These three flags will be a
permanent feature at the front
of the Holland Park Mosque
Federal Senator Clare Moore and
Mr Graham Perrett MP raised the
Australian flag, Mr Joe Kelly
MP, State Member for
Greenslopes, representing the
Premier of Queensland, raised
the Queensland flag, and Aunty
Kathija Ahmed, Aunty Betty
McGrady and Aunty Halima Binawah
raised the Aboriginal flag.
At the raising of the
Australian, Aboriginal and
Queensland flag ceremony at
the Holland Park Mosque last
Sunday, resident Imam Uzair
Akbar
was recognized by the Mosque
for his 20 years of service
as was the late Imam Abdul
Raheem Rane who served the
Mosque from 1950 to 1980..
In accepting his plaque Imam
Uzair told the well attended
function that his meeting a
group of Australians while
studying to become an imam
persuaded him to move Down
Under from the UK where he
was born.
“There were two Aussie
students and I was intrigued
by their accent, so I
thought I would give it a
try,” Imam Uzair said.
“The first two or three
years were testing because
the community was getting to
know me. Nowadays it’s like
home.”
“The flags show the wider
community that we may not
share the same faith, but we
all live in this beautiful
country and we all want it
to blossom from strength to
strength,” he said.
Assoc Prof Halim Rane
recounted the work of his
grandfather, Imam Rane, and
Ms Maleha Newaz spoke of her
father, Imam Mohammad
Rahimulllah (Imam from 1980
to 1990) and his impressive
list of academic
achievements.
Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari,
who was the Imam of the
Mosque from 1990 to 1996,
received his acknowledgement
in absentia.
Also recognized for their
contributions to the Mosque
were Zahira Deen, Jaibun
Deen, Janeth Deen, Osman
Rane, Jamal Rane, Ali Deen,
Bashir Deen and Rahime Meka.
Mr AK Surtie received a
plaque
for his work with the Muslim
Funeral Services. Other
awards included Fakher
Baytieh for 1st Madrassa
teacher, Quari Fidur Rehman
for 1st Hafiz teacher and
Arif Khan for calling the
Azan five times a day for
fifteen years.
Minister for Multicultural
Affairs, Ms Grace Grace MP,
delivered the keynote
address.
Ali Kadri, spokesperson for
ICQ and member of the
Islamic Society of Holland
Park, performed the role of
Master of Ceremony. The
function was co-ordinated by
Janeth Deen.
Mr.
Graham Perrett, MP spoke in
parliament this week about
the flag raising ceremony
Yesterday, I was proud
to help raise the
Australian, Queensland
and Aboriginal flags as
part of a ceremony
recognising the history
of the Holland Park
Mosque, Australia's
oldest continuing mosque
with a history
stretching back to 1908.
Since that time, the
Holland Park Mosque and
everyone associated with
it have contributed
greatly to Queensland's
significant
multicultural and
multifaith history. This
history includes some of
Queensland's oldest
Muslim families—the Rane,
Goss, Ramah, Deen, Khan
and Howsan families to
name only a few. The
ceremony recognised many
of these families and
their commitment to our
community.
Of particular note was
the unveiling of a
plaque dedicated to the
late Imam Abdul Raheem
Rane, who was the first
appointed imam on the
east coast of Australia.
For 40 years, Imam Rane
loyally served his
community as an unpaid
imam and social worker.
He was influential in
setting up and
supporting other Islamic
societies across
Queensland. The plaque
was presented to Imam
Rane's family, including
his wife Joyce—nee
Christensen—who, like
Imam Rane, has a long
history of service to
the Islamic community.
I would like to thank
everyone in the Islamic
society of Holland Park
for inviting me to
participate in the
ceremony, particularly
Janeth Deen, a recent
recipient of a Moreton
Australia Day Award, and
all those involved for
organising the wonderful
event. I look forward to
continuing to work with
people of the Holland
Park Mosque, who are
tireless in their
leadership and work
throughout our
community. They will be
around long after
certain racist
Queensland senators are
a long-forgotten,
historical blip.
Mr Joe
Kelly MP spoke about the
ceremony in the Queensland
Parliament
This week in Parliament
I was privileged to be
able to speak about the
flag raising ceremony
held at Holland Park
Mosque last weekend.
Given the events of the
last two days the focus
of my speech has become
more pertinent.
We are a successful
multicultural society,
and this has not
happened by accident.
"When faced with
difference, we can turn
away in fear, perhaps
build a wall to hide
behind. Or,
alternatively, we can
raise a flag for all to
see. A flag that says we
are tolerant, we are
welcoming, we are here
to support each other,
and, most importantly,
we are all humans."
Congratulations to
Holland Park Mosque and
the leaders of this
community.
Muslimah Mind Matters - FREE
JOURNALING DAY held at The Deck
Cafe on 23rd March, 2017. A day
with coffee, halal gourmet food
and joyful journaling with
Sister Iqra.
The prime minister says he
has already told Pauline
Hanson a ban on Muslims
would be seen as doing what
the terrorists want.
Malcolm Turnbull has
suggested Pauline Hanson is
doing what Islamic
terrorists want by promoting
a Muslim ban.
The prime minister was again
critical of the One Nation
leader after she used the
London terror attack to call
on people to pray for a ban
on Muslims.
"The object of the Islamist
terrorist is to get the
broader society to turn on
Muslims at large," he told
3AW's Neil Mitchell on
Friday.
Mr Turnbull said he had
already made that position
clear to Senator Hanson.
"If you seek to attribute to
all Australian Muslims
responsibility for the
crimes of ISIL then you are
doing what ISIL wants."
Earlier, Labor frontbencher
Anthony Albanese noted the
alleged attacker didn't have
any known terrorist links
and was born in the UK.
"I think it was
extraordinary that Pauline
Hanson chose to politicise
an issue like this at the
time that she did," he told
the Nine Network.
"To play politics at a time
like that, was, I just
think, said a lot about the
nature of her character."
Cabinet minister Christopher
Pyne said the senator's
proposal wouldn't solve any
problems because many of
those on a terror watch list
in Australia were citizens.
"We're not about to deport
Australian citizens whose
are Muslims because of any
kind of xenophobic
campaign," he said.
Senator Hanson on Thursday
released video footage which
encouraged people to pray
for London.
"It's pray for Muslim ban.
That is how you solve the
problem," she added.
"Calling for
a Muslim ban is childish!"
Eric Campbell condemns
Pauline Hanson’s response to
the London attack #TheDrum
HOW LOW
WILL HANSON GO: Graham
Perrett MP (Member for
Moreton)
Press
release
Not even
24 hours after the
tragic terrorist attack
at the heart of
democracy in London, The
One Nation Political
Party’s leader has
launched a bizarre
attack on an entire
religion.
Queensland Senator
Hanson should hang her
head in shame at this
vile political stunt to
promote her own agenda
at the expense of
families and friends
affected by this horrid
London attack.
All Muslims are no more
to blame for the
terrorist attacks of
criminals than all
Catholics are to blame
for the sexual abuse of
children.
The sins of an evil few
should not be visited on
the innocent many.
