Amanah Institute's 3rd
Annual Jalsa took place on
Saturday, 24 November at
Runcorn State High School.
A beautiful afternoon was
held by all of the students
who showcased their singing
and memorisations talents.
Grades Prep to Grade 3
students mesmerised
audiences with their
beautiful renditions of the
nasheeds Bismillah and
Zain Bhikas Allah Created
Everything.
Senior students presented a
group poem titled Going to
the Madrassah reflecting on
the ilm (knowledge ) that
they have gained.
Master of Ceremonies and
ex-Grade 5 Mualim Brother
Riyad Rahimullah presented a
streamlined program, adding
anecdotes of the many topics
and themes that were covered
over the course of the year.
Religious Leader and Applied
Islam teacher, Imam Ahmed
Naffa, opened the Jalsa with
a beautiful Quran
recitation with senior
students Yaseen Tilly
providing the translation
and Najmah Dean reciting the
Acknowledgement of Country.
Principal and Education
Leader Sister Soraya
Bulbulia highlighted that
she, together with previous
Principals and Imams, though
from varied skilled and
education backgrounds, have
all had one simple niyyah
(intention) in mind and that
was to be the driving and
guiding force to educating
children in the community
about their deen. While this
role has been and will
always be challenging, she
encouraged parents to
support their children at
home but also equate and
place importance on both a
childs formal and religious
education. She ended her
speech with a poem entitled
I see you stating that in
a childs schooling year,
parents should not look for
the big achievements but
instead the small ones, as
they are the talking points
in a childs life.
Imam Ahmed Naffa explained
the significance of the
Applied Islam classes,
catered to high school
students and previously
designed and taught by Dr
Muhammad Abdalla. He
reflected on the first
module All about you which
gave students an
understanding of the term
Culture and how Islam is
flexible and inclusive in
terms of harmonizing with
many healthy cultural
practices, while the second
What is this thing called
Shariah? focused on the
sources of Islamic
legislation such as the
Quran, Sunnah, Ijmaa and
Qiyas, etc and how Sharia is
relevant to ones life.
Four students of the Applied
Islam classes presented
their reflections about the
modules and how this
affected their initial
understanding of the topic.
Kuraby Mosque Trustee
Representative, Sister
Farzanah Ally, reiterated
the need for parents,
engagement and volunteering
at the Madrassah and
ultimately forming a
partnership with Amanah
Institute as the children
will be the greatest
recipients of the unique
theme-based curriculum.
Other Jalsa highlights were
the Amanah Awards,viz, the
Ilm Award, the Adaab Award
and the Quran Award.
Key awards were the
Leadership and Amanah
Awards, with the Leadership
criteria identifying
students who demonstrated
outstanding servant
leadership and the Amanah
criteria looking for
students who best fulfilled
the Amanah upon their
learning and the vision of
the Madrassah.
Imam Naffa closed the
graduation ceremony with a
dua, whereupon students and
families were treated to
sumptuous cupcakes,
generously baked and donated
by the dedicated ladies in
the community.
Amanah Award
recipients
Grades 1-3
Grades 4 to 7 -
perform a group poem
Ilm Award recipients
Leadership Award
recipients
Qur'an Award
recipients
Imam Ahmed Naffa
Adaab Award
recipients
Preps
Principal Sr Soraya
Bulbulia & MC Riyad
Rahimullah
The Muslim Charitable
Foundation cooks up monster
curries to help feed people
An unusual grouping of
Christians, Muslims, doctors
and award-winning laundromat
operators are turning a car
park by a busy roadside at
Logan into a one-stop shop
for those experiencing
difficult lives.
Every Wednesday and Friday
night at 7:00pm, the car
park at Woodridge, south of
Brisbane, is occupied by
charity groups.
Rosies Friends On the
Street hand out blankets and
snacks.
The Muslim Charitable
Foundation brings hot meals
and Orange Sky provides its
mobile laundry service.
The Street Doctors, with
their converted ambulance,
offer a GP service for those
who find it hard to get to
the doctors.
Roy Jordan was one of about
70 people in the car park
last week, grabbing a bite
to eat.
Brisbane's Amira Al-Maani, a
graduate of Fashion Design
from the Australian
Institute of Creative
Design, has recently taken
the stage at Emerge Runway
where she featured her new
graduate fashion line. The
fashion show, Emerge Runway,
took place on the 8 December
2016 at the Brisbane Power
House and featured Amira Al-Maani
alongside seven other
graduates. This night will
be remembered by the 200
people in attendance as a
night full of colour,
glitter, sequins and dazzle.
Those in attendance would
agree that everyone expected
nothing less than perfection
from the young upcoming
fashion designer, Amira Al-Maani,
who is quite well-known for
her constant community
involvement, unique fashion
sense and through her
conduction of styling
workshops under Creative
Connections.
If Amira Al-Maani didnt
manage to turn heads
already, the Emerge Runway
left people buzzing with the
potential this young
designer really had in
store.
The Runway show left many
without words as the the
designer managed to not only
exceed the expectations of
everyone attending the show
but also reflected Amiras
full potential through her 6
featured pieces. These were
modelled on the night by
Aysha Al-maani, Luak Myan,
Saja Hamouda and Lamisse
Hamouda.
The
crowd could not contain the
excitement when witnessing
the first glances of the
future of evening wear for
women around the world which
led many to question how
they had been dressing
before the artist brought
forth such amazing pieces.
The line left attendees
talking about the variety of
pieces long after the show
ended.
