Amanah
Institute,
formerly the
Kuraby
Madrassah,
is fast
growing as
one of the
leading
education
institutions
in the local
community.
We at Amanah
Institute
are seeking
to establish
ourselves as
a National
leader in
Islamic
education
provision
for Muslim
students in
Madarris – a
lofty goal
indeed!
Our
Institute is
striving for
a standard
commensurate
to what
students and
parents
experience
in
mainstream
school
settings.
More
importantly,
our
Institute is
seeking a
standard
that honours
the purpose,
philosophy
and rich
history of
Islamic
education
that is also
consistent
with modern
best
pedagogical
practice.
In order to
achieve
these lofty
aims we have
undertaken
an external
review of
the
Institute;
intensive
and ongoing
teacher
training;
the
inclusion of
best
practices
for
education in
terms of
duty of
care;
administration
reform; a
major
curriculum
renewal
project; a
classroom
refurbishment
project; the
development
of a common
pedagogical
approach
considering
the needs of
students;
and the
development
of a
behaviour
management
approach
consistent
with an
Islamic
pedagogy,
titled
‘Discipline
with Dignity
– among a
host of
other
initiatives.
One of the
most recent
success
stories of
the
Institute
has been the
new Islamic
Studies
program for
young
people.
Exciting
new program
for our
young people
Amanah
Institute is
engaging
with young
people to
equip them
with an
Islamic
education
that is
necessary
and relevant
as they
enter the
challenging
years toward
adulthood.
The
Institute,
as part of
its broader
role as a
National
leader in
Islamic
education
provision,
is seeking
to provide
young people
with Islamic
Studies
programs
that are
effective
and suitable
to their
needs as
Australian
Muslims.
Amanah
Institute
has launched
a new
program,
aptly
titled,
‘Applied
Islam’.
Applied
Islam is a
2-year
program that
aims to
equip
students
with a solid
foundation
in Islam and
Muslim
issues in
order to
function
with a sense
of purpose
in the real
world
without
compromising
their Muslim
Australian
identity.
Students
will be
guided on
the adab
(etiquette)
of engaging
with sacred
knowledge as
well as
explore
historical
contexts and
the
socio-political
issues
within these
as they
relate to
contemporary
issues
today.
Students
will be
offered
units on
sharia 101;
Islam and
culture;
identity;
music;
leadership
and
governance
(the
‘caliphate’);
engaging
with fellow
Australians
who are not
Muslim;
intimacy,
modesty and
marriage
among other
relevant
topics.
Insha’Allah,
student
graduates of
this program
will be able
to approach
issues in a
scholarly,
eloquent and
sophisticated
manner
drawing on
the
irrefutable
evidence
base of
Islam. The
Institute
humbly
aspires to
produce a
cohort of
students
with firm
Iman
(belief) who
are
confident,
functionally
dynamic and
able to
serve.
Applied
Islam adopts
an inquiry
based
approach to
learning in
which
student will
examine and
respond to
various
issue
statements.
Associate
Professor
Mohamad
Abdalla is
the Program
Instructor.
Additional
guest
speakers who
are experts
in their
fields will
also present
on topics to
assist
students in
their
inquiry.
Mr Graham
Perrett,
Federal
Member of
Parliament
for Moreton,
recently
awarded Mr.
Faisel Essof
a Community
Service
Award for
his work
with the
Muslim
Charitable
Foundation.
During the
2011 floods,
Mr Essof
raised over
$50 000 and
created over
900 hampers.
Some of this
money went
to helping a
local
Rocklea
family who
lost
exercise
equipment
vital to the
health of
their young
son who has
cystic
fibrosis.
Thanks to
Faisel’s
efforts they
were able to
replace the
equipment.
"Faisel is
making a
real
difference
to lives of
people in
our local
community,"
Mr Perrett
told CCN..
Ladies
and
Gentlemen!
Mark
your
social
calendars
for
one
of
the
most
meaningful
events
of
2015;
a
gala
dinner
– In
Honour
of
Women
and
in
support
of
our
refugees!
On
Saturday,
the
9th
of
May
2015,
the
Logan
Entertainment
Centre
will
set
the
stage
for
what
promises
to
be
an
unforgettable
evening
of
elegant
fine-dining
and
stirring
entertainment
–
all
in
recognition
of
the
perseverance,
courage
and
patience
displayed
by
the
Muslimahs
of
Australia
&
the
world
–
who
especially
during
the
past
year,
have
faced
a
wave
of
increased
ignorance-based
public
hostility,
vitriol
and
in
extreme
cases,
even
physical
aggression.
Not
just
about
honouring
women
though,
In
Honour
of
Women,
sheds
some
vital
light
on
the
current
plight
of
the
multitude
of
refugees
coming
into
Brisbane.
With
little
or
no
government
funding,
the
joy
of
being
permitted
to
live
in
Australia
has
become
very
short-lived,
with
many
being
immediately
faced
with
the
heart-wrenching
reality
of
lacking
the
most
basic
of
human
needs
-
food
and
shelter.
“Muslim
community
organisations
are
working
tirelessly
to
put
some
infrastructure
in
place
to
provide
for
the
needs
of
refugees,
and
it’s
time
that
we
all
came
together
to
do
our
bit,
after
all
charity
begins
at
home”,
quipped
a
Queensland
Muslims
spokesperson.
“The
dilemma
of
Muslim
unaccompanied
minors,
needs
to
be
solved
most
urgently”,
he
continued,
referring
to
the
fact
that
there
are
almost
no
Muslim
foster
families
to
help
care
and
provide
for
the
needs
of
these
children,
whp
enter
society
without
any
family
support
and
who
have
no
other
options
available
to
them,
but
to
be
placed
in
non-Muslim
homes
where
even
Halal
food
is
not
provided.
