Hundreds of people have gathered across the country for a Natonal Mosque Open Day. The idea - to demystify one of the world's oldest religions and break down prejudices.
A mix of police, politicians and the public made up the attendees at the Logan Mosque Open Day, the Queensland Mosque signed up as part of the federally-funded Australia-wide National Mosque Open Day campaign conducted by the Lakemba Muslim Association in Sydney.
Amongst the speakers were Minister for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and Multicultural Affairs and Minister Assisting the Premier, Glen Elmes MP; Member for Rankin, Dr. Jim Chalmers MP; Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Social Services, Senator Concetta Fieravanti-Wells, Anti-discrimination Commission Queensland commissioner, Kevin Cocks; Assistant Police Commissioner, Paul Stewart and candidate for the seat of Stretton, David Forde.
KURABY
MOSQUE
Over 100 people from the broader Australian community attended the final Open Day at the Mosque.
"Attendees were very positive about this initiative and some said we should do this more often," co-ordinator of the Kuraby Mosque Open Days, Mr Feisal Essof, told CCN.
The hijab demonstration was a huge success with many women asking questions and wanting to try them one.
One visitor said: "I liked the way there were a number of volunteers taking groups of people through. I liked the information (that we were given) to take away."
PERTH
It's
been
a
busy
Saturday
at a
Mosque
in
the
Perth
suburb
of
Southern
River
where
an
open
day
has
attracted
crowds
of
non-Muslim
visitors.
It
comes
just
a
week
after
two
Perth
mosques
and
the
Australian
Islamic
College
in
Thornlie
were
targeted
by
vandals
who
threw
beer
bottles
and
sprayed
anti-Muslim
graffiti
on
walls.
Imam
Burhaan
Mehtar,
from
the
Masjid
Ibrahim
Mosque
on
Leslie
Street,
said
"about
300
people
turned
up
and
their
questions
covered
many
subjects.
"There
were
questions
about
terrorism
and
they
found
out
that
we
don't
subscribe
to
groups
like
ISIS.
We
told
them
how
we
as
Muslim
Australians
are
affected
by
prejudice
and
misunderstanding
arising
from
the
actions
of
ISIS
and
its
adherents."
He
said
the
open
day
was
a
great
success
attracting
people
from
as
far
away
as
Bunbury.
The
visitors
included
police
officers,
politicians
and
members
of
other
local
churches.
"There
were
a
lot
of
well-wishers
and
we
received
a
lot
of
support,"
said
the
Imam.
SYDNEY
“I’m
visiting
Lakemba
Mosque
seeking
to
add
a
deeper
understanding
to
my
friendship
and
connections
within
the
Muslim
community,”
said
Pastor
Brad
Chilcott,
“We
have
different
beliefs
but
our
future
in
Australia
is
shared.
It’s
through
listening
and
developing
authentic
relationships
that
we
build
healthy
communities.”
In a demonstration of solidarity to show Australia as a welcoming, inclusive and just country, some 600 people attended the Brisbane Walk Together event over the Kurilpa Bridge, ending on the grassed Supreme Court Plaza in George Street.
One of the organizers of the Brisbane effort, Fahim Khondiker, told CCN: "This expression of unity is an important and very timely reminder that we are all people who can get along with each other. We hope those who attended will share the joyful stories from today with all of their friends for weeks and months to come."
Amongst the speakers was Imam Uzair Akbar who told the audience, to a rousing round of applause: "To blame a religion, or to blame Islam, for the practices of a few is just like eating a rotten fruit and blaming the entire tree."
The occasion marked a "celebration of diversity and a picture of the Australia that is possible to present to our leaders and media. Australians will walk together for unity, compassion and inclusion."
Wally de Backer (Gotye), Andrew O'Keefe (Weekend Sunrise), Premier of South Australia Jay Weatherill, Tom Ballard, Mariam Veiszadeh and Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane were among many other Australians who joined Walk Together in one of 18 capital cities and regional centres around the nation.
ABC TV news report
TOOWOOMBA
The Walk Together in Toowoomba started at the Village Green of the Toowoomba Regional Council Office area.
Mayor Paul Antonio (pictured left) spoke to the participants about the importance of this show of solidarity.
On Monday 20
October the
Heads of
Christian
Churches met
with members
of the
Islamic
Council of
Queensland
to consider
ways of
strengthening
relations
between the
Christian
and Islamic
communities
in the State
that promote
respect and
harmony.
The meeting
was
precipitated
by the
concern over
recent
negative
sentiments
expressed
toward
Muslims and
especially
Muslim
women. The
meeting
abhorred
such
actions, and
called upon
all
Queenslanders
to respect
the right of
all
Australians
to enjoy
Freedom of
Religion,
and seeks to
promote ways
in which
understanding
and
tolerance
between
people of
different
faiths can
be
increased.
Churches
represented
at the
meeting
included the
Anglican,
Roman
Catholic,
Uniting,
Churches of
Christ,
Congregational
Federation
of
Australian
and New
Zealand,
Australian
Christian
Churches,
Presbyterian
Church of
Queensland
and the
Wesleyan
Methodist
Church of
Australia.