In the same week that
the Prime Minister
introduced a Bill to
weaken the protections
against race hate
speech, Senator Hanson
has uttered hate against
an Australian religious
community.
I utterly condemn the
attack on Westminster
Bridge in London and,
like all Australians, my
heart breaks for the
families and friends of
the victims. This is a
tragic day for London
and a day when, across
the world, all
politicians of all
stripes should stand
shoulder to shoulder
against terrorists no
matter who they are,
where they come from, or
what their agenda is.
Using this tragedy for
political point scoring
is despicable.
Enough is
enough! I cannot even
begin to understand how
such an openly racist
individual is allowed to
run a political party
and spread such hatred.
As a 24
year old Australian
citizen I am absolutely
DISGUSTED by the recent
actions of Pauline
Hanson and her so called
"Pray 4 Muslim Ban".
I
therefore propose a
petition to "BAN PAULINE
HANSON". I am proud to
be Australian, however
seeing actions such as
this by Australian
politicians makes me
embarrassed to be an
Australian! This needs
to stop!
At the end of the day no
matter our gender,
sexual identity, IQ,
religion, or race WE ARE
ALL HUMAN and each and
every one of us deserves
the same amount of
respect and love.
Last Tuesday, 21 March saw
the Australian International
Islamic College (AIIC)
celebrating its annual
Harmony Day which coincided
with the National Day of
Action Against Bullying and
Violence.
It was a day of cultural
exchange, awareness and
appreciation. Flags and
posters of different
countries decorated the
hall. Students who came
dressed in their ethnic
attire were also encouraged
to bring a traditional dish
to share with their friends
during lunch
.
In the morning, students
were treated to an hour-long
assembly programme of
performances and
presentations. Judging from
the raucous response, the
high point of the programme
was when the unofficial
Australia anthem, “I am
Australian” made popular by
the 60’s band, the Seekers
was sung by the students led
by the college’s Nasyeed
group.
After morning tea, the
primary school students were
given a crash course on
popular traditional games
played in parts of Africa
and Asia.
One of them was Jagi Jagi
which is a Somali game
comprising of 5 stones and
another was Bano which
essentially means marbles in
Swahili. A popular station
with both boys and girls was
‘Sepak Takraw’ or ‘Kick
Volleyball’ which is a sport
played in Southeast Asia. In
this game, students used a
soft rubber ball in lieu of
a rattan ball to kick over a
badminton net. The game is
played pretty much like
volleyball but without
hands.
At the end of the day, staff
gathered for a sumptuous
shared meal at the library.
The array of delicacies and
dishes spanned several
continents from Lebanese
baklava to Indian biryani
and Singapore fried noodles.
So, what did Harmony Day
mean to the students?
According to 9 year- old
Hussein Baruti who hailed
from Malawi, it meant “Not
disrespecting other people’s
culture.”
His friend, Omar Ali from
Somalia said that, “Harmony
Day equals Anti-Bullying.”
Both boys loved the
traditional games session
especially ‘Sepak Takraw’.
Josna Akter who is of
Bangladeshi background loved
the food sharing segment of
the day. She strongly
believed that celebrating
occasions like Harmony Day
could reduce conflicts
around the world.
Fildausi, also of Malawi
heritage and Sowda Khalif
from Somalia especially
liked the spicy Bangladeshi
food their friend shared.
Through such sharing and
interaction, students got to
know and appreciate each
other’s culture a lot
better. Both girls never
felt so Australian until
they sang the song, “I am
Australian” that morning.
The lyrics of the song
resonated deeply with them.
Sumaiya Gedik, the college’s
vice-captain felt that
Harmony Day was about
celebrating diversity
without which, there could
be no peace or unity. She is
a living example of that
diversity being part
Fijian-Indian Iraqi and
Turkish.
The college’s captain, Rahim
Mohammadi who was born in
Iran before emigrating to
Afghanistan and then to
Australia likened Harmony
Day to Peace Day where
people felt connected to
each other, where everything
that was good and positive
was highlighted and
emphasized and nothing bad
was talked about.
This point was aptly summed
up by the college’s
principal, Mrs Mariam Banwa
in her assembly speech when
she said that “It’s all
about inclusiveness, respect
and a sense of belonging for
everyone.”
And Harmony Day at AIIC was
all about that.
High school students
sharing food
Students sharing
their traditional
food
Students and
staff had a
try at the
traditional
games
stations.
Clockwise:
‘Jagi Jagi’
(5 stones),
‘Sepak
Takraw’
(Kick
Volleyball),
Dod Nan Yang
(Rubber band
skipping
game) and
‘Capteh’ (
Shuttlecock)
The Queensland Multicultural
Awards recognise outstanding
contributions to a unified,
harmonious and inclusive
Queensland.
This year's theme is
Creating Welcome, Building
Opportunity and Celebrating
Diversity. There are six
categories to acknowledge
business, individuals,
youth, local clubs or
community groups, not for
profit organisations and
government activities that
capture the imagination of
all Queenslanders by
creating a sense of
belonging and welcome and
that celebrate our state's
rich diversity.
There is also a special
Minister's Multicultural
Award that will recognise an
outstanding nominee and all
nominees will be considered
for this prestigious award.
If you work or volunteer to
promote the benefits of a
multicultural Queensland,
nominate now.
A
very
successful
Harmony
Day
and
National
Day
of
Action
against
Bulling
and
Violence
event
was
organised
by
the
students
of
the
Islamic
College
of
Brisbane.
There
was
an
inspiring
story
from
one
student
who
overcame
bullying
and
a
teacher
who
spoke
about
living
under
apartheid
South
Afrcia
and
how
racism
and
bullying
are
wrong.
Several
short
videos
were
played
and
well
received,
reminding
everyone
on
the
negative
impacts
of
bullying.
Students
dressing
up
in
traditional
costumes
lent
colour
to
the
event.
The
biggest
cheer
was
when
students
were
told
to
never
forget
they
were
Australian.
The
Queensland
Police
Service
was
represented
by
Senior
Sergeant
Lance
Bowman,
while
David
Forde
represented
Multicultural
Affairs
Queensland.
Season 1
Episode 1 — Conquest (ONLY
SIX DAYS LEFT TO WATCH FOR
FREE)
Conquest - The cultures and
religions that have shaped
the Spain we know today are
revealed over the course of
a journey through its key
cities: Madrid, Granada,
Cordoba, Seville and
Cartagena. Simon Montefiore
tells a story packed with
surprises, including some of
the great civilisations of
the ancient world and its
extraordinary characters -
from Hannibal to the
Inquisition and the rise of
the Habsburgs, Napoleon,
Franco and beyond. Discover
how this is a part of the
world where the influence of
previous cities and their
respective faiths are
evident at every turn. (S.1
Ep.1) (From the UK)
Blood And Gold: The Making
Of Spain
Season 1 Episode 2 —
Reconquest (ONLY 14 DAYS
LEFT TO WATCH FOR FREE)
Reconquest - In a culturally
rich three-part series,
Simon Sebag Montefiore
uncovers the surprising and
thrilling history of Spain.
Simon uncovers the truth
about Spain's hero El Cid.
