Riyaad Ally of Muslim Aid
Australia returned to
Brisbane after overseeing
relief efforts on the
Syrian/Turkish border.
He also took bags of
clothing and sunglasses
donated by local
well-wishers.
The organization
Uniforms 4 Kids turned
old uniforms supplied by the
Australian Federal Police
into winter clothes which
the refugee children
accepted with delight and
sincere appreciation.
HALAL GURLS, a new online
series filmed in Western
Sydney, is being proclaimed
as the World’s First Hijabi
Comedy Series.
Created and Directed by
Award-winning Australian
filmmaker Vonne Patiag, the
series celebrates Muslim
women and the cultural
diversity in Western Sydney.
The show follows workaholic
hijabi Mouna, played by
Aanisa Vylet, as she
navigates a cross-cultural
balancing act between her
structured career-driven
life and the chaotic mess of
her personal life.
“How often do we get to see
a show about Muslim women
where their religion,
sexuality, and form of
expression are not brought
into question?” asks Vylet,
who is also one of the five
writers of the series. “The
intelligence, inclusivity,
lightness, and the very
apparent respect towards the
culture and community is
what drew me towards the
team and the webseries that
is HALAL GURLS.”
For producers Patiag and
Petra Lovrencic, it was
crucial that HALAL GURLS was
created via inclusive
practice. “We wanted to show
Muslim women in their best
and most authentic light,
and we couldn’t have done
that without engaging with
and listening to the
community,” says Lovrencic.
“We’ve collaborated with the
community every step of the
way, from writing through to
the amazing soundtrack we
produced. It all comes out
of Western Sydney talent.”
“It’s definitely time for a
groundbreaking series like
this to exist,” says Patiag,
who grew up in Blacktown and
still resides in Western
Sydney. “Some of my closest
friends are Muslim, and I’ve
grown up and worked with
Hijabis in the past – they
have always been some of the
most funniest and fiercest
women out there, full of
resilience and sass, but
unfortunately society likes
to paint them a different
way. HALAL GURLS is an
opportunity to reclaim the
representation of modern
Muslim women in a humanised
and nuanced light, and to
spark discussion about
diversity on-screen and
behind the camera.
Sara Mansour, co-founder of
the Bankstown Poetry Slam
and one of the writers of
HALAL GURLS, praises the
series for its authenticity.
“I love that the show is
exactly about my lived
experience as a veiled
Muslim woman living in
Sydney”, says Mansour. “The
show draws on shared values
and experiences and examines
them through the lens of
Muslim women in Australia –
a group that have been
subjected to a lot of
scrutiny.
Bryan Brown stars as Mouna’s
no-nonsense boss, Gordon
Rudd, who runs a successful
law firm. “With a number of
friends in the
Australian-Lebanese
community, I reckon it’s
about time we got to see
them on-screen on Australian
television and film,” says
Brown.
Vylet adds, “Because of
HALAL GURLS, more
Australians from diverse
backgrounds can watch the
series and begin to believe
that one day their stories
and their community can
light our screens.”
The series is one of three
series produced as part of
the Digital First Comedy
Initiative, which was
commissioned by ABC, Create
NSW, and Information +
Cultural Exchange. The
initiative supports comedy
storytelling by content
makers from Western Sydney,
something Patiag is
passionate about. “There is
such a wealth of talent out
here! We made our aim to
have a female-led crew of
Western Sydney creatives
working on this show, and
the area really delivered.
Diversity doesn’t have to be
an after-thought if you
include the right people
from the beginning.”
“HALAL GURLS really shows
that Muslim women, just like
any other group of people,
have agency and are
navigating a bunch of their
cultural rules and social
codes in order to achieve
what they want,” says
Mansour. “The series shows
that we are in fact
empowered, and all we ever
needed is the platform.”
“They are a funny vibrant
lot,” adds Brown. “Here’s to
HALAL GURLS.”
HALAL GURLS will premiere on
ABC iView on October 4, and
will stream on iView as well
as ABC’s YouTube channel in
the following weeks. The
trailer was recently
launched and is available to
watch on the Official HALAL
GURLS Facebook Page.
Ms Saalihah Seedat
(pictured above left)
was appointed on the
executive of the National
Council of Women of
Queensland as Adviser and
Mentor to the National
Council of Young Women of
Queensland at the AGM on 15
September.
The National Council of
Women of Queensland (NCWQ)
is a non-party-political,
non-sectarian,
not-for-profit, umbrella
organisation with broadly
humanitarian and educational
objectives.
It seeks to raise the
awareness of members as to
their rights and
responsibilities as citizens
and encourages their
participation in all aspects
of community life.
Amongst it's goals are to
unite associates and
societies of women, and of
men and women, into an
organisation for mutual
counsel and cooperation;
work for the empowerment of
women and families and to
promote equal status for
women in law and fact,
develop policies and
responses on behalf of women
on a state wide basis; act
as a voice on issues and
concerns of women at state
and regional levels, and
link with the women of
Australia and the
International Council of
Women through the National
Council of Women of
Australia and contribute to
the implementation of their
plans of action and
policies.
The Academy Alive team has
embarked on their journey on
the path of Allah,
connecting with the Ummah
across regional areas around
Queensland in hope of
building a relationship with
the regional areas.
The first stop on their tour
was the breezy and cool city
of Sunshine coast as they
make their way up to
Mareeba.
We are very excited to meet
our brothers and sisters
across Queensland.
Visit the Academy Alive
Facebook for your cities
dates.
Also this week on the
Academy Alive news:
The new Real Talk Podcast
episode 1 with Hajji Hussin
Goss went to air: "Life
growing up as a Muslim in
Australia."
The episode saw Hajji Hussin
Goss president of Gold Coast
mosque bring back some
childhood memories which
have helped shape him to who
he is today. A community man
who has helped many around
Australia.
Bringing a rare piece of
history onto the show a
letter from 1971 which is a
synopsis of practicing Islam
(see below)
You can view Ep 1 of Real
Talk Podcast on YouTube &
Spotify by clicking the
links below:
Meghan Markle and Prince
Harry visited Auwal Mosque
the first and oldest mosque
in South Africa, which is
located in Bo-Kaap, Cape
Town.
