Queensland
contestants in Foxtel's Great
Australian Bake Off season three
(from
left) Jessica Osborne,
Emma Sievwright, Raeesa Ally
Khatree, Max Fetiveau and Barb
Dunn.
THE new batch of Queensland
contestants for Foxtel’s The
Great Australian Bake Off is
anything but cookie-cutter.
Almost half of the 12
contestants on the third
season are from Brisbane,
including a French 100m
sprinter, a former lawyer, a
representative women’s
soccer player, a science
graduate and a business
development manager who used
to exhibit chickens.
“It’s been fantastic – for
me the best season of all,”
judge Maggie Beer said.
“There’s lots of
Queenslanders and it’s is a
lovely mix of ages of
diversity of backgrounds.”
“Every single one of them
has a totally different and
very fascinating background
and so that brings a huge
strength to the whole show
because they are such
individuals.”
Fellow judge Matt Moran
agreed that the third season
had the most talented bakers
they had seen.
“The first bakes this year I
just thought, wow these guys
are good,” he said.
The contestants include Max
Fetiveau, 28, who raced the
100m sprint professionally
in France before moving to
Brisbane, where he works as
a plasterer.
Barb Dunn, 37, is a
corporate manager who
started baking through her
experience exhibiting
chickens at local shows.
Mother of two Raeesa Ally
Khatree, originally from
South Africa, ditched her
job as a lawyer to work at a
health food store.
Jessica Osborne, 28, is a
representative soccer player
for Queensland who also
works as a sales
co-ordinator for a
male-dominated earthmoving
and machinery company and
Emma Sievwright, 23, is a
recent science degree
graduate.
The third season of The
Great Australian Bake Off
airs on Foxtel’s Lifestyle
channel on January 18.
ANIC
Strongly Condemns and
Rejects the Recognition of
the Holy Land Jerusalem as
an Israeli Capital City.
The Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) and
the Australian Muslim
Community strongly condemn
and reject the American
President, Donald Trump’s
and the United States recent
recognition of the holy land
Jerusalem in Palestine as an
Israeli capital city.
Such a move is ill-thought,
reckless and unwarranted and
should not be supported by
the Australian government
nor any other governments.
This recognition of
Jerusalem as the capital of
Israel is also in breach of
all international laws and
the Peace agreements that
the United States has been a
part of.
The recognition of Jerusalem
as the capital city of
Israel will only contribute
to further complications to
the Israeli Palestinian
conflict while fuelling
further violence and
instability in the region.
Undoubtedly, this will be
unhelpful in terms of
prospects for peace in the
region.
The Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) is
extremely concerned over
this recognition and the
change of the status quo of
Jerusalem and the
repercussions of it
globally. ANIC calls upon
the international community
and the Australian
government to take swift
actions in rejecting this
recognition and further
actions in bringing an end
to the Israeli Palestinian
conflict through a just and
non-biased approach.
AFIC Statement Regarding
Jerusalem
The Australian Federation
of Islamic Councils (AFIC)
condemns the announcement of
the Trump Administration
overnight to recognise the
Holy City of Jerusalem as
the capital of Israel.
For America to unilaterally
recognise Jerusalem, or even
just a part of the Holy
City, as the capital of
Israel is provocative and
dangerous. It is well
acknowledged by the
international community that
the status of Jerusalem is a
key point in the negotiation
of a long term peace between
Palestinians and Israelis .
AFIC President, Dr Rateb
Jneid, said “The
announcement by the Trump
Administration overnight is
a blatant disregard of the
United Nations, the
international community and
more importantly of the
Palestinian people and their
hopes of a just peace and
sovereignty.”
The effectiveness of global
diplomatic efforts is
completely undermined when
nations such as the United
States show such obvious
contempt and scorn for
resolutions of the UN and
efforts by other nations to
find peaceful paths to
resolving these disputes.
Dr Jneid further stated,
“The message this sends to
the Palestinian people is
that their concerns are of
little importance to the
American President. This is
not going to make the
Palestinians open to
American involvement in the
peace process.”
AFIC is concerned as to the
precedent that this sets and
the possible repercussions
that may result and calls on
all nations to stand firm
for justice and oppose the
position that the Trump
Administration has outlined.
AFIC calls on the Australian
government to come out
clearly in its opposition to
such an announcement and
assure the Palestinian
people that they are not
being abandoned once again
by the nations of the world.
Muhammad Ameer Akbar was
elected the 2018 School
Captain at Brisbane's
Warrigal Road State School.
"Muhammad Ameer has made the
most of the privileges
offered to children his age
by the Australian education
system," his proud mother,
Dr Shahana Abed, told CCN.
In a school with a
population of almost 1300
pupils, he has thrived and
excelled in all spheres of
school life having arrived
from South Africa at 10
months of age
Following in his parent’s
footsteps, Muhammad Ameer is
already keen on pursuing a
career in the health
sciences.
CCN congratulates Muhammad
Ameer on his achievement and
wish him well in his future
endeavours.
Two of the stars and leading men
in the TV series,
Ali Kadri and Imam Uzair Akbar
On Sunday 3rd December,
following on from the
success of the SBS series,
The Mosque Next Door,
the Holland Park Mosque,
with the support of the
Islamic Council of
Queensland, opened it’s
doors to welcome the
Australian public.
