STEVE
Dickson
(pictured
left)
will take a
Sunshine
Coast
group's
petition,
which is
effectively
calling for
a ban on
mosques, to
State
Parliament.
Sunshine
Coast Safe
Communities
launched the
petition
last year
calling on
the State
Government
to support
changes to
the
Sustainable
Planning Act
to the
definition
of "place of
worship".
They have
asked for
the
definition
to "exclude
any
applicant
who
advocates,
teaches or
practices an
ideology
philosophy
or political
system which
contradicts
the tenets
of
Australian
Law" .
They have
also
requested
the House
make
legislative
changes to
exclude any
group or
members
which
encourage
practices
like Sharia
law, the
subjugation
of woman,
honour
killing and
polygamous
marriage.
Further they
ask that the
change would
"defend
Queensland
communities
and
eliminate
the threat
of terrorism
and the
threat from
political
Islam".
The Member
for Buderim,
Mr Dickson
said he had
met with
members of
Safe
Communities
and had
agreed to
present
their
petition "as
I have with
countless
other
petitions
before
this".
He declined
to answer a
direct
question as
to whether
he supported
the
petition,
only to say
he would
consider any
legislative
changes if
they were
proposed by
the
government.
Sunshine
Coast Safe
Communities
has also
prepared a
petition to
take to the
Sunshine
Coast
Council,
requesting
it to adopt
the
"precautionary
principle"
and refuse
the
application
for a mosque
in Church
St,
Maroochydore.
This
petition has
not been
presented
yet.
Sunshine
Coast Safe
Communities
is hosting a
forum in
Kawana
tomorrow to
"provide
understanding
on the
politics of
Islam".
The Sunshine
Coast Daily
approached
all the
Sunshine
Coast MPs to
gauge their
views on the
Sunshine
Coast Safe
Communities
forum and
whether the
region had
reason to be
concerned
about
Muslims.
The only MP
who
indicated
support for
the forum
was Mr
Dickson.
He said he
believed
there was a
need for the
forum "to
boost
awareness of
key topical
issues
within
today's
modern
society".
The
Australian
Muslims Fund
Inc. has
embarked on
a project to
establish
the first
Islamic
Centre in
Merrylands
(NSW), an
initiative
of
Australian
Muslims Fund
Inc.
More than
5000 Muslims
living in
Merrylands
as well as
surrounding
suburbs
including
Guildford
West,
Hilltop,
South
Wentworthville
and
Greystanes
are without
a Mosque or
Islamic
Centre to
perform
their five
times
prayers in
congregation.
The closest
masjid is in
Guildford
which is
just enough
to cater the
needs of
local
community of
Guildford
and
overflows at
juma
prayers.
After a long
search, a
suitable
place was
found in the
centre of
above
mentioned
areas (7-9
Fowler Road,
Merrylands
West, total
area
1430sqm).
Based on
local
council
guidelines
for
establishing
a place of
public
worship and
after
preliminary
discussions
with the
local
council,
this place
promises to
be an ideal
place for an
Islamic
Centre in
Merrylands,
all daily
prayers,
madressah
and youth
activities.
A 10%
deposit (AUS
$132,000)
has been
paid to
secure the
property.
The
remaining
amount plus
stamp duty
($1,238,000)
has to be
settled by
30 June
2015. Total
estimate
including
the basic
mandatory
renovations
is around
$1.6M. So
far around
$500,000 has
been raised
so far from
Jumma
collections
within the
team and
close
contacts.
The deficit
is around
$1M.
The
organizers
have started
their
campaign in
NSW and are
working on
different
avenues to
achieve this
target in
time.
A fund
raising
dinner will
be held in
Brisbane on
18 April at
the Islamic
College of
Brisbane
(Karawatha).
Click on the
thumbnail
image above
for details
of the
Brisbane
fund raiser
and where
and how to
donate.