As well as
members of
the
Queensland
Islamic
Council,
representatives
of the
Council of
Imams,
Crescents of
Brisbane and
AMARAH
attended.
Topics
discussed
included
supporting
freedom of
religious
ideas and
practices
within the
Australian
community,
showing
dignity to
all people
regardless
of their
beliefs and
ways of life
and speaking
with a
united voice
to
government
and
politicians
on topics of
mutual
concern.
It was
agreed to
support
initiatives
such as the
open mosque
days, forums
to educate
the wider
community
about Islam
and
Christianity,
invite
people of
different
faiths to
social
events and
the
promotion of
joint events
and
activities.
Three
representatives
from each
faith were
appointed to
form a
working
group to
produce an
action plan
to promote
joint
initiatives
that uphold
our
Australian
value of a
fair go for
people of
all
religious
beliefs and
cultures.
Further
meetings of
the Heads of
Churches and
the Islamic
Council of
Queensland
will be held
in 2015.
The
Continental
Club will be
hosting its
last
Tournament
for 2014 on
Sunday 9th
November
2014 at
Gainsborough
Greens Golf
Club.
A year has
past since
the Club was
launched on
13 October
2013.
To
commemorate
the Club's
1st
Anniversary,
a large
number of
valuable
prizes have
been secured
for this
tournament.
COURSE:
Yawalpah
Road,
Pimpama
Take Pimpama
Exit 49 off
the Pacific
Highway.
Entry:
Submitting
your entry
form by
Friday 31
October
(note: spots
are limited.
Click here
to enter
online.
Tee off is
at 8:28 am
1st Tee
Start (All
players are
kindly
requested to
be on course
30 minutes
prior to
your tee
time).
Entry
fees:
Windaroo
Lakes Gold
Plus Members
- $45
Tcc Members
- $65 pp
Non-Members
- $80 pp
Name:
Continental
Club
Bank
details:
Bank:
Westpac
BSB: 034069
Acc: 020515
Reference:
Your name
Payments to
be made
electronically
by Friday 31
October
2014.
TOURNAMENT
SPONSOR:
ADMIN
ASSISTANCE
Competition
Format &
Rules
This is an
Individual
Competition
• The draw
will be
determined
by Friday
7th November
2014
• Draw
details will
be emailed
to all
participants
• Players
will play
off their
designated
AGU Golf
Handicaps
(If a player
does not
have an
official
handicap one
will be
given to him
by the Rules
Committee)
• The game
is for fun
and should
be played in
an ethical
manner -
Please
adhere to
the rules of
Golf
• Any issues
with Rules
on the day
please
contact
either Fala
Ahmed - 0434
193 801 or
Idris Jangda
- 0412 786
168
Handicaps
are taken
from
Golflink and
are
following
R&A golf
rules.
Click here
for
competition
format.
On Friday 24 October, the Muslim organisation of Sunshine Coast (MoSC) reached its immediate target to purchase the building in the coastal town.
The dinner at the Islamic College of Brisbane was organized jointly by the Islamic Council of Queensland and MoSC and was sponsored by Qartaba Homes.
Over 400 people attended the function to support the project.
The function started with the recitation of Holy Quran followed by
- Introduction of MoSC by Mr Shaheed,
- Guest speaker, Haji Yusuf: President ICQ
- Spiritual speech by Mufti Zeeyad
- Auction by Mr Raman Dean and assisted by Mr Najeeb
- Vote of thanks by Abderrahim (MoSC)
"The next challenge for us is to get the pledges in before end of week to settle for the property which is on 3rd November 2014. In the next few weeks we will be able to quantify the exact amount generated after getting the pledges in and paying for all the expenses," Mr Riaz Janif of MoSc told CCN.
"Thanks everyone for your efforts and contributions towards this noble cause. We might forget this event later but your efforts and support will never be forgotten, Insha’Allah," Mr Janif added.
MoSC's next project is to prepare the property for a Musallah and this will require preparing a wudhu place, toilet facilities, internal restructuring, carpeting, fencing and other repairs required to make the current building suitable for the purposes.
Reading
to
children
is
an
enjoyable
experience
for
both
adult
and
child.
There
are
many
benefits
of
reading
to
children
as
well
as
many
reading
options.
Read
on
to
find
out
how
to
develop
a
love
of
reading
in
your
child,
and
how
to
choose
a
good
children’s
book.
As a
parent,
teacher
or
educator
of
little
Muslims,
we
have
an
important
role
of
imparting
knowledge
to
bright
and
young
minds
that
have
incredible
potential
for
learning
and
retaining
information.
There
is
no
shortage
of
children’s
books
that
have
valuable
lessons
contained
within,
but
it
is
heartening
to
see
many
more
books,
of a
high
quality,
that
are
being
released
for
children
that
have
an
Islamic
element
within.
Written
by
Muslims
for
Muslim
children,
these
books
often
focus
on
an
Islamic
principle,
Qur’anic
message
or
life
of
the
Prophet
Muhammad
and
incorporate
this
with
imaginative
stories,
captivating
illustrations
and
other
interesting
features.
