Mariam
Veiszadeh has spoken out against
alleged racist attacks she has
suffered online.
Human rights
activist
Mariam
Veiszadeh
has become
accustomed
to her share
of religious
vilification
as a Muslim
Australian
woman who
proudly
wears her
hijab daily.
But the
30-year-old,
who arrived
in Australia
at the age
of seven
after
fleeing her
native
Afghanistan
with her
family, says
nothing
could have
prepared her
for the
level of
vitriol
hurled her
way in the
past six
weeks.
Late last
year, Ms
Veiszadeh, a
Canberra-based
lawyer,
publicly
railed
against a
Cairns
Woolworths
store
selling a
singlet
adorned with
the
Australian
flag and the
words, "love
it or leave"
The posts
allegedly made by a 22-year-old
Ipswich woman on Mariam
Veiszadeh's Facebook page.
Ms Veiszadeh
took to
Twitter to
object to
what she
perceived to
be the
bigoted
message the
singlet
carried.
Three months
later, the
unashamedly
anti-Islam
group the
Australian
Defence
League
pounced.
Cropping the
words from
the picture
of the
singlet, the
organisation
posted her
tweet to its
Facebook
page,
insinuating
to its
nearly 5000
followers
that Ms
Veiszadeh's
objection
was to the
flag itself.
It opened
the
floodgates
to a torrent
of online
abuse.
The Facebook
post shared by the Australian
Defence League
Among the
worst
offenders to
attack Ms
Veiszadeh
was
allegedly a
22-year-old
Ipswich
woman, who
was this
week charged
by
Queensland
Police with
using a
carriage
service to
menace,
harass or
cause
offence.
She is due
to appear in
Ipswich
Magistrates
Court to
face the
charge on
March 11.
Although Ms
Veiszadeh's
Facebook
page was
privacy-protected,
the Ipswich
woman
allegedly
found a post
from 2012
that allowed
non-friends
to comment.
Then she
allegedly
unleashed.
Two
religious-fuelled
attacks made
in the
22-year-old's
name,
riddled with
expletives,
referred to
Ms Veiszadeh
as a whore,
a prostitute
and a
rag-head and
urged her to
return to
her "sand
dune
country".
Screenshots
of the
alleged
attack on Ms
Veiszadeh
were widely
circulated
on social
media to
widespread
public
condemnation.
Ms Veiszadeh
said the
Ipswich
woman's
stream of
abuse was
just one
facet of
that hurled
her way via
her social
media
accounts.
"I get
abused
generally
all the
time, you
just kind of
think this
comes with
the
territory,"
she said.
"But the
fact these
all came
through
roughly at
the same
time with
the same
viciousness,
it made me
look
further.
"The
Australian
Defence
League had
mischievously
posted a
tweet
suggesting I
was against
the
Australian
flag being
worn as a
t-shirt,
they did not
post the
entire
tweet, so
out of
context, I
felt they
were using
me to incite
hatred of
Muslims and
that's what
triggered
all this
abuse."
Ms Veiszadeh
has long
been a
campaigner
for
tolerance of
Muslim women
sporting the
hijab,
saying
attacks
fuelled by
religious
vilification
often
increase
following
terrorist
events that
have an
Islamist
link.
However, she
said the
widespread
social media
phenomenon #illridewithyou,
that
garnered
global
momentum in
the wake of
last year's
Sydney
siege,
indicated
the vast
majority of
Australians
were
tolerant
people.
However, she
said in the
intolerant,
the flames
of bigotry
were fanned,
threatening
ongoing
social
cohesion.
"This person
was happy to
abuse me,
using her
real
identity,
which more
than holds
her
accountable,"
Ms Veiszadeh
alleged of
the Ipswich
woman.
"She's
incredibly
young, which
means this
attitude is
going to
carry
through.
"It's really
a disturbing
reflection
on the views
some people
in society
hold.
"I hold the
Australian
Defence
League
accountable
because they
are the ones
inciting
hatred, and
that's
incredibly
dangerous,
these
incidents
are not
innocent
incidents
that can be
ignored.
They are
dangerous
incidents
for social
cohesion."
Since the
attacks
began, Ms
Veiszadeh
said her
health has
deteriorated
rapidly. She
suffered
vertigo and
anxiety as
she battled
through the
process of
having the
offenders
charged.
Despite the
small relief
this week's
charging of
the Ipswich
woman
brought,
along with
the expected
charging of
a New South
Wales man
who issued
her with
death
threats, Ms
Veiszadeh
the law as
it stood did
not have
enough power
to punish
for
religious
vilification.
The
22-year-old
Ipswich
woman has
been charged
with using
the internet
to harass or
menace but
not with
specifically
with
religious or
racial
abuse.
Ms Veiszadeh
also plans
to pursue
the case
further,
both civilly
and with a
complaint
lodged with
the human
right
commission.
"It's
certainly
possible she
will be
slapped with
a fine and
go back to
everyday
life," she
said.
"We can't be
delusional,
the flames
of bigotry
are being
fanned by
some
politicians
and media
commentary.
"It's
incredibly
distressing
people
dismiss your
concerns
like somehow
it's
justified
because my
people of my
religion are
committing
atrocities
overseas.
"I will take
this as far
as I can
take it
because it's
not just
about me,
it's about
setting a
precedent."