The Point
Magazine
is a
community-based
and
youth-focused
digital
publication
that aims to
attract
globally
aware and
politically
active
younger
readers in
multicultural
Australia.
The goal is
to engage
and inform
readers
across a
range of
news and
current
affairs
topics,
including
local and
international
politics,
religion,
society and
culture, and
technology.
In
particular,
the magazine
is keen to
explore the
impact of
international
events on
local
communities.
The online
magazine is
produced
monthly by
the
Community
Relations
Commission
of NSW and
is funded by
the Federal
Government.
The content
is produced
by the CRC’s
Social Media
Unit, which
is based in
Sydney and
reports to
the chief
executive
officer of
the CRC.
The team of
writers
includes
interns who
work under
the
Volunteer
Internship
Program.
Assoc
Prof Mohamad
Abdalla was
invited to
present his
views on the
topic of the
radicalization of
Muslim youth
to
Government
officials.
He told his
audience
that he was
speaking to
them as "a
Muslim who
loves his
faith and
community,
an academic
who is very
familiar
with the
literature,
a leader who
knows his
community
very well,
and an
Australian
who loves
this country
and its
people, and
who, since
9/11 has
been engaged
extensively
in building
bridges of
understanding."
I spoke with
passion
about these
issues
because they
affected him
as a human
being "who
happens to
be an
Australian
Muslim."
"To be fair
to my
community,
and having
their best
interest at
heart, I
have
consulted
with them
and sought
their views
during the
process of
writing this
presentation.
Therefore,
the views
that I will
express not
only reflect
my own
beliefs and
sentiments,
but of the
community
members and
leaders that
I have
consulted."
He put
forward a
number of
proposals
and
concluded
his speech
by saying
that violent
extremism is
caused by a
host of
factors,
which need
to be
considered
collectively
in order to
arrive at
appropriate
solutions.
"Islam and
the Muslim
community
must not be
seen as the
problem but
an important
part of the
solution.
The
community is
an important
key in the
fight
against
violent
extremism
and that is
why it is
crucial to
apply a
strength
based
approach to
enhancing
community
resilience,
capacity and
contribution."
This
approach
would
ideally
include:
1. A
recognition
that Islam
and the
Muslim
community is
part of the
solution and
not the
problem
2. The
community is
a valuable
partner
3. A shift
in media and
political
rhetoric
4. The need
for a
balanced
approach to
international
conflicts
5. The
importance
of adequate
educational
programs
6. Funding
for youth
Safe Zones
7. The need
for
preventative
and
rehabilitation
programs
FRIDA
Deguise has
vowed never
to design
for Miss
Universe
Australia
again
claiming she
was
mistreated
by
organisers
because she
is Muslim.
The
37-year-old
designed a
Steve
Irwin-inspired
costume
which was
short-listed
in last
year’s
pageant but
did not win.
Instead
Caitlin
Holstock
took out the
title with
her
indigenous
inspired
sunset
design.
“I won’t
design for
Miss
Universe
again
because I
believe
they’re
racist,”
Deguise told
Confidential.
“They didn’t
want me in
there.
“I don’t
think they
wanted a
face like
mine
associated
to the
national
costume.”
Deguise has
also made
claims that
Channel 7
intentionally
cut her out
of their
promotional
ads when
exclusively
revealing
the four
short-listed
designers on
its Sunrise
program last
year.
A Seven
spokesperson
denied these
claims,
saying they
were fans of
Frida and
her design
work and
that she was
more than
welcome back
on their
program any
time.
“Frida and
the other 3
finalists
and their
gowns made
for a good
segment,
based around
the
competition
for a final,
winning
design,” a
Seven
spokesperson
said.
“We enjoyed
her time on
the show and
she was
invited to
appear a
second time,
because her
first
interview
was so
successful.
“As Frida
continues
her work in
the fashion
design area,
we wish her
luck and if
she produces
other design
work that
would make
for a good
segment we
would love
to have her
back.”
