Hundreds of mourners
gathered at local Mosques to
farewell 36-year-old Shahid
Islam who was killed this
week when his car was hit
head-on by a stolen car in
Brisbane's north.
Prayers were held at the
Kuraby Mosque for the father
of one who was a passionate
cricketer about to embark on
a new chapter in his life.
So many people showed up to
pay their respects that an
overflow prayer area was set
up in the mosque's car park.
Mr Islam was preparing to
move his family to their
newly built home in Griffin,
north of Brisbane.
He was travelling from his
new house to the Windsor
apartment where his family
had been living when he was
killed in Bald Hills around
midnight on Tuesday.
A man driving in a stolen
car on the wrong side of the
Bruce Highway smashed into
Mr Islam's hatchback.
Speaking outside the mosque
before the service, family
friend Maxi Haque said Mr
Islam's wife was
"devastated".
"She does not have any
family here, which is a big
challenge, but all her
friends are here," he said.
"Trying to remember all the
good moments that we spent
together in the last eight
years I've known him and
cherish all the good
memories.
"We had a lot of people
visit her and come to
support her. She's getting
there slowly.
"Some people are really
angry, but we are actually
requesting that everyone
cooperates with the
authorities."
Mr Haque said family and
friends had been amazed by
the support they have
received from people across
Australia.
"People have been very
supportive and sending their
condolences. I thank
everyone," Mr Haque said.
After the janaza on Thursday
night, Mr. Shahid Islam was
laid to rest at Mt Gravatt
Cemetery on Friday at 3pm.
She is known as the ‘Mother of
Wisdom’ by students and staff.
Now this Brisbane teacher has
been recognised as one of the
state’s most exceptional
teachers. Canan Coskun is the
head of primary at Wisdom
College on Brisbane's southside.
SHE is known as the ‘Mother
of Wisdom’ by students and
staff.
Now Wisdom College teacher
Canan Coskun’s has been
recognised as one of the
state’s most exceptional
teachers.
Mrs Coskun’s deep care and
concern for her staff and
students, and her history at
the Calamvale school, even
before it opened, has earned
her much-loved nickname and
a finalist place in the
Outstanding Contribution to
School Community category of
the Queensland College of
Teachers TEACHX Awards.
Ten years ago, Mrs Coskun
was involved in gaining the
school’s accreditation,
looking at the potential
site, getting council
approval, establishing
resources and writing the
school’s values.
The following year she was
its first teacher, with a
composite class of Years 2
to 4.
The college is a small,
non-denominational,
independent school, which
has a community in which 45
national and ethnic
backgrounds are represented
amongst 305 students and
staff members.
Every morning Ms Coskun is
on a mission to have all of
them share a positive
experience there.
As part of her pastoral care
goals, she visits families’
homes, which also provides
invaluable information as to
how to best teach the
children.
“One year a refugee family
arrived from Somalia, and I
knew they were struggling,”
she said.
“The lady had 10 children.
I’ve got three adult
daughters, they’re 19, 21
and 23. My oldest one, she’s
also a teacher in high
school. I said, ‘Let’s go
and visit them. Let’s take
some nice gifts for the mum
and see if they need
anything or if the school
can assist them any
further’.”
“It goes beyond education.
It goes beyond the maths and
English that their daughters
are learning in the
classroom. I wanted to make
sure that those girls were
happy … that they don’t have
any anxieties about being in
a new country.”
Mrs Coskun said the
experience was an eye opener
for herself and her
daughters. Since the visit
she and the mother have
grown close and Mrs Coskun
has assisted where she can.
She said the generosity of
the families she meets is
lovely and they display an
innate kindness, something
she highly values and tries
to practise.
“Just be kind. Model
kindness. Show kindness. To
embrace everyone and have a
heart so big that everyone
fits into it,” she said.
Her generosity and skill at
building positive
relationships is reflected
in gestures big and small.
Whether it be asking a
relief teacher how their day
was, or creating the
‘Fabulous Friday’ breakfasts
where staff come before
school and have breakfast
arranged by Mrs Coskun and
the Wellbeing Committee, it
has built morale and
connections, with people
working together more.
“It sounds really
insignificant and small, but
I noticed something
happening and I noticed that
teachers were actually
happier. They would thank
me, and they would tell me
that they werereally looking
forward to Friday for the
breakfast,” she said. “Once
we’ve got those
relationships right, the
rest will come.”
Mrs Coskun is very humbled
to have even been nominated.
She said she feels
privileged to do her job.
“I tell my students, ‘Deep
down in my heart I want
every one of you to be
successful,” she said.
You might be engineers,
entrepreneurs, managers,
teachers, one day’. I say
that one of the greatest
things you can do is give
back to the society you are
in.”
The winners of the TEACHX
Awards will be announced on
October 24, on the eve of
World Teachers’ Day in
Australia. Finalists receive
$500 for professional
development, with winners
receiving $5000.
On Saturday 2nd November
2019, the Muslim Charitable
Foundation and Muslim Aid
Australia are co-ordinating
an effort to distribute 10
trucks of clean water and 10
trucks of hay to drought
affected farmers in
Stanthorpe.
This is being done in
co-ordination with various
Muslim charities from NSW,
Victoria and overseas.
Various business
organisations have also
agreed to sponsor some of
the trucks of water and hay.
The trucks will leave from
Brisbane on Saturday morning
and will travel to
Stanthorpe’s Showgrounds to
begin distributing the water
and hay to farmers affected
by the drought.
Last year, the community
raised enough money to
deliver 154 tonnes of hay to
the affected areas in and
around Goondiwindi; and in
September this year we
delivered 196 000 litres of
water to Stanthorpe.
Anyone wishing to donate
towards this worthy cause,
can deposit directly into
our account. Tax receipt
will be issued on request.
Name: Muslim Charitable
Foundation
Bank: Bank of Queensland
BSB: 124-155
Acc: 2089-7395
Ref: Water
We are very excited
to announce that the
first Muslim
scouting group in
Queensland, the
Muslim Crescent
Scout Group, will be
opening for
registrations on
October 27t.h . This
is an initiative of
the Hurricane Stars
Club who wanted to
be able to offer a
consistence and
structured youth
program for the
community that
provided children
and youth, from ages
5 to 25 years old,
with a safe space to
socialise, have new
experiences and grow
through adventures
and activities. We
want to create a
safe space for
Muslim children
where their parents
know that the food
will be halal,
prayer times will be
observed, hijab will
be respected and
Islamic festivals
will be celebrated.
Our plans to start a
scout group happily
coincided with a
change in Scouts QLD
policies, programs
and organisational
structure to be more
multicultural and
diverse. When we
contacted them to
discuss starting a
scout group they
were excited to
support the
initiative. As a
part of their new
diversity program
they had a number of
new scout groups
that catered to a
specific community.