The
Australian
Defence
League,
which
describes
itself as a
human rights
organisation
on its
Facebook
page, did
not respond
to Fairfax
Media's
requests for
comment.
His name
often raises
eyebrows,
and even
sometimes
lands him in
trouble. But
in planning
his maiden
visit to
South
Africa,
Sheikh Shady
Alsuleiman
say he seeks
nothing more
than to meet
his South
African
Muslim
compatriots
in faith,
soak in the
country’s
beauties and
share
lessons from
his many
years of
experience
in Islamic
work.
Born in
Sydney,
Australia to
an Arab-
Palestinian
family that
migrated to
Australia in
the late
1960′s,
Sheikh
Shady’s name
is derived
from an
Arabic word
that refers
to a singing
bird or a
seeker of
knowledge.
Yet, the
unusual
sight and
sound of his
name(pronounced
Sha-di)
continues to
leave many
who cross
his path in
a spin.
Those of
Indo-Pakistani
origin often
quiz him on
how can he
actually
call himself
marriage,
whilst those
in the
English-speaking
world find
it somewhat
sinister
that he is
called
shady.
With his
broad,
welcoming
smile,
Sheikh Shady
gently
laughs these
complications
off.
“I am just a
servant of
Allah SWT,
and a
brother to
all Muslims
worldwide,”
he retorts.
The
Australian
Imam arrives
Thursday in
South Africa
for a tour
of South
Africa’s
major urban
centres –
Johannesburg,
Durban and
Cape Town –
where he
will be
hosted by a
plethora of
Muslim
organisations.
During his
brief stay,
the Sheikh
will present
specialised
programmes
for youth,
Ulama and
professionals,
and also
feature as a
keynote
speaker at
two Twins of
Faith family
matters
conferences
in Durban
and Cape
Town.
Overwhelmingly
in his work
and
approach,
Sheikh Shady
says, his
focus is on
youth
development
and
education,
as well as
inspiring
hope in the
hearts of
the masses.
“Our youth
have great
sincerity
and purity,
we just need
to channel
it in the
correct
direction,”
he said in
an interview
with Cii
Radio from
his native
Sydney.
The Sheikh
said that in
spite of
much bad
press on the
transgressions
of the
youth, he
believed
Muslim youth
still many
great
stories to
tell.
“We have
seen a lot
of troubled
youth from
disadvantaged
environments,
who after
simply being
removed from
these
environments
were
transformed
into very
good people.
Many drug
dealers and
drug addicts
are now
great Da’ees
to Allah SWT.
These are
great
achievements
that come
from Allah
SWT”.
Commenting
on the need
to inspire
hope in a
beleaguered
Ummah –
another
focus of his
tour –
Sheikh Shady
said it was
imperative
to
understand
that this
Ummah, by
nature, is
inherently
good.
“The Prophet
Muhammad SAW
said
goodness is
within him
and his
nation until
the coming
of the hour.
We were also
promised
that the
message of
Islam will
reach upon
every place
the day and
night
reaches.
Islam is
here to
provide a
better life
for all. It
is here to
save people
from the
tyranny and
oppression
of all other
systems and
embrace them
in the
justice and
peace of
Islam.
Hence, we
want to
remind
people of
how
important it
is for us to
revive Islam
in our
lives, what
Islam brings
to us and
what Allah
SWT promises
in return. I
pray that
there will
be a good
impact
during the
trip. The
impact and
influence is
only from
Allah SWT.
We will do
the job and
leave the
rest to
Allah SWT”.
The letters
KKK were sprayed on doors at the
Masjid Ibrahim Mosque in
Southern River
PERTH: White
supremacist
graffiti has
been sprayed
on the walls
of a Perth
mosque in
the latest
anti-Muslim
attack on
the
building.
An alarm at
the Masjid
Ibrahim
Islamic
Mosque in
Southern
River went
off about
1:30am on
Saturday.
Security
footage
showed what
appeared to
be a number
of teenagers
running
away.
The letters
"KKK" were
scrawled on
glass doors
and on walls
in black
letters.
It is not
the first
time the
mosque has
been
targeted by
vandals.
In November,
a pig's head
was dumped
outside the
mosque's
doors, and
in June a
swastika and
the phrase
"white
power" were
sprayed on
the walls.
Imam Burhaan
Mehtar said
there had
also been an
attempted
fire-bombing
and
break-ins.
"These
incidents
are a
manifestation
of
intolerance
and distrust
towards
Australian
Muslims," he
said.
"Muslims
have been a
part of the
fabric of
the society
for over 100
years and we
are here to
stay and
continue
contributing
positively
as
Australians.
"As every
other member
of society,
Australian
Muslims
equally have
the right -
it's a
privilege
that
Australia
has given to
all of us -
that we feel
safe.
"These
attacks are
definitely
contrary to
Australian
and Islamic
values."
Gosnells
police are
investigating
and have
asked anyone
with
information
to contact
them.
Imam Burhaan
said the
mosque had
not heard
anything
back from
police about
the previous
attacks.
Grand Mufti
Ibrahim Abu
Mohammed
urges PM to
‘work in any
field other
than
politics’
amid
breakdown in
relations
between
Coalition
and Islamic
community
Dr Ibrahim Abu
Mohammad: ‘I personally elected
him in the previous elections.