Deguise, who
has been
designing
gowns for
the beauty
competition
for six
years based
in the
south-western
Sydney
suburb of
Liverpool,
said she
would never
enter a Miss
Universe
Australia
pageant
again.
Miss
Universe
Australia’s
national
director
Deborah
Miller said
Deguise’s
allegations
were
incorrect
and that she
was
“saddened”
by her
claims.
“We have
Muslim,
Ethiopian,
Sudanese and
refugees in
the
competition
this year so
it’s very
sad someone
would say
something
like this,”
she said.
“We have
been
supporting
Frida for
many years -
the claim we
have
mistreated
her isn’t
the case at
all.”
Deguise
famously
wore a
T-shirt last
month saying
“I’m a
fashion
threat not a
terror
threat” at
her ROXCII
fashion show
because, she
says, enough
is enough.
“There’s two
reasons why
Muslims
would never
enter Miss
Universe:
Number one,
I have been
dressing the
contestants
for many
years and no
Muslim has
ever entered
and number
two, even if
she went
into the
contest and
she didn’t
wear a
headscarf
then no one
would know
she was
Muslim.
“We’re
bigger than
that - we
wouldn’t
care.”
Deguise
believes the
ISIS
situation in
the Middle
East may
have been
the reason
why she was
edited out
of
promotional
clips.
“Muslims
tend to stay
in their
areas. I
know of
Muslims that
have never
gone to
Bondi
because
they’re
scared,” she
said.
“We’ve
become so
suppressed
because
we’re so
scared to
speak up.”
Melbourne
exhibition
tells
little-known
story of how
Muslims in
Albania
protected
their Jewish
countrymen
from the
Holocaust.
Hundreds of
Jews were saved by Albanian
Muslims in WW2.
There’s a
little-known
story about
Muslims and
Jews in
World War II
that helped
to create a
code of
honour that
still exists
today.
A new
exhibition
launching at
Melbourne’s
Jewish
Holocaust
Centre will
paint a
picture of
how Muslims
saved the
lives of
many Jewish
people in
Albania
during World
War II.
The
exhibition
showcases
photographs
from
American
photographer
Norman
Gershman,
who spent
four years
photographing
the heroes
and
survivors of
the
Holocaust in
Albania.
The
exhibition
is in part
an attempt
to combat
the rising
Islamophobia
in the
Western
world, as
well are
recent
incidences
of
anti-Semitism
– such as
the recent
attack on a
Jewish
kosher
supermarket
in Paris
just days
after the
Charlie
Hebdo
massacre.
“The
exhibition
aims to show
the common
humanity we
all share
and to
counter the
paranoia of
Islam,” Mr
Gershman
says.
While other
occupied
European
countries
folded under
the Nazi
Party’s
power and
had their
Jewish
population
systematically
sent to
concentration
camps,
Albania
resisted
Adolf
Hitler’s
orders and
refused to
hand over
their Jewish
citizens.
This move
came from
the ethical
code in
Albania,
called ‘Besa’,
that still
survives
today.
Besa,
meaning ‘to
keep the
promise’
comes from
the notion
that you can
trust
someone to
protect your
life and
keep a
secret. It
spurred the
mainly
Muslim
population
of Albania
to protect
their
persecuted
countrymen
and women as
well as
Jewish
refugees
that arrived
in Albania.
The Albanian
government
provided
many Jewish
families
with false
papers so
they would
not have to
live in
hiding and
opened their
borders to
Jewish
refugees.
Not a single
Jew was
taken from
Albania to a
concentration
camp.
Ali Sheqer,
whose father
rescued
Jews, says
that the
Albanians
risked their
own lives to
save and
shelter Jews
from
Hitler’s
regime.
“Why did my
father save
a stranger
at the risk
of his life
and the
entire
village? My
father was a
devout
Muslim. He
believed to
save one
life is to
enter
paradise,”
Mr Sheqer
says.