They have a Chinese
group, a Buddhist
group, Coptic group
and a Polish group,
who’s members were
from specific
demographics. That
is why when choosing
a name for the group
they wanted our
group name to have
the word Muslim in
it, so that it was
clearly
identifiable.
Starting the scout
group has taken 9
months since first
meeting with Scouts
QLD management and
then holding
information sessions
to recruit scout
leaders to run the
program. Finding
scout leaders was
the hardest part
because although the
scouting movement is
the largest
non-governmental
youth organisation
in the world, with
45 million members
in most countries
across the world, a
large portion of the
Brisbane Muslim
community has no
idea what scouts is.
The second biggest
problem was that to
be a scout leader, a
trainee leader needs
to go away on a 2
day training camp at
the scouts training
centre in Samford, 1
hour north of
Brisbane. Going away
on this camp was the
major obstacle that
stopped many people
from wanting to
train to be scout
leader. Women
thought that their
families could not
cope without them
for 2 days and
unmarried girls were
not allowed to go
away overnight.
Alhamdillah we were
able to find 4
females and 1 male
who were willing to
do the training.
Last
weekend, October
11-13, they went on
the training course
and they are all
completed their
qualifications to be
scout leaders. The
trainee leaders
attendance at the
training course has
been an important
perception changing
opportunity for many
of the other scout
leaders who had
little contact with
Muslims and we also
started creating a
change in the way
Scouts QLD run their
programs. We are
very proud that as a
result of us
starting the Muslim
Crescent Scout
Group, they have
started to think
about how to make
their programs
suitable for Muslim
participants. They
consulted with us to
develop an official
policy for all scout
groups to follow to
accommodate Muslim
members and it was
sent out to all
Scouts QLD members.
On the training camp
they used only halal
meat so that they
leaders could share
the food and they
arranged a special
room for Muslim
scout leaders to
pray each day.
The biggest impact
the trainee leaders
had was by just
attending the
trainee camp. On the
very first night,
after talking to the
Muslim trainee
leaders about their
needs and the
challenges they
face, the senior
leadership of Scouts
QLD realised (in
their own words)
that they were
talking about being
multicultural but
they still conducted
their activities to
suit white, middle
class, urban
Australian young
people. Our presence
at the course has
started discussions
for how they can
change to be more
genuinely inclusive.
The other scout
leader trainees told
our Muslim scout
trainee leaders, on
the last day of the
camp, that they had
little interaction
with Muslims and did
not know how to
react and treat them
when they first
arrived. After 2
days the barriers
had been broken down
through working
together on a
variety of
activities and the
other participants
realised that the
Muslim leaders were
no different than
everyone else.
The Muslim Crescent
Scout Group will
hold their
activities at the
Hurricane Stars Club
Centre in Logan
Central. They will
meet every Sunday
afternoon during
school term from 3
to 4:30pm. They are
starting with two
scout group sections
– Cub Scouts for
children aged 7 to
11 and Scouts aged
from 11 to 15 years
old. On Sunday
October 27 at the
Hurricane Stars Club
Centre there will be
a registration
session from 3 to
5pm for parents who
want to find out
more about what is
scouts and enrol
their children. At
the registration
session there will
be a variety of
scouting activities
that children can
have fun trying,
like archery and
learning simple
survival skills, to
give them an
understanding of the
various kinds of
activities they will
be doing as scouts.
Scouts is not a free
program and parents
will need to pay a
yearly membership
fee to Scouts QLD.
It has been another busy
week for Academy Alive.
After returning from
Melbourne their first event
of the Australian Tour.
With over 60 keen learners
showing up the their event
at the Pillars of Guidance
Community Centre. The event
was a sell-out.
With the next stop being
Darwin. The Academy Alive
team requests the Duas of
the Brothers & Sisters
around Australia to continue
their journies.
On another note, the Academy
Alive team saw the release
of their episodes 3 & 4 of
Real Talk Podcast with
Robbie Hamzah. and Nadia
Saeed. Two individuals who
have contributed so much to
the community.
Like, share and support
Academy Alive's Real Talk
Podcast on YouTube and
Spotify.
#3 Robbie "Hamza"
Maestracci. The power of a
mothers prayer (dua)
#4 Nadia
Saeed. 2019 Winner of the
Ministers Multicultural
Award
Labor MP Ed Husic is urging
Australia to take the threat
posed by right-wing
extremism more seriously, in
the wake of a spate of
concerning incidents.
The rising tide of
right-wing extremism in
Australia needs to be taken
more seriously, Labor MP Ed
Husic has warned.
Mr Husic made the assertion
in a powerful speech in
Parliament’s Federation
Chamber on Tuesday night,
calling for a tougher stance
on extremism.
“We have got to take
seriously white supremacists
and far-right extremism,” he
said in his speech.
“We need to take this
seriously. We need to deal
with it now.”
His comments have been
backed by counter-terrorism
experts calling for
increased vigilance to
tackle the extremist threat.
Mr Husic, who is Australia’s
first Muslim member of
Parliament, cited an
incident last week in which
a “man with a machete”
walked up to the Holland
Park Mosque in Brisbane,
terrifying four worshippers
in the building.
The same mosque was the
target of a graffiti attack
last month when swastikas
and a reference to the
suspect behind the
Christchurch terror attacks
vandalised the building.
“This isn't right, and it is
raising a point and
reinforcing a point that
I've been raising with the
government,” the Labor MP
said.
“This stuff is rearing its
head in the US, and we've
seen it a number of times
this year where people have
been the victim of some
terrible behaviour that has
resulted in the loss of
life.”
In his speech, Mr Husic
backing the concerns raised
by the experts.
“The point is this: I don't
care if it's
Islamist-inspired or
supremacist-inspired, if it
represents a threat to the
Australian people it should
be taken seriously,” he
said.
“And I'm telling you now,
based on the briefings I've
received, we are not taking
this seriously. We reckon
that we're only following a
few people on this issue
here in this country.”
SBS
On Thursday,
Labor MP Anne Aly – a former
academic specialising in
countering violent extremism
– said the recognition of
the threat was “a long time
coming” and suggested
Australia had been slow to
recognise the alleged
Christchurch massacre
shooter was “one of us”.
Ed Husic questioned why Asio
had not noted the links
between rightwing extremists
in the United States and
Australia, and suggested the
federal government spends
“more money on government
advertising than on
countering violent
extremism”.
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!
Ms Nadia Saeed spoke at the
2019 Sexual Violence
Awareness Month Afternoon
Tea during the week. The
Sexual Violence Prevention
Framework was also
officially released.
Ms Saeed said: "There needs
to be a much stronger
collaboration between
schools, not-profits and the
government on working out
how to tailor this approach
to particular communities.
Education on consent and
where the line is drawn
between respect and harm is
an area that needs much
further development and I
believe will be improved as
a result of this framework."
Assoc. Prof Halim Rane was
in Istanbul last week for a
second workshop on the
Covenants of the Prophet
Muhammad.