He also investigates the
horror of the Spanish
Inquisition and in the
process discovers an
unsettling story about one
of his own ancestors. (Part
2 of 3) (From the UK)
(Documentary Series)
Bronwyn
Bishop has urged Australians
to “fight for our culture”
while announcing her support
of a ban on headscarves in
Australia following a
controversial ruling made in
Europe overnight.
“It’s an excellent ruling,
an excellent ruling and I’d
like to see a similar ruling
here,” Ms Bishop told
Sydney’s Macquarie Radio
this afternoon.
The former politician and
speaker in the House of
Representatives was
responding to a decision
made in the European Court
of Justice which may allow
European companies to
legally forbid employees
from wearing Islamic
headscarves and other
visible religious symbols.
The court argued such a ban
does not constitute “direct
discrimination”.
“The word discriminate gets
banded around a hell of a
lot doesn’t it? But
sometimes it’s a good thing
to be discriminating and
it’s a good thing to not
tolerate the intolerable,”
said Ms Bishop told radio
host Ben Fordham.
The ruling in Europe was a
response to two cases
presented by a Belgian and a
French woman who were both
fired for refusing to remove
their headscarves in the
workplace.
Ms Bishop, who resigned from
Parliament in 2015 after a
travel expenses scandal,
says such a ban should be
adopted in Australia.
“I’ve said for a long time
that young girls who are
going to public schools in
Australia should wear the
school uniform and not a
religious uniform,” Ms
Bishop said.
She also referenced the
controversy surrounding
Punchbowl High in Sydney’s
west, where alternative ways
for pupils and female
teachers to interact are
being explored in response
to religious beliefs that
prevent males from shaking a
woman’s hand.
“Somehow people are saying a
solution to that is they can
put their hand on their
heart,” said Ms Bishop.
“Well they can put their
hand where they damn well
like, but in this country,
if a hand is put out by a
woman, you take it. This is
our culture and we have to
fight for our culture.”
“When I hear the Department
of Education start to say
it’s okay for a boy to put
his hand on his heart
instead of taking a woman’s
hand is totally
unacceptable. Because the
belief behind that is that
women are unclean. It just
is totally unacceptable. In
this country men and women
are equal and if we don’t,
as women, stand up for that
continually then we will
lose that battle. I’m not
prepared to lose it.”
A promotional banner from
Think.Inc for Ayaan Hirsi Ali's
upcoming speaking tour to
Australia
Ayaan Hirsi Ali's upcoming
speaking tour to Australia
is not the first time she
has visited the country, but
it's the first time there
has been significant public
opposition, as a group of
high-profile Australian
Muslim women have launched a
petition against the
outspoken Dutch-American
activist, claiming she "does
not speak for us."
Unlike Geert Wilders, who
was recently defeated in the
Dutch national election, the
Somali-born Ayaan Hirsi Ali
might seem like an unlikely
advocate of the Dutch far
right: she’s female, black
and grew up Muslim. Now, a
group of Muslim women in
Australia are petitioning
her upcoming speaking tour
to the country.
The group, which includes a
number of high-profile
writers, academics and
activists, have expressed
“disappointment” over Ayaan
Hirsi Ali’s invitation to
speak in Australia as part
of a tour organised by event
group Think Inc.
In an online petition,
titled "Ayaan Hirsi Ali does
not speak for us," the group
stated that ,"Hirsi Ali’s
sheer presence in Australia
undermines both intra and
inter-community efforts
toward social cohesion and
in providing platforms for
Muslim women to champion
their own causes.”
Notwithstanding that
position, the group extended
an invitation for Hirsi Ali
to meet with them during her
visit and to engage in a
discussion to debate and
contest her views regarding
Islam and the status of
women in Islam.
The statement, which is
signed by about 270 Muslim
women in Australia,
including high profile
writers and activists,
condemns Hirsi Ali’s
discourse, which they say is
"grounded in hate-mongering
and bigotry." They also fear
that her views against Islam
will serve to increase what
they describe as "hostility
and hatred towards Muslims
in a world of increased
Islamophobia.”
The author is well known for
her views condemning Islam
and its incompatibility with
the West.
During her visit to
Australia last year, she
said on the ABC’s program
Q&A, “critics of Islam must
be less squeamish about
criticising practices
carried out in Muslim
countries such as forced
marriage.”
Hirsi Ali has often used her
own life experiences to shed
light on the conditions of
women in Muslim countries
and around the world. Her
story as a victim of female
genital mutilation, a
refugee who fled the civil
war in Somalia to then to be
married off to a Somali man
against her will, are widely
reported.
The protesting group insists
that they do not oppose
Hirsi Ali’s right to express
her opinion but highlight
that her views may incite
more aggression against
Muslims in Australia and
worldwide.
Award-winning playwright and
author Samah Sabawi, a
signatory to the petition
explained “Hirsi Ali’s brand
of hate speech and
incitement can lead to acts
of violence.”
“We have seen this in the US
as Trump’s anti- Islam
rhetoric directly lead to
various attacks against
Muslims. Muslim women,
especially those wearing
hijab, are especially
vulnerable as they are
identifiable targets.”
Think.Inc, the company
organising Hirsi Ali’s tour
to Australia (titled: 'The
Hero of Heresy') does not
see the visit in the same
light.
The company’s spokeswoman
Suzi Jamil told SBS Arabic
24 that the company provides
a platform for individuals
to discuss ideas and
encourage discussion
throughout society.
“We don’t feel that she’s
spreading hate-speech and we
don’t feel she is an
Islamophobe, otherwise we
wouldn’t be bringing her
here,” says Jamil.
Ralf Schumann, the deputy
president of the Australian
far-right group the Q
Society, tells SBS on behalf
of the group “We welcome
Ayaan Hirsi Ali.”
“She can travel wherever she
likes and speak to whoever
is interested to listen. No
one is forced to buy a
ticket.”
It seems that some in the
Federal Government didn't
get the memo that March 21
marks the United Nations
International Day for the
Elimination of Racial
Discrimination, not the
International Day for the
Sanctioning of Racial
Discrimination. The irony
was not lost on any of us
that they chose Harmony Day
to announce the watering
down of the hotly debated
provisions of the Racial
Discrimination Act.
Just a day earlier, Malcolm
Turnbull stood alongside Zed
Seselja handing down a
Multicultural Statement,
waxing lyrical about unity
and harmony to a room full
of racial minority groups.
Time and time again, the
debate around Section 18C
has reared its head and
injected itself into the
lounge rooms of ordinary,
garden variety Australians
who are more concerned about
how potential cuts to
penalty rates may impact on
their family budgets or the
possibility of never being
able to afford entering the
housing market.
And why is that while every
man and his dog can
seemingly cite 18C, but its
counterpart, 18D is
conveniently ignored? It's
Section 18D that balances
the objectives of 18C with
the need to protect
justifiable freedoms of
speech and expression, by
exempting: "anything said or
done reasonably and in good
faith," including in art and
journalism.
The Sydney
Morning Herald
Open
letter to Australian Prime
Minister from Prof Shahjahan
Khan:
To:
Honourable Prime
Minister Mr Malcolm
Turnbull MP
Australian Parliament
House
Canberra, ACT
22 March
2017
Ref: Rewriting
Section18C of the Racial
Discrimination Act 1975
(Commonwealth)
Dear Honourable Prime
Minister:
I am writing to you to
protest against the
recent move by your
Government to change
Section 18C of the RDA
that makes it unlawful
to 'offend, insult,
humiliate or intimidate'
someone because of their
race or ethnicity.