But believe
me, I will not repeat this
mistake again
Australia’s
most senior
Muslim
leader has
said he
won’t
“repeat the
mistake” of
voting for
Tony Abbott,
and publicly
advised the
prime
minister to
“work in any
field other
than
politics”.
The strong
comments by
the Grand
Mufti
Ibrahim Abu
Mohammed
come amid
other signs
of a serious
breakdown in
relations
between the
Abbott
government
and large
elements of
Australia’s
Muslim
communities,
ahead of the
expected
announcement
of new
security
legislation
on Monday.
Abbott
criticised
the grand
mufti on the
Bolt Report
last Sunday
for
suggesting
it would be
a political
mistake to
ban the
Islamic
group Hizb
ut-Tahrir,
saying his
comments
were
“wrong-headed”
and
unhelpful.
Mohammed was
interviewed
on Friday
for the
online TV
program,
Spot Light,
run by the
Islamic
production
company
OnePath
Network.
Asked if he
had any
advice for
the prime
minister,
the mufti
said: “I
respect the
presence of
Tony Abbott
as a
political
leader of
his party
and I
respect the
Australian
community’s
choice in
electing
him.
“I
personally
elected him
in the
previous
elections.
But believe
me, I will
not repeat
this mistake
again,” he
said.
“If there’s
any advice
to be given,
then with my
full respect
to the
Australian
people in
choosing
him, and my
full respect
to his
presence as
prime
minister … I
would say:
‘Work in any
field other
than
politics.’”
Tensions
between the
government
and some
Australian
Muslim
leaders have
frayed over
perceptions
the prime
minister’s
latest push
to widen
security
powers
demonises
their
communities.
Nearly 100
Islamic
clerics,
activists
and
organisations
released a
petition on
Thursday
rejecting
what they
called “the
Abbott
government’s
predictable
use of
Muslim
affairs and
the ‘terror
threat’ to
attempt to
stabilise a
fragile
leadership
and advance
its own
political
agendas”.
“We
unequivocally
reject prime
minister
Abbott’s and
his party
members’ use
of language
that
portrays
Muslims and
the Muslim
community as
a security
threat,” the
petition
read.
“This
narrative
threatens
social
cohesion as
it invites
suspicion
and
ill-feeling
from members
of the
broader
community.”
Abbott will
make a
national
security
statement on
Monday where
he is
expected to
announce
plans to
strip dual
citizens
convicted of
terror
offences of
their
Australian
citizenship.
He has also
promised to
“crack down
on Hizb
ut-Tahrir
and others
who nurture
extremism in
our
suburbs”.
Hizb
ut-Tahrir
has about
300 members
and
campaigns to
create an
Islamic
state. It
has
distanced
itself from
Isis and
declared its
opposition
to violent
political
change.
The prime
minister’s
office has
been
contacted
for comment.
In a video
recorded in
his bed,
Brand points
out that the
media treats
the
Copenhagen
terrorist as
a
representative
of Muslim
culture at
large,
whereas the
alleged
Chapel Hill
murderer,
Craig
Stephen
Hicks, is
labeled a
“disturbed
individual.”
“If we
acknowledge
that the
Chapel Hill
murders were
a hate
crime, then
we have to
examine our
cultural
climate,”
Brand says
from the
comfort of
his plush
bed.
The actor
also takes
issue with
the film
American
Sniper’s
simplification
of Middle
Eastern
society, as
well as with
the media's
treatment of
the three
students
murdered in
Chapel Hill
as Muslims
first and
Americans
second.
Hicks was
indicted on
Monday by a
grand jury
on three
counts of
first-degree
murder, and
the FBI has
opened a
hate-crimes
investigation.
Brand thinks
it’s
ludicrous to
argue that
the triple
murder was
anything but
a hate
crime—and
not, as some
allege, a
“parking
dispute.”
"That’s
convenient
because
there’s not
a global
ideology
about
parking
spaces, is
there?"
Brand says.
"We can't
all get
behind that.
We can’t all
send
hashtags
about
parking
spaces."
The Islamic
Council of
Queensland
(ICQ) is
seeking an
enthusiastic
person to
establish
our halal
certification
services in
the Brisbane
and South
East Qld
region.
Key
Facts
Job
Type:
Permanent
Location:
Brisbane,
multiple
locations
Hours:
Approximately
38
to
40
hours
per
week
Salary:
Competitive
Market
Rates
Closing
Date:
5pm
on
Friday,
27
February
2015
Key
responsibilities
&
duties
1.
Auditing
and
Inspection
of
existing
certified
outlets
2.
Certification
and
Inspection
of
new
customers
seeking
certification
3.
Marketing
and
Promoting
the
newly
formed
ICQ
Halal
Directory
and
Advertising
Services
4.
Handling
general
queries
from
potential
customers
and
building
new
relationships
5.
Providing
customer
service
and
maintaining
relationships
with
existing
customers
Qualifications,
skills
and
experience
1.
No
previous
halal
certification
experience
is
necessary
as
you
will
be
provided
with
training
in
that
aspect.
2.
We
are
seeking
an
enthusiastic
person
who
is
able
to
offer
exceptional
customer
service
to
our
new
and
existing
customers.
Applicants
should
be
well
organised
and
have
good
time
management
skills.
