The Queensland Muslim
Historical Society hosted a
lunch and information
session on Sunday 16 October
at the Holland Park Mosque
with the representatives of
some of the oldest Muslim
families of Queensland,
Amongst them were 3rd, 4th
and 5th generations of Ranes,
Deens, Mekas, Mohammeds,
Goss' and Howsons.
The Queensland Muslim
Historical Society, the only
such Society in the country,
is planning to establish the
Islamic Museum of Queensland
and is inviting anyone with
appropriate artefacts,
photographs or memorabilia
to contact the society on
0435 086 796 or email
qmhsoc@gmail.com.
You can also keep up to date
with the Society's
activities through their
Facebook Page.
The Islamic Council of
Queensland (ICQ) held the
first of its community
discussion series yesterday
(Saturday) evening "to
facilitate and promote
discussion between Muslim
and Non-Muslim Australians
on a community level".
"In an environment of fear,
hostility and
misinformation, ICQ believes
grass-root community
engagement is vital for
members of different
cultural, faith and ethnic
groups to discuss
differences and build
understanding."
Yesterday's forum at the
Brisbane Multicultural
Centre, Woolloongabba, focused on
integration and generated
discussion on the topic by
sharing experiences between
people of radically
different backgrounds, faith
groups, cultures and
nationalities. The
conversation was facilitated
by Ali Kadri.
GOLD Coast Muslim group
which had its plans for a
mosque rejected after
community protests has sold
the site, almost doubling
its money.
The Salsabil Charity
Organisation offloaded the
Currumbin Waters property
for $3.34 million, $1.6
million more than it paid,
after it was told by a court
it could not go ahead and
build a mosque.
The organisation would not
say if it would now start
searching for an alternate
site which could potentially
spark further
demonstrations.
Currumbin Waters have sold
the site on Villiers Drive
for $3.34 million.
Community protests convinced
the Gold Coast City Council
to oppose the Currumbin
Waters proposal.
Salsabil appealed to the
Planning and Environment
Court in Brisbane which
earlier this year upheld the
council decision but it cost
the city a large portion of
its $3 million legal bill
for the period.
Last night a council
spokesman said they were not
aware if another site was
under consideration.
However, Islamic Society of
Gold Coast president Hussin
Goss yesterday said more
mosques were needed for the
city’s increasing Muslim
population.
“Of course we need more
places of worship and, of
course at the end of the day
when the time comes, we will
try to pursue this in the
right areas,” Mr Goss said.
“As the community grows,
more places of worship are
required.”
The Currumbin Waters site in
Villiers Drive was bought by
the Salsabil Charity
Organisation in 2014.
The organisation applied for
a warehouse to be converted
into a place of worship
which sparked 3867
submissions and eight
petitions containing 5511
signatures, as well as
protests outside the
Evandale council chambers.
Salsabil appealed against
the council’s rejection to
the Planning and Environment
Court in Brisbane but lost.
The group which led
opposition to the mosque
proposal, the Currumbin
Residents and Light Industry
Safety Committee, said it
was against the church on
town planning grounds.
It hailed the court’s
decision as a victory for
the Currumbin community.
Attempts to contact Ishrat
Abdool and Benjamin Abdul,
directors of the Salsabil
Charitable Organisation,
were unsuccessful.
Superintendent
Paul Ziebarth passed away
unexpectedly, while
off-duty, on Saturday 15
October. Paul had been
undertaking duties as the
Acting Chief Superintendent,
District Officer, South
Brisbane District, in the
period prior to his death.
Arrangements have now been
made for a funeral service
at which community, friends
and colleagues may join with
Paul’s family to celebrate
his life and acknowledge his
distinguished career.
This service will take place
at 12 noon on Tuesday 25th
October 2016 at the Our Lady
of Graces Catholic Church,
100 Mayfield Rd, Carina.
A/C/Supt Paul Ziebarth was a
community ambassador and
community leaders are
invited to attend and
celebrate his life.
:"National Mosque Open Day
is an annual Australia-wide
event organised by the
Lebanese Muslim Association
and proudly supported by the
Department of Social
Services. The event features
a number of mosques across
the nation simultaneously
opening their doors to the
public and inviting them to
come in and explore their
local mosque.
In 2016, National Mosque
Open Day will be the largest
yet, featuring even more
participating mosques across
the nation, in capital
cities as well as in
regional towns, giving more
Australians than ever the
chance to visit and be
welcomed into their local
mosques.
While mosques are open all
year round, many non-Muslim
Australians are unaware of
this fact and do not take
the opportunity to meet
local Muslims and find
answers to their questions
about Islam. On National
Mosque Open Day, each
participating mosque will
present a unique experience
and flavour, representing
the particular multicultural
make-up of its congregation.
Some mosques will have BBQs,
sweets and food, others
activities for children and
others again will host
special exhibitions. Many
mosques will combine all of
these elements. Common to
all mosques, however, will
be an open and welcoming
attitude and the opportunity
to ask questions of
religious elders and seek
answers to questions."
The
Muslim Charity Foundation
supports families to help
cater for their special
needs. Below is young Judy’s
story and how MCF has helped
her family in purchasing a
car to support Judy’s
special needs.