Why would you make it
lawful to 'offend,
insult, humiliate or
intimidate' anyone in
the name of ‘freedom of
speech’ while exemptions
under Section 18D of the
RDA already ensure that
artistic works,
scientific and academic
inquiry, and fair
comment on matters of
public interest are
exempt from section 18C,
provided they are done
reasonably and in good
faith?
The attempt to remove
the key words - offend,
insult, humiliate – from
Section 18C and replace
them with the word
‘harass’ (or anything
else) is viewed as an
encouragement to those
peoples who are already
on the attack on
Australians of different
races including
Aboriginals, Asians and
Muslims or anyone who
are different from him
or her.
The proposed change will
simply encourage those
who are already trying
to undermine Section 18C
by attacking different
ethnic and racial groups
of Australians and open
new doors of insult and
humiliation against whom
they don’t like. If the
proposed changes is
passed then different
racial and minority
communities will be more
vulnerable. My question
is, whom do you want to
protect and at the
expense of whom with the
proposed changes? If
anything is to be done,
Section 18C should be
strengthen to provide
extra protection to the
ethnic and racial groups
in the face of
increasing political
opportunism to
marginalise Australian
by un-Australian forces.
A good number of
fair-minded members of
your party and all major
opposition parties in
Australian Parliament as
well as ethnic groups in
Australia are against
the proposed changes. I
am sure the changes will
be seen by many
Australians and
international observers
as your Government’s
giving in to the demand
of politics of extremism
at the expense of
national unity and
stopping political
onslaught on peaceful
citizens. This has
become more dangerous
due to the emergence of
the doctrine of
‘alternative facts’ and
‘fake news’ to cover up
all wrongdoings and
blame everything on
others.
Ironically, you have
proposed the changes on
the ‘Harmony Day’
knowing fully that
opportunist politicians
are already attacking
multiculturalism and
ethnic and culturally
diverse groups in
Australia. These
extremist political
propaganda must be
stopped. Unfortunately,
the proposed changes
will do just the
opposite. This is
clearly against any
liberal values (that
your Liberal Party
stands for), and should
not have any place in
the civilised society.
There are many laws that
restrict freedom of
speech, such as laws
applying to defamation,
advertising and national
security, section 18C
fills an important gap
in legal protections for
those who are
increasingly under
attack and affected by
racial and ethnic hatred
and vilification.
I request you and your
Government to at least
maintain the much needed
protection, if not
strengthen it, to fellow
Australians of
difference racial and
ethnic background by not
removing the key words
from Section 18C of the
RDA.
Sincerely yours,
Professor Shahjahan
Khan, PhD
Professor of Statistics
University of Southern
Queensland
Toowoomba, Email:
shahjahan.khan@usq.edu.au
Founding President of
Islamic Society of
Toowoomba Inc
Phone 042108148, Email:
prof.shahjahan.khan@gmail.com
A compelling photo series
that explores the Muslim
faith in Indigenous
Australia, visually breaking
down preconceived ideas and
showing a rich and diverse
section of Australian
culture
The National Census reported
that 1,140 Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
Australians identify as
Muslim. This figure has
grown significantly in the
last 15 years, almost
doubling that of what was
recorded in 2001. While
Muslim conversion and
identification is growing in
Indigenous communities,
there is already a long
standing history with Islam.
Dating as far back as the
early 1700s, influences came
from Asian neighbours who
worked, traded and
socialised with First
Nations’ people; Afghan and
Indian cameleers in Central
Australia, Malay pearl
divers in the Torres Strait
and Cape York Peninsula, and
Indonesian fisherman in the
Top End.
More recently, Indigenous
people have become drawn to
Islam independently,
interested in its guiding
principles, spiritual
beliefs and the cultural
parallels between the faith
and traditional Aboriginal
culture. However, each
journey is as diverse as the
people themselves.
In an 2012 interview boxing
great, Anthony Mundine was
asked about the portrayal of
him in the media, to which
he replied, “I’m three
things that you shouldn’t be
in this society, and that’s
Muslim, Aboriginal and
outspoken.”
Reflecting on Mundine’s
powerful words and the
preconceptions of minority
groups, we consider national
identity. NITV would like to
thank the participants,
those who are who are
dedicated to their faith and
simultaneously committed to
keeping culture strong, for
inviting us into their homes
and sharing their stories
with us.
(Continued from last week's
CCN)
Wiradjuri brothers, Obeid (L)
and Omar (R), grew-up practicing
Islam. Their Aboriginal mother
came to Islam in her early 20s
and their father is
Syrian-Muslim.
With 11 February declared
the international day for
women in science, its a
chance to celebrate the
contributions of Muslim
scientists.
Prophet Muhammed (peace be
upon him) has said: “Seeking
knowledge is a mandate for
every Muslim (male and
female).”
These women have embodied
this and shown the world
what it means to be an
active achiever and mover of
the world in which we live.
CCN brings you one of these
scientists each week from
different parts of the
world.
(Continued from last week's
CCN)
Morocco/Canada: Dr Ismahane
Elouafiismahane Elouafi
Elouafi was awarded
a PhD in Genetics
from Cordoba
University and she
believes that
science has to be
the basis of
decisions and
development plans in
order to achieve
efficiency and
alleviate
discrimination and
poverty. She is
currently the
Director General of
ICBA, a leading
research facility
that aims to help
poor farmers in
places where water
is scarce. Prior to
her appointment as
head of the ICBA,
she held a number of
positions in the
Canadian Food
Inspection Agency.
“Wherever I went, I
had to work harder
to prove myself, and
often not just once,
but twice or three
times. Eventually, I
made a conscious
decision to stop
worrying about what
people thought of me
and just concentrate
on my job. It pains
me to say it, but I
have reached where I
am today not because
I’m a woman but in
spite of being a
woman.”
OXFORD, England
— One of the
many issues that
have been raised
here in the
aftermath of the
Brexit vote
revolves around
identity. What
does it mean to
be British, to
look British, to
sound British?
I was born and
raised here. I
live here. I’m
unquestionably
British. I’ve
been told that
when I speak, I
sound like Harry
Potter, which is
appropriate
because I am
very much a
fearless
Gryffindor.
But I’m also the
daughter of
Pakistani
immigrants. I’m
Muslim, I’ve
always been
spiritual, and I
choose to wear
the hijab while
examining my
personal
relationship
with Islam.
When people look
at me, they
assume I’m an
immigrant or a
refugee. Often
in restaurants
or at the
theater, I am
talked at, not
to. Waiters and
ticket takers
try not to look
at me, they
ignore me, and
then I speak and
I see confusion
kick in as they
try to figure
out who I am.
The only time
people don’t
ignore a hijab-wearing
woman is when
they hate you or
they suspect you
of being a
terrorist.
