In this op-ed, author,
activist, and mechanical engineer
Yassmin Abdel-Magied unpacks the myth of
the "model minority" through her own
experiences.
I’m no longer interested in
centtering those who refuse to
see my humanity.
I grew up believing if I
became the “model minority”
— a hard-working,
high-achieving, law-abiding
brown Muslim woman — that I
could make lasting positive
change for myself and
others. I thought if I were
good enough, my example
would make people see that
their assumptions about
Muslims and people of colour
were wrong. Once they got to
know me, they would change
their behaviour and fix
their biases, I thought.
Unfortunately, the events of
the past few months have
taught me otherwise. I may
have been achieving things
for myself and changing a
couple of minds along the
way, but I wasn’t changing
the system. So what
happened? I’ll start from
the very beginning.
I’m a Muslim chick who was
born in Sudan. My family
moved to Brisbane,
Australia, just before I
turned 2. We were one of the
first Sudanese families in
the city, so we definitely
stood out. My parents
instilled in me a strong
sense of social justice, but
it wasn’t until after 9/11
that I really noticed people
treating us differently
because we were Muslims. I
was determined to fight for
what was right, and my
father’s advice was to try
to influence the system from
within. So I tried to win
that game.
I
did well academically, I
served my community, I
played the part. I started a
youth organization, Youth
Without Borders, at 16,
which empowered young people
to work together for
positive change in their
communities. I studied
mechanical engineering at
university, partly because I
loved cars, but partly
because engineering was a
profession that would give
me credibility in the
corporate world. If I was
going to make positive
change from within, I needed
every shred of credibility I
could get, I told myself.
I kept hustling to show
those in power how great
Muslim women were. I
graduated valedictorian of
my class. I advised the
federal government, hosted a
TV show, and did a
documentary on racism. I won
awards, such as Young
Australian of the Year for
my state and Distinguished
Young Alumni of my
university, and was named
one of InStyle’s “Women of
Style.” I published a memoir
before my 25th birthday,
talking about my life
growing up in Australia,
running a race-car team, and
working as a mechanical
engineer on oil rigs.
I thought that I'd ticked
all the boxes to become
credible in the eyes of
those in power. I thought my
achievements could change
people’s expectations of
Muslims, and of Muslim women
in particular. Maybe it
would show them that their
assumptions were wrong.
Maybe that would lead them
to realize that people who
were different were still
worthy, equal, and to be
taken seriously.
I thought that achieving a
lot meant people in power,
especially those who had
racist or sexist views,
would listen to me. Take me
seriously. Believe in what I
had to say. Now, I could
make change from within,
because I was part of the
club, right?
Not quite.
I thought my achievements
could change people’s
expectations of Muslims, and
of Muslim women in
particular.
But
before I explain what went
down, you should understand
something about Australia.
Although Australia is
commonly associated with
kangaroos and great beaches,
it actually has a deeply
racist history. Until 50
years ago, the First Nations
people of Australia were not
included in the census — so
in the eyes of the
government, they weren’t
counted as people. It took a
referendum in 1967 for that
to change. Then there were
the Stolen Generations,
where the Australian
government systematically
removed First Nations
children from their parents.
The government was so
obsessed with whiteness that
up until the 1970s, there
was the so-called White
Australia Policy, which was
a collection of policies
banning non-Europeans from
migrating to the country. In
other words, you had to be
white to move to Australia.
There is no doubt that
Australia has come a really
long way since then. I am
truly grateful for all the
opportunities I was provided
as an Australian immigrant,
and for the love and support
of many Australians. But
this isn't about individual
Australians. History
matters, because it informs
the attitudes of the present
society. As people of color
have systematically been
treated as second-class
citizens, they are
considered “conditionally
Australian.” The moment they
step out of line, the
country explodes with
outrage. A recent example of
this is that of Adam Goodes,
a First Nations Australian
Football League (AFL)
superstar. Goodes sparked
controversy after he pointed
to a girl in the stands who
had yelled a racial slur at
him, calling him “Ape!”
Although it was obviously
racist, many Australian
commentators and football
fans saw pointing it out as
an overreaction. This double
standard has been called
“brown poppy syndrome.”
In my case, it was sparked
by two incidents. The first
was a disagreement with a
politician about her views
on Muslims on Q&A, a current
affairs panel show. Senator
Jacqui Lambie stated that
Australia should ban the
burqa, and that anyone who
follows Sharia Law should be
deported. By banning “Sharia,”
she would effectively be
banning Muslims. I called
her out, asking her if she
even knew what Sharia was.
She didn’t. I also then
continued to say that
“Islam, to me, is the most
feminist religion” — a
statement that ended up
causing a furor, which went
on for weeks.
But it all really escalated
after a seven-word Facebook
post I wrote on Anzac Day, a
national day of remembrance
that was originally
introduced to honor the
Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps (ANZAC) who
fought at Gallipoli in World
War I. The phrase
Australians use for
remembrance is “Lest We
Forget.” I wanted to make my
sentiment more inclusive
than just those who fought
in that war. Who else should
we not forget, I thought? So
I posted the following:
Manus and Nauru are offshore
immigration detention
centers holding asylum
seekers who try to get to
Australia on boats. Amnesty
International has called it
a “regime of cruelty” and an
“open-air prison.” I also
included Palestine and
Syria, to remember current
conflicts with no end in
sight. I was asking for
empathy and compassion for
others, on a somber day of
remembrance.
A friend soon saw that post
and suggested that it might
be offensive, and so out of
respect I took it down
almost immediately. I
apologized publicly and of
my own accord, because while
my intention had been one of
inclusive empathy, others
took it as an insult. They
saw it as denigrating
soldiers, disrespecting
Australia, and being
“ungrateful.”
I
made the front page of the
national papers day in and
day out. The prime minister
got involved.
Parliamentarians said I
should self-deport and “move
to an Arab dictatorship,”
and that I was a disgrace. I
was sent death threats.
Racist posters went up. I
had to move houses, change
my phone number, shut off my
social media. When I later
announced that I was moving
to London, a national TV
station ran a poll on
whether I should leave or
“stay to face her critics.”
Thousands of words were
written about me in hundreds
of articles. Petitions were
set up going after my job.
And it didn't go on for one
day, or one week, or even
just one month. It went on
for more than three months,
on an almost daily basis.