Exceptional, cant wait
to see her work on vogue
a fashion show attendee
stated
Show stopping work!
another had stated
Words do not do justice to
Amiras work as she managed
to channel in ideas of
modesty, cultural designs,
bold colours and patterns
that literally left everyone
wanting more. Amira created
a line that could be worn by
women around the world and
proved to everyone that
night that she knew what the
market wanted before they
even did.
With
the buzz fresh in everyones
mind, this truly was the
designers debuting moment
and her introduction to the
fashion world. This show was
definitely something
attendees were glad they
didnt miss and some even
referred to it as a once in
a lifetime experience.
She also went on to promise
to keep those who have
followed and supported her
journey updated through
social media and is planning
to launch her career as soon
as she can.
With saying that, many will
join in in saying that there
are big things awaiting
Amiras future and we cannot
wait to see what she has up
her sleeve. We wish her all
the best and hope to follow
her career through it all.
You can follow her story on:
Facebook
Amira Al-Maani
;
Instagram - @amiraalmaani
Mariam Veiszadeh is Daily
Life's 2016 Woman of the Year
When Mariam Veiszadeh took
the wrong, slower bus route
to work one morning in
February, she innocently
tweeted how she turned her
bad start to the day into a
positive: time to gaze out
of the bus window and
reflect.
A tweet in return took her
back: "Yes, dreaming that
one day all of this will
belong to Islam I would
imagine. You will fail!"
Veiszadeh, the Daily Life
2016 Woman of the Year, says
it summed up what being
Muslim in Australia has come
to mean today.
"I could not tweet about a
journey to work without
someone turning it around
To have this collective
blame applied to
300,000-plus Australian
Muslims on a regular basis
is really exhausting," the
32-year-old Sydneysider says
of the Islamophobia that has
swept so forcefully into
political narratives in
2016.
"A generation of Australians
are growing up having known
no other home, having known
no other country, and yet
are made to feel like
absolute strangers in their
own home. I don't want to
feel like my level of
Australian-ness is
negotiable and the subject
of political fear
mongering."
The advocate, lawyer and
diversity and inclusion
practitioner was nominated
by the public and judged
overall winner of Daily
Life's annual award to
recognise women who have
inspired and actively worked
for positive change, often
in the face of resistance.
The Kabul-born refugee, who
was brought to tears when
she learnt of her win, stood
out to the panel of judges,
including incumbent Daily
Life Woman of the Year,
Gillian Triggs, for her
courage, tenacity and
perseverance without the
protection and resources
afforded by public office.
Stinging as that early
morning tweet was, it is a
mere drop in the ocean of
online abuse the anti-Islamophobia
champion faces everyday in
her fight for "human rights
bare minimums", such as
respect and "feeling like
you are not a stranger in
your own home".
She was mercilessly trolled
after weighing in to
September's debate around a
since discredited survey
that found 49 per cent of
Australians would support a
ban on Muslim immigration.
Death threats and rape
threats followed.
In July, she established
Fact Check One Nation in an
attempt to influence power
imbalances by examining
Senator Pauline Hanson's
rhetoric.
"It's easy for vocal
minority groups to shout
each other down, but the
reality is that they are
fringe elements and we have
to constantly remind
ourselves of that," she says
of the likes of Hanson.
But despite the vitriol,
Veiszadeh says that the
year, for her, has come to
mean remaining resilient,
vulnerable and even humorous
in the face of hate and
adversity.
"It is about injecting
humanity into
conversations," she says of
her consistent efforts to
raise the profile of Muslim
Australians in the media and
public discourse.
"Personal interaction with
people is a really important
dimension to tackling
divisive politics. It's easy
to demonise a group of
people that you don't know
anything about, but it's a
lot harder to demonise an
individual who you have
gotten to know."
One young man, whose parents
are One Nation supporters,
wrote to say his mind had
been changed and apologised
for the hatred directed her
way. A woman she met
confessed, in whispers,
that, driven by fear, she
kept her Islamic faith
secret. The significance of
both of their stories are
larger than they might ever
know.
When she started to lose
hope over the last 12
months, even the smallest
positive impact, Veiszadeh
says, made her efforts worth
the struggle.
"The daughter that my mother
raised is not one who gives
up easily. My mother raised
me to be tenacious like her
and to stand up for those
who are less privileged,"
she says. "Speaking out,
even if you think no-one's
listening, can make a
difference."
Funds manager, Crescent
Wealth, held its official
launch of the Crescent
Foundation Leadership
Scholarship for
high-achieving students of
refugee status.
Partnering with Western
Sydney University, and
"driven by a shared vision
to assist refugees through
life-changing educational
opportunities", the Crescent
Foundation Leadership
Scholarship will offer at
least 20 scholarships per
year to students who have
been granted permanent
humanitarian visas in the
past five years.
Mr Talal Yassine OAM of the
Crescent Foundation and
Crescent Wealth spoke on the
program's aims: "Education
is the single most important
factor that can assist
recently arrived
Australians...to be the best
they can be, to thrive,
succeed and contribute to
the social, economic and
academic fabric of our
nation".
Scholarships are valued at
$7,500 per year for three
years and are primarily
funded by Crescent Wealth
and public donations.
Sydney (5 Dec 2016):
Malaysian Investment
Development Authority (MIDA)
held an international forum
on Malaysia Business on
5th December 2016 at Sofitel
Hotel, Sydney, Australia.