In the past 18
months I’ve
called the
police a number
of times after
being racially
harassed and
physically
threatened by
strangers. And
when I travel on
my British
passport, I am
always asked:
“Where are you
from?” “Um,
Britain,” I
respond. “Are
you Muslim?”
“Uh, yes, I am.”
It’s odd that
people are
always trying to
figure out who I
am because I
have no doubts
myself. And
wearing my hijab
has given me
even more
self-confidence.
This week, the
European Union’s
highest court
ruled that
employers can
ban employees
from wearing
overt religious
symbols,
including Muslim
headscarves. If
there is one
positive outcome
of Brexit — and
there are not
many given the
rise in bigotry
I’ve seen and
the increase in
reported hate
crimes — it’s
that we don’t
have to follow
the ban. When
questioned about
whether Britain
will adopt a
similar rule,
Prime Minister
Theresa May
reiterated her
support for the
right of women
to dress how
they chose.
In trying to
figure out how
Britain is
different from
Europe, I
concede that
Europe has gone
down the rabbit
hole, pushing
identity
politics onto
Muslim women by
obsessing over
our wardrobes.
Two years ago
while I was
working in
France on a BBC
TV documentary
about what it
means to be
young, French
and Muslim after
the Charlie
Hebdo terrorist
attacks, I
walked into the
reception area
of the French
Parliament to
interview Marion
Maréchal-Le Pen,
a member of
Parliament and
the niece of the
French far-right
leader Marine Le
Pen, who is now
seeking to
become France’s
next president.
The receptionist
looked horrified
when she
realized that I
was the British
journalist who
had scheduled an
appointment with
Marion Maréchal-Le
Pen.
“You cannot
enter this
building wearing
that thing,” she
said, pointing
to my hijab. “It
is not allowed.”
She was
referring to
French
legislation
banning
conspicuous
religious
symbols from
public
buildings.
“But I’m not
French. I’m
British,” I
said. “I’m as
British as fish
and chips.”
She paused and
then responded,
“O.K., you can
proceed.”
Everywhere I
went that day, I
was asked where
I was from by
taxi drivers and
shopkeepers. I
figured my
British accent
gave me away.
But it was a
French Muslim
woman who
pointed out what
was my real
otherness.
I asked her
whether it was
obvious that I
wasn’t French.
“Yes,” she
responded. “We
can tell you are
not French. You
wear a hijab,
you walk with
confidence. You
are not
apologetic.”
Shaista Aziz, a
journalist and a
stand-up
comedian, is the
founder of the
Everyday Bigotry
Project and a
co-founder of
the Women’s
Advancement Hub
Pakistan.
The New York
Times
"Every Muslim
who speaks out
is expected to
own, explain and
condemn any act
carried out by
Muslims
worldwide. The
same doesn’t
apply to
Catholics."
A Catholicism
has done more
harm to
Australia than
Islam. Where's
the outrage?
ARGUMENT
Kristina
Keneally
‘Why isn’t the
outrage machine
demanding the
Catholic prime
minister condemn
this horrendous
and sustained
attack on
Australians
every time the
royal commission
hears from
another victim
of Catholic
abuse?’
There is zero
chance that
sharia law – as
a repressive
criminal code
used in certain
Muslim majority
nations – is
going to be
enshrined in
Australia. Zero.
It seems
ridiculous that
this sentence
even needs to be
written. But the
spat between
Senator Jacqui
Lambie and TV
presenter
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
on Q&A recently,
and the brouhaha
that has
followed,
suggests that it
does.
Think of the
Australian
institutions
that would need
to completely
collapse to make
this ridiculous
idea a reality:
federal
parliament,
state
parliaments, the
constitution,
the courts, a
free press, the
rule of law, the
defence forces,
democracy
itself.
Who knew
Australian
democracy was so
weak that a
young Muslim
woman talking
about her faith
on national
television might
be its downfall?
She’s obviously
infiltrating
within, working
for the ABC and
being sent on
goodwill tours
by the
department of
foreign affairs
and trade. The
outrage machine
cranked itself
to fever pitch,
seeking to
destroy Abdel-Magied’s
credibility,
reputation, and
her professional
livelihood.
A word about
sharia. I’m no
Muslim scholar
but I do
understand that
there is a
difference
between sharia
as a personal
ethics code and
sharia law as
used by
repressive
governments and
certain Islamic
sects as a cruel
tool of control.
I am relaxed
about the
former. For
generations
Muslims have
lived in western
countries
practising
sharia and
obeying the laws
of the land.
Thousands of
Muslims live in
Australia doing
exactly this.
Carry on, my
fellow citizens.
Pray five times
a day if you
want, and don’t
mind me when I
refrain from
meat on Fridays
during Lent –
it’s just a
Catholic thing I
do. Don’t worry,
I’m not
expecting you to
do it too.
I also know that
our fellow
Islamic citizens
in Australia
overwhelmingly
join me and the
rest of us in
condemning
sharia as an
oppressive,
archaic, harsh
and undemocratic
code of law when
it is used by
extremist groups
and governments
to terrorise and
control Muslim
people –
especially
Muslim women –
in some Muslim
majority
nations.
I don’t know
Yassmin Abdel-Magied
but I know what
it is like to
try to explain
why you are a
feminist and a
member of a
patriarchal
religion. It is
to invite scorn
and derision
from some
quarters.
I am a Catholic
scholar. I am a
feminist. I can
make a strong
case that Jesus
was a feminist
while the
Catholic church
is a sexist
organisation
greatly
influenced by
the patriarchal
Roman empire.
But it would
take a lot of
careful and
thoughtful
discussion, the
kind of
conversation
that doesn’t
make great
television. Some
people would
mock.
Abdel-Magied was
trying to make a
similar point
about Islam, the
prophet Muhammad
and subsequent
patriarchal
interpretations
of the Koran.
Maybe she was
naive to think
the “reality
show” that Q&A
has descended
into was the
best place to
use phrases like
“Islam is the
most feminist of
all religions”
and “There is a
difference
between religion
and culture.”
Sentences like
that need to be
placed in
context,
unpacked for
nuance.
Unfortunately
context and
nuance are not
big features of
conversation
inside the
outrage machine,
but double
standards are
rife.
It seems that
every Australian
Muslim who pokes
their head up in
public is
expected to own,
explain and
condemn any
terrorist act
carried out by
any extremist
Muslim anywhere
in the world.
The outrage
machine demands
it, and then
that same
machine judges
if the words are
sufficient.
Why isn’t this
same outrage
applied to
Australian
Catholics? If we
are going on a
body count the
Catholic clergy
has done more
harm to more
Australians than
extremist
Muslims. More
than 4,000
reports of
sexual abuse at
the hands of
Catholic church
made to the
royal
commission. God
knows how many
more are
unreported.
Innocent
Australian
children and
young people are
the victims.
Lives have been
ruined: suicides
and mental
illness, broken
families,
grotesque
physical injury.
Why isn’t the
outrage machine
demanding the
Catholic prime
minister condemn
this horrendous
and sustained
attack on
Australians
every time the
commission hears
from another
victim of
Catholic abuse?
Why aren’t they
regularly
calling for the
Catholic deputy
prime minister
to speak out and
make clear he
does not condone
what some
Catholic clergy
have done?