Albania, the
small
country
nestled
between
Greece and
Macedonia,
was the only
European
country that
experienced
a growth in
its Jewish
population
during World
War II, with
up to 1800
Jews moving
to Albania
during the
period.
Most Muslims
polled for
large-scale
community
study say
terror
groups such
as Isis
distort real
meaning of
Islam
People
gather during a rally to protest
against negative coverage of
Islam and the French satirical
weekly Charlie Hebdo, in Sydney
on 23 January.
Muslim
Australians
believe
overwhelmingly
that they
are unfairly
targeted by
counter-terrorism
laws but say
terrorist
groups
distort the
true meaning
of Islam, a
survey of
community
attitudes
has
revealed.
Around one
in five of
the 800
Muslims
polled
believed
that
terrorist
groups
sometimes
have
legitimate
grievances,
the survey
found,
hinting at
the delicate
task
Australian
community
leaders face
in
countering
the
propaganda
war waged by
groups such
as Islamic
State.
The
researchers,
including
University
of
Queensland
criminologist
Adrian
Cherney,
said the
findings
showed that
police,
especially
those in
Sydney,
needed to do
more to
build trust
and a
willingness
to cooperate
among Muslim
communities.
The study
involved
focus groups
and surveys
of Muslim
Australians
from a range
of
backgrounds,
including
Pakistanis,
Syrians,
Indonesians
and South
Africans.
The
participants
were evenly
split by
gender and
ranged in
age.
Close to 75%
believed
that
counter-terrorism
laws – of
which 64
separate
pieces have
been passed
since the
September 11
attacks –
were
unfairly
aimed at
Muslims.
Though few
had ever
come into
contact with
these
measures,
the sense of
being “under
siege” was
felt by a
majority.
Nearly half
said they
consciously
changed the
way they
dressed to
avoid
scrutiny.
Almost as
many said
they avoided
certain
mosques and
a
significant
number said
their
travel, too,
was altered.
Members of
the Muslim
community in
Australia
have set up
the
not-for-profit
television
studio 'One
Path
Network' to
"counter the
mainstream
media’s
portrayal of
Islam."
Costing
€722,000
($AU1
million),
the studio
aims to
spread the
word of
Islam among
Muslims and
non-Muslims.
It is
reportedly
funded by
community
donations,
and is
staffed by a
team of over
20
volunteers.
Based in
western
Sydney, the
One Path
Network
films and
edits videos
for its
YouTube
channel.
Organisers
say it was
set up to
provide
“authentic
Islamic
knowledge
using a
professional
contemporary
approach”.
Head of the
network,
Malaz
Majanni,
told ABC
News: "This
is a time
where there
is a lot of
pressure on
the Muslim
community.
Unfortunately,
you do find
that with
the
mainstream
media,
sometimes we
are
misrepresented."
Here we are
able to make
sure that a
clear
message is
sent
out. "The
network
provides its
own take on
topics and
events such
as the
immolation
by Isis of
Jordanian
pilot Muadh
al-Kasasbeh,
Hollywood
film
American
Sniper,
Australian
prime
minister
Tony Abbott,
and the
Sydney
siege."
Videos have
featured
prominent
Sydney Imam
Sheikh Omar
El Banna,
and members
of
controversial
political
group Hizb
ut-Tahrir -
an
international
pan-Islamic
political
organisation
which seeks
to unify all
Muslim
countries
under a
caliphate
ruled by
sharia law.
The
station's
website
reads: "The
media is an
essential
part of
everyday
life and a
very
powerful
tool
influencing
values and
ideas. The
world is
constantly
changing and
we are
connected
more than
ever. There
are great
opportunities
in using
media to
showcase the
religion of
Islam."
"As we
embark on
this large
scale
project, we
understand
that it will
be a long
and complex
journey, but
a necessary
one. In
order to
make this
project
effective
and
successful
we will be
utilising
specialised
skill sets
from within
the
community
and abroad."