Judy was born on the 24th of
November in 2011. Only 2
weeks after her birth, she
fell very ill and was in an
unstable condition. Judy was
forced to have a surgery for
a Stoma (a small opening on
the surface of the abdomen
to divert the flow of faeces
and/ or urine). The
operation was successful for
a while. Unfortunately, 3
years later she had to go
back to the hospital. The
doctors came to a conclusion
that she didn’t need the
Stoma and so they decided to
remove it. She spent about a
month in hospital
recovering.
After spending a long period
of time in the hospital, she
was finally sent back home
to her family. Not long
after, she began feeling
sick. She started vomiting,
not eating properly,
constantly crying, and not
getting enough sleep. It was
getting worse by the day. In
May 2016 she became very ill
once again. By June, her
sodium levels dropped so low
causing her severe brain
damage (a result of not
enough fluids going to the
brain). Judy was again
admitted to hospital and the
doctors decided to put a
Stoma bag back on.
Judy
cannot eat normal food from
her mouth anymore, she has
lost the power to control
the muscles that allows one
to chew. Now she gets fed
through her nose. She is
also unable to walk. As a
result, Judy is solely
dependent on her parents.
The family are struggling
financially. They need to
buy a car that caters for
Judy’s special needs.
The family are ever so
grateful for any help given.
They have no expectations of
buying a new vehicle. All
they want is a reliable
vehicle in good condition.
In the true Islamic spirit
they accepted what Allah has
given them and sincerely
appreciate the generosity of
those they have not met.
MCF has been assisting this
family financially and
agreed to support them if
they find a suitable
vehicle. Fortunately, they
did find a second hand
vehicle for under $30,000.
Some money was raised by a
Go Fund Me Campaign.
MCF had no hesitation to
provide the balance needed
to purchase the vehicle.
Al-Mustapha Institute of
Brisbane has launched a
fundraising campaign for the
building of an Islamic
Cultural and Educational
Centre. The land is owned
and Logan City Council have
approved this development.
The building will include
facilities and cater for
community needs including:
• A Masjid
• Higher level Islamic
educational courses
• Auditorium & Community
Hall
• Islamic Library
• Youth Guidance &
Leadership Programs
• Domestic Violence
Assistance & Counseling
• Couching & Mentoring
Services
• New Muslims Programs
• Spiritual Guidance &
Counseling
Mr Jihad Dib MP, member for
Lakemba and currently the
Shadow Minister for
Education for NSW says that
the drive to increase
academic standards should
never be at the expense of
shaping strong, well rounded
and responsible students
with strong values and
morals.
He was a speaking on the
topic “Building community
through schools” at the
Morning Conversation, a
breakfast session on
Wednesday 19 October
organised by Affinity
Intercultural Foundation at
their Sydney City offices.
Part of a regular Affinity
Talk Series, the event was
held in the form of a Q&A
session facilitated by Anton
Enus, co-host of the SBS
World News, who also
introduced Jihad Dib.
With an early morning 7.30
am start and a lavish
breakfast spread, the event
was attended by a full house
of registered guests
including educationists,
school principals and
teachers, academics,
interfaith and community
leaders and students.
Anton Enus gave a background
of Jihad Dib from a migrant
background, having born in
Lebanon and arriving in
Australia at the age of 2
and his long experience as a
teacher starting from
Ulladulla High School and
finally Principal of the
Punchbowl Boys High School.
He said that Jihad was the
first Muslim to be elected
to the Lower House of the
NSW Parliament.
During the conversation,
speaking from his heart,
Jihad in a humble and
friendly manner expressed
his enthusiasm for giving
back to the community,
firstly by transforming the
Punchbowl Boys High School
and now serving the people
of Lakemba by representing
them.
How the Garden
City Mosque will look upon
completion of the expansion.
The Toowoomba Regional
Council will be asked by the
Islamic Society of Toowoomba
to remove restrictions that
limit the number of people
who can worship at the
Garden City Mosque.
Council recently approved an
expansion at the mosque
which included a number of
conditions.
The key point which the
city's Muslims take issue
with is the clause: "no more
than 50 worshippers will be
allowed at all sessions
apart from the noon Friday
session where 150 can
attend".
Founding president of the
Islamic Society of Toowoomba
professor Shahjahan Khan
confirmed a request would be
made to council to amend the
conditions.
Prof Khan said the
conditions were
"unprecedented, unrealistic
and unnecessary", and seems
to be contradictory to the
whole point of allowing
expanded prayer areas and
significantly increasing the
number of on-site car
parking places.
"We believe no restrictions
on the number of worshippers
is appropriate," he said.
"If you allow to develop a
facility that could fit, for
example, 300 people and then
restrict the user number to
only 100, what is the point
of allowing the extension?
"When worshippers come to a
place of worship the
spiritual leader could not
send them back as there is a
restriction on the number of
attendees when there is
ample empty space inside the
prayer hall.
"The only reason that I
could think of behind this
restriction is the
unsupported concern of the
neighbours.
