With the month of Ramadaan
fast approaching, the
Council of Imam's QLD wanted
to take this opportunity to
provide the community with
pertinent information for
the blessed month.
Moon Sighting
The majority of the imams in
Queensland and after the
inception of Council of
Imams Qld (CIQ) in 2007 have
adopted the approach of
physically sighting the moon
in Australia with the naked
eye for the commencement of
the new month. This occurs
every month, including the
sighting of the moon for the
commencement and conclusion
of Ramadaan. This will
continue to be the approach
CIQ takes now and in the
future. For online updates
in this regard you can refer
to the twitter account for
the Australian National
Crescent Sighting
Coordination Centre (ANCSCC)
as they adopt the same
approach:
https://twitter.com/ancscc?lang=en.
CIQ acknowledges that there
is a difference of opinion
as to the need to physically
sight the moon with the
naked eye in Australia and
respects the decision of
other scholars or Islamic
Centres that choose not to
follow CIQ on this matter.
Fitrana
An individual is required to
pay a minimum of $5 or a
maximum of $10 for Fitrana
this coming Ramadaan. The
minimum amount is mentioned
specifically as an
acceptable allowance by
Sharia Law to allow
struggling families to
discharge their fitrana, as
our deen is easy to follow.
A Muslim brother or sister
should use his or her best
discretion to discharge this
great charity which
specifically makes our
fasting in Ramadaan free of
any short comings. We
encourage all Muslims upon
whom Fitrana is waajib, to
discharge this amount in the
early stages of Ramadaan so
that the relevant
organisations can allocate
the funds accordingly well
in advance of the day of Eid.
Fitrana is an obligatory
charity which is to be paid
before Eid-ul Fitr. This
money is paid to those less
fortunate so they can fulfil
their needs on the Eid day.
Preparation for Ramdaan
Allahumma barik lana fi
Rajab wa Sha'ban wa
ballighna Ramadan.
"O Allah! Make the months of
Rajab and Sha'ban blessed
for us, and let us reach the
month of Ramadan."
We encourage our brothers
and sisters to recite the
above dua and make the most
of the next two months in
preparing ourselves
spiritually and physically
for the blessed month of
Ramadaan. Let us take some
time daily to seek knowledge
from reputable sources,
start to get rid of bad
habits and plan ourselves so
that we achieve Taqwa, when
the month arrives. Do not
hesitate to contact CIQ or
your local Imam for the best
ways to prepare for Ramadaan
so that we do not lose out
on the bounties of this
amazing month.
Mr Ian Rickuss MP, Member for
Lockyer, counters One Nation's
claims about Muslims with an
acknowledgement of the
contribution of the
Muslim doctors in his electorate
and Dr Mohammed Iqbal Sultan and
his Gatton medical practice, in
particular.
Being highly accountable to our
donors is something we pride
ourselves on. To ensure this,
MAA staff regularly visit and
monitor many of our local and
global projects. Right now, our
#Brisbane-based Strategic
Development Director is in Urfa,
#Turkey, personally overseeing a
distribution to Syrian refugees,
who are in great difficulty and
not even housed in proper camps
"Please show your support,
we cannot forget the people
we are here to help!
Riyaad Ally is visiting not only
established camps where
people may be 'registered'
and perhaps some sort of
'infrastructures' are, but
also places like this where
people have been forced to
set up camp as best they can
with what they have, having
fled one of the worst most
traumatic experiences we
could imagine.
Lives are being uprooted
people, children are being
torn from productive and
nurturing environments,
livelihoods are being lost
and most of all, lives are
being lost subhanallah.
Help provide emergency aid
to our brothers, sisters and
our sweet children.
And pray that those that
have lived through this hell
can one day find peace,
recovery and meaningful ways
to be.
These are the strongest
people we know; don't forget
them.'
Kirralie Smith has been
described as a potential leader
for a new conservative movement.
The anti-halal certification
campaigner Kirralie Smith,
who was a NSW Senate
candidate for the right-wing
Australian Liberty Alliance
at the last election, has
joined Cory Bernardi's
Australian Conservatives.
Asked if she was planning to
run for office at the next
federal election for
Australian Conservatives,
Mrs Smith said she was
dedicated to supporting the
new party in any way she
could, whether that meant
putting stamps on envelopes
or again running for the
Senate.
Mrs Smith is a member of the
Q Society, which shares many
senior members with the
Australian Liberty Alliance.
She, along with the Q
Society, were recently sued
for defamation by an Arab
Australian business, though
the proceedings have been
settled.
Mrs Smith and the Q Society
are working on a documentary
on their campaign against
halal food certification in
Australia, focusing on the
Senate inquiry that Senator
Bernardi supported.
Mrs Smith told Fairfax Media
she believed Ms Hanson "rode
in on" the anti-halal
certification protest
movement during the past
election, but in the months
since has failed to act on
the issue.
While Australian
Conservatives share with One
Nation a stance against the
perceived threat of Islam in
Australia, Senator
Bernardi's party takes a
more open view of the
economy trade, which is more
in line with the Liberal
Party.
Sanad Foundation is a
non-profit organisation
building a connection
between the Australian
Muslim Community and its
Islamic heritage.
The Sanad Fund, the rest of
the foundation's projects
seeks to meet the
educational and intellectual
challenges facing Muslims in
contemporary Australia by
funding and developing local
Islamic scholars,
specialists and thinkers.