3.
This
is
an
opportunity
to
establish
a
new
service
offering
and
build
a
business.
Your
ability
to
promote
the
ICQ
Halal
Certification
services
(including
the
ICQ
Halal
Directory)
to
potential
customers
and
the
general
public
is a
key
selection
criteria.
Previous
sales
and
marketing
experience
will
be
considered
favourably
but
is
not
mandatory.
4.
Applicants
should
also
have
a
sound
understanding
of
the
commercial
aspects
of
halal
certification
and
awareness
of
the
political
sensitivities
associated
with
halal
certification.
Next
Steps
If
you
wish
to
apply
for
the
above
role
please
submit
a
CV/Resume
and
a
cover
letter
by
email
to
icqnotices@gmail.com.
Please
insert
"Halal
Certifier
Job
Application"
in
the
subject
line.
If
you
have
any
queries
in
relation
to
the
above
role
please
also
contact
us
by
email
at
icqnotices@gmail.com.
This is to inform you that due to bad weather and
the police staff busy with weather related incidents
our Open day which was scheduled for Sunday 22nd
February has been postponed until further notice.
Please inform whoever you know about this
postponement.
Sorry for any inconvenience caused
Salaams Mohideen
Salaams
I have about 50 copies
of 'A brief illustrated guide to understanding
Islam' leftover from some dawah events a while ago.
If anyone is interested in these, please contact me
on 0411 443 671.
Thanks Shakeel
Dear CCN Readers,
I am a Masters student in the
Department of Sociology of Law at Lund University in
Sweden. I would like to invite you to participate in
research I am undertaking as part of my studies.
My research project, with the title
“A qualitative case study of the impact of
counter-terrorism measures on young Muslims in
Australia”, attempts to explore the experiences and
perceptions of young Muslims in Brisbane of the
impact of counter-terrorism measures (on themselves
and their communities).
The research thesis also seeks to
investigate young Muslims' understanding of
citizenship in the context of contemporary
Australian counter-terrorism strategies. Considering
the political climate we now live in both globally
and nationally, I believe that highlighting the
Muslim experience and perspective of
counter-terrorism laws and practices, is very
important.
This standpoint has traditionally
been neglected, but my intent is to contribute to my
research community by giving voice to the people,
potentially, most affected by counter-terrorism laws
and politics.
The participants I am searching for
would be both men and women between 18 and 29 years
old. If you would like to participate in this
small-scale study you can find out all the details
here.
Thank you!
Sincerely, Anna Messa
As Salaamu Alaykum,
I am after an in home tutor, for my daughter, a
current Yr 5 student please. Subjects to cover: Math
and English. Based in Kuraby. New grads or students
studying teaching are welcome to contact me. Please
email for further information to
nightqueen008@hotmail.com.
Saudi Arabia should curb
Wahhabi ideology to alleviate human
suffering in the Muslim world
Dear King Salman bin
Abdul-Aziz,
Assalamu-alaikum.
I am a 52-year-old Malaysian-born Muslim. I
was raised in a harmonious interracial and
interfaith society that accepted and
respected other religious practices. The
existence of different faith groups was
viewed simply as different ways of
connecting to the same God. Saudi Arabia
started exporting its Wahhabi ideology in
the 1970s, and it spread around the world,
turning existing interpretations of Islam
into one that is dogmatic and violent.
The result is a nearly unrecognizable form
of Islam. It appears to get worse by the
day. Murders, suicide bombings, sectarianism
and religious hatemongering have become
commonplace. We cannot continue on this path
of religious-based mayhem in the name of
Islam. The Muslim world needs a change. You
are in the best position to take us out of
this misery.
As a child, I remember celebrating Mawlid —
the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday — with
uplifting songs, prayers and even a parade.
Now it is taboo to observe Mawlid even in
America, and adherents to the Wahhabi brand
of Islam would rather emphasize his death.
The same clerics tell us we cannot
critically engage with the Quran or use our
God-given right to think in order to
reconcile the contradictions that exist
between the Quran and hadith, the collection
of record of the prophet’s sayings that
serve as a source of religious and moral
guidance.
When I was growing up, weddings and
community events were colorful and featured
music and dance, without segregating the
sexes. This is no longer the case in many
Muslim communities. Music, dance and
unsegregated gatherings are deemed haram, or
forbidden. Artistic expressions must be
Sharia-compliant, meaning no depiction of
humans or animals.
The Quran liberated women from subhuman
status, gave us rights to choose whom to
marry, to work, to be in leadership
positions and to ultimately live in full
dignity. And yet in 2015, Wahhabi imams have
relegated women to subhuman status by
allowing husbands to cane their wives into
obedience and promoting a version of Sharia
that permits forced and child marriages and
condones honor killings. Women have become
sexual objects through forced veiling, which
makes our voices, skin, hair and faces off
limits, and even a handshake is deemed a
potentially arousing sexual experience.
There is
nothing
Islamic
about the
way many
countries in
the Muslim
world are
run today.
How is this Wahhabi chokehold different from
the practice of burying daughters alive?
Our society is increasingly looking like the
age of jahiliyya, or ignorance that preceded
the birth of Islam. You have the power to
change that by lifting the ban on women
driving in Saudi Arabia, abolishing the male
guardian system, granting full voting rights
for women and promoting equality in all
spheres of life for all people. This would
deflate the theological foundation of the
criminal beliefs of the ISILs, Talibans and
the Boko Harams of the world.