Why aren’t they
asking the
Catholic-raised
leader of the
opposition about
whether Cardinal
George Pell
should face
questions in
Australia? Oh,
wait, the leader
of the
opposition said
in parliament
two weeks ago
that Cardinal
Pell should be
sent back to
Australia to
face questions.
Why didn’t the
outrage machine
join that
bandwagon?
Why aren’t they
demanding the
government
urgently
implement a
national redress
scheme to make
reparations to
the Catholic
church’s
victims?
Or is taking on
Australian
Catholics
hitting just a
little too close
to home?
It’s easier,
isn’t it, to
pick on the
young woman with
the scarf on her
head, or get
upset about two
little girls in
a hijab, all in
the name of
making Australia
safe.
What brave
defenders of
freedom, of
Australia, you
are.
The Guardian
The Model
Halima Aden
Thinks Trump
Should Open His
Heart to Muslim
Neighbors "You're going
to be amazed by
the things that
you can learn."
Halima Aden, who
made headlines
for being the
first hijab-wearing
Muslim to
compete in a
Miss USA
pageant, and
afterward, the
first one to
model in major
fashion shows,
doesn't like to
be categorized.
She's not just a
Somali-American,
a Muslim, a
refugee, an
immigrant, or a
citizen of the
U.S. — she's
Halima. But
she's more than
happy to be a
positive role
model and voice
for her
community in a
time she
considers to be
fraught with
negativity.
Cosmopolitan.com
caught up with
her at the Miss
Universe
headquarters in
NYC to find out
more about her
reaction to her
rise to fame,
her haters, and
even her message
to President
Trump.
(Continued from
last week's CCN)
What was
going through
your mind when
you were walking
in that show?
I was in
disbelief. I'm
walking at New
York Fashion
Week and I'm
walking for
Yeezy and I'm
wearing my hijab.
Like, it's
possible! For a
long time people
thought you had
to conform or
change, you
know? But you
could be a model
and still be
true to
yourself.
What's the
most
intimidating
thing about
being in a
fashion show?
It is something
new and I didn't
know how to
walk. It's a
learning
experience.
[Other models]
have been super
polite and nice
and welcoming.
That took away
[any]
intimidation.
But I am only
five-foot-five.
So I'm the
shortest. If
they weren't so
welcoming and
nice I guess I
would have been
intimidated [by
that]. But
again, I'm
different and I
wear that
proudly. I don't
want to be
taller, I want
to be myself.
What were
some of the
reactions of the
models in your
shows?
Some of them
actually knew my
background. That
was shocking for
me because,
like, oh my God,
I know you
because you are,
you know, on a
poster [at] my
hometown mall.
You know, like
Victoria's
Secret!
What has been
the reaction of
people in
general to your
story?
I've had so many
positive
reactions that
it amazes me.
I'm just so
proud because
people are
seeing this
different side,
this much needed
side [of Muslim
faith].
What has the
reaction been
like in your
hometown of St.
Cloud,
Minnesota?
They call me a
celebrity, and
I'm just like,
'Stop! Please
don't.' But they
lift me up a
lot.
Have you had
any reactions on
the reverse
side? Any hatred
that you've had
to deal with
online?
I ignore it
because I feel
like I haven't
done anything
for you to show
me hate. Until I
do something
like that, then
I don't need to
listen to
whatever you're
saying if it's
hateful. But
yeah, I've seen
some comments
that weren't so
nice. But I know
that's not me
and I know this
person doesn't
want to give me
a chance.
This German
train ad challenges everyday
prejudice
4 Signs
Led Me to Islam, the 4th was
an Eye Opener
OvercomeTV
Would you really
want an India without Muslims?
Think again!
"You claim
Ł39 for a breakfast like you
can't afford your own
breakfast, when you live on
your wife's estate and have
taken 1.5m of tax payers
money, that's what I call
scrounging!"
- Salma Yaqoob
OnePath
Network joins Patreon
OnePath
Call for
donations and support
The Ideal
Muslim In The 21st Century |
Sh Zainidine Johnson
IslamInFocus
It is the usual policy of CCN to
include notices of events, video links and articles that
some readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices
are often posted as received.
Including such messages/links or
providing the details of such
events does not necessarily
imply endorsement or agreement
by CCN of the contents therein.
Water “metering”
through a
distribution
weir on a
foggara in
Algeria
(image from
Wikipedia)
Muslim
Inventions That Changed The
World: Water Management
Water management
in all its
intricacies,
from Andalusia
to Afghanistan,
was the basis of
agriculture, and
source of all
life. Muslims
did much to
develop
hydraulic
technology and
deploy water
management
equipment
including
hydro-power
dams.
Reservoirs
By far, the most
original Muslim
reservoirs are
to be found in
the region of
Qayrawan in
Tunisia. A
lengthy (about
270 pages)
account of such
structures is
offered by the
French Solignac.
These
reservoirs,
possibly for
their high
aesthetics, and
like many other
Islamic
achievements,
were attributed,
despite all
evidence, to
both Phoenicians
and Romans. Such
erroneous views
were adopted by
a number of
scholars until
modern
archaeological
excavations and
advanced studies
proved the
Islamic origin
of such
structures.
These reservoirs
have two basins,
one used for
decantation, one
as a reserve,
and at times a
third one for
drawing water
out of it. Other
than their
impressive
numbers, over
two hundred and
fifty in the
region, such
reservoirs also
offer a great
attraction in
their form and
structure.
The photograph
of the `Basin
des Aghlabides,’
built in the
ninth century by
Abu Ibrahim
Ahmed reveals,
indeed, a sort
of temple of
water, it is
hoped, still
preserved in its
majesty.
Water
Management
Water management
in all its
intricacies,
from Andalusia
to Afghanistan,
Bolens reminds,
was the basis of
agriculture, and
source of all
life. All the
Kitab al-Filahat
(books of
agriculture),
whatever their
origin,
Maghribian,
Andalusian;
Egyptian, Iraqi;
Persian or
Yemenite,
insist, and
meticulously, on
the deployment
of equipment and
on the control
of water. The
authorities of
the time played
a crucial role
in that, too. In
Iraq, as a rule,
hydraulic tasks
of a vast nature
were left to the
state, while the
local population
focussed its
efforts on
lesser ones.
In Egypt, a more
elaborate
picture comes
out. There,
indeed, the
management of
The Nile waters
was most crucial
to every single
aspect of life,
and dams
responded to
such necessity.
Both al-Nuwayri
and al-Makrizi
stressed the
role of
maintenance of
dams and
waterways of the
Nile for maximum
benefits. It was
the
responsibility
for both sultans
and holders of
large holdings,
under both
Ayyubids and
Mamelouks, to
dig and clean
canals and
maintain dams.
As in Iraq the
sultan took over
the larger
structures, and
the people the
lesser ones.
Most
distinguished
Amirs and
officials were
also made chief
supervisors of
such works.
Under the
Mamluks there
was even an
officer for the
inspection of
dams for each
province of
Egypt: the
Kashif al-Djusur.
HikmahWay
Institute
More Indigenous
Australians are
converting to
Islam. But it is
more than a
political
gesture. Unknown
to many is the
long history
between
Aboriginal
people and
Islamic culture
and religion.
