Council has dramatically
back-flipped on rules that
would have limited the
number of Muslims allowed to
pray at an expanded Garden
City Mosque.
The region's councillors
voted today to remove a
condition at the mosque that
limited the number of
worshippers to 50 during the
week and 150 during the busy
Friday prayers.
The decision came after the
Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba
Reverend Robert McGuckin
threw his support behind the
move to remove the
restrictions.
The mosque was left unusable
by two arson attacks last
year.
As part of the rebuilding
plans, an expansion was
proposed that would see the
total ground floor area
increased by 159sq m.
The expansion required
council approval and during
that process the conditions
were imposed.
The Toowoomba Islamic
Charitable Organisation then
requested the restrictions
on numbers be removed.
Council planners had
recommended the request be
rejected.
The councillors had voted
last week to defer a
decision on the restrictions
until today's general
meeting of council.
Prof. Shahjahan Khan and
members of the Islamic
Society of Toowoomba
expressed a huge sigh of
relief at the announcement:
Prof Khan said:
This was rather a
long procedure that went
through several unwanted
steps with the Council
because of conditions
such as limiting prayer
time for morning prayer
and number restriction.
With the help of Allah
SWT and support from
many leaders,
organisations and
individuals in the
community, especially
from the Churches led by
Catholic Bishop Robert
McGuckin all those
adverse conditions are
now gone.
I thank the Muslims in
Toowoomba for their
patience and united
stand on the matter in
very difficult time
which was unfortunately
unexpectedly long.
Our deepest gratitude to
our Non-Muslim friends
who have tirelessly
worked to support the
Mosque project that
helped lift the
unrealistic restriction.
We are aware of the
issues and would
continue to work with
the Council and
Community to achieve the
best outcome for
everyone. We will
be starting the
construction work soon
along with fundraising
initiatives, insha'Allah.
Duncan Pegg, Member for
Stretton said that Eid Down
Under is a festival
celebrating Eid al-Fitr, the
Islamic religious holiday
which follows the 30 days of
fasting observed by Muslims
in Ramadan. Eid al-Fitr is
one of two of the most
important celebrations on
the Muslim calendar.
Mr. Pegg said it was
fantastic to see Strettons
cultural diversity on show
through this fabulous local
event.
These grants provide a
much-needed boost for our
local community groups and
organisations to deliver the
fantastic events that they
always do.
Local residents, businesses
and tourism operators
welcome the positive vibe
that these events bring. Eid
Down Under was a huge
success in 2016 and I look
forward to attending in
2017.
Its important for us to
celebrate and acknowledge
our diverse communities
through these events and Im
very much looking forward to
attending as many of them as
I can next year, he said.
More than $700,000 has been
allocated to help
organisations deliver a
total of 116 multicultural
festivals and cultural
celebrations across
Queensland in 2017.
Queensland has a proud and
vibrant multicultural
heritage and our diversity
is one of our states
greatest strengths.
In fact, we come from more
than 200 different cultural
backgrounds, speak more than
220 languages and follow
over 100 faiths.
Thats something we should
all be proud of and
celebrate and what better
way of doing that than
getting involved in
celebrations that recognise
the many cultures that call
Stretton home, he said.
Fr Rod's acceptance speech
at the Australian Muslim
Achievement Awards:
In the 7th century the Negus
of Abyssinia welcomed and
gave refuge to people
fleeing from persecution.
The Negus not only offered
refuge to those in need but
also confronted the fears
and prejudices of his own
people.
1400 years later we find
ourselves in a situation
where we are in desperate
need of leaders with the
compassion and political
sensitivity of the Negus.
Whatever subsequent legend
and mythology has done with
Neguss story, the basic
truth remains that he is
honoured for his willingness
to open his doors to those
in need.
I along with many others
here tonight remain
committed to the same
principles that guided the
decisions of the Negus of
Abyssinia. Human need always
comes before ideology; the
spirit of hospitality always
overcomes the fear of the
stranger and at the end of
the day bridges will always
make us feel safer than
walls.
I cannot accept this award
without acknowledging my
wife Kerry. We are a team
and on the occasions when I
make any sense at all it is
because she has put a well
researched document in front
of me to read.
Im deeply humbled by this
award and accept it with
acknowledgement to every
human being who has ever
sought refuge from
persecution.