The Duke and Duchess of
Sussex ate traditional South
African food and visited the
country's oldest mosque on
day two of their 10-day tour
of Africa.
The royals visited the
225-year-old Auwal Mosque in
Bo-Kaap, Cape Town, on South
Africa's Heritage Day - a
public holiday celebrating
national culture.
On their trip to the mosque,
Prince Harry and Meghan met
with local faith leaders,
including Imam Sheikh Ismail
Londt and Muslim community
leader, Mohamed Groenwald.
They also got to view Tuan
Guru's hand written Quran,
drafted from memory while he
was imprisoned on Robben
Island.
Meghan wore a headscarf to
enter the mosque which was
built in 1794 in Bo-Kaap
district, which is known for
its neon-coloured terraced
houses.
Ahead of the visit, the
royals were pictured eating
at a local family's home.
Shaamiela Samodien, 63, told
AFP: "We (are) used to
cooking for big parties and
family. So it's no effort.
"They tried koeksisters (a
traditional South African
sweet) and apple crumble."
Hundreds of people of faith
have gathered in capital
cities around the nation
this month, attending
workshops to discover how to
lower their carbon footprint
and live more sustainably.
The workshops, run by the
Australian Religious
Response to Climate Change (ARRCC),
are entitled ‘Living the
Change’.
Participants in the
workshops were encouraged to
talk about lifestyle changes
they were considering,
including their fears and
concerns. Coordinator for
Living the Change at ARRCC,
Mark Delaney, who ran the
Brisbane event, said that
when making lifestyle
changes, it is vital for
people to have the chance to
ask questions and
troubleshoot their concerns
with others.
“It’s one thing to decide in
your head that you want to
live a more environmentally
friendly life, but it’s
another to actually do it,”
Mr Delaney said. “Expressing
our concerns and fears is
key to overcoming them and
putting our ideas into
practice.”
Brisbane workshop
participant and Anglican,
Rob Farago, said he was
committing to flying less to
save carbon emissions. “I’m
a bit worried, since we have
family overseas and it’s
nice to visit them, but I’m
confident we can reduce our
air-miles,” Mr Farago said.
Living the Change events
were held in Sydney and
Melbourne on 8 September, in
Brisbane on 15 September,
and in Adelaide and Hobart
on 21st and 22nd September
respectively, coinciding
with the International Day
of Peace.
Participants heard speakers
from various faith
traditions, including Imam
Hassan Elsetohy, President
of the NSW Council of Imams
in Sydney, and Indigenous
Anglican priest The Reverend
Glenn Loughrey in Melbourne.
Sonny Bill Williams has
apologised to a photographer
after his Instagram post was
pulled over copyright.
The All Black asked
Malaysia-based photographer
Faiz Azizan to forgive him
"for the misunderstanding" -
and suggested he needed to
teach himself some patience.
Williams had earlier
questioned why the photo,
which showed him and fellow
All Black Muslim Ofa
Tu'ungafasi in prayerful
gesture at the All Blacks's
opening Rugby World Cup
match against South Africa
in Yokohama on Saturday, was
taken down.
"Hello @Instagram & to all
that reported this photo.
I'm wondering why this was
removed from mine and @TuungafasiO
pages?" Williams posted on
Twitter.
"Surely a simple picture of
someone expressing their
gratitude for what they've
been blessed with is ok?"
Williams re-posted the
photograph on Instagram on
Tuesday evening with a
credit, saying "Asalamualiakum
brother, please forgive me
for the misunderstanding.
"I was sent the photo that
already had your name
cropped out, if I'd known
before I posted I would've
tagged you As you captured a
beautiful moment."
The Muslim Council of Hong
Kong also posted the image
on Twitter, commenting:
"Sonny Bill Williams posted
this heartwarming picture
today on his social media
during Worldcuprugby2019,
where it can be seen him
making dua and helping newly
reverted Muslim brother Ofa
what to say too."
Dua is a Muslim prayer of
faith.
Instagram sent Williams a
message saying the post had
been removed because "a
third party reported that
the content infringes or
otherwise violates their
rights."
A spokesman for Facebook,
which owns Instagram,
confirmed to Stuff the image
was removed due to a claim
of intellectual property
infringement.
Williams converted to Islam
in 2008. Tu'ungafasi, a
close friend, converted
shortly after the
Christchurch mosque attacks
in February, along with
Williams' mother, Lee.
Dr
Susan Carland, Director of
the Bachelor of Global
Studies, knows what it’s
like to encounter
Islamophobia, and is
determined to figure out
what can be done to stop it
in its tracks.
As one of the recipients of
the 2019 Churchill
Fellowships, Dr Carland is
set to travel the world in
2020, meeting and working
with the world’s leading
experts in the fight against
bigotry with the aim of
shaping practical strategies
for combating toxic
anti-Muslim sentiment in
Australia.
Churchill Fellowships are
awarded to outstanding and
passionate scholars seeking
the freedom to learn from
international thought
leaders while striving to
tackle issues that matter to
Australian communities – and
there’s no question that
Islamophobia is one of the
most challenging issues
facing our region today. Dr
Carland was galvanised to
apply for a Churchill
Fellowship after this year’s
New Zealand terrorist
attacks, where 51 Muslims of
all ages were murdered while
gathered in a Christchurch
mosque.
‘Two days after the
Christchurch attacks, I was
at a memorial gathering and
people were being so lovely
to me. I just thought to
myself, does this actually
change anything? The people
who are here don’t need to
be convinced. I went away
and started reading and
realised there’s not
actually a huge amount of
work on how to counter
Islamophobia. It’s a
relatively new beast in
terms of bigotry.’
At the same time, Dr Carland
understood that, while
bigotry might come in all
shapes and sizes, each form
carries some of the same
flavour.
‘I started wondering what we
can learn from other
organisations fighting
prejudice around the world –
Jewish organisations,
African American
organisations? Would they
say the same kinds of things
about what’s effective and
what’s not?’