"There has been quite a bit
more evidence gathered since
our last meeting in
January," Halim Rane posted.
These documents are pledges
of protection from the
Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) to
Christian, Jewish and other
monotheistic communities in
Arabia, Persia, Egypt,
Greater Syria and beyond.
In addition to the numerous
copies that have been
examined and found to have
consistency with various
verses of the Quran,
matching phrases, accurate
dates when compared with the
Islamic calendar, the
workshop also found
references to the Covenants
in early Muslim and
Christian sources, including
books by Islamic jurists and
letters of Christian
bishops.
NSW: Rabia Rasul 17, a year
12 student at Mount Saint
Benedict College was
recognised with the Dame
Marie Bashir Peace Award at
a ceremony held at the NSW
Parliament House on Monday
30 September 2019.
The award was presented to
Rabia by the former governor
of NSW Professor Marie
Bashir helself along with
the National Council of
Women of New South Wales, in
recognition of her
commitment and her efforts
to raise money for charity.
The Dame Marie Bashir Peace
Award recognises women who
have made an outstanding
contribution to harmony in
many ways, and those who
have fostered harmonious
relationships and shown
persistence and courage in
the field of peace and
harmony within the wider
society.
Rabia’s involvement in
various multicultural
activities, including her
organisation of Harmony Day
events in 2016 and 2018
where she raised over $7500
for Careflight and her role
in advocating and embracing
the need for cultural
diversity in the community
have led her being the
recipient of this award.
Through the eagerness and
vision that she possesses,
she has been the recipient
of many awards honoring her
devotion towards great
causes, and her passion in
going out of her way to help
others has officially been
recognised.
Episode 1 No Naseeb
After getting passed over
for a promotion, Mouna, a
20-something workaholic
Hijabi, decides to take
control of her 'naseeb'
(destiny), but her pushy
fiancee, Tarek, and
overbearing family have
other plans in store for
her.
Episode 2
Not Even Water
When Mouna misses 'suhoor'
(morning meal) during
Ramadan, her limits are
tested when she's tasked
with buying a new outfit to
meet Tarek's parents and
comes up against a gossiping
group of Hijabis, while
absolutely starving.
Episode 3
Going Up
When a new diversity
position is announced at her
work, Mouna must face off
against Rakesh a pansexual
South-East Asian co-worker,
and prove to her boss who is
more diverse and suitable
for the top job.
Episode 4 For the Likes
After her younger sister
Fatty is catfished, Mouna
must protect her family name
by breaking into a private
chat group of sinister men
before 'nude' photos of her
sister are leaked online.
Episode 5
After Hours
During a Layliah (Muslim
Hen's night), Mouna and her
older cousin Foufou agree to
have a 'drama-free' night
with no men. Chaos ensues
when Tarek turns up
unannounced.
Episode 6 Driving Lessons
After Mouna is offered a
scholarship to study at her
dream grad school, family
drama makes her question
whether she's ready to
accept her uncertain future
or not. (Final)
Baron
von Frankenberg reinvigorated
Sufism in Australia when he
arrived in 1927.
Baron Friedrich von
Frankenberg was an unusual
pioneer of the Sufi movement
in Australia.
The German aristocrat was
known as a bon vivant with
an early and strong
spiritual compass.
But his real quest for
meaning came after he was
conscripted to the German
army during World War I.
"He prayed to whatever God
he conceived, that if he
could be released from the
army he would devote his
life to spiritual matters,"
says Celia Genn, vice
president of the Sufi
Society of Australia.
While Sufism had been
present in Australia well
before 1927 — some of the
cameleers who came from
Afghanistan, India and
surrounding countries in the
19th century were Sufis —
the baron's arrival
reinvigorated the mystical
religion.
And it signalled the start
of the multi-ethnic blooming
of Islam in Australia, which
would expand when new
arrivals from across Europe,
Russia and Cyprus gathered
after World War II to form a
diverse group.
A
'unity of religious ideals'
Baron van Frankenberg was
"quite an extroverted
character", says Dr Genn,
who completed her PhD on the
history of Sufism in
Australia.
It was a family connection
that brought him to
Australia in 1927, where he
would stay until his death
in 1950.
He was born to an Australian
woman, Jessie Elliot, and
into the German aristocracy
on his father's side.
The young baron was
searching for spiritual
direction when he first
encountered Sufism — the
mystical arm of Islam,
concerned with an inwards,
spiritual connection to God
through meditation.
After his release from the
army, he encountered Inayat
Khan, the Sufi master who
brought Islamic mysticism to
the West, and whose writings
were published in newspapers
at the time.
Dr Genn says these writings
prompted the baron to travel
to France to study with Mr
Khan in 1925 — an experience
that cemented his commitment
to Sufism.
The "training in how to
explore the inner life
really struck a note with
him", Dr Genn says.
He was drawn to the "unity
of religious ideals … that
honours all religions
equally", and wanted to tap
into the wisdom that might
be gained from learning
about other religious
traditions.
According to Dzavid Haveric,
this plurality is a theme
that defined Islam in
Australia in the post-war
years.
A
'rather invisible' Islam
The baron was a "pioneer of
the Sufi movement in
Australia", says Dr Haveric,
an adjunct research fellow
at Charles Sturt University.
The German collected a large
library of books of
"oriental traditions and
literature", which Dr
Haveric says formed "the
core resource for
Australia's first Sufi
group".
He was an important example
for Muslim traditions that
would grow in later decades.
Following World War II,
under the White Australia
policy, Muslim migrants from
Cyprus, Bosnia, Albania,
Kosovo, Hungary, Romania,
Bulgaria, Poland, Russia
made Australia home.
Ships started to bring "a
polyglot multi-ethnic and
multicultural human cargo",
according to Dr Haveric.
He writes that during the
early post-war period,
"Islam was ignored in the
public arena simply because
there was a small number of
Muslims and they were in
dispersed settlements."
"Visible Islamic buildings
like minarets didn't exist,"
Dr Haveric explained to RN's
Religion and Ethics Report.
"The Muslim community was a
rather invisible community."
The decades following World
War II were an important
time in Australia.
The country signed the UN's
International Convention on
the Elimination of All Forms
of Racial Discrimination in
1966, the White Australia
policy was coming to an end
and multiculturalism was
becoming the focus.
Moving
to Australia was an
enriching experience for
Muslim migrants, who "found
Islam more pluralistic and
more sophisticated", Dr
Haveric says.
Unlike their countries of
origin, "they met Muslim
fellows from many different
ethnic, racial, cultural,
sectarian and linguistic
backgrounds".
Sufism in Australia
Soon after his arrival in
Australia, the baron settled
in Camden, in south-west NSW
with his Australian wife,
Olive Pauline Ward Taylor,
also known by her Sufi name,
Lila.
The couple was well-liked —
the baron's generosity and
learned nature attracted
mureeds, or students, to his
house, where they would work
and study with him.