Shukran.
Mufti Ziyaad Ravat:
Best new community
project award
The NSW Independent Islamic
school, Unity Grammar
College, will represent
Australia in the world
finals in Copenhagen,
Denmark, after winning the
Australian Robotics Finals
last week.
Put ten British Muslims with
contrasting world views in a
house together and press record.
What emerges is a passionate
debate, honest disagreements,
humour and moments of insight
that reveal what is like to be a
Muslim in Britain today.
On the surface, Britain's 2.7
million Muslims are united in
faith. But behind closed doors,
in Muslim homes across the
country, there is ongoing
discussion about what and who
best represents Islam. Labels
like Sunni, Shi'a, liberal,
conservative and moderate don't
do it justice. Will the real
British Muslim please stand up?
She or he is faced with
competing and contradictory
voices. Some suggest an orthodox
version of the faith is entirely
at home in Britain. Others
demand compromises to be made by
Muslim in order to integrate.
This unique and bold social
experiment witnesses these
dilemmas played out for real.
In episode one, the ten British
Muslims who represent the
diversity of their faith move
into their new home. As each
meets and settles in, they begin
to explore how their faith
impacts their lives, from
sleeping arrangements, cooking,
and prayer to dress and culture.
Topical, important and, at
times, charged exchanges shine a
light on what it means to be a
Muslim in modern Britain.
Muslims Like Us Episode
2 of
2 (BBC Documentary)
On the surface, Britain's 2.7
million Muslims are united in
faith. But behind closed doors,
in Muslim homes across the
country, there is an ongoing
debate about what and who best
represents Islam. Get ten
Muslims in a room and you are
likely to get ten different
opinions. Labels like Sunni,
Shi'a, liberal, conservative and
moderate fail to cover the
breadth of perspective. Will the
real British Muslim please stand
up?
In the second episode of Muslims
Like Us, ten Muslims who have
volunteered to live together are
presented with the results of a
survey exploring British opinion
about the Muslim community. They
are joined by four non-Muslim
Brits to explore British values.
We see the dilemmas presented by
race, faith and British history
played out for real.
Before it had even aired,
Muslims Like Us (BBC Two)
generated the kind of
publicity that television
producers would give their
next commission for. The
format of pointing cameras
at a group of 10 disparate
Muslims brought together
under one roof gained
immediate notoriety for
including in its cast one
Abdul Haqq.
Haqq, formerly Anthony
Small, had been a champion
pugilist before he embraced
a somewhat dogmatic
interpretation of Islam,
subsequently serving time in
Belmarsh for, lets just
say, nefarious activities.
Long before we had seen the
programme, the BBC was
widely chastised for
providing a platform to a
self-confessed terrorist
sympathiser. One tabloid
described it as a Muslim
Big Brother.
However, from the moment
Haqq walked into the
Apprentice-style luxury
rented accommodation and
started handing out leaflets
about how women should
dress, it was obvious he was
not going to get very far
spreading his message among
these housemates. What
became immediately clear was
that try as he might and
boy was he trying his
fellow Muslims found him
nuttier than the fruitcake
he doubtless regards as the
food of Satan.
This is so pathetic, said
housemate Saba, as Haqq
refused her greeting with
the observation that the
Koran forbids him from
shaking hands with a woman,
what he gives you is the
illusion of knowledge. Hes
bogged down in the literal
interpretation of words.
This was the fundamental
(and fundamentalist) point.
For most of the housemates,
Islam was a background
comfort in their lives,
prayer an opportunity for
contemplation. It was
certainly not the excuse for
fascistic intolerance. These
were good folk no more
likely to be swayed by
Haqqs dogmatic misreading
of the Koran than would be
the Archbishop of
Canterbury.
Besides, what made Muslims
Like Us so compelling was
that Haqq was an oddball
sideshow. What this
programme did was shed light
on a section of society
systematically vilified for
the actions of its Haqq-like
loony fringe. Far more
interesting were the doubts
and dilemmas that faced the
other housemates.
Indeed, saucer-eyed Mehreen,
trying to reconcile her
faith with her hair and
heels, provided the opening
episodes sharpest moment.
