In a joint venture, Muslim
Aid Australia, Brothers in
Need, Muslim Charitable
Foundation and MAA Women’s
Forum have collected a large
quantity of non-perishable
food and toiletries.
Hampers are going to be
prepared for free
distribution to those in
need, those in self
isolation, elderly and the
ill.
Please contact any members
of the above organisations
if you, or anyone you know,
requires assistance. They
will be happy to help.
Sincere thanks to the
generous donors who so
willingly came forward and
assisted financially and
bought and delivered the
items to us. Jazakallah
With
the impending government
lockdown, one thing is
definite, maybe you can
relate to this, my children
will be at home all day
doing nothing.
Well, technically they are
not supposed to be doing
nothing, they are supposed
to be doing homework. My
children's’ teacher had
prepared homework for my
sons to do, but what has
happened is that my children
have completed all of their
homework. I will credit my
wife for her diligence in
ensuring the work is done,
and perhaps to her diligence
and one on one attention, my
sons have completed the
homework set out for the
week in one day.
Which leaves us with a
dilemma, how will we fill up
the rest of the time the
children have without
binging on a tv show or
playing video games. Why not
use this time to prepare
them for the rest of their
lives, and have a jumping
head start for Ramadhan.
Which is why, there is no
better time than now to join
our Academy Alive, Quran
Alive online course and
implement it in your life
and your children's life as
a part of their
home-schooling experience.
Why not allow the
understanding of the Quran
lead into the love of the
Quran, an emotion that
cannot be taken from the
learner, a tested approval
of all students who embarked
on this course. My children
will be travelling through
life looking for answers,
and I would rather my
children find the answers in
the Quran and utilising the
Quran as their mentor in
life.
Academy Alive has a
free 30 Day Trial, to
our mentorship program,
coaching through the Quran.
No obligations, trial the
Quran Alive Online course
and see for yourself, how
our students have managed to
turn to the Quran as a
mentor and as a source of
understanding and personal
growth.
But don't take our word,
hear it from our students:
Ever notice your students
are okay at generating
questions, but soon run into
a dead end?
Using the COVID-19 pandemic
as a case study,
this Guide taps into the
curiosity of young learners
and challenges them to
create a non-stop stream of
mind boggling questions.
Boosted with fun challenges
and the resources you'll
need to get started, this
guide is designed for
teachers, parents and avid
independent learners.
Originally trained as a
lawyer, Rita Markwell
brings a lifetime experience
of the Socratic Method in
questioning, arguing and
thinking - and has found a
way to distil it in
bite-size chunks for
inquiring teens and
grown-ups.
This beautiful Guide is
jam-packed with
Time-boxed challenges
with clear directions to
engage straight away
A visual and guided
journey into Socratic
questioning using
relatable and
imaginative analogies.
Graphic organisers that
quickly portray Socratic
principles and examples
from the COVID debate.
A closer look at the
COVID-19 pandemic from
the principle of
"fairness".
Modelled examples of a
Socratic line of
questioning,
colour-coded to show
different types of
thinking.
An opportunity to
re-test and
self-evaluate.
Bonus challenges around
identifying and using
conceptual nouns - a
sure-fire way to
strengthen Qs and
analysis.
COVID-19 related
arguments that can be
used in number continuum
debates.
Illustrative examples of
questions from junior
and senior secondary
school, and other
adults.
Colourful student
templates for
brainstorming and
categorising questions.
This new and original take
on critical thinking will
inspire educators and
families alike.
These videos
are to help with simple
strategies to keep the mind
and body healthy and can be
practised by Muslim families
in their homes during this
time of isolation.
Part 2
- Harmony in Marriage during
Covid-19 Isolation
ABOUT THE SHOW
7 Stories is a podcast for your
ride to school. These highly
produced 7 minute stories are
sure to keep your kids engaged
while in the car! A Toledo
original and the first of its
kind for Muslim parents and
children, this show is hosted by
Wasan and Moeed.
We'll have funny stories…and sad
stories…and scarrrrry
stories….but each story has an
important message for you to
discuss with your children!