Focusing on the development
of Halal standards, audit
and certification, and the
capacity building for Halal
products and services, the
Halal Industry Development
Corporation (HDC) which is a
part of MIDA, held a
breakout session on Halal
Malaysia: Current and Future
Economic Perceptive, aiming
to promote and facilitate
the growth of Malaysian
companies in the global
Halal market.
Syed Atiq ul Hassan,
Founding Director, Halal
Expo Australia 2017, was the
moderator of the session and
also speaker with Mr. Jamil
Bidin the CEO of HDC.
Mr. Hassan spoke on Halal
an Industry perspective.
Mr. Bidin spoke on Halal
Malaysia Current and
Future Economic
Perspective.
While the 27-year-old is on
a world-title path and heads
to the USA to take on
Colombian Carlos Padilla, he
is driven by the desire to
be much more than the
worlds best boxer.
The talented super
featherweight, who is ranked
fifth in the WBO rankings
and 12 with the WBA, boasts
a 20-1 record. Padilla is
16-4.
The pair will square-off at
the Buffalo Run Casino in
Miami, Oklahoma on Saturday
night for a shot at a title
eliminator in the USA in
March. A win in March will
catapult Dib into No.1
contention for a world title
bout.
And it is his growing
profile in one of the
worlds toughest sports he
wants use for indelible
good.
When most are tucking into
their turkeys on Christmas
Day, Dib will board a flight
to Lebanon to volunteer at a
refugee camp in Ain El Hilwe.
I was at a family BBQ few
months back, I came across a
clip from Lebanon of refugee
children starving and having
to eat only grass, no water,
dying of starvation, Dib
said.
I looked up to see my two
boys eating hot dogs with
tomato sauce all over their
faces and I shed a tear.
The following week Dib
connected with Islamic
Relief and to date, they
have raised $40,000.
It all fit into place, its
like this is what God wanted
me to do, he said.
Dib, who is studying
accounting and law on his
way to becoming a forensic
accountant, will be hands-on
at a hospital overfilled
with Palestinian and Syrian
refugees.
Im so eager to see genuine
smiles on these childrens
faces and maybe in the near
future I can continue to go
over and help build schools
and hospitals and try to
better their lives in anyway
I can, he said.
We've always wanted to do an
event like this only because
we've realised how powerful
basic human interaction can be.
Organiser Saba Awan
In a bid to remove stigma
from the religion and its
followers, Canberrans are
being encouraged to "meet a
Muslim" and ask anything
they've been wondering about
Islam.
The first event was held in
the national capital on
Monday night, where a group
of Muslim representatives
did their best to answer
questions from more than a
dozen Canberrans.
"What really pushed us that
bit further was a poll that
came out in September that
showed 49 per cent of
Australians supported a ban
on Muslim immigration and
for us that was a huge shock
to the system.
"We thought: 'If that's what
people are saying, we have
to do something about this'.
"We can't get mad about it
or upset about it, but we
need to reach out and speak
to people."
Why did you come along
tonight?
I think it's important for
people to build relationships
with people who aren't the same
as they are.
Rachel
"As a teacher we say we're
lifelong learners ... and it
would be good to get some
factual information because
there's a lot of what, I
think, is inaccurate."
Peter
"I'm interested in how these
guys deal with and reconcile
how the conservative, or
right-leaning views, in
Australia affect them and
some of the intra-Islamic
community politics." Luke
What have your experiences
as a Muslim in Canberra
been?
By and large Canberra is
awesome but [discrimination] is
there.
Rayeed Rahman
"I've found that there's
this idea here that Muslim
women who wear headscarves
are in some way oppressed."
How do you respond when the
media shows Muslim women who
are oppressed?
I think what people don't
understand is that Islam is
progressive by its nature and
that this should not be
happening anyway.
Engy Abdelsalam
"My experience coming from
Egypt, my people are
campaigning against that
[oppression].
"There is patriarchy in
every country, just like
women are fighting domestic
violence here, they also do
it in Muslim countries."
Why do women wear
headscarves?
I don't judge other Muslim
women who don't wear it, or
think they are less dedicated,
because it is a personal choice.
Hafsah Farouk
"For me it was the next step
to take to show my
dedication to God.
"But for me I made the
decision to wear it to be
closer to God."
How can you push for
equality if men and women
can't shake hands?
As someone who doesn't like
shaking women's hands, I do it
out of respect.
Khalid Abdo
"Having said that, I don't
want to make people feel
uncomfortable because that's
not respectful, so often I
will just shake their hand.
"Ultimately though the way
one person acts doesn't
represent the rest.
"On headscarves,
unfortunately women bear the
burden of discrimination in
non-Muslim countries. As
men, we feel guilty."
Do you think Muslims
impose their values on
society?
Our culture is different now
than it was 10 years ago and it
will be different again in 10
years.
Diana Abdel-Rahman
"I was talking to a young
man about this the other
week who said immigrants
were changing Australian
culture.
"I told him our culture is
always changing and often
has nothing to do with who
is coming to the country or
what their religion is.
"It's all talk and somehow
it gets picked up. It's this
hearsay, it gets
regurgitated over and over.
"Same with Sharia law, who
said they wanted to
introduce it? Have they
actually tried to implement
it?
"It's really sad when you
hear these things,
especially from
politicians."
In an article published
online by the
Daily Mail on Friday 2
December 2016, the phrase
hijab-wearing supporter'
was included in the
headline.
Justice Media Advocacy (JMA)
wrote to the newspaper
arguing that the phrase
referencing the 'hijab' had
no relevance to the story
and may only serve to vilify
the faith of people who wear
the religious headscarf. The
newspaper agreed to amend
the headline and removed the
reference.