If
you
would
like
to
be a
part
of
helping
these
children
and
the
numerous
destitute
refugee
families,
then
join
Queensland
Muslims
for
an
unforgettable
evening
not
to
be
missed!
By Susan Al-Maani, Community
Fundraising Coordinator, Islamic
Relief Australia
This
International
Women’s Day
was held at
Hilton with
special
guest Claire
Mary Moore
Shadow
Minister for
Women,
Shadow
Minister for
Carers,
Shadow
Minister for
Communities
and Leader
of
Opposition
Business in
the Senate
since 18
October
2013.
The
fundraising
high-tea
raised
donations of
$21,000 to
help empower
women and
their
families in
Lombok,
Indonesia
and lift
them out of
poverty.
We would
like to give
a shout out
to our
sponsors:
IsStyle;
JAS: Makeup,
Styling,
Consultancy;
Anya's Hair
and Beauty;
My Lily's
Fashion;
Amira Abayas;
LeSweets by
Sarah,
Bombonieres
and
Chocolates;
Ayesha Goder;
and Hunnys
Closet.
A huge thank
you to our
tireless
volunteers
who have
dedicated so
many hours
to ensuring
the success
of the
event. We
couldn't
have done
this without
you.
Jazakallahu
Khayrun.
Dr Nora
Amath and
myself will
be heading
to Indonesia
in April to
meet these
amazing
women who
have
survived
living in
the harshest
of
circumstances,
and through
sheer
willpower
and
determination,
are building
better lives
for
themselves.
The
Slackscreek
Mosque
Eat
and
Treat
Night
saw
a
large
turnout
last
weekend
at
the
Islamic
College
of
Brisbane with
$44,000
raised
on
the
night.
Another
fund
raising
dinner
held
yesterday
(Saturday)
in
Sydney
brought
home
$96,000
($54,000
in
cash
and
$42,000
in
pledges)
and
an
earlier
Friday
collection
at
the
Sydney
Punch
Bowl
Mosque
raised
$20,000.
A
final
Brisbane
fund
raising
dinner
will
be
held
on
30
May
2015
towards
reaching
the
$800,000
balance
outstanding.
To
help
the
proposed
Mosque
project
you
can
donate
here:
Spokesman for
the new mosque, Ali Kadri, Tribe
of Judah Terry Walker and Muslim
leader Imam Akram Buksh deny the
claims in the leaflets.
A LOGAN
group
opposed to
plans for a
new mosque
at Slacks
Creek, south
of Brisbane,
has
distributed
thousands of
leaflets
claiming
other local
mosques had
a suicide
bomber and
soldiers
fighting for
terrorist
group ISIS
among their
worshippers.
The Logan
City Safe
Communities
organisation
is
protesting
the sale by
the Tribe of
Judah Church
of its Queen
St premises
to the
Islamic
community
for the
formation of
a mosque.
Spokesman
for the new
mosque Ali
Kadri
dismissed
the claims,
saying they
played on
people’s
fears about
Islam.
“Mosques
have been a
part of
Queensland
for a long
time and
they have
never been a
threat to
Australia,”
he said.
Mr Kadri
said
religious
leaders at
the new
mosque would
actually
work with
young Muslim
men to
dissuade
them from
becoming
extremists.
He said the
mosque, to
be named the
Australian
Unity
Centre, had
no
affiliation
with the
iQraa
Islamic
bookstore
that was
raided by
Federal
Police last
year and
later
closed.
Mr Kadri
also said a
food bank,
started by
previous
owners the
Tribe of
Judah
charity,
would
continue.
Logan City
Safe
Communities
honorary
president
Rod Shaw
said his
organisation
was
“inundated’’
with
complaints.
Mr Shaw said
there was no
need for
more
mosques.
Logan Deputy
Mayor
Russell
Lutton (Div
2) said the
site was
zoned as a
place of
worship and
no
development
or building
applications
had been
lodged or
were needed
because it
was being
replaced by
another
place of
worship.
He also said
claims the
mosque, due
to open in
July, would
be used to
store bodies
were
unfounded.
The existing
building is
surrounded
by
businesses
and bushland
and opposite
a row of
houses in
Queen St.
Tribe of
Judah pastor
Terry Walker
said he
welcomed the
new mosque
to its
premises
with open
arms and
looked
forward to
working
together to
feed more
people in
need.
He said a
contract
between the
charity and
Muslim
leader Imam
Akram Buksh
would see
handover to
the mosque
take place
in July
after he
moved the
Tribe of
Judah to a
bigger
location at
101 Park Rd,
Slacks
Creek.
He said 25
per cent to
30 per cent
of people
that visited
Tribe of
Judah were
Muslims, and
that he
looked
forward to
continuing
vital work
in the
community
together.
He said
Tribe of
Judah and
Imam Buksh
had worked
together
with Logan
City Council
to ensure
the
conditions
of approval
were met.
MACKAY, QLD:
The
president of
the Islamic
Research and
Educational
Academy says
when it
comes to
individual
perceptions
of Muslim
communities,
there is
such a thing
as 'fear of
the unseen'.
Waseem Razvi
was a guest
speaker at a
Mackay
Mosque on
Sunday, and
he says
misunderstandings
generally
arise when
people do
not know
each other.
He says in a
bid to build
a stronger
relationship
between the
Muslim
community
and police,
a barbeque
was held a
mosque last
Sunday.
"I think in
regional
areas if you
work harder
now and
build better
relations,
that can
carry on in
the future,"
Mr Razvi
said.