I had to move houses, change
my phone number, shut off my
social media.
Those who want you to
outperform your identity
aren’t interested in seeing
you as equal at all. No one
should ever have to be the
“model minority” in order to
be accepted as equal.
Equality should be given,
not earned for good behavior.
If “good behavior” is
required, that isn’t really
equality.
So now, I’m no longer
interested in centering
those who refuse to see my
humanity and want me to work
for my equality. That
diminishes me, my culture,
and my agency. Instead, I
will focus my energy on
myself, my faith, my
communities, and those who
continue to be marginalized.
I will also work with allies
who are interested in making
things better for all of us.
I thought if I spoke too
honestly, I would be alone.
But it turns out, when you
stand up for yourself, lean
into your own power, and
speak your truth, people see
that, and some — the ones
that care — will choose to
stand with you.
Now, I don’t work to prove
my humanity to others; I
work because the humanity of
others gives me strength.
YAS!
Bell Pottinger was hired to
improve the image of the Gupta
family, which has close ties to
President Jacob Zuma.
A disgraced company accused
of inciting racial hatred in
South Africa was selected by
the Federal Government as a
potential advisor on
countering extremist
violence.
The reputation of British PR
firm Bell Pottinger has
collapsed in recent weeks
after reports it used fake
social media accounts to
exploit apartheid-era
divisions for financial
gain.
The fake accounts slandered
those attacking the
company's client, the
Indian-born Gupta business
family, and claimed
white-owned businesses were
holding the economy back.
The campaign has been
internationally condemned
and described by the head of
the UK industry group as
setting South African
society back "probably a
decade".
Until last year, Bell
Pottinger had sat on the
Australian Government's
"countering violent
extremism research panel"
for four years.
The panel was selected by
the Attorney-General's
department and included
think tanks, companies and
universities that could
inform deradicalisation
programs.
Being selected for the panel
did not guarantee Bell
Pottinger work, but it
listed the company as an
appropriate source of advice
for all Government agencies.
That prompted security
experts to raise concerns
about the Government's
vetting processes,
particularly given the
company's ties to notorious
dictators.
The Step Together helpline is
staffed by professional
counsellors seven days a week.
A multi-million-dollar
government helpline set up
to support people worried
their family or friends may
be at risk of violent
extremism appears to be
failing to gain traction.
Key points:
Step Together
helpline was set up
to combat
radicalisation and
violent extremism
NSW Minister David
Elliot says it has
received "around
five phone calls" in
two months
Members of Muslim
community say people
"don't trust" the
helpline
The Step Together helpline
was launched in June by the
New South Wales Minister for
Counter Terrorism, David
Elliot.
Costing $3.9 million over
three years, the initiative
is part of a $47 million
program designed to fight
radicalisation following the
murder of NSW police
accountant Curtis Cheng.
The helpline markets itself
as an advice and counselling
service, and is staffed by
professional counsellors
seven days a week from
7:00am to 9:00pm.
But Mr Elliot has confirmed
the helpline had only
received "around five phone
calls" in the two months
since its launch.
One source, who spoke to the
ABC on condition of
anonymity, said: "It costs
millions, but only a few
people have called it. One
call was a wrong number, the
other was a parent worried
their kid was dating a
Muslim."
Prominent Muslim community
leaders have also told the
ABC they warned the NSW
Government the helpline was
unlikely to be trusted if it
was linked to intelligence
gathering or policing
agencies.
Despite this, Mr Elliott
said the Government expected
the low volume of calls to
increase, "as the marketing
efforts gradually expand".
He added that the associated
website had received 800
hits.
Mr Elliot refused to say
when the expanded marketing
would take place or whether
it would cost more money.
The Minister insisted the
helpline had the support of
the community.
"Early response from a
number of community
organisations about Step
Together have been positive
and many have appreciated
being engaged about the
initiative," he said.
Helpline viewed with
suspicion in Muslim
community
But prominent members of
Sydney's Muslim community,
and terrorism experts have
told the ABC a different
story.
"In theory it ticks the
boxes. In reality, and in
the streets of south-west
Sydney, nobody is going to
use this helpline because,
they don't trust it," Dr
Jamal Rifi said from his
medical practice in the
Sydney suburb of Belmore.
"We have always said that
such an initiative needs to
be arm's length from
security agencies [and] from
police."
The helpline is run by an
independent contractor but
Dr Rifi said launching it
under the Ministry for
Counter Terrorism meant the
service was doomed.
"I doubt it very much —
people [using] this hotline
… it is going to be seen as
embedded to the anti-terror
sphere rather than the
health, preventative-action
sphere," he said.
An expert in
de-radicalisation at the
Australian National
University, Dr Clarke Jones,
said authorities were
focusing on the wrong
things.
"Everything to do with
Muslim communities is to do
with security and
intelligence," he said.
"Life doesn't work like
that.
"You'll find there's much
more problems around
domestic violence and youth
suicide, drug and alcohol
offending. Violent extremism
may be less than 1 per cent.
"So when you're dealing
or working with Muslim
communities, it just
doesn't make sense that
the whole focus and all
this money is placed in
violent extremism."
Dr Jones wants governments
to tackle the symptoms that
lead to radicalisation.
"If you put money towards
social services or building
community capacity, the
outcome would be better. In
fact, you'd reduce the
chances of violent
extremism," he said.
Program 'well intended but
sold wrong way'
Counter-terrorism expert and
director of Intelligent
Risks Neil Fergus said: "To
be frank, the most effective
tools that we have within
Australia, in terms of
community engagement, are
the personal contacts being
made by ASIO officers and
police officers".
Mr Fergus said community
liaison officers, while
clearly linked to Government
enforcement agencies, were
upfront about who they were.
He said some community
members could suspect Step
Together was a front for
intelligence gathering.
"There are understandable
concerns in a lot of the
target communities about who
they are talking too and how
it will be actioned …
whereas, the National
Security Hotline, all these
matters are well known."
The National Security
Hotline was set up in 2002
in the wake of the terror
attacks on the World Trade
Centre and, closer to home,
the Bali bombings.
The hotline clearly states
its role as a reporting
line, with information
received relayed to ASIO,
and federal and state
police.
It received 5,293 calls in
the two months of July and
August this year.