There are many reform-minded Saudi men and
women whom you should include in discussion
rather than imprison them. This will have a
profound effect on millions of women and men
in the Muslim world and beyond.
Enough with the vilifying of minority sects
and non-Muslims. You should sit down with
the supreme leader of Iran and sign a
covenant of peace till the end of time.
The divisive sectarianism and ideology of
Islamic Sunni supremacy is sickening. We are
tired of the infighting, the dehumanizing of
“the other” at the minbar (mosque pulpit),
the talk of takfir (excommunicating of
fellow Muslims) and the slaughter of “the
other” by assuming a God-like role as the
judge and the punisher. There were no Sunni,
Shia or other sects during Muhammad’s time,
but there were believers of many faiths,
nonbelievers and even pagans, all residing
in dignity in your country — protected by
the prophet.
The Quran teaches us all people are equal in
the eyes of God: “We have created you men
and women, into nations and tribes for you
to learn from each other. Surely, the most
honorable among you in the sight of God is
the most righteous.” (Quran 49:13). Imagine
a Saudi Arabia where all people can come
together to exchange ideas freely and share
in our humanity.
The Muslim world remains corrupted by power
and money, the very dynamic Muhammad spoke
against. Imagine a Muslim world void of
corruption and endowed with good governance.
Such an environment would ensure that the
ISILs and Saudi dissidents would not
flourish. There is nothing Islamic about the
way many countries in the Muslim world are
run today.
Saudi Arabia’s Wahhabi ideology is the root
of all the ills in the Muslim world. You
have the power to uproot it once and for all
through your influence in the Organization
of Islamic Cooperation and the hundreds and
thousands of madrassas the kingdom funds. As
host to millions from around the world
during the annual hajj, the kingdom can send
a message of change to Wahhabi-influenced
ideologues.
We do not have a pope in Islam, but by
adopting the official title of custodian of
our two holiest sites, Mecca and Medina, you
have assumed a unique position of influence
to shift our Muslim world onto a positive
path.
I recognize that my letter is an idealistic
plea. After all, you are a king with all the
earthly needs one can imagine and so
powerful that you have Muslim and non-Muslim
nations at your feet. But do what Muhammad
did: Promote equality and a just system that
benefits all people. That is the true
meaning of the straight path we recite in
al-Fatihah.
With deepest sincerity,
Ani Zonneveld
Founder and president, Muslims for
Progressive Values
Ani Zonneveld is
the founder and president of the Muslims for
Progressive Values.
Norwegian Muslims will
form a human shield around an Oslo synagogue
OSLO: The headlines have been
grim. Europe's Jews face "rising
anti-Semitism"; in some countries, many are
leaving in "record numbers." In separate
incidents in recent months, gunmen have
targeted Jews and Jewish institutions in
Paris and Copenhagen. Even the Jewish dead
have not been left in peace, with reports of
graves being desecrated.
But the future of tolerance and
multiculturalism in Europe is far from
bleak. The bigotry on view has been carried
out by a fringe minority, cast all the more
in the shade by the huge peace marches and
vigils that followed the deadly attacks. And
some communities are trying to build
solidarity in their home towns and cities.
One group of Muslims in Norway plans to form
a "ring of peace" around a synagogue in Oslo
on Saturday. On a Facebook page promoting
the event, the group explained its
motivations. Here's a translated version of
the invite:
Islam is
about protecting our brothers and
sisters, regardless of which
religion they belong to. Islam is
about rising above hate and never
sinking to the same level as the
haters. Islam is about defending
each other. Muslims want to show
that we deeply deplore all types of
hatred of Jews, and that we are
there to support them. We will
therefore create a human ring around
the synagogue on Saturday 21
February. Encourage everyone to
come!
According to the Times of Israel, Ervin
Kohn, a leader of Oslo's small Jewish
community, had agreed to allowing the event
on the condition that more than 30 people
show up — a small gathering would make the
effort look "counter-productive," Kohn said.
Close to 1,000 people have indicated on
Facebook that they will attend.
"We think that after the terrorist attacks
in Copenhagen, it is the perfect time for us
Muslims to distance ourselves from the
harassment of Jews that is happening,"
17-year-old event organizer Hajrad Arshad
said in an interview with Norwegian
television.
"If someone wants to attack the synagogue,
they need to step over us first," posted
another of the event's organizers on
Facebook.
A Positive Story About
Muslims and an Example for All of Us
MYANMAR: In 1937 the
Muslim Free Hospital was established in
Rangon, Burma. It was created by a group
of Muslim leaders to care for the poor
of Rangoon that had no other access to
medical care. The initial investment
came entirely from Muslims.
In 1937 the Muslim Free Hospital was
established in Rangon, Burma. It was
created by a group of Muslim leaders to
care for the poor of Rangoon that had no
other access to medical care. The
initial investment came entirely from
Muslims.
The Muslim Free Hospital still exists
and is still funded by the donations of
Muslims of Myanmar. Burma received a
name change in 1988 and is now called
Myanmar. Rangoon received a name change
and is now called Yangon. However, the
mission of the Muslim Free Hospital has
not changed.