Dr Carland will use her
Churchill Fellowship to
travel to the USA and UK to
forge connection with
individuals and groups
conducting ground breaking
work in the field. In
addition to connecting with
long-established grass-roots
organisations fighting
entrenched intolerance,
she’s also looking forward
to speaking to the
researchers behind the
Bridge Initiative at
Georgetown University, who
produce original and
accessible information,
analysis and commentary on
Islamophobia to the general
public, and scholars at
Leeds University, who have
produced a Counter-Islamophobia
Kit that seeks to detail
best-practice in countering
anti-Muslim hate across the
European Union.
‘I think it’s important to
look both at the work that’s
being done inside
universities, and the work
that’s taking place in
different kinds of
organisations over long
periods of time.'
‘I’m interested in seeing if
themes emerge – will
organisations have the same
thoughts on the
effectiveness of one-on-one
interviews, for example, or
the value of media
campaigns? And how can we
use these strategies to
benefit the Australian
Muslim community?’
As face-to-face
conversations are essential
to her research, Dr Carland
understands the importance
of travelling in
scholarship. ‘Islamophobia
is a sensitive topic. You
can’t just call someone and
talk about harrowing things
over the phone. Just by
looking at me – a woman in a
hijab – people can see that
I understand their
experience of bigotry. They
can see I have a real
investment in the
conversation.’
Dr Carland plans to turn her
research into a tool-kit for
Australian institutions and
organisations committed to
fighting Islamophobia,
filled with evidence-based
strategies that have proven
to be effective in different
contexts around the world.
Through intensive academic
engagement, she hopes a
roadmap to social cohesion
can become a reality, rather
than a dream.
‘Academic investment in the
conversation on Islamophobia
is essential,’ she says.
‘The approaches we take are
evidence-based. They’re not
just pretty band-aids that
look great – they’re
informed, effective and
designed to show how we can
have the greatest impact.’
‘Social cohesion is
important to everyone.
Islamophobia, like any form
of prejudice, is dangerous
to everyone in our society.’
Saudi
ambassador Abdulaziz Alwasil
speaks to the UN Human Rights
Council in Geneva.
A scathing rebuke of the
Australian government by
Saudi Arabia at the UN Human
Rights Council over alleged
racism against Muslims has
reached Saudi media.
Saudi Arabia has fired back
at Australia, accusing the
government of racism and
even supporting anti-Islamic
sentiment in the form of the
accused Christchurch mosque
shooter.
The rebuke came after
Australia’s Ambassador to
the UN Sally Mansfield
delivered a joint statement
on behalf of 25 countries,
decrying the kingdom’s human
rights record to the United
Nations Human Rights Council
in Geneva.
But Saudi ambassador
Abdulaziz Alwasil fired off
a staunch defence of his
Kingdom - singling out
Australia as a nation where
xenophobia and racism
against Muslims had garnered
government support.
“We see in some countries
radicalism against Muslims,
we see xenophobia, racism.
And some governments
sympathise with them, like
Australia,” he told the UN
Human Rights Council this
week.
He cited the Australian
background of the suspect
beyond the Christchurch
terror attacks on two
mosques earlier this year.
"Here we refer to the
massacre perpetrated by
Brenton Tarrant – an
Australian – which was based
on hate speech," he said.
In a statement a
spokesperson for the
Department of Foreign
Affairs said the Australian
government "rejects
xenophobia and racism", when
asked about the matter.
"The Australian Government
strongly supports the human
rights of Muslims around the
world, including Uighurs and
Rohingya," the statement
read.
"We are confident that we
can engage in constructive
dialogue with each other on
human rights while
maintaining and advancing
many strategic, commercial
and multilateral interests."
The rebuke was also reported
in Saudi media, with the
Arab News running the
headline: “Saudi Arabia
rejects interference in its
internal policies” before
laying out Mr Alwasil's
defence - claiming the
kingdom's recent reforms is
in line with “Islamic
pillars”.
Ms Mansfield's joint
statement to the UN had
expressed “deep concern”
over human rights abuses in
Saudi Arabia.
“We are concerned at reports
of torture, arbitrary
detention, enforced
disappearances, unfair
trials, and harassment of
individuals engaged in
promoting and defending
human rights, their families
and colleagues,” she said at
the UN Human Rights Council
this week.
“Human rights defenders,
women’s rights activists,
journalists and dissidents
remain in detention, or
under threat.”
Mr Alwasil had labelled the
joint statement
misinformation for its
attack on the Kingdom.
“We have listened with great
surprise to the statement of
Australia on behalf of a
group of states,“ he said.
“In it, there are many
mistakes and misleading
information against my
country.”
Saudi Arabia is a member of
the 47-member UN Human
Rights Council. But despite
progressive reforms,
widespread concerns around
the kingdom's spotty human
rights record remain.
Ms Mansfield spoke out in
support of Saudi Arabia's
recent liberalisation in her
speech citing promises to
lift restrictions on the
rights of women to travel.
But she said there was still
need for greater action to
end systemic abuses.
“We call for an end to
impunity for torture and
extrajudicial killings; and
we appeal to Saudi Arabia to
end its use of the death
penalty,” she said.
The joint statement honed in
on the murder of Washington
Post journalist Jamaal
Khashoggi at the Saudi
consulate in Istanbul in
October last year.
Riyadh initially said it had
no knowledge of the murder,
but later blamed it on rogue
agents.
Saudi’s Crown Prince
Mohammed Bin Salman has
rejected knowing anything
about the plot.
“It is important that truth
be established and
accountability achieved,” Ms
Mansfield said in her
speech.
Conservatism remains
prominent in the Kingdom
despite reforms allowing
women to drive and a more
liberal approach to music
and entertainment.
In Saudi Arabia, public
places are often segregated
and women are required to
wear Abayas – or loose robes
to cover their bodies in
public.
Alongside his rebuke of
Australia, Saudi Arabia’s
ambassador raised serious
concerns over the treatment
of Muslims throughout the
world.