By contrast, Step Together —
which received five calls —
is seen by some as sending
mixed messages to users. It
promotes itself as a place
to seek advice and
counselling, but is overseen
by the Minister for Counter
Terrorism.
"His role is seen in our
community to hit hard
people who pose any
threat to this country,
which is rightfully his
role. But the fact that
he is [also] calling
people to call this
helpline … it's not
going to work," Dr Rifi
said.
Dr Jones believes the
program, "was well intended
but I think it was sold in
the wrong way".
"At some point, it's got to
come out of the national
security space. When it
does, I think you'll find
there is more community
buy-in," he said.
The ABC asked the Minister's
office if it would consider
moving the helpline out of
the Counter-Terrorism
Ministry and into Social
Services.
A spokesperson said it was a
"hypothetical" and it was
not willing to comment at
this stage.
For now, the Minister stands
by the initiative.
"We only need one successful
phone call and the helpline
has paid for itself," Mr
Elliot said.
MEP: the Australia-Indonesia
Muslim Exchange Program
Fostering community links
between Australia and Indonesia
Applications are now open
for the Australia-Indonesia
Muslim Program 2018!
Discover Indonesia’s rich
Islamic heritage and learn
about the world’s largest
Muslim nation over an
intensive two week cultural
exchange, with all costs
covered.
During the visit you will
meet some of Indonesia’s
leading Islamic
organisations and schools,
visit major landmarks, and
make valuable connections.
You will also gain a new
network of more than 200
alumni, who are active in
many different fields.
If you are an Australian
Muslim, 21-40, and active in
the community, we want to
hear from you! No prior
Indonesian experience is
necessary.
For a perspective on the
2017 program, click here.
The program runs from 5-18
March 2018. The deadline for
applying is: 5pm AEDT, Fri
20th October 2017. Click
here for details of how to
apply.
For more information, email
us at info@ausindomep.com.
Past participants’
experiences:
“The experience was great,
and way above my
expectations!” (Ashraf,
2017)
“I gained a deeper
understanding of Islam in
Indonesia and the vast
myriad of diverse groups
co-existing.” (Laila, 2014)
“This is an opportunity that
any Muslim Australian should
take up. You learn so much
about yourself, about your
own faith, about the country
with the biggest Muslim
population [in the world].”
(Assmaah, 2012)
“The MEP is a fabulous
program that will have
longstanding benefit both in
my professional and personal
life.” (Ayan, 2017)
“From day one, my perception
of Indonesia was completely
transformed.” (Nada, 2016)
“By far the most organised
overseas program I have
attended, from the detailed
schedule to the awesome
organisers and great
alumni.” (Natasha, 2017)
“Thank you MEP for this
incredible experience – I
learnt a LOT!” (Nur, 2014)
This progressive millennial
wants to replace a two-term
Republican
Fayrous Saad is running
for Congress is Michigan's 11th
district
Fayrouz Saad had just
started university when two
planes struck the World
Trade Centre on 11
September, 2001.
The child of immigrants and
a practising Muslim, Ms Saad
grew up in the heavily
Arab-American city of
Dearborn, Michigan. Up to
that point, she said, she
hadn’t personally
experienced much harassment
or discrimination. But her
parents, who had immigrated
from Lebanon some 30 years
earlier, were concerned.
"That day, my parents came
and picked me up and they
took me home, because they
were worried about anti-Arab
and anti-Muslim backlash
happening on campus,” Ms
Saad told The Independent.
“And I'll be honest,” she
added, “that was the first
time that I ever even
realised that this was a
thing – that there was a
stereotype against Arabs and
Muslims in this country.”
Her parents kept her out of
school for weeks. When she
returned to the University
of Michigan, she had no idea
what to expect. And she
certainly did not predict
what she found waiting for
her: A line of friends and
neighbours outside her dorm
room, waiting to welcome her
back.
"I say that I quote-unquote
‘came of age’ in the
post-9/11 era because of
this experience
specifically,” she said,
“and really believing that
this is what America is, and
that this is what I want to
be a part of.”
She added: “That's what I
want to fight for. That's
what people want America to
be.”
Ms Saad meets with
constituents at the Northville
Democratic Club
Now, the 34-year-old is
hoping to bring this fight
to the highest levels of
American politics. She is
running for Congress in
Michigan’s 11th District,
hoping to replace the white,
male, Republican
representative in office -
Dave Trott. If she succeeds,
she will be the first Muslim
woman ever to serve in the
US Congress.
The milestone is
particularly resonant now,
under a President who
previously promised to ban
all Muslims from the
country. Ms Saad often says
that she doesn't want to run
"the anti-Trump campaign,"
and prefers to focus on her
policy proposals and values.
But, she admits, "a lot of
the things that I’m fighting
for, a lot of the things I
want to see changed, and a
portion of what pushed me to
run is to fight back against
his agenda".
A president that Ms Saad
would rather talk about is
former President Barack
Obama. If elected, she will
share with him the
distinction of being a
“first” – a member of a
minority group who broke
through a political glass
ceiling for her community.
The two leaders also share
similar political views,
focusing on issues like
expanding health care,
supporting immigrants, and
boosting small businesses.
They both have midwestern
roots, at least one
immigrant parent, and a name
that confuses most
Americans.
“In Arabic, my name means
precious stone. In English,
it means at least 17
different spellings on my
Starbucks cup,” Ms Saad
joked in her first campaign
video.
What makes the comparison
even more apt is Ms Saad's
history within the Obama
administration. Shortly
after finishing university,
she joined Mr Obama’s
Department of Homeland
Security to work on
“community policing” – a
fancy term for strengthening
relationships between
immigrant communities and
their local law enforcement.
Ms Saad has even met the
former President – three
times – at White House
events for Muslim
administration members. At
one event, Mr Obama gave her
hardworking, immigrant
family a shout-out. Later,
he posed for a picture with
the candidate and her
mother.
While Ms Saad is undeniably
a fan of Mr Obama —“I’m a
groupie,” she admits — she
resists the idea that they
are the same.
"I think the great thing
about our democracy is that
we can love our elected
leaders and respect them,
but at the same time
challenge some of the things
that they've done or said,”
she said.