ABC changes Australians,
not migrants headline
Monday 5 December 2016 On Sunday 4 December
2016 the
ABC published a news
report online with the
headline: Victoria youth
crime: Statistics show most
offences committed by
Australians, not migrants.
JMA wrote to the media
organisation arguing that
the headline was misleading
since it implied that
migrants may not be
Australian i.e., that the
two were mutually exclusive.
JMA added that the Victorian
Police data included in the
report only indicated
whether offenders were
either born in Australia or
not. The data did not reveal
anything about the
Australian citizenship
status of offenders. The ABC
amended the headline.
Typing 'all muslims...'
produces a rather worrying
result.
The search giant has been
forced to make changes after
a glitch in its results was
exposed.
In news that should give
everyone who uses the
world's biggest search
engine pause for thought,
Google has been forced to
change an algorithm that
suggested racist and sexist
questions via its
autocomplete function, and
directed users towards
ideologically skewed
results.
While there's a lot to like
about the company's swift
response, the issues at
stake here are significant
and not readily addressed by
the quick-fix patch it has
offered. And for those of us
who have come to believe
that Dr Google is a
values-free neutral
dispenser of information,
the lesson is clear. You
shouldn't, at least not
entirely.
The issue was exposed by UK
journalist Carole Cadwalladr,
who last week asked Google
to explain why search
queries such as "are Jews "
and "are women " were being
automatically completed with
some rather problematic
suggestions.
"It offered me a choice of
potential questions it
thought I might want to ask:
'are Jews a race?', 'are
Jews white?', 'are Jews
Christians?', and finally,
'are Jews evil?',"
Cadwalladr wrote.
Clicking through to the last
of these, she wrote,
produced a page of results
largely in the affirmative.
Similarly, the top
automatically generated
result when the words "are
women " were typed was "are
women evil?", while the top
result for "are Muslims "
was "are Muslims bad?"
Cadwalladr hypothesised, and
quoted people who believed,
that this was evidence the
search engine was being
"gamed" by activists pushing
an extreme right-wing
agenda, using bots and
flooding the web with links
that conspire to elevate
right-wing searches in
Google's predicted queries,
and right-wing sites in its
results.
Google claims Cadwalladr
made contact last Friday,
but by the time her story
appeared in The Observer on
Sunday, the suggested
questions she listed were no
longer being automatically
generated.
Some 150,000 Londoners hail
from the region yet Middle
Eastern women are often
stereotyped, from the clichι
of the suppressed housewife
to the offensive notion that
they are flashy and spoilt,
wafting around designer
stores.
In fact, while wealthy
Middle Eastern visitors may
spend an estimated £1.25bn a
year here, some of this
citys most exciting
creative talents are of
Middle Eastern origin,
embracing the capital while
drawing on traditions from
home to instigate a
refreshing international
dialogue.
So which are the names to
know now?
From the designer bringing
Turkish style to London, to
the artist exhibiting with
Ai Weiwei here are the new
ambassadors of style:
Anum Rasha Kahil, Artist and
art director, 36
Top, £530, Maison Rabih
Kayrouz; skirt, £600,
Christopher Kane
Rasha Kahils clever,
understated photography has
been shown internationally
including in the UK and
Lebanon, from where she
originally hails. But shes
also a multi-tasker having
worked for Dazed & Confused
and British Vogue, she now
happens to be the art
director of this magazine.
I trained in graphic design
but had always done
photography, too. Im very
lucky to have a full-time
job that I love but I can
also manage to work on my
photography at the same
time.
Rasha first lived in London
as a child when her family
relocated during the war in
Lebanon, but they returned
to Beirut (where her mother
now runs a guest house) in
1992 when the political
situation calmed down.
Kahil arrived back in London
12 years ago with a plan to
stay for six months but fell
in love with the city. Now
I cant imagine leaving
London is a hub of
creativity and
internationalism. It gives
you this drive to push your
limits, thats why I came
back. She enrolled in a
masters at the RCA in
communication, art and
design, and has lived in
east London ever since.
Now 36, her most famous work
In Your Home is a series
of semi-nude self portraits
in the homes of friends
across the world. The
initial solo exhibition in
Beirut was well-received.
But two years after it
closed, her pictures went
viral sparking widespread
debate among trolls,
conservative critics angered
by female nudity, and those
who championed the work.
In many ways, the art scene
there is very liberal, says
Kahil. Of course, you have
to know your audience and
exhibit appropriately. My
pictures were shown in a
gallery and were intended
for that context not for
online dissemination. My
intentions werent to shock
but to elicit artistic
dialogue and debate.
The incident inspired Kahil
to create an installation
work Anatomy of a Scandal,
documenting the extreme
reactions online. It was
shown earlier this year as a
solo exhibition at
Fitzrovias Art First
Gallery.
Of course, because I am
originally from Lebanon, the
work I do can prompt a
certain type of response.
But I see myself as a global
person and I dont see my
Middle Eastern heritage as
the main driver for my work.
It is just a part of who I
am.
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
candidates 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
Q-Tip
Q-Tip started his career as
one-third of the trio of the
critically-acclaimed hip-hop
group A Tribe Called Quest.
In the 90s, he converted to
Islam after reading the
Quran, and has maintained
that it made him a more
spiritual man after his
negative experience with
agnosticism. The Grammy
Award nominated rapper is
known for his creative
approach to words and
considered one of the best
lyricists of all time.
