The Crescent Institute
successfully hosted its
first professional
networking event of the 2018
year this week with
Australian cricketer, Usman
Khawaja, as their guest
speaker.
Mr Khawaja shared his
inspirational personal
journey to success with over
90 guests from a wide range
of businesses and community
organisations.
Founder and facilitator of
Muslimah Mind Matters,
Princess Lakshman (Sister
Iqra), hosted the Ultimate
Self-Care Day on 10th
February.
Self-Care involves keeping
yourself and your loved ones
safe. Women have many roles
in life - it is paramount
that we feel safe in all our
roles - at home and in the
workplace.
Sergeant Darnielle Fioriti
from the Queensland Police
Service also participated.
She made a great a point
when she said: "Don't judge
me for my uniform. I'm also
a woman just like you and I
advocate for Self-Care and
safety of fellow women from
all communities."
If any Brisbane sister needs
to have a confidential chat
with Darnielle, her number
is 07 31317355
To enquire about Muslimah
Mind Matters events,
workshops and online
programs, contact Sister
Iqra on +61451977786
The fourth Halal Expo
Australia was held on
Saturday 10 and Sunday 11
February 2018 at Rosehill
Gardens in Sydney showcasing
a large number of trade
shows displaying their halal
products and services.
The expo was opened by the
Mufti of Australia, Dr
Ibrahim Abu Mohammed and the
parallel Halal Conference
was addressed by a number of
local and international
experts in halal industry as
well as Mr Ray Williams, NSW
Minister for
Multiculturalism.
First started in 2015 at
Fairfield Showground in
Western Sydney, at the peak
of the anti-halal movement
by a small minority of
racists and bigots, the
Halal Expo Australia has
grown into a highly
successful international
yearly iconic event.
The Halal Expo organising
team led by Mr Syed Atiq ul
Hasan, an award winning
journalist, community worker
and event organiser
persevered against all
opposition by anti-halal
bigots and remained
steadfast in promoting and
showcasing halal concepts in
Australia.
Mr Hassan, using his skills
of networking, outreach and
inclusive approach has
brought together a diverse
range of sponsors, local and
international, halal
experts, businesses engaged
in halal products and
services over the short span
of three years to develop
the expo into an iconic
mega-event.
The Halal Expo Australia
2018 included halal trade
shows covering a variety of
Halal Products & Services
from Food & Beverage;
Finance, Investment &
Banking; Arts & Culture;
Fashion, Cosmetics &
Accessories; Beauty & Health
Products; Lifestyle &
Wellness; Pharmaceutical &
Herbal Products to Building
Private & Commercial
Projects; Travel, Tourism &
Hospitality; Innovation &
Technology; Education,
Research & Development.
What a Success! Over 30
Muslim Community Leaders and
Imams enjoyed the Muslim
Leaders Empowerment Program
for Domestic Violence
organised in partnership
with Kuraby Mosque, Centre
for Islamic Thought &
Education (CITE), University
of South Australia and
sponsored by the Islamic
Women’s Association of
Australia (IWAA) and
Relationships Australia
Queensland (RAQ).
Relationships Australia
Queensland was contracted to
co-design and co-deliver
this program. This project
was led by Dr Nada Ibrahim
from CITE and funded by
Queensland Government as
part of the Celebrating
Multicultural Queensland
initiatives across
Queensland.
The 2-day intensive event,
with a breakfast start,
included a combination of
presentations and
workshop-based individual,
paired and group activities.
The sessions were
co-facilitated by Aunty
Debra Bennet (RAQ), Dr Nada
Ibrahim (CITE), Mohammed
Abdi (RAQ), Riyad Rahimullah
(RAQ) and Muna Ibrahim (IWAA).
We thank Allah and every
Leader/Imam of the Brisbane
Muslim community (and
acknowledge those who
registered but couldn’t
attend due to unforeseen
circumstances) who were
involved in making this a
hugely successful event
alhamdulillah.
Evaluations from the members
of the Muslim community who
attended the event were very
positive and it was
heartening to see a lot of
learning had taken place
increasing the community’s
capacity to respond to
victims of DFV in a
non-judgemental and
supportive way. Requests for
more workshops were made by
those attending and the need
to have more Leaders/Imams
and Organisations involved
in similar trainings to
build a referral system on
DFV. As a way forward,
further training on
identified areas of training
will be pursued and an
exciting group will be
formed as a result. Watch
this space!
I love making a difference
in people’s lives and want
to be a voice for people who
cannot stand up for
themselves. In November I
finished my third year
studying international
relations and political
science at the University of
Queensland. When I first
started uni I got involved
with different societies on
campus (at St Lucia, in
Brisbane’s inner west),
started volunteering and
gained so many opportunities
along the way. Right now I’m
in the Netherlands for a
three-week exchange program
to learn about the
international relations of
the European Union.
There’s just Mum (Sadaf
Tauseef, 40), and my little
brother (Rayyan, 10) and me
living at home. My dad
(Tauseef Paracha, 50) is an
electrical engineer and for
the past three years he has
been working in Saudi
Arabia. It’s hard and I
really miss him because he’s
my best friend. Our
personalities are so alike.
Dad is really empowering,
has always pushed me to be
my best and supported my
dreams and goals. He cares
about my feelings, my
opinions and everything.
Usually in our culture, it
is hard to find a dad who
really cares about his wife
and his children so much.
Mum is a childcare assistant
in her second year studying
education at the University
of Southern Queensland, and
Rayyan is in Grade 5 at
Grand Avenue State School,
Forest Lake. Dad tries to
come home every two months
and in the summer break,
when uni and school are
finished, we go to Saudi
Arabia to visit him.
I was born in Pakistan and
when I was four-and-a-half
years old, we moved to Saudi
Arabia but Dad wanted me to
have more educational
opportunities, so he brought
the family to Australia. We
got permanent residency and
moved to Brisbane when I was
12. Dad worked here for six
years but job instability
meant he went back to Saudi
Arabia.
I went to Ipswich Girls’
Grammar School and until
around Grade 10 I thought
I’d like to be an architect
or graphic designer, because
I always loved drawing and
painting. After some
reflection, however, I
decided to pursue
international relations to
try to bring some peace and
positivity into the world.
About a year ago at uni I
started the UQ Muslimah
Society, which in December
received the Best Club of
the Year (religion) award
from the UQ Union. It was a
proud moment for me.
I’m also the Brisbane
coordinator for PACE48,
which is affiliated with
UNESCO (the United Nations
Education, Scientific and
Cultural Organization) and
promotes cross-cultural and
cross-religious education in
the Asia-Pacific region.
One of the biggest reasons I
wanted to have a platform
and a voice at university
was so I could educate
people and make them feel
welcome in our society. I
encourage Muslims and
non-Muslims to come together
and feel safe to talk about
sensitive issues. The only
way we can truly create
peace in the world is
through relationships and
getting to know people on a
personal level.
Mennel Ibtissem became an
internet sensation after she
appeared on France's The Voice.
The first woman in a
headscarf to appear on The Voice
France has left the show after
she was criticized for her old
Facebook posts.
FRANCE: A Muslim singer who
became an internet sensation
following her performance on
France's The Voice has quit
the TV show after being
criticised for comments she
had made on social media.