“We express concern
vis-à-vis the horrific
violations of human rights,
of minorities, migrants, and
Muslims, they face racist
and extremist policies,” Mr
Alwasil said.
Countries supporting the
joint statement against the
Kingdom's human rights
record included Australia,
Canada, New Zealand, the
United Kingdom and 20 others
from across Europe and South
America.
You are encouraged to take
the time to complete this
survey and encourage your
family and friends around
Australia to participate.
This survey hopes to find
out how Islam is
experienced, understood and
expressed by Muslim
Australians in relation to
identity, sources of
information that are most
important and how they are
interpreted. The survey also
asks questions about various
issues concerning Islam in
society, social connections
within Muslim communities
and with wider society, as
well as views on how Islam
is represented.
This research is essential
to combat misinformation and
ensure better understanding
about Islam and Muslims in
Australia!
Salih Yucel and Abu Bakr
Sirajuddin Cook, editors Australian
Journal of Islamic Studies
Editors' Introduction (Vol 3
No 3 2018):
The history of Islam within
Australia is an important,
yet often overlooked, part
of Australian history.
Muslim presence in Australia
has helped shape
multicultural experience
facilitating intercultural
dialogue as well as
contributing significantly
to the development of the
Australian nation. However,
to date, it has received
minimal scholarly attention.
There have been significant
studies on the engagements
of the Maccasans, Muslim
fishermen from Indonesia,
with the Indigenous peoples
of northern Australia. These
studies have detailed the
cultural interactions and
trade between them and the
lasting impacts of the
inclusion of language
foreign to Australian soil.
There is also an increasing
awareness of Australia's
cameleers, many of whom were
Muslims, and the
contribution they made to
maintaining trade routes and
assisting early Australian
explorers. Despite the
growing interest in the
field, the history of Islam
in Australia remains an
understudied area of
research. This rich history
dates back further than we
thought and has possibly had
a greater impact than what
is recognised. Given the
current political and social
climate surrounding Islam
globally, it is timely that
this volume of the
Australian Journal of
Islamic Studies is
published. This volume
brings to light the depth
and richness of Australia's
Islamic heritage,
challenging some of the
prevalent assumptions on the
topic, and calls for further
studies in this field.
Australia has proclaimed
itself as being a successful
example of a multicultural
society. It is a society
that has been shaped, and
continues to be shaped, by a
diverse range of cultural
inputs. With this being the
case, it is justifiable to
ask how and why the
contributions of Muslims to
Australia have been largely
overlooked.
Over the weeks, CCN
highlights extracts from the
Australian Journal of
Islamic Studies which is an
open access, double-blind
peer-reviewed journal
dedicated to the scholarly
study of Islam.
ANZAC Muslims: An Untold
Story
By Dzavid Haveric, Charles
Sturt University
.
Abstract: When the
Commonwealth of Australia
became immersed in two World
Wars, Australian Muslims
accepted the national call
-they shed their blood and
gave their lives for
Australia's freedom and
democracy. With their
Australian brothers-in-arms
and allies they fought
courageously with honour
against their common enemies
in different battlefields
-but this is an almost
forgotten history. Muslims
in Australia were challenged
by Britain's imperial might
and by their status as
British subjects and
'aliens' to take part in
ANZAC showing their
commitment to their adopted
country.
The virtue of justice, sense
of responsibility and
loyalty are peculiar
qualities that find their
full justification in the
organised welfare of
Australian society. This
pioneering article, based on
ongoing research on ANZAC
Muslims, makes known their
unique contribution. It
reveals historic facts about
ANZAC Muslims who were
members of what has come to
be known as the Heroic
Generation. Although their
names have not appeared in
history books, they achieved
the glory of victory for a
better future for new
generations to come. Their
contribution is part of
Australian National Heritage
-Lest we forget.
ANZAC MUSLIMS IN WORLD
WAR I
....continued from last
week's CCN.....
The group of surviving World
War I veterans that
comprised “Other” at the
time of the national 1930
census would register their
religious adherence in more
than 30 denominational
categories, including Islam.
On the Australian War
Memorial website, the
following Muslim soldiers
from World War I are
recorded: gunner Mahomed
Khan; member of the Camel
Transport Corps Bash Rais
saved Ahmed Zeir, service
number B10529 (award date: 3
April 1918); member of the
1st Remount Brigade Fatte
Allie Khan; member of the
7th Battalion AIF Khyat Wady;
member of the 32nd Battalion
Khan Glamallie; member of
the 21st Kohat Mountain
Battery Sultan Ali; gunner
Ali Ahmed (recommended for
Order of Merit – award date
16 August 1915); Havildar
Dost Mohammed (equivalent to
sergeant); Mohamed Alam;
Reemat Khan; and Mahomed
Baksh, Liakat Ali and Ghulam
Mohamed of the 26th Jacobs
Mountain Battery.
The bravery and patriotism
of these soldiers was
well-known. In 1916, the
Hobart Daily Post remarked
on a story of a patriotic
Indian – Fattee Allie Khan –
who was a Launceston
resident.
The Indian wag dressed
in the khaki uniform of
a member of the
Australian Expeditionary
Forces. He said that he,
when a boy of 15 years
of age, took part in
Lord Roberts’ famous
march to Kandahar. When
the war broke out he
offered his services to
the Australian forces
and was accepted. He got
as far as Lemnos, but
there contracted
muscular rheumatism and
was ordered back home.
Upon recovery he again
volunteered for service,
but was told he had done
his bit, and would be
kept in Tasmania for
home duties. Fattee Khan
said he was a Mahommedan
and was a native of
Northern India. He is
also proud of the fact
that he has a son now
serving with the
Australian forces
abroad.
When World War I ended,
those Muslim heroes who
returned home were greeted
with a hearty welcome. Under
cheerless conditions, these
men had “done their bit” on
the frontline. The
enthusiasm of hundreds of
relatives and citizens
welcomed the returning men,
and the squares and streets
were thronged with
well-wishers. Many moving
scenes occurred as soldiers
were re-united with their
loved ones.
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.