Acknowledging that charity
is at the heart of Islam,
the group volunteered to
serve lunch to homeless
people in Leeds. As Haqq
lectured the recipients
about the evils of alcohol,
Mehreen found herself at the
wrong end of analysis by a
couple of the unfortunate
street dwellers about why
they were in their current
predicament. Swallowing
mendacious political
populism wholesale, they
told her it was all the
fault of the immigrants. To
which Mehreen smilingly
replied:
Well, Im the daughter of
immigrants, and if my
parents hadnt have come to
this country, you wouldnt
have got lunch today.
The Australian-based
Lebanese Muslim Association
(LMA) has been sent a number
of anonymous Christmas cards
filled with abusive messages
and, in some cases, pieces
of bacon and pig fat.
The LMA shared pictures of
the cards on Facebook and
wrote that they were sent by
adoring fans.
The cards included messages
like Musys
Fit in or fuck off,
Merry
Christmas goat fuckers
and Fuck
you and stop being racist
you pigs.
Mostafa Rachwani from the
LMA told Junkee that the
card deliveries are fairly
common but have become more
regular towards the end of
this year.
Generally, though, those
sentiments have become more
common, with our Facebook
pages usually inundated with
hateful comments during or
after any public incidents
involving Muslims, he said.
The staff at the LMA are
shaken by these kinds of
incidents every time. The
shock of finding something
so hateful never abates, and
no matter how often they
come, the staff continue to
be disturbed every time.
Last week the prayer room at
Bankstown-Lidcombe hospital
in Sydney was vandalised
when someone covered the
prayer mats in bacon.
The LMA absolutely believes
it is time our political
leaders condemn these
actions, as well as the
sentiments behind them,
Rachwani told Junkee.
It is unacceptable that our
leaders continue to be
silent on these issues, and
enable these attitudes to
continue relentlessly. The
time for comment is long
past, it is time our
political leaders show
actual leadership and stand
against such hatred and
vitriol.
During the Human Rights
Committees first public
hearing in Canberra this
week, it was announced that
the date for submissions to
the Freedom of Speech in
Australia Inquiry has been
extended to 23 December
2016.
The last Inquiry into
Section 18C in 2014 received
5700 submissions. The
overwhelming majority of
those submissions were
opposed to any watering down
of protections against race
hate speech.
It is important, for the
current Inquiry, that the
Committee hears from people
who have experienced abuse
so they can better
understand what is happening
in communities across
Australia and have the best
laws.
If you have experienced
abuse because you are
Indigenous, Asian or African
or even because you belong
to the Sikh or Muslim
communities, you can share
your story with the Human
Rights Committee Inquiry
into Freedom of Speech.
A short letter telling the
Committee your story can be
sent to their address:-
Committee Secretary;
Parliamentary Joint
Committee on Human Rights;
PO Box 6100, Parliament
House, Canberra ACT 2600, or
you can send it to the
Committee
via their website and
clicking the Upload
Submission button.
As the Deputy Chair of the
Parliamentary Inquiry into
Freedom of Speech, I would
encourage as many people as
possible to contact the
Committee to make sure that
their voices are heard,
said Graham Perrett MP, the
Federal Member for Moreton
and the Deputy Chair of the
Human Rights Committee.
"As the Deputy Chair of the
Human Rights Committee
responsible for this Inquiry
I participated in the first
public hearing this week. I,
along with other members of
the Committee, questioned
representatives of the Human
Rights Commission and the
Attorney-Generals
Department. I have had many
members of the community
express to me their personal
experiences of racial
discrimination. It is
important that the Committee
hears these personal
experiences," Mr Perrett
told CCN.
Part of the evidence tabled
during the public hearing
was the Explanatory
Memorandum to the Racial
Hatred Bill 1994 which
states that Section 18C was
intended to protect a broad
base of peoples such as
Sikhs, Jews and Muslims.
The Explanatory Memorandum
that accompanied the Racial
Hatred Bill 1994 can be
read in full here.
That Bill amended the Racial
Discrimination Act to
include section 18C.
A relevant section in the
Racial Hatred Bill is
highlighted below:
The terms "ethnic
origin" and "race" are
complementary and are
intended to be given a
broad meaning.