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 11 of the interview,
Shaykh Omar takes questions
from the audience. The best
way to alter the public
perception of Muslim women
in the West, says Sheikh
Omar Suleiman, is for them
to continue to be out there
and for thriving, successful
Muslim women to engage fully
in their communities.
Regarding the debate over
the divinity of Jesus, a
study of early Christianity
will reveal that it was far
from monolithic. As Muslims,
we hold Christ in high
esteem, we view him as one
of God's greatest messengers
who came to confirm the law
of Moses, we even believe
that he is the Messiah, but
we do not believe that he is
God or the son of God.
Finally, regarding the
virgins awaiting the
faithful in heaven, the
number 72 is merely
metaphorical to denote
multitude. In the context of
the revelation of the Quran,
the notion of having
multiple spouses in heaven
is related to the idea that
heaven is what you want it
to be. At the time it was
revealed, the whole world
was largely polygamous, so
having many spouses was very
desirable.
After 12years
in the Lighting industry,
Lighting Direct in Underwood
is shutting its doors to the
public.
The team at Lighting Direct
would like to take this
opportunity to thank all our
valued customers and the
community at large for their
ongoing support over the
last twelve years.
Your support has been
greatly appreciated by us
and whether you came by for
a small bulb or a quick
chat, it was always a
pleasure to see and serve
you all. Lighting Directs
last trading day will be the
end of December 2016.
Final days of Lighting
Directs closing down sale.
Everything must go. Large
range of crystal
chandeliers, modern and
traditional pendants,
downlights, outdoor lighting
and a huge variety of floor
and table lamps. All stock
must be cleared. Prices
never to be repeated! Hurry
only available until stocks
last. Don't miss out on your
great bargain! Showroom
located at Unit 1/24
Ferguson Street Underwood.
Open 6 days.
Lecturer in Arabic
Al Mustapha Institute seeks
a highly motivated and
experienced Lecturer in
Arabic. This position will
develop and deliver Arabic
courses that include
Classical and Modern Arabic
language and Arabic Grammar,
including Sarf and Nahw.
A memo to the
president-elect
about the people
he fears. BY
LAWRENCE PINTAK
An Idiots
Guide to Islam
in America
ARGUMENT
Islam hates us.
That was a
recurring theme
of your
campaign, Mr.
President-elect.
And who can
blame you? After
all, your top
advisors on
Muslim affairs
Ann Coulter,
Frank Gaffney,
and Walid Phares
are
card-carrying
Islamophobes.
Your incoming
national
security
advisor, retired
Army Lt. Gen.
Mike Flynn,
wants Muslim
leaders to
declare their
Islamic ideology
sick, and your
special advisor,
Steve Bannon,
has been accused
of using his
Breitbart News
Daily radio show
to instigate
fear and
loathing of
Muslims in
America.
But now that
youve announced
its time for
America to bind
the wounds of
division, it
might be useful
for you to learn
a little bit
more about one
of the most
alienated
segments of the
nation you now
lead: American
citizens who
also happen to
be Muslims.
I get that
youre worried
about what you
call radical
Islamic
terrorism. Ive
been reporting
on extremists
who claim to
represent Islam
since I covered
the first
anti-American
suicide bombings
in Beirut in the
early 1980s, so
I share your
concern. Ive
seen friends die
and others waste
away in
captivity at
their hands. And
Ive come
awfully close to
being a victim
myself a few
times. But Ive
also learned
that Muslims
come in many
colors
literally and
figuratively
and my doctorate
in Islamic
studies helped
me understand
that the
religion itself
is interpreted
in many
different ways.
In fact,
Americas 3.3
million Muslims,
the other 1
percent, are
developing their
own take on what
it means to
follow Islam.
The jihadis are
already
rejoicing at
your election
because their
words here, not
mine it
reveals the
true mentality
of the Americans
and their racism
toward Muslims
and Arabs and
everything. But
what do they
know?
When Bill
OReilly asked
you whether you
thought American
Muslims fear
you, you
replied, I hope
not. I want to
straighten
things out.
So, in a similar
spirit of good
tidings, this
memo about how
good ol
American values
are influencing
Islam in the
United States
might help make
that whole
straightening
out go a little
easier. Since
its not likely
that much beyond
references to
Islam as a
cancer is going
to make it into
your briefing
papers anytime
soon, I thought
Id toss this
out into the
webosphere in
the hope that
you might trip
across it late
some night while
prowling the
net.
(Its OK to just
read the stuff
in bold print.)
The Saudi,
Egyptian, and
Pakistani
conservatives
are losing their
grip on American
Islam. Those
old-school
clerics who
espouse a
Saudi-inspired
brand of the
religion and
once had a
significant
presence in many
American mosques
are yesterdays
news for a
growing number
of American
Muslims. If
anything, the
rise of the
so-called
Islamic State
has only sped up
that process.
The light of
Islam will shine
from the West,
Farooq Khan of
the Islamic
Center of Long
Island recently
told me with
pride in his
voice. And the
reason is
because we have
all the
constitutional
protections. We
have the freedom
to write,
freedom to
speak, and
freedom to
interpret.
If you were a
Sunni Muslim in
America in the
1970s and 1980s
and wanted to
study more about
your religion,
the odds are you
ended up with a
textbook written
in Saudi Arabia.
That was
natural. After
all, one of the
Saudi kings
many titles is
Custodian of
the Two Holy
Mosques.
Translation: We
call the shots
when it comes to
Islamic
orthodoxy.
Mutuma Ruteere
says Australia
is not unique
among western
democracies in
grappling with
popular support
for parties with
discriminatory
policies and
racist views.