He had wide-ranging
influence in the worldwide
Sufi community, and in 1939
he organised the visit of a
renowned Sufi leader, or
Murshida — a woman who was a
devotee of Mr Khan.
Murshida Rabia Martin was
born Ada Ginsberg, the
daughter of Russian Jewish
immigrants to America.
"She made and felt an
immediate connection with
Inayat Khan," Dr Genn says,
and the two stayed in close
contact through letters for
many years until Mr Khan's
death in 1927.
Rabia Martin's visit to
Australia was significant
because she provided a
strong link between
Australian Sufis and their
founder, Mr Khan.
Murshida Rabia
Martin was born Ada Ginsberg to
Russian Jewish immigrants to
America.
After the baron's death in
1950, he was succeeded in
Australia by the poet and
artist Francis Brabazon, a
devoted student of Meher
Baba, another early
spiritual teacher who gained
a loyal following in the
west.
Several Sufi orders are
flourishing in Australia
today.
Dr Haveric writes that
through their "thankfulness
to God", renouncing certain
aspects of materialism and
interfaith interactions, the
various Sufi orders in
Australia have become
"anchored in the
multicultural milieu".
The Australian Muslim
Achievement Awards (AMAA),
hosted annually by Mission
of Hope, aims to acknowledge
and celebrate some of our
most respected community
leaders from across the
corporate, public and
not-for-profit sectors.
The People’s Choice award
category is a public vote:
Please note the following
voting guidelines:
– Voting is only for Muslims
living in Australia.
– Only one vote per person
permitted.
– Duplicate votes and
unverified accounts will not
be considered
– You must include a valid
email and contact number for
verification
– You must be at least 16
years of age
Deadline for voting is
Friday the 10th of November
2019.
The Albanian Australian
Islamic Society (AAIS) are
celebrating the 50th
Anniversary of their mosque
in Drummond Street, Carlton
North. It was the first
mosque in Melbourne when it
opened in 1969, and it
became a place for Albanian
Muslims in Australia to
express their religion, as
well as providing a sense of
community and unification.
“Over the years the mosque
has been used not only for
worship, but also for
wedding services, religious
education, funeral services,
meetings, tours and also
social gatherings,” says
Indira Kulafi, who is part
of the AAIS Women’s
Committee.
The AAIS holds community
events and activities,
including getting involved
in National Tree Day,
Australia’s Biggest Morning
Tea, Red Cross blood
donation, AAIS open days and
a number activities out of
their youth centre in
Truganina.
“The mission has always been
to not only be an
organisation for the
Albanian community, but also
to reach out by promoting
harmony, mutual
understanding and
cooperation among the
broader Australian community
as well,” says Indira.
Street festival celebrating
50 years
AAIS are celebrating the
50th anniversary of the
mosque with a free street
festival open to the whole
community. Join them at the
mosque in Carlton North on
Sunday 17 November for
guided tours, Albanian folk
dancing, arts and craft
activities, face painting,
food trucks, Albanian
desserts and more!
Quotes
“We have to strike a
balance of responsibility
between our duty to update
other sources of energy,
protecting our environment
and ensuring a proper legacy
for the next generation.”
“We have to ensure the new
generation is equipped with
knowledge and science so
they can represent our
competitive advantage in
front of the whole world.
Our only choice is quality.”
Statistics
20% – of Abu Dhabi’s
population is Emirati.
$2.3 billion allocated for
defence spending in 2019.
Mohammed
bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi
and Deputy Supreme Commander
of the UAE Armed Forces
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed
Al-Nahyan is the Crown
Prince of Abu Dhabi and
Deputy Supreme Commander of
the UAE Armed Forces, as
well as next in line to be
President of the United Arab
Emirates. He is the third
son of the late Sheikh Zayed
bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the
widely-respected first
President of the UAE who
ruled from independence in
1971 until his death in
2004.
Influence
Military Leadership:
Sheikh Mohammed has
transformed the military
capabilities of the UAE not
only through buying military
hardware (over 80 F-16
jets), but also by
developing UAE’s own
industry, both hardware and
special forces. All of these
have also been deployed in
various conflicts including
Iraq, Somalia, Afghanistan,
Libya and Yemen. The UAE is
increasingly becoming an
important centre for global
weapons trading, with Abu
Dhabi host to one of the
world’s largest defence
expos.
Influence in the US and
Beyond: Sheikh Mohammed
had an excellent
relationship with President
Obama until the US-Iran
nuclear deal was brokered.
With the arrival of
President Trump, Sheikh
Mohammed has found someone
who again listens to his
views and by increasing his
lobbying power in the US he
has managed to have his
views heard on Iran, the
Muslim brotherhood,
Palestine and the support of
a young Saudi prince.
Further, Sheikh Mohammed has
shown that he is his own
man, following policies that
the US does not support
publicly; the support of
Libyan general Khalifa
Haftar, and the blockade on
Qatar. Involvement in other
key issues show that the UAE
is punching above its weight
in international affairs.
Its involvement in Yemen has
become increasingly complex
with a recent split with
Saudi policy meaning their
respective proxies on the
ground fighting each other
as well as local forces and
proxies of Iran. The
humanitarian disaster in
Yemen is of an immense
magnitude with many voices
squarely laying the brunt of
blame on UAE and Saudi.
Economic Development:
With Abu Dhabi sitting on
the 10th of the world’s
proven oil reserves, Sheikh
Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan
maintains immense political
influence in the Muslim
World as a leading member of
the Abu Dhabi National Oil
Company—which directs
development efforts for the
UAE’s role in the oil and
gas industries. He also
controls one of the world’s
largest sovereign wealth
funds (600 billion dollars).
He has overseen a
construction boom which
includes man-made islands,
entertainment parks and
museum franchises of the
Louvre and Guggenheim.
Sustainable Development
and Conservationist:
Sheikh Mohammed has been a
champion of sustainable
development in Abu Dhabi as
an advocate for the
implementation of green
technologies. He pledged $15
billion for the development
of clean energy through
solar, wind and hydrogen
power. He is also a keen
falconer and is committed to
protecting falcons and other
species in the region.
Philanthropy and
Tolerance: Sheikh
Mohammed is noted for his
philanthropic and
humanitarian efforts in
charitable giving. He has
donated billions of dollars
to various causes, including
DH55 million to the UN
Global Initiative to Fight
Human Trafficking, and
purchasing vaccines in
Pakistan and Afghanistan.
The UAE is home to a diverse
workforce and has been keen
to show respect to other
religions and cultures. It
has allowed various houses
of worship to be built and
it hosted Pope Francis on a
recent trip. The UAE has
also created a “Ministry of
Tolerance” and declared 2019
the official “Year of
Tolerance.”
‘I’m broken’
As soon as they arrived,
Kaled went off to be trained
as an Islamic State fighter
and Mariam was left to take
care of the house.