Acting Imam,
Eshsaq Akbar
works at the
local Mosque
and says
they have
held events
in the past
with police
officers and
community
members.
"Because we
are an
Islamic
community
and have a
great need
and rely
upon the
police and
the police
should be
able to feel
comfortable
to interact
with us, ask
questions,
and learn
about our
different
traditions
and things
like that,"
Mr Akbar
said.
"We have
regular
meetings
with police,
and the
patrol cars
come around
all the time
and make us
feel safe.
Acting Imam,
Eshsaq Akbar says his aim is to
build stronger ties between
police officers and the Muslim
community. (Melissa Maddison -
ABC)
"We are very
happy to
have all the
guests here
today, and
the police
and their
families,
and we hope
it becomes
more
regular."
Acting
Inspector
Craig
Sanderson
says the
Queensland
Police
Service is
always
looking for
opportunities
to
strengthen
their ties
within the
community.
But he says
there is
always room
for
improvement
within the
police
service when
it comes to
understanding
the Muslim
faith and
Muslim
community.
"Religion is
one of those
things, if
you have not
been exposed
to it then
people's
understanding
of it is
probably not
as strong as
it could
be," Mr
Sanderson
said.
"These types
of events
obviously
give us and
our officers
the
opportunity
to talk to
people in
person, and
get a real
understanding
of what the
faith is
about."
He says they
always
encourage
their
officers to
build those
relationships
because
understanding
creates
tolerance.
"Anything we
can do to
create that
in the
community
and get that
message out
there, the
better," he
said.
Our teams
are on the
ground in
Lebanon
preparing to
deliver 25kg
bags of
basmati rice
to the
Syrian
refugees. We
aim to reach
as many
families as
possible in
North and
West
Lebanon,
however we
can't do
this without
your
support.
Help us
reach those
affected by
donating $25
to purchase
a 25kg bag
of basmati
rice for
each family.
Sadaqah
Jaariyah
Shares Now
Available
Muslim Aid
Australia
with the
support of
their donors
are
developing a
Sadaqah
Jaariyah
Borehole
Project in
the Middle
Shabelle
Region,
Somalia.
The borehole
aims to
assist
20,000
people and
animals to
gain access
to clean
water. This
will in turn
provide safe
water
collection
for women,
renewed
education
for children
and improved
health for
the
community.
How You
Can Help
By donating
a share of
just $50,
you can reap
the benefits
of
continuous
rewards
whilst also
providing
clean water
for a
community,
in shaa
Allah.
To donate
online
click here
or via Bank
Deposit:
Muslim Aid
Australia
BSB: 062 191
ACC: 1044
8216
Ref: SOMWASH
(Your Name)
Just over a
decade ago,
Naif Al-Mutawa
had a
lightbulb
moment.
Sitting in
the back of
a London
taxi, he
decided not
to follow
his chosen
field of
study –
despite two
psychology
degrees and
a freshly
acquired
doctorate –
but to
create comic
books
instead.
Enter The
99. Drawing
on the
strong-men
and -women
archetypes
in the
Marvel and
DC
universes,
and now in
their 10th
year, Al-Mutawa's
comic books
have their
own fleet of
superheroes:
an
all-Islamic
cast gifted
with special
powers
embodying
the 99
attributes
of Allah –
such as
generosity,
wisdom and
strength –
that are
named in the
Koran.
These
paragons are
in perpetual
battle with
Rughal, an
Osama bin
Laden-inspired
villain who
could just
as well be
the face of
Isis or "any
other
self-styled
messiah" in
our
post-al-Qaeda
world. And
each
superhero,
from a
different
part of the
world, is a
protégé of
their
mentor, Dr
Razwi, who
like Dr
Mutawa
himself, is
a trained
clinical
psychologist,
fashioned
from the
"best"
imaginary
version of
himself.
Launched in
2006 – first
in Kuwait
after the
approval of
the state's
Ministry of
Information,
then in
America and
the rest of
the world –
The 99 was
hailed as an
exemplary
model of
inter-faith
peace and
tolerance by
Barack
Obama, and
Dr Mutawa
was invited
to give two
TED talks.
He has since
been
featured in
Forbes
magazine,
won prizes
in the Gulf
region and
gained the
approval of
the Saudi
state.
Dr Mutawa has
attracted much criticism from
all sides of the religious
debate
However, for
some he is a
defender not
of peace but
of
profanity:
ironically,
he has
hardline
detractors
in both
America and
the Arab
world,
though they
hate him for
opposing
reasons. To
US
conservatives,
he is a
terrorist
and a pawn
of hardline
Islam; to
Islamist
Arabs, he is
a heretic
and a pawn
of the
liberal
West.
Both camps
have, in the
past decade,
warned of
the dangers
of his
creation and
called for
it to be
banned.
America's
God-squad
even created
enough moral
panic about
"radicalising
children" to
halt a
Hollywood
adaptation
of The 99 –
produced by
Endemol and
scripted by
the teams
behind Star
Wars, X-Men
and
Spider-Man –
from being
shown in US
cinemas or
on its
network
television.
(This leads
Al-Mutawa to
joke: "I
have a fatwa
from Fox
News!")
But now
there is a
more serious
threat from
within his
home
country.
While the
Kuwaiti
government
has endorsed
his work,
not everyone
agrees with
its message.
In the past
year, a
Twitter
campaign has
accused him
of being a
blasphemer
who should
be brought
to trial;
and a legal
case has
been
launched
against him
– not by the
state, but
by a fellow
Kuwaiti
suing him
for heresy.
(If he loses
– and he
firmly
believes he
won't – he
could face a
prison
sentence.)