We’ll hear stories such as
Spidey the big red spider, and
about the chicken that was an
eagle!
Wasan Altikriti is a mother of
two young girls and is the
founder of Arabic
learning-resources start-up
called 'Arnoub'. Wasan is a
public speaker with a PR and
Media background.
Moeed Ahmad is a digital media
executive who has spearheaded
the launch of multiple
successful brands like AJ+,
Jetty and Contrast VR within Al
Jazeera where he currently heads
Innovation and Research. He is
passionate about open source
technologies and other community
enabling movements such as the
Creative Commons. Most
importantly though, Moeed is a
father of three boys with plenty
of experience dropping his kids
to school!
Ryanair boss slammed for suggesting
defending profiling of Muslim men
IRELAND: The CEO of
low-cost Irish airline Ryanair has been
widely condemned in the UK and Ireland
for ‘abhorrent’ remarks after
recommending Muslim men should be
profiled at airports to prevent
terrorism.
Michael O’Leary’s failed to elaborate on
how security would tell what a Muslim
looks like and was slammed for
“encouraging racism” with his
“blinkered” view.
“Who are the bombers? They are going to
be single males traveling on their own,”
said the 58-year-old Irishman in a
wide-ranging interview with The Times on
February 22.“If you are traveling with a
family of kids, on you go; the chances
you are going to blow them all up is
zero,” he added.
“You can’t say stuff, because it’s
racism, but it will generally be males
of a Muslim persuasion. Thirty years ago
it was the Irish,” said the billionaire.
Umar al-Qadri, head Imam of the Islamic
Centre of Ireland, said terrorism is not
confined to any one community. He later
tweeted that O’Leary’s comments were
“very irresponsible” in the current
climate of Islamophobia. “I am concerned
for young Muslim men growing up in a
society in which societal figures can
make such irresponsible comments,” he
said.
Hitting back, Labour MP Khalid Mahmood,
said, “If he can tell me what colour
Muslims are then I’d be very happy to
learn from him – you can’t judge a book
by its cover.”
Referring to the far-right terrorist
attack in the German city of Hanau in
February Mahmood said, “In Germany this
week a white person killed eight people.
Should we profile white people to see if
they’re being fascists? ‘He’s being very
blinkered and is actually encouraging
racism.”
Scotland’s Justice Minister Humza Yousaf
condemned the comments on Twitter,
writing, ‘awful from Michael O’Leary
suggesting racial profiling to be
introduced at airports.’
A spokeswoman for the Muslim Council of
Britain said, “Michael O’Leary should be
under no illusion: his comments are
racist and discriminatory. He openly
advocates discrimination against ‘males
of a Muslim persuasion’, which
presumably is not based on specific
intelligence but solely whether someone
‘looks or acts like a Muslim’. This is
the very definition of Islamophobia.”
The Dublin City Interfaith Forum also
condemned “unreservedly, and with one
unified voice” comments by O’Leary that
terrorists “will generally be males of a
Muslim persuasion”.
He subsequently apologised “for any
offence caused”. The Forum said his
comments only served “to fuel an
atmosphere already rife with unjustified
anti-Islamic feeling and Islamophobia”.
German Green party politician Ali Baş
accused O’Leary of spreading
Islamophobia with his words. ‘Why can
someone like O’Leary spread Islamophobia
like this today? Because he thinks
people don’t care. It’s time to boycott
Ryanair. Also, for many other reasons,’
he wrote on Twitter.
O’Leary triggered more anger by issuing
a “half-baked apology”. Ryanair insisted
an “inaccurate” headline suggesting its
chief wanted extra checks on Muslim men
had sparked the furore.
It added, “Michael was only calling for
more effective airport security checks
which would do away with much of the
unnecessary queues at airport security
today. He apologises sincerely for any
offence caused to any group by today’s
inaccurate headline.”
My husband and I sat down to
watch an award-winning
Lebanese film by director
Nadine Labaki, called
Capernaum. Labaki,
who is an actress as well as
a Director, is renowned for
choosing real people over
professional actors –
creating characters and
sequences that stay with you
forever.