By
using
these,
as
well
as a
variety
of
other
books,
we
can
instil
in
our
children
a
love
of
books
and
a
love
of
reading,
whether
for
learning
or
for
pleasure.
I can’t
remember
when I fell
in love in
photography.
I think it
was when I
was young,
and the film
camera was
still a kind
of luxury
for our
family. We
had to take
turns using
it among the
siblings,
and I was
always the
one who
asked for
extra film
from my
parents. At
that time,
what I knew
was that
photography
just made me
happy.
I am a
person who
always has a
hard time
expressing
myself to
others, and
photography
helps me. It
is such an
effortless
medium of
creativity
for me, with
no
boundaries.
It’s not
something
that I
deliberately
have to
study or
analyse, but
rather
something
that
subconsciously
grows as I
gain more
experience
while doing
it over and
over again.
A meeting of Toowoomba Churces Together and leaders of the Toowoomba Muslim community leaders was held at the Cobb & Co Museum in Toowoomba. The photos show Imam Abdul Kader, Fr Brain Sparksman, Mayor Paul Antonio, and Prof Shahjahan Khan and a number of other participants.
Yassmin
Abdel-Magied
(23)
has been
named Young
Queenslander
of the Year.
Born in
Sudan,
Yassmin
Abdel-Magied
and her
family
arrived in
Australia
when she was
two and
since then
has devoted
her
extraordinary
energy and
talents to
making
Australia a
better
place.
At age 16,
Yassmin
founded
Youth
Without
Borders, an
organisation
that enables
young people
to work
together to
implement
positive
change
within their
communities
and
internationally.
Yassmin has
forged a
hybrid
career as an
engineer,
social
advocate and
media
commentator
and she is a
sought-after
advisor for
state and
federal
governments.
Yassmin has
sat on the
Australian
Multicultural
Council, the
Board of the
Queensland
Museum and
the Design
Council,
contributed
as a member
of the
Federal
ANZAC
Centenary
Commemoration
Youth
Working
Group and
was on the
organising
committee of
the 2014
Youth G20
Summit.
A role model
to many,
Yassmin has
been
recognised
with many
awards. Her
achievements
across a
number of
fields
provide
positive
proof that
hard work,
resilience
and
self-belief
can reap
rewards,
regardless
of gender,
faith or
cultural
background.
This latest
award puts Yassmin in
line for the
National
Finalist
Young
Australian
of the Year
2015.
Yassmin
posted on
her
Facebook:
Extremely
humbled
to have
been
named
Young
Queenslander
of the
Year for
2015,
alongside
some
amazing
names
including
Hetty
Johnston,
someone
who (I
hope)
will be
crowned
Australian
of the
Year for
her work
defending
children
from
sexual
assault.
The
position
is more
than
just an
honour,
but a
promise,
inshallah.
It is my
hope
that the
platform
can be
used to
raise
issues
that are
important
and
critical
to young
people
and
Australia's
future.
What
does
that
mean? We
consider
ourselves
the
lucky
country.
Yet, how
can this
be if
youth
unemployment
is rife
(13.2%
in Sept
this
year),
if young
people
from
diverse
backgrounds
don't
feel
like
they
have
access
and
equity,
and if
we don't
live
what we
preach -
a fair
go for
all? A
vision
is
needed...
Take
five
minutes
this
weekend
to
think:
What do
I want
Australia
to look
like in
ten
years
time...
and how
can I be
a part
of
making
that
happen?
Let's
work
towards
that
common
vision
and make
sure
Australia
is the
prosperous,
fair,
lucky
country
that we
all know
it truly
is.
BRISBANE’S
newest
mosque
president
has pledged
to engage
troubled
Muslim
youths who
could
instead turn
to
“extremism,
drugs or
crime”.
Ali Kadri,
33 – the
youngest
president
elected to
the Holland
Park mosque
– told The
Courier-Mail
he wanted to
make young
Muslim boys
feel part of
Australia.
“From my
experiences
of the past
two or three
years, I
have come to
the
conclusion
that in most
cases young
people,
especially
young Muslim
boys, don’t
feel part of
Australia,’’
Mr Kadri
said.
“They feel
marginalised
and
alienated
and that
leaves them
susceptible
to all kinds
of negative
propaganda
or
negativity,
whether it
be
extremism,
or drug
abuse or
crime.’’
Mr Kadri
said the
solution was
to “engage
with them,
and make
them feel
part of this
beautiful
country”.
“In that
way, we are
turning
their energy
into
something
very
positive for
our
society,’’
he said.
Terror
groups
including
ISIS rely on
social media
to spread
propaganda
and
encourage
Muslim
supporters –
in
particular
young men –
to join
their deadly
cause.
Mr Kadri
said his aim
was to “take
up the
grievances’’
of young
Muslims in
his
community
with
“relevant
government
agencies”.
“What
happens with
a lot of
these young
boys is that
they don’t
know who to
go to with
their
problems, so
I want to be
like a
conduit and
take up
their cases
with the
local MPs,
or
government
agencies to
try to make
them feel
heard and
perhaps find
solutions to
their
problems.