From to the beginning the hospital did
not discriminate on the basis of
religion, ethnic group, or income. The
Muslims of Myanmar have been and still
are paying for the medical care of poor
Muslims, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus,
or member of any religion.
Mr. Moosa
Madan- Grandson of the founder
of the Muslim Free Hospital and
current President of the Board
of Directors. A businessman in
Yan
It is particularly
remarkable that this is occurring in
Myanmar. Muslims are a minority in
Myanmar, about 4% of the population.
Many Muslims in Myanmar live in fear.
Violence against peaceful Muslims is on
the increase. Militant Buddhist monks
openly incite violence against Muslims.
In parts of Myanmar
businesses and homes are burned. Muslims
are killed. Buddhist monks openly ask
all Muslims to leave their country and
call them animals. A 2013 Time Magazine
article describes the terror being
created by a Buddhist monk in Mandalay.
Since that article the situation
continues to worsen.
Yet, the Muslim Free Hospital continues
to offer care for the Buddhist majority
free of charge without complaint. The
Muslim Free Hospital has no political
agenda.
This tolerance of religious diversity is
also displayed in the employees of the
Muslim Free Hospital. Muslim, Buddhist,
and Christian doctors and nurses all
work together with respect.
The quantity and quality of care given
with the hospital's limited resources
would be unimaginable in the United
States. Muslims in Myanmar donate
$400,000 a year. If the patients have
money they pay what they can. If they
have no money they pay nothing.
The outpatient clinics care for 450
outpatients a day. The hospital has 160
beds. In the year 2000, a year for which
there are statistics, there were
approximately 6000 cared for as
inpatients. The hospital has medical,
surgical, maternity, and a special unit
for eye patients. Currently an average
of 220 deliveries occur a month. The
hospital has x-ray facilities, pharmacy,
ultrasound unit, and operating rooms.
There are a total of 45 doctors working
and donating time to the hospital.
Texas, USA: After Chapel
Hill, the conversation American Muslims need
to have
Students take
part in a Texas Muslim Capitol
Day rally at the Texas Capitol,
Thursday, Jan. 29, 2015, in
Austin, Texas.
A quiet debate is underway
among American Muslims about how to reclaim
our faith and affirm our love of the
prophet. “Je suis Charlie” may have spread
across social media following the massacre
at the offices of the French satirical
journal Charlie Hebdo. But to many Muslims,
“Je suis Muhammad” was the truer response.
Answers can be found in the teachings of our
prophet. Muslims strive to model their lives
after the man they consider “mercy to
mankind.” Muslims love Muhammad , as they
love other prophets, and cannot help but
feel hurt when he is insulted or slandered.
Since the attacks of Sept. 11, 2001, there
has been a steady increase in the negative
perception of Muslims. A Pew poll last year
concluded that Muslims were perceived more
“coldly” by the general public than any
other religious group. Notably, however, the
poll also showed that people who know
Muslims tended to have a “warmer” attitude
toward them.
That is why it’s such a problem whenever
American Muslims are portrayed by the media
and pop culture as “others,” not unlike how
Catholic, Jewish or Japanese Americans have
been viewed at points of our history. Today,
this attitude is particularly dangerous
because it coincides with an increase in
threats and attacks against Muslims and
Islamic places of worship in both the United
States and Europe. We don’t yet have a full
understanding of why three young Muslims
were murdered in Chapel Hill, N.C., this
week, but it is understandable why so many
fear this terrible crime was at least partly
motivated by anti-Muslim feeling.
Fortunately, to address such views we only
have to talk more openly about what our
faith teaches us.
In her book “Muhammad, A Prophet for Our
Time,” the British scholar Karen Armstrong
explained the shallow Western understanding
of the Muslim prophet, and his followers,
and presented a counternarrative based on
his biography. “Muhammad was not a man of
violence,” she wrote. “Muhammad had been
distinguished in his selfless treatment of
the people around him.”
The Washington Post
Opinion by Mohammed Zaher Sahloul,
past president of the Council of Islamic Organizations
of Greater Chicago.
Indiana Man, Drank 45
Beers, Got 'Riled Up' By Fox News Before
Mosque Arson
INDIANA, US: An Indiana man
who pleaded guilty to setting fire to a
mosque in Ohio told the judge that, prior to
the arson, he had been "riled up" watching
Fox News.
On Sept. 30, Randolph Linn of St. Joseph,
Ind., tried to burn down the Islamic Center
of Greater Toledo, The Plain Dealer
previously reported. It was reported that he
attempted to burn down the mosque in
retaliation for attacks on U.S. embassies in
the Middle East and for Muslims getting a
"free pass" in the U.S. While being booked
in jail, Linn reportedly said, "F**k those
Muslims."
In court on Wednesday, Linn plead guilty to
the arson charge. He said that he had gotten
"riled up" watching Fox News, according to
the Sentinel-Tribune, and drank 45 beers in
seven hours before heading to the mosque.
Linn started a fire in the prayer room,
northwestohio.com reported.
“Every day you turn on the TV, you see
Muslims trying to kill Americans,” he said,
according to the Chicago Sun-Times. When
asked whether he thinks all Muslims are
terrorists, Linn reportedly responded, “I’d
say most of them are.”