Since then,
Al-Mutawa
has received
a hail of
abuse and
death
threats.
culminating
in an ironic
sequence of
events:
"Shortly
before New
Year 2014, I
received an
email
informing me
that The 99
had won in
the media
category of
the Islamic
Economy
Awards [in
Dubai]. A
few days
later, I
received an
email from
my lawyer
updating me
on the case
lodged
against me
in Kuwait
for heresy
and
insulting
religion
through The
99. This is
the same
book
President
Obama,
Sheikh
Mohammed,
even His
Highness the
Emir of
Kuwait,
publicly
endorsed as
being a
bastion of
tolerance."
How to
negotiate
this
impossible
position of
being both
hero and
villain to
two usually
opposed
camps?
Judging from
appearances,
Al-Mutawa is
not letting
his
detractors
win. At the
age of 43,
and a father
of five
young boys,
he has an
incorrigibly
Tigger-ish
quality.
Meeting him
at the
Emirates
Airline
Festival of
Literature
in Dubai, he
is warm and
loquacious
to the
legion of
fans who mob
him –
parents and
children
alike, from
India,
America,
Britain and
the host
country's
multi-faith
ex-pat
community.
He will
admit,
though, that
the past
year has
taken its
toll. He was
particularly
shaken by
the chilling
Twitter
hashtag, #whowillkillDrNaif,
that drummed
up hate
against him
last summer.
He is
frustrated
to be
summoned to
court later
this month –
on 26 March
– not least
because the
prosecution
managed to
secure a
fatwa from
the Grand
Mufti of
Saudi
Arabia, who
called his
work "evil".
This is
another
perplexing
aspect of
his case:
six years
ago, the
Saudi
Ministry of
Information
approved the
comics,
which were
openly sold
in the
country. Dr
Mutawa has
an answer
for this: a
fatwa
depends
heavily on
the
questions
you ask, and
if those are
skewed, then
the
questioner
is
responsible
for the
skewing of
the answer.
"The
question
asked of the
Mufti was
couched in
negatives
and mis-statements,"
he says,
"perhaps
purposefully
and
maliciously,
perhaps out
of
ignorance."
Today Al-Mutawa
takes his
religion
seriously,
but there
was a time
when Islam
neither
appealed to
him in
popular
literature
nor in life.
As a clever,
inquisitive
teenager, he
rejected its
messages:
"It seemed
black-and-white
and I didn't
like
black-and-white."
Only after a
conversation
with an imam
who was
studying at
Harvard
Divinity
School (he
himself was
reading
psychology
at Long
Island
University,
followed by
an MBA at
Columbia)
did he begin
to see the
religion's
nuances and
find himself
drawn back.
What led him
to create
The 99 was
the
revelation,
as simple as
it seems
now, that
the tenets
of the Koran
were
universal
and humane.
But there
was also the
political
element:
9/11 had
happened,
Islamist
terror had
irrevocably
left its
stain across
the world,
and in
return the
world had
begun to
question
whether the
religion
could be
compatible
with the
Enlightenment
values of
the West.
THE
GREATEST
FOUR:
CHRONICLES
OF ABU BAKR,
UMAR, UTHMAN
& ALI (RA)
As
the Prophet
(SAW) sat by
a well in
something
like an
oasis of
this world,
he gave good
news of the
eternal
Oasis –
Paradise –
to each of
the three
men who
entered and
sat by his
side: Abu
Bakr, Umar,
and Uthman
(RA), except
Uthman would
first face a
severe
trial. These
three, plus
Ali ibn Abu
Talib (RA),
were
regarded by
the Prophet
as the
greatest
four of his
Companions.
They were
the four
who, after
the
Prophet’s
death, would
be the
reference
point for
understanding
Islam in the
most
comforting
as well as
the most
trying of
times.
In relation
to the
wisdom of
these four
men, the
Prophet
(SAW)
prophesized,
“Whoever
lives long
will see a
lot of
differences.
So (during
those
times), upon
you is the
duty to
follow my
Sunnah (Way)
and the
Sunnah of
the Four
Rightly
Guided
Successors
after me –
hold onto it
(even) with
your Molar
(teeth).”
Many of us
rightly
spend time
learning the
Sunnah of
the Prophet
(SAW) via
his Hadith
and his
biography.
But only a
few amongst
us even know
the names of
these
Rightly
Guided
Successors,
let alone
have studied
their Sunnah
(Way) and
their
biographies
in a
practical
and
principled
guidance-seeking
manner.
Yet it is
the
Messenger of
Allah who
ordered us
to know and
hold fast to
the Way of
these four
men, along
with his own
way, in
times of
confusion,
differences
and
divisions,
times not
unlike ours
of today!
HikmahWay
Institute’s
next course,
“The
Greatest
Four –
Chronicles
of Abu Bakr,
Umar, Uthman
& Ali (RA)”,
focuses on
exactly this
topic. Their
lives,
legacy and
leadership
are all
indispensable
lessons and
essential
learning for
every
Muslim,
especially
in the
complex
times that
we live in
today. These
four
absolutely
lovable
heroes stand
as practical
examples for
every
conceivable
challenge
and scenario
that we are
ever likely
to face till
the Day of
Judgement!
2014 has
been a
particularly
challenging
year for
interfaith
relations,
particularly
for Muslims,
Jews and
Christians.
Violence
perpetrated
overseas
between
members of
these three
faiths has
had
repercussions
in
Australia.
We saw an
increase in
tensions,
hatred and
tragically
the Sydney
siege. In
this context
we had two
main
objectives:
to counter
various
prejudices
in schools
and to
secure our
ability to
do so in the
future. This
update
describes
our progress
toward these
goals with
the generous
and much
appreciated
support of
our donors
and
dedication
of our staff
and
volunteers.