Through this strategy the
foundation believes an
integral element of the
Islamic tradition can be
realised in our community
today, that of creating a
connection between
beneficial knowledge and
activity.
The Foundation took its
first steps when local
students helped fund a
promising individual seeking
Islamic knowledge abroad.
The money raised facilitated
his study, thereby allowing
him to attain a higher
proficiency in Arabic,
memorise the Quran, study
classical texts under
licensed scholars, and
immerse himself in the
newest research in various
fields of the Islamic
sciences and thought.
Taking from this success,
the Foundation now aims to
create pathways for other
aspiring students through
the establishment of the
Sanad Fund.
The Sydney mother-of-four
said she had been subject to
racial abuse in the past.
Sydney mother has described
how she was subjected to a
vicious attack outside a
busy suburban shopping
centre, with a woman
repeatedly shouting "you're
so ugly" at her and
demanding she remove her
niqab.
The former child care worker
and swim instructor, who has
asked not to be named, said
the woman yelled at her:
"you should take that off",
"I don't know what you look
like", "you're not
Australian" and "F*** off
back to Lebanon".
The mother-of-four, 36, from
Auburn, had just left
Bankstown Central Shopping
Centre on Friday afternoon
when she noticed a woman
staring at her, shaking her
head and muttering.
"First thing she said to me
was "take it off"," the
woman said. "She was
demanding that I take it off
and because I wouldn't take
it off that's when she lost
it."
Police said Pauline Mary
Field, 60, was arrested and
charged with behaving in an
offensive manner in a public
place.
Terrified that she might be
physically assaulted or have
her niqab ripped off, the
woman pulled out her mobile
phone and started taking
pictures and short video
clips of her alleged
attacker.
"She told everyone that she
wouldn't stop and that
everyone should be helping
her out against me because
of the way I am dressed,"
she said.
"I was very scared and I was
so humiliated. I was in
shock.
"To tell me to go back to my
country. I was born here. I
have never left Australia."
The woman said she was
grateful to members of the
public who stopped to
support her. She also
praised the work of police
officers who she showed
mobile phone footage to soon
after the incident.
"They made me feel that
something would be done.
That it was serious and that
they do actually care"
The woman said she had worn
the niqab for about seven
and a half years and had
been subject to abuse
several times, including a
man who made barking noises
at her out of his car
window.
"I don't understand why for
some people I'm public
property and they can just
walk up to me and say what
they want."
Police said a woman, 60, was
arrested on Friday afternoon
and charged with behaving in
an offensive manner in a
public place.
The woman, Pauline Mary
Field, was already on bail
on previous charges
including obstructing and
hindering an ambulance
officer, common assault and
intimidating a police
officer.
She was taken into custody
but was granted conditional
bail at Parramatta Local
Court on Saturday morning.
Ms Field is next due to
appear at Bankstown Local
Court on April 19.
A panel of scientists at the
World Science Festival in
Brisbane discuss whether science
and faith can co-exist.
Fire and ice, black and
white, hot and cold, science
and faith.
As part of the World Science
Festival, and in front of a
vocal crowd, a team of
experts bravely delved into
the sometimes touchy
intersection of science and
religion.
The Science and Faith panel
discussion at Griffith
University's Conservatorium
Theatre, was headed by ABC
presenter Dr Rachael Kohn.
"Many modern beliefs about
the conflict between science
and religion seem to have
extended from our history,"
she said.
"We live in a world where
eight out of 10 people
identify with a religion."
Ms Kohn was joined by
Professor AC Grayling,
Professor Kenneth Freeman,
Dr Zuleyha Keskin, Dr Thomas
Aechtner and Professor Peter
Bruza.
Professor Grayling said he
emphatically believed there
was no such thing as a
comfortable co-existence
between science and
religion.
"I did in fact question
within myself why I'm
actually here," he said.
With laughter from the
audience, he went on to
explain how religion had
hindered and obstructed the
efforts of scientists
throughout history.
"People were burned at the
stake for doing science."
But Dr Thomas Aechtner
disagreed, suggesting a
harmony between the two
avenues could be possible.
"There may be a religious
impetus to do science," he
said.
Dr Aechtner added some
people might practice
science because "God wanted
them to".
His theory was echoed by
Professor Kenneth Freeman, a
Christian scientist,
studying galactic
archaeology.
"I know that God exists,
I've known that my whole
life," he said.
"I don't believe there's a
basic conflict between
science and religion."
Professor Freeman concluded
by saying the key to
progress was communication,
but this did not convince
Professor Grayling.
"I think religion would do
well to keep its hands off
science," Professor Grayling
said.
Dr Zuleyha Keskin chimed in
with an observation that,
"science satisfies the mind,
religion satisfies the
heart".
This story is part of a
collaboration for the World
Science Festival between QUT
and the ABC.
HIRSI ALI,
FREE SPEECH & ISLAM
PETER KNESPAL asked: Firstly,
can I express my disappointment
that Ayaan Hirsi Ali will not be
able to attend Q & A tonight.
Last time Ayaan was on this
program, the rise of regressive
liberalism and fundamentalist
Islam and their erosion of free
expression was discussed. Given
the cancellation of her
Australian tour due to security
concerns, it is clear nothing
has changed. Does the panel
agree that Australian
politicians, media outlets and
public figures should be doing
more to defend the right to
critique all religions,
including Islam?