This story follows the life
of a gutsy 12 year old boy,
who lives in a very poor
neighbourhood. After a
family decision shatters his
world, he heads out on a bus
and discovers a different
life in the slums. Taken in
by a young mother, who is an
undocumented worker, he
begins to care for her
toddler son, feeding him
expressed milk and crackers,
changing his nappy, and
keeping him quiet inside
their one room shelter. One
day, she doesn’t return, and
he is left to fend for
himself and the baby.
Without giving away the
story, I can say that his
resourcefulness was
incredible. This fable will
break and warm your heart at
the same time, changing you
and the way you see the
world.
In a matter of weeks, our
world has changed a lot as a
result of COVID-19.
Indiscriminately, people
with their houses and cars
and first world problems
have faced social upheaval,
economic uncertainty – and
it’s just the beginning. But
what we’ve seen online,
since the ugly clashes in
supermarkets, has been a
resurgence of kindness, love
and gratitude – that return
to silly humour and
remembering ‘all the
important things’ in life.
However when it is all over,
and we clamour back into our
busy lives, will the world
go back to business as
usual? Should it? What
should change?
For the risk of these
heart-warming stories is
that, selfishly, we will
always try to believe that
individuals can find ways to
overcome their
circumstances. This part of
the story is far easier to
hold onto than the
debilitating and horrific
reality underpinning it –
the systemic inequality that
allows people to die of
neglect, starvation, in
proxy wars and concentration
camps, while the rest
believe that helping them
will risk their bubble. Our
sense of entitlement is not
only a spiritual disease,
but a form of social
corruption.
How will those of us, in our
newfound extra free time,
conceive of a different
world?
Many people in our community
have felt disconnected and
helpless in regard to
politics, but that doesn’t
have to be the way moving
forward.
It is within our power to
join political parties and
engage in politics, to be
part of community
organisations. Now is the
time for bold visions. Our
community values have waned
as civil society has
declined – and now more than
ever, civil society has to
rebuild – through our faith
bodies and beyond. In the
past, perhaps you had no
time – now there is the
opportunity to ask whether
those priorities should
change.
Do we spend our children’s
lives, turning them into
super beings with
extra-curricular tuition
schedules, feeding the ‘hero
individual’ narrative – or
do we as family, bring them
into community work,
community life? What are the
values we teach them through
our houses and attitudes,
our friendship circles, who
we include and don’t
include?
Socrates said, ‘the secret
to change is to focus all of
one’s energy, not on
fighting the old, but
building the new.’ While
this statement is easily
contested, I do think it is
a major weakness of
activists in the space of
education, climate, peace
building to constantly shout
about problems. We need to
start quantifying the
changes that need to happen,
pacing them, describing
them, selling them. We can’t
wait for the hero individual
to fly in and lead us. It’s
us, our kids, our neighbours
who need to start now.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Rita Jabri-Markwell
is a Lawyer and
Adviser to the
Australian Muslim
Advocacy Network (AMAN).
In this show Imam Mohamed
Ali (Imam of the Gold Coast
Mosque and graduate from the
renowned Al Azhar university
in Egypt) will address
questions that you wish
answered.
UK's
Muslim News readers
nominated
illustrious men,
women, children and
initiatives deemed
worthy of
short-listing for a
Muslim News Award
for Excellence. The
nominees were
short-listed by an
independent panel of
judges who reviewed,
deliberated and
mused over the list.
Over
the next weeks, CCN
presents a
shortlisted
candidate who will
be treated to a gala
evening in the
presence of their
peers and other
renowned guests, when the
finalists are
announced for the
[15] coveted Awards
for Excellence.
BREAKING
NEWS:
Due
to the
unprecedented
uncertainty
regarding
the
coronavirus
pandemic,
The
Muslim
News has
postponed
its
prestigious
annual
awards
ceremony
until
late UK
summer.