The term "ethnic origin"
has been broadly
interpreted in
comparable overseas
common law jurisdictions
(cf King-Ansell v Police
[1979] 2 NZLR per
Richardson J at p.531
and Mandia v Dowell Lee
[1983] 2 AC 548 (HL) per
Lord Fraser at p.562).
It is intended that
Australian courts would
follow the prevailing
definition of "ethnic
origin" as set out in
King-Ansell. The
definition of an ethnic
group formulated by the
Court in King-Ansell
involves consideration
of one or more of
characteristics such as
a shared history,
separate cultural
tradition, common
geographical origin or
descent from common
ancestors, a common
language (not
necessarily peculiar to
the group), a common
literature peculiar to
the group, or a religion
different from that of
neighbouring groups or
the general community
surrounding the group.
This would provide the
broadest basis for
protection of peoples
such as Sikhs, Jews and
Muslims.
The term "race" would
include ideas of
ethnicity so ensuring
that many people of, for
example, Jewish origin
would be covered. While
that term connotes the
idea of a common
descent, it is not
necessarily limited to
one nationality and
would therefore extend
also to other groups of
people such as Muslims.
Today (Sunday) teams from Youth
Connect Queensland (pictured)
from the Slacks Creek Mosque and
The Logan Roos Football Club
will compete against each other
at the Metro Sports Centre at
Browns Plains.
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:
Flavie Audi, Artist, 29
Above: top £580, skirt
£2,600, shoes £670, all
Cιline
Flavie Audi was born in
Paris to Lebanese parents,
but shes been based in
London for over a decade
after moving here to study
at the Architectural
Association, and then at the
Royal College of Art.
Studying in London seemed
very prestigious and there
is a freedom here when it
comes to architecture it
felt like a place where I
could be rebellious with my
ideas.
The 29-year-old
Chelsea-based artist has
gained critical acclaim for
her ingenious glasswork
her Cosmic Clouds collection
is the result of oxidising
silver with glass to create
uneven cloud-like sculptures
in brilliant blues and she
thrives on experimentation.
In New York, her pieces were
exhibited alongside Ai
Weiwei, and she is taking an
envy-inducing month-long
residency at the Six Senses
resort in the Maldives, who
have commissioned her to
recycle the islands glass
as part of an on-going art
programme.
Her first solo show will
open in November at the
Fitzrovia gallery, Tristan
Hoare. It will be a special
moment: I love London for
the mix of tradition and
newness. But there is
something subtle about
London. It is not a city
that shows off.
Later this year, shell take
part in House of Today, a
platform for Lebanese art in
Beirut. To be showing there
is important to me glass
was first blown in Lebanon
in an ancient city called
Sidon. My family come from
the country where glass was
born, and that fact is a
constant inspiration to me.
Though she is a master
manipulator of glass, she
does not wish to be
pigeon-holed. I trained in
architecture and craft and I
want to always explore
different art disciplines,
she says. Whats great
about London is that
everything feels like it is
an option. There is so much
variety in the arts here,
and I am constantly coming
across new ideas.
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
T-Pain
Born Faheed Rashad Najm,
rapper-producer T-Pain was
raised in a Muslim
household, but has firmly
stated that he believes in
everything, and says that
religion curbs free will, a
reason why he will never
associate himself with a
single faith. In any case,
it doesnt appear as if he
had an orthodox upbringing
given his lifestyle and song
lyrics. T-Pain is married to
a Christian woman with whom
he has an open relationship,
and has referenced alcohol
and drugs in quite a few of
his songs.
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 12 of the interview,
Shaykh Omar takes questions
from the audience. According
to Sheikh Omar Suleiman,
there are various categories
of martyrdom in islam, which
isnt just achieved through
fighting. If you die
defending your property or a
woman dies giving birth, you
are considered a martyr in
Islam, for example. When it
comes to fighting for the
sake of God and dying in a
just war, this is also
considered a praiseworthy
station. But never is
martyrdom equated to
terrorism in Islam. There is
no concept of seeking to
kill innocent civilians.
Prophet Muhammad beseeched
Muslims never to wish for
war. We are not meant to be
a people who crave violence,
but once there is a just war
then the nobel men and women
who partake of it are
praised for their sacrifice.
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.)
Theres no
pope of Sunni
Islam, the
largest branch
of the religion.