“Holland
Park mosque
is 108 years
old, so
Islam and
Muslims are
an integral
part of
Queensland.
“I want to
make the
mosque a
greater part
of the
Australian
identity,
not just the
Muslim
identity. I
want to
bring the
mosque to
the state it
deserves in
the
community.”
He also
wanted to
continue
“engaging
with the
wider
community”
after the
mosque was
the target
of recent
hate
attacks.
“I want to
say to
everyone
that the
mosque is
not just a
place of
worship for
Muslim
Australians
but it is
open for all
Australians
and I will
do my best
within my
capacity to
represent
all members
of our
community
regardless
of their
race,
religion,
culture or
ethnic
background.”
Mr Kadri
last month
organised an
open day at
Holland Park
which
attracted
about 200
people and
resulted in
“hundreds
more’’
contacting
the mosque.
“It’s never
easy to do
something
new. I
didn’t know
how many
people would
turn up for
the open
day, but it
turned out
to be a
resounding
success,’’
he said.
Addressing
the nation
Wednesday
night,
Liberal
leader
Justin
Trudeau send
a message of
support to
the family
of the the
Canadian
Forces
member
killed in a
shooting in
Ottawa
Wednesday,
and urged
the country
not to
forget it's
peaceful and
democratic
value.
At 4.18
minutes into
his speech
he makes
specific
reference to
the Muslim
community of
Canada.
The
Huffington
Post UK's
Mehdi Hasan
and the
Guardian's
Jonathan
Freedland
discuss
Islamophobia
and
antisemitism
at a
Guardian
Live event
at the Royal
Institution
in London on
15
September.
Here, Mehdi
speaks about
the
challenges
of tackling
bigotry when
the tools of
a usual
argument –
facts, case
studies,
statistics –
do not work
in the face
of
conspiracy
theories
Some
of
Australia’s
top food
brands are
being
targeted for
boycott via
social media
for
producing
halal foods,
claiming the
certification
fees
“directly
support
terrorism”.
Vegemite,
Four ‘n’
Twenty pies,
the Byron
Bay Cookie
Company,
Nescafe,
Colgate and
Western Star
Butter are
among the
companies
being
targeted for
making
products
with halal
certification.
A number of
meat
processors
have also
been singled
out for
producing
halal
products.
Halal food
is prepared
according to
Islamic law
and is
similar in
religious
philosophy
to the
Jewish
practice of
kosher food.
The Facebook
page
“Boycott
halal foods
in
Australia”
has been
operating
for two
years and
calls for
boycotts
claiming
halal fees
are used to
“fund
Islamic
expansion by
any means”.
Boycott
Halal is a
global
campaign
with a
strong
social media
presence. A
change.org
online
petition
calls on
Prime
Minister
Tony Abbott
to ban halal
certification
fees “as
part of the
Australian
governments’
fight to
combat
terrorism”.
The petition
claims:
Items
such as
Vegemite,
an
Australian
icon for
decades,
now
include
a
mark-up
for
halal
certification
– a
mark-up
which
directly
supports
terrorist
organisations.
In recent
weeks The
Byron Bay
Cookie
Company has
come under
sustained
attack and
abuse on
social media
pages for
being halal
certified
and making
Anzac
biscuits.
The company
says it is
seeking
legal advice
after the
abuse it
received.
The comments
posted on
its Facebook
page range
from racist
to bigoted
and
ignorant,
including:
“No
Byron
Bay
anything
for me
either.
I stand
firm on
boycotting
anything
Halal.
No food
should
be about
religion.
No law
should
be about
religion.”
“Is it
true
that you
have
paid
Halal
certification?
If you
are, you
should
HAVE TO
display
a Halal
logo on
your
packaging.
I think
it’s
only
fair I
should
be given
the
choice
as to
whether
I wish
to buy
products
carying
a
religious
certification
even
though
in this
case
it’s a
totalitarian
regime’s
certification.”
“I
didn’t
realise
rolled
oats
where a
meat and
had to
be
slaughtered
a
certain
way! Do
you have
to face
Mecca
while
harvesting
the
crops or
something?
How can
you not
see that
this
halal
cert of
BISCUITS
is not
necessary!”
“What a
disgrace,
the
thousands
of
Anzacs
that
died on
the
beaches
at
Gallipoli
will be
turning
in their
graves.”
“You
guys
make me
sick,
hopefully
you lose
a lot of
business
because
of the
Halal
certified
Anzac
biscuits.
Very un
Australian”
Others have
responded in
support of
the halal
certification.
In a
statement
posted on
its Facebook
page, the
company,
which turns
over around
$13 million,
says:
Byron
Bay
Cookie
Company
cookies
are
halal
certified
as we
proudly
make
products
that are
enjoyed
by
people
all over
the
world.
We are
fiercely
proud of
being an
Australian
business
whose
products
are
locally
manufactured
and
exported
to
markets
throughout
Asia,
Europe
and
America.