One area where their
politics differ is national
security. After working with
the DHS, Ms Saad said, she
became convinced of the need
for a more “whole of
government” approach to
community policing –
expanding the definition of
“security” to mean things
like quality healthcare and
access to education, too.
"I often felt like it needs
to be a more integrated
approach and a broader
approach,” she said. She
found herself wanting to
tell people: "Ok, this is
great, but let’s build off
of it as well."
The 2017 Scientific
conference of the Islamic
Medical association of
Queensland is an annual
meeting place for members to
share ideas and learn about
the latest developments in
the field of medicine. It is
also a platform for members
to network and broaden their
professional circles.
The event will aim to invite
both scientific and faith
based speakers on topics
which have been highlighted
by our members as areas of
interest.
The conference will be at
the Hilton Hotel Brisbane on
29 October 2017. Halal meals
and snacks will be provided
for all attendees and Salah
facilities will be available
on site.
We look forward to meeting
you at the conference and
hope it will be both a
medically stimulating and a
spiritually uplifting
experience.
The conference is open to
ALL Medical, Dental and
Allied healthcare
professionals and students
in these disciplines,
including non IMAQ members.
With the ongoing
humanitarian crisis in
Myanmar, IMAQ will be
donating your entire
registration fee to the
Myanmar Appeal.
American
Professor Randy
Pausch famously
said, “When
there’s an
elephant in the
room, introduce
it.” So let’s
talk about
Nouman Ali Khan.
If you don’t
know who he is,
don’t worry. Two
million
followers on
Facebook do, as
do hundreds of
thousands of
students who
benefitted from
Bayyinah
Institute, one
of the most
well-respected
Arabic Studies
institutions in
the United
States. Nouman
Ali Khan is its
founder and CEO.
This September
21st, he was
outed on
Facebook by Omer
Mozaffar, Muslim
Chaplain at
Loyola
University of
Chicago and
Adjunct
Professor of
Theology. In a
post that
elicited over
2500 comments in
less than 24
hours since its
posting, Omer
wrote:
“I have
been working
on a case
regarding my
friend of
twenty
years,
Nouman Ali
Khan. He
confessed
inappropriate
interactions
with various
women,
violating
agreed-upon
bounds of
Islamic law.
He also told
lies to
cover up
those
relationships,
and filed
threats of
litigation
against
multiple
parties to
further hide
his
misconduct.
I am calling
on him to
focus on
repentance
and reform.
He is
jeopardizing
his soul and
reputation;
he is
tampering
with the
Iman of so
many of the
students of
his courses
and
lectures….
In a meeting
with the
above
scholars and
myself,
Nouman
agreed to
stop public
speeches
until
further
notice, to
get
professional
and
religious
counseling,
and to cease
all contact
with those
women. I had
the
responsibility
to determine
when he
would be
ready to
speak again.
I gave him
an
exception,
allowing him
to post
previously
recorded
lectures, so
long as they
were not
about
marriage or
gender
matters…
This brings
us to where
we are
today.
Nouman has
now broken
his
agreement
with us and
has been
sending
threats
against each
of us
through his
attorney.”
Within 24 hours
of Omer’s
posting, Nouman
Ali Khan posted
a response as
well. In it, he
asserts his
innocence and
claims that
enemies to
himself and his
family are
conspiring to
destroy him, and
sums the
situation up as
follows:
“I have been
divorced for
nearly two
years. The
circumstances
of my
divorce are
one of the
most
difficult
and painful
experiences
of my life.
Many rumours
surrounded
that event
and I chose
to remain
silent to
protect my
children
more than
anyone else.
After the
passage of
some time I
did in fact
pursue
remarriage
with the
help of my
family.
Along that
process I
communicated
with a few
prospects
with my
family’s
knowledge
and consent
and that has
been used,
distorted
and
manipulated
way out of
proportion
and turned
into
something it
isn’t. All
such
communications
took place
between
consenting
adults and
there was
nothing
malicious or
predatory
about them.
I fail to
see how such
interaction
can render
anyone a
victim.
These
communications
took place
for a
dignified
purpose. Yet
these are
the
communications
that are
being
alleged as
predatory.”
In a relatively
short time, the
Muslim world
online has been
split into two
camps, one that
believes the
accusations and
one that
doesn’t. Both
parties are
shocked, but one
is an obvious
majority.
How do we deal with Hanson:
Human Rights Director Shen
Narayanasamy
GetUp!
Being White and Muslim
Islam is the
religion of peace and safety
A Turkish town became rich by
honouring the poor!
Lowkey on the Dehumanisation
of Muslims
British Asian
World
Interview of Fatima [2 yrs]
by her sister Maryam Masud
It's not a Football match.
It's a Mufti Menk program.
ISLAMIC EDUCATION VIDEOS
Why should Muslims fast on
the Day of Ashura
OnePath Network
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.
TOPIC: “Allah
says
majority of
mankind are
ungrateful”
IMAM:
Hafiz Rashid
Ali
Summary
by Mohideen:
A very nice
sermon
explaining
why Allah
says that
only a very
small number
of his
slaves are
grateful (shukoor).
Spoke in
length the
quality of
being
grateful. He
went on to
explain how
shukoor has
a few
aspects for
a slave to
be regarded
as being
appreciative
and
grateful. He
said that
there are
four things
to be
practiced
for a slave
to be
appreciative,
these being
Shukoor from
the heart
and mind,
then shukoor
from the
tongue and
finally
shukoor by
not
disobeying
Allah. He
gave a good
comparison
example of a
gift and how
the
recipient
appreciates
and treats
that gift.
He also
spoke about
how people
think about
what they
don’t have
rather than
appreciate
what they
have, he
warned this
is how
shaythan
traps
mankind. He
said how our
Prophet (pbuh)
asked us to
praise Allah
in any
condition be
it good or
bad. He
spoke about
how the
horse was
obedient to
his master
and goes
into the
thick of the
battle
(surah Al
Adiyat) and
questioned
what does
the horse
get for this
obedience?
Finally, he
wrapped up
saying how
Allah works
in complex
ways and
anyone who
thinks he
can work
against
Allah’s
system is
foolish.
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi Arabia announced on
Tuesday that it would allow women to
drive, ending a longstanding policy that
has become a global symbol of the
oppression of women in the
ultraconservative kingdom.