Controversial speaker and
vocal critic of Islam Ayaan
Hirsi Ali cancelled at the
last minute her speaking
tour of Australia and New
Zealand, citing security
concerns.
Ali was due to appear as a
panellist on the ABC's Q&A
program tonight, but also
cancelled.
Her Hero of Heresy tour was
due to begin in Brisbane on
Thursday, before taking her
to Melbourne, Sydney and
Auckland.
Ali said in a statement she
regretted that, "for a
number of reasons including
security concerns", she had
to cancel her upcoming
appearances.
"She is very disappointed
indeed about this but was
left with no alternative
following a succession of
organisational lapses on the
part of the event
organisers, Think Inc," the
statement read.
"Nevertheless, she wishes
Think Inc success in their
future endeavours and hopes
to be able to return to
Australia in the not too
distant future."
Albert Eames posted a rant
about Muslims on Facebook.
A TOOWOOMBA Regional Council
worker could face
disciplinary action after
his racist rant on Facebook
was revealed.
In the rant, Mr Eames posted
expletives about Muslims and
told them to "**** off back
home if you want your food
halal.''
Halal foods are those that
can be eaten according to
Islamic Sharia law.
Mr Eames also called for a
bomb to be dropped on
Islamic countries and stated
he wished the Nazi party had
targeted Muslims instead of
Jews.
"Yes I am racist," he
admitted on the post.
"Now **** off out of our
beautiful country. Your race
is making our way of life
bend over backwards to
accommodate you worthless
pieces of s***."
He also indicated his
support for the One Nation
political party writing:
"Pauline for PM".
Mr Eames works in the
council's Infrastructure
Services Group.
The Chronicle contacted Mr
Eames who said the post was
a comment on a video.
He said he was passionate
about the issue of halal
food.
"Imagine if we went over to
their country and tried to
shove Vegemite down their
neck.
"Us people here in Australia
we should have a choice on
what we eat, just because an
ethnic culture comes over
here and tries to change our
way of life, which they are
doing, I don't think that's
right. That's my personal
opinion."
Mr Eames said he would like
to take "a lot of that back"
and said he was in a bad
mood on the day of the post.
"There's a lot of people
that think a lot of this
stuff, they just don't say
it as abruptly as I did."
Mr Eames stressed his post
had no relation whatsoever
to Toowoomba Regional
Council.
He also said the post was
out of character and that he
had Muslim friends.
Mohammed Tawhidi, of the
Islamic Association of South
Australia, said he agrees
with Ms Ali's call to close
Islamic schools in
Australia.
He has also rejected
extremist groups.
Ms Ali cancelled her tour of
Australia this week because
of fears for her safety.
"These schools do exist that
are a problem and they need
to be either shut down or
changed completely," Imam
Tawhidi said.
Fearing reprisals, the
Adelaide-based Imam said he
was escorted into hiding by
police.
A video released on Facebook
has been credited, in part,
with stopping Ms Ali's
speaking tour.
In a video, which was posted
to Facebook a group of
Muslim women speak out
against Ms Ali saying:
"You're not here to help us
or stand with... you're here
to profit from an industry
that exists to dehumanise
us".
Hana Asafiri, of the Persons
of Interest group, which is
behind the video, said they
opposed Ms Ali because her
rhetoric could inspire
random attacks against
Australian Muslims.
"There's nothing to be
celebrated through a
divisive and very hostile
and fear-mongering
conversation," Ms Asafiri
said.
Ms Asafiri said Ms Ali
cancelling her trip was seen
by her group as a victory
for free speech.
"Everybody has a right and
they're the hallmarks of our
freedoms and democracies.
"But I guess what I'm saying
is those rights cannot be
uncontested particularly
when they're promoting
hatred and fear."
The group has condemned Ms
Ali as an extremist and a
hatemonger and signed a
petition against her visit.
But the Somali-born former
Muslim has hit back, saying
her critics are doing the
work of radical groups.
"These are people who are
far more interested in
defending Sharia Law, that's
Islamic law and the doctrine
of radical Islam over human
rights.
Ms Ali said these women
criticise her, but say
nothing about the millions
of repressed women in
Islamic countries.
"The idea that women have to
cover themselves from head
to toe to hide from men
because if men see women's
hair or women's faces or
women's bodies then they are
seized by this desire... and
they start harassing and
groping and sexually
assaulting women," Ms Ali
said.
"There is no feminist
ideology of Islam.
"There are of course Muslim
women all across the world
who are fighting for their
rights and fighting for
their dignity, you know, the
women in Saudi Arabia who
are fighting for their right
to drive a car and to be
relieved of the obligation
that they need a male
guardian at all times."
But Ms Asafiri said her
group opposed female
oppression.
"Look, we start from the
premise that all forms of
violence against women and
the subjugation of women are
completely unacceptable," Ms
Asafiri said.
An unrepentant Ms Ali has
gone further, when asked
whether groups like Hizb
ut-Tahrir should be banned
in Australia she said they
should be treated like
"skinheads".
"White supremacists and all
sorts of remnants of the
Nazi Party ... are
stigmatised and they are
actively marginalised and
that's what we should do
with Hizb ut-Tahrir, Jemaah
Islamiyah, with the Diobandi,
with the Muslim Brotherhood,
with all Islamism
organisations that set up
shop in Australia and other
liberal societies."