Schools
face to face
programs
3750
teachers and
students
were given
the
opportunity
to interact
meaningfully
with people
from
backgrounds
different to
their own in
schools
during 2014.
Of these,
3583 were
students,
200 in
inter-school
programs of
two to four
days
together and
100 students
of Arabic
Muslim,
Aboriginal
and Pacific
Islander
backgrounds
participated
in more
intensive
on-going
programs
such as our
fortnightly
programs at
Granville
Boys High
School and
our four
full day
seminars on
the central
coast. We
also reached
167
Teachers.
Feedback
from
students
about what
they
learned:
o That there
is no need
for a
barrier
between us
regardless
of what is
happening
overseas, we
are all
Australian
citizens and
should
embrace
learning
about people
that are
different to
us
o That we
shouldn’t be
scared of
each other
o That we
are human no
matter what
the
background
o That
Muslims are
good people
and we have
a lot in
common
o The best
is thing to
come of this
program was
learning
about our
similarities
and
differences
– we found
out how
similar our
religions
are.
Parents’
Touching
Email:
One parent
whose child
participated
in an
interfaith
interschool
program
wrote the
following.
“Hi, just
have to
share. I
took Sean
(names
changed) to
botany pool
today with
Marc. They
bumped into
a kid
Mohammad
that they
met at
interfaith
(inter-school
program that
was done in
partnership
with
Together for
Humanity).
They spent
the whole
day together
playing
cricket and
swimming. I
couldn't get
them away
when we had
to leave. It
was so
endearing.
What a
wonderful
initiative
interfaith
is.”
Responding
to concerns
about
radicalisation
and
alienation:
Our teams,
which
include
Muslim
Sheiks
alongside
other Jewish
and
Christian
role models,
have worked
with Muslim
teenagers to
help them
develop a
sense of
belonging in
Australia
and a
complex
identity
that
includes
identification
with
Australia
and a
recognition
that there
is no need
to choose
between
their
religion and
a positive
attitude to
participating
in Australia
and getting
along with
people of
different
faiths.
Reflection
by Punchbowl
Boys High
School
student aged
14:
“I am a
Muslim,
Lebanese,
and an
Australian.
I
participated
in a
Together For
Humanity
Interfaith
program at
my school.
This program
was led by a
Jewish
Sheikh,
Rabbi Zalman
Kastel, a
Muslim
Sheikh,
Sheikh Ahmad
Abdo and
Taha Allam
an ex
student of
my school
and
Christian
Pastor Greg
Lake.
After
hearing a
lot of
stories… I
started
thinking and
thanking God
that I was
born in this
country and
that my
family and I
didn’t need
to risk our
lives to
enter this
beautiful
country. I
respect
Australia a
lot, I am
proud to say
that this is
my country.
As I have
been taking
a lot from
Australia, I
wish that
someday I
could repay
it."
Sheikh Ahmed
told a story
about when
he was in
year 8 he
got bullied
and one day
when he was
walking home
a group of
bullies
started
following
him and
saying that
he would not
reach home.
They were
threatening
him. Sheikh
Ahmed’s
parents said
that they
should
report it to
their local
police
station as
it was
getting out
of hand.
That day
they
reported it.
After many
years, he
told us that
on Thursday
last week he
was going to
become a
Police
Commissioned
officer. He
is very
proud of
himself
because he
is repaying
his country
and the
police for
what they
did for him
when he was
much
younger.
… Before
I
participated
in the
program I
thought that
all
religions
hated Islam.
I hated it
when I used
to go to the
city with my
family, and
my mother is
scarved,
people would
give us
dirties,
that is
dirty looks.
From their
body
language I
inferred
that they
were telling
us “why are
you here,
this is not
where you
belong”. Now
I know that
not all
religions or
people who
are not
Muslim think
about
Muslims in a
bad way, it
is only some
people… I
hope that
one day we
will have
another
course with
these people
as I learned
many things
from them.
Over these
two days we
learned
about
respect,
communication,
we had
inspiration,
I benefited
in this
course by
knowing what
I want to do
in my life
and how to
treat other
people.
Rabbi Zalman
Kastel |
zalman@togetherforhumanity.org.au
| Together
For Humanity
Foundation |
Department
of
Education3a
Smalls Rd.,
| Ryde, NSW
2112,
Australia
Islamic
State wants
to recruit
young,
strong and
fit Muslim
men such as
Tamerlan
Ilyasov. The
Chechen
teenager
tells
Dateline's
Dani Isdale
why he’d
never join.
Expressions
of Interest
are sought
for the
position of
Canteen
Manager at
AIIC
commencing
Term 2, 20
April 2015
- Canteen
operation
Monday to
Friday
- Serve
students at
Morning tea
and Lunch
- Follow the
Colleges
Tuckshop
Policy
For further
information
and details
contact the
College on
3372 1400.
Please
forward
applications
in writing
to
principal@aiic.qld.edu.au
Applications
close by
27th March
2015
CAN ANYONE
HELP
My son and
his family
are in need
of a 3
bedroom
house.
He has
recently
found out he
will not be
able to work
due to a
severe back
injury. His
wife will
seek full
time
employment.
They are
currently
living with
relatives,
but need
their own
home
A.S.A.P.
They can not
afford any
more than
$300 a week.
Are there
any readers
who can help
them out
with a
house,
and/or
employment
for a hard
working,
intelligent
young lady.
Please call
0402917109
if you can
help these
young people
get on their
feet. Thank
you.