IMAM AHMAD
GHAZALEH:
For those
who attended
the Jumu’ah
at Kuraby
Mosque
today, I
just
realised
that I used
a quote
which I said
belonged to
Ibnul Qayyim
(Rahimahu
Allah). I’ve
just checked
and found
that it’s a
saying of
Ibnul Jawzi
(RA) in his
book Saidul
Khatir.
Also, I left
out a couple
of words in
Arabic
unintentionally,
I remember
giving a
close
translation
in English
to the
complete
Arabic
quote.
Here’s
the correct
quote:
إن مشقة
الطاعة تذهب
ويبقى ثوابها
.
وإن لذة
المعاصي تذهب
ويبقى عقابها
Certainly;
the
“feeling” of
hardship and
difficulty
while being
obedient
will go away
eventually,
however,
it’s reward
and blessing
will remain.
On the other
hand, the
“feeling” of
pleasure and
delight
while being
disobedient
will go away
eventually
while it’s
unpleasant
consequences
and
punishment
remain.
UK: International Muslim NGO Muslim
Hands has been honoured with the highest
award a voluntary group can receive in
the UK.
The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service
recognises the global work Muslim Hands
has achieved in alleviating poverty, as
well as its community initiatives in the
UK, such as The Open Kitchen which
provides food to the homelessand
low-income families in Hounslow, London.
Nottingham-based Muslim Hands is one of
281 charities, social enterprises and
voluntary groups to receive the
prestigious award this year.
The Award was created over a decade ago
by Her Majesty to mark the Golden
Jubilee in 2002 and to recognise the
outstanding contributions made to local
communities by groups of volunteers. It
sets the national benchmark for
excellence in volunteering, with the
work of those awarded being judged to be
of the highest standard.
Representatives of Muslim Hands who work
in over 30 countries received the award
from Sir John, Lord Lieutenant of
Nottingham on September 26.
In a statement to The
Muslim News Lakhte Hussanain, Muslim
Hands Chair, said, “We are delighted to
be honoured and recognised for the work
Muslim Hands staff and volunteers have
achieved.
For over 25 years we have remained
committed towards supporting and
empowering communities both globally and
in the UK, over the long term. This
award is a testament to how far we have
come and we are dedicated to continuing
the vital work that we do in
collaboration with our volunteers who
are the backbone of our organisation.”
Minister for Civil Society and Sport,
Mims Davies, said: “Volunteers make an
incredible difference to so many
people’s lives and their communities.
These prestigious awards recognise the
wonderful work being done by many
voluntary organisations across the
country. I’d like to offer my sincere
congratulations to all the worthy
winners for their continued hard work
and dedication.”
A church, a synagogue and a mosque
planned together for the Arabian Peninsula
Abrahamic Family House Animation
UAE: When Pope Francis visited the
United Arab Emirates last February, he
not only became the first pontiff to
step foot on the Arabian Peninsula, but
he also stood next to the leading
religious figure in Sunni Islam and
signed a landmark document pledging all
believers to work together for the good
of all and against religious extremism.
“Now the impossible has been
accomplished!” Francis told Sheikh Ahmed
el-Tayeb, grand imam of the Al-Azhar
Mosque in Cairo, in an aside heard by a
few close aides.
That appears to have been an optimistic
take, given the river of unsettling news
from the Middle East and around the
world since then: rumors of war, fears
of climate apocalypse, resurgent
nationalism — all of it seemingly
exacerbated by religious divisions.
Yet in spite of the challenges, the
“Human Fraternity for World Peace and
Living Together,” as the initiative is
known, has pushed ahead with unusual
speed for such high-concept plans,
holding its first meeting with Francis
at the Vatican on Sept. 11, a date
chosen to mark the 9/11 anniversary.
The initiative has now followed up with
its most visible and concrete gesture
yet, as Catholic, Jewish and Muslim
representatives came to New York on
Sept. 20 to unveil plans for a church,
synagogue and mosque on Saadiyat Island
in Abu Dhabi, capital of the UAE.
The three houses of worship,
collectively known as the Abrahamic
Family House, will stand together as a
symbol of the kind of religious
tolerance that the UAE wants to be known
for and is meant to be seen as a sign of
hope.
“There is a wounded humanity today, we
see this dark moment of history, with so
much hate speech, fake news, the culture
of insult and blaming the other,”
Archbishop Miguel Angel Ayuso Guixot,
head of the Vatican’s office for
interreligious dialogue, told Religion
News Service. “How do we heal this
wounded humanity? I think we have, with
this document, a path forward.”
Ayuso, whom Pope Francis will elevate to
the rank of cardinal on Oct. 5 in Rome,
noted that the document on Human
Fraternity and the construction of the
Abrahamic Family House was not a
theological dialogue but an invitation
to “all people of good will” to live
together in peace.
As an example, the document specifically
invites nonbelievers as well as
believers of all faiths to join the
initiative.
“This document was a decision to make a
change,” said Mohamed Khalifa Al Mubarak,
a top Abu Dhabi official and member of
the so-called Higher Committee charged
with implementing the Human Fraternity
initiative. Mubarak noted that the
presence of Francis and el-Tayeb
together to sign the document was major
news in itself. But the follow-through
is what will make the difference.
“A major differentiating factor is that
we are action-based,” he said. “To have
the Abrahamic House in the Arab world,
in the Muslim world, showcasing that in
this part of the world — where all the
news is about hate and darkness, pushing
an agenda of division — we are basically
planting a beacon of light.”
Rabbi M. Bruce Lustig, senior rabbi at
Washington Hebrew Congregation in
Washington, added: “We need to put hope
over hate and faith over fear at a time
when no religious faith or institution
has been immune to the type of violence
we have seen.”
Lustig and Mubarak were among the Higher
Committee members at the unveiling of a
model of the Abrahamic Family House at
the New York Public Library — an event
that symbolized both the high-profile
glamour and the captivating aesthetic of
the Human Fraternity initiative.