With over two hundred
non-Muslim attendees, the
BBQ Open day was a great
success.
Imam Uzair Akbar and Br. Ali
Kadri answered a wide range
of questions relating to
Islam and Muslims.
Free henna art, arabic
calligraphy, hijab tutorials
and face-painting for kids
were some of the few
activities prepared by
generous volunteers from the
Holland Park Mosque
community.
Volunteers also worked
tirelessly preparing a
delicious BBQ against the 34
degree heat of the day.
Pleasing feedback at the end
of the day ensured the hard
work was worth it.
Attendees who travelled from
as far as Dalby and Sunshine
Coast expressed gratitude
and positive experiences on
social media.
Andrea Wildin said:
"Thank you! Our
family enjoyed the
event. We learned a lot
and we can now correct
others when they have
been misinformed with
some things. We
especially appreciated
being able to ask any
question we wanted to
and these beautiful
people being very open
to answering. Oh and the
cupcakes!”
Ali Kadri, posted:
"(In the)
first one we did around 5
years ago we were struggling
to get Muslims to
participate but the support
from the community has been
overwhelming. It seems to me
that the vision we set to
bring people together is
catching on and I am
confident that we will win
over the hatred and division
at least in Queensland if
not globally."
For more information on
upcoming events, like the
‘Islamic Council of
Queensland’ and ‘Holland
Park Mosque’ Facebook pages.
Additionally, SMS your name
and email to 0437 569 960
and receive updates on
community events.
On the 2nd and 3rd December,
Islamic Practice & Dawah
Circle Queensland hosted its
annual Youth & Family Camp
at the Bornhoffen PCYC Camp.
Sponsorship was
received from the Islamic
Council of Queensland & MCCA.
The 160 participants,
including brothers, sisters
and children, enjoyed
activities such as cricket,
football, basketball, fun
games, hiking sightseeing
and swimming.
There was also various
competition for the children
and youth.
Key lectures were delivered
by Imam Akram Buksh and Imam
Mosaad Issa.
One Nation senators Brian
Burston and Pauline Hanson.
Burston sent letters to NSW
schools last week claiming Islam
is incompatible with the
Australian way of life.
Letters
from Brian Burston to school
principals sent on Senate
letterhead with no mention
of One Nation
A One Nation senator is
writing to school principals
warning them their children
risk turning into
“terror-endorsing Islamists”
whose religion compels them
to kill westerners.
The letters – sent on Senate
letterhead with no mention
of One Nation – have drawn
immediate condemnation for
inciting hatred, creating
division and undermining the
work of counter-terrorism
and deradicalisation
programs.
A leading security and
intelligence expert, John
Blaxland, has warned it
simply plays into the hands
of terrorist groups such as
Islamic State.
“This is exactly what Daesh
and Isis want to happen,”
Blaxland said. “This is
feeding into what they are
doing, which is getting a
vicious feedback loop
happening.
“It’s reinforcing the
message that ‘what you need
to do is join the caliphate
and strike back against the
infidels who are treating
you like crap. And look at
this [letter], this is
evidence of that’.”
One Nation senator Brian
Burston sent the letters to
schools this week, attaching
a brochure titled Islam
Exposed.
The letter begins “Dear
principal”, before warning:
“One of the most important
issues affecting our nation
today is the radicalisation
of teenagers. Many school
children are becoming
radicalised into
terror-endorsing Islamists.”
He says the government’s
deradicalisation programs
fail to understand that
Islam commands its followers
to “kill non-Muslims as
their ticket into paradise”.
The letters came to the
attention of Greens New
South Wales MP Mehreen
Faruqi, who recently won a
preselection battle for the
Senate at the next federal
election.
Faruqi said the letter
painted a wildly
inaccurate picture of
Islam, which would be
“almost comical if it
wasn’t so dangerous”.
“Most people would be
horrified to know that
their taxpayer money was
being used to target one
particular religious
community, and spreading
hatred, bigotry and fear
of Muslims,” she
said.
“What is even more
revolting is that One
Nation are targeting
primary schools with
this rubbish. They
really have hit a new
low.”
This week, the United
Nations committee on the
elimination of racial
discrimination raised
concern about racism and
Islamophobia in Australia,
which was rising in “some
quarters”. Islamophobia, it
said, was in part fuelled by
hate speech and some
counter-terrorism measures.
Minister
tells principals to throw
One Nation senator's
anti-Islam letters in the
bin
NSW education minister Rob
Stokes condemns senator
Brian Burston’s letter
warning children risk
becoming terrorists as ‘hate
mail’
The New South Wales
education minister, Rob
Stokes, has urged school
principals to throw
anti-Islamic letters from
One Nation in the nearest
recycling bin, saying
“perhaps then some good may
still come from it”.
Stokes is the latest to
denounce One Nation senator
Brian Burston for letters he
sent to NSW schools last
week, warning principals
their children risked
becoming “terror-endorsing
Islamists” whose religion
required the killing of
westerners.
The letters, obtained by
Guardian Australia, drew
immediate condemnation for
their wild inaccuracies,
divisiveness and tendency to
incite hatred against
Muslims.