Leading politician
says Canada could end up treating Muslims as
it did Jews in the ’30s and ’40s
CANADA: In a dramatic
speech Tuesday evening, the leader of
Canada's Liberal Party, Justin Trudeau,
criticized the Canadian government for
its rhetoric over the threat of
Islamist-related terrorism – and
compared the country's treatment of its
Muslim minorities with restrictive
policies against Jews prior to and
during World War II.
Speaking in Toronto to alumni of McGill
University, Trudeau, who will compete
with Canadian Prime Minister Stephen
Harper in an election later this year,
discussed Canada's idea of liberty. At
one point, he listed a number of
historical moments when his country had
failed in that ideal, including the
Chinese head tax (a fixed fee charged to
every Chinese immigrant) and the
internment of Ukrainian, Japanese and
Italian Canadians during the world wars.
"When I talk to
young people today about these
episodes, they can hardly believe
they happened. It doesn’t sound
possible, not in Canada," Trudeau
told his audience. "So we should all
shudder to hear the same rhetoric
that led to a 'none is too many'
immigration policy toward Jews in
the 30s and 40s, being used to raise
fears against Muslims today."
Canada's legacy of turning away Jewish
refugees before and during World War II
has become a source of shame for the
country – Trudeau's speech references
the book "None is Too Many: Canada and
the Jews of Europe 1933-1948" which
documented how Canada did less that
other Western countries for Europe's
Jews during this period, allowing only
5,000 Jewish refugees to enter the
country.
Liverpool FC fans
hit back at supporter who branded Muslims a
'disgrace' for praying at half-time
Other Twitter users and
Liverpool fans were quick to condemn Stephen
Dodd's comments following Liverpool FC's 0-0
draw with Blackburn Rovers
Online row:
Stephen Dodd posted the picture
following the Reds' FA Cup
quarter-final
ENGLAND: A Liverpool FC fan
who branded two Muslims praying at half-time
"a disgrace" has sparked a furious social
media backlash.
Stephen Dodd posted a picture on Twitter
following the Reds' FA Cup quarter-final
clash against Blackburn Rovers on Sunday.
Dodd wrote alongside the image, apparently
taken in the area behind the turnstiles of
the Main Stand at Anfield: “Muslims praying
at half time at the match yesterday
#DISGRACE.”
But other Twitter users and Liverpool fans
were quick to condemn his comments, as
revealed by the Liverpool Echo.
Harryfre wrote: “How is that
disgraceful in the slightest?”
RollsonShabbos accused Dodd of being a
“raging bigot”, while another man asked: “Is
this a joke? What did these guys do to harm
anyone?”
Referring to the religious beliefs of
prominent Liverpool players, Marwan Elsaifi
added: “Do you want to see Can and Kolo stop
praying at beginning of each game too?”
British Muslims condemn
terror laws for creating 'witch-hunt'
against Islam
UK: Anti-Muslim rhetoric and
“endless ‘anti-terror’ laws” are in danger
of creating a McCarthyite witch-hunt against
Muslims, according to the signatories of a
strongly worded public statement, who
include several controversial figures.
The statement accuses the government of
“criminalising” Islam and trying to silence
“legitimate critique and dissent”, and
decries what it describes as “the ongoing
demonisation of Muslims in Britain [and]
their values, as well as prominent scholars,
speakers and organisations.”
Signatories of the statement include Moazzam
Begg (pictured above), director of
outreach for Cage, the organisation that
came under fire last week after it sought to
explain the radicalisation of Isis killer
Mohammed Emwazi. Members of Islamist
organisation Hizb ut-Tahrir, which is banned
in several countries including Germany, have
also signed the statement.
Lebanese TV presenter cuts
short interview with Islamist scholar
Rima Karaki tells
London-based Sheikh Hani Al-Siba’i: ‘In this
studio, I run the show,’ during tense
exchange on al-Jadeed TV about Islamic State
LEBANON: A video has gone viral of a
Lebanese television presenter who cut
short an interview with a London-based
Islamist scholar after he told her to
“shut up”.
Rima Karaki, a TV host and university
professor, told the scholar: “In this
studio, I run the show.”
During the discussion about reports of
Christians joining Islamic State (Isis),
which aired on Al-Jadeed TV on 2 March,
Sheikh Hani Al-Siba’i, an Egyptian
scholar, told Karaki: “Are you done?
Shut up so I can talk.”
The presenter responded by saying: “How
can a respected sheikh like yourself
tell a TV host to shut up”
Siba’i then said: “It’s beneath me to be
interviewed by you. You are a woman who
….” His microphone is then cut off.
Karaki stopped the interview after just
three minutes, saying: “Just one second.
Either there is mutual respect or the
conversation is over.”
The argument began when
Karaki interrupted the scholar, who said
Christians joining Isis was “nothing
new” and was similar to people joining
the “leftist revolutionary movement” in
the 1970s, such as the Red Brigades in
Italy and the Baader Meinhof group in
Germany.
The host asked him to focus on the
question instead of going on a
historical tangent, and asked: “At
present, what slogans are used to
attract [Christians] to these groups?”
Siba’i said: “Listen, don’t cut me off.
I will answer as I please,” adding: “I
will not answer the way you like,
because I’m here to to serve the idea in
which I believe.”
Kiraki explained that there was limited
time and said: “Please don’t get all
worked up. We respect you and know you
want to give a complete answer.”
Siba’i said: “You think you are so high
and mighty?” To which Kiraki said: “Go
on. But do not call me names.”
She added: “If we start discussing
history, we won’t have enough time for
our topic.”
The video clip shared by MEMRI, a
US-based Middle East media watchdog, has
been viewed on YouTube more than 2.3m
times since it was posted last week.