In one post, Mennel Ibtissem,
22, had expressed doubts
about the terrorist nature
of the 2016 Nice lorry
attack.
She said the message from
the day after the attack was
taken out of context.
A video of her singing
Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah
had gone viral, being
watched 900,000 times on
YouTube.
The social media comments,
which have now been deleted,
emerged after her acclaimed
performance on the
programme.
French media reported that
in a post about the attack
in Nice, in which 86 people
were killed on Bastille Day,
she said: "It has become a
routine, one attack a week!
"And to always remain
faithful the 'terrorist'
took his identity papers
with him. It's true that,
when you're planning a dirty
move, you don't forget to
take your papers."
The message reportedly
included the hashtag "#PrenezNousPourDesCons",
meaning "take us for
idiots".
The driver of the lorry was
identified as a 31-year-old
Tunisian man.
Weeks later, after men burst
into a church in
Saint-Etienne-du-Rouvray
killing an elderly priest,
she said: "The real
terrorist is our
government."
The comments sparked a
social media storm, with
some users saying it was an
insult to the victims of the
Nice attack. The association
of the victims said they
were "unacceptable"
(statement in French).
Pressure also piled on
broadcaster TF1, The Voice's
producers, to remove the
singer from the competition.
Others, however, came to the
singer's defence, saying she
was being unfairly targeted
for being a Muslim.
After the posts emerged, Ms
Ibtissem apologised, saying
she "obviously condemned
terrorism". But on Friday,
she announced she was
leaving the programme.
In a video posted on
Facebook in English she
said: "I've never meant to
hurt anyone and the idea
that I would do it on
purpose pains me a lot.
"[I'll] keep spreading my
message of peace and
tolerance, far from all
types of fanaticism."
The announcement in French
has been watched more than
500,000 times, with hundreds
of users expressing support
to her.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied’s tweets
are the subject of a Human
Rights Commission complaint.
Yassmin Abdel-Magied has
revealed she is the subject
of a complaint to the
Australian Human Rights
Commission over her tweets.
Ms Abdel-Magied, a former
ABC presenter, rose to
prominence as a vivacious
and outspoken young Muslim
who had succeeded in the
male-dominated world of
engineering — at 21, she was
the only woman engineer on
an offshore oil rig and the
memoir she wrote aged 24,
Yassmin’s Story, was
heralded for its humour and
intelligence.
But Ms Abdel-Magied’s
commentary soon landed her
in controversy — there was
an outcry when she described
Islam as the most feminist
religion on ABC’s Q&A and a
backlash in January when she
was seen to mock Australians
concerned by gangs of boys
and young men of African
descent committing crimes in
Melbourne. The gang members
were often either refugees,
migrants or the children of
refugees or migrants,
sparking a highly-charged
debate over race and crime.
“All these aussies outraged
about ‘gangs’, acting like
they’re not descendant of
actual convicts lol,” Ms
Abdel-Magied tweeted at the
time. She later tweeted that
she was joking: “I mean
jokes obviously Muslims
don’t have a sense of humour
OMG sharia.” She also said:
“Every so often I feel like
I need to wear a T-shirt
that says ‘Muslims have a
sense of humour’.”
Her Anzac Day post on
Facebook drew a barrage of
hatred. She wrote: “Lest We
Forget (Manus, Nauru, Syria,
Palestine ...)” She deleted
the post and apologised.
Ms Abdel-Magied later moved
to London, where she
continues to be sought after
for analysis on topics
including women’s issues.
Overnight she indicated on
Twitter that somebody had
complained about her tweets
to the Australian Human
Rights Commission, which has
previously been scrutinised
for running secretive,
flawed cases.
Ms Abdel-Magied did not
reveal which of her tweets
were the subject of a
complaint but wrote: “I
mean, wow. People have a lot
of time on their hands.”
“So apparently my tweets
are worth complaining
about to the Aus Human
Rights commission. I
can’t give you more
details ... but it does
make me wonder — should
I have been reporting
every single thing that
people said to me that
was racially,
religiously or sexually
charged? #auspol.”
Ms Abdel-Magied, who was
subjected to a vicious
barrage over her Anzac Day
post, wrote that she did not
think to report any of what
was said about her last year
to the human rights
commission “and it is
fascinating to think why”.
“Is it cos the process of
doing so is exhausting in of
itself? Cos I wasn’t brought
up with it as an option when
something happened — we were
taught to just brush it off
and deal w it? It it cos I
subconsciously didn’t
believe it would make a
difference (even if that
wasn’t true?),” she wrote.
World biggest global online
summit for Muslim women by
Muslim women
From self-care, to family
life, to entrepreneurship,
Muslim women are struggling
to have the life they dream
of. There is a sense of
being swept away. By the
pressures of society,
especially as Muslim women
bear the brunt of the
anti-Islam rhetoric. By the
juggle of family life and
other
commitments. She is
wondering who she really is
in it all.
Australian-based
motivational speaker, author
and social entrepreneur,
Kathryn Jones, who is
teaching Muslim women how to
be leaders of their own
life, rather than have life
lead them, said the process
is an inside job.
“I wanted to show Muslim
women there was hope. I
wanted them to hear from as
many experts as possible so
the message would really
sink in.” said Kathryn “I
also see that it is
important that my sisters in
Islam know that there are
amazing Muslim women out
there that can help them.
The ME First Revolution is
an opportunity to showcase
the talent, expertise and
fantastic work Muslim women
are doing.”
Kathryn’s mission in life is
to make a difference in the
world of Muslim women and
lead them from oppression to
success and purpose in life.
She is particularly
passionate about addressing
the ‘tough’ subjects, such
as depression, child abuse,
domestic violence, bullying,
abusive parenting and other
topics often swept under the
carpet.
Kathryn aspires to change
the lives of every
individual affected by these
hardships, but she realises
in order to fulfil this
mission she needs other
Muslim women to support and
join her. To build a
revolution of Muslim women
coaching Muslim women, she
established the annual ME
First Summit
and her own online marketing
program specially to fast
track their success.
“I have had to really step
up and embrace the leader
within myself. I have seen
that my story has encouraged
my clients to have hope and
step up themselves. I’m
excited to have 45 speakers
across over 20 different
fields of expertise, ranging
from physical, emotional and
spiritual health,
relationships (parenting,
motherhood, marriage),
money, entrepreneurship and
more in this year’s summit.
With these experts sharing
their powerful stories and
support for their sisters in
Islam, it brings a hopeful
message for the future
despite everything else is
happening in the world”
Kathryn said.
Kathryn said it is possible
for every Muslim woman, no
matter what her
circumstances, to live a
life she loves and do it in
a way that is pleasing to
Allah.
“What better way to beat the
media at their game than for
Muslim women to be visibly
confident, courageous and
resilient humans who are
contributing to the
betterment of the world? We
are in the spotlight, let
them see something which
challenges their thinking,
breaks stereotypes, and
leaves
them questioning perceptions
rather than blindly
believing the lies they
hear.”
“I realised the key to
achieve this was to help
Muslim women step up and be
a leader within their own
life.”
“Last year we had 24
speakers talk about Muslim
women putting themselves
first in self care so that
they can be the best carers
for the people in their
lives, this year we are
taking it a step further and
encouraging our sisters to
truly step into living their
lives by choice rather than
in survival mode.”