The
Australian National Imams
Council (ANIC) strongly
condemns the recent chemical
attacks on the innocent
Syrian civilians in the city
of Khan Sheikhoun in the
Idlib Province, Syria.
This barbaric attack by the
Syrian regime is another one
of many continuous
unjustified attacks on
innocent civilians in Syria
supported by foreign
governments such as Russia
and Iran who have
demonstrated absolute lack
of humanity, as well as no
respect for international
laws or human rights
organizations.
The Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) is also
shocked and concerned over
the relatively mute reaction
by the international
community over this, and
previous, horrendous
attacks.
The Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) calls
upon the international
community, in particular
Australia, to take a
stronger stance against the
Syrian regime and its allies
and adopt necessary
sanctions until the Syrian
crisis is resolved.
Ed Husic is known to some as
'the minister for basketball',
to others as the first federal
MP sworn in on the Quran. He
became the first ever Muslim
frontbencher under Kevin Rudd.
What next for an outspoken Gen
Xer with a friend on the wrong
side of parliament?
(Continued from last week's
CCN)
Upon returning to Australia,
he began to realise that
being the son of migrants
meant he was “in a sort of
half-way house”.
“You really can’t go back to
the place your parents come
from, and people do notice
the difference in the new
home that your parents have
made.” His Bosnian is still
hybrid, and native-born
Bosnians can pick it
“straight away”.
As for Islam, Husic
confesses he has not always
had an easy connection to
his faith. He absorbed
certain Muslim practices as
a boy, when his devout
grandmother visited from
Bosnia, ultimately accepting
why nana washed her hands a
lot, and disappeared into a
darkened room to pray on a
carpet.
Eventually, despite the
family accommodating local
Christian practice with
Easter costumes and
Christmas presents for the
three children, the Muslim
side of their upbringing
became second nature.
“For us, it wasn’t like it
was a separate world view,”
he explains. “That’s the way
we did business, that’s the
way we conducted ourselves.”
In his teenage years,
however, Husic and his
brother mounted a campaign
of resistance against their
parents’ determination that
the boys attend a mosque to
study with the local hodža,
or Muslim teacher.
When I ask why he is often
referred to as
“non-practising”, Husic
answers: “That was the
dumbest thing I’ve said in
public life”.
Husic remembers the issue
being a “massive” source of
tension in the household. He
threatened: “Don’t make me
do this – I’ll become an
atheist!”
The prospect filled his
mother, in particular, with
horror. As the MP tells it,
it was not until he was
required to do a school
project about the
differences between
Christianity, Islam and
Judaism that he began to
take a deeper interest in
his own faith. Today he says
Islam “has helped me in my
own way”.
“I know that I could do, and
I should probably do more.
But [Islam] certainly does
help and give perspective as
well,” Husic says.
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)
Mohammed, a Torres Strait
Islander man, was born and
raised Muslim. His father is a
Lebanese-Muslim and his mother
is a Muslim-Aboriginal/Torres
Strait Islander woman who was
also born into the faith.
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)
Syria/UK: Dr Rim Al
Turkmanidr rim turkmani
Dr Turkmani is a
Syrian born
astrophysicist. She
gained her BSc in
Electrical
Engineering from the
University of
Damascus before
moving to Sweden to
study her Masters
and then her PhD in
Astrophysics. Dr
Turkmani works on
the physics of the
solar corona – the
halo around the sun
– and through the
use of computer
simulation,
observations and
theoretical
modelling, she tries
to understand the
dynamics of energy
release in solar
surface explosions,
known as solar
flares.
“My faith is
important to me and
I was always taken
by verses in the
Qur’an which ask
people to ponder the
universe. Scientists
were given a special
status with the
verse ‘Are those who
know equal to those
who do not know?’
When I was a young
woman studying the
Qur’an I used to
find such verses
inspiring. I adore
and respect whatever
encourages me to
think, and I
definitely found
that element in the
Qur’an. Who would
encourage thought
and logic if it
wasn’t to be found
on the pathway of
free-thinking?
Knowledge in general
deepens my personal
beliefs and
knowledge of the
natural world
deepens my belief in
what is behind this
creation.”
A number of
online services
are charging
"divorced"
Muslim women
thousands of
pounds to take
part in "halala"
Islamic
marriages, a BBC
investigation
has found. Women
pay to marry,
have sex with
and then divorce
a stranger, so
they can get
back with their
first husbands
The women who
sleep with a
stranger to save
their marriage
Farah - not her
real name - met
her husband
after being
introduced to
him by a family
friend when she
was in her 20s.
They had
children
together soon
afterwards but
then, Farah
says, the abuse
began.
"The first time
he was abusive
was over money,"
she tells the
BBC's Asian
Network and
Victoria
Derbyshire
programme.
"He dragged me
by my hair
through two
rooms and tried
to throw me out
of the house.
There would be
times where he
would just go
crazy."
Despite the
abuse, Farah
hoped things
would change.
Her husband's
behaviour though
became
increasingly
erratic -
leading to him
"divorcing" her
via text
message.
"I was at home
with the
children and he
was at work.
During a heated
discussion he
sent me a text
saying, 'talaq,
talaq, talaq'."
"Triple talaq" -
where a man says
"talaq", or
divorce, to his
wife three times
in a row - is a
practice which
some Muslims
believe ends an
Islamic marriage
instantly.