But the chief
clerics in Saudi
Arabia and their
counterparts at
Egypts Al-Azhar
University come
awfully close.
Or at least they
did. Thats
changing.
Were no longer
talking about a
group of
Egyptian,
Pakistani, or
Iranian sheikhs
who are imported
here to teach
Americans about
Islam, says
Omid Safi, a
professor of
Islamic studies
at Duke
University.
More American
Muslims want to
have someone who
articulates
their vision of
Islam with an
American
accent.
A new
generation of
American Muslim
religious
leaders is
making its voice
heard. They
are
American-born or
arrived young
and grew up in
the United
States. Some are
white converts,
like Hamza
Yusuf,
co-founder of
Zaytuna College,
an Islamic
university in
Berkeley,
California, and
Suhaib Webb, who
the Islamic
State recently
put on its hit
list; others are
African-American,
such as Amina
Wadud, who in
2005 became the
first woman to
lead Friday
prayers in the
United States (a
woman also gave
the call to
prayer).
CONTINUING THE
LESSON NEXT WEEK
IN CCN:
They are
bridging what
many American
Muslims see as a
huge disconnect
in their
religion.
Claim of
Muslim multiple
marriage welfare
rort is a beat
up
The claim that
Muslims are
rorting the
welfare system
with multiple
wives is a beat
up. Very few
practice
polygamous
relationships,
if for nothing
else, the faith
will only allow
this if the
husband has the
capacity to
provide for all.
In any case, it
is rare in
Australia.
The reporting of
the allegation
in some sections
of the media as
fact rather than
opinion is
worrying and an
indicator of how
far it has
embraced the
tabloid
sensationalism
and never let
the facts get in
the way of a
story style of
reporting.
Why single out
Muslims in any
case. There are
Christian sects
that practice
polygamy. To be
consistent, the
knockers should
have a go at
them too. But
not a word is
heard.
In any case,
what right do
the rest of us
have, to
interfere in
consenting
relationships,
even if they are
different to
what we are
accustomed to?
The zealots
pursuing the
crime of Muslims
using multiple
wives to rort
welfare, use no
more than
hearsay. It is
not backed up
with evidence.
Proving what you
are saying is
much harder than
pulling
allegations out
of thin air.
What better
evidence of the
bankruptcy of
the claim is
there than when
in the same
breath, those
making the
allegation,
complain that
there is no
data? No data,
no evidence.
Not everyone is
a fan of
Centrelink
practices. But
it must be said
that its rules
forbid treating
people
differently
because of their
faith. Are the
zealots
suggesting that
this should
change? It
certainly sounds
like it.
Another
question. Is
this really a
complaint about
rorting? Or is
it another shot
fired in a
perceived war
against Islam?
Islamic
marriages are
legal in
Australia,
because they do
not contravene
the Marriage
Act. Polygamous
marriages are
accepted when
they do happen
to occur,
because they are
regarded as
religious
unions. Unions
do not have to
be registered.
This applies to
a range of
different
faiths,
including Hindu
and Buddhism.
None are singled
out for special
treatment.
Defacto unions
are also
recognised. Each
is allowed to
practice their
belief.
Centrelink deals
with these
unions
accordingly.
Benefits are
paid out to all
claimants based
on the persons
personal
circumstances
and the number
of dependencies.
It would be
unfair to draw
distinctions
between one and
another.
When claiming
for
dependencies,
other than
children, the
money going to
dependencies is
less than what
they would
receive if they
applied as
individuals.
Putting in a
claim that gives
you less can
hardly be called
rorting.
Most Australians
want religion
kept out of
government. It
has no place
there,
regardless of
which faith.
Government
should be
secular. Having
it succumb to
Christian law is
as repugnant as
succumbing to
Sharia law.
Australia is not
threatened by
Sharia law. A
few voices might
call for this.
There are also
Christian voices
calling to
impose Christian
law.
It is time to
insist on a bit
of honesty from
those making
spurious claims.
If they believe
Muslims should
be treated
differently from
others they
should say so
openly. They
should not hide
behind the
shouting of
unfounded
allegations, and
when they
practice this,
do not deserve
to be taken
seriously.
A member of
Donald Trump's
transition team
is touting the
revival of a
screening
program for
people in the US
on non-immigrant
visas from
nations he calls
"high risk," but
critics say this
type of program
unfairly targets
Muslims based on
their religion.