These
export
sales
are an
essential
part of
our
business,
and
crucial
to
preserving
investment
and
employment
here in
Australia.
Four ‘n’
Twenty Pies
is also
being abused
on Facebook
with angry
commentators
saying
things such
as:
“Hope
your
marketing
people
read all
the
posts,
you
jeopardise
97% of
the
market
by being
conned
into
paying
an
Islamic
food tax
for what
3%
maximum???”
“I buy a
packet
of your
pies
every
week….will
no
longer
as you
are
Halal
certified…..disgraceful”
“Dear
four n
twenty,
you keep
justifying
your
decision
to pay
the
dhimmi
tax,
which is
exactly
what
halal
is, by
stating
over and
over
again
that its
only 5%
of your
range.
You fail
to
realise
that it
is the
principal
of this
that
disgusts
us
Aussies.
Do you
think
islamic
countries
pay for
kosher
certification?
Do you
think
they
care
about
what
christians
believe?
We are
in the
midst of
global
cultural
genocide
and your
quest
for
political
correctness
has
alienated
many
loyal
customers.
You are
a bunch
of
islamophiles
and your
actions
are
tearing
our
culture
apart.”
Even the
South
Australian
family-owned
beer company
Coopers came
under attack
earlier this
year for
producing
halal-certified
malt
extract.
A new kit
has gone on
sale in
France to
detect the
presence of
pork or
alcohol in
various
produce. The
‘Halal Test’
is aimed at
the Islamic
market and
claims
rapidly to
detect the
presence of
pork in any
meal.
The
demonstration
video
directs that
a piece of
meat - for
example, a
sausage - is
placed in a
small flask
and a few
drops of hot
water added.
“The
appearance
of two red
lines means
that we have
pork
present,”
says
Abderrahmane
Chaoui, one
of the
product’s
creators, as
he conducts
a video
demonstration,
displaying
the finished
test.
This means
that the
product has
pork cannot
be consumed
by Muslims
as pork
consumption
is outlawed
by the
Koran,
whereas one
bar means
that pork is
not present
and meets
Islamic
consumption
standards.
The product
is the
brainchild
of Chaoui,
25, and his
classmate,
27-year-old
and
Jean-François
Julien.
The
‘Halaltest’
can be used
not only
with meals
but also
with
beverages,
cosmetics
and
pharmaceuticals.
“Pork is the
subject of a
strict ban,
as well as
alcohol,”
Chaoui
stated,
according to
Le Nouvel
Observateur.
It can be
ordered
individually
for €6.90
(US$8.80)
per packet
or a pack of
25 tests,
for €125.
Eventually,
the company
– despite
being in its
germinating
stages –
hopes to
modify the
test so that
it is
possible to
recognize
whether the
animal from
which the
meat was
obtained was
slaughtered
according to
Islamic
ritual,
“based on
blood
oxygenation.”
This means
that the
test would
truly become
a test to
see whether
all meat was
halal,
rather than
just
directly
outlawed.
“Products
bearing the
'halal'
stamp have
emerged over
the past 15
years…but
consumer
vigilance
has
increased
recently,”
Choui
explained.
France’s
Muslim
population
reached an
estimated
6.5 million
in 2013 and
there is
likely a big
market for
such a
product,
especially
in the wake
of
Europe-wide
horsemeat
scandals.
Additionally,
at the
beginning of
2011,
sausages
labeled as
Halal by
company
Knacki Herta
had to be
withdrawn
from
supermarkets
after tests
demonstrated
the presence
of pork.
The election
for rotating
open
positions on
the Board of
Directors
was held
last night
at the
Ethnic
Communities
Council of
Queensland’s
Annual
General
Meeting.
Agnes Whiten
OAM was
re-elected
unopposed as
Chairperson,
Michael Yau
was
re-elected
unopposed as
Deputy Chair
and Alex
Daniloff was
re-elected
to the
board. New
directors on
the board
are: Samuel
Miszkowski
and Amar
Khan.
Ms Whiten
has served
on the board
for 16
years,
taking time
off between
1989 and
1999, has
served as
Chairperson
since 2008,
and has
represented
ECCQ in
various
advisory
bodies. Mr
Yau has
served on
the board
for 12 years
and has held
the position
of Deputy
Chair since
2012. He has
represented
ECCQ in
various
Chinese
forums and
associations.
Mr Daniloff
has served
on the board
for 8 years,
serving as
Honorary
Treasurer
for 5 years
and has
served as
Chairperson
of the
Finance,
Audit & Risk
Committee
since 2012.
Mr
Miszkowski
is a long
term
volunteer
and advocate
for cultural
diversity on
the Gold
Coast. He
was recently
awarded the
Premier’s
Cultural
Diversity
Award for
2014
Outstanding
Regional
Volunteer.
Mr Khan is a
Public
Health
Auditor/Officer
at
Queensland
Health, a
dedicated
community
worker and
Vice
President of
the Islamic
Council of
Queensland.
Outgoing
board
directors
are Gail Ker
OAM, CEO of
Access
Community
Services and
Dr Mustafa
Ally OAM,
President of
Crescents of
Brisbane and
Lecturer of
information
systems at
the
University
of Southern
Queensland.