“Last year’s summit changed
many lives; it is my hope
for even more lives to be
touched and transformed by
the beautiful messages of
encouragement, stories of
resilience, and actionable
steps for transformation
shared by the speakers.”
The “ME First Summit 2018:
Embrace the Leader Within”
will begin broadcasting
online on February
19th, 2018. Tickets to
attend the live online
broadcast is free, with
registration for tickets now
open for booking at
http://MEFirstSummit.com.
About Kathryn Jones
Kathryn Jones is the author
of Step Up. Embrace The
Leader Within, a book
dedicated to supporting
uslim women discover their
inner leader and step up in
every aspect of their lives.
She is the founder of the
Beautiful Muslimah Academy,
the annual ME First Summit
and the Great Ramadan
Giveaway. She is known
internationally as the
Peaceful Parenting Coach, as
well as a Business
Performance Coach for Muslim
women who wish to build a
six-figure business in
twelve months. Her primary
focus is on supporting
Muslim women to step up and
embrace the leader within
themselves so they can take
charge of their lives,
rather than have life take
charge of them.
On Monday, 12th February and
Friday 16 February
respectively, the 2018
Student Leaders, Student
Council representatives and
Captains from the Australian
International Islamic
College (Durack and Carrara
Campus) were officially
inducted into their
leadership positions.
Present at the special
ceremony were the entire
student body, staff, invited
parents and family members.
Our principal, Mrs Mariam
Banwa gave an opening speech
outlining the heavy role and
responsibility that comes
with such an important post.
She shared three important
aspects of leadership. The
first being ‘Popularity is
NOT leadership’. She
reminded her students that
there would be times when
their resolve would be
tested and that they needed
to have the moral courage to
make the right decisions
even if it meant being
isolated and ostracised by
their peers.
The second point was ‘to be
a good leader they needed to
be able to see more than
what others saw’. Leaders
needed to have foresight and
vision to anticipate
situations and problems, and
to turn challenges into
opportunities.
And the last important point
and by no means the least,
was to be an effective
leader, one had to be a team
player. The adage ‘No Man is
an Island’ rang so true.
Alone, one might not be able
to achieve much but as a
team, mountains could be
moved. Therefore, to
succeed, there must be no
‘I’ in team.
According to Mrs Banwa, the
journey of a young school
leader would be fraught with
challenges and difficulties.
There would certainly be
dark days. But the best days
would come when one was able
to stand behind their team
and recognise their success.
She encouraged all the
selected student leaders to
use this opportunity to
develop their skills as
leaders and to make a
positive contribution to the
college. She ended her
speech with a hearty
congratulation to all
student leaders selected,
wishing them the best in
their journey of leadership
and service to the college.
After the badge presentation
segment and the speech by
the Student Captain (High
School), the student leader
induction assembly ended but
not before a photoshoot of
our newly minted student
leaders.
Neil Erikson, wrapped in an
Australian flag, outside the
Melbourne Magistrates Court in
September 2017
Far-right activist Neil
Erikson has been found
guilty of contempt over
posting online an
inflammatory video in which
former senator Sam Dastyari
was called a "terrorist" and
a "monkey".
The convicted stalker and
racial vilifier was on
Thursday found in contempt
on two counts, because he
published the video footage
and also posted photos on
his Twitter page, defying
previous court orders.
Transport company Toll Group
took its former employee
Erikson to court in
December.
The freight group alleges he
and his associates linked to
far-right groups Patriot
Blue and United Patriots
Front kept wearing its
uniform in inflammatory
videos and images, in a
deliberate bid to damage its
brand.
On Thursday, Federal Circuit
Court Judge Suzanne Jones
found Erikson in contempt of
her December 7 order not to
publish any videos or
photographs that tend to
identify individuals as Toll
employees, when they are
not.
The video footage, posted on
Erikson's YouTube page,
shows him clad in a Toll
polo shirt, ambushing former
senator Sam Dastyari at a
Footscray pub book launch in
November, when the
Iranian-born politician was
called a "terrorist".
The video shows an exchange
between Erikson and a woman
sitting next to the former
senator, and she asks
Erikson if he works for
Toll.
"Is this sort of activity
sanctioned by Toll?" the
woman asks.
Erikson replies: "I thought
Labor were for working class
Aussies mate. You don't like
free speech?"
The woman responds:
"Whatever you do in your
uniform, you're actually
representing your employer."
Erikson then responds: "Here
we go, Labor trying to sack
working class, Labor trying
to sack Aussie workers."
The contempt finding also
relates to four photos on
Erikson's Twitter page
showing him with associate
Ricky Turner in a Toll
uniform, despite Turner
having never been an
employee.
In the photo, which was
published on the front page
of the Herald Sun newspaper
in December, Mr Turner is
standing in front of a
police officer and appears
to have another person in a
headlock.
Judge Jones found unproven
an allegation Erikson
committed a further contempt
by failing to return all
uniforms and property
belonging to Toll.
Erikson stopped working for
Toll in 2014 but worked for
them again in Tasmania in
2017 before being sacked.
He was not in court for the
judgment. The matter is due
back in court on March 13 to
determine any punishment.
Earlier in 2017 Erikson,
United Patriots Front leader
Blair Cottrell and
Christopher Neil Shortis
were convicted and fined for
inciting contempt and
ridicule of Muslims after a
2015 stunt.
Tamim Khaja considered the US
Embassy, an army barracks in
Dundas and a court in Parramatta
as potential targets.
Australia has been "under
attack" from a group of
Muslim men wanting "to kill
as many unbelievers as they
can" for about 15 years, a
Supreme Court judge has
said.
Justice Desmond Fagan made
the comments while
sentencing Tamim Khaja, 20,
who pleaded guilty in
October to planning and
preparing a terrorist attack
two years ago.
The then 18-year-old was
arrested while preparing for
a lone wolf massacre, either
at the US embassy in Sydney,
an Army barracks in western
Sydney, or at a court
complex at Parramatta.
Counsel for the defendant,
Ian Temby QC, tendered to
the court a list of recent
sentences handed down to
other men who had been
convicted of terror
offences.
In response, Justice Fagan
told the court that
Australia had "been under
attack for 15 years by about
40 Muslim men, to kill as
many unbelievers as they can
and impose Sharia law."
"The ideology that underlies
each is Islam."
Sitting at Sydney West Trial
Courts at Parramatta,
Justice Fagan referred to
verses in the Koran which he
said described the duty of
"a Muslim to wage Jihad".
He said he was not making
generalisations about
Islamic beliefs and that his
courtroom was "not a forum
for the rights and wrongs of
the Islam or Christian
religions".
Mohamed Salah was born in the
Egyptian city of Basyoun, 100km
or so north of Cairo
Liverpool Football Club fans
have embraced Mohamed Salah,
an Egyptian player, with a
new chant that celebrates
the 25-year-old forward's
faith.
"Mo Sa-la-la-la-lah, Mo
Sa-la-la-la-lah, if he's
good enough for you, he's
good enough for me, if he
scores another few, then
I'll be Muslim too,"
fans have been filmed
chanting from the stadiums
to the pubs as they watch
Salah's footwork at play.