Three months later, when
Mariam was close to giving
birth, Kaled was killed in a
coalition air strike on his
training camp.
“The first shock of entering
and being in Syria, you’d
think that would be the
biggest thing. But every
event that happened after
that only got harder and
harder,” she said.
Mariam tried to escape but
was caught and returned to
Islamic State.
She was forced to re-marry
twice after Kaled died.
Her second husband was also
killed when she was nine
months pregnant.
As Islamic State suffered
military defeat after
defeat, she and her children
were pushed deeper and
deeper into catastrophe.
Mariam and dozens of other
Australian women and
children eventually ended up
in Islamic State’s last
stronghold, the town of
Baghouz.
Among the last people living
under IS, they were trapped,
huddled in trenches covered
by blankets and tarps, and
starving.
Under constant bombardment,
the town was surrounded by
snipers.
“In front of our own eyes,
three people got shot in one
day. A five-year-old girl
from my community was shot,”
Mariam said.
For the young woman from
suburban Sydney, the
four-year nightmare in Syria
had reached unimaginable
depths.
“I was barely able to walk.
I couldn’t wash clothes. I
had to cook on a wood fire,”
she said.
“I’m finished. I am done.
I’m broken. I’ve been
through so much, I can’t
anymore. I’m a nervous
wreck. I need my Dad.”.
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.
....continued from last
week's CCN.....
ANZAC MUSLIMS IN WORLD WAR
II
Mariyam-Elayne Crenan, an
Australian-born Muslim of a
Javanese heritage,
remembered her childhood in
Mackay in these terms: My
family were poor and my
father had a small cane farm
with his two brothers.
I remember my father
training with other
Volunteer Defence Corps
members in long grass using
broom sticks as guns.
Fred Atim Shandiman, a third
generation Javanese
Australian, enlisted in the
AIF having trained in Wacol,
Brisbane, for about four
months before being sent to
Japan. However, he was
brought back in an aircraft
because “he looked like
Japanese,” although he was
not discharged from the
army. His brother was killed
in the war in Papua New
Guinea.
Many other Islanders served
the war efforts as
civilians. Among them was
Ali Drummond, who in World
War II served in the
Civilian Construction
Corporation in the Torres
Strait. His mother was from
the Yadhaigana and Wuthuthi
Aboriginal peoples of Cape
York Peninsula, and his
father was from Sarawak,
Borneo. In 1999, Ali
received a Civilian Medal
for his services to the
Defence Force in Torres
Strait and later in
Townsville.
About his Muslim Malay
heritage and identification
as a Torres Strait Islander,
his granddaughter Samantha
Faulkner recalled that Ali
was a respected elder and
recognised across Australia.
He was a cultural ambassador
for Thursday Island and the
Torres Strait, educating
people about Aboriginal and
Torres Strait Islander
culture, thus assisting
greatly in the subsequent
reconciliation project.64 In
1998, he was named the
NAIDOC Sportsperson of the
Year for his contribution to
lawn bowls and later named
Senior Australian Achiever
of the Year. He was
considered “an outstanding
role model for a lifetime of
community service.”
Although both his parents
were adherents to the Muslim
faith, Ali was not taught
their religion. He embraced
Christianity.
Opinion by Rita
Markwell, Policy Advisor of Australian
Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN)
Courage in Western Qld
A sister who lives in a
small town in western Qld is
telling her story of what
it’s like to wear hijab.
She has been publicly
taunted while walking down
the street with her
daughter. A young man would
follow them closely behind
and yell aggressively “Allah
Akbar, Allah Akbar”. This
happened on five separate
occasions. Her daughter
became very fearful. The
police said there is nothing
they can do. The young man
is a player in the local
football club where her
daughter also plays. There
is so much police could be
doing, along with the
football club.
She has received
contemptible comments at
public memorial events for
Anzac Day and Remembrance
Day, because of a misguided
view that she must be
against the Australian
Defence forces. It’s
required of Islam according
to popular extremist
narratives that run online.
As an Australian Muslim, who
reverted a number of years
ago, she is deeply affronted
by this suggestion. She
supports many veteran
services like Mates for
Mates and Soldier On, and
has had family and friends
serve in various wars in the
Australian Defence Force.
After the Christchurch
massacre, a parent of her
daughter’s friend said,
“Muslims had it coming.” She
could only stare back,
speechless.
His daughter also referred
to her as ‘ghost’ to her
face, referring to her
hijab. Can you imagine how
you would feel if a child
referred to you that way?
Knowing that prejudice is
being imparted wholesale,
generation to generation…
When her family applied to
develop a plot of land for
their family home, a
petition was started to
council against them, and
they were harassed and
stalked at their property.
She continues to feel very
uncomfortable at school drop
offs and pick ups, and has
spoken to the school
principal who didn’t propose
to do anything in response.
Her attempt to set up an
interfaith community group
was blocked by a community
forum.
This is her testimony of
what it is like living as a
Muslim revert in a rural
town.
Alhamdulillah, through all
these tests, Allah gives her
strength. But the impacts on
her wellbeing and family’s
wellbeing is huge and
ongoing.
The Australian Muslim
Advocacy Network (AMAN) is
working with her to open
doors of possible action
through the QLD Human Rights
Commission and Islamophobia
Register. Community peace
building is the goal but
sometimes a bit of extra
outside help is needed to
get things started.
As the Holy Qur’an most
beautifully surmises,
"People, We have created you
all male and female and have
made you families and
nations so that you
would that you may know each
other. The noblest of you,
in the sight of God, is the
best in conduct. God is
All-knowing and All-aware.”
CHAPTER 49 VERSE 13, THE
HOLY QUR’AN
Sometimes the most difficult
of community situations is
an opportunity, insha-Allah,
to build formidable ties.
If you have any ideas or a
message of support you would
like me to send on to this
sister, please write to
advocacy@aman.net.au.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Sister Rita Jabri-Markwell
is an advocate,
community supporter
and connecter. She
is allergic to cats,
but has a cute human
family. she can be
reached at
advocacy@aman.net.au
Attacks at
Australian
Mosques
Continue: An
Interview With
ANIC’s Bilal
Rauf
ANIC Spokesperson, Bilal Rauf
A man carrying a
machete
approached a
number of
worshippers on
their way to the
side entrance of
Holland Park
Mosque in
Brisbane’s
southside at
around 8.30 pm
last Wednesday.
After being
alerted to his
presence, the
congregants
rushed inside
and locked
themselves in.
The Australian
National Imams
Council (ANIC)
issued a
statement in the
wake of the
latest
“potentially
life threatening
incident” at
Holland Park
Mosque, in which
it calls on
local
authorities to
“take more
seriously the
risks and
dangers of white
extremist and
nationalist
ideology”.