The Veil Series: a
celebration of Muslim women's hijabs – in
pictures
LONDON: The Veil Series is a
captivating body of work by photographic
artist Sara Shamsavari, celebrating the way
young Muslim women in London, Paris and New
York express their individuality through
vibrant hijab styles.
The exhibition is part of the
Women of the World Festival at London’s
Royal Festival Hall until 29 March
BERLIN: Germany's highest
court has struck down a state's ban on
teachers wearing headscarves as
unconstitutional, saying that it violates
guaranteed religious freedoms.
The Federal Constitutional Court ruled on
Friday in favour of two female Muslim
teachers from the state of North
Rhine-Westphalia in a decision that will
also apply to other states.
The state's law banned headscarves on
grounds they could call into question a
teacher's neutrality and cause classroom
disruptions. But the court ruled a school
would need to show "not only an abstract but
a sufficiently specific risk" to justify a
ban.
The court also said a clause excepting
"Christian and Western educational and
cultural values or traditions" from the
state's ban violated the constitution's
protection against discrimination on
religious grounds.
Chelsea show garden aims
to change people’s perception of Islam
UK: An ambitious Chelsea
Flower Show garden is designed to highlight
the peaceful and respectful qualities of
Islam
The show garden designs have been revealed
for the RHS Chelsea Flower Show 2015 and
there is a new woman on Main Avenue.
Making her Chelsea debut, Kamelia Bin Zaal
will be the first Emirati landscape designer
to appear at Chelsea and she is bringing her
heritage to the forefront.
The show garden, titled ‘The Beauty of
Islam’, aims to meld modern and classic
materials with planting from countries
influenced by Arabic and Islamic culture. It
is an ambitious attempt to bridge Middle
Eastern and Western cultures.
Recognising the tensions of Islam in the
west Bin Zaal said, “In my family I have
grown up seeing Islam as a religion of
tolerance, peace, and love, with respect for
humanity, and the world around us. I am
continuously inspired by our heritage and
wanted to creatively translate my
interpretation of our peaceful religion and
culture into a beautiful garden design.”
Whilst Arabic and Islamic
culture are the predominant themes of the
garden, Bin Zaal cites influences from
elsewhere. “I think I’m more influenced by
contemporary architecture and interiors from
all over the world. Whether it’s a resort in
Thailand, a building in London or a piece of
art I see in a gallery here in Dubai.”
Perhaps it is unsurprising that Bin Zaal
takes inspiration from international design,
as she is currently the creative director
and head of marketing for the Zaal Group.
The group are behind the luxury residential
development Al Barari in Dubai, which
attracts an international crowd.
The garden aims to reflect that diversity:
“I wanted to show how as a culture we have
touched so many other societies and vice
versa, from Europe to China and even
Madagascar.”
The planting is intended to represent the
growth of the Arab Empire though the spice
trade. Orange, olive, fig, pomegranate trees
and plants such as cardamom, pepper and
jasmine will permeate the garden with scents
evoking the Arabic trade routes.
Bin Zaal knows from personal
experience that is it possible to connect
western society with Arabic culture; her
mother is Scottish and her father Emirati.
“I spent half my life growing up in the UK
and the other half in the UAE. So I have
learnt from both cultures and appreciate the
values of both.”
The main challenge facing the team behind
‘The Beauty of Islam’ is the use of plants
more at home in a Middle Eastern climate.
They are aware that temperamental British
weather tests all Chelsea designers even
when using planting native to England, “We
are being practical and have backups just in
case certain plants don’t look good or, for
some reason, probably the weather, don’t
make it at all.”
‘The Beauty of Islam’
promises to be an original show garden. Not
only will the planting be refreshing, if
they pull it off, but the use of poetry and
calligraphy carved into stone is inventive.
It is an art form that will offer an
accessible way to appreciate Arabic culture.
“I hope that my garden will be something
that resonates with the public and will have
a positive effect on people’s perception of
Islam. It is the chance to show that Islam
and Arabic culture really is as many other
religions and cultures, a way of life and
that we share the same values and morals as
other religions and cultures.”
If it succeeds, ‘The Beauty of Islam’ will
be a beautiful reminder of how gardens can
play a part in understanding other people
and cultures. As a project clearly close to
Kamelia Bin Zaal’s heart, let’s hope it
does.
The Muslim News Awards for
Excellence 2015 shortlist
UK: The readership of The
Muslim News selected and nominated them, and
a distinguished independent panel of Judges
reviewed, deliberated and mused over the
list.
Over the next few weeks
CCN will profile one of the illustrious men,
women, children and projects deemed to be
worthy of short-listing for a Muslim News
Award for Excellence.
These exemplars of good practice, excellence
– our future role models – will be treated
to a Gala Evening in the presence of their
peers and other renowned guests in March,
when the finalists are announced for the
[16] coveted Awards for Excellence
Alhambra Awards for
Excellence in Arts
Born and raised in Russia,
Maryam Golubeva is British artist with
Turkish ancestry currently residing and
teaching in Lancaster.
Maryam uses traditional
Russian paper-cutting and engraving
techniques to deliver a cross cultural
narrative that aims to re-establish the deep
seated historic bonds between the East and
West.
She is currently involved in
the “Different Moons” art project aimed to
preserve South Asian heritage in the North
West of England.
Maryam created two 9 ft. by 5
ft. single sheet paper cut installations for
the exhibition space as well as delivering a
series of workshops for the local community
groups.
Her art was recently
show-cased at the MOCAfest at the World
Islamic Economic Forum in 2014.
Q: Dear Kareema, why is
warming up so important? Sometimes I feel I
don’t have enough time to power through a
workout, so do I really have to warm up?