UN expert
says Australians
(and their
leaders) have a
big racism
problem
The United
Nations' special
rapporteur on
racism has
condemned
Australian
politicians from
major and minor
parties whose
statements are
contributing to
an increase in
"xenophobic hate
speech" and
negative views
about migrants.
Mutuma Ruteere
has also warned
that political
leaders who do
not denounce
such views are
tacitly
contributing to
the
normalisation of
hard-right and
racist opinions.
"If they do not
speak out they
lend legitimacy
to them. It's
very easy for
darkness to
drive out the
light. It's very
easy for the bad
to demean the
good. It's much
harder to clear
out the
political space
once it's
infected by
racists," Mr
Ruteere said in
Canberra on
Wednesday.
Mr Ruteere was
finishing a
visit to
Australia, the
first by someone
holding his
position in 15
years. He
comments will
form the basis
of a report he
will deliver to
the United
Nations Human
Rights Council
next year.
Trump's potential
Muslim registry may sound
crazybut sadly America has done
this kind of thing before.
When will the government learn
racial profiling doesn't work?
Attack on NYC Muslim-American
policewoman
Van Jones on
US Muslims
MuslimGirl -
FaceBook
"The Muslim
community has the lowest crime
rates, the highest
entrepreneurship, the highest
educational attainment for women
in the country. They are the
model American community."
Van Jones
Young
Boxer Couldn't Compete Because
Of Her Hijab
NowThisHer -
FaceBook
This young boxer was
disqualified because of her hijab so her
opponent did something amazing
Girl Child
Song - Afghanistan National
Institute of Music
ANIM Students
Zarifa
Adiba - Conductor
Dohktar Astam, I Am a Girl, is
performed in celebration of
International Girl Child Day
2016 and recognizes strong women
overcoming obstacles in
Afghanistan and around the
world.
It features the Afghan
Youth Orchestra and Choir of the
Afghanistan National Institute
of Music and students from Mahrefat High School in Kabul.
.
Are Muslim
Women Oppressed? Facts vs.
Propaganda!
Educate and
Mobilize
Oppressed Muslim Women? You've
probably read or heard something
along the lines of 'Muslim women
are oppressed,' or 'Muslim women
are abused', but when it comes
to this subject, the difference
between facts and propaganda
couldn't be any greater.
Don't Worry,
We Are Superior
islaminfocusaustralia
"A very positive advice during
this period of trials and
tribulations that the ummah is
going through."
If you
would like to record a
birth, marriage, engagement
or someone's passing please
email
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org
with the details.
Marriage
The Nikah of
Yusuf,
son of
Faisal
and
ZuleikhaHatia,
and
Sumeyye,
daughter of
Mesut
and SalmaUysal,
took place
on Friday
2 December
2016 at the
Rochedale
Mosque.
If you
would like to record a
birth, marriage, engagement
or someone's passing please
email
ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org
with the details.
Cleaner
showered with gifts by Saudis after
ridiculed for looking at gold
Click on image
to watch the video (in Arabic)
SAUDI ARABIA: A
Bangladeshi cleaner in Saudi Arabia was
gifted a gold set after he was ridiculed
online when photos of him staring at a
jewelry shop display went viral. But
presents, including smart phones and
rice bags, are still pouring in.
Abdullah Al-Qahtani, a Saudi national
who spoke to Al Arabiya News Channel,
from the gold market in Riyadh, the
countrys capital, said he, managed to
find the cleaner to give him his gifts.
The cleaners was identified as Nuzroul
Abdulkareem, and his monthly salary was
$187 (700 Saudi riyal).
More money is being sent to Nuzroul,
Qahtani said, without specifying how
much. In addition to bags of rice and
honey, Abdulkareem has so far received
two-way tickets to his home country,
and two phones - one iPhone 7 and one
Samsung Galaxy.
The story began when a social media user
mocked the cleaner by sharing the
picture, writing this man deserves to
only look at rubbish.
Saudis on the social media platform
tweeted, vowing to send more gifts to
the cleaner, including one user who said
a gift of $533 (2,000 Saudi riyal) would
be given.
I am very thankful, Abdulkareem said.
Qahtani described him as very
hardworking. Abdulkareem also takes
care of homeless kittens on the street
where he works, Qahtani said.
Muslim owned restaurant
offers elderly and homeless free meals on
Christmas Day so no one eats alone
UK: A Muslim owned
Turkish restaurant in south east London
is offering a three course meal to
homeless and elderly people on Christmas
Day so that no one eats alone.
Shish Restaurant in Sidcup is asking
local residents to spread the word of
its generous initiative and has put up
posters telling people in need that We
are here to sit with you on Christmas
Day.
The free three course meal is available
between 12pm and 6pm on Christmas Day.
It includes a soup and Cacik as a
starter, a choice of chicken casserole,
vegetable casserole or a chicken shish
as a main dish, and rice pudding for
dessert.
Shish Restaurant has urged people to
share its plan through social media and
locals have received the news as
amazing and fantastic.
Vicky Lanfear wrote on Facebook: This
is the most selfless gesture I have ever
seen and they should be recognised as a
pillar of the community.
Suzannah Harris added: What a lovely
gesture; a restaurant that gives
something back instead of merely seeing
Xmas as a time to cash in. Will
definitely visit in the new year if ever
in the area.
Another user, called Sally Barnes,
posted: "These are the kind of acts that
the Muslims I know carry out with
generosity. Someone tell the Daily Mail
please!"
The free three-course meal is available
between 12pm and 6pm on Christmas Day.