"However, by now everyone
knows that we are very aware
of the rights of our
neighbours and have been
proactive on this area even
before we started this
mosque.
"We have regular meeting and
eating with neighbours and
community leaders at the
mosque.
"There are no problems with
the neighbours at all as we
have adequately addressed
their issues to remain good
neighbours driven by the
teachings of our religion.
"We are pleased to note that
we have seen our good
neighbours publicly
supporting the mosque since
its inception, and there
were neighbours who have
even made submissions to the
council supporting the
mosque extension project.
"We are very grateful and
thankful to the neighbours
and wider community for
their understanding and
engagement over the years
for mutual benefit."
The council had been
planning to restrict the
hours at which worshippers
could pray, but at the last
minute a change of heart
removed those conditions.
Prof Khan thanked the
region's councillors for
their understanding of the
requirement of the daily
prayer time schedule.
"This will allow worshippers
to pray at the mosque during
the summer when the sun
rises much earlier than that
in the winter.
"The daily five-time prayers
are tied to the position of
the sun on the day, and
hence it varies
significantly in summer and
winter," he said.
"I want to emphasise the
fact that the whole
re-building process was
triggered by the second
arson attack on the mosque
property that severely
burned the old building and
everything inside it. We had
no intention of any
extension of the mosque
building before it was
burned," he said.
"Since we were forced to
rebuild the burned building,
we thought it would be
appropriate to incorporate
some essential facilities
essential to be a proper
mosque with small extension.
"The proposed extension is
mainly to fit in the women
worshippers and set up
toilets and washing areas
which will replace the
existing unimpressive
demountable facility.
"Due to a drop in the number
of middle eastern Muslim
students at the University,
there are now less number of
worshippers in the mosque
now than it were two years
ago. As a result, there are
less number of worshippers
and fewer number of cars at
the mosques these days.
"Let's hope that common
sense will prevail and our
Garden City will remain
diverse and welcoming, and
maintain its reputation of a
city of peace and harmony
where everyone lives with
mutual care, respect and
dignity."
He graduated from his honours
degree in finance last year, but Abdullahi
Alim has already co-founded an innovation
lab to solve issues of contemporary concern.
Abdullahi came to Australia as a Somali
refugee at the age of five.
At 23, he is pursuing studies
through Stanford University. Now, through
the Lighthouse Strategy, Abdullahi runs
‘hackathons’ – fast-paced and intense
exercises that bring bright young innovators
together to develop solutions to global
challenges.
Abdullahi’s approach has
attracted partners from the Australian
Government to Google and the US Department
of State. For example, MYHACK, an
anti-extremism hackathon he coordinates, has
seen young Australians create cutting-edge
digital solutions to undermine the influence
and pervasive appeal of violent extremist
propaganda.
Abdullahi’s goal is to create
hubs or ‘lighthouses’ around the world to
promote social impact and youth
entrepreneurship. He’s set his sights on
innovation challenges to empower more young
Australians to solve international issues
including the global refugee crisis and
Indigenous disadvantage in the West.
State Finalist Senior
Australian of the Year 2017
Nouha Jaber (SA) Community volunteer
A stalwart of Adelaide’s
Arabic-speaking communities, Nouha Jaber has
devoted her life to helping others. A member
of the Lebanese Community Advisory Centre
for nearly three decades and its current
chair, Nouha has helped countless
Arabic-speaking refugees learn English and
find work.
She visits frail elderly
people in their homes, arranges daytrips for
seniors, supports people with disabilities
and organises retreats for their carers.
Nouha is a friendly face in a courtroom, or
a reliable pair of hands at social
gatherings. She coordinates soccer camps for
young people, runs information sessions for
the Migrant Resource Centre, and applies
innovative thinking to gain grants to expand
services within the community.
Her latest project to promote
multiculturalism was the ‘global village’
held as part of Adelaide’s Summer Splash
festival in 2016, which celebrated the
cultural heritage and cuisine of Australia’s
migrant communities. Committed to promoting
unity, Nouha fosters awareness of the
challenges facing Arabic-speaking people,
and the benefits of their positive
participation in the Australian community.
ALCHEMY OF WELLBEING
A 2-DAY COUNSEL ON THE
ETHICAL & SPIRITUAL
WELLBEING OF:
BODY & MIND | HEART & SOUL
1. OVERVIEW
A healthy individual is more
than a healthy body. The
human wellbeing is found in
the purposeful and positive
interconnectedness of the
physical, intellectual and
spiritual realities that
form the human. An imbalance
in any one of them manifests
in what we know as diseases
of the body (biological
illnesses), mind (mental
conditions) and soul
(spiritual diseases). The
body, mind and the should
are interconnected, such
that the health of each
faculty is necessary for the
wellbeing of the human
being, in order for it to be
open to its fullest
potential.
This 2-day seminar on the
Alchemy of Wellbeing will
provide the Seeker of
knowledge practical counsel
on the:
- Ethics and
spirituality of food, as
the primary basis for
overall health and
wellbeing;
- Prophetic methods to
nourish the body, mind
and soul for the full
potential to live a
spiritually virtuous
life;
- Naturopathic model for
holistic health and
healing;
- Utilisation of
Traditional Healing and
introducing Traditional
Chinese Medicine.