The rhyme continues:
"He's sitting in the mosque,
that's where I want to be."
Saleh, who also plays for
Egypt's national team, is
quickly becoming a darling
of the English football
community.
In 2017, he was named the
BBC's African Footballer of
the Year.
On Wednesday, he became the
thirteenth player in
Liverpool FC's 125-year
history to score his 30th
goal in a season in a match
against Porto, prompting
some to compare Salah with
Argentina's footballing
legend, Lionel Messi.
Luis Suarez, who plays for
FC Barcelona, was the last
player to achieve 30 goals
in a season, in April 2014.
The chant for Salah,
nicknamed the Egyptian King,
is being seen by some as a
feat against endemic racism
in English football.
In a report on February 7,
Kick It Out - an
organisation working to end
discrimination in football -
said the number of incidents
of discrimination at the
midway point of the
2017-2018 season had risen.
The organisation received
more than 300 reports
relating to 282 incidents of
discriminatory abuse by the
end of 2017, covering the
professional game,
grassroots football and
social media. This marked an
increase of 59 percent from
the same period last season,
when there were 177
incidents.
'Mo Salah is going to stop
Islamophobia'
Several people on social
media welcomed the Liverpool
FC fans' chorus.
"Mo Salah doing more to end
the clash of civilisations
than anyone else in the
world," joked satirist Karl
Sharro.
"I'm not a Liverpool fan but
you must believe Football
builds bridges with this Red
chant for Mo Salah,"
wrote Gbolahan Obisesan, a
writer and director.
Sam Egerton, a rugby player
for Old Elthamians, wrote on
Twitter:
"Loving this Mo Salah chant.
[Love] for Muslims should be
amplified."
Several people joked, as the
song does, that they were
considering converting to
Islam on account of Salah's
talent.
"Mo Salah is so good I'm
considering turning Muslim #TheEgyptianKing"
joked @bairdy_10.
"I think I'm about 10 Mo
Salah goals away from
becoming Muslim,"
wrote @OSMLFC.
"Mo Salah has turned me in
to a devout Muslim catch me
outside the mosque if you're
looking for me,"
said @bradleymaguire_.
The following requirements
were compiled by the
Australian Department of
Home Affairs for
organizations planning to
apply for visas for
religious workers.
Religious worker
• the position is
full-time
• the work or activity
specifically requires a
religious worker and not
merely a religious
adherent
• the duties directly
serve the religious
institution’s religious
objectives
• you have the
appropriate experience
and/or qualifications
for the position
• an agreement or
contract setting out
payments and other means
of support provided by
the religious
institution.
Religious organisations only
• a copy of the income
tax exemption charity
endorsement from the
Australian Taxation
Office
• a statement providing
the numbers of members
of the congregation and
details of the
activities of the
organisation
• a copy of the
memorandum and articles
of association,
constitution, rules or
charter letter from the
local council stating
the address
Please note that the
processing time is from 63
to 87 days for 90% of the
applications and therefore a
lodgement well in advance of
the proposed journey will
assist greatly.
The link above contains
detailed information about
all the necessary documents
and information needed for
the application including
the following:
• eligibility
• genuine temporary
entrants
• financial support
• health requirements
• health insurance
• character requirements
• payments for visa
declarations
• debts to the
Australian government
• English language
requirement
• Your sponsor etc.
Please read carefully the
information in our website.
If you need assistance you
need to contact registered
migration agent at
www.mara.gov.au.
Applications for the 2019
Australian Federal Police
Graduate Program will be
opening on Thursday 1
February 2018 and closing on
Thursday 22 February 2018.
The Graduate Program
provides a continuous supply
of highly capable university
graduates with the academic
qualifications required by
the AFP.
Through their participation
in the program, graduates
become experienced and
professional members of the
workforce, with the
knowledge, skills and
networks required to make
significant contributions to
the AFP during and on
completion of the program.
We are looking for
candidates who:
• Have completed a
university degree,
• are able to work in a
wide variety of roles
and apply their
qualification/studies to
the workplace,
• have critical thinking
skills and enjoy a
challenge, and
• have personal drive,
integrity and a strong
work ethic.
If you know of someone who
might be interested in a
career in the AFP, please
refer them to the
AFP website for
further information on the
recruitment process.
In
the summer of 2009, newly
graduated from law school,
Azmeena Hussain cut short a
family holiday on the
Sunshine Coast to rush back
to Melbourne for an
interview with a large
plaintiff law firm.
“Obviously I don’t sound
like what I look like,” she
laughs, her Aussie accent
contrasting with her
colourful headscarf.
“Because when I turned up
for the interview, the
partner was taken aback. He
spent the entire interview
talking about my appearance
and my religion, and said he
didn’t think clients were
ready to work with someone
who looked like me.”
Happily, in a subsequent
interview, this time with
Maurice Blackburn, the
partner saw her as an asset.
She joined the firm at age
22 and is now a senior
associate working in work
related injuries.
Ms Hussain says she wanted
to be a lawyer from the age
of three. Her Sri
Lankan-born mother was going
through a traumatic divorce
at the time, and the only
time she appeared calm was
after she visited her
lawyer. “I told my Mum I’m
going to be a lawyer so I
can look after you in the
future.”
She read everything she
could about the law, did
well at Sacre Coeur and went
on to Deakin Law School.
That holiday interview was
the first hiccup in what had
otherwise been a smooth
trajectory into the
profession.
Things have changed a lot in
the years since she
graduated, she believes.
Even the firm that rejected
her has since gone all out
to boost the cultural
diversity of its staff. But
Ms Hussain says people are
still sometimes confronted
by her headscarf.
“It’s a funny thing. I
don’t even notice it,
but a lot of people just
can’t see past it. What
they don’t realise is
that I’m really just a
very ordinary boring
lawyer.”
Magistrate Masood’s
appointment to the bench was
a huge breakthrough in that
regard, she says. “For the
first time it felt like it
was okay to be a visible
Muslim woman and be
respected as a professional
in mainstream society.”
Ms Hussein says it’s
important the justice system
reflects the diversity of
Australian society, and
feels it is her
responsibility to mentor
young women coming up behind
her. But she is looking
forward to a time when she
is no longer seen
differently. “I’m looking
forward to the day I’m no
longer being thought of as
the Muslim woman lawyer and
cultural diversity is no
longer a big deal.”
Following
Cassie Cohen and Jackson
Bursill on their marathon a
day (see
CCN), here is another
migrant/refugee personal
story:
Story 66: Simon
Simon an awesome former
refugee from Syria. Since
arriving in Australia just
over 2 years ago, Simon has
taken up marathon running,
learnt English, started
playing the piano and has
started an electrical
engineering degree at the
UTS: University of
Technology Sydney. He hopes
to become an innovator in
renewable technology in the
future. Simon ran with us
for the entire 42kms today,
and we loved getting to know
him better throughout the
run!
Tensions have
long been high over the Chinese
government’s influence and
continued crackdowns on the
cultural identity of the Uighur
ethnic group
Uighurs believe
their traditional language,
religion and culture is
threatened by restrictions
imposed by Beijing and the
impact of growing Han Chinese
settlement. Conflict has plagued
the region for decades – with
anti-government uprisings,
rioting and terror attacks
There are approximately 1.84
billion Muslims in the world
today, making up 24.38% of
the world’s population, or
just under one-quarter of
mankind. As well as being
citizens of their respective
countries, they also have a
sense of belonging to the ‘ummah’,
the worldwide Muslim
community.