It includes a soup and Cacik as a
starter, a choice of chicken casserole,
vegetable casserole or a chicken shish
as a main dish, and rice pudding for
dessert.
This week a report which
gathered data on what British Muslims really
think was released and the results were
surprising
UK: Muslims, it turns
out, are actually more likely to
condemn acts of political violence
than the UK population as a whole.
But they are also more likely to
believe conspiracy theories
Today, a report was quietly released
by the Policy Exchange that examined
exactly what Muslims living in
Britain really think about the
country and its people. Its title
was Unsettled Belonging A Survey
of Britains Muslim Communities,
and it confirmed what many British
Muslims have been saying for a long
time: We are just like everyone
else, with similar concerns,
aspirations, hopes and fears.
In fact the report goes even further
by providing evidence to support the
argument that, by and large, Muslim
communities are comfortable living
in British secular society and make
constructive contributions through
engagement in mainstream political
processes at both local and national
levels.
This perspective might come as a
shock to some. The image of young
angry Muslim men politically and
culturally alienated and primed for
radicalisation and violence is one
we in Britain are familiar with and
fear. Yet 89 per cent of Muslim
respondents condemned the use of
violence in political protest and 90
per cent condemned terrorism.
Muslims, it turns out, are actually
more likely to condemn acts of
political violence than the UK
population as a whole.
The survey goes a long way to debunk
the myth perpetuated by both the
far-right and Islamists that we are
caught in a clash of civilisations,
or that British Muslims are somehow
trapped in identity purgatory, torn
between Britishness and obligations
to their faith.
The report separates fact from
fiction when it comes to what
Muslims broadly think and want. 69
per cent of those surveyed favour
secular education, 91 per cent feel
able to follow Islam freely in
Britain and, despite what many
organisations claiming to represent
Muslim communities argue, they are
comfortable with counter-extremism
and radicalisation measures and
programmes, including state-led
initiatives.
Perhaps the most important take-home
message of Unsettled Belonging is
that there is a huge gap between the
lived reality of British Muslims (in
all their diversity) and
representations of them as
individuals and communities. Those
surveyed argued exactly that: groups
such as The Muslim Council of
Britain, which regularly claim to
speak for all Muslims in the UK,
enjoy only marginal support at 2 to
4 per cent from within Muslim
communities.
Misrepresentation in the media is
also a concern for Muslims. Only 34
per cent of survey responders said
they trusted the BBC, the
organisation considered the most
trustworthy of mainstream media
outlets.
Overall, Muslims do not feel
represented, neither by traditional
religious-community institutions nor
the mainstream media. It isnt
difficult to conceive that this lack
of representation and perceived
misrepresentation fuels mistrust and
suspicion, and therefore not
unfathomable to imagine that British
Muslims may look elsewhere for
alternative narratives. Two concerns
emerging from the report are that 26
per cent deny the existence of
extremism. Conspiracy theories seem
to resonate more with British
Muslims than other groups.
Violent extremist groups have been
quick to fill the vacuum and provide
alternative narratives that not only
feed the feeling of alienation
brought on by a lack of
representation, but also offer
narratives that are compelling
because of their ability to tie
frustrations on the ground with
cosmic outcomes.
The Policy Exchange report is, for
its mundane findings that British
Muslims are essentially no different
than other British communities,
groundbreaking. It has the power to
change the narrative perpetuated by
many who, deliberately or not,
jeopardise the place and role of
Muslims in Britain.
More than that, it offers a way
forward. The report indicated almost
half of British Muslims agree they
should do more to tackle extremism.
Perhaps reform of community and
religious institutions so they
better represent the needs,
aspirations, opinions and diverse
life choices of British Muslims is a
good start. But violent extremism is
not exclusively a British Muslim
problem the responsibility to do
more falls on all of us, including
those who have the capacity to
disseminate representations of
Muslims to a wider audience.
Now that we can all sigh a breath of
relief and sleep better knowing
British Muslims are more likely to
be harbouring aspirations for their
children to continue in the
tradition of making positive
contributions to British society
than harbouring plots to destroy
British values, perhaps a moment of
national self-reflection is needed.
What have we done to fuel the
feeling of alienation that can quite
often lead to violent extremism, and
what can we do to foster better
community cohesion? Those answers
are the most important of all.
Saeida
Rouass is Project Manager at the
Quilliam Foundation
Angela Merkel calls for
full-face veil ban in Germany
GERMANY: German
chancellor Angela Merkel has called
for a ban on full-face veils in the
country, during a speech at her
party's conference on Tuesday.
"The full veil is not appropriate
here, it should be forbidden
wherever that is legally possible.
It does not belong to us," she said
at the Christian Democratic Union
Her comments were met with sustained
applause by the audience.
It's not the first time party
leaders have proposed banning the
Islamic dress, with Interior
Minister Thomas de Maiziere also
calling for the veil to barred from
public places in August.
"It does not fit into our society
for us, for our communication, for
our cohesion in the society.... This
is why we demand you show your
face," he said at the time.
Drunk men screaming
Trumps name try to rip off Muslim students
hijab
US: Straphangers
stood by and watched as three drunk
white men repeatedly screamed
Donald Trump! and hurled
anti-Islam slurs Thursday at a
Muslim Baruch College student before
trying to rip her hijab off of her
head on an East Side subway, the
woman told the Daily News.
Yasmin Seweid said she was stunned
by the assault and the fact that
no one in the subway car came to her
aid.