Two teachers will provide
insights into our
biological, mental and
spiritual faculties, and how
to pursue a life of
wellbeing in our daily
lives:
- Imam Afroz Ali
Imam Afroz Ali is the
President as well as the
scholar in-residence at
Al-Ghazzali Centre. His
teachings in the
sciences of law,
theology and
spirituality provides a
balanced and holistic
pathway for spiritually
virtuous living. - Ustadha Angela
Rodgers
Angela Rodgers, who
comes from a Chinese
heritage, is an avid
student of the Sacred
Sciences under the
tutelage of Imam Afroz
Ali, and is completing
her practising
certification in
Traditional Chinese
Medicine. She is
currently also
completing studies in
Theology and Hanafi Fiqh
at Al-Ghazzali Centre.
2. COURSE OUTLINE
The program will:
- Provide a detailed
analysis and advice on the
importance of organic and
ethical eating, as well as
how to progressively
transition towards spiritual
eating;
- Highlight ethical concerns
as well as spiritual
corruption in the food
production industry and what
to avoid for overall
wellbeing;
- Explain the disadvantages
of allopathic medicinal
intervention and why a more
holistic treatment,
including osteopathic and
homeopathic healing, is
necessary to overall
wellbeing;
- Provide details of
naturopathic and traditional
healing, as well as ways to
attain holistic health for
overall wellbeing;
- Explain the nature of
spiritual diseases and their
connection to physical and
intellectual imbalance, and
ways to counter these
imbalances towards a
transformed life of virtuous
living.
Date: 5th - 6th November,
2016
Time: 10am - 5pm both days
(registration opens at
9.30am)
Address: Multi-Faith Centre,
Building N35, Griffith
University, 170 Kessels Rd,
Nathan QLD
Parking: Free parking
available on campus and in
Carpark (Building N38)
Our courses are 100% FREE
through your generosity and
due to our team of
Volunteers.
Register here.
Cultural
Appropriate Care (CAC) has
received the Carer Friendly
Business Award 2016 from
Carers Queensland.
CAC has been established by
experts in the community
services sector to provide
flexible, culturally
appropriate care to people
living in the community.
CAC provides experienced
care workers to support
clients with their everyday
physical and social needs so
that people can remain in
their own homes.
CAC specialises in providing
Consumer Directed Care (CDC)
and works with families and
carers to achieve optimal
outcomes for clients. CAC is
committed to providing care
workers who are culturally
aware and sensitive.
CAC provides its services
direct to CAC clients or to
other service providers.
Crowds gather
at Casey council for the April
mosque decision.
VICTORIA: Local council
elections have traditionally
revolved around the three Rs:
rates, roads and rubbish.
But for Casey Council, a
rapidly expanding and
multicultural municipality
in Melbourne's south-east, a
new R appears to be taking
centre stage: religion.
It came to a head in April.
With police officers
stationed at the door, a ban
on public questions and
photographs, the air rippled
with tension at Narre
Warren's council chamber the
night the mosque was
rejected.
What was supposed to be a
straightforward planning
matter had become so much
bigger.
More than 1000 objections to
the mosque had been
received. The council
chamber was so full that
dozens of residents and
anti-racism protesters had
to wait outside.
Inside the chamber, the
mosque's proponents, the
Saarban Islamic Trust, were
not given time to speak. But
the mayor, Sam Aziz, used
his address to slam the
group.
Cr Aziz told the group that
their response to a planning
report on the mosque was
unacceptable and the group
had not endeared themselves
to anyone.
"For you to claim that you
are now shocked by the
content of the planning
report, is either at best
mischievous or at worst
malicious – either way it is
unacceptable," Cr Aziz said.
The mayor said the council
would fight any appeal to
its decision to reject the
mosque with "every resource
required".
Afterwards, as those who
managed to get a seat filed
out of the chamber, Cr Aziz
tried to get police to move
them away.
"I now ask police to remove
people from the public
gallery please," he said, as
the protesters chanted "the
mosque is welcome, racists
are not".
For Casey Council, elections
are no longer just about
rates, roads or rubbish.
Religion is also taking
centre stage.
Key councillors with strong
anti-Islamic links are
seeking another term and
questions remain about the
way the mosque application
for Narre Warren North's
green wedge zone was
handled.
James Randall, a Muslim
convert and Islamic Research
and Educational Academy
spokesman, said while there
were good planning reasons
to reject the mosque, he
worried about the "air of
complete hostility" towards
the Muslim community.
"I have never heard of a
council ever saying they
would dedicate all council
resources to try and
reinforce their decision,"
he said. "That is beyond
bad."
One councillor, Rosalie
Crestani, was a Senate
candidate for the hard-right
Rise Up Australia Party. She
believes Australia should
ban Muslim immigration,
except for cases of family
reunion.
Cr Crestani's 2016 council
election platform includes
"concerns around Islamic
Sharia Law". If re-elected
she wants to ban the council
from buying Halal food.