The Muslim500 publication
sets out to ascertain the
influence some Muslims have
on this community, or on
behalf of the community.
Influence is: any person who
has the power (be it
cultural, ideological,
financial, political or
otherwise) to make a change
that will have a significant
impact on the Muslim world.
Note that the impact can be
either positive or negative,
depending on one’s point of
view of course.
"Since wealth is the
property of God, humanity
does not have autonomy in
this ownership but through
the specific path He has
instituted in the Islamic
Shari ‘ah."
Justice Sheikh Muhammad Taqi
Usmani is a leading scholar
of Islamic jurisprudence. He
is considered to be the
intellectual leader of the
Deobandi movement. He served
as Judge of the Shariat
Appellate Bench of the
Supreme Court of Pakistan
from 1982 to May 2002. He
specialises in Islamic
jurisprudence and financial
matters.
Deobandi Figurehead:
Usmani is very important as
a figurehead in the Deobandi
movement–one of the most
successful of the Islamic
revivalist initiatives of
the past century. Usmani was
born in Deoband, India, to
Mufti Muhammad Shafi (the
former Grand Mufti of
Pakistan) who founded the
Darul ‘Uloom, Karachi, a
leading centre of Islamic
education in Pakistan. He
has authority to teach
hadith from Sheikhul Hadith
Moulana Zakariya Khandelawi
amongst others, and he
traversed the spiritual path
of Tasawwuf under the
guidance of Sheikh Dr. Abdul
Hayy Arifi, a student of the
founder of Deoband, Moulana
Ashraf Ali Thanvi. It is
estimated that over 65% of
all madrassas in Pakistan
are Deobandi as well as 600
of the 1500 mosques in the
UK. Deobandis consider
themselves orthodox Hanafi
Sunnis. They rely heavily on
the writings of the 18th
century scholar Shah
Walliullah Dehlvi.
Leading Islamic Finance
Scholar: Usmani’s chief
influence comes from his
position as a global
authority on the issue of
Islamic finance. He has
served on the boards, and as
chairman, of over a dozen
Islamic banks and financial
institutions, and currently
leads the International
Shariah Council for the
Accounting and Auditing
Organization for Islamic
Financial Institutions (AAOIFI)
in Bahrain. He is also a
permanent member of the
International Islamic Fiqh
Academy of the Organization
of the Islamic Conference,
one of the highest legal
bodies in the Muslim world.
Writer: He is the
Chief Editor of both the
Urdu and English monthly
magazine ‘Albalagh’, and
regularly contributes
articles to leading
Pakistani newspapers on a
range of issues. He has
authored more than 60 books
in Arabic, English, and
Urdu.
New Works: He is
directly supervising The
Hadith Encyclopedia, a
compilation which will
provide a universal number
to each hadith in a manner
that will make referencing
any hadith as easy as it is
to refer to an Ayat of the
Quran. The Encyclopedia will
be over 300 volumes.
A second major work being
undertaken is entitled The
Jurisprudence (Fiqh) of
Trade.The Book concludes
with a proposed Code of
Islamic Law of Sale of Goods
and Transfer of Property,
that serves as a powerful
“Call to Action” for
regulators and standard
setting organizations alike.
ANOTHER FROM THE TOP 50
INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS IN NEXT
WEEK'S CCN
14 stages of
love according
to the Arabic
language
By Rayana Khalaf
Arabs are in a
league of our
own when it
comes to
romance. I mean,
just look at the
ways we express
love, we're
always ready to
sacrifice our
skin and bones
for the people
we love.
Over-the-top
demonstration of
love goes beyond
our everyday
conversation, as
it is rooted
deep within our
literature.
There is no
shortage of epic
and fiery poems
in Arab
literature,
brought to us by
the likes of Abu
Nawas and Nizar
Qabbani.
In these poems,
we see
variations of
words referring
to love, like "'oshk"
and "gharam"...
but contrary to
popular belief,
these words are
not synonymous.
They each refer
to a unique
degree of love.
Actually, there
are 14 degrees
of love in
Arabic language.
Here they are in
increasing order
of intensity:
1. Al-Hawa
(Attraction)
Love
begins
with
attraction
and
lust,
which is
described
in
Arabic
as "al-hawa".
This is
when
emotions
are
running
high,
but
they're
still
indefinite...
kinda
like
when
you're
swooning
over a
crush.
What No One
Told You about
Spiritual Abuse
in Islam
By Janet Kozak
Abuse in
relationships is
not only black
eyes, bruises,
and broken
bones. With the
exception of
traumatic brain
injury in Muslim
victims, it’s
often the abuse
hidden from
plain view –
like financial,
verbal, and
spiritual abuse
– that does the
most damage to
victims
long-term.
However, it’s
the spiritual
abuse we
experience in a
relationship
that can leave
us doubting
ourselves, our
goals, and even
our belief
systems –
changing us for
the worse and
leaving
lingering
invisible scars
over time.
In a spiritually
abusive
relationship,
the victim may
be told that to
speak up about
the abuse is a
breach of a
victim’s Islamic
responsibility
to respect her
husband’s
privacy.
According to her
abuser, or those
supporting him,
if she tells
anyone about the
abuse she’ll be
condemned by God
for her
insolence. This
is a wholly
incorrect
understanding of
the concept of
“covering one
another’s sins”
in Islam.
Unfortunately,
using religion
to justify
ongoing domestic
abuse is
spiritual abuse
– and it should
be labeled as
such.
Speaking up
about oppression
and abuse is not
only allowed,
but encouraged
in Islam.
Allah has
mentioned, in
his chapter
Surat l-nisaa
(The Women) that
He does not like
the public
mention of an
evil “[…] except
by those that
have been
wronged […]” [Quran
4:148].
Allah makes it
clear that He
likes the public
mention of evil
by those who are
being oppressed
and abused. This
makes having a
voice perfectly
allowed
Islamically –
despite how
strongly those
in power would
prefer to keep
their abuses in
the dark.
Speaking out
about oppression
and abuse is
absolutely
necessary to
keep our
communities
safe, sane, and
on the straight
path.
It’s crucially
important for
victims of abuse
to reach out and
share about what
they are
experiencing, or
have experienced
in the past, to
call attention
to domestic
violence in
Muslim
communities. By
sharing their
experiences,
victims can help
each other learn
and heal. They
also can get the
assistance and
support they
need to move
forward.
Mufti Menk has
returned to
Australia but
this time, his
lecture series
tour has made a
beeline towards
Melbourne for
the very first
time.
Two Melbourne
mosques, Islamic
Community Milli
Gorus (ICMG) in
Meadow Heights
and the
Australian
Islamic Centre
in Newport had
the pleasure to
welcome him in
Melbourne during
the first week
of February
2018.
Born and raised
in Harare, Dr
Ismail ibn Musa
Menk also known
as Mufti Menk,
is the Grand
Mufti of
Zimbabwe.
He is a leading
global Islamic
scholar with a
high profile in
social media,
particularly on
Twitter. He has
hundreds of
videos on his
YouTube channel
and has even
more followers.