The change, which will take effect in
June 2018, was announced in a royal
decree read live on state television and
in a simultaneous media event in
Washington. The decision highlights the
damage that the ban on women driving has
done to the kingdom’s international
reputation and its hopes for a public
relations benefit from the reform.
Saudi leaders also hope the new policy
will help the economy by increasing
women’s participation in the workplace.
Many working Saudi women spend much of
their salaries on drivers or must be
driven to work by male relatives.
“It is amazing,” said Fawziah al-Bakr, a
Saudi university professor who was among
47 women who participated in the
kingdom’s first protest against the ban
— in 1990. After driving around the
Saudi capital, Riyadh, the women were
arrested and some lost their jobs.
“Since that day, Saudi women have been
asking for the right to drive, and
finally it arrived,” she said by phone.
“We have been waiting for a very long
time.”
Saudi Arabia, home to Islam’s holiest
sites, is an absolute monarchy ruled
according to Shariah law. Saudi
officials and clerics have provided
numerous explanations for the ban over
the years.
Some said that it was inappropriate in
Saudi culture for women to drive, or
that male drivers would not know how to
handle having women in cars next to
them. Others argued that allowing women
to drive would lead to promiscuity and
the collapse of the Saudi family. One
cleric claimed — with no evidence — that
driving harmed women’s ovaries.
Rights groups and Saudi activists have
long campaigned for the ban to be
overturned, and some women have been
arrested and jailed for defying the
prohibition and taking the wheel.
Muslim
surgeon stabbed outside mosque in 'hate
crime'
Dr Nasser Kurdy was attacked
outside of a mosque in
Altrincham
UK:
A surgeon was
stabbed on his
way to a mosque
in an apparent
hate crime by
attackers who
shouted
"abusive"
comments,
according to a
Muslim community
leader.
Dr Nasser Kurdy,
58, was taken to
hospital with a
stab wound to
his neck
following the
assault outside
the Altrincham
Islamic Centre,
in Grove Lane,
in the Greater
Manchester
market town on
Sunday evening.
He has been
discharged from
hospital,
according to his
colleague Dr
Khalid Anis, a
spokesman for
the Altrincham &
Hale Muslim
Association, who
said he was
"very lucky".
Greater
Manchester
Police said two
man, aged 32 and
54, were
arrested within
an hour of the
attack, which
the force is
treating as a
hate crime but
not terrorism
related.
Assistant Chief
Constable Russ
Jackson said:
"'This is a very
nasty and
unprovoked
attack against a
much-loved local
man."
Police are not
looking for any
other suspects,
he added.
GERMANY:
Motorists who
drive with part
or all of their
face covered
will now be
fined under new
traffic laws in
Germany.
The German
parliament’s
upper house, the
Bundesrat,
introduced the
new law to
‘ensure a
driver’s
identity can be
determined’ if
they’re caught
speeding.
Anyone found
with a facial
covering,
including
carnival masks
and
face-obscuring
hoods, will be
fined €60 (Ł52).
But many people
are interpreting
this measure as
being a ban on
burqas and
niqabs.
At the moment,
the law allows
head coverings
such as
headscarves to
be worn by
Muslim women
when driving.
Nurhan Soykan,
of Germany’s
Central Council
of Muslims, told
Deutsche Welle:
‘Proof of this
is the fact that
laws are being
passed in areas
that don’t need
to be regulated.
‘We know of no
case in which a
burqa or niqab
wearer caused an
accident that
can be linked to
wearing a
full-body veil.’
The
Transportation
Ministry
declined to
comment on
whether the
legislation
essentially
meant a ‘burka
ban’ but said:
‘The rule of law
requires that
only drivers can
be held
accountable.
‘That presumes
that they can be
identified.’
The German
parliament has
previously
supported a
draft law
banning women
working in the
civil service,
judiciary and
military from
wearing a
full-face
Islamic veil.
While German
chancellor
Angela Merkel
has openly
announced her
support of
banning
full-face veils
in the country
‘wherever it is
legally
possible’.In
Bavaria, the
full-face veil
is already
banned in
schools,
universities,
polling stations
and government
offices.
The new facial
ban was brought
in with a number
of other traffic
laws, including
fines for
drivers who look
at their mobile
phones instead
of the road.
UAE
psychologist to train women to 'accept being
second wife'
If a new wife
is in the picture, like a child
who had a new sibling, she will
suffer from withdrawal symptoms,
leaving her depressed, according
to al-Musawi’s 'research'.
UAE:
A psychologist
in the UAE has
developed a
programme to
help women
accept being a
second wife,
comparing a
woman who is
angry when a man
marries another
to a first-born
feeling left out
when a new
sibling is born.
Zahraa al-Musawi
conducted a
study to figure
out why women
resist their
husbands
marrying second,
third or fourth
wives, initially
putting it down
to jealousy. In
the study, she
acknowledges
that a man
marrying another
woman would lead
to anxiety,
depression and
anger.
Her study
emphasised the
analogy of a
married woman
being like a
child; she
craves attention
from her husband
the way a child
craves attention
from their
parents. If a
new wife is in
the picture,
like a child who
had a new
sibling, she
will suffer from
withdrawal
symptoms, which
will leave her
depressed,
according to al-Musawi's
research.
Her solution?
No, not guiding
a woman to
decide what she
wants, and to
walk away if she
feels she is
being wronged.
It's to teach
women to
"accept" the
situation, and
understand that
her husband has
every right to
marry another
woman.
Al-Musawi
created a
five-stage
programme, all
of which is
supposed to
counsel a woman
and train her
into "loving
herself enough
to submit to the
situation":
1. Understanding
why 'men need to
marry more than
one' woman
The first
session is
focused on
"debunking"
questions that
naturally form
in a woman's
mind after she
is faced with
the situation of
polygamy being
imposed upon
her. Al-Musawi
seeks to address
questions such
as "is there
something wrong
with me?" and
"does he not
love/want me now
that he has
another wife?"
She claims that
this session is
supposed to rid
the woman of her
own bias against
polygamy to
understand and
respect "the
man's
perspective".
2.
Self-confidence
The second
session focuses
on the woman's
self-confidence.
She insists that
a confident
woman will be
minimally fazed
by her husband
marrying another
woman.
In this session,
she aims to get
rid of what she
refers to as the
"irrationality"
that leads women
to become upset
when her husband
marries another
woman.