A: Short answer: YES. Warm-ups are
mandatory.
Not only does it prepare the body
for the work ahead, it’ll get the blood pumping
enabling you to push yourself a little harder
through that power workout.
Make your warm-up a part of your
every workout. If you intend to push yourself
hard, do a tougher warm-up. If your body feels
tired then pull back and take it easy with a
light warm-up.
Mecca is, for many, the heart of Islam. It is
the birthplace of Muhammad (pbuh), the direction to which
Muslims turn when they pray, and the site of pilgrimage that
annually draws some three million Muslims from all corners
of the world. Yet the significance of Mecca is more than
purely religious.
Mecca
is the shrine of Islam, with the Ka’bah, a cube of black
stone, at its centre. Growing up in Punjab and London in the
1960s, Ziauddin Sardar turned to the Ka’bah not only when he
prayed in its direction five times daily, but also to
interrogate himself morally.
“There was never a doubt,” he writes in a
sentence that shows the amplitude of the Muslim identity,
“that I must always look to Mecca if I was to amount to
anything worthwhile in the world”, and in another,
suggestive of the human need both for solitude and
togetherness, “to be at Mecca is the taproot of individual
identity and the common link of an entire worldwide
community”.
In the early seventh century Mecca was the locus for the
only miracle on which all Muslims concur – the revelation of
the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad – and after that the city
contrived to be both conceptually vital and geographically
marginal to the earthly empires founded in his name.
A Mecca-less Islam would have no
justification and an otherwise icon-hating creed would be
without its icon, the Ka’bah. And so the life of the city,
conveniently located far from the interstices of Eurasian
history, in scalding, wind-whipped western Arabia, became
the alternative life of Islam itself.
In 629 Muhammad went to Mecca from his capital, Medina,
making the first pilgrimage of the Muslim era, and ever
since the faithful have been drawn to the religion’s
birthplace, politics and pestilence permitting. From their
courts at Damascus, Baghdad and Cairo, the medieval caliphs
strove both to control the city, whose inhabitants and
rulers –the so‑called Sharifs – had a strong sense of
entitlement and self-worth.
Vast sums were spent to embellish the
sanctuary around the Ka’bah and secure the city’s water
supply. Gorgeous offerings from as far afield as Tibet and
Mali testified to Islam’s global reach.
The Guardian
Would you like
to see the cover of your favourite book on our book shelves
below?
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: With the
holidays coming up, here's a treat that should
meet with approval from everyone in the family.
Morning Muffins
INGREDIENTS
1¼ cups flour
½ cup packed dark-brown sugar
½ teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
½ teaspoon coarse salt
1 cup old-fashioned rolled oats
½ cup chopped pecan nuts
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 large egg
1/3 cup skim milk
4 medium carrots, grated
1 medium ripe banana, mashed
METHOD
1. Preheat oven to 200 C degrees.
2. Coat a 12-cup muffin pan with cooking spray.
3. In a large bowl, mix together flour, brown,
sugar, baking soda, baking powder, nutmeg, and
salt until there are no lumps.
4. Stir in oats and nuts.
5. Add oil, egg, milk, carrots, and banana and
stir until blended.
6. Fill each muffin cup with 1/4 cup batter and
sprinkle with chopped pecans.
7. Bake until light brown.
8. Serve muffins warm or at room temperature
Jallaludin was surprised to be told by a reporter that
the police had discovered an arms cache of 200
semi-automatic rifles with 250,000 rounds of ammunition
in a block of flats behind his town's main Public
Library.
Amongst the haul
were 10 anti-tank missiles, 4 grenade launchers, 2 tons
of heroin, $80 million in forged banknotes, and 25
trafficked prostitutes housed in the apartment.
Jallaluddin's
immediate response was: "We're shocked!. We never even
knew we had a library!"
Allah!
There is no god but He: of a
surety He will gather you
together against the Day of
Judgment, about which there
is no doubt. And whose word
can be truer than Allah's?
CCN has been
informed that a large number of the businesses being
advertised in this Business Section for a number of
years now are either not operating or their details
are not current.
We are starting this section with a
clean slate, so if you wish your advertisement to
continue to appear in our Directory Listing with a
web link and a brochure, please email
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org as soon as possible.
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
8
August
Saturday
School Fete
Australian International Islamic College
Blunder Rd, DURACK
3372 1400
TBA
12
September
Saturday
Amanah Institute Fundraising Dinner
Amanah Institute
TBA
TBA
TBA
24 September
Thursday
Eidul Adha 1436 (10th Zilhijja 1436)
26
September
Saturday
Eidfest
Eidfest @ Dreamworld
Dreamworld
0418 722 353
Evening
3
October
Saturday
Eid Lunch
Australian International Islamic College
Blunder Rd, DURACK
3372 1400
TBA
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
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.
.
Amanah
Institute,
formerly the
Kuraby
Madrassah,
is fast
growing as
one of the
leading
education
institutions
in the local
community.
As
the Prophet
(SAW) sat by
a well in
something
like an
oasis of
this world,
he gave good
news of the
eternal
Oasis –
Paradise –
to each of
the three
men who
entered and
sat by his
side: Abu
Bakr, Umar,
and Uthman
(RA), except
Uthman would
first face a
severe
trial. These
three, plus
Ali ibn Abu
Talib (RA),
were
regarded by
the Prophet
as the
greatest
four of his
Companions.
Mecca
is the shrine of Islam, with the Ka’bah, a cube of black
stone, at its centre. Growing up in Punjab and London in the
1960s, Ziauddin Sardar turned to the Ka’bah not only when he
prayed in its direction five times daily, but also to
interrogate himself morally. 
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7
August 2011