Salams
everyone,
hope you
have all
been keeping
well since
our last
update in-shaa-Allah.
So, after a
small summer
hiatus, the
team at
Alnisa is
back to
business as
usual
Ulhumdulillah.
We have been
keeping busy
with a
number of
side
projects
which we
will be able
to reveal
more about
later in-shaa-Allah.
Our most
exciting
news at the
moment is
our
Community
Catch Up
nights. We
thought it
would be
nice to
invite the
ladies of
our
community to
dinner every
first
Tuesday of
the month
in-shaa-Allah
at different
halal venues
around
Brisbane.
It's a good
opportunity
to get
together for
some down
time and
also support
some of our
local
businesses
in the
community
simultaneously.
If you would
like to join
us - we post
a flyer up
on our
Facebook
page -
Alnisa Group
for the
upcoming
month or
similarly
you can give
us a call on
0405 845
727.
So grab your
girls and
come along
for some
good food
and great
company.
The next one
is being
held at
Dalzino's on
Compton Road
- April 7th
at 7:30pm
in-shaa-Allah.
We are also
trying to
organise our
Annual
Ladies Night
(so you can
dress up and
let your
hair down),
so watch
this space
for more
details.
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.
I write in reference to
last week's CCN article regarding an award I
received for helping during the floods.
I am truly humbled by the anonymous person/s that
nominated me to receive such an award. I wish to say
that this award is not an individual award, but one
that I dedicate to the Muslims of Queensland.
There was a strong group of tireless volunteers and
workers who, without their efforts, we would not
have raised the 50K or done the 900 hampers for
flood victims. To this day, they continue to work
hard without seeking adulation for the betterment of
our community. The events of 2011 have been
popularly documented and I'm sure we all remember
them vividly. It was no surprise to know that all
those who helped out went above and beyond fund
raising and the hampers to do so much more. The
tiniest of ideas such as sandwich making to the
arduous work of physical clean ups. The efforts of
our Muslim community were heart-warming and blessed.
I accept my award and know that it reminds me of a
greater blessing, to be a part of this wonderful
community.
May Allah reward you all abundantly for your efforts
and may he keep taking work from us for the
betterment of Community and Country. Aameen.
SAUDI
ARABIA: I’m honoured to invite you to my
divorce party.” This is the type of
invitation now being sent out by
increasing numbers of women wanting to
celebrate the end of their marriages.
Just like weddings or graduation
parties, these events are being held at
the fanciest halls, with large amounts
of money spent on hosting friends and
family. The guests are also obliged to
turn up with expensive gifts for the
happy woman.
This is a new phenomenon
in Saudi society, says Tariq Habib, a
professor and psychiatrist, and
assistant secretary general of the Union
of Arab Psychiatrists.
Divorce clearly results in feelings of
sadness and happiness, he said.
Habib, however, said that
parents should take their children’s
feelings into consideration.
“If these parties negatively influence
the children socially and
psychologically, then they should be
canceled,” he said.
“But if the couple don’t
have any children then no one can
prevent the woman from expressing her
joy or having a celebration.”
He said women may want to
celebrate because they have left a
failed marriage or show their
ex-husbands that they do not care about
them.
Suhaila Zain Al-Abideen,
a member of the National Society for
Human Rights, said celebrations have
been triggered by the difficulty women
face in getting divorced.
“Women living under
injustice, humiliation and misery are
the ones who will celebrate. It is not
unreasonable that an absolutely happy
person celebrates her divorce under
these circumstances,” Al-Abideen said.
Al-Abideen does not
believe that children would be affected
if their mothers are happy.
“Although separations affect children,
they would be happy to see their mothers
happy, especially if their fathers had
abused their mothers,” she said.