Linn's viewpoints upset some in attendance
at the court hearing on Wednesday.
“And I
was more sad when Judge [Jack]
Zouhary asked him that, ‘Do you know
any Muslims or do you know what
Islam is?’” a member of the mosque
told WNWO after the hearing. “And he
said, ‘No, I only know what I hear
on Fox News and what I hear on
radio.’”
Linn plead guilty to intentionally defacing,
damaging and destroying religious real
property because of the religious character
of that property; using fire to commit a
felony; and using and carrying a firearm to
commit a crime of violence, the Albany
Tribune reported. He likely faces 20 years
in prison.
“The freedom to worship in the manner of
one’s choosing is one of our most
fundamental rights as Americans,” Thomas E.
Perez, Assistant Attorney General for the
Civil Rights Division told the Albany
Tribune. “The Department of Justice and the
Civil Rights Division will continue to
aggressively prosecute hate-based attacks on
houses of worship. I commend the cooperative
efforts of local and federal law enforcement
officials to ensure justice in this case.”
Indian Muslims weigh their
options as Hindu right gains prominence
One of the
over 160 million Muslims in
India
INDIA: As President Obama
celebrates India’s Republic Day on January
26, he will be visiting the largest
democracy in the world and one that has more
than 160 million Muslim citizens. That’s
roughly half the population of the US.
Multicultural India, home to the third
largest population of Muslims in the world,
has a rich tradition of peaceful coexistence
among its various communities.
It has also, however, witnessed bouts of
caste and communal violence – the worst of
which occurred during the country’s
independence and partition in 1947.
Since May, the country’s prime minister (and
President Obama’s host) has been Narendra
Modi, a Hindu nationalist. The question is
what this means for India’s Muslims.
Rise of Hindu Nationalists
Since the rise of Hindu nationalists in
Indian politics, from 1980s onwards, the
country has had its share of Muslim/Hindu
tension. Hindu ascendency in governance has
been marked by a parallel increase in
anti-Muslim rhetoric and alienating
policies.
The Hindu nationalists have consistently
accused the previous secular governments of
appeasing the Muslims for electoral benefit;
this, despite the fact that the latter
regularly face discrimination and score low
on many socio-economic and education
indicators.
Secular parties in India historically
offered Muslims security in the face of
riots. But they did not do much to improve
the economic condition of the Muslims. Party
leaders and the members of their respective
castes enjoyed expanded access to state
resources and power while the Muslims
continued to be marginalized.
Divisive Agenda
In the run up to the 2014 elections, the
Hindu nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party
(BJP), led by Narendra Modi, promoted
economic development as its main agenda.
But there was a divisive subtext running
throughout the campaign – caste and
community. Appeals were made to voters
evoking their Hindu identity against the
backdrop of riots in populous states like
Uttar Pradesh. The rioting is usually
prompted by seemingly minor issues like a
minor traffic accident or alleged harrasment
of girls of one community by men of another
community. The 2013 riots in Muzaffarnagar
which led to several deaths and internal
displacement of thousands were the result of
one such incident. Historically, it has been
been observed that riots are not spontaneous
but a result of well oiled
“institutionalized riot systems” which are
activated during intense electoral
competition.
Voter polarization on religious and caste
lines is very much in evidence elsewhere
too.
Since assuming office Prime Minister
Narendra Modi made some initial positive
comments about Muslims, indicating an
attempt towards rapprochement. In an
interview with CNN he said: “Indian Muslims
will live for India and die for India. Al
Qaeda is delusional to think Indian Muslims
will dance to its tunes.”
Modi after
landslide victory
His Home Minister further affirmed that
sentiment asserting that only a handful of
Indian Muslims have been attracted to the
lure of international terrorist
organizations like ISIS.
Influence of extremists
Modi also called for a ten year “moratorium”
on all forms of discrimination and conflict
based on caste, religion, and regional
identities. But he has been reluctant to
rein in the powerful section of his party’s
leadership and cadre which continues to
indulge in hateful rhetoric targeting
Muslims and Christians.
The rhetoric and actions of BJP affiliated
cultural and militant organizations like the
Rashtriya Swayamsewak Sangh (RSS), Bajrang
Dal,Vishwa Hindu Parishad and others have
been even more shrill.
His reluctance can be attributed to the fact
that the rabble rousing section of his party
and their affiliated organizations played an
instrumental role in the BJP’s electoral
success. And more importantly he is himself
a product of the RSS.
Members of RSS,
the Hindu National Volunteer
Organization
His refusal to punish the offenders has
emboldened them enough to create one
controversy after another. They have been
trying to stoke fears in the majority Hindu
population by claiming that Muslims, who
account for only 14.2 of the population,
will soon overtake them (which is
statistically impossible).
Narendra Modi’s record on the policy front
has also been a disappointment.
His government has taken several measures to
cast important state institutions in the
right wing Hindu mold. This includes the
appointment of RSS affiliated men to key
ministries and departments. Their attempts
to change the school curriculum to conform
to Hindu supremacist worldview has been
roundly condemned.
Muslim options
Modi has not, in my view, made any attempts
to initiate a genuine dialogue with the
Muslim community. This is necessary if he is
to come out of the shadows of the 2002
anti-Muslim riots in Gujarat when he was the
chief minister.