Sydney Criminal
Lawyers spoke to
ANIC
spokesperson
Bilal Rauf about
the spike in
Islamophobic
attacks in this
country, the
inadequacy of
the responses
from authorities
in the face of
increasing white
nationalism, and
the need for
legislative
action.
Firstly, last
week, a man
carrying a
machete
approached a
number of
congregants at
Brisbane’s
Holland Park
Mosque. Mr Rauf,
what actually
happened?
As I
understand,
there was a
group of
congregants,
who were
walking
towards the
mosque. One
of the
residents on
the street
saw a man
walking
towards them
with a
machete. The
neighbour
called out
to them, at
which point,
they all
raced into
the mosque
and locked
the doors.
At that
point, the
man was seen
to walk off
and he
didn’t
return.
But, this is
not the first
time something
like this has
happened at the
mosque of late.
How is the local
Muslim community
feeling about
it?
They’re
feeling very
distressed
about what’s
been
happening.
Recently,
the mosque
was subject
to some
graffitiing.
And not just
any
graffiti,
but the
praising of
Tarrant.
And also,
with the
graffiti
“remove
kebab”,
which is a
term that’s
derived from
overseas
white
supremacist
groups, who
have
referred to
it as
meaning
remove
Muslims, or
annihilate
Muslims.
That was
scrawled on
the wall of
the mosque
as well.
So,
naturally,
incidents
such as that
– and seeing
somebody
walking
towards
worshippers
with a
machete at a
mosque – has
created a
heightened
sense of
fear and
concern.
Recent
Islamophobic
incidents
haven’t been
limited to
Holland Park
Mosque either.
What else has
been occurring?
There
have been
other places
of worship
targeted as
well. The
Canberra
Mosque was
broken into,
and books
and things
were strewn
on the
ground.
Shelves were
also pulled
to the
ground. It
was left in
a mess.
But, more
generally,
there’s
certainly
been
increased
reports
coming back
through to
the Imams
Council, and
also the
Islamophobia
Register,
whereby a
lot of
females have
been
approached
in public
spaces:
shopping
centres,
public
transport.
This has
been
particularly
with women
wearing the
veil, who
are
identifiable.
They’ve been
approached
and comments
have been
made.
There’s been
aggressive
body
language
towards
them. Some
of them have
also been
with
children.
So, there’s
been a spike
in incidents
such as
that. And
unfortunately,
those most
exposed tend
to be the
ones most
vulnerable.
What’s the
Australian
National Imams
Council putting
these
anti-Muslim
incidents down
to? And are they
on the increase
at present?
Leading
up to and
close to the
Christchurch
tragedy,
there was a
more
enabling
environment,
where media
and
politicians
were more
readily
utilising
language
directed at
Muslims,
which
fostered a
certain
contempt or
hatred.
You had the
Fraser
Anning
statement.
There were
the Pauline
Hanson
statements.
Then there
were media
reports
about
Coalition
ministers in
the past
suggesting
an
opportunity
to utilise
Muslims as a
way to
garner
votes. All
of that
creates an
enabling
environment.
There’s no
doubt there
was also an
increase in
right-wing
extremist
ideologies
coming to
the surface,
and people
were feeling
more
emboldened
to speak out
as to those
ideologies.
A lot of it
culminates
in conduct
against the
people who
are the
subject of
those
ideologies.
And this
leads to the
feelings of
hate and
contempt
being made
manifest
against
them.
How would you
say the
authorities are
responding to
the issue at
present?
The
reality is
it probably
hasn’t been
given the
same level
of urgency
or priority,
as say
religious
motivated
terrorism,
where you
suddenly see
a raft of
legislation
being
passed.
Whereas
here,
there’s been
nothing in
terms of
legislative
response,
and also in
terms of how
the
authorities
have
responded to
and reviewed
such
incidents,
as well as
the
resources
that have
been
directed to
investigating
and
following up
on such
incidents.
It appears,
at least
anecdotally
to us, that
the response
has been
somewhat
limited. So,
that makes
it all the
more
challenging.
But, these
are things
that we are
having
written
dialogues
with the
agencies
about, in
the hope
that more
urgency will
be attached
to it.
For
instance,
following
the Holland
Park
incident, a
statement
was put out
by the
Queensland
community
imploring
politicians
and agencies
to put more
resources
and
attention
into these
matters,
because
there hasn’t
been to
date.
The last
thing we
want is a
tragedy such
as
Christchurch
happening
here.
And lastly,
Mr Rauf, what is
the ANIC calling
on the
Australian
government to do
about increasing
nationalist
mobilisation in
this country?
Acknowledge
that it is a
real issue.
It is an
issue that’s
now
beginning to
have impact
at a broader
level. And
it also
carries
significant
risks and
dangers, so
there needs
to be
attention
given to it
in terms of
legislative
response.
But, also
allocating
resources so
that
appropriate
agencies are
able to
investigate
and pursue
these issues
with the
same vigour
that they
have in
pursuing
other
matters in
the past.
For
instance,
so-called
religious-based
conduct.
We have now
an
increasing
threat from
a certain
ideology and
a group of
people, who
prescribe to
that
ideology,
yet it
appears
there’s very
little being
done. And
certainly,
on social
media and
other places
it’s
rampant.
Far-Right
French Politician's Racist
Abuse Against Muslim Woman
AJ+
When a far-right French
politician told a Muslim
woman to take off her hijab,
this is how the region's
president clapped back.
One of the
world's fastest bowlers!
Meet Shabnim Ismail
She's one of
the world's fastest bowlers
and she's playing for
Yorkshire Diamonds in the
Kia Super League this
summer.
Meet South Africa speedster
Shabnim Ismail.
She is
currently one of the fastest
bowlers in women's cricket
and has come a long way
since her international
debut in January 2007. Meet
Shabnim Ismail – South
Africa's best in the
business.
"I always set goals for
myself in every game or
every tournament I play, I
want to be first the best
human being that I can be,
and then be the best bowler
of my team and to always be
a team player. I want to be
the best bowler in the
world."
Ismail had an annus
mirabilis, finishing as
South Africa's highest
wicket-taker in the
limited-overs formats in
2018, claiming 14 scalps in
one-day internationals and
20 in Twenty20
Internationals.
She opened up to ICC Cricket
360 about how she started
her cricketing journey, on
becoming her country's
first-choice fast bowler,
her bowling partnership with
Marizanne Kapp, the recent
growth of women's cricket,
and more.
Watch below!
Mental
Illness is NOT a Punishment
OnePath
Network
Mohamed Hoblos speaks out on
mental health..
Parking at
the Mosque
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.
Muslim families weren't allowed to board NYC
ferry after being labeled a 'security
issue,' complaint says
US: Three Muslim families were not
allowed to board a New York City ferry
after they were told they posed a
"security issue," according to a
discrimination complaint filed with the
New York City Commission on Human Rights
this week.
The complaint was filed by the Council
on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on
behalf of the families, which included
eight children, against HNY Ferry, LLC;
New York City Economic Development
Corporation; the City of New York; and
two employees referred to as John Doe 1
and Jane Doe 1.