Stokes condemned Burston’s
letter as “hate mail”. He
said it ran contrary to two
hallmarks of western liberal
civilisation Burston
purported to protect:
tolerance and inclusion.
“I strongly suggest
to principals that they
place all correspondence
from the One Nation
senator in the nearest
recycling bin when it
arrives,” Stokes
said. “Perhaps then,
some good may still come
from it.”
Burston’s letter claims
Islam is incompatible with
the Australian way of life,
and attaches a brochure
titled Islam Exposed.
The security and
intelligence expert John
Blaxland warned the letter
would simply serve to fuel
the messages of Islamic
State and help the terror
group’s recruitment efforts.
The letter came to the
attention of the NSW Greens
MP Mehreen Faruqi last week.
She has now written to the
Australian Human Rights
Commission requesting an
investigation.
“The letter is divisive and
offensive and has no place
in our communities and
schools,” Faruqi wrote.
“I am referring this letter
to you and would be grateful
for your advice as to
whether or not the letter
breaches any federal human
rights laws.”
The letter used the Senate
letterhead. No reference to
One Nation was made.
Stokes said the letter was a
waste of taxpayer funds, and
would not help to
deradicalise students.
“The best way to suppress
the potential for extremism
is not to divide us, but to
promote the Australian
values we all share,” he
said.
“By celebrating our history
and the culture of our
country, we want to focus
our young minds on values
such as upholding democracy,
the rule of law, individual
liberty, equality and mutual
respect and tolerance of
those with different faiths
and beliefs.”
This brand new Artsville
documentary explores the
work of a new generation of
Australian Muslim artists
who are asserting their own
agency and fighting
anti-Islamic bigotry with
satire, imagination and
irreverence.
The aim of this newsletter
is to provide weekly updates
on events and projects which
have happened or will happen
in the following weeks in
our Muslim Community.
This includes family and
fundraising events, updates
on the Gold Coast Dawah
Centre, as well as
engagements with our local
community.
The day Rima Waizani's
husband came home describing
the poor state one of his
mates was living in was the
day she knew she could be
doing something more to help
others.
There was barely any food in
his mate's house, and his
nine children were surviving
on dry biscuits.
"That whole night I was
thinking there's got to be
something that we could do,"
Ms Waizani says.
She put up a post on her
Facebook page to see if
anyone could donate food,
and within two days her
house was flooded with
groceries.
Reflecting back, it was that
one act of kindness which
led to a full-time career in
volunteering.
"I loved it. That's when I
really got into it," Ms
Waizani says.
"It's not as hard as people
think it is. It's very time
consuming, 100 per cent. But
if you can help, help."
Rima Waizani with fellow
volunteer and good friend Rana
Akkiuch Taha, who both do
community work for CC Community
Kitchen.
Ms Waizani has won Volunteer
of the Year at the
Australian Muslim
Achievement Awards, which
recognises dedicated
individuals and
organisations who have
excelled in various areas
within Australian society.
"I love doing what I do. I
feel I've been put on this
Earth for a purpose. I feel
like it's a duty, like I
have to help," she says.
Her work over the past
two-and-a-half years with CC
Community Kitchen has helped
hundreds of asylum seekers,
refugees, domestic violence
victims and people doing it
tough, by providing food,
clothing and furniture.
"The community needs to help
each other," Ms Waizani
says.
"Our organisation helps
anyone in need. We don't
differ any nationalities,
colour, race, religion.
We've helped people from
every kind of background and
religion. If you need help,
we help."
She believes the biggest
problem within the community
is the cost of rent in the
major cities.
"Rent in Sydney is too high,
they've got to do something
about that. It's a big issue
in our country," she says.
Rima feels she has been put on
Earth to help others.
Being a positive Muslim role
model is extremely important
to Ms Waizani and she is
thrilled with her award, but
says tomorrow things will
carry on as usual.
"It's nice to be recognised
and I thank all my
supporters, but it's not
going to change anything.
I'll keep doing what I do. I
don't do it to be awarded
for it," Ms Waizani says.
"I do it because I love
doing it."
Fellow volunteer and good
friend Rana Akkiuch Taha
says she is really deserving
of the accolade.
"She's done a lot of hard
work this year. We're all
really, really happy for
her," Ms Akkiuch Taha says.
"Having the word out there
and having peoples' trust is
so big.
"With or without [the award]
she's still a winner."
In 1658, the first “free”
group of Muslims, the
Amboyna Mardykers, arrived
in the Cape to provide
labour, and to bolster VOC
numbers against the
indigenous Khoi
pastoralists, justifiably
resistant to enslavement.
The Statute of India
prohibited the Mardykers
from openly practising
Islam.
The Mardykers, seen as
company mercenaries, have
left few historical
footprints. On the other
hand, “free blacks” – freed
slaves – would provide
covert support to the
runaway slave communities –
some of whom would coalesce
around Sufi teachers hiding
in the forests and mountains
around Cape Town.
In 1694, a spiritual giant,
Shaykh Yusuf, arrived. Born
in Makasar in 1626, he was a
maternal nephew of the ruler
of Goa, Sultan Alauddin. In
1644, Shaykh Yusuf left for
Hajj, and remained in the
Middle East to study.