It is banned in
most Muslim
countries but
still happens,
though it is
impossible to
know exactly how
many women are
"divorced" like
this in the UK.
"I had my phone
on me," Farah
explains, "and I
just passed it
over to my dad.
He was like,
'Your marriage
is over, you
can't go back to
him.'"
Farah says she
was "absolutely
distraught", but
willing to
return to her
ex-husband
because he was
"the love of my
life".
She says her
ex-husband also
regretted
divorcing her.
This led Farah
to seek the
controversial
practice known
as halala, which
is accepted by a
small minority
of Muslims who
subscribe to the
concept of a
triple talaq.
They believe
halala is the
only way a
couple who have
been divorced,
and wish to
reconcile, can
remarry.
Halala involves
the woman
marrying someone
else,
consummating the
marriage and
then getting a
divorce - after
which she is
able to remarry
her first
husband.
But in some
cases, women who
seek halala
services are at
risk of being
financially
exploited,
blackmailed and
even sexually
abused.
It's a practice
the vast
majority of
Muslims are
strongly against
and is
attributed to
individuals
misunderstanding
the Islamic laws
around divorce.
But an
investigation by
the BBC has
found a number
of online
accounts
offering halala
services,
several of which
are charging
women thousands
of pounds to
take part in
temporary
marriages.
BBC
Research finds
New Zealanders -
who are
generally
'highly
tolerant' - show
increased anger
and reduced
warmth towards
Muslims if they
are more avid
news consumers
People who
read the news
more likely to
be Islamophobic,
study finds
People who read
the news are
more likely to
feel angry
towards Muslims,
a new study has
found.
Whether liberal
or conservative,
researchers
found more avid
news consumers
showed both
increased anger
and reduced
warmth towards
members of the
Islamic faith.
The findings,
based on
responses from
16,584 New
Zealanders from
the New Zealand
Attitudes and
Values Study (NZAVS),
were published
in leading
international
science journal
PLOS ONE.
The authors said
it showed
widespread
representations
of Muslims in
the news were
contributing to
lower
acceptance.
The fact that
the study was
was based on New
Zealanders, who
are generally
“highly
tolerant”, made
it particularly
poignant, the
authors said.
“People tend to
interpret the
news in ways
that fit with
their
pre-existing
biases, seeking
affirmation of
their beliefs
while
discounting
conflicting
information,"
said lead author
Dr John Shaver,
a lecturer at
the University
of Otago.
”New Zealand is
a good test for
speculation
about
media-induced
Muslim prejudice
because of its
overall highly
tolerant people.
If anything,
tolerant Kiwis
might tend to
reject
intolerant
stereotypes,
reducing the
effect of the
media.
"However we find
that the
association of
prejudice
towards Muslims
with more media
exposure holds
across the
political
spectrum, and is
specific to
Muslims.
"This indicates
that it is
widespread
representations
of Muslims in
the news that is
contributing to
lower Muslim
acceptance,
rather than any
partisan media
bias. The media,
regardless of
politics, tend
to publish
violent stories
because violence
sells.”
The reports
co-author,
Professor Joseph
Bulbulia of
Victoria
University of
Wellington,
added: “Sadly,
there may be
real-world
consequences for
Muslims in this
country, people
who encounter
prejudice across
their daily
routines, at the
workplace, and
in their
children's
schools.
"Though
un-making
prejudice is
difficult, we
hope these
results
challenge the
media to present
fairer
representations
of Muslims."
The
Independent
'I AM PROUD
TO BE A MUSLIM':
BELLA HADID
OPENS UP ABOUT
HER ISLAMIC
FAITH
Supermodel
Bella Hadid has
opened up about
her father’s
experience as a
refugee and her
Islamic faith in
a candid
interview.
And, while she
might be one of
the biggest
fashion stars in
the world it
seems there’s
still much for
us to understand
about the
20-year-old
model, who has
never publicly
confirmed her
religion until
now.
The model, her
older sister
Gigi and brother
Anwar are half
Dutch, half
Palestinian born
to Yolanda – a
reality TV star
- and Mohamed
Hadid – a real
estate mogul
estimated to be
worth $200m.
Their father was
born in Nazareth
and lived in
both Syria and
Lebanon before
immigrating to
the U.S. at just
14-years-old.
A subject close
to Bella’s
heart, she
openly discusses
her father’s
heritage and how
this factored
into her
upbringing in
the summer issue
of the magazine.
“He was always
religious, and
he always prayed
with us. I am
proud to be a
Muslim,” Bella
told Porter
magazine.
When President
Trump first
announced his
immigration ban
in January,
Bella and sister
Gigi were among
those to join
the No Ban No
Wall march in
downtown New
York, along with
their mother and
friends, toting
signs that read,
“We are all
humans,” for
Bella, this was
personal.
“My dad was a
refugee when he
first came to
America, so it’s
actually very
close to home
for my sister
and brother and
me,” she added.
The supermodel
has previously
opened up about
her decision to
participate in
the protest,
explaining to
Elle that her
“diverse
background” has
taught her that
all people
“deserve respect
and kindness.”
She says, “We
shouldn’t treat
people as if
they don’t
deserve kindness
just because of
their
ethnicities.
It’s just not
right. And that
message — to be
compassionate
whenever
possible —
that’s so
important to
me.”
The
Independent
In the absence
of a holistic
Islamic
framework,
maintaining our
identity in
secular
societies will
always be a
challenge. We
must recognise
our belief
system for the
way of life it
truly is, not
aspects merely
to be
implemented at
our own
discretion.