A meeting room inside the grand library
had been completely redecorated to
resemble a tent-like majlis — akin to a
parlor and often adorned with pillows
for seating — which is a traditional
feature of Arab homes and is where
visitors are welcomed. Hundreds of
guests across the faith spectrum mingled
and drank fruit juice ‘mocktails’ and
nibbled on dates and pistachios.
Sir David Adjaye, a rising star
architect who designed the $540 million
National Museum of African American
History and Culture on the National Mall
in Washington, won the competition to
design the three houses of worship in
the Abrahamic Family House. The
Tanzania-born Adjaye was there and
unveiled a scale model of the project,
which is set to be completed in 2022.
The church, the temple and the mosque
are not going to be museum pieces or
tourist attractions but are instead
aimed at serving the religiously diverse
population of the UAE, where the huge
influx of migrant workers means there
are hundreds of thousands of Christians
— largely Catholics — as well as members
of other religions, including an active
Jewish community that numbers about
3,000.
For all the good will and elegant
surroundings, however, one notable
development since the pope and the imam
signed the Human Fraternity document is
the opposition from within the
respective faith communities — a
counterpoint to the comity among them.
Pope Francis, in particular, faced a
sharp pushback from some Catholic
traditionalists who accused him of
indulging in syncretism — the merging of
all beliefs into one — by signing on to
this initiative.
But the Vatican delegates said Francis
made it clear that each faith retains
its own identity, and, as Cardinal-elect
Ayuso put it, “there should be equal
dignity for everyone.”
“This will not become a melting pot but
a rich mixed salad!” said Ayuso, a
native of Spain.
Msgr. Yoannis Lahzi Gaid, a Coptic
Catholic priest from Egypt who serves as
a personal secretary to Francis, added
that the criticism is welcomed as a
chance to clarify concerns. “In Arabic
we have a saying, ‘The palm that you hit
with rocks is the one that drops good
dates.’ So the criticism is evidence of
the strength of the document,” Gaid
said.
Rabbi Yehuda Sarna, a New York-based
rabbi who last March was installed as
the first Chief Rabbi of the Jewish
Community of the UAE, was also at the
unveiling last Friday and said having
the event in New York wasn’t just about
selling the UAE as an oasis of
tolerance; it was also, he said, about
sending a signal to the United States as
well.
“I think as Americans we need to use
this (event) as an opportunity to hold
up a mirror to ourselves: what are we
doing about religious tolerance?” Sarna
said. “At the grass-roots, yes, it’s
largely there. But on the national
level? I would use this as a mirror. How
does this reflect back on me?”
Why many Muslims treat Bernie Sanders
like a rock star
Muslim
supporters pose with Sen. Bernie
Sanders in San Francisco in
June.
US:
An Egyptian
American woman
in a black hijab
kicked off the
volunteer
meeting,
invoking God in
Arabic as she
stood in front
of a handwritten
poster that
read, “Muslims
and Arabs for
Bernie.”
Volunteers had
gathered at a
Syrian-Palestinian
cafe in Oakland
to talk politics
over falafel and
shakshuka. The
few dozen
graduate
students, tech
workers and
lawyers
strategized on
how best to
pitch their
favorite
presidential
candidate, a
77-year-old
Jewish man
raised in
Brooklyn.
Vermont Sen.
Bernie Sanders
“supports
Muslims like no
other
candidate,” the
woman, Rusha
Latif of San
Jose, explained
after the April
meeting of the
group she
founded, Bay
Area Muslims for
Bernie.
The Facebook
invitation for
the get-together
was titled,
“Inshallah,
Bernie!” — “God
willing,
Bernie!”
Sanders has
maintained a
fervent
following as he
campaigns for
the Democratic
presidential
nomination and
tries to attract
key voting blocs
such as African
Americans and
Latinos. He has
found success
among a smaller
group rarely on
the radar for
White House
hopefuls:
Muslims.
Other Democratic
presidentialcandidates
have visited
mosques on the
campaign trail
this year or
spoken to Muslim
groups. But
Sanders has done
it first and
done it bigger,
building on
relationships
with Muslim
communities that
took off during
his previous
presidential
campaign, said
Youssef Chouhoud,
a political
science
professor at
Christopher
Newport
University who
studies the role
of Muslims in
politics.
Rusha Latif, left, founded Bay
Area Muslims for Bernie. The
volunteer group met in April at
Reem's, a Syrian-Palestinian
cafe in Oakland.
“Historically,
engaging with
Muslims when
you’re seeking
federal office
has been seen as
politically
dangerous,”
Chouhoud said.
“Bernie Sanders
seems to be
doing something
different.”
Since February,
Sanders has
named a Muslim
to be his
campaign
manager, tapped
a prominent
Muslim
Palestinian
American
activist as a
surrogate and
visited a Los
Angeles mosque
to commemorate
the victims of a
New Zealand
terrorist
massacre at two
Islamic houses
of worship.
Last month, he
headlined the
Islamic Society
of North America
convention in
Houston, where
he got a
standing ovation
for his promise
to overturn
President
Trump’s travel
ban blocking
most visitors
from five
predominantly
Muslim countries
from entering
the U.S. It was
the first time a
presidential
candidate
addressed the
largest and most
prominent Muslim
gathering in the
country, and
more than 7,000
people packed in
to hear him.
Former Housing
and Urban
Development
Secretary Julian
Castro, the only
other
presidential
candidate to
speak at the
event, followed
Sanders, but
many in the
crowd left after
hearing the
senator.
Sanders’
campaign
representatives
said they hope
Muslims will
help him repeat
his 2016
Michigan primary
win and capture
other states.
The campaign
credited
outreach to
Michigan’s large
Arab American
and Muslim
communities —
including Arabic
campaign ads —
as a factor in
his win there.
Muslims and
Islamic
organizations,
meanwhile, have
sought out
Sanders,
inviting him to
talk to their
communities,
praising his
policy positions
and offering
endorsements.
Many have taken
to social media
to show their
support, using
the hashtags
#Muslims4Bernie
and #InshallahBernie.
Over the summer,
Latif, the Bay
Area supporter,
launched the
website “Iftars
with Bernie.”