Regarded as the crown of the
Khalwatiyyah Sufi Order,
Shaykh Yusuf was called the
“Jawi Shaykh” in Makkah.
When he returned after 20
years, the VOC had over-run
Makasar. Shaykh Yusuf
entered the court of Sultan
Ageng in Bantam as a Qadi.
Dutch forces attacked Bantam
in 1683, and Shaykh Yusuf
was forced flee into the
jungle. He was detained in
1684, and banished to Sri
Lanka.
Regarded as a living saint,
the King of Goa petitioned
for Shaykh Yusuf’s release.
Fearing his influence, the
VOC banished Shaykh Yusuf to
the Cape. Shaykh Yusuf’s
writings, of which there are
over 20 extant manuscripts,
reveal an Ibn ‘Arabi
influence.
Of interest is that while
Shaykh Yusuf is hailed as a
great mujahid, none of his
works discuss jihad, or
express resentment against
his persecutors. He passed
on in 1699, and his remains
were taken back to the Far
East. His iconic shrine, a
domed mausoleum, was built
in 1927.
Six individuals of Pakistani
origin have featured on
Forbes magazine's '30 under
30' list released on
Tuesday.
The list, which is released
annually, features 600
individuals making strides
in 20 different industries,
including art and style,
education, games, food,
enterprise technology and
media.
The four individuals of
Pakistani origin featured in
the 2018 list have been
selected for their
achievements in the
industries of retail and
e-commerce, enterprise
technology and education.
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK'S
CCN
3.
S.
Zayd Enam,
25, who dropped out of high
school to start Mediconnect,
"a healthcare provider
platform in Pakistan", also
later dropped out of his PhD
program at Stanford
University and founded
Cresta.ai ─ a startup that
aims to scale and improve
the quality of customer
services.
Kerrie and Mobinah have very
different views on Islam in
Australia.
What happens when they sit
down to talk?
Australia’s national
conversation about Islam is
often heated, sometimes
abusive.
Kerrie and Mobinah were both
born in Australia but they
have very different
backgrounds — and
contrasting perspectives on
Islam.
Kerrie fears the spread of
Islamic terrorism in
Australia. Mobinah thinks a
lot of the fear is driven by
ignorance. They’ve promised
to hear each other out.
CONTINUED FROM LAST
WEEK'S CCN.
In short, yes, there was
common ground — and some
mutual respect too.
Kerrie: “It’s
been very encouraging to
sit across the table
from another woman that
has a different
background to myself,
even though we’re both
Australian, and see that
there is genuine concern
and genuine love, and
genuineness about
wanting to see these
issues resolved and
wanting to see us be
able to live together in
the community side by
side.”
Mobinah:
“That’s why it’s so
important for people
just to talk to one
another. All we’ve had
is a conversation.”
Kerrie: “But
hearing your voice
tonight has meant a lot
to me, because I’ve
never heard a voice like
yours before.”
Mobinah:
“You’re very sincere,
you want to go and have
a talk with a Muslim —
and that does represent
the majority of
Australians. And I have
the hope that your
mainstream, everyday
Australian community
will be able to look
past the negative and
see the positives,
they’ll be able to hear
more of our voices.”
Indonesia,
the Muslim
world’s largest
democracy,
contradicts One
Nation’s website
that “Islam is
incompatible
with democracy.”
Indonesia
protects
minorities and
religious
freedoms in its
pluralistic Pancasila system
adopted by 260
million people
of whom 88
percent are
Muslims.
During my first
1971 visit I was
welcomed with
open arms and
provided great
hospitality even
by poor
households –
which promoted
my personal
acceptance of
Islam.
Indonesians
admired
Australia then
as we provided
key support for
their
independence.
Our relations
since have been
volatile
although former
PM Keating and
even Tony Abbott
exclaimed that
Indonesia is
“our most
important
neighbour.”
Our defence
planners should
recognise
Indonesia’s
critical
importance to
our national
security.
Indonesia
represents an
effective buffer
to Chinese
expansionist
aims towards
Australia.
Indonesia is
wary of Chinese
incursions into
its littoral
territory and
illegal Chinese
migration to its
isolated
islands.
Julia Gillard in
2011 to her
discredit
established a
permanent US
Base in Darwin.
Indonesian FM
Marty Natalegawa
expressed
serious
concerns.
Given the extent
of zionist
influence over
US foreign
engagements and
existence of a
Singapore-Israeli-US
axis, the
Australian base
threatens
peaceful
engagement with
Muslim Indonesia
and Malaysia.
Indeed, under
Gillard’s watch
Australia
provided blind
support for
Israel and its
illegal
settlements.
The misguided
view among many
that Indonesia
threatens
Australia’s
security is
belied by the
peaceful
relations
(including
Makassan-Aboriginal
relations) and
lack of
territorial
claims over any
part of
Australia in
over 500 years.
Australians
shouldn’t worry
that Indonesia
is experiencing
‘Islamisation’.
With the fall of
Sukarno and
Suharto secular
regimes and
weakening of
Javanese
kratonic
influence,
Indonesian
Muslims were
free to follow
their keen
desire for
democracy and
true Islam.
Islamic
renaissance has
seen the spread
of Islamic
teachings with
increased
evidence of
women in hijab,
TV Islamic
programs, mosque
attendance,
religious study
circles … and
opposition to
Ahok’s Jakarta
governorial
campaign.