CNN's Drew
Griffin reports.
Tech workers
pledge to never
help Trump build
Muslim registry
Donald Trump
made a lot of
promises on the
campaign trail.
And now some
technologists
are making their
own.
While
campaigning,
Trump pledged to
create of a
database of
Muslims.
After winning
the election, he
told "60
Minutes" he
would look into
deporting
millions of
illegal
immigrants.
While it's
unclear whether
he intends to
follow through
on those
promises, some
in Silicon
Valley aren't
taking any
chances.
On Tuesday, a
group of
engineers,
designers, and
tech executives
pledged that
they would never
participate in
mass data
collection that
targets people
based on race or
religion.
At least 55
people have
signed the
pledge, posted
on
NeverAgain.tech.
They say they
will work within
their companies
-- which include
Google (GOOGL,
Tech30), Stripe,
Twitter (TWTR,
Tech30) and IBM
(IBM, Tech30) --
to make sure
data is
collected and
used ethically,
and they will
speak out
against misuse.
The group
references
previous
atrocities,
including the
internment of
Japanese
Americans during
World War II
(which one Trump
supporter called
a "precedent"
for the proposed
Muslim registry)
and IBM's
business
relationship
with Nazi
Germany.
"We refuse to
build a database
of people based
on their
constitutionally-protected
religious
beliefs. We
refuse to
facilitate mass
deportations of
people the
government
believes to be
undesirable,"
the group wrote.
The group also
promises to
delete
"high-risk"
datasets and
backups, make
end-to-end
encryption the
default if
possible, and
ensure the
government
follows legal
protocols when
requesting data.
The signatories
say they will
speak out if
data is misused
at their
companies and
will quit their
jobs rather than
participate in
data collection
for questionable
government
purposes.
"Many of us are
driving similar
discussions
within our
organizations,
and with the
pledge we are
committing
publicly to
continue to
raise concerns
about the use of
data within our
organizations,"
Ka-Ping Yee, a
software
engineer who
signed the
pledge, said in
an email to
CNNMoney.
Considering the
amount of
personal
information
online, it's not
a stretch to
imagine tech
companies would
be tapped if
Trump's
administration
followed through
with creating a
registry of some
sort.
The tech
industry has
been critical of
Trump, but it
seems to show a
desire to work
with his
administration.
The
president-elect
is planning to
meet with
Silicon Valley
executives on
Wednesday.
China Doesnt Mind Islamic
Extremists. As long as they're not Uighur.
LANZHOU, China Ma Xin
couldnt find the Salafi mosque. We were
walking through the northwestern citys
Xiaoxihu neighborhood, a traditionally
Muslim minority-dominated area. Ma, a
24-year-old Chinese Muslim whod
recently graduated from university and
was working for a halal fruit juice
company, had promised to bring me to one
of the mosques adhering to Salafi
teaching. Behind a busy shopping street,
we found a dirt lot piled high with
debris, the red character chai
(demolish) still sprayed on the
half-destroyed walls of a recently
scrapped building.
But what looked like a sign of a
crackdown turned out to be the opposite.
A few minutes away from the lot, we met
38-year-old Hussein, an Arabic-language
teacher at the mosques attached madrasa,
or Islamic school, temporarily located
in a set of portable trailers. It was
the congregation that had decided to
knock the mosque down, Hussein told us:
That mosque has already been renovated
three times. Everything is funded by
private donations.
Now they were going to rebuild and
expand the building, making more space
for the approximately 60 madrasa
students and additional worshippers.
Hussein had studied Arabic for two years
at King Saud University in Riyadh and
now taught language for scriptural
interpretation to Hui teenagers, members
of the ethno-religious minority that
makes up approximately half of Chinas
23 million Muslims. When Ma asked
Hussein if their school had trouble
operating because of its Salafi
association, Hussein frowned. Foreign
media is messing things up by saying
Salafis are extremists. The government
doesnt interfere with us, he said.