The name refers
to the meals at
sundown that end
the daily fast
during Ramadan,
when extended
families and
friends take
turns eating and
praying together
in each others’
homes. The
website
encourages
Muslims to share
literature about
the senator at
the dinners.
“Muslims
appreciate how
he is giving
them
opportunities to
be part of his
movement,” said
Cynthia Ubaldo,
a physical
therapist in
Columbus, Ohio,
who hosted a
similar event
for Eid, a
holiday at the
end of Ramadan.
She passed out
homemade
“Muslims for
Bernie 2020”
pins decorated
with stars and
crescent moons
to her 30
guests.
KB says:
A slightly healthy alternative to an ordinary
cake because carrots are a particularly good
source of beta carotene, fiber, vitamin K1,
potassium, and antioxidants.
Easy Carrot Cake Tray Bake
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
4 eggs
1¾ cup brown sugar
1 cup oil
2 cups cake flour
2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp salt
4 cups grated carrots
100g pecan nuts
Combine eggs and sugar in a large mixing bowl and beat until
very light and creamy.
Beat in oil.
Sift flour, bicarbonate of soda, cinnamon and salt together
and stir into mixture.
Lastly fold in the carrots and nuts.
Pour mixture into a greased and lined deep 23x30 cm oven pan
and bake at 180deg C for 40 to 50 min or until a skewer
inserted comes out clean.
Cool in pan 15 min before removing to a cooling rack to cool
completely.
Ice with cream cheese icing and decorate with pecan nuts if
desired.
Combine cream cheese and butter in a mixing bowl and beat
well
Add vanilla essence and gradually beat in icing sugar until
mixture is thick and fluffy.
Decorate with pecan nuts and zest of an orange (optional)
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.
Baba's Halal Kitchen
(Hussain Baba is the host and
chef of *BABA’S HALAL KITCHEN*, a show where he uses his own
unique style to cook 'Quick, Easy and Delicious' dishes.)
Ginger Honey Chicken
Chef Abu Rashid shows us how to
make “Ginger Honey Chicken with Rice”
Exercising regularly
has wide-ranging physical, emotional and social
health benefits. You need to exercise safely to
remain healthy and injury-free. If it’s safe and
painless, you’re more likely to stick to it!
Safety is about using common sense,
understanding basic techniques and listening to
your body.
See your doctor for a check-up before embarking
on a physical activity program. Your doctor,
physiotherapist or local sporting club can offer
you tips about staying safe while exercising.
Here are some tips to stay safe and injury-free:
Be aware of
your body. Think about how the
particular exercise is making you feel. If
something doesn’t feel right, stop
immediately and seek medical advice.
Warm up and
cool down. Try slow stretches and go
through the motions of your sport or
activity before starting. Cool down with
slow stretching.
Pace
yourself. Have at least one recovery day
each week to rest. If you are experiencing
pain, rest until the pain has gone.
Mix it up.
Try other sports and exercises to reduce the
risk of overtraining.
Strap or
tape. If a joint is prone to injury,
consider strapping or taping it before
exercising. Even better, see an exercise
physiologist or physiotherapist to obtain a
program to strengthen the injured area and
get advice on proper taping techniques.
Stay
hydrated. You can lose around one and a
half litres of fluid for every hour of
exercise; so drink water before, during and
after a session.
Be weather
aware. Take it easier in hot weather and
wear clothing and sunscreen to protect
yourself from the elements.
Do it right.
Try to get the technique right from the
beginning, to ensure you are using your
muscles correctly.
Check your
gear. Make sure your shoes and equipment
fit properly and are right for the activity.
Look after your equipment and check it
regularly for safety.
Be sensible,
especially at night or in secluded areas.
Take a friend or your dog, stick to well-lit
areas and wear bright or light-reflective
clothing so drivers can see you.
Welcome to my weekly
column on
Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind.
If you’re taking
time out to read
this, pat yourself
on the back because
you have shown
commitment to taking
care of your mind
and body.
Today, In Shaa
ALLAH, we will
explore the topic:
The Healing
Experience of
Decluttering
Your home is meant
to be a peaceful
abode where there is
light, love,
laughter, abundance,
and peace. If there
is at least one of
these things
currently not being
experienced in your
home, it is time to
declutter.
Decluttering is a
healing experience
in more ways than
one. Often we hang
on to objects the
same way we hang on
to memories. Just
like not all
memories are
pleasant and need to
be processed and let
go of, objects too
can create clutter
and block the flow
of light in your
living spaces and
need to be let go
of.
Decluttering will
help you in letting
go of old patterns
and detach from
stagnant energy. It
will create spaces
where fresh air will
better flow and
light will begin to
shine upon spaces
that once were
trapped in darkness.
The thought of
decluttering may be
overwhelming. But
you will feel so
much better
afterwards. Start
with small, baby
steps. Maybe one
room, Or one chest
of drawers, Or even
just a single
drawer. Begin
somewhere...anywhere.
Here are some
popular methods to
help you start.
5 Popular
Decluttering
Methods
Method
Watch for
inspiration
KonMari
- Marie
Kondo’s
methodical
approach to
“sparking
joy” in
one’s life
through
keeping only
what brings
or sparks
joy or else
thanking and
discarding
what
doesn’t.
Minimalist
Game -
the number
of things
you
declutter
corresponds
to the day
of the
month. One
item on the
first day,
two items on
the second
day, three
on the
third, and
so on. It’s
fun and
playful for
the whole
family.
Four Box
Method -
Set up four
boxes in a
room and
label them:
Put away,
Give away,
Throw away,
and
Undecided.
Place the
clutter in
the room
into one of
the four
boxes. Then
action each
box
according to
the name.
One
Method -
Get rid of
one thing
every day.
Simple and
builds a
habit of
declutter.
Packing
Party -
Have some
friends over
and pack
everything
you own into
boxes as if
you were
moving.
Throughout
the next few
months, only
take what
you need to
use. After
three
months,
items left
inside the
boxes can be
sold or
donated.
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.