3. Exorcising
self-blame
The third
session teaches
women to rid
themselves of
self-blame. She
sets out to
explain to women
that her husband
has not married
another woman
because there is
anything wrong
with her -
rather it is
simply "the
course of life".
She claims that
a woman who
truly accepts
herself will
accept the
situations into
which her
husband has put
her, and that "a
real woman" will
not allow
"external
influences" to
"break her home"
by leaving her
husband.
With this, al-Musawi
brings a strong
implication that
a woman who
resists polygamy
is a woman who
is insecure.
4. Seeking
support
The fourth
session is about
seeking a form
of assistance or
support when the
depression and
anxiety gets too
much, while the
patient is in
the process of
accepting her
fate.
Al-Musawi here
tells women to
find someone in
whom to confide,
and to lean on
others for
emotional
support in the
process of
"adapting to
this life
change".
5. Ignoring 'not
enough of a
woman'
criticisms
At times, when a
man takes
another wife,
the first wife
is usually
blamed. Rumours
may come out
claiming that
she is not a
competent enough
wife, or is not
"woman enough"
for her husband.
The fifth
session is
supposed to
teach women to
ignore such
remarks and to
continue moving
on with her
life.
For many
reasons,
throughout
history,
polygamy has
historically
been an
attribute of
Arab culture.
In August, a
hashtag emerged
out of Saudi
Arabia calling
on men to marry
multiple women
in order to
"cure
spinsterhood" in
young women.
The hashtag,
translating to
"multiple wives
cures
spinsterhood"
calls for men to
marry more than
one woman in
order to stop
the so-called
epidemic in the
rise of young
women not
getting married.
There are many
reasons behind
women not
wanting to get
married, from
not finding a
suitable
partner, to not
wanting a
partner, to
prioritising
other aspects of
life such as
education and
career.
However,
according to the
hashtag, being a
woman and single
is a condition
from which women
must be saved,
and men must
rise to the
responsibility
of doing so.
Chinese
police order Muslims to hand in all copies
of the Koran and prayer mats or face 'harsh
punishment'
CHINA:
Chinese
authorities are
reportedly
stepping up
their campaign
against Muslims
in the
north-western
region of
Xinjiang.
According to
sources in the
region,
officials have
been warning
neighbourhoods
and mosques that
ethnic minority
Muslim families
are being forced
to hand in
religious items
including the
Koran and prayer
mats.
According to
Radio Free Asia,
reports have
emerged from
Kashgar, Hotan
and other
regions of
similar
practices
starting last
week.
The spokesman
for the exile
World Uyghur
Congress group,
Dilxat Raxit
said they
received a
notification
saying that
every single
ethnic Uyghur
must hand in any
Islam-related
items from their
own home.
Copies of the
Koran and
related items
must be handed
into the
government
authorities, and
there are will
be notices being
broadcast via
WeChat, China's
most popular
social media
app.
According to
local officials,
Xinjiang
authorities
earlier this
year, began
removing all
Korans published
more than five
years ago due to
extremist
content.
The Korans were
taken as part of
the 'Three
Illegals and One
Item' campaign
that was
underway in
Xinjiang, which
is against
'illegal'
religious items
owned by mostly
Muslim Uyghurs.
This operation
bans 'illegal'
publicity,
religious
activities,
religious
teaching, and
items believed
to be tools of
terrorism
including
flammable
objects, and
knives.
The Uyghur
American
Association said
in a recent
press release
that China has
introduced new
regulations that
further
criminalise
religious
practice and
belief.
The Uyghur Human
Rights Project
has asked China
to respect
international
human rights
standards on
freedom of
religion and to
end the
targeting of
Uyghurs.
China says it is
facing threats
from domestic
cults and
radical Islam,
however, critics
have accused
Beijing of a
broader pattern
of harassment,
detention and
abuse.
The so-called War on
Terror, in its many incarnations, has always
been a war with gender at its heart.
Once regarded as
helpless victims waiting to be rescued, Muslim
women are now widely regarded by both Muslim and
non-Muslim disciplinarians as a potential threat
to be kept under control.
How did this shift
in attitudes come about?
Shakira Hussein
explores the lives of women negotiating the
hazards of the post-9/11 terrain, from volatile
Afghan refugee camps and Pakistani weddings to
Australian suburbia and campaigns to ‘ban the
burqa’.
Her unique
perspective on feminism, multiculturalism, race
and religion is one that we urgently need.
KB says:
When you receive a call that guests are coming,
this recipe is quick and easy and into the oven
within 10mins, and the aroma throughout the
whole house will make your unexpected guests
feel so welcome.
THE 4 MINUTE CAKE
Ingredients
125g butter
1 cup castor sugar
3 jumbo eggs
1˝
cups flour
4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp vanilla essence
˝
cup milk (room temperature )
Method
1. Beat all this together in your cake mixture
for 4 mins
2. Pour into 2 greased loaf pans and bake on
180deg for 20 to 25 min
Optional : Sprinkle
slivered almonds on the loaf before baking
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 topic:
The Four Ts Of
Marriage - Trust,
Touch, Talk, Time
One of the most
challenging aspects
of life is to
successfully
“manage” a marriage.
I use the term
manage because
marriage is like an
enterprise that
directly affects
many stakeholders
and indirectly
affects the whole
world around us.
Managing a marriage,
like managing an
enterprise, requires
the skills set known
as The Four Ts of
Marriage - Trust,
Touch, Talk and Time.
ALMIGHTY ALLAH
enjoins a man and a
woman in marriage, a
union so beautiful
in every way.
Admittedly, it is
not always a bed of
roses. When a
married couple can
help each other
develop the skills
set required to
manage their
marriage, the entire
family, extended
family, community
and the Ummah
benefit. Having
repetitive problems
in your marriage may
be a sign that one
or more of the these
four vital
ingredients may be
lacking in some way.
How To Cultivate The
Four Ts, Trust,
Touch, Talk and
Time, in Your
Marriage
Trust
1. Look your
spouse in the eye
when you
communicate.
There is no barrier
when you are
together. ALLAH has
enjoined you in
marriage and
permitted you to
communicate openly.
Looking in the eye
when communicating
reaffirms trust.