The suit seeks disciplinary actions, a
formal apology and compensatory damages
for "humiliation, embarrassment, and
severe emotional distress," claiming
that not being allowed to board was
based on discrimination and that the
security concerns were an
"after-the-fact false excuse."
A day out and a change of plans
September 21 was meant to be a day for
three women and their children, ages two
months to 14 years old, to enjoy before
one of the families went to Pakistan for
an extended period of time, the
complaint said. Two of the women wore
hijabs, according to the complaint.
The plan was to visit Governor's Island,
but after taking the first ferry from
their Brooklyn home to Wall Street they
realized that it was getting late and
changed their plans to go to Brooklyn's
Pier 6 instead, the complaint said.
Instead of navigating the line with
young children and a double stroller,
the women got permission to wait to the
side and board last.
When their turn came, two ferry
employees allegedly told them he had
been informed by security not to let
them on, the complaint said. But when he
and another employee escorted the
families to security, the officer "was
confused and did not know why Jane and
John Doe 1 were blaming security,"
according to the complaint.
The families said the ferry left
without them.
As they were discussing
the situation, another employee of HNY
Ferry allegedly raised her voice,
telling the families that they weren't
allowed on the ferry to Pier 6 because
the children were standing on the seats
on their last ferry ride. But when they
returned to their starting destination,
a crew member they had spoken to early
in the day said she did not remember the
children behaving inappropriately, the
complaint said.
Duchess goes
barefoot and wears traditional
dupatta headscarf in visit to
ancient mosque on fourth day of
royal tour in Pakistan
PAKISTAN: The Duchess of Cambridge
continued her excursions on the fourth
day of the royal tour of Pakistan in a
green shalwar kameez and a matching
dupatta headscarf which she used to
cover her head.
Pakistani designer Maheen Khan is behind
the ensemble, with Kate having opted to
wear Khan’s pieces several times already
this tour.
Earlier today 37-year-old Kate sported a
scarf by Khan, and on day two of the
tour, she modelled a cobalt design of
hers.
Khan has been working in the fashion
industry since 1972 and has done
embroidery for multiple films and
television shows, including Snow White
and the Huntsman and The Jewel in the
Crown.
A shalwar kameez is the national dress
of Pakistan: the shalwar refers to the
trousers, which are often loose and
baggy, while the kameez refers to a
long-line shirt.
Kate covered her head for the visit to
the Badshani Mosque with a traditional
dupatta, which is a shawl-like scarf
commonly worn as part of a shalwar
kameez.
The Duchess of
Cambridge at the Badshahi Mosque
in Lahore
For the visit, Kate also shunned shoes
and opted to go barefoot.
Kate visited the mosque, an iconic
Islamic landmark in Lahore, alongside
her husband Prince William.
Kate followed in the footsteps of her
late mother-in-law Princess Diana , who
visited the site in 1991 and also chose
to cover her head in respect.
UK Boss Fined $27K for Racially Abusing
Muslim Female Employee
UK: A British
Muslim woman of
Pakistani origin
has been granted
a payout
totalling over
£22,500 after
enduring 3 and a
half years of
racist and
Islamophobic
abuse from her
company's
director.
Miss Noreen, of
Pakistani
origin, worked
as a recruitment
consultant for
Peterborough-based
agency
RecruitmentFinder
Ltd. from 2013
until she was
made redundant
in 2017,
according to
court documents
from Bury St
Edmunds
employment
tribunal.
Miss Noreen, 27,
was at the brunt
of regular
derogatory and
abusive comments
over both her
race and
religion from
her boss,
identified in
the documents as
Mr P Clarke.
Mr Clarke
complained to
Miss Noreen
about "You P*kis",
and called her
fasting during
the holy month
of Ramadan a
"lot of bollocks
to me".
Even the food
she brought from
home was
remarked upon by
Mr Clarke, who
referred to
everything,
including a
pasta dish, as
"curry".
Mr Clarke said
she looked like
a "curry
muncher" and
also made
derogatory
comments about
her weight,
according to the
tribunal
documents.
Miss Noreen
reported the
comments became
worse for the
last 18 months
of her
employment,
after she
pointed out to
Mr Clarke she
had placed more
staff in
recruitment than
he had.
At this point he
stopped paying
her the bonuses
and fuel
allowance she
was entitled to.
Mr Clarke also
made comments
about Miss
Noreen's job
security which
made her fear
for her job to
the point where
she stopped
taking the
holiday leave
she was entitled
to, taking only
Christmas Day,
New Year's Day
and Easter
Monday.
Mr Clarke's
threats made
Miss Noreen too
fearful to act
on or report his
abusive
behaviour.
After she was
made redundant,
Mr Clarke did
not pay her any
of her entitled
holiday pay or
redundancy pay,
which along with
the missed fuel
and bonus
payment totalled
around £15,000.
Miss Noreen was
also awarded
£7,500
compensation for
discrimination
she suffered in
the workplace.
Women who wear
headscarves face
particular
discrimination
in the
workplace, while
young Muslims
feel forced to
work "10 times
as hard" as
their white
counterparts to
get on in their
jobs, according
to a report by
The Guardian.
Discrimination
and lack of
cultural
awareness in the
workplace means
young British
Muslims are
unable to reach
their full
potential at
work, according
to a 2017 report
by the Social
Mobility
Commission.
Only 6 percent
of Muslims are
in higher
managerial,
administrative
and professional
occupations,
according to the
UK's 2011
census.
.
In March 2002, three Muslim converts
attend an Evangelical Christian seminar
promoted to reveal the inner secrets of
‘Holy Jihad’.
Shocked by what they hear, they convince
the Islamic Council of Victoria to lodge
a complaint against Catch the Fire
Ministries, under a controversial new
hate speech law. A case expected to be
over in three days turns into an unholy
war of words lasting five long years –
freedom of speech versus freedom from
vilification is under the spotlight.
Award-winning author Hanifa Deen follows
this case from beginning to end,
witnessing the religious impulse at its
best – and worst. Her very human account
focuses on the personalities and motives
of the two religious tribes – Muslims
and born-again Christians. Real people –
on both sides of the courtroom – express
their pain and their innocence at a
hearing that turns into a nightmare.
Through Deen’s eyes we discover a wider
meaning to this conflict, as we come to
realise that religious vilification is
only one strand of a more complex story
with hidden agendas.
KB says:
With summer fast approaching, here is my
favourite recipe for a desert which can be made
well ahead of time and stored in the freezer.
Malai Kulfi Ice-cream
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
Ingredients
1 Tin Condensed milk
250g Fresh Cream
1 Tin Evaporated Milk
1 Tin Nestle Cream
Method
Beat all ingredients together.
Set in a mould and keep in the freezer overnight.