Do we need to
rap our hijabs?
Controversy
erupted again
this week
following the
release of rap
video “Wrap my
Hijab” by sister
Mona Haydar. A
tribute to
Muslim women who
wear the
headscarf, the
video
exclusively
featured Muslim
women singing
lyrics such as:
“You poppin off
at the lip, And
run ya mouth
like a
treadmill, Not
your exotic
vacation, I’m
bored with your
fascination” and
featured a
hijabi
equivalent of
the recent
Beyonce
pregnancy
photoshoot.
Reactions on
social media
ranged from
proud
supporters, to
those who felt
that such
behaviour was
not befitting
for a Muslim,
male or female.
For those
keeping tabs,
this has been
the latest in an
emerging
subculture
catering to
Generation “M” –
a new
demographic of
young Muslims.
As demonstrated
by the original
Mipsterz video
of 2014, or the
more recent
music tracks
released by Deen
Squad; the young
Muslim is
identified as
having a mixed
cultural
experience,
being proud of
their faith,
enthusiastic
consumers,
dynamic, engaged
and demanding.
Breaking into
the media,
entertainment
and fashion
industries, they
are arguably
attempting to
forge an
identity during
a particularly
trying time,
influenced by
the global
geopolitical
situation and
racial tensions.
One of the key
motivations
expressed by the
creators of such
materials is to
show a more
representative
image of Muslims
in the West, and
in effect, to
actualise a new
Muslim
subculture. In
this way, the
redefining of
Islamic norms
around a new
generation and a
new society, is
presented as
part of the
religion’s
beautiful way of
applying to
every time and
place.
But we need to
ask ourselves
some questions
about this
reasoning?
The Muslimah
Diaries
Celebrating
diversity is not
quite enough.
White bread
and halal
sausages: the
new Australia we
still find hard
to swallow
Monica Dux
A friend
recently told me
about a sausage
sizzle held at
her own
children's
inner-city
school. Last
year, the BBQ
stall was
decorated with a
sign indicating
that the
sausages were
halal, which was
entirely
appropriate,
given the
burgeoning
Muslim
population in
her area. But
then a local
bigot hassled
the sausage
sellers, who
were shaken by
his vitriol.
This year, the
sausages were
still halal, but
the sign had
disappeared. The
white Australian
organisers
preferred to
avoid another
fuss. They could
still feel
virtuous selling
the sausages,
without putting
themselves in
the kind of
uncomfortable
situation that
many in the
non-white
community face
every day.
And that's why
real diversity
requires more
than just
"celebration".
It demands
effort. It means
that sometimes
we in the
dominant group
need to move out
of our comfort
zone. It means
questioning our
own assumptions
and prejudices,
and working
actively to
include members
of the wider
community in the
leadership
positions and
decision-making
roles that we
still dominate.
It means doing
all this in a
way that suits
them, not just
us.
Spelling and
pronouncing
non-Anglo names
correctly is a
good place to
start. After
all, if we can't
even make that
small effort,
what chance do
we have of
achieving
anything more
significant?
Celebrate Harmony
Week 2017, with Food, Faith and
Love in WA—a series of personal
narratives from across WA’s
culturally and linguistically
diverse communities.
A young migrant woman falls in
love with falling in love, until
she finds a man who makes her
stop. Samina tells of her great
Dutch love and his conversion to
Islam.
Governor
invites migrants and refugees to
her home
Seven News
The state’s
Governor is making good on her
promise to share the historic
home she's caretaking with
Victorians
Discrimination in Disguise
BBC Newsnight
Telling women
they can’t wear the
headscarf at work is "just
discrimination in disguise"
- argues academic and
journalist Myriam Francois-Cerrah.
Islam &
Domestic Violence
Dr.
Zachariah Matthews
(Australian Islamic Mission) Slacks Creek Mosque (Qiyamul
Layl talk)
Rapper
Mona Haydar on being a
Muslim Woman Fusion
"We don't need
saving. We don't
need saviours."
Rapper Mona
Haydar explores
what it means to
be a Muslim
woman who
chooses to cover
up –– and she is
not here for
your
preconceived
notions:
PLEASE
NOTE
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.
Islam is not an
imported,
foreign religion
brought to
America by
immigrants from
Arab countries
and from the
Indo-Pak
communities in
the past couple
of decades.
Islam is part of
the fabric of
American
history. The
Southern regions
of America were
actually built
on the backs,
sweat, blood,
and toil of the
African slaves
brought to this
country at its
very founding,
and many of them
were Muslim.
Slavery in
America began
when the first
African slaves
were brought to
the North
American colony
of Jamestown,
Virginia, in
1619, to work on
lucrative field
crops, such as
tobacco. The
cruel practice
of slavery
spread
throughout the
American
colonies in the
17th and 18th
centuries, and
African-American
slaves helped
build the
economic
foundations of
the new nation.
The production
of cotton
solidified the
importance of
slavery to the
South’s economy.
Men, women, and
children were
captured mainly
from West
Africa. They
were sold to
slave traders,
forced on to
ships, and kept
in appalling
conditions for
the long journey
across the
Atlantic Ocean
to the Americas.
Historians
estimate that at
the height of
the slave trade
in the 18th
century, up to 7
million Africans
had undertaken
this voyage. It
is estimated
that up to 30%
of the enslaved
in North America
were Muslim.