It made me really sad after when I
thought about it, she said. People
were looking at me and looking at
what was happening and no one said a
thing. They just looked away.
The terrified 18-year-old recounted
her harrowing encounter with the
hate-spewing trio.
I heard them say something very
loudly, something about Donald Trump
... I also heard them say the word
terrorist and I sort of got a little
scared, Seweid told The News.
Seweid had left an event at Baruch
and was on her way home on an uptown
No. 6 platform at the 23rd St. and
Park Ave. stop at about 10 p.m.
Thursday when the men started
taunting her, she said.
They hollered at the business major
as she boarded a train.
They kept screaming Trumps name at
her, and then said, Oh look, a
(expletive) terrorist, she said.
Get the hell out of the country!
they yelled during the train ride.
You dont belong here!
Seweid, who was born in
Williamsburg, Brooklyn, to Egyptian
parents, was shocked.
I born and raised in this country,
she told The News. Im an American,
you know?
When Seweid ignored them, they
pulled on her bag to get her
attention and the strap broke.
Muslim comedian sits next
to Eric Trump on trans-Atlantic flight
Washington, US: Mo
Amer, an Arab American stand-up
comedian, received an unbelievable
gift of comic material when he found
himself seated next to Eric Trump on
a flight to Scotland on Thursday.
Amer, on his way to a leg of a
comedy tour, shared a picture he
took with Trump on Instagram, and
described their conversation.
"Hey guys heading to Scotland to
start the U.K. Tour and I am
'randomly' chosen to sit next to
none other than Eric Trump," he
wrote.
"Good news guys Muslims will not
have to check in and get IDs. That's
what I was told. I will be asking
him a lot of questions on this trip
to Glasgow, Scotland. Sometimes God
just sends you the material. #Merica#UKTour
#HumanAppeal#ThisisNotAnEndorsement#Trump2016ComedyTour"
Amer spoke to Buzzfeed about the
experience with Trump -- who was
reportedly flying to Scotland to
check in on the Trump International
Golf Links -- and said he talked
about President-elect Donald Trump's
proposals for a form of government
registry for Muslims or immigrants
from majority-Muslim countries.
"And I said -- just FYI I'm not
getting that ID s*** done. You gonna
really make my people get ID cards
and all this? You know we're not
doing this s***," Amer recounted
telling Trump.
He said that Trump told him, "Come
on man. You can't believe everything
you read. Do you really think we're
gonna do that?"
KB says:
When you dont want to spend hours in the
kitchen during the holidays and want a quick and
easy but healthy lunch for the family, this
would be an ideal choice, served with salad..
Tuna
Bake
Ingredients
2 tins Tuna, any flavour but I prefer the
mustard.
(In brine or spring water if you watching your
weight remembering to drain out the liquid)
1 green pepper finely diced
1 large onion finely diced
Ό cup olive oil
10ml lemon juice
3 eggs
5 ml lemon pepper
½ cup of cheese
2 tsp ground green chillies
1 tsp garlic flakes
½ cup milk
1 cup sifted chana/besan flour
1 tsp baking powder
Salt to taste
Chopped spinach
Method
Beat together eggs
and milk and add remaining ingredients.
Set half the mixture in an oven proof casserole
dish, layer with the chopped spinach and top
with remaining half of the mixture.
Sprinkle with
slivered almonds, sesame seeds or poppy seeds or
a mixture of all of the above, dot with butter
and bake at 180degrees until light brown.
Cut into squares and serve hot with a sauce or
lemon wedges as an entrιe or with salad as a
light lunch.
Just because
everyone tends to slow down or go away to relax,
renew, recoup; doesnt mean take a break from
exercise completely.
Studies show that
regular physical activity will protect against
an increase in fatty-tissue, even if you have
been indulging in those favourite sweet treats.
Keep it simple and
N-JOY!
Run after the kids,
go cycling, take long walks on the beach
Ramadhan is the (month) in
which was sent down the
Quran, as a guide to
mankind, also clear (Signs)
for guidance and judgment
(between right and wrong).
So every one of you who is
present (at his home) during
that month should spend it
in fasting, but if any one
is ill, or on a journey, the
prescribed period (should be
made up) by days later.
Allah intends every facility
for you; He does not want to
put you to difficulties. (He
wants you) to complete the
prescribed period, and to
glorify Him in that He has
guided you; and perchance
you shall be grateful.
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.
EVERY TUESDAY & WEDNESDAY KIDS QURAN CLASS AFTER MAGRIB
EVERY FIRST OF MONTH SUNDAY QURAN TAFSIR CLASS BY MASQUE
IMAM
More Information contact BR TAREQ 0415958105
ALGESTER
MOSQUE
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
HOLLAND PARK MOSQUE
Queensland Police Service/Muslim Community
Consultative Group
Minutes from the QPS/Muslim Community
Reference Group meeting held on
Monday 24 October 2016 at the Islamic College of Brisbane [ICB]
are available
here.
Next Meeting
Time: 7pm Date: TBA Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane - 45 Acacia Road
Karawatha
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
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The
crowd could not contain the
excitement when witnessing
the first glances of the
future of evening wear for
women around the world which
led many to question how
they had been dressing
before the artist brought
forth such amazing pieces.
With
the buzz fresh in everyones
mind, this truly was the
designers debuting moment
and her introduction to the
fashion world. This show was
definitely something
attendees were glad they
didnt miss and some even
referred to it as a once in
a lifetime experience. 
Daily Mail amends 'hijab-wearing'
headline
Cleaner
showered with gifts by Saudis after
ridiculed for looking at gold
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011