"I'll be requesting that all
food that Casey purchases
with ratepayers' money
should not have an Islamic
tax associated with it," she
said.
Cr Crestani said she hoped
to become Casey's new mayor,
putting to one side her
opposition to Islam to
represent the region's
14,000-plus Muslims.
"I want all the Muslims to
know that I would like to
represent them, so much as
that they have the right to
live in safety and peace,
and abide by Australian
law," she said.
In early 2013, Casey council
approved an Afghan mosque in
suburban Doveton, next to a
planned church of
evangelical Pastor Danny
Nalliah, who has described
Islam as a "death cult".
In the lead-up to the vote,
Cr Aziz, then deputy mayor,
filed a motion asking Pastor
Nalliah to address the
council on his views,
specifically the dangers of
"indoctrinated religious
intolerance" to democratic
societies.
Cr Aziz, a Christian of
Egyptian background, also
reportedly sought to impose
a special planning
condition, requiring that
the mosque not "preach
hatred from the pulpits".
Although he said he voted
based on planning issues
alone, Cr Aziz has aligned
himself with the "Stop the
Mosque in Narre Warren"
group, which rallies against
the "Islamisation" of
Australia.
He has posted on its
Facebook page thanking his
"friends" for their support,
following a story in Fairfax
Media where he accused local
doctor Belal Haniffa, who
joined the "Casey Against
Racism" Facebook page, of
dressing up "to look like a
terrorist in his spare
time". Dr Haniffa's profile
picture was taken on a
hunting trip.
Last week, Cr Aziz, when
asked if he would he approve
a mosqueif it ticked all the
planning requirements, said:
"I will vote for places of
worship according to their
planning merits."
When asked if he said that
meant he would grant
approval for a mosque, Cr
Aziz repeated the answer: "I
will vote for places of
worship according to their
planning merits."
One of the key reasons Casey
council gave for the
rejection of the Narre
Warren North mosque in April
was an "objection" by
VicRoads to the plan.
However, VicRoads disputes
that account.
VicRoads' metro south east
regional director Aidan
McGann said that while the
mosque proposal did need
work around access, the road
authority had been willing
to work through the issues
with the applicant. At the
same time, the mosque was
shot down at council.
Mr McGann said it was
disingenuous to suggest
VicRoads' objection to the
mosque's initial access plan
gave the council no choice
but to reject the whole
proposal.
"We are upset that
impression has been
attributed to VicRoads," he
said.
Mr McGann said that with
safe access, the site could
accommodate a mosque for 150
to 200 people (the original
plan was for 470 people).
The Saarban Islamic Trust
has recently hired a new
architect to work on a new
design for its site at
365-367 Belgrave-Hallam
Road.
"I think the trust could go
for a different approach
with the design – one that
is more Australian and a bit
more pastoral in its
outlook," said Mr Randall,
of the Islamic Research and
Educational Academy.
Concern around a "crime
wave" of home invasions and
burglaries recently prompted
Casey council to call for
laws requiring dual
nationals jailed for gang
violence to be deported.
At the same time, the Muslim
community is reporting a
rise in Islamophobic
attacks, including women
having their hijabs pulled
off and being run off the
road.
This week the City of Casey
has refused to answer any
questions put by Fairfax
Media, despite repeated
attempts to seek comment.
Alhamdulillah, we are well
in progress of building the
mosque, however with the
shortage of cash we are in
desperate need of additional
funding to complete the
building. We think this
would be a wonderful
opportunity for people to
contribute to an amazing
need in the Gold Coast, and
a historical moment. There
will be a gourmet barbecue
during this event to
everyone who attends
inshallah.
Bassem think’s he’s found a
quick fix for our nation’s
immigration problem: Stop making
yourself look so enticing to the
rest of the world, and take a
cue from Flint, Michigan, where
the water crisis will help keep
away those pesky immigrants.
In recent years, Islam has
been thrust into world
spotlight for a number of
reasons – starting with 9/11
and ISIS to anti-refugee
sentiments in Europe and a
certain US Presidential
candidate’s anti-Muslim
campaigns. In this
hullabaloo, we have
forgotten that some of the
coolest famous people we
look up to – from Muhammad
Ali to Zayn Malik and Aziz
Ansari – are all Muslims.
Would you believe it if we
told you there were many
more Muslims in the celeb
world?
This week's celebrity
Mike Tyson
Boxing legend Mike Tyson
converted to Islam during
his three-year stint in
prison for rape. He has said
that his faith is an
important part of his life.
Though he may not be
strictly devout in every
sense of the word, Mike has
been to Mecca and wedded the
daughter of a Muslim cleric.
He had a tough and rather
lonely childhood, which may
have influenced his
tempestuous behaviour as an
adult. Looks like his
religion has made the boxer
and occasional actor calmer
and less aggressive.
An engaging conversation
between a Christian Pastor
and a Muslim Imam, "Out of
Context" is a 14 part
Interview series answers
pressing questions about
Islam and gives valuable
insight into the spirit of
the faith.
In Part 4 of the with
Dallas-based Pastor Mike
Baughman, Imam Omar Suleiman
answers a question in the
mind of many people in the
West who have become
conflicted about their
Muslim minorities: Can you
be a Muslim and a patriot?