Comment:
Indigenous Australia's long
history with Islam
Peta
Stephenson is the author of
Islam Dreaming. This article
was originally published on
14 December 2011, by The
Conversation.
Muslim conversion is growing
in Indigenous communities.
In the 2001 national census,
641 Indigenous people
identified as Muslim. By the
2006 census the number had
climbed by more than 60% to
1014 people.
This rise in conversions
among Indigenous Australians
may seem to be a political
gesture. But unknown to many
is the long history between
Aboriginal people and
Islamic culture and
religion.
(Continued from last week's
CCN)
Restoring
pride and conferring
leadership
The
attraction of Islam for many
Indigenous men is that it
recognises the importance of
defined leadership roles for
men in their families and
communities. These roles
have largely been lost
through racism and the
ongoing legacy of
colonisation.
As the head of the family,
Muslim men have a divine
responsibility to protect
and maintain their wives and
families and this, according
to Shahzad, gives him
"strength to be a man".
Many of the men I spoke with
identified themselves as
former "angry black men".
Incensed by the long history
and contemporary reality of
racist subjugation of
Indigenous Australians, they
viewed Anglo-Australian
people and society with
contempt.
According to one
interviewee, Justin: "before
I was the typical Black
angry man. I was just
consumed by anger".
Sulaiman stressed that he
considered terrorism before,
not after, becoming a
Muslim:
"I could very well have
become a terrorist, without
Islam, through the way I've
been treated … Islam came
into my life and actually
said hey, cool down, it’s
alright, justice will be
served eventually."
Position
Objectives
To perform and manage a
range of accounting
functions to ensure the
financial accountability of
the organisation is
according to Australian
Taxation Office (ATO) and
the all of the various
funding body guidelines
UK: THE Muslim woman
trolled for being pictured looking at
her phone while walking past a victim of
the Westminster terror attack has
slammed those who criticised her.
The Sun reports that she has called out
the troll who accused her of “casually
walking by” and said she actually helped
the victims and challenged people to
“look past her attire”.
Twitter users were outraged after a
troll targeted the hijab-wearing
pedestrian on Westminster Bridge.
She contacted Tell MAMA today after she
said she felt like a victim of the
abuse, and said: “I’m shocked and
totally dismayed at how a picture of me
is being circulated on social media.
“To those individuals who have
interpreted and commented on what my
thoughts were in that horrific and
distressful moment, I would like to say
not only have I been devastated by
witnessing the aftermath of a shocking
and numbing terror attack.
“I’ve also had to
deal with the shock of finding my
picture plastered all over social media
by those who could not look beyond my
attire, who draw conclusions based on
hate and xenophobia.
“My thoughts at that moment were one of
sadness, fear and concern. What the
image does not show is that I had talked
to other witnesses to try and find out
what was happening, to see if I could be
of any help, even though enough people
were at the scene tending to the
victims.
“I then decided to
call my family to say that I was fine
and was making my way home from work,
assisting a lady along the way by
helping her get to Waterloo station.
“My thoughts go out to all the victims
and their
families. I would like to thank Jamie
Lorriman, the photographer who took the
picture, for speaking to the media in my
defence.”
Freelance snapper Jamie Lorriman
defended the woman, telling ABC she was
“distressed and horrified” and described
the scene as a “strange sort of calm
atmosphere”.
He explained: “No one was sort of
screaming or shouting. The people who
took on that picture are being rather
selective.
“In the other picture in the sequence
she looks truly distraught — personally
I think she looks distressed in both
pictures.
“To assume she was ignoring someone is
impossible to know, the look on the
woman’s face, she’s horrified, she’s in
the middle of a traumatic situation.”
Twitter user Texas Lone Star posted the
snap, captioning it: “Muslim woman pays
no mind to the terror attack, casually
walks by a dying man while checking
phone #PrayForLondon #Westminster #BanIslam.”
It provoked disgust on the social media
site, with many slamming the man for his
comments.
One said he was “the real monster here”.
Several pointed out the photo lacks any
context, while others observed she was
most likely phoning her family to say
she was safe.
Another remarked that an image showing a
man walking past a victim using his
phone had failed to attract similar
comments, even though he “did the same
thing”.
Europeans greatly
overestimate Muslim population, poll shows
International survey suggests
gap between perception and
reality is widest in France
People in the
Belgian city of Antwerp hold a
beach party this summer to
protest against the burkini ban
over the border in France.
EURO: Members of the
public in European states including
France, Belgium, Germany and the UK
greatly overestimate their country’s
Muslim population and the rate at which
it is growing.
An Ipsos Mori survey that measured the
gap between public perception and
reality in 40 countries in 2016 found
French respondents were by far the most
likely to overstate their country’s
current and projected Muslim population.
The average French estimate was that 31%
of the population was Muslim – almost
one in three residents. According to Pew
Research, France’s Muslim population
actually stood at 7.5% in 2010, or one
in 13 people.
French respondents were also widest of
the mark when it came to the projected
Muslim population in 2020. The average
prediction was that Muslims would make
up 40% of the French population in four
years’ time, almost five times the 8.3%
Pew Research projection.
The French were not the only ones to
hold such misconceptions: Italian,
German and Belgian respondents all
guessed that more than a fifth of the
resident population was Muslim, while in
reality the figure ranges from 3.7% in
Italy to 7% in Belgium. All three
countries also greatly overstated the
expected proportion of Muslim residents
in 2020.
An American
school teacher from Illinois has
been wearing a hijab since
President Trump announced the
travel ban at the end of
January. Lori Szeszycki tells
James Menendez that she wants to
show solidarity with those
affected by the Executive Order.
THE ISLAMIC JESUS How the King of the Jews Became a Prophet
of the Muslims
by
Mustafa Akyol
Review by Lesley Hazleton
How
did a Jewish preacher who became the Christian Messiah also
become one of the most admired figures in the Quran? Mustafa
Akyol, a Turkish journalist and contributing opinion writer
for The International New York Times, sets out to explore
this apparent conundrum.
The result will come as something of a revelation to many
non-Muslim readers, since Jesus is revered in Islam’s sacred
text as a great teacher and prophet, while his mother, Mary,
gets more ink — and praise — than in all four New Testament
Gospels put together.
If the Quran’s portrayal of Jesus is familiar in outline,
however, its details are sometimes not, especially to
Western Christians used to a single canonical version.
The Quran is more ecumenical,
dipping into the rich mélange of Middle Eastern traditions
contained in the apocryphal and “gnostic” gospels and still
very much alive in the popular lore of Eastern Christianity.
It shows Jesus making clay birds and then breathing life
into them, for instance, or Mary giving birth not in a
Bethlehem stable with Joseph in attendance but alone under a
palm tree, deep in the desert.
Akyol makes good use of both canonical and noncanonical
sources, tracing where and why the Islamic approach agrees
with Christian tradition (yes to Jesus as the messenger,
prophet, word and spirit of God), and where it disagrees (no
to the Resurrection, and no to divinity). Along the way, he
ups the ante by finding what he calls “astonishing”
parallels between the Quran and early Christian texts,
though such astonishment seems unnecessary to this reader.