Ms Ker
served on
the board
for 6 years,
contributing
expertise in
areas around
settlement
and
employment
for newly
arrived
migrants and
refugees. Dr
Ally served
on the board
for 6 years,
contributing
greatly on
issues
concerning
Muslim
communities.
“We thank
Mustafa and
Gail for
their time
and valued
contributions
to the
board, to
ECCQ’s
divisions,
and to our
members,”
said Ms
Whiten. “We
will
continue to
work with
them in
building a
more
inclusive
society. We
also welcome
our new
board
directors
and look
forward to
using their
expertise in
areas
concerning
our
constituencies.
The board
comprises
many areas
of expertise
and
represents
many
communities
in
Queensland.”
Councillor
Ray Brown,
Mayor of
Western
Downs
Regional
Council, the
event guest
speaker,
spoke on
promoting
cultural
diversity in
the Western
Downs region
through job
creation for
migrants in
industries
such as
agriculture,
and
supporting
new arrivals
and their
families
through
education
and engaging
with
potential
employers
and
businesses.
He also
spoke on
improved
social and
community
infrastructure
to ensure
communities
have better
access to
cultural and
sporting
facilities,
aged care
services and
housing.
Ms Whiten
said ECCQ
will
continue to
engage with
the
Queensland
Government
to ensure
the needs of
culturally
and
linguistically
diverse
communities
are
represented
in areas
such as
health,
employment
and
education.
“We look
forward to
an exciting
year ahead.”
From the
left:
Yasmin Khan,
Anthony Lin,
Michael Yau,
Agnes
Whiten,
Serge
Voloschenko,
Surendra
Prasad, Amar
Khan, Alex
Daniloff,
Samuel
Miszkowski
and Alton
Budd
Leading
Muslim
Community
Organisations
have
expressed
their
profound
concerns and
sadness over
reports that
a 17
year‐old
Australian,
who was
apparently
under
surveillance
by law
enforcement
agencies has
run away
from home
and managed
to travel to
Syria to
fight with
ISIS. In a
video aired
recently on
Youtube he
has
threatened
the safety
of Australia
and
specifically
mentioned
the Prime
Minister in
his threat.
We condemn
in the
strongest
possible
terms any
threat
against
Australians
and
reiterate
the position
of His
Eminence,
the Grand
Mufti of
Australia,
Dr Ibrahim
Abu
Mohammad,
who
previously
said: "The
recent
so‐called
‘fatwa’ from
overseas
making
reference to
Australia as
a target has
no religious
authority
and must be
rejected."
On this
occasion, Dr
Abu Mohammad
said: "It is
utterly
deplorable
for violent
extremists
to use Islam
as a cover
for their
crimes and
atrocities.
Their
misguided
actions do
not
represent
the
overwhelming
majority of
Muslims who
emulate the
pure
teachings of
Islam such
as justice,
mercy and
freedom.”
We believe
that there
is an urgent
need to
examine how
this 17
year‐old
youth felt
the need to
leave the
country and
fight with a
proscribed
terrorist
organisation
overseas. It
is also
imperative
that the
government
commits
further
resources
into
addressing
the root
causes of
radicalisation
which need
to be
identified
and
adequately
addressed.
We call upon
everyone
concerned to
act with
restraint
and not to
use this
latest video
to
exacerbate
community
tensions in
Australia.
Signed:
Office of
the Mufti of
Australia
Australian
National
Imams
Council ANIC
Islamic
Council of
New South
Wales ICNSW
Lebanese
Muslim
Association
LMA
United
Muslim
Women’s
Association
MWA
Muslim Legal
Network MLN
(NSW)
Muslim Legal
Network MLN
(VIC)
Australian
Muslim Women
Association
AMWA
United
Muslims of
Australia
UMA
Message of
community
support from
Queensland
Anti-Discrimination
Commissioner
Anti-Discrimination
Commissioner,
Kevin Cocks
delivers a
message to
the
Queensland
community
about
standing up
to acts of
vilification
and
discrimination.
Have you
seen public
acts of
vilification,
racism, or
abuse but
been unsure
what to do?
This video
gives you
some
practical
tips for
taking
action when
it is safe
to do so.
Senator
Jacqui
Lambie has
refused an
invite to
visit a
Sydney
mosque,
declaring
that it is
against her
'moral
upbringing'.
Liberal MP
Craig Laundy
issued an
invitation
to the
Palmer
United Party
Senator,
offering a
weekend
visit to a
mosque in
his
Sydney-based
seat of
Reid.
Appearing on
Sky News on
Wednesday,
Senator
Lambie ruled
out
accepting
the
invitation,
citing
religion.
"I'm a
Catholic;
I’m
religious,"
she said.
"It's not my
moral
upbringing.
I'm
Australian.
I simply
believe in
the church.
"… I
wouldn’t be
comfortable
with that."
Her comments
follow her
public
campaign to
ban the
wearing of
burqas in
public.
Senator
Lambie
called for
an immediate
ban on the
traditional
garb last
month,
citing
security
concerns.