Obtaining his
Islamic
education in
Madinah, Saudi
Arabia and
holding a
Doctorate in
Social Guidance,
the Mufti is
well-regarded
for his Islamic
knowledge and
charming
charisma.
Speaking before
two overflowing
mosques, the
sweet smiling
Mufti began
slowly in his
usual manner but
with no lack of
vigour to a room
full of enthused
Melbournians.
His main topic
focused on the
importance taqwa
or God
consciousness.
This he said, is
most imperative
to maintain
within our
lives.
We are all
“connected” as
human beings
given that we
are all from the
bloodline of
Adam. Hence, he
said we should
treat each other
the way we would
want to be
treated.
The disease is
to think we are
better than one
another. God has
only created
different tribes
“so we can
appreciate each
other,” says the
Mufti.
He also appealed
to us to strive
for the sake of
God, no matter
what
circumstances we
are placed in or
what we may look
like.
Speaking to the
youth that they
should
appreciate the
body that they
have.
“This body is
temporary,” he
says.
“We must honour
our bodies
despite this, as
Allah has
created each and
every person.
Though, no one’s
fingerprint is
the same; as we
are all uniquely
fashioned by
God.”
“Yet, you are
beautiful,
please believe
me,” he pleaded
to the crowd,
and the room
erupted in
delightful
laughter.
Throughout his
talk, he
seamlessly
interweaved his
good humour into
the speech.
However, the
audience was
truly
overwhelmed with
laughter at his
jokes of his
new-found
appreciation for
Halal Snack
Packs (HSP).
Certain things
are deemed as
halal or
permitted,
whilst others
are haram or
forbidden. He
integrated this
within the story
of Adam who was
forbidden to eat
from the tree
within paradise
and the
importance of
listening to the
decree of Allah
rather than the
whispers of
Satan.
“Turn back to
Allah, when you
make a mistake,”
exclaimed the
Mufti.
Ultimately, his
talk was
encouraging and
uplifting,
appealing to
families and the
younger
generation, as
the halls were
packed with a
youthful
audience.
“I really
connect to the
Mufti, (he has
an) amazing gift
with speaking
with the
masses,” said
Aisha.
The Melbourne
crowd was
encouraged by
his visit,
stating that he
spoke very well
and were eager
for him to
return.
“MashAllah,
please come more
often Mufti Menk,”
said Hannah.
Ultimately, the
most important
message he
reminded us was
“Allah will
always forgive
you. Turn back
to Allah. Have
hope in the
mercy of Allah.”
For “the best
from amongst us
are the most
closest to
Allah.”.
AMUST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Faseeha
Hashmi, based in
Melbourne has a
Bachelor of
International
Relations from
La Trobe
University and a
Master of
International
Relations from
the University
of Melbourne. A
prolific writer,
she has an
interest in
politics and
human security.
The father of
Mashal Khan - who was falsely
accused of blasphemy and beaten
to death at his university -
gives his opinion about the
sentencing of his son's killers.
Mental Illness is Real
OnePath Network
In the latest episode of Living
Muslim, brother Mohamed Hoblos
confronts the stereotypes and
misconceptions of one of the
biggest taboo topics in the
Muslim community, mental
illness.Having mental illness
doesn’t mean you’re far from
Allah nor does it mean you’re
possessed by Jinn, it’s a test
from Allah, just like other
diseases such as cancer, etc.
The Prophet (ﷺ) was confronted
with the topic of mental
illness, and his response was
not what we hear today, “You
need to Pray”, “Come closer to
Allah” or “This is a punishment
from Allah.”
What we can learn from this
Hadith is that the Prophet ﷺ did
not ignore nor deny mental
illness, but in fact,
acknowledged it as a problem.
It is difficult to deal with
mental illness, but it is, no
longer a problem the Muslim
community can ignore.
It cannot be dealt with alone,
so talk to someone who is able
to help and guide you in dealing
with mental illness. You no
longer need to suffer in
silence.
For those that are struggling
with mental illness and are in
need of help please feel free to
contact the appropriate
professionals.
Gold Coast Mosque conversion
Rohingya lament
This singer
leaves his audience in tears
every time he sings of the
horrors that Rohingya Muslims
have endured.
The world's oldest university
NAS DAILY
So many
people think that Oxford,
Cambridge, or Harvard are
the oldest universities in
the world.
But in
reality, the oldest
operating university exists
in Fez, Morocco. It was
built by a Muslim
woman....and its alumni list
include Jewish philosophers.
The recent school shooting in
the US
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
commenced by
informing
what purpose
Allah made
this Dunya.
Spoke about
Prophet’s (pbuh)
advice of
taking care
of 5 things
before 5
things and
went on to
explain
these 5
things. He
also touched
on being
very
conscious of
everything
we do in
life both
needs/wants
and desires.
He said how
the world’s
largest
Muslim
country
Indonesia
became
Muslims.
Related the
story of
businessman
and
companion of
our Prophet
(pbuh) Abdul
Rahman bin
Awf. He
advised how
one must do
his business
according to
Allah’s
commands and
Prophet’s (pbuh)
advice so
that one
will get
baraka in
his
business.
Talked about
competition
about A’mal
and related
the story of
hazrat Umar
and hazrat
Abu Bakr.
Mufti
concluded by
speaking how
Allah can
take away
the tawfeek
from a
person.
Muslim
boys who insulted Christianity sentenced to
memorise verses of Quran that honour Jesus
Unique sentencing from Christian
judge in Lebanon, where
insulting religion can be
punishable by up to three years
in prison, praised as message of
coexistence
The Christian crosses of the St
George orthodox cathedral
surround a minaret of al Amin
mosque in central Beirut
LEBANON: Three Lebanese
teenagers who were hauled before a court
on charges of insulting Christianity
have been handed the unusual sentence of
studying the references to the Virgin
Mary found in the Quran.
Christian judge Joceline Matta found the
Muslim boys guilty of ‘contempt of
religion’ for insulting the Christian
mother of God. The charge, which covers
verbal insults or physical defiling of
religious rites and objects, can be
punishable by up to three years in
prison.
However, when reading out her verdict in
court in the northern city of Tripoli
last week, the Justice said that she
wanted the teenagers to learn about
Islam’s reverence for the mother of
Christ, calling the law “a school and
not just a prison”.
Islam also regards Jesus as a major
prophet of Allah. Mary is honoured in
several Islamic texts, including the Al-Omran
surah, which reads “And [mention] when
the angels said, 'O Mary, indeed Allah
has chosen you and purified you and
chosen you above the women of the
worlds.'”
A chapter of the Quran is named after
her - which Judge Matta said showed
revealed the boys’ ignorance of their
own religion.
The three must learn verses from the Al-Omran
surah in order to be released, she said.
The decision was praised by several
prominent Lebanese public figures and
politicians and caused a stir on social
media.
Prime Minister Saad Hariri said the
sentence was the “epitome of justice”
and promotes coexistence between Muslims
and Christians together through the
“teaching of common ideas”.
Lebanon was torn apart by sectarian
violence between various Muslim,
Christian and Druze factions in the
1975-1990 civil war, which killed an
estimated 120,000 people.