Maintaining
their religion
was difficult
and many were
forcibly
converted to
Christianity.
Any effort to
practice Islam,
and keep the
traditional
clothing and
names alive had
to be done in
secret. The
slaves were
treated as
subhuman and
their owners
tried to erase
everything about
their past,
their history,
beliefs and
religion, their
right to
freedom, and
their family
ties.
Nonetheless,
evidence of
Muslim origins
has been found
in documented
Arabic texts
written by the
slaves in
captivity. Most
of these texts
turned out to be
memorized verses
of the Qur’an,
handwritten by
the slaves.
These texts
reveal the
slaves’ struggle
to maintain
their religious
beliefs. It
shows their high
level of
education
attained in
Africa prior to
enslavement and
forced
emigration. Many
of them were
learned in the
Qur’an and
Islamic sciences
and they could
read and write
Arabic.
Unfortunately,
slavery has
systematically
silenced them,
so our present
knowledge of
these educated
people is
lacking.
In addition to
this, Muslim
names can be
found in reports
of runaway
slaves and among
the rosters of
soldiers in the
American war for
independence.
Many slaves were
forced to accept
Christian names;
however, some
kept their
Muslim names.
Historians
discovered men
living in the
American South
named Abd
ar-Rahman,
Bilali Mohammed,
Salih Bilali,
Omar ibn Said,
and Yarrow
Mamout, who
maintained
Islamic names.
To commence in Term 2.
Must be registered with QLD
College of Teachers
Please forward your CV to
Australian International
Islamic College
ATTENTION PRINCIPAL
E-mail:
admin@aiic.qld.edu.au
Successful applicants will
be notified via e-mail
Applications close MONDAY
10th April 2017
ISLAMOPHOBIA
IS RACISM: Resource for Teaching & Learning
about anti-Muslim Racism in the United
States
US: Inspired by the #FergusonSyllabus,
the #StandingRockSyllabus, the #BlackIslamSyllabus
and others, this reading list provides
resources for teaching and learning
about anti-Muslim racism in the United
States.
This syllabus reframes “Islamophobia” as
“anti-Muslim racism” to more accurately
reflect the intersection of race and
religion as a reality of structural
inequality and violence rooted in the
longer history of US (and European)
empire building. Conceptually, a focus
on anti-Muslim racism is connected to an
analysis of history and forms of
dominance – from white supremacy,
slavery and settler colonialism, to
multiculturalism and the security logics
of war and imperialism – that produce
various forms of racial exclusion as
well as incorporation into racist
structures. Our primary focus is on the
manifestation and impact of anti-Muslim
racism in the United States.
Reasoning with God: Reclaiming Shari'ah in the Modern Age
by
Khaled Abou El Fadl
Description
In Reasoning with God renowned Islamic scholar Khaled Abou
El Fadl explores the role of Shari'ah in today's world, for
both Muslims and non-Muslims.
After a prologue that explains Shari'ah in depth, Abou El
Fadl wrestles with the moral trajectory of contemporary
Islam and highlights the way Shari'ah can revitalize and
reengage Islam today.
KB says:With the Easter Break
and school holidays coming up these cinnabons
will be great for the family wanting to satisfy
their sugar cravings.
Cinnabons
Ingredients
6 cups flour
6 tab. sugar
1 tsp salt
1 pkt dry yeast (10g)
2 tab milk powder
ľ cup oil
2 cups lukewarm water
1 cup lukewarm milk
Method
1. Combine all the dry ingredients.
2. Gently rub the oil into the dry ingredients.
3. Combine the water and milk and add to the
mixture above to form a soft dough.
4. Cover the dough and leave to rise until
double in size.
5. Then punch down the dough and make 5 balls.
6. Roll out each ball into a rectangle, brush
with melted butter and sprinkle brown sugar and
cinnamon powder and fold into a Swiss roll.
7. Slice and place on a baking tray lined with
baking paper and leave to rise for 15 mins.
8. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180deg for
approx 20 mins.
For the caramel
Melt 200 g milky bar
Mix in 1 tin nestle cream and 1 tin caramel
treat and drizzle over cinnabons and sprinkle
with roasted pecans.
Do you have a recipe to share with CCN
readers?
Send in your favourite recipe to me at
admin@ccnonline.com.au and be my "guest chef" for the week.
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 signs
and symptoms of
Depression and how
to overcome it using
your Mind Power.
What is
Depression?
Is feeling sad the
same as being
depressed?
No.
Feeling sad, empty,
worthless, teary and
having recurring
thoughts of
self-harm all the
time, every time and
not knowing exactly
why you feel these
emotions are
significant signs of
Depression.
Depression is now
categorised as a
disease and can
exist by itself in
different
combinations such as
Post Natal
Depression
(affecting brand new
mothers), Bipolar
Disorder (periods of
major happiness and
major sadness),
Dysthymia (mild,
chronic sadness
existing for at
least two years) and
Seasonal Affective
Disorder or SAD
(affects people
during shorter,
darker months in
Autumn and Winter).
Anyone suffering
from Depression can
be cured. The first
step is to identify
and acknowledge the
signs and symptoms
of Depression and
seek appropriate
help to overcome it.