Can the allegiances of a
Muslim in a non-Muslim
country sit side by side?
Can you be a practicing
Muslim and an American,
British or French citizen?
Suleiman explains that this
notion that our religion
teaches us that we cannot be
good patriotic Muslims in a
non-Muslim land is
completely false. In fact we
are urged to reside
peacefully alongside
non-Muslims. In many of
Prophet Muhammad’s authentic
narrations, he urges his
followers not to fight, to
look for peace. The concept
of patriotism and being a
good citizen was emphasized
in the earliest phases of
Islam when 100 Muslims
sought asylum in Abyssinia,
a majority Christian land,
and functioned seamlessly
within the society. It is
fully in accordance with the
Muslim faith that we should
love our country and become
people of great reformation
and bring great good.
Prophet Muhammad laid so
much stress on loving and
honouring our neighbours to
the extent that it was
thought that inheritance
would be assigned to them.
We are taught to be
outstanding citizens, not
because this is good PR, but
because we are practicing
Muslims, and hence good
human beings.
Primary
School Teacher needed
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL
ISLAMIC COLLEGE
We are
looking for an experienced
primary school teacher for
the start of the new school
year, January 2017 for our
BURANDA CAMPUS
A teacher with early
childhood experience will be
of an advantage.
If you are an experienced
primary school teacher,
interested in the position,
please contact us
immediately.
WHAT WE NEED
FROM YOU!
• Excellent communication
skills
• Well-developed classroom
management skills
• A passion to enrich
childrens learning
• Enthusiasm
Mr Ahmed
Azhari
Administration Manager
Australian International
Islamic College
PH: 0432539942
Email:
ahmed.azhari@aiic.qld.edu.au
Have you seen Benji?
Persian Cross with mid grey
top coat and lighter
grey/off white bottom coat.
Large round green/hazel eyes
with a fairly flat facial
profile, though not fully
flat as he is a Persian
cross.
Normally will respond to the
name Benjamin or Benji and
the sound of cat food
rustling in a food pouch or
container. Very weary/scared
of unknown people so may not
approach you unless food is
offered.
Please call Mohammed on
0422235113 if found or
sighted.
This trend of
young Muslim
girls wearing
the hijab is
disturbing
By Baher Ibrahim
Little girls
are being taught
to view
themselves as
sexual objects
that must be
covered up from
an early age
Anyone walking
on the streets
of Egypt will
notice a
phenomenon that
wasn't so
evident only a
year ago: the
increasing
numbers of
little girls
(and by
"little", I mean
as young as
eight years old
in some cases)
wearing
headscarves and
abayas. While
this sight was
previously
confined to
third-class
trains and rural
areas, it has
now become
increasingly
common in cities
and among
well-to-do
families.
In general, the
age at which
Muslim girls in
Egypt begin to
wear the scarf
has dropped.
Back when I was
in high school,
very few female
students wore
headscarves.
Today, my
younger brother
(who is 15)
tells me that
almost all the
girls in his
middle school
wear a scarf. It
hasn't stopped
there either,
having caught on
in primary
schools.
The very sight
of a little girl
in a scarf is
both disturbing
and confusing.
Adult Muslim
women are
expected to
dress modestly
so that men
outside the
family cannot
see their
bodies. But what
is the point of
a child or
pre-pubescent
girl wearing a
hijab? It hints
at what may be a
disturbed (one
is tempted to
say diseased)
concept of
sexuality in the
mind of the
father who
thinks his
little girl
should be
covered up. What
exactly is
tempting about
the body of an
eight-year-old
that needs to be
covered?
A Muslim mother in Sydney
fears her grandchildren will
end up in a concentration
camp. A Victorian father
won't tell his football team
he is Muslim so he doesn't
have to explain himself. To
be Muslim is to be judged
for everything you do, says
a Brisbane woman. An
international student living
in Melbourne says she feels
segregated in class.
What is it to be Muslim in
Australia today?
Fairfax Media asked readers
who are Muslim to speak of
their experiences and how
they explain extremism and
Islamophobia to their
children. Dozens of people
responded.
CCN publishes one response
each week:
"We are as Australian
as any white person"
Ataman Atlas, 48,
Melbourne, Turkish
My children come home with
stories of discrimination
regularly. They have learnt
from a very young age that
"we" are different to the
wider Australian community
and that they are classed as
"not" Australian. I explain
to my children that we are
as Australian as any other
white person. But I tell
them it is white non-Muslim
Australia that focuses on
our differences rather than
our similarities. I tell
them that anti-mosque
protests are run by hateful,
ignorant bigots who have no
understanding of Islam and
in all likelihood have never
met a Muslim person in their
lives. I talk to them about
extremism and terrorism
simply as power politics.
That is, that certain
individuals hide behind
either faith or politics in
order to gain control of
resources and power. That
somebody's terrorist may
well be another person's
freedom fighter. The most
important thing is to make
sure justice is given to
all, that the point where
justice ends is the point
where chaos begins. At the
end of the day terrorists
and extremists are not
created in a vacuum. They
are the product of
something. In most cases
they are the product of
underprivileged, oppressed
people denied justice.