Annemarie Schimmel
Award for
Championing a Muslim
Cause
Dr Katy Sian
is a Lecturer in
Sociology at the
University of York.
She
has pioneered
research on conflict
and prejudice
between various Sikh
and Muslim
communities, both in
South Asia and other
contexts such as
North America.
Her work has been
given greater reach
through community
and media engagement
and maintaining a
keen awareness of
public policy
outcomes.
At a time when more
and more research is
being done on
Islamophobia with a
narrower and
narrower focus,
Katy opens up this
discussion onto the
crucial question of
the dynamics of
inter-ethnic
relations between
ethnic minorities in
general and South
Asian diasporas in
particular.
Katy’s books include
Unsettling Sikh
and Muslim Conflict:
Mistaken Identities,
Forced
Conversions, and
Postcolonial
Formations and
the co-authored
Racism, Governance
and Public Policy:
Beyond Human Rights.
As the Grand Mufti, Sheikh
Abdul-Aziz ibn Abdullah Aal
Al-Sheikh has the highest
position of religious
authority in the Kingdom of
Saudi Arabia. He is an
Islamic scholar based in
Makkah and has influence as
a leading cleric of the
expansive global movement of
Salafi Muslims.
Influence Salafi Lineage: The
Aal Al-Sheikh family in
Saudi Arabia traditionally
controls the religious and
justice establishments. They
are descended from Muhammad
ibn Abdul Wahhab
(1703–1792), the founder of
Wahhabi and Salafi thought,
and for 250 years have been
closely associated and
intermarried with the ruling
Al-Saud family.
Head of Sunni
Jurisprudential Committees:
Sheikh Abdul-Aziz Aal
Al-Sheikh is chairman of the
Council of Senior Scholars,
a scientific consultative
commission composed of
leading Sunni specialist
scholars of Sharia (Islamic
law). He is recognized for
his influence in enforcing a
distinct view of Islamic
tradition. In 2008, he
publicly criticized Muslim
televangelists who
encouraged Muslims to
celebrate birthdays and
anniversaries. He has also
been robust in his
condemnation of Turkish soap
operas sweeping the Arab
World, calling them
distracting practices.
Central Figure of Global
Salafi Movement: As
Grand Mufti of the Kingdom
of Saudi Arabia, AlSheikh is
the leading religious figure
of the Saudi based network
of Salafi Muslims. The
rulings derived by Al-Sheikh
are based heavily on a
literal reading of the
Qur’an and emphasize the
need to strip away past
interpretations that have
become a part of Muslims’
lives. The movement he leads
is characterized by an
authoritative stance on
Islamic religious practice.
He has described dai’sh as
‘evil’ and called them ‘the
number one enemy of Islam’.
In 2017, he received praise
from an Israeli minister for
labelling Hamas a terrorist
organization.
ABSTRACT
Islamophobia has been a
recurrent socio-political
narrative for some time now,
and it has been exacerbated
since the aftermath of 9/11.
Despite the plethora of
studies on the subject,
little is known about Muslim
scholars’ perception of this
phenomenon. This is due
primarily to the language
barrier since the Arabic
language is the code for
their discourse.
It is essential to consider
both Islamic and Western
perspectives to understand
the problem thoroughly and
suggest solutions, as
relying on one approach is
both biased and
uncompromising. Accordingly,
the purpose of this paper is
threefold:
First, it explains how
Islamophobia should be
defined contextually. It
frames its arguments within
three contexts: a historical
setting (Meccan and Madinah
period), Islam in the Arab
world, and Islam in the
West.
Second, the paper
demonstrates how a Muslim’s
perspective contrasts with
the Western narrative. It
critically challenges some
of the arguments put forward
in social sciences and
intellectual discourses and
adopts an unapologetic and
non-defensive approach in
the treatment of
Islamophobia.
Third, the paper discusses
the variables that affect
Islamophobia, such as
Western media and terrorism
(including state terrorism).
Finally, the paper proposes
some approaches to
mitigating the situation.