Even though the Supreme Court had cleared
him of involvement many questions remain
about his lack of determination in
controlling that violence.
His actions so far do not inspire confidence
among the Muslims. His Minority Affairs
Minister, for instance, refused to
acknowledge Muslims as a minority,
indicating that there is no need for any
special provisions to be carved out for
them.
In the light of a majority Hindu upswing,
Indian Muslims stand at a crossroads. How to
engage with the Modi government? While some
Muslims advocate limited engagement others
call for a wholehearted embrace.
The fact is that the secular alternatives to
the BJP are in a state of decline and
disarray.
The Indian National Congress, which has been
the main recipient of Muslim votes for the
longest period of time, is sulking as it
faces a crisis of leadership and direction.
The Communist parties and the regional
parties have yet to emerge from their
electoral defeat and are struggling to
present themselves as a viable alternative.
A third way would be that of a national
Muslim party.
So far the Muslim parties have had only
regional influence. The surge in popularity
of the All India Majlis Ittehadul Muslimeen
(AIMIM) across the country indicates a new
moment in Indian Muslim politics. It is too
early, however, to predict its success at
the national level.
Regardless of the options, it will
ultimately be Narendra Modi government’s
call on how it responds to Indian Muslim
anxieties, demands and aspirations. India’s
success and strength will be enhanced if its
Muslim population is empowered. As Gandhi
said,“a nation is known by the way it treats
its minorities." The Modi government’s
Ministry of Minority Affairs ran full page
ads in newspapers with the above quote on
December 18th which is celebrated as the
‘Minorities Rights Day.’ It also mentioned
its commitment to ‘education and economic
empowerment.’ But so far it has little to
show.
Q: Dear Kareema, I’ve been
pushing my body really hard for the last 3
months trying to shift weight and get stronger.
I’m feeling a little run down and was wondering
if you have any advice as I don’t want to stop
exercising but my body is telling me to change
something..
A: Good on you for listening to your
body.
Make time to recover between
workouts by giving yourself permission to relax.
You actually become fitter between workouts –
this is the time your body repairs (builds)
muscle.
So ensure you schedule some much
needed R & R into your workout routine.
Try active recovery – light
cardio, a restorative yoga class, or just a walk
in the park, to keep moving and to keep muscles
from getting stiff.
Take a day or two off – Your need
at least one no-exercise day each week. Your
body needs time to repair and recover for all
the tough sessions ahead.
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: This
makes for a great hors d'oeuvre or as a
side dish, and ingredients like ground and
slivered almonds turn it into somewhat of an
exotic dish.
This recipe was inspired by Mariam Mahomedy.
Chicken Kiev with Almonds
Ingredients
4 Chicken Fillets
¼ cup oil
3 Tab. Lemon juice
2 Tab. Ground almonds
¼ bunch dhania/ coriander leaves
1 tsp. crushed garlic
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. lemon pepper
1 tsp. green chillies
1 tsp. crushed cumin
½ tsp. ginger garlic mix
¼ cup yoghurt
1 tab slivered almonds
Butter
Method
1. Liquidise the oil, lemon juice, ground
almonds and coriander leaves together.
2. Add the remaining ingredients with the
exception of butter.
3. Cut the fillets in slices (like a schnitzel)
and flatten with a mallet
4. Marinate chicken fillet for a few hours.
5. Place a piece of butter in the middle of each
fillet, roll and secure ends with a tooth pick.
6. Place in a pot which has a few blobs of
butter and cook until the chicken is done.
7. Sprinkle with slivered almonds and sauté for
a minute.
8. Remove toothpicks and garnish with fresh
coriander.
9. It is best served hot.
For a healthier option, coconut oil could be
substituted for butter.
Lailatul Qadr - Night of Power 1436 (27th Ramadaan
1436)
18 July
Saturday
Eidul Fitr 1436 (1st Shawwal 1436)
25
July
Saturday
Eidfest
Eidfest QLD
Rocklea Showgrounds
0418 722 353
All day
24 September
Thursday
Eidul Adha 1436 (10th Zilhijja 1436)
26
September
Saturday
Eidfest
Eidfest @ Dreamworld
Dreamworld
0418 722 353
Evening
15 October
Thursday
Muharram 1437 – Islamic New Year 1437 (1st Muharram
1437)
PLEASE NOTE
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.
Monday: Junior Class
Tuesday: Junior Arabic
Friday: Adult Quran Class
For more information call 0470 671 109
Holland Park Mosque
All programs are conducted by Imam
Uzair Akbar
DAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
PROGRAM
Tafseer Program
Basics of Islam
Tafseer Program
AUDIENCE
Men
Ladies
TIME
after Maghrib Salat
Taleem Programe at Kuraby Mosque
Every Thursdays 10.30-11.30am
Bald Hills Mosque Weekly Tafseer
Day
Event
Time
Monday
Tafseer
after Isha
Tuesday
Dars Nizame (Urdu)
after Isha
Wednesday
Seerath
after Isha
Thursday
Dars Nizame (Urdu)
after Isha
Friday
Biyaan
after Isha
Sunday
Joula
after Maghrib
Sunday
Biyaan
after Isha
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
Time: 7.00pm sharp Date: Wednesday 11 February 2014 Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane - 45 Acacia Road
Karawatha
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
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7
August 2011