24 of the
Most Influential Black
Muslims in History
22.
Malcolm X (1925–1965)
Malcolm X, also known as
El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz,
was an African-American
Muslim revolutionary, public
speaker and civil rights
activist. As a prominent
figure in the Nation of
Islam, Malcolm X articulated
concepts of race pride and
Black nationalism in the
1950s and ’60s and continues
to exercise a huge influence
on Black people until this
day.
NEXT WEEK IN CCN: 23.
Louis Farrakhan Muhammad Sr.
(b. May 11, 1933)
SAUDI ARABIA: Californian
internet personality Christina Crockett
struck up an unlikely friendship with
Saudi Arabian teenager Abu Sin when they
met by chance on a video chat site.
Although they understood little of what
the other was saying, videos of their
attempts to communicate became an
internet hit. But the Saudi authorities
were less than impressed and now Abu Sin
could face years behind bars.
New anti-Trump
billboard appears on I-94 — in Arabic
US: A Dearborn billboard
written in Arabic subtly accuses Donald
Trump of racism and xenophobia.
The billboard can be seen on westbound
I-94 near near exit 210B, for Addison
Avenue and Ford Road. In other words,
it’s there as a treat for motorists
entering Dearborn, many of whom, of
course, can read the Arabic. In fact,
the press release we received says the
billboard “targets Arabic-speaking
voters in the Detroit area and
encourages others, who don't speak
Arabic but are curious about its
message, to ask a friend what it says.”
What does it say? It simply says,
"Donald Trump: He can't read this, but
he is afraid of it."
Hijab-wearing
Taekwondo champion divides opinion in Turkey
Kubra Dagli won gold with
a teammate in the Poomsae category at
the World Taekwondo Championships in
Lima, Peru earlier this month
Kubra Dagli of
Istanbul won gold for Turkey in
an event at the Taekwondo World
Championships earlier this month
TURKEY: A Taekwondo
champion from Turkey has sparked a
national conversation by challenging
stereotypes about women and sport by
competing wearing a headscarf.
20-year-old Kubra Dagli, from Istanbul,
has been praised for winning a gold
medal at the recent World Championships
in Lima, Peru, but her clothing choices
have managed to eclipse her athletic
success.
Both secular and religious elements of
Turkish society have strong opinions on
Ms Dagli’s position as a sporting role
model. As al-Monitor points out, the
hijab was frowned upon during modern
Turkey’s founding as a secular state,
and to many, is seen as a sign of
‘backwardness.’
While the conservative-leaning media has
mostly praised Ms Dagli’s achievements
in showing that “headscarves are not a
hindrance,” she has still been pilloried
by ultra conservative commentators on
social media.
Muslim blogger
launches range of hijabs to suit all skin
tones
"I wanted something for
everyone: men and women from every
background"
A Muslim blogger
has designed a line of inclusive hijabs
in an attempt to break the trend for
lighter skinned model casting.
According to the Fashion Week Diversity
Report, the Spring Summer 2017 shows
were some of the most diverse yet with
more than 25.4 per cent of the models
being non-white, but many - including
Habiba Da Silva - believe more should be
done.
She is upping the ante with her new line
of hijabs, saying she wanted to create
clothing for people from all different
backgrounds.
She wrote: “[This] was inspired by many
things. Firstly for my passion for
cultures and traditions, secondly to
break up the trend of having brands with
clothing dressed on only lighter skinned
models. I wanted something for everyone:
men, women; from every background.”
The range consists of
four nude tone designs, which are named
using words relating to marriage in
different languages. The darkest color
is called “Aure,” the Hausa word for
marriage, followed by “Aroosadda,” which
is Somali for “bride”; “Rukhasti,” which
means “sending off” in Urdu, and the
lightest shade “Zaffeh,” which is Arabic
for “wedding march".
Giant 'pilgrim
planes' could be answer to unwanted Airbus
superjumbos
Malaysian Airlines is
looking at a new role for its A380s
flying pilgrims to Mecca
MALAYSIA: Giant Airbus
“superjumbos” that many airlines are
struggling to fill with passengers on
conventional routes could be turned into
“pilgrimage planes” for Muslims visiting
Mecca.
Malaysia Airlines is in talks with
Airbus about converting its fleet of
A380s to each carry 700 passengers on
dedicated flights to service demand for
the Islamic pilgrimage to the Saudi
Arabian holy city.
The carrier’s plans would see the number
of seats in the aircraft increased from
the current 550, and the installation of
baths to allow pilgrims to prepare
themselves for the visit, along with
prayer facilities.
Malaysia Airlines has six A380s but
believes the market is strong enough to
sustain up to 20 of the jets taking
pilgrims from around the world to Mecca.
It is thought that Saudi Arabia is set
to ban aircraft older than 20 years
flying in its airspace, opening up
opportunities for the A380.
Q: Dear
Kareema, I am a stay at home mum and find that
in between nappy changes there’s not much time
for myself. What can I do to feel more
energised?