Signs and symptoms
of Depression often
go unnoticed because
our society expects
people to “suck it
up and keep
fighting”. There is
stigma and shame
associated with
anyone showing
vulnerability in
acknowledging
weakness. The fact
of the matter is
that we are all
blessed with
strengths and
weaknesses.
Sometimes, some
people dwell on
their weaknesses for
too long and develop
a mindset of feeling
worthless. This
feeling brings deep
sadness, tearfulness
and eventually
thoughts and
sometimes specific
plans of self-harm.
Physically, the body
responds to these
symptoms in the
following way:
•
Loss of appetite
or sometimes
increased
appetite
(emotional
eating)
• Insomnia or
for some people,
too much sleep
• Loss of energy
- Fatigue
• Inappropriate
guilt
• Confusion,
inability to
make decisions
• Isolation,
often remaining
alone in one
part of the
house for too
long , such as
extended hours
in the bedroom
or extended
hours on the
balcony watching
out into space
• Lack of
physical
movements -
always
preferring to
lie down or sit
for extended
hours
• Lack of
interest or
pleasure in any
activity
• Inability to
find joy in any
situation
Personal experience
In 2009, after my
brain tumour was
diagnosed, I began
questioning my
life’s choices and
began experiencing
feelings of deep
sadness, guilt,
emptiness, a strange
void, rapid weight
gain due to
emotional eating and
thoughts of
self-harm.
My GP was able to
diagnose these
symptoms and
recommend that I
seek counselling and
psychological help.
My daughter, who was
six years old at the
time, was suffering
indirectly as a
result of my
condition. I made a
conscious decision
to follow my GP’s
advice. I lived.
Alhamdulillah,
because that renewed
life led me to Islam
in 2011.
Overcoming
Depression with your
Mind Power
Every brain has a
mind of its own. No
matter what our
experiences, we do
not have to identify
ourselves by our
experiences. ALLAH
has blessed us with
a mind that has
enough power for us
to change our
thinking and begin
to manifest good and
joyful outcomes.
The following
activities are
absolutely necessary
if you want to
overcome Depression.
•
Full blood test
and seeking help
from GP to
diagnose any
thyroid
dysfunction,
blood pressure
abnormalities or
vitamin
deficiencies
• Finding a
person you can
confide in
without fear of
being judged
(counsellor/
psychologist/
therapist) and
talking to that
person to
process your
feelings to find
healing
• 30 minutes
exercise daily
• Cognitive
behavioural
changes (Mind
Power)
• Silence 5-10
minutes daily,
preferably after
Fajr or Isha
Salah, helps
connect with
your Essential
Self (soul)
• Practise
self-love,
gratitude and
forgiveness
(having an
attitude of
gratitude and
forgiveness in
not enough, you
need to practise
it daily. There
are strategies.
If you need help
with these
strategies,
please contact
me)
Mind Power can help
overcome Depression
in the following
ways:
•
Challenge the
WHY in your life
- take a pen and
paper and write
WHY as the
topic. Underline
it.
• Now, write
down all the
feelings you are
experiencing
today and try to
explain why.
• Keep
challenging the
why until you
start seeing
some clarity
happening. For
example, “I feel
tearful today
because I feel
empty inside. I
feel empty
inside today
because I am not
working and I
really wish I
had a good job
and my own
financial
independence. I
am not working
because I lost
my job. I lost
my job because I
was not meeting
my targets…”
(and these “WHY
challenges”
continue until
you find
clarity).
• Write a
description of
your ideal self
in present tense
as though you
are actually
living that
ideal life. For
example, “I am
wearing my black
suit today as I
have my first
day at work. I
am starting my
new position
today as
Department
Manager. My
shoes are brand
new. My shirt
smells
beautiful…”
• Thought Switch
- divide the
page in two
columns. On the
left column,
write down your
limiting beliefs
and on the right
column, write
down the
opposite of
those beliefs.
For example:
Limiting belief
: “I don’t think
I am qualified
for the job. I’m
sure they will
not hire me”.
Opposite belief:
“I am perfect
for this job and
I look forward
to starting my
new job and
making a
positive
difference to
people around
me.”
In
Shaa ALLAH, next
week we will explore
the topic of “Respect
and Understand your
Children”.
Children often do as
we do, not as we
say. It is vital
that we respect and
understand them
first before we
expect them to
respect and
understand us.
If you wish to know
about a specific
topic with regards
to Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind,
please text or email
me or visit
www.muslimahmindmatters.com.
If you wish to have
a FREE one hour
Finding Clarity
telephone session,
contact me on
0451977786.
Queensland Education & Cultural
Foundation has organised free Islamic lecture
series to inform society with regards to Islam
and its basic concepts.
The first lecture series is
related to Essentials of Islamic Faith; it is
ten weeks course and at the end, there will be
an exam to measure the knowledge and to
determine who is entitled to achieve a
certificate.
Lectures will be in two sessions;
informative (1 hour) and Q&A (30 minutes
tutorials).
There will be a break between
them for coffee/tea/refreshments.
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 17 MAY (postponed from 5 APRIL) 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,
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Births, Marriages,
New Migrants and
Condolences
The
Australian National Imams
Council (ANIC) strongly
condemns the recent chemical
attacks on the innocent
Syrian civilians in the city
of Khan Sheikhoun in the
Idlib Province, Syria.
ISLAMOPHOBIA
IS RACISM: Resource for Teaching & Learning
about anti-Muslim Racism in the United
States 
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. 
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7
August 2011