Jallalludin and Mulla
Nasruddin were contemplating life when Jallalludin
asked, “If you had to get one or the other would you
rather get Parkinson’s or Alzheimer’s?
”Sure, I rather have Parkinson’s”, replied Mula
Nasruddin.
“’Tis better to spill a couple of ounces of your tea
than to forget where you left the cup!”
Australian
International
Islamic College
(AIIC) Alumni
Association is
formed by a
group of AIIC
Alumni to help
connect with the
wider community
and be part of
the School
development.
AIIC Alumni
Association aims
to facilitate
professional
networking,
advocacy and
development
opportunities.
We also aim to
connect AIIC
alumni through
opportunities to
bond socially
over common
interests and
contribute to a
cohesive and
harmonious
society.
AIIC Alumni
Association will
be hosting a
Get-Together
Dinner to meet
and greet all
the alumni, AIIC
Board of
Members, local
MPs, community
leaders and
influential
figures within
the community.
AIIC Alumni
Association is
delighted to
invite you to
its Alumni
Get-Together
Dinner.
Your presence at
this event will
be
wholeheartedly
appreciated.
Event Details:
Event: AIIC
Alumni
Get-Together
Dinner 2019
Date: Friday,
4th October 2019
Time: 6:15 PM
Venue:
Australian
International
Islamic College
Multipurpose
Hall
724 Blunder
Road, Durack QLD
4077
Should you have
any inquiries,
please do not
hesitate to
contact me on
0469 082 631 or
through our
Email at
aiic.alumni@gmail.com.
Yours Sincerely,
Nurul Hakim
AIIC Alumni
Association
Logan Roos Football Club's
under 16's wins the double:
Premiership and Grand Final.
Joins the clubs presentation
awards and dinner night on
Saturday 12th October 6pm at
Islamic college of Brisbane
Hall.
The 2019
National Report
on Australia’s
mental health
and suicide
prevention
system has just
been released.
The report makes
key
recommendations
to help improve
our mental
health system.
Download the
full report
including
messages from
National Mental
Health
Commission's CEO
Christine Morgan
and Chair Lucy
Brogden.
TAKE TIME 4
MENTAL HEALTH
Presented by
Aneesa Kathrada
Ladies only
event
Saturday 12
October, 9:30 –
3pm
IWAA, 11 Watland
St, Springwood
Mental health is
important for
every single one
of us, yet it is
a part of life
that is often
overlooked. Busy
lives get in the
way of us caring
for ourselves.
Queensland
Mental Health
Week (5-13
October '19) is
an opportunity
to shine the
spotlight on
what all of us
can do to look
after our mental
health. This
years theme is
"Take Time for
Mental Health".
This event will
help you develop
practical
methods to
manage your
mental well
being, including
mindfulness and
gratitude, all
from an Islamic
perspective. The
modern age
places much
strain on us
with the many
roles we fulfil,
and the outcomes
of this workshop
will help you to
take charge of
your state of
mind.
This is a DFAT full scholarship program
bringing 18 young Indonesians to Australia to do work
placement and live with local families. Participants
will spend 3 weeks in Canberra and 3 weeks in Brisbane.
We are super excited to have them in Brisbane this year
during November 4 and 27th.
We are looking for host organisations for them to do
their work placement as well as local families willing
to host them. There is no cost for the organisations as
students come fully insured and their transport to work
covered. Families will receive a $600 groceries/fuel
voucher for the 3 weeks program.
The Before 1770
team is requesting a medium
donation of $200.
We are nearing completion and
need your urgent assistance to
complete the project. We believe
that this endeavour will be of
great benefit for many long
years to come. When you give,
please know that you are
actually investing. The Prophet
(pbuh) said, "Charity does not
reduce wealth." See the video
below.
This
historic 111 years
old mosque was
unfortunately
targeted today with
threatening
graffiti, symbols of
hatred and reference
to the Christchurch
terrorist. Sadly, in
recent times these
hate crimes have
become common and
many of our patrons
have been victims of
abuse, threats and
even bottles thrown
at them.
We are an open and
welcoming mosque. We
want peace and wish
to keep the
community safe.
After the repeated
attacks we are
looking to upgrade
the security of the
mosque to include
more cameras,
security locks and
gates.
The Australian
community has always
shown great support,
for which we are
very thankful for
and proud to call
Australia our home.
We welcome people
from all communities
to join us and stop
hatred and spread
the message of peace
and love!
Please help us
collect these much
needed funds and
show the offenders
that peace and love
will always win!
At Sisters
Support Services Inc we have
qualified volunteers who help
women in their darkest moments &
time of need to empower them to
make the right choices for
better outcomes for their own
lives.
Here are some examples of our
cases over the past few months.
ALL names have been changed to
protect client identities.
1. Aisha, a victim of Domestic
Violence came to us for
assistance. We assisted her by
giving her money to buy clothing
and personal items as she left
her home quickly and with very
little. Aisha has also needed
ongoing counselling which she
has been receiving from us for
the past few months. She was
taken to appointments and
connected with the right people
who helped her start a new life
in a safe environment.
"Thank you so
much for your help. I am so very
grateful. Thank you to Sister
Services. Allah bless you all."
2. Katie, a revert sister with
young kids needed ongoing
counselling and support as she
had not been coping well at home
and was not able to look after
herself and her family. Sisters
Support Services was there for
her; "I can't tell you enough in
words how grateful I am, just by
listening to me when I was
feeling so low. Life is not
looking so dark anymore !"
3. Sarah also a revert sister
recently divorced with a young
child arrived in Brisbane with
virtually nothing. We have
helped her with everyday
essentials, food supplies &
assisted her to find suitable
accommodation. Sarah has some
health issues & needed financial
support with purchasing
medications & by being driven to
medical appointments by our
volunteers.
"So happy with
the help I've received from
Sisters Support Services."
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
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Dr
Susan Carland, Director of
the Bachelor of Global
Studies, knows what it’s
like to encounter
Islamophobia, and is
determined to figure out
what can be done to stop it
in its tracks.
Muslim Hands gets Queen’s award 
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7
August 2011