A: With the warmer weather approaching, I
suggest you get out and walk, walk, walk…
Remember that
consistency is key. So find a time throughout
the day that suits and take the kids out for a
walk to the park or just out to enjoy the fresh
air. Not only will they enjoy it but you’ll feel
better and more energised as the weeks go by.
Try a 10-min mini
workout whenever possible – do exercises using
your own bodyweight to challenge and strengthen
the muscles. Change it up every other day and
play some games with the kids in the backyard.
The more you move,
the better you’ll feel.
The body uses food as fuel. So introduce a
healthy diet to help with energy levels. N-JOY!
1. All Islamic Event dates given above are supplied by
the Council of Imams QLD (CIQ) and are provided as a guide and 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.
Nuria Khataam
Date: Every last Wednesday of the month
Time: After Esha Salaat
Venue: Algester Mosque
Contact: Yahya
Ph: 0403338040
Sisters Support Services - On going
Activities
Tafsir
Class
– By Umm Bilal. Held every Tuesday at 10am -
Kuraby area
Halaqah –
By Um Bilal. Held every Thursday &
Saturday at 10am
( Saturdays at Runcorn location)
Arabic classes
– Taught by Umm Bilal Wednesdays 1 – 2pm
Kuraby Masjid
Tuesdays 1 – 2pm
Kuraby area (after Tafsir Class)
Sisters Support Social Group -
1stWednesday of every
Month - Kuraby Location
YOUTH GROUP-
- Muslimah Girls Youth Group
for 10+ Girls
School Holiday Activites
- Contact : Aliyah 0438840467
Amir Boys Club
for Primary School Boys – MONTHLY & HOLIDAY ACTIVITES
Contact : Farah
0432026375
We also run a volunteers group to assist
Muslim women with food rosters and home visits for sisters
who need support or are isolated. We refer Sisters in need
for counselling, accommodation, financial assistance and
other relevant services.
To join our volunteer group or for any other
details for activates please call the numbers below…
Aliyah : 0438840467
Khadijah: 0449268375
Farah: 0432026375 Iman
: 0449610386
Al-Mustapha
Institute of
Brisbane
39 Bushmills Court, Hillcrest Qld 4118
• Zikr - every Thursday
7pm, families welcome
• Hifz, Quran Reading & Madressa - Wednesday & Friday
4:30 - 6:30pm, brothers, sisters and children
• New Muslims Program - last Thursday of every month,
6:30 - 8:30pm
• Salawat Majlis - first Saturday of every month.
Starting at Mughrib, families welcome
• Islamic Studies - one year course, Saturday 10:00 -
2:00 pm, brothers and sisters
• Ilm-e-Deen, Alims Degree Course - Three full-time and
part-time nationally accredited courses, brothers
Quran Reading Class For Ladies (Beginners
or Advanced)
Every Saturday 2 - 4pm
Lady Teacher
On Going Activities
1. Daily Hadeeth reading From Riyadusaliheen,
After Fajar and after esha .
2. After school Madrassah for children Mon-Thu 5pm to 7pm
3. Adult Quran classes (Males) Monday and
Tuesday after esha for an hour.
4. Community engagement program every second Saturday of the
Month, interstate and overseas speakers, starts after
margib, Dinner served after esha, First program begins on
the 15 August.
5. Monthly Qiyamulail program every 1st
Friday of the month starts after esha.
6. Fortnight Sunday Breakfast program. After Fajar, short
Tafseer followed by breakfast.
7. Weekly Tafseer by Imam Uzair after esha followed by
dinner. Starts from 26 August.
For all activities, besides Adult Quran,
classes sisters and children are welcome.
For further info call the Secretary on
0413669987
Click on images to enlarge
IPDC
Lutwyche Mosque
Weekly classes with Imam Yahya
Monday: Junior Class
Tuesday: Junior Arabic
Friday: Adult Quran Class
For more information call 0470 671 109
Holland Park Mosque
Queensland Police Service/Muslim Community
Consultative Group
Next Meeting
Time: 7pm Date: MONDAY 24 OCTOBER Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane - 45 Acacia Road
Karawatha
Guest speaker - Dr Tim Soutphommasane
- Australia’s Race Discrimination Commissioner.
Articles and
opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the CCN Team, 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 CCN
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 us..
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.
Births, Marriages,
New Migrants and
Condolences
Superintendent
Paul Ziebarth passed away
unexpectedly, while
off-duty, on Saturday 15
October. Paul had been
undertaking duties as the
Acting Chief Superintendent,
District Officer, South
Brisbane District, in the
period prior to his death.
The
Muslim Charity Foundation
supports families to help
cater for their special
needs. Below is young Judy’s
story and how MCF has helped
her family in purchasing a
car to support Judy’s
special needs.
Judy
cannot eat normal food from
her mouth anymore, she has
lost the power to control
the muscles that allows one
to chew. Now she gets fed
through her nose. She is
also unable to walk. As a
result, Judy is solely
dependent on her parents.
Cultural
Appropriate Care (CAC) has
received the Carer Friendly
Business Award 2016 from
Carers Queensland. 
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7
August 2011