Mohammad Al-Saidi,
professor of Islamic law at Umm Al-Qura
University, said God hates divorce, as
confirmed in Hadith, and that people
should not celebrate a social tragedy
even if they are happy about it.
Al-Saidi urged the media
to raise concerns about these parties,
and to encourage people not to attend
them. “This will cause future
tragedies,” he said.
Sahar Rajjab, a certified
physiologist and family counsellor at
the Arab Council, said Saudi nationals
should not imitate the West by having
these parties, even if they are
extremely angry.
“The divorce parties are
increasing in an alarming rate,” she
said.
“How can guests celebrate
women divorcing when they had previously
congratulated them on their wedding
days?”
Rajab said there is an
industry growing around divorce parties,
with cake and sweet shops starting to
make products for these occasions. This
is an unwelcome development, she said.
Social specialist Haifa
Safouk said that some women celebrate
simply to seek attention.
“There are many reasons
for this behaviour, but mostly it is
because such women are ignorant and not
intellectually mature.”
She said some women
celebrate because society does not show
them any compassion, so it is a way of
releasing their frustration and negative
feelings.
In addition, the guests
invited to these events turn up because
they want to support these divorcees.
This is not the proper way to show
support, she said.
Viking Age ring 'For
Allah' links ancient Norse and Islamic
civilisations in trade and death
A ring
(pictured) made over 1,000 years
ago has confirmed contact
between the Vikings and the
Islamic world because it was
unearthed in Sweden but bears an
ancient Arabic inscription that
asys 'for Allah' or 'to Allah'
SWEDEN: A ring crafted more
than 1,000 years ago confirms highlights the
contact between the Vikings and the Islamic
world.
Discovered inside a ninth century woman’s
grave in Sweden, the stone inset into the
ring bears an inscription that says ‘for
Allah’ or ‘to Allah’.
While it is already known that the Vikings
acquired glass in far flung lands, the
artefact bolsters the theory that the
seafaring civilisation did business with
Islamic traders.
The ring was discovered during excavations
of a Viking trading centre in Birka, Sweden,
in the late 1800s, Science News reported.
Since then, it has been thought that stone
in the ring is violet amethyst, but now
experts have revealed it is coloured glass –
an exotic material at the time.
Researchers at Stockholm University used a
scanning electron microscope to determine
the material and to clearly reveal ancient
Arabic writing called Kufic writing that
reads ‘for Allah or ‘to Allah.’
It is known that Scandinavians traded glass
objects from Egypt and Mesopotamia up to
3,400 years ago, so it is entirely possible
that the Vikings fetched glass goods from
the region instead of waiting for them to
make their way north via trade networks.
Ancient texts also mention trades taking
place between the Vikings and members of the
Islamic civilisation, which stretched from
the Mediterranean to West Asia, but
archaeological evidence is rare.
Ancient texts
mention trades taking place
between the Vikings and members
of the Islamic civilisation,
which stretched from the
Mediterranean to West Asia, but
archaeological evidence is rare.
An illustration of Vikings
unloading goods from a longboat
is shown
The study, published in the journal
Scanning, says: ‘The ring may… constitute
material evidence for direct interactions
between Viking Age Scandinavia and the
Islamic world.
‘Being the only ring with an Arabic
inscription found at a Scandinavian
archaeological site, it is a unique object
among Swedish Viking Age material.’
Further analysis of the ring showed that it
was rarely worn.
The inner ring still shows signs of where
the silver was filed by a craftsman, meaning
that it was probably sold as new before it
became a treasured possession of a Viking
woman.
‘The ring has been cast in a high-grade
silver alloy (94.5/5.5 Ag/Cu) and retains
the post-casting marks from the filing done
to remove flash and mould lines,’ according
to the study.
‘Thus, the ring has rarely been worn, and
likely passed from the silversmith to the
woman buried at Birka with few owners in
between.’
STRASBOURG – A veiled Muslim
politician will sue a French airport
authorities after being forced to take off
her jacket at security checkpoint, in an
incident that reflects increasing
Islamophobia across Europe.