Under the constitution, which emphasises
religious harmony, the president must be
a Maronite Christian, the prime minister
a Sunni Muslim, and the speaker of
parliament a Shiite Muslim.
There have been calls on social media
for Justice Matta’s ruling to be used as
an example in other cases.
KB says:
Sharing Raeesa Khatree's recipe from her
The Great Australian Bake Off appearance. You’ll
be dying to sink your teeth into these date,
walnut and orange biscotti.
Date, Walnut and Orange Biscotti
Recipe by Raeesa Khatree
from The Great Australian
Bake Off
Ingredients
ľ cup caster sugar
˝ cup olive oil
2 eggs
1 tsp vanilla bean
paste
Zest of 1 orange –
fine
1 cup of chopped
dates
ľ cup walnuts
1 ľ cup plain flour
2 tsp baking powder
˝ tsp salt
1 tsp ground nutmeg
Egg wash
Method
1. For the biscotti,
heat oven to 180°C.
Using a stand
mixture, whisk
sugar, eggs, oil,
orange zest and
vanilla extract
together. Add
walnuts and date.
Mix well. Sift flour
and remainder of
ingredients. Add to
egg mixture and mix
well with a spatula
until all
ingredients are well
incorporated. The
dough will be very
sticky. Using a
dough scraper, scoop
out onto a floured
surface and divide
dough into half.
2. Place onto
greased and lined
baking pan and shape
into a log using
flour If necessary.
Log should be
approximately 12
inches long. Pat
into shape. Brush
with egg for a
shine. Bake till
golden brown
approximately 35
minutes.
3. After baking,
remove from oven and
cool on wire rack.
Place in fridge for
15 minutes if
possible. Once cool,
slice diagonally
across to get even
32 slices. Place
onto tray upright
and bake on 160°C
for 20 minutes or
until dry.
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:
Is Money Ruining
Your Marriage?
Let’s get one thing
straight...Money was
created by humans,
not ALLAH. Another
truth...the lack of
money or the
abundance of it has
absolutely NO
connection to your
peace of mind or
your spiritual
growth. So why is
money one of the
most common reasons
for marital
problems?
Your argument, like
most of my clients’,
may be: But it costs
money to do
everything and to
have a good life. My
answer to that is:
If you are depending
on money to bring
you joy, you are
living in a
deceitful illusion.
If your marriage
lacks joy and
soulful
companionship, it
has nothing to do
with your bank
balance but
everything to do
with your mindset.
See if you identify
with one or more of
the following issues
in your own
marriage. Often the
problem involving
money and marriage
revolve around
these:
• Couples feeling
they don’t have
enough money
• Couples accusing
each other of making
poor decisions
regarding money
• Cultural paradigm
that dictates that
husband must earn
more than wife
• Cultural and
modern western
paradigms that
dictate that a wife
who earns can spend
her money however
she wants, but a
husband’s earnings
must be spent for
the welfare of the
whole family
• Cultural paradigm
that dictates that
your self-worth is
determined by the
number of material
possessions you
accumulate (house,
car, luxury brands
etc.)
The crucial thing to
ask on a daily basis
is do you want more
money or a joyful
marriage? When there
are arguments in
your marriage
relating to money,
negativity spreads
to all areas of your
life and soon you
begin to notice that
the so-called money
problems are getting
worse.
Understand that
arguments are not
resolving your money
problems but
actually aggravating
them and ruining
your marital peace
and harmony.
How To Tackle
Money-Arguments In
Your Marriage
1. Muslims know and
firmly believe that
rizq, sustenance,
comes ONLY from
ALLAH. Remind
each other of this
utmost truth and
help each other in
submitting to this
truth.
2. Have a weekly
sit-down meeting
to discuss and plan
the household
budget. Focus on joy
and harmony, not
just money. Need and
greed are two
different things.
Whatever you need,
ALLAH provides.
Greed may lead to
engaging in riba.
Riba is prohibited
in Islam.
3. Give daily or
weekly sadaqa
from the money you
have. Even if it is
$1. The more you
give the more ALLAH
gives you.
4. If you feel anger
or frustration
building up within
you regarding money,
voice your
concerns to your
spouse without
displaying
aggression. Tell
your spouse that you
are feeling anxious
about your finances.
Voicing your
concerns makes it
easier to discuss
solutions.
5. Do not bring
up the past.
Everyone makes
mistakes.
Perhaps one of you
took a poor decision
with money. It’s not
the end of the
world. Everything
can be repaired with
love, care and
support. Support
each other to repair
what went wrong.
6. Remember that
there is a
difference between
money problems and
addictive behaviours.
If either or both of
you are always
spending money on
buying material
things and filling
the house with
“stuff”, this
indicates that there
is a need for deeper
self-reflection to
address issues such
as self-worth.
People often buy
things because they
feel they are not
good enough or that
they must keep up
with others in their
friends or relatives
circle. Will Smith,
a wealthy and
well-known Hollywood
actor once said,
“Too many people
spend money they
haven’t earned, to
buy things they
don’t want, to
impress people they
don’t like.”
Recognise this
addictive behaviour
to ‘buy and please”
and seek
professional help to
overcome this
addiction. (Email me
if you feel I could
be of service)
7. Find at least
ten things everyday
to be grateful for
and tell ALLAH how
thankful you are for
the blessings in
your life. Once
you list ten things,
add five more for
good measure :) Do
this daily. Being in
the practice of
gratitude increases
barakah in your
home.
8. Remember that
your marriage is
sacred...money is
not. If all the
money in the world
were to disappear
right this moment,
your marriage will
still survive,
provided you connect
with ALLAH and
understand that
obsessing over money
comes from fear.
Fear leads to
shaitaan. Replace
fear with faith.
Faith leads to
ALLAH.
In Shaa ALLAH, next
week we will explore
the topic:
Control Versus Care
DOWNLOAD
Muslimah Reflections
- my new ebook of
poetry and
affirmations
DOWNLOAD The
Ultimate Self-Care
Guide For Muslimahs
WATCH VIDEOS
from Muslimah Mind
Matters YouTube
Channel.
DOWNLOAD
Muslimah Meditation
Moments - audio
files for
self-awareness
meditation.
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.
Whatever you are given
(here) is (but) a
convenience of this life:
but that which is with Allah
is better and more lasting:
(it is) for those who
believe and put their trust
in their Lord; those who
avoid the greater crimes and
shameful deeds, and, when
they are angry even then
forgive; those who hearken
to their Lord, and establish
regular prayer; who
(conduct) their affairs by
mutual consultation; who
spend out of what We bestow
on them for Sustenance; and
those who, when an
oppressive wrong is
inflicted on them, (are not
cowed but) help and defend
themselves.
"Always hate what is
wrong, but do not hate the
one who errs. Hate sin with
all your heart, but forgive
and have mercy on the
sinner. Criticize speech,
but respect the speaker. Our
job is to wipe out the
disease, not the patient"
~ Imam Shafi'i
c
I searched for God and found only myself. I
searched for myself and found only God.
"Maulana
Khatani from South
Africa has
captivated and
inspired thousands
throughout the world
with the deep
knowledge and
understanding of
deen that Allah Most
High has gifted him.
He also has been
gifted with a
distinctive style
and eloquent
manner."