Given the fertile interchange of ideas and lore in the
multiethnic Byzantine Middle East, such parallels were not
only likely, but even inevitable.
No new religion comes into being fully made, like Venus on
her half-shell. And the Quran is quite open about this, as
Akyol notes. It fulsomely acknowledges its debt by declaring
that it comes to confirm both the Torah and the Gospels — to
renew their ethical traditions. And since that was also part
of the Jesus message — a renewal of Jewish tradition, not a
break with it — Akyol presents the Islamic Jesus as more of
a Jewish prophet than a Christian savior.
To bolster his argument, he delves into the split within the
early Jesus movement: between the non-Jewish Hellenic church
founded by Paul, which lasted and flourished, and the Jewish
“Jerusalem Church” under James, which did neither. The idea
is that remnants of these “Jewish Christians” might have
survived into the seventh century to influence the
Quranic concept of Jesus, though this seems something of a
Dan Brownian stretch.
But Akyol excels in the last chapter, which will doubtless
raise some eyebrows with its title alone: “What Jesus Can
Teach Muslims Today.” In it, he makes a forceful argument
for Jesus as the expression of the spirit instead of the
letter of the law, and against the soulless legalism of both
first-century Pharisees and 21st-century Islamic
fundamentalists.
Is that too big a leap in both time and theology? Maybe not.
Akyol frames it this way: “The three great Abrahamic
religions of our battered world, despite all the past and
present tensions between them, come together” in the story
of Jesus. “Whether we are Jews, Christians or Muslims, we
share either a faith followed by him, or a faith built on
him, or a faith that venerates him.”
That’s about as interfaith as you can get. And
whatever quibbles one might have with Akyol’s
reasoning, it’s a welcome expansion of the
fragile territory known as common ground.
Lesley
Hazleton is the author of “The First Muslim: The
Story of Muhammad” and, most recently,
“Agnostic: A Spirited Manifesto.”
Welcome
to my weekly column
on Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind.
If you’re taking
time out to read
this, pat yourself
on the back because
you have shown
commitment to taking
care of your mind
and body.
Today, In Shaa
Allah, we will
explore the meaning
of Silence
and strategies to
practise moments of
Silence daily in
your life so that
you are able to
“hear” the answers
to your prayers.
We often voice our
supplications to
ALLAH, but rarely do
we practise silence
to hear HIS answers
to our questions
because we are
caught up in
reacting to
circumstances.
We behave similarly
with other people as
well. Have you
noticed how we talk
more and listen
less? We sometimes
ask people how they
are, however we do
not spend time in
silence to listen to
their response. We
either walk right
past them or busy
ourselves with other
chores or we start
talking about
ourselves.
Sometimes, when
another person is
speaking, instead of
listening to them
attentively, we
start formulating a
reply to their words
to make a point.
Practising daily
moments of silence
can calm us and make
us attentive to
people and things
around us. Silence
does not mean we
need to be away from
noise. It means that
even in the midst of
noise we are still
able to hear and
listen to our inner
voice and keep calm.
30-seconds of
Daily Practice of
Silence
1. After Fajr Salah,
DO NOT GO BACK TO
BED.
2. Sit in silence on
your prayer mat.
3. Straighten your
back and let your
upper body feel tall
4. Breathe in slowly
and deeply, so that
you feel your belly
expanding
5. Hold for a few
seconds
6. Breathe out
slowly
7. Repeat for 10
long, deep breaths
in and 10 long, deep
breaths out
We are generally
shallow breathers.
Repeating long, deep
in-breaths and
out-breaths supplies
oxygen to all the
organs in your body.
This abundant supply
of oxygen energises
your mind and calms
your nervous system.
Practising moments
of silence, whether
for 30 seconds or 30
minutes a day will
transform your
physical, emotional
and mental health.
Do try it.
Find Clarity with
Silence
If there is an issue
that is bothering
you, ask ALLAH’s
guidance to find
answers to your
questions. With each
inbreath and
outbreath, submit to
ALLAH’s wisdom and
HIS PLANS for you.
Let go.
Total submission to
ALLAH will enable
you to feel calm and
joyful. It will
bring clarity to
your mind and enable
you to make
decisions mindfully.
In doing so, you
will live a life of
love, compassion,
kindness and service
to all of ALLAH’s
creation, including
yourself.
Next week, In Shaa
ALLAH, we will
explore the signs
and symptoms of
Anxiety and
strategies to
overcome them.
If you wish to know
about a specific
topic with regards
to Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind,
please text or email
me. If you wish to
have a FREE one hour
Finding Clarity
telephone session,
contact me on
0451977786
A policeman came
over to the Prince who complains to him: "Officer, just
look at my brand new car!"
Cop: That's all you rich people think about! Your
materialistic nature makes me sick. You are so blinded
by money that you didn't even realise your left arm has
been ripped off in the accident.
Allah is the Light of the
heavens and the earth. The
parable of His Light is as
if there were a Niche and
within it a Lamp: the Lamp
enclosed in Glass: the glass
as it were a brilliant star:
lit from a blessed Tree, an
Olive, neither of the East
nor of the West, whose Oil
is well-nigh Luminous,
though fire scarce touched
it: Light upon Light! Allah
guides whom He will to His
Light: Allah sets forth
Parables for men: and Allah
knows all things.
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.
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
MONTHLY COMMUNITY PROGRAMME
FIRST FRIDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Click on images to enlarge
IPDC
HOLLAND PARK MOSQUE
Queensland Police Service/Muslim
Community Consultative Group
Next Meeting
TIME: 7.00pm –
8.30pm DATE: Wednesday 5 APRIL 2017 VENUE: Islamic College of Brisbane [ICB].
Community Contact Command, who are situated in Police
Headquarters, will be taking over the secretariat role of
the QPS/Muslim Reference Group meeting.
Articles and
opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the CCN Team, its Editor or its
Sponsors, particularly if they eventually turn out to be
libellous, unfounded, objectionable, obnoxious, offensive,
slanderous and/or downright distasteful.
It is the usual policy of CCN to
include from time to time, notices of events that some
readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are
often posted as received. Including such messages or
providing the details of such events does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the contents of these events by CCN
The best ideas
and the best feedback come from our community of readers. If you
have a topic or opinion that you want to write about or want
seen covered or any news item that you think might be of benefit
to the Crescents Community please
e-mail us..
Share your
thoughts, feelings and ambitions for our community through CCN.
If there is
someone you know who would like to subscribe to CCN please
encourage them to enter their details
here.
Births, Marriages,
New Migrants and
Condolences
Bronwyn
Bishop has urged Australians
to “fight for our culture”
while announcing her support
of a ban on headscarves in
Australia following a
controversial ruling made in
Europe overnight.
Muslim
woman: ‘Look beyond my attire’
How
did a Jewish preacher who became the Christian Messiah also
become one of the most admired figures in the Quran? Mustafa
Akyol, a Turkish journalist and contributing opinion writer
for The International New York Times, sets out to explore
this apparent conundrum.
Welcome
to my weekly column
on Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind.
If you’re taking
time out to read
this, pat yourself
on the back because
you have shown
commitment to taking
care of your mind
and body. 
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011