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
INTRODUCTION
Most scholars agree that
Islamophobia – ‘fear of
Islam and Muslims’ – reached
its peak in the aftermath of
9/11. It was a significant
event that has affected and
been used as an opportunity
to shape Western nations’
foreign policies, with the
USA in the lead, followed by
Great Britain and Australia.
Islamophobia was not part of
the scholarly narrative
before 9/11.
While the representation of
Muslims in the West is
complex, early Western
interest in the Orient was
not primarily politically
motivated, but “rather a
distribution of geopolitical
awareness into aesthetic,
scholarly, economic,
sociological, historical,
and philological texts.”
After 9/11, a state of moral
panic took hold, not only in
America but also in Europe.
This “marks a turbulent and
exaggerated response to a
perceived social problem
whereby there is
considerable concern and
consensus that such a
problem actually exists.
Blame is then shifted to
suitable villains who absorb
societal hostility.”
The division between ‘US’
versus ‘THEM’ has emerged,
as Morgan & Poynting argue:
In the global ‘West’,
the racialized ‘Muslim
Other’ has become the
pre-eminent ‘folk devil’
of our time. This
process did not begin
with 9/11, but since
then has expanded
rapidly to reshape the
politics of
multiculturalism in
various societies.
This moral panic has
affected Muslims
globally. Muslims have
been randomly searched,
watched, abused verbally
and physically. The
European Monitoring on
Racism and Xenophobia
reports numerous
instances of
discrimination; as one
respondent comments:
We face Islamophobia
in daily life: small
incidents, small
things. For example,
somebody jokes or
comments with
another, but in a
very loud voice, so
you have to listen
to this, ‘Oh
somebody who wears a
headscarf has
nothing to do in
this country.’ Or
somebody walks his
dog and says ‘Fass!’,
which means ‘catch
this’, to a Muslim.
You try and not let
these things get to
you but some days
they wear you down.
(Female, Austria).
For Christchurch
survivors,
killer's sudden
guilty plea is
an answer to
prayer
Victims and
relatives of
those killed in
New Zealand mass
shooting had
been preparing
for a brutal
trial, but then
the news came
Those injured or
bereaved in the
Christchurch
attacks on 15
March only found
out about the
court hearing
when their
phones started
buzzing with
calls and
messages after
it had finished.
They felt joy,
relief, and
utter shock.
“It was
completely out
of the blue,”
says Aya Al-Umari,
34, whose
brother Hussein
Al-Umari, then
35, was killed
at Al Noor
mosque last
year. The gunman
had initially
pleaded not
guilty to the
counts of
murder,
attempted
murder, and
terrorism, with
a lengthy trial
due to begin in
June. On
Thursday, he
abruptly changed
his plea to
guilty.
Al-Umari
scarcely
believes the
news, which
arrived when she
had just
finished her
morning prayers,
in which she
asked that
justice would be
served in the
case.
“This is one of
the things I
pray for,
periodically I
don’t but today
I did,” she
says. Then a
message arrived
telling her the
gunman had
pleaded guilty.
“I thought –
that was fast.
The line of
communication
must have been
open.”
Coronavirus
Reminds Essence
of Purification
– Obligatory
Physical and
Spiritual
Cleanliness of
Muslims
By Prof
Shahjahan Khan
Coronavirus
has forced
people to
practice some
aspects of
Islam. The whole
world has
embraced
quarantine (no
in or out from
plague area), an
old teaching of
Muhammad (SWS)
and cleanliness,
another core
practice of
Islam. China’s
city of Shenzhen
has banned
eating cats and
dogs which Islam
prohibited long
ago. These are
some fresh
examples of how
practicing of
Islamic Shariah
can benefit
mankind even if
they are not
Muslims.
Purification of
body and attire
are at the core
of Islamic faith
and
prerequisites
for fundamental
worshipping (salat)
of Muslims.
Equally
important is to
purify heart,
mind, soul and
wealth of
Muslims. Islam
does not allow
any impurity in
any form or
shape in the
life of Muslims.
Purification
leads to
successes and
spiritual
uplifting. As
the Qur’an
testifies, “He
has certainly
succeeded who
purifies
himself”
(30:14).