“I have been living in Europe for 31 years,”
the Justice and Development (AK) Party’s
deputy representative in Brussels, Asiye
Bilgin (pictured above), told Anadolu
Agency on Thursday, March 12.
“Although I have faced many types of
discrimination, I was never humiliated this
much.”
Though the Muslim woman, Bilgin, said was
only wearing a sleeveless shirt, security
officers forced her to remove her jacket at
the airport.
When Bilgin refused to remove her jacket, a
security officer yelled at her to do so.
“What you are doing is against religious
freedom and human rights,” she said she told
the security officer.
She also asked for a private room to take
off her jacket, instead of removing it in
public.
“This is Strasbourg and there is no cabin
here, you have to take off your jacket,”
Bilgin said another officer yelled.
Commenting on the incident, the head of
passengers' control post at the Strasbourg
airport revealed that the airport includes
private cabins, unlike what the Muslim
politician was told.
The AKP lawmaker lodged a complaint against
the discriminatory treatment at the airport
as well as giving false information to
passengers.
“All Muslim women, especially the ones
wearing hijab, can face inhumane treatment
despite the universal values,” Bilgin said.
“And this treatment took place in front of
the ones who attempt to lecture Turkey on
so-called humanity and freedom.”
“European Muslims are treated as
second-class citizens in Europe. The
treatment that blacks face in the US is
experienced by Muslims in Europe,” she
added.
Family of albino Muslims
terrorised after one of them marries a
Christian man
Terrifying:
The family have faced hatred
after it was revealed a member
had married a Christian man.
Pictured from left to right
(back) Ghulam Ali, Haider Ali
and Mohammed Rafi and front
Shameem and Aslam Pavez
UK: A family of albino
Muslims are being terrorised by bigots
because their daughter married a man
from another religion.
The so-called 'honour' retribution has
included smashed windows at their
Coventry home, vandalised cars and death
threats.
Now, head of the family Aslam Parvez has
made a plea to the culprits to end the
hatred.
'We're a good family and
have done nothing wrong yet we're being
punished in the name of honour,' he
said.
Aslam Parvez, 53, blames
members of the Muslim community who
believe the family have been dishonoured
by his daughter's marriage.
The hate campaign started five months
ago when a national magazine published
an article on albinos which featured
Naseem, who no longer lives in Coventry
and has little contact with her family.
It revealed how she has married a
Christian, goes to church and is
expecting her second child with her
husband.
Mr Parvez says copies of the article
were quickly spread maliciously, and
were posted on walls near their house
and through the doors of Muslim homes in
the community.
Mr Parvez says he has received numerous
death threats and has spent hundreds of
pounds installing security cameras
around his house.
He has now stopped going to mosque and
says he may be forced to flee the city
with his wife Shameem Akhtar, 55, three
sons Mohammed, 17, Haider, 28, Gulam,
30, and daughters Muqadas, 26 and
Musarat, 19.
Mr Parvez called the police last week
and officers are investigating the
issue.
Moved away:
Daughter Naseem Akhtar married a
Christian and spoke about her
life in a magazine
'We want it to stop now,' Mr Parvez said
in a direct appeal to the culprits.
'We've had enough of all these bad
things. We're not a bad family and have
done nothing wrong.
'We're being punished for our daughter's
decision. We just want to live our lives
in peace.
'I'm a good religious man. Look at your
own lives before you judge us.
'I know deep in my heart that I am a
good man. God will judge you for what
you've done to us.'
Mr Parvez was born in Pakistan and moved
to Coventry at the age of 10 to join his
family. He later met and married his
Shameem, who is also an albino.
Their six children inherited their
parents' condition, which causes an
absence of pigmentation and partial
sightedness.
Mr Parvez says their condition has meant
they have been subjected to ridicule,
but recent events have made their lives
unbearable.