My published
assessment of
Islamic
well-being among
26 Muslim
majority
countries
worldwide showed
that it is
Southeast Asian
Muslims who
benefit most
from Islamic
teachings.
Muslims are
increasingly
concerned with
overseas-funded
‘Christianisation’
programs
directed towards
converting poor
Muslims. Another
concern is
excessive
influence that
Singapore and
its merchants
and Indonesian
associates have
over the
Indonesian
economy and
government
parties,
especially at
election times.
The rise of
‘radical’ Muslim
elements in
Indonesia, an
otherwise
moderate Muslim
society, is
consequent on
harsh American
retaliation
following the
9/11 attacks
with military
invasions,
destruction and
massive loss of
lives and
resultant
refugees in
Muslim
countries.
A well-known
Australian
journalist
commented though
that the
overwhelming
majority of
Indonesians do
not believe
Islamic State or
al-Qa’ida
represents real
Islam.
To Australia’s
credit following
the Bali
bombings $167
million was
provided for
Islamic sector
assistance
especially for
schools in an
enlightened
effort to
support moderate
mainstream
Islamic
movements.
The great
potential for
enhanced trade
was highlighted
by one
international
executive who
believed “As we
shift from the
mining boom to
dining boom,
from
manufacturing to
services, we
have right on
our doorstep, an
economy that is
bigger than
Brazil, France
or the UK (IMF
GDP PPP). Yet
Indonesia is
only our 13th
biggest trading
partner.”
The expanding
friendly mutual
engagement
especially with
the high number
of visits by
Australians to
Indonesia and
expanding
two-way trade
will likely
counter
anti-Muslim
sentiments
promoted by
elites,
particularly
certain
Australian
politicians,
media and policy
institutes,
whose agendas
are believed to
be against our
national
interest.
AMUST
7 questions
Muslims are
tired of hearing
By Adeel
Qureshi,
Associate
Producer of The
Mosque Next Door
These are only
just some of the
questions, based
on prevalent
misconceptions
about the Muslim
community, that
people keep on
asking.
Hopefully,
this little
piece can give a
little more
perspective, a
little more
nuance for the
next time you
talk to a Muslim
you know.
Oh, how I
long for the days when I didn’t have to
ask if food was halal in a hushed voice.
No, halal food is not a religious tax.
The cost of halal certification is
negligible and its overall purpose is no
different than organic food or
free-range egg certifications- to cater
to a section of the market that has
particular dietary requirements or
expectations.
If you want an example of benign terms
being twisted for fear mongering and
political purposes, you won’t find an
example better than this. In fact, this
became so absurd that a senate committee
formed to investigate third-party
certification of food looked into any
links between halal certification and
funding of terrorism as part of its
report.
Unsurprisingly, finding nothing of note.
If you want more information about this
mysterious term, the Australian
government actually has a decent page
devoted to it.
Heart attack
among the
patients from
Sub-continent
By Prof Atifur
Rahman FRACP
Prof
Atifur
Rahman
How common is
heart attack in
the Indian
subcontinent?
Unfortunately,
coronary artery
disease (CAD) in
the Indian
subcontinent is
quite prevalent
in relatively
young age.
Usually they
don’t get focal
coronary (artery
supplying blood
to the heart)
stenosis. They
generally have
diffuse coronary
artery disease
which is very
difficult to
treat.
Compared to the
general
population in
the United
States, the
prevalence of
CAD in Asian
Indians is
approximately 4
times higher and
remains a
leading cause of
death. The
consequences of
atherosclerosis
in the Asian
Indian
populations
(including in
Bangladesh) tend
to be more
severe and
develop earlier
in life. While
total
cholesterol and
LDL cholesterol
(atherogenic bad
cholesterol)
levels are
similar to
whites, HDL
(cardio-protective
good
cholesterol)
levels are
lower,
triglyceride
(TG) levels are
higher and other
lipoproteins
such as
lipoprotein (a)
are also higher.
Aggressive
statin therapy
can
significantly
lower LDL
levels, modestly
decrease TG and
elevate HDL
cholesterol and
thereby
stabilize
atherosclerotic
plaques.
I was reflecting
over this
devastating
event. I am
probably like
many of my
friends and
relatives from
the Indian
subcontinent who
may not have
traditional risk
factor for a
coronary artery
disease yet we
are at very high
risk of
premature heart
attack and
sudden cardiac
death which is
in many cases
quite
preventable by
smoking
cessation,
active healthy
lifestyle and
diet.
In this short film, Steve
Dabliz and Mohamed Hoblos
confront the controversial
issue of abuse in the home,
with a particular focus on
emotional and psychological
abuse. This is no doubt a
universal issue that affects
communities from all walks
of life, and this short film
attempts to tackle this
problem from an Islamic
perspective.
Quite often, many may
undermine the gravity of
kind treatment one must
offer to his or her spouse,
completely neglecting its
importance in one’s life..
Audience member poses question
to panel
ABC
QandA
"Being a
young Muslim female
Australian, I have been on
the receiving end of many
hurtful discriminatory
comments. This hate was has
been perpetuated by US
president Donald Trump who
retweeted anti-muslim
propaganda, with a 78%
increase in hate crimes
against Muslims in the US in
2017. What do you believe is
an appropriate response both
individually and as
government bodies to the
President's constant
spreading of racist and
Islamophobic messages?"