Trust happens when
you know there is no
deception, no
danger. Trust
happens when you
feel safe with each
other.
2. Listen to the
reply when she/he
speaks. REALLY
LISTEN. Do not
formulate a response
while she/he is
speaking. Do not
interrupt. Become
fully engaged. Curb
your urge to correct
or argue. You will
have your time
afterwards to
respond
appropriately. First
LISTEN. Listening
shows that you are
trustworthy.
3. Protect each
other’s honour.
Guard it fiercely.
Do not speak ill of
your spouse to
another person, even
if that person is a
close family member.
Remind yourself that
ALLAH is watching
you if you backbite
about your spouse.
If the matter is
serious and your
spouse’s behaviour
concerns you, seek
appropriate guidance
and professional
help. Speaking ill
about your spouse
shows your poor
character - it
doesn’t fix your
marriage. Keep your
trust intact by not
speaking ill about
each other.
4. Be vulnerable
with each other and
respect each other’s
fears and
sentiments. Fear
is very real to the
person experiencing
it. Being vulnerable
with each other and
discussing your
fears builds your
trust. You do not
have to encourage it
but you need to show
sensitivity that it
is real to the
person experiencing
it. Never use their
vulnerabilities
against your spouse.
They trusted you
with that sensitive
information. Keep it
a secret between you
and guard that
information. For
example, “I know it
makes you fearful
when you think about
our new baby. It is
overwhelming for
both of us. I am
with you all the
way. I am so pleased
that you are trying
your very best. That
is all that matters.
Allah rewards
efforts not results.
Keep doing your
best.”
Touch
5. Embrace each
other daily, in
private, and let
your spouse know how
grateful you are for
your marriage. Thank
your spouse
regularly for being
your soulmate.
Expressing gratitude
increases positivity
in your marriage.
6. Touch your
spouse’s heart
by admiring or
paying a compliment.
Your spouse feels
nice every time you
compliment him/her.
7. Touch your
spouse’s soul
with a soulful
concern, such as,
“What matters to you
most in life?”
Understand the
response given and
honour those wishes.
Knowing what matters
most to your spouse
helps you understand
what you can do to
fulfil his/her
wishes.
Talk
8. Have a private
conversation daily
to check on each
other. Don’t
assume that if your
spouse hasn’t said
anything everything
must be fine.
Perhaps there are
things that your
spouse maybe
bottling up or is
fearful of
expressing. Having a
private chat can
help open up your
communication and
strengthen your
marriage.
9. Talk with
gratitude and
positivity. Do
not bring up past
arguments/ negative
events when
addressing a new
issue. Be clear from
the beginning of any
discussion that the
topic of discussion
is to remain a
specific one and you
both need to respect
that rule. For
example, if you need
to discuss the
budget for your next
family vacation, it
is NOT advisable to
talk about how the
last vacation was
horrible because one
of you forgot to
book a hotel and
ended up staying
with in-laws!
10. Talk with
respect and
understanding.
Emphasize on each
other’s good points.
Dwelling on mistakes
or negative traits
will only put stress
on your
relationship.
Instead, acknowledge
that you are human
hence you have your
own shortcomings.
Similarly, your
spouse may slip
every now and then
too. Say sorry,
forgive and move on.
11. Be mindful
when you are talking
about those who are
important to your
spouse. Speak
well about the
people who matter to
your spouse. You may
not get along with
all the people who
matter to your
spouse and that is
fine. There is no
obligation to get
along. However there
is an obligation to
show respect. If you
speak ill about
people who matter to
him/her, it is
hurtful. Causing
your spouse hurt
will eventually turn
the relationship
sour.
Time
12. Time spent
together in private
must be for each
other, not on
gadgets and not on
any other chores.
Give undivided
attention to each
other. Multi-tasking
is a wonderful skill
but NOT when you are
communicating with
your spouse. No
matter how important
certain chores or
tasks may seem,
remember ALWAYS that
your marriage is
more important than
any task you are
concerned about.
13. Spend COUPLE
TIME at least once a
week where you
are by yourselves
for a couple of
hours to share an
activity you both
love. This increases
your compatibility.
14. Spend time
with each other in
glorifying ALLAH
and discussing the
beauty of our
religion. Help each
other follow ALLAH’s
commandment that the
husband is the
guardian of the
family. The wife is
created equal and
has different
responsibilities.
Following this
commandment
increases harmony in
the home. Disharmony
creeps in when these
roles are reversed.
In Shaa ALLAH, next
week we will explore
the topic:
Replacing Regret
With Gratitude
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.
O you who believe! Do not
make unlawful the good
things which Allah has made
lawful for you, but commit
no excess: for Allah does
not love those given to
excess.
At the Islamic Women's
Association of Australia (IWAA)
this is what is being
organized over the next few
months.
1. inspiredNAFSi personal
leadership course:
This course is a signature
program of the Centre for
Islamic Thought & Education,
UniSA. The inspiredNAFSi
program is underpinned by a
strength-based approach and
Muslim worldview, that
utilises the nga
thanaluidha
Yarning Circle Framework
(developed by Aunty Debra
Bennett). This framework has
been adapted, infusing
Islamic worldview as this
informs Muslim people's ways
of knowing, being and doing.
The program offers a
holistic approach to
development of human
potential. It depicts a
journey of learning and
self-discovery, empowering
the individual and the
community and enabling
individuals with skills
through sharing, learning
and transforming life into
new futures.
Places are very limited.
Please the flyer below for
details.
2.
Parenting between Cultures
workshop
that will run over a three
week period on Fridays
starting 6th October. This
workshop has been very
popular and has been very
well received. The
facilitators are Joan
Burrows and Sr. Susan Al-maani
who come with a wealth of
knowledge and experience in
delivering these workshops.
Places are very limited.
Please the flyer below for
details.
3. “I am
Connected”
at IWAA. We have been very
privileged to start a
program to connect with our
indigenous sisters. The
“I am Connected” project
is aimed at developing
connections and linkages
between Muslim and
Indigenous women through
sharing of native foods,
customs, arts and crafts and
storytelling and
highlighting the
similarities between these
groups, forging friendships
and celebrating women's
interests across all
cultures in a respectful and
caring environment.