Husseins experience of a hands-off
state approach was surprising in the
context of Beijings convoluted history
with Islam and recent rhetoric about
countering extremism through ideological
control. Chinese authorities have
historically associated religion with
ethnic separatism, unwanted foreign
influence, and domestic turmoil. In the
19th century, sectarian Islamic clashes
and an apocalyptic Christian revolt led
to the deaths of millions of people in
the countrys south and west. In recent
days, the rise in violent extremism and
radical jihad around the world has also
left China grappling with its own
terrorist incidents, including a knife
attack at the Kunming train station in
2014, another attack on a coal mine in
Aksu in 2015, and a car bombing at the
Chinese Embassy in Kyrgyzstan this fall.
Junaid Jamshed
was a pop icon, a fashion
designer, a businessman and a
devout Islamic preacher.
On December 7,
2016, an ill-fated Pakistani
Airlines flight from mountainous
Chitral in the countrys north
to the state capital, Islamabad,
ended in the aircrafts crash
near Abbottabad. More than 30
perished, including 52-year old
Junaid Jamshed Khan, easily one
of the most recognizable
personalities in Pakistan.
PAKISTAN: HIS weak
eyesight prevented him from
achieving his childhood dream of
becoming a fighter pilot and instead
he graduated as an engineer. Due to
his excellent sense and skills of
music he became lead vocalist of
Vital Signs in the early 80s.
Pakistans rock music industrys
fast development was mainly due to
the commercial success of Vital
Signs first album with Junaid
Jamshed as main singer of the most
popular patriotic song Dil Dil
Pakistan.
After having gone through many ups
and downs, from the most popular pop
singer to bankruptcy, to a revival
of fortunes, he quit music and
devoted his life to Islam and became
an Islamic preacher and charity
worker. He also kept his singing
skills alive and joined the ranks of
Pakistans highly respected Quran
reciters and nasheed (vocal Islamic
songs) singers.
The Jordan-based annual publication
The Muslim 500 listed Junaid Jamshed
in the 2014 issue as one of the
worlds most influential Muslims for
his achievements and active
involvement in charity work,
especially with the UK registered
NGO Muslim Charity.
The Muslim Charity, under his
enthusiastic leadership has achieved
a great deal and expanded its
operations to many countries. Muslim
Charity has provided assistance in
many natural disasters such as the
Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami
in 2004 and the Pakistan earthquake
of 2005.
The young handsome man with a guitar
of 1983 who turned into a religious
preacher and charity worker met his
Creator on Dec 7 May Allah rest his
sou in peace.
M. Khalid Kamal
Doha, Qatar.
The Dawn
Junaid Jamshed
at a fund raiser in Brisbane in
2014
KB says:
.and here is another recipe for the holidays.
It's easy, full of flavour and can feed a whole
family. This recipe was shared by Aakifah
Suleman who said that her family wiped the bowl
clean.
One-Pot Chicken Fajita Pasta
Ingredients
3 Tbsp. oil
2 chicken breasts, sliced
1 red bell pepper, sliced
1 green bell pepper, sliced
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced
1 onion, sliced
2 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
1 Tbsp. chili powder
1 tsp. green chillies
1 Tbsp. cumin
1 Tbsp. garlic powder
5 cups milk
4 cups uncooked penne pasta
1 cup grated cheese
Method
Heat oil in a large
pot over medium to high heat.
Add chicken and cook
until no pink is visible, then take the chicken
out.
Add the bell peppers and onion, cooking until
the onion is translucent.
Add the chicken back
to the pot with salt, pepper, chili powder,
green chillies. cumin, and garlic powder,
stirring until evenly coated.
Add the milk and the penne, stirring constantly
to prevent any pasta from sticking.
Cook for about 8-10
minutes until pasta is cooked and the milk has
reduced to a thick sauce that coats the pasta.
Before serving, add the cheese and mix until
melted.
Garnish with chopped coriander.
Try finding exercises that are right for you.
Listen to your body and stay safe with exercises
that help energise you to get through your day.
This will not only keep you motivated, but will
prove that age is no barrier to fitness and
dedication.
We all seem to be time-poor, so plan your day
and make sure that exercise is at the top of
your list. Work around your ailments / injuries
rather than against them.
Surround yourself with like-minded people and
motivate each other.
Be sure We shall test you
with something of fear and
hunger, some loss in goods
or lives or the fruits (of
your toil), but give glad
tidings to those who
patiently persevere.
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
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
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It is the usual policy of CCN to
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August 2011