This International Women's
Day, Muslim Aid Australia
and Muslim Charitable
Foundation are launching a
truly ground-breaking
project called '1000 Women,
1000 Futures' (TWTF).
What's it all about?
MAA and MCF will empower
1000 women in Australia and
developing countries around
the world by providing them
an impactful and sustainable
method to overcome poverty.
Once each case has been
carefully assessed, we will
provide the chosen
beneficiaries sustainable
livelihood opportunities,
worth an average of $1000
each, to help them towards
starting a small business.
We will also equip each
beneficiary with the skills
required for running their
business so that we ensure
long term success for them
and their families.
Help empower women by
attending our upcoming
fundraising dinner on
Friday, 9th March at
Michael’s Oriental by
calling 0434 984 520 or via
www.bit.ly/TWTFBNE.
2nd
Annual Australian Islamic
Education Forum
Inviting
educators in Islamic
education and schooling
contexts to register for the
2nd Annual Australian
Islamic Education Forum,
held in Sydney and hosted by
Arkana College, Saturday
24th February.
Don’t miss
the premier professional
development event for
Islamic education in the
country. Join the ongoing
conversation and take away
practical tips and
understandings on evidenced
based practice at the
cutting edge of the field.
2018 Forum theme ‘Islamic
Schooling Renewal – A Focus
on Curriculum’ offers
delegates a highly relevant
focus that is timely.
Sessions are practical and
interactive delivered by
experienced educational
practitioners. Split
sessions allow delegates to
tailor their own program
based on their interests and
needs.
Presentations
will address the following
themes:
• Negotiating contested
spaces – curriculum and
Islamic schooling
• Strategies for engaging
with Australian Curriculum
• Islamic schooling & the
Early Years Learning
Framework (Belonging, Being
and Becoming)
• Leadership and curriculum
• Case studies and stories
of hope - curriculum
integration, curriculum
renewal, curriculum projects
• Case studies and stories
of hope - curriculum
enactment in &/or across
KLAs in Islamic schooling
(English, HaSS, STEM, HPE/PDHPE,
Arts, Music, Islamic &
Arabic studies)
• Enacting curriculum for
teaching faith perspectives
across the curriculum
• Quality curriculum,
assessment and pedagogy in
Islamic schooling contexts
The Annual
Forum aims to provide a
platform for educators in
Islamic schooling (Islamic
schools, Madrassah or home
educators/home schoolers) to
network, build collaborative
partnerships, share stories
of hope and showcase
projects and best practices
in Islamic education.
This event is
proudly presented by the
University of South
Australia’s Centre for
Islamic Thought and
Education (CITE) and
supported by Islamic Schools
Association (ISAA) of
Australia.
BRISBANE - 17
March 2018 at Chandler
Theatre, Sleeman Complex
About
InfoReset
Seminars:
Conscious Events
returns to
Australia & New
Zealand in
February and
March 2018 with
their latest
seminar brand
called
InfoReset. The
Full Day Seminar
Tour (11am to
6pm) features an
amazing lineup
of authors who
will be speaking
in this part of
the world for
the first time.
Ex Economic Hit
Man, John
Perkins
(USA) who has
spoken at
international
economic summits
will present
hard evidence on
the role of
Economic Hit Men
in the
destruction of
entire countries
and how the
current Death
Economic system
can be
transformed into
a Life Economy!
Conchita
Sarnoff,
Investigative
Journalist and
research
professor at
American
University, will
address the
global epidemic
of human
trafficking and
child abuse that
haunts the
corridors of
power from
Harvard to the
White House.
Son of Oscar
winning
Hollywood
director Olive
Stone and
co-host of RT’s
Watching the
Hawks, Sean
Ali Stone is
the expert
commentator on
global
geopolitics and
the
imperialistic
agenda behind
world events.
Sean has
dedicated his
life to becoming
a symbol of
peace between
the major
religions by
accepting Islam
as his chosen
faith, and to
put an end to
the
miscommunications
and
misrepresentations
of Islam to the
western world.
True to the
name, InfoReset
Seminars
promises to be a
powerful
Information
Reset for all
who attend!
www.inforeset.com
Testimonial "Thanks to Fisabilillah, we found the perfect
spouses Alhamdulillah in the halal way. We would
definitely recommend this service for other
Muslims who wish to fulfill half their deen."
Yassin and Shannon
Brothers Contact: 0406672724, 0435023216
Sisters Contact:
0404356209, 0422444039
Need to improve your English for work or
social settlement? Learn for FREE with the Adult Migrant
English Program at TAFE Queensland.
The AMEP provides up to 510 hours of free English
language, literacy and numeracy training to eligible
refugees and migrants, at more than 40 sites throughout
Queensland.
Muslim/Ipswich Police community reference
group meeting
QPS
Ipswich District
Police Complex, 300 Warwick Road, Yamato
0438 114 619
5PM
15 April 2018
(tentative)
Sunday
LAILATU MI'RAAJ
(Ascension night)
27th Rajab 1439
1 May 2018
(tentative)
Tuesday
NISF SHA'BAAN
(Lailatul Bahrat)
15th Sha'baan 1439
17 May 2018
(tentative)
Thursday
RAMADAAN
(start of the month of fasting)
1st Ramadaan 1439
11 June 2018
(tentative)
Monday
LAILATUL-QADR
(Night of Power)
27th Ramadaan 1439
15 June 2018
(tentative)
Friday
EID-UL-FITR
(end of the month of fasting)
1st
Shawal 1439
21 August 2018
(tentative)
Tuesday
YAWMUL ARAFAH
(Night of Power)
9th Zil-Hijjah 1439
22 August 2018
(tentative)
Wednesday
EID-UL-ADHA
10th Zil-Hijjah 1439
17 November 2018
Saturday
Annual Milad-un-Nabi
Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane
TBA
3PM to Maghrib
PLEASE NOTE
1. All Islamic Event dates given above are supplied by
the Council of Imams QLD (CIQ) and are provided as a guide and are
tentative and subject to the sighting of the moon.
2. The Islamic date changes to the next day starting in
the evenings after maghrib. Therefore, exceptfor Lailatul
Mehraj,
Lailatul Bhahraat
and
Lailatul Qadr – these dates refer to the commencement of the event
starting in the evening of the corresponding day.
Nuria Khataam
Date: Every last Wednesday of the month
Time: After Esha Salaat
Venue: Algester Mosque
Contact: Yahya
Ph: 0403338040
MASJID TAQWAH
Bald Hills, Brisbane
Daily program
(after Esha salah by Mufti Junaid)
Monday to Thursday = Quran Tafseer
Friday = Prophet’s (pbuh) Seerah
(All programs run for approximately 15 minutes)
Weekly Madrasa
Monday to Wednesday
3:30 pm to 5:00 pm
Conducted by our Imam Mufti Junaid
Every Sunday
Jaula & remembrance of Allah
between Maghrib and Isha.
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
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About Kathryn Jones
Faseeha
Hashmi, based in
Melbourne has a
Bachelor of
International
Relations from
La Trobe
University and a
Master of
International
Relations from
the University
of Melbourne. A
prolific writer,
she has an
interest in
politics and
human security.
Muslim
boys who insulted Christianity sentenced to
memorise verses of Quran that honour Jesus
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011