Another Hussin Goss Conversion
Gold
Coast Mosque
Visit to Windsor Mosque
Islam is the religion of peace
and safety
Born Realist | Najat
Vallaud-Belkacem
From
a poor village girl to a
Minister in France - The story
of Najat Vallaud-Belkacem
Hasan Minaj on Trumps retweet
The
Daily Show
Hasan Minhaj responds to Trump
retweeting a slew of anti-Muslim
videos from a far-right British
nationalist group
ISLAMIC
EDUCATION VIDEOS
Prophet Sulayman a.s. (Part 2) by Umm Bilal
SistersSupport
Services
Qu'ran recitation
One
Ummah
Syrian boy
impresses judges by reciting the
Qur'aan in a talent competition.
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.
Summary
by Mohideen:
Mufti Naeem
spoke about
this life
and Allah’s
promise of
Jannah if
one fulfils
the
commandments
of Allah and
follow the
sunnah of
our prophet
(pbuh). He
said how
Angels will
ask the
people in
the grave as
to who they
envy in the
living world
and they
will respond
by saying
they envy
the people
who are
praying in
the Masjid.
He reminded
how it is a
sunnah to
recite Surah
Al-Kahf in
the day of
Jumma. He
told a story
of how a
person saw a
dream of a
late Shaikh
who taught
hadith all
his life and
he asked him
if Allah
rewarded for
his deeds
and the
Shaikh
responded by
saying how
Allah
forgave for
a small Amal
he did by
letting a
fly drink.
Mufti said
how even the
smallest
Amal will
benefit and
therefore
one must not
ignore small
Amal’s and
these Amal’s
must be done
consistently
and
sincerely
and not for
showing off.
He said how
no one will
live in this
world
forever and
a day will
come when a
person will
depart and
this applies
to the
prophet (pbuh)
too even
though he
deserves to
live
forever. He
concluded by
advising how
to refresh
one’s emaan.
Nike's
First Pro Hijab Is Landing in Stores Sooner
Than Originally Planned’
Earlier this year, Nike announced it was
in the process of developing a
high-performance hijab for Muslim women
athletes. The sportswear brand
originally planned to launch the Nike
Pro Hijab in spring 2018 — but it looks
like it will land in customers’ hands
sooner than originally planned.
Starting on December 1st, select
retailers in North America, Europe,
North Africa and the Middle East began
carrying the pull-on Pro Hijab, and it
will hit nike.com in January (you can
sign up online to receive a notification
when it becomes available).
When developing the inclusive athletic
piece, the Nike Pro team (the ones who
develop athletes’ base layers) aimed to
create an “inconspicuous, almost like a
second skin” to better serve the needs
of Muslim female athletes. This in
particular is made of lightweight, super
stretchy polyester and comes in two
colors, black and obsidian, which were
chose to accommodate athlete requests
for neutral colors (though white and
gray will be unveiled in January). It’s
also available in two sizes, XS/S and
M/L.
Nike tapped German boxer
Zeina Nassar, champion fencer Ibtihaj
Muhammad, Emirati figure skater Zahra
Lari and Emirati weightlifter Amna Al
Haddad to not only star in the campaign,
but also provide valuable feedback about
the product’s functionality during its
development.
“It really sunk in how much my previous
hijab was hindering my performance when
I tried the Nike Pro Hijab,” Muhammad
said in a release. “Suddenly, I could
hear, I wasn’t as hot and it felt like
my body was able to cool itself down
better and faster.”
She continued, “The Nike Pro Hijab will
help advance the conversation around
hijabs and Muslim women in sports and
further make sports an inclusive space.”
Muslim
woman claims she was ordered to remove hijab
at McDonald's
McDonald's
has apologised after a student filmed
her unpleasant experience at a London
restaurant.
UK: A British Muslim
woman has claimed she was stopped from
entering a McDonald's because she was
wearing a hijab.
In an unverified video posted on
Twitter, the 19-year-old student is seen
trying to enter a McDonald's restaurant
in Holloway, North London, when she is
stopped by a security guard.
The woman asks the security guard: "Why
can't I come into McDonald's? Because
I'm wearing a hijab? Can you please say
it?"
The security guard says: "It is just a
matter of taking it off."
The woman responds: "It's not just a
matter of taking it off. I wear this for
religious reasons and I'm not ashamed of
it, and I will stand in line and I will
get the food I want because this isn't
okay."
After protesting she has not had any
trouble with other local stores while
wearing her hijab, a man in the
McDonald's intervenes.
"You can't stop her from coming in
here," he says.
The 19-year-old claims in the video it
is the first time she had faced such
discrimination. After being asked what
she would like to order, the woman says
she does not want anything and leaves
the restaurant.
The woman, who asked not to be named,
spoke to The Guardian about the
confrontation.
“The friend I was with was shocked and
scared and said it was a risky
situation. When it was over, I finally
realised how these situations can become
dangerous. This is not a one-off thing,"
she said.
"I will never walk into a McDonald's
again."