"People can
do want the
want in the
privacy of
their own
homes, but
for the
public
safety of
our children
and
families,
remove the
burqa," she
said.
FRANCE: A
woman in
niqab, a
traditional
Muslim veil,
was asked to
leave the
opera in
Paris after
the cast
said they
wouldn’t
perform if a
solution
wasn’t
found. She
had to leave
the
auditorium,
because
wearing a
veil
covering the
whole face
is banned in
France.
The incident
happened
during the
performance
of La
Traviata at
Opera
Bastille in
Paris
(pictured
above)
on October
3,
Jean-Philippe
Thiellay the
opera
house’s
deputy
director,
told AFP.
The fuss
blew on
Sunday,
October 19,
in French
media.
The woman
and her
companion,
tourists
from one of
the Gulf
States, were
sitting just
behind the
conductor
and were
visible to
monitors.
Their seats
were
reportedly
the most
expensive in
the opera,
costing 231
euros ($294)
each.
The woman
was wearing
a niqab, a
veil that
covers her
face and
hair. It
only leaves
the eyes and
part of the
forehead
visible.
She was
unnoticed by
the opera
house’s
personnel
when she
entered the
auditorium.
Thiellay
said that he
“was alerted
in the
second act
by a
singer," who
spotted her
in the front
row.
"Some
performers
said they
didn’t want
to sing," if
it wasn’t
sorted out,
he added.
They didn’t
like
performing
for a
faceless
audience
member,
reported
Metronews,
citing
Thiellay.
MALAYSIA:
Islamic
authorities
looking into
"I want to
touch a dog"
event, which
was aimed at
challenging
stigma
around the
animal.
Islamic
authorities
in Malaysia
are
conducting
an
investigation
into a
controversial
"dog
patting"
event aimed
at removing
the stigma
regarding
the animal
in the
multi-ethnic
Muslim-majority
country.
The event,
titled "I
want to
touch a dog"
and held in
a park on
the
outskirts of
the capital
Kuala Lumpur
on Sunday,
encouraged
patting
dogs, widely
considered
to be
unclean in
Islam, and
reportedly
drew
hundreds of
Muslims,
raising the
ire of
religious
leaders.
Islamic
authorities
said they
would
investigate
the event,
while a
Muslim
leader, Nooh
Gadut, said
it was an
attempt to
insult
clerics.
"Don't try
to create a
culture that
is opposite
to Islam,"
he was
quoted by
local media
as saying.
The
organiser,
Syed Azmi
Alhabshi,
who is a
Muslim, had
said his
intention
was to help
people
overcome
their fear
of dogs and
promote
compassion
towards
animals.
Many
Malaysians
posted
positive
comments
about the
event on
social
media.
"This is so
heart
warming to
see a good
change in my
home
country,"
one Facebook
user said.
Muslims who
took part in
the event
last Sunday
performed in
a special
washing
ritual at
the end of
the event.
The
Southeast
Asian
country
generally
practises a
moderate
brand of
Islam, but
conservative
views have
gained
increasing
traction in
recent
years, with
minorities
complaining
of what they
see as
Islamisation.
Recently,
rights
groups
appealed for
the
government
to repeal
laws
discriminating
against
transgender
people after
it was
revealed
that the
group faced
assault and
extortion
from
authorities.
CANBERRA:
Australia’s
Parliament
House on
Monday
lifted a
short-lived
ban on
facial
coverings
including
burqas and
niqabs after
the prime
minister
intervened.
The
department
that runs
Parliament
House had
announced
earlier this
month that
“persons
with facial
coverings”
would no
longer be
allowed in
the open
public
galleries.
Instead,
they were to
be directed
to galleries
usually
reserved for
noisy
schoolchildren
where they
could sit
behind
soundproof
glass.
That
announcement
was made
just as
Parliament’s
last
two-week
session was
ending and
had no
practical
effect. On
Monday, the
Department
of
Parliamentary
Services, or
DPS, said
people
wearing face
coverings
would be
allowed in
all public
areas of
Parliament
House.
It said face
coverings
would have
to be
removed
temporarily
at the front
door so that
staff could
“identify
any person
who may have
been banned
from
entering
Parliament
House or who
may be
known, or
discovered,
to be a
security
risk.”
A DPS
official,
who declined
to be named,
citing
department
policy, said
that by late
Monday no
visitor to
Parliament
House that
day had a
covered
face. Face
veils are
rarely seen
in the
building.
The ban had
been widely
condemned as
a
segregation
of Muslim
women and a
potential
breach of
anti-discrimination
laws.
Prime
Minister
Tony Abbott
has said he
wasn’t
notified in
advance and
had asked
House
Speaker
Bronwyn
Bishop to
rethink the
ban.
The
restriction
had been
authorized
by Bishop,
who has
campaigned
for a ban on
Muslim head
scarves in
schools, as
well as
Senate
President
Stephen
Parry.
The
controversy
came as the
government
attempts to
assure
Australia’s
Muslim
minority
that new
counterterrorism
laws and
police raids
on terror
suspects’
homes in
recent
months were
directed at
countering
criminal
activity,
not any
particular
religion.
