with Yusuf he has catapulted Islamic music into millions of Muslim houses worldwide.

As Islamic music continues to grow, it is slowly being introduced to non-Muslims, too. Yusuf has self-coined a genre called Spiritique, which he says is more spiritual than religious and hopes for it to transcend race and religion. Similarly, Saif Adam, an increasingly popular UK-born Muslim artist, aims to produce music for Muslims and non-Muslims alike.

Many Muslims are also flocking to music that is often termed “conscious hip-hop”, or political hip-hop. While this type of music is not Islamic per se, the fight against oppression and the promotion of social justice is at its core. This genre is also used as a medium to support and bring attention to certain causes, whether Palestine or Syria. This, again, is seen as a better alternative to “the mainstream”.

Comedy, like music, also has the ability to transcend religion. In the US, the American-Palestinian Muslim comedian Yousef Erakat, who launched the YouTube channel FouseyTube in 2011, has well over 150 million views for his comedy sketches. His videos range from light-hearted religious content such as funny things Muslims do while praying, to playing pranks on the public, to tackling serious social issues like homelessness and bullying.

 

Meanwhile in the UK, 28-year-old Humza Arshad’s YouTube series Diary of a Badman, which began in 2010, has also made him into something of an Internet celebrity. Arshad’s videos satirise British Asian culture by chronicling a fictionalised version of himself and his relationships with friends and family.

However, one of the most interesting subcultures to have emerged recently is the makeup and hijab fashionista trend. A cursory glance on YouTube typing in the words “hijab tutorial” will expose a whole new world where many young Muslim women will go to learn how to wear different styles of hijabs, apply make up and wear fashion accessories. One of the most popular names in this scene is YazTheSpaz – a hijab, fashion and makeup stylist – who is also set to appear in American Sharia.

Last year, we also saw female Islamic fashion reach new heights – whether it was the Indonesia Islamic Fashion Fair or the Hijab Fashion Week in London. While this April, Aquila Style will host the Pearl Daisy Asia Tour 2014, which will celebrate the best in fashion and arts.
 

Humza Arshad at one of his calmer moments

And who could forget Mipsterz? The video, released late last year to a barrage of controversy, showed a group of young Muslim women on skateboards, in high heels, wearing the hijab to the beat of Jay Z’s Somewhere in America. However, not all the feedback was negative. Noor, one of the women featured in the video, said she received positive feedback from people who once thought the hijab was “oppressive” and “disempowering”.

But what are behind these trends? And why are Muslims now reasserting their faith in new, innovative and creative ways?

The obvious is the advent and widespread use of social media, which has made these forms of entertainment possible. Then there’s 9/11 and the constant media coverage that ensued – impacting the way Muslims are perceived and perceive themselves. Many young Muslims across the world, growing up in a profoundly different time to their parents, are interpreting and exerting their religion in new ways. This perhaps explains why it’s young Muslims who are spearheading most of these trends. You could even say a young Muslim revolt is taking shape.

As many societies seemingly turn away from religious values, Muslims are doing all they can to provide their co-religionists with their own niche – one that is cool, modern and, for the most part, Islam-friendly.

Source: Aquila Style
 

Omar Shahid is a freelance journalist specialising in religious affairs. He has written for The Times, Guardian, Independent and the New Statesman. Follow him on his blog or Twitter @omar_shahid.

Need some help with finding a local plumber, beauty salon, creche etc.

 

Why not send your question in a message to Nanna Knows on Facebook and let our community give you some suggestions?

 

Questions will be posted anonymously if requested.

 

Like the Nanna Knows Facebook Page and keep in touch with the community by sharing your knowledge and experiences.

 

 

Saeed Anwar, former Pakistani opening batsman and occasional slow left arm orthodox bowler who played international cricket between 1989 and 2003 is visiting Masjid Taqwa Bald Hills on Tuesday 15 April and Wednesday 16 April 2014 and give talks after Esha salah.
Esha salah with Jamaat is prayed at 7:30 pm.

All local brothers and sisters are welcome to attend.
 

House Wanted

 

Sister who works full time looking for 2bdrm in Underwood area under $340. Need lock up garage.  Also interested in sharing with another working sister who can pay $250-$300 a week.  Please contact Ayesha at ayesha_lea@yahoo.com.au

 

 

 

The Hayek family $3.2bn ($3.4bn) Switzerland (Lebanon)          
 

If you’re a fan of ultra-expansive watches, then your hobby is likely to be lining the pockets of the Hayek family, who run by far the world’s largest watchmaking company.

 

Sales at Swatch are predicted to come in at over $9bn for the first time this year.

 

The firm is led by chairwoman Nayla and CEO Nick (pictured), who took over the publicly traded firm after the recent death of their father, Nicolas.

 

And, if their latest move pays off, it looks like the group’s revenues could be about to get even larger.

 

Aside from sales of its own brands, which include Longines, Tissot, Omega and Breguet, Swatch also devotes significant investment to mechanical movements and components, which it has until now sold off to rival manufacturers.

 

This year, Swatch spent $1bn buying the Harry Winston brand, which it plans to use to get even greater access into markets like the US and China.

 

NEXT WEEK: Another from the rich list next week
 

Source: ArabianBusiness

To commemorate Women’s History Month, we collected photos of Muslim American women.

 

We’ve compiled thirty-two images. One for each day of March, plus another because no one month can contain the awesomeness of Muslim Women.

These images show the status and the importance of Muslim women in our society. Muslim women are liberated, educated, and play the most important roles in our society.

Update: The purpose and intent of this article is not to showcase the ethnic and racial diversity of Muslimahs. No one article can do that. We meant to express the diversity of the roles Muslimahs play in society and to begin to re-frame how they are thought about. Going forward we will make sure to be all inclusive.

 

(2) Ameena Mirza Qazi - Attorney and Civil Rights Advocate

 

 

Another from the collection in next week's CCN.
 

Source: Trivial Room: Your eye into Muslim Australia