A McDonald's spokesperson told The
Guardian it "does not have a policy in
place which restricts or prevents anyone
wearing a hijab, or any other religious
dress, from entering".
"We welcome customers of all faiths and
would like to apologise to the customer
as this situation should not have taken
place. We are taking this matter
extremely seriously and are addressing
this with the individuals involved," she
added.
The Muslim community
that is portrayed to the West is a misogynist’s
playground; within the Muslim community,
feminism is often regarded with sneering
hostility.
Yet between those
two views there is a group of Muslim women many
do not believe exists: a diverse bunch who fight
sexism from within, as committed to the fight as
they are to their faith.
Hemmed in by
Islamophobia and sexism, they fight against
sexism with their minds, words and bodies.
Often, their biggest
weapon is their religion.
At a time when the
media trumpets scandalous revelations about life
for women from Saudi Arabia to Indonesia, Muslim
women are always spoken about and over, never
with. In Fighting Hislam, that ends.
KB says:
Another great idea
for a summer’s day lunch.
3 Step Quiche
Step One
– Combine
1Ľ cup of sifted flour
2 tsp. baking powder
A pinch of salt
110g grated butter
Add ľ cup milk to
make a soft scone like dough.
Pat down the dough (you may need to wet your
hands) onto a rectangle or circular oven tray
which has been greased or lined with baking
paper and blind bake for 10 mins in a pre-heated
oven of 180deg.
Step 2 – Mix the ingredients below and
place on one above.
1 cup cooked chicken – shredded (see recipe
below)
˝ cup frozen vegetable (thawed and steamed in a
microwave)
Pinch of salt
Pinch of lemon pepper
Ľ tsp green chillies (if you like it hotter)
Ľ cup cheese
Step 3 - beat ingredients below and pour
over the ingredients in step 2
1 cup cream
2 eggs
Ľ tsp green chillies
Garnish the top with cherry tomatoes and sprigs
of rosemary or slivered almonds or finely diced
green peppers.
Bake in a pre-heated oven of 180degrees until
the quiche is light brown.
Cut into squares and serve warm with a salad.
Recipe for chicken
1 cup chicken fillet cooked in
1 Tab of oil/ghee
1 tsp green chillies,
˝ tsp salt,
1/4tsp crushed jeeru/cumin,
1tsp ginger garlic
Cook until no moisture is left and when cool,
shred the chicken using your fingers.
You could make the chicken in advance.
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:
You Are Not Your
Experiences
No matter where you
are right now and
what circumstances
you have been
through, remember
this very important
truth about
yourself: You are a
pure soul
temporarily dwelling
in a physical body.
The moment you had
consciousness of
your existence, you
began perceiving the
world through your
five senses of
sight, smell,
hearing, touch and
taste. You also
perceive the world
with your intuitive
abilities, such as
having a “gut
feeling” about
something.
All your experiences
are stored in your
body and mind and
you have the ability
to replay them on
your mental screen
as though it is a
movie. The more you
play a certain
memory over and over
in the cinema of
your mind, the more
you begin to
identify yourself
with that
experience.
When you have an
unpleasant
experience, you tend
to play that in your
mind and dwell on
it. Sometimes, you
may even believe the
negative words that
someone says about
you. Whatever
experiences your
body is having, you
begin to use them to
identify yourself
(your soul).
Understand that you
are not your
experiences. Your
experiences do not
define you or
identify you.
Experiences are
there to show you
exactly how you are
travelling in life.
If the experience is
positive, it tells
you that you’re on
the right track and
to keep doing what
you’re doing. If the
experience is
negative, it tells
you that you need to
re-evaluate your
behaviours and
beliefs and make
necessary changes.
Experiences occur as
a result of your
beliefs and
behaviours, meaning
that you have the
power to create
positive experiences
if you choose to do
so with the free
will that ALLAH has
you blessed you.
When you take
ownership of your
experiences and use
them as lessons in
order to pass the
tests of life, you
become empowered.
But when you use
your experiences to
control you and
define you in every
situation, you
become a victim.
Experiences will
continue to play
like a movie in the
cinema of your mind.
Choose to be the the
hero of your film,
not a victim.
Daily Affirmation
Use this affirmation
daily to remind
yourself that you
are a pure being.
Alhumdolillah,
I am a
pure
soul
created
by ALLAH
I live
in the
present
moment
In this
present
moment,
I choose
good
thoughts
In this
present
moment,
I choose
good
words
In this
present
moment,
I choose
good
deeds
Alhumdolillah,
I am
Muslim.
In Shaa ALLAH, next
week we will explore
the topic: The
Art Of Saying Sorry
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.
Q:
Dear Kareema, I do shift work and find that it’s
not only affecting my
sleeping habits but also impacting on my
workouts. What can I try for a better night’s
sleep and relieve stress?
A:
While it may not be easy, you have to find a way
to make it work for you. Your body clock will be
a bit muddled and you may not be able to
exercise efficiently, but try to get some
consistency into your sleeping and exercise
routine and you’ll feel a whole lot better.
Try to exercise before your shift whenever
possible. High-intensity workouts will give you
a boost – so really challenge yourself at the
‘start’ of your day.