'I've always had it bad,' Mr Parvez
said. 'I was called names when I went to
school and then when I went to work.
'You get funny looks in the street but
you get used to it.
'We've dealt with discrimination all our
lives. This has made us feel 10 times
worse.'
A Coventry Police spokesman said they
received an allegation from the family
on July 20 and are investigating the
matter.
Mandy Sanghera, a social worker and
Coventry expert in honour violence, is
supporting the family.
She said: 'This family is already
vulnerable because of their condition
and have clearly been affected by honour
violence against them.
'They don't deserve it. They need the
support of the community not to be
alienated by them. I urge those
responsible for doing this to stop.'
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
Annemarie Schimmel Award
for Excellence in Championing a Muslim cause
The Three Faith’s Forum’s
(3FF) innovative Urban Dialogues programme
uses the arts to illuminate complex issues
and generates understanding and meeting
across difference.
The programme has for six
years been commissioning new and exciting
art from a wide range of artists of all
faiths, including Muslims.
Urban Dialogues actively
supports collaborations between artists from
different faith traditions, and it promotes
their work to a wide audience.
Some of the most successful
commissions which Urban Dialogues has
supported have been between Muslim and
Jewish artists.
Muslim women make up over 30%
of audiences and artists engaged in
programme’s ‘Female Voices’ initiative.
Such forums have created
safe-spaces for Muslims and people of other
faiths and none to share their different
points of views.
Q: Dear Kareema, just
wondering if you have any tips on exercise while
travelling with the kids during the upcoming
school holidays?
A: I always try to book at a place which
has outdoor activities like cycling, tennis,
canoeing facilities, etc. available so I know
the kids will be kept busy.
If that’s not possible, be sure to pack a
skipping rope (for the quickest way to get your
heart rate up).
Plan daily walks and head to the
park where you can challenge yourself with
push-ups, dips, walking lunges and use whatever
equipment available for accidental exercise.
Running around on the beach is a great cardio
session and will tone and strengthen your legs,
all while the kids are oblivious to the exercise
factor involved… N-JOY!
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.
When Mula Nasruddin was studying law at the University
of Uzbekistan, his professor, whose last name was
Abramovic, disliked him intensely.
One day, Prof Abramovic was having lunch at the dining
room when Mula Nasruddin came along with his tray and
sat next to the professor.
The professor said, "Mr Mula Nasruddin, you do not
understand, a pig and a bird do not sit together to
eat."
Mula Nasruddin looked at him as a parent would a rude
child and calmly replied, "You do not worry professor,
I'll fly away" and he went and sat at another table.
Prof Abramovic, reddened with rage, decided to take
revenge.
The next day in class he posed the following question:
"Mr Nasruddin, if you were walking down the street and
found a package, and within was a bag of wisdom and
another bag with money, which one would you take?"
Without hesitating, Mula Nasruddin responded "The one
with the money, of course."
Prof Abramovic, smiling sarcastically, said "I, in your
place, would have taken the wisdom"
Mula Nasruddin shrugged and responded "Each one takes
what he doesn't have."
Prof Abramovic, by this time was mad as hell with Mula
Nasruddin. So great was his anger that he wrote on Mula
Nasruddin’s exam sheet the word "idiot" and gave it to
him.
Mula Nasruddin took the exam sheet and sat down at his
desk trying very hard to remain calm while he
contemplated his next move.
A few minutes later, Mula Nasruddin got up, went to the
professor and told him in a dignified polite tone, "Prof
Abramovic, you signed the sheet, but you did not give me
the grade."
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.
.
Assoc
Prof Mohamad
Abdalla was
invited to
present his
views on the
topic of the
radicalization of
Muslim youth
to
Government
officials.
SAUDI
ARABIA: I’m honoured to invite you to my
divorce party.” This is the type of
invitation now being sent out by
increasing numbers of women wanting to
celebrate the end of their marriages.
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011