The
opposition
welcomed the
overturning
of the ban
and demanded
an
explanation
for it.
This text was the most
influential and enduring
astronomical text to have
survived from the ancient
world. Its Arabic
translation had an immense
impact on the late antique
and medieval world view in
both Christian and Islamic
lands. The Almagest
manuscript was completed in
615.
Photograph: British Library
Qatar Foundation Partnership
From the 9th
to the 19th
centuries,
scholars and
scribes used
Arabic as a
lingua
franca to
debate
scientific
ideas.
Arabic-speaking
scholars
translated
classical
Greek,
Persian and
even
Sanskrit
texts on
topics such
as medicine,
mathematics
and
astronomy.
These
scholars
went far
beyond
translation
and
preservation
and fostered
a unique and
vibrant
scientific
culture
within the
Arabic-speaking
world.
The British
Library and
Qatar
Foundation
have joined
forces to
launch a new
bilingual
online
portal, the
Qatar
Digital
Library,
providing
free access
to 25,000
pages of
fascinating
medieval
Arabic
manuscript.
On the left
is one from
a selection
of some of
the most
influential
scientific
texts in
history
(others to
follow in
the coming
issues of
CCN).
It was always our intention to educate and inform
listeners about our Muslim Community in a positive
way and we know from the supportive reaction from
our listeners that we achieved that.
Yes, there were some negative attacks against me,
but I definitely do not regret my actions in wearing
the scarf while in the Mosque and I appreciate your
support and kind comments.
Looking forward to working with you again.
Regards,
Loretta
LORETTA RYAN Breakfast with Ian Skippen and
Loretta Ryan
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: Have a go at
this family favourite. Bilkish Omar's recipe
shows its not hard to get the same taste and
aroma of the original addictive Portuguese fast
food.
Nandos-styled Chicken
Ingredients
1˝ chicken, skinned
and disjointed.
1 tsp red chilli powder
4 tab. lemon juice
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. fresh ground garlic
1 tsp. ground red fresh chillies
2 tab butter
1. Marinate the
chicken for a few hours in the above spices.
2. Then cook the
chicken with the butter and set aside in an oven
proof dish.
Method
1. Boil the
following and simmer for 10 mins until a little
thick.
˝ cup fresh cream or coconut cream
˝ cup Nandos peri peri sauce
˝ cup Nandos garlic sauce
2 tab. tomato paste
2. Pour the sauce over the chicken and grill in
the oven until slightly red.
Q: Dear Kareema, I’m doing
an 80km cycle challenge in a few weeks and was
wondering how hard I should be pushing myself in
order to get race ready. Please help.
A: Sounds awesome. My motto is if you
work harder during your training sessions, you
won’t have to work as hard come race day.
So really push your limits during
your training sessions so you are well prepared
for the race.
Make sure that you stay safe
though and stretch after each ride.
Also take a rest day and do yoga
or jump in the pool for your muscles to rest and
recover.
Change up your routine and take
it easier the week before the race.
Mula Nasruddin junior came up to his father one day:
"Dad, where did I come from?".
Mula Nasruddin was shocked that a 10 year old would be
asking a question like that.
He was hoping to wait a few more years before he would
have to explain the facts of life, but he figured it was
better a few years early than a few days too late, so,
for the next two hours he explained everything to his
son.
When he got finished, he asked his son what prompted his
question to which his son replied, "I was talking to the
new boy across the street and he said he came from
Konya, so I was just wondering where I came from."
Who
receives guidance, receives
it for his own benefit: who
goes astray does so to his
own loss: no bearer of
burdens can bear the burden
of another...
After-hour medical centre in Browns
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The address is:
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Find out how to get your full size ad in this box by
emailing
1. All Islamic Event dates given above are tentative and
subject to the sighting of the moon.
2. The Islamic date changes to the next day starting in
the evenings after maghrib. Therefore, exceptfor Lailatul
Mehraj,
Lailatul Bhahraat
and
Lailatul Qadr – these dates refer to the commencement of the event
starting in the evening of the corresponding day.
The Tafseer gets recorded and uploaded on to our website end
of each week, please visit our website to download these
recordings at
www.masjidtaqwa.org.au.
The Tuesday and Thursdays Dars Nizame program is in Urdu,
these sessions too are recorded as well as webcasted live.
For webcast details please contact us via our website
“contact us” page. The recordings are sent via a download
link, if you are interested please again contact us via our
website “contact us” page.
Queensland Police Service/Muslim
Community Consultative Group
Meeting Dates & Times
Wednesday 26 November at the Islamic
College of Brisbane (note venue change)
Commencing at 7.00pm(Times may change throughout the
year pending salat)
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 enter their details
here.
.
Yassmin
Abdel-Magied
(23)
has been
named Young
Queenslander
of the Year.
Some
of
Australia’s
top food
brands are
being
targeted for
boycott via
social media
for
producing
halal foods,
claiming the
certification
fees
“directly
support
terrorism”.
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011