Before serving, remove the ice-cream from the mould,
sprinkle with slivered or flaked almonds.
Do you have a recipe to share with CCN
readers?
Send in your favourite recipe to me at
admin@ccnonline.com.au and be my "guest chef" for the week.
Welcome to my weekly
column on
Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind.
If you’re taking
time out to read
this, pat yourself
on the back because
you have shown
commitment to taking
care of your mind
and body.
Today, In Shaa
ALLAH, we will
explore the topic:
Control Versus Care
A common dialogue
that happens during
my couple/ family
counselling sessions
is as follows:
Family Member 1:
You’re always trying
to control me. I
can’t stand it
anymore.
Family Member 2:
But, it’s only
because I care about
you, about our
relationship, about
our family. Why
can’t you see that I
care?
It’s easy for people
to yearn for certain
outcomes in life,
whether in a
relationship or in
life’s other
matters. The
yearning for these
outcomes leads them
to display
behaviours that make
them come across as
a ‘control freak’.
Any person who
demonstrates the
behaviours of a
‘control freak’
narrows the lens
through which she/he
perceives the world,
which then
constricts her/his
mind to only see a
single point of
view: ‘my way or the
highway’. She/he
begins to dictate to
other people that
things should and
must and only be
her/his way. The
intention behind the
yearning for the
desired outcomes may
be kind and caring,
however, the
execution of actions
to achieve those
outcomes are often
far from kindness
and care.
To care for
someone is to have
regard or liking for
the person and to
treat them with
respect and
understanding.
To control someone
is to command or
dominate them
emotionally,
physically and
intellectually.
Reflect on your own
life. Have a heart
to heart
conversation with
your spouse or other
family members. Find
out if your actions
towards them and
their actions
towards you come
from a space of care
or control. It is
vital that you are
able to identify the
difference between
care and control.
Trying to control
people or situations
leads us away from
completely
submitting to
ALMIGHTY ALLAH. It
also causes anxiety
and desperation.
This in turn
manifests as
aggression,
frustration and
self-sabotaging
decisions. No doubt,
you will have
challenges with
people and
situations daily in
your life. Instead
of trying to control
them, remind
yourself that it is
best to control your
own response to
them. Control your
thoughts, your
words, your actions.
The moment you
change the way you
look at things, the
things you look at
change.
Cultivate Care,
Banish Control
The following
strategies may help
you cultivate a
caring practice
rather than a
yearning to control
outcomes.
Test
Care
Strategy
Spouse -
when you
feel your
spouse is
not in
alignment
with your
own
thinking/
goals/
desires.
Child - when
you feel
your child
is
rebelling.
1. Chat with
your spouse/
child to
find out
what exactly
are his/her
concerns. Do
not be
tempted to
reply to
those
concerns.
Simply
listen and
jot them
down.
2. Give
him/her a
hug and tell
them you
will now
think about
all these
concerns and
pray about
them.
3. Ask ALLAH
to guide you
through each
of those
concerns and
help you
both find
the right
way to
address
them.
4.
Demonstrate
to your
spouse/
child that
ALLAH is
there to fix
these
concerns and
that you
care about
maintaining
peace in the
home while
ALLAH guides
you both to
find ways to
deal with
these
concerns.
5. Find
moments
together
everyday
where you
both can
express
gratitude to
ALLAH for
the peace in
your home
and the
strength,
wisdom,
patience and
guidance
that ALLAH
gives you
daily.
Expressing
gratitude
will
increase
your peace,
wisdom,
patience and
strength.
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, the son of a
Saudi Prince, goes to study in Europe.
One night, the phone rings at
the house of his parents.
Dad: How's your life going, son?
Son: It's going well, dad.
Dad: Is something wrong? You
don't sound happy.
Son: No Dad, everything's
fine. Berlin is wonderful, the people are nice and I
really like it here.
Dad: Son, tell me the truth.
I know something's not right.
Son: Dad, I am a bit ashamed
to drive to my college with my pure-gold Ferrari 599GTB
when all my teachers and many fellow students travel by
train.
Dad: My dear son, why didn't you say so earlier? I will
send you 15 million euro this instant. Please stop
embarrassing us and go and get yourself a train too.
To those weak of
understanding do not make
over your property, which
Allah has made a means of
support for you, but feed
and clothe them therewith,
and speak to them words of
kindness and justice.
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.
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!
Australian International Islamic College
724 Blunder Road,
Durack
0422 433 074
from 3.30PM to
Maghrib
14 March 2020
Saturday
1st National Conference 2020: “Environmental Crisis and Our
Obligations to Act: Teachings from Islam and Abrahamic Faith
Traditions”
Centre for
Interfaith and Cultural Dialogue, Griffith
Nathan Campus, University
TBA
23 March 2020
(tentative)
Monday
LAILATU
MI'RAAJ
(Ascension
night)
27th Rajab
1441
10 April 2020(tentative)
Friday
NISF SHA'BAAN
(Lailatul
Bahrat)
15th Sha'baan
1441
25 April 2020(tentative)
Saturday
RAMADAAN
(Start of the
month of fasting)
1st Ramadaan
1441
21 May 2020(tentative)
Thursday
LAILATUL-QADR
(Night of
Power)
27th Ramadaan
1441
25 May 2020(tentative)
Monday
EID-UL-FITR
(End of the
month of fasting)
1st Shawal
1441
31 July 2020(tentative)
Friday
YAWMUL ARAFAH
(Day of Arafah)
9th Zil-Hijjah
1441
1 August 2020(tentative)
Saturday
EID-UL-ADHA
10th Zil-Hijja
1441
21 August 2020(tentative)
Friday
RAʼS AL-SANAH
AL-HIJRĪYAH
(Islamic New
Year)
1st Muharram
1442
30 August 2020 (tentative)
Sunday
DAY OF ASHURA
10th Muharram
1442
30 October 2020
(tentative)
Friday
MILAD UN NABI
(Birth of
Prophet Mohammed (pbuh)
12th Rabi-ul-Awwal
1442
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.
HikmahWay offers online and
in-person Islamic courses to
equip Muslims of today with
the knowledge, understanding
and wisdom to lead balanced,
wholesome and beneficial
lives.
Articles and
opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily
reflect the opinions of the CCN Team, its Editor or its
Sponsors, particularly if they eventually turn out to be
libellous, unfounded, objectionable, obnoxious, offensive,
slanderous and/or downright distasteful.
It is the usual policy of CCN to
include from time to time, notices of events that some
readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are
often posted as received. Including such messages or
providing the details of such events does not necessarily
imply endorsement of the contents of these events by CCN
The best ideas
and the best feedback come from our community of readers. If you
have a topic or opinion that you want to write about or want
seen covered or any news item that you think might be of benefit
to the Crescents Community please
e-mail us..
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Muslim families weren't allowed to board NYC
ferry after being labeled a 'security
issue,' complaint says 
post comments on
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7
August 2011