Don’t exercise too close to bedtime - and
lower-intensity activities are better after your
shift. Try some yoga or gentle stretching in the
latter part of your day. This will help with
stress relieve and also winding the body down
after a busy shift.
Healthy habits – Nourishing your body with a
healthy diet and staying hydrated is key.
Jallalludin and his
wife were shopping for Eid. The shopping centre was
packed, and as Mrs Jallalludin walked through one
of the malls she was surprised when she looked around to
find that her husband was nowhere to be seen.
She was quite upset
because they had a lot to do and she became so worried
that she called him on her mobile phone to ask him where
he was.
In a quiet voice he said, "Do you remember the jewellers
we went into about five years ago where you fell in love
with that diamond necklace that we couldn't afford, and
I told you that I would get it for you one day?"
The wife choked up and started to cry and said, "Yes, I
do remember that shop."
Jallalludin replied, "Well, I'm in the kebab shop next
door."
When you encounter those who
gossip about Our
revelations, turn away from
them, until they engage in
another topic. But should
Satan make you forget, do
not sit after the
recollection with the wicked
people.
Over
the past several
months MCF have
utilised your valued
donations to assist
many people in need
from our local
community.
Among those assisted
in July was a single
young man who is an
amputee and also a
heart attack victim.
MCF assisted by
spending some time
with him and also by
taking care of some
of his outstanding
living expenses
(which he was unable
to cover due to his
condition).
Among those assisted
in August was was a
single mother with 2
children. She
suffers from a
debilitating,
serious and
persistent skin
condition which
involves the use of
expensive
medications to
control. MCF
utilised your
donations to provide
financial aid
enabling her to both
pay for medications
and to cover
outstanding rental
bills.
In September,
through our
community youth
outreach program,
the Muslim
Charitable
Foundation was able
to assist a young
brother with his
battle against
substance addiction.
Contact was made
with the brother
during routine
community outreach
activities. After
the initial contact,
a sustained effort
was made to stay in
contact with the
brother to provide
council and support.
With Allah's help,
daily moral support
and coaching saw a
change in the
brother's lifestyle.
To assist the
brother with his
lifestyle change he
was given temporary
accommodation in the
MCF house for about
8 days, while
helping him look for
shared
accommodation. He
now attends the
mosque regularly and
his condition has
greatly improved.
May Allah reward all
of the MCF donors
abundantly
inshaAllah. If you
would like to donate
to MCF please use
the bank details on
our website:
www.mcfaustralia.org.au
Among those assisted
in October was a
family who tearfully
explained that they
could not afford the
hefty costs for the
expert childcare
needed to treat
their autistic 3
year old son. The
family arrived in
Australia 3 years
ago on bridging
visas with 2 young
boys. They are not
eligible for
childcare rebates on
their visas. MCF
paid for a three
month expert
childcare trial and
new assessments were
then made. The
results were, that
he has made
significant progress
in relation to his
social and emotional
development. The joy
and emotion
expressed by his
mother when MCF
agreed to continue
to pay the childcare
fees was
overwhelming.
Among those assisted
in November was a
single mother with 3
children. MCF
utilised your
donations to provide
her with a basic bed
and a basic washing
machine. The washing
machine will
inshallah help the
family to maintain a
healthy hygiene
level and also for
the children to
obtain a restful
sleep.
The cases mentioned
above are but a few
of the many cases we
deal with almost on
a daily basis. Your
continued support
ensures that the
most vulnerable
people in our
Community receive
the help they most
need.
To donate to MCF,
please use the
electronic banking
details on our
website:
www.mcfaustralia.org.au.
May
Allah bless both the
MCF volunteers and
the people who
donate.
Without your
support, community
assistance like this
would not be
possible.
A
reminder that all
money donated to MCF
is received by those
in need. MCF has no
paid staff and no
admin fees.
Due
to the ongoing drought
affecting farmers in west
Queensland, MAA have joined
local organisations to help
Aussie farmers in their time
of need by trucking hay
bales from Victoria and New
South Wales to farmers in
west Queensland.
Farmers impacted by drought
often struggle to ask for
help and many due to the
financial strain of trying
to keep the farm afloat also
battle mental health issues.
By providing bales to help
farmers feed their animals
you'll be taking a huge
financial burden from them
as well keeping their
livestock alive.
GOLD COAST
ISLAMIC CULTURAL CENTRE
Update as at
October 2017
Construction of
the Cultural Centre (Dawah &
Youth Centre) is progressing
well.
The walls for the second floor
have already been erected and
very soon they will be working
on the roof.
We still need donations to fund
this construction.
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.
HikmahWay offers online and
in-person Islamic courses to
equip Muslims of today with
the knowledge, understanding
and wisdom to lead balanced,
wholesome and beneficial
lives.
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.
ANIC
Strongly Condemns and
Rejects the Recognition of
the Holy Land Jerusalem as
an Israeli Capital City.
Letters
from Brian Burston to school
principals sent on Senate
letterhead with no mention
of One Nation
Nike's
First Pro Hijab Is Landing in Stores Sooner
Than Originally Planned’ 
Due
to the ongoing drought
affecting farmers in west
Queensland, MAA have joined
local organisations to help
Aussie farmers in their time
of need by trucking hay
bales from Victoria and New
South Wales to farmers in
west Queensland.
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011