Current activities include:
• arts and crafts workshop
on Friday, 8th September at
IWAA hall from 5-7pm
• Soundtrack – Tuesday, 19th
September at IWAA hall from
11am-1pm
• Weekend camp – 12-14th
January 2018 (please note
that the dates for this camp
has changed from 24-26th
November). Please see flyer
for more details
• Walk in Country – date and
venue to be advised
We acknowledge our
indigenous and Muslim elders
for their support, advice
and guidance. Alhamdulillah
For more details and to
participate, please call
Muna on 0431 360 418
We will collect
donations until
Friday, 8
September 2017,
and then send to
Bangladesh
directly to
assist the
Rohingyas.
Human Appeal
Rohingya
donation
Human Appeal
bank details:
BSB: 062191
ACC: 00903948
ACC name:
HAIA
Commonwealth
bank
Ref: Rohingya
Asalaamu
Alaykum Warahmatullahi
Wabarakaatu
We are
inviting you to take part an
amazing opportunity of
building a home in Jannah.
Islamic Society of Gladstone
Inc. (ISG) started a journey
to build the First Masjid in
the region of Gladstone
Queensland Australia.
18 April 2017
marks a historic occasion
when Islamic Society of
Gladstone (ISG) was granted
the Developmental
Application (DA) for the
construction of the much
needed ‘place of worship for
Muslims’ which will be the
first purpose built Islamic
Centre / Masjid in the whole
Gladstone Region.
Having
already been purchased the
land, ISG hereby appeals to
the broader local and
international Muslim
communities to raise
$1,600,000 for the
construction stage of the
Islamic Centre in Gladstone.
The prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) said,
“Whoever builds a mosque for
Allah, Allah will build for
him likewise in Paradise” [Bukhârî
& Muslim]
May Allah
Almighty shower His
blessings upon us all in
this world and in the
hereafter. Ameen.
ISG bank
detail is as below:
ANZ bank Account Name:
Islamic Society of Gladstone
Inc.
BSB Number: 014 580
Account Number: 379 453 433
Assalamualaikum.
Shajarah Islamic Kindergarten is
in need of your help! The
Department of Transport who owns
the current premises at 2 Rothon
Drive, Rochedale South, require
the property to create a new
busway through the area. We need
to find a new location a.s.a.p.
Going back to
the beginning…. Shajarah
Islamic Kindergarten was the
inspiration of a new
Muslimah’s concerns that
there was no Islamic Kindy
where she could send her son
to for the most critical
years of his life i.e the
1st five years. (As we are
all aware of the importance
of the foundation phase in
the correct upbringing of
our children). She noticed
this empty Kindergarten
building at No. 2 Rothon
Drive and in October 2012
the first Islamic Kindy in
Brisbane opened it’s doors
to a pressing need in the
community. From such humble
beginnings up till now, we
are pleased to say that
through the Rahmah and mercy
of Allah we have grown to
become an established
institution serving the
needs of the Muslim
community.
In October
2016 we were assessed by the
Office of Early Childhood
Education and Care and
Alhamdullilah we were rated
as “EXCEEDING THE NATIONAL
QUALITY FRAMEWORK”. We meet
all government requirements
for the National governing
body “ACECQA” as well as the
Queensland State Government
Office of Early Childhood
Education and Care.
Our Service
Approval currently includes
:-
- An
Approved Kindergarten
Program for children in
their final year before
school,
- Long Day Care for 3year
olds to school age,
- Before School Care
- After School Care
- Vacation Care for School
Aged Children
- A Montessori Program
across all ages.
We have 24 childcare places
per day. Our Kindergarten is
set in a beautiful garden
setting and it will be sad
to see it go. We even have
parents coming from the
North side and as far as
Gold Coast, braving the
traffic for up to an hour
just to place their child in
our Islamic Kindy!
To date we have approached
various organisations and
individuals and visited
buildings for rental but
unfortunately have not been
successful in securing
premises for our new Kindy.
We beseech anyone who can be
of any assistance in helping
us to find new premises,
renovate if required, and
relocate by the 31st
December 2017 to come
forward and assist us in
continuing this humble but
integral venture for the
future of our children in
this environment we find
ourselves in.
This is an environment where
our children will learn
about Allah and his beloved
Prophet Muhammad S.A.W.,
recite their duas and surahs,
learn about the 5 pillars of
Islam, following the Sunnah,
the values of Ramadaan and
Eid and go to sleep
listening to the beautiful
recitation of the Quran or
Zikr. …….
GOLD COAST
ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE
Update as at July
2017
Work is
progressing according to
schedule but still short of
funds.
Please donate generously for
this worthy project and earn
Saadaqah Jaariya.
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.
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.
I
did well academically, I
served my community, I
played the part. I started a
youth organization, Youth
Without Borders, at 16,
which empowered young people
to work together for
positive change in their
communities. I studied
mechanical engineering at
university, partly because I
loved cars, but partly
because engineering was a
profession that would give
me credibility in the
corporate world. If I was
going to make positive
change from within, I needed
every shred of credibility I
could get, I told myself.
But
before I explain what went
down, you should understand
something about Australia.
Although Australia is
commonly associated with
kangaroos and great beaches,
it actually has a deeply
racist history. Until 50
years ago, the First Nations
people of Australia were not
included in the census — so
in the eyes of the
government, they weren’t
counted as people. It took a
referendum in 1967 for that
to change. Then there were
the Stolen Generations,
where the Australian
government systematically
removed First Nations
children from their parents.
The government was so
obsessed with whiteness that
up until the 1970s, there
was the so-called White
Australia Policy, which was
a collection of policies
banning non-Europeans from
migrating to the country. In
other words, you had to be
white to move to Australia.
I
made the front page of the
national papers day in and
day out. The prime minister
got involved.
Parliamentarians said I
should self-deport and “move
to an Arab dictatorship,”
and that I was a disgrace. I
was sent death threats.
Racist posters went up. I
had to move houses, change
my phone number, shut off my
social media. When I later
announced that I was moving
to London, a national TV
station ran a poll on
whether I should leave or
“stay to face her critics.”
Thousands of words were
written about me in hundreds
of articles. Petitions were
set up going after my job.
And it didn't go on for one
day, or one week, or even
just one month. It went on
for more than three months,
on an almost daily basis.
Saudi
Arabia Agrees to Let Women Drive 
Get a copy of
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011