Purification
helps reduce the
risk of
contracting any
contiguous
diseases
including virus.
Hands
sanitization,
washing hands
with soap,
keeping outer
garments clean,
and not coming
in contact with
any
contamination of
infected
individual
(social
distance) are
different means
of keeping
purified at the
time of outbreak
of virus.
Muhammad SWS
said,
“Purification is
half of the
faith” (Sahih
Musim). At the
time of virus
epidemic
purification
ensures
prevention and
protection from
being infected
and remain
healthy.
South
African Muslim leaders
stance on large gatherings
ISLAMIC
Closing
the Houses of Allah Podcast
with
Sheikh Omar El Banna
OnePath Network
Nasheed
the 99 names of Allah
with a
short Du’a for mercy and
protection
Imam Ahmad Ghazaleh
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.
250,000 pilgrims mass in Pakistan despite
coronavirus warnings
Organizers late
Thursday curtailed the annual
Tablighi Ijtema congregation
Pakistan has only
recorded 21 confirmed cases of
the novel coronavirus and no
deaths
LAHORE: Hundreds of
thousands of Islamic worshippers
gathered in eastern Pakistan this week
amid the novel coronavirus pandemic,
ignoring government warnings that such
events could propagate the disease.
Organizers late Thursday curtailed the
annual Tablighi Ijtema congregation,
which had drawn people from across the
country, but cited rainy weather as the
cause.
The early closure came after about
250,000 people had already congregated
in camps near Lahore since Wednesday for
the five-day festival.
“Most of the people have returned to
their homes but still tens of thousands
of people are here. They will return
today,” one of the event’s organizers
Ehsanullah, who goes by one name, said
on Friday.
Pakistan has only recorded 21 confirmed
cases of the novel coronavirus and no
deaths, but officials have tested fewer
than 500 potential cases in the country
of about 215 million, where health care
is frequently inadequate.
Many countries are advising against
large gatherings in a bid to slow the
spread of the highly communicable virus.
Some nations — like France and Italy —
have banned them altogether.
The federal government has yet to
enforce nationwide measures to contain a
possible outbreak, leaving provinces to
act independently. Organizers of the
Tablighi Ijtema were free to ignore
government advice to postpone.
“The government asked us to cancel the
gathering because of the coronavirus,
but our elders and organizers decided
that the gathering will proceed as
planned,” Ehsanullah said.
The movement was founded by religious
scholars more than five decades ago and
focuses exclusively on preaching Islam.
Coronavirus: Saudi Arabia suspends prayers
in holy mosques of Mecca and Medina
SAUDI ARABIA: The
kingdom, which has 274 confirmed cases,
has banned entry to sites to stem spread
of Covid-19
Saudi authorities have stopped
worshippers from entering and praying at
the two holy mosques in Mecca and Medina
in an effort to combat the spread of the
coronavirus.
In a statement issued late on Thursday,
Hani bin Hosni Haider, a spokesman for
the General Presidency of Mecca's Grand
Mosque and the Prophet's Mosque in
Medina, said worshippers would no longer
be allowed to perform their five daily
prayers in the overflow area just
outside the walls of the two holy
mosques.
Authorities had already instituted a ban
on worshippers praying near the Kaaba,
the cube-shaped structure the world's
1.8 billion Muslims pray towards.
"Security and health agencies decided to
suspend the presence of people and
prayers in the outer courtyards of the
Grand Mosque in Mecca and the Prophet's
Mosque in Medina starting from 20 March,
as part of precautionary and
preventative measures to contain the
spread of the coronavirus," Haider said.
Shortly after the announcement, photos
were posted online showing Saudi police
creating a perimeter outside the
Prophet's Mosque in Medina with workers
closing doors leading to the complex.
Coronavirus: Emergency Bill could see
deceased Muslims forcefully cremated'
UK: The Muslim community
and advocacy group MEND has issued a
statement on the proposed burial
measures in the COVID-19 emergency
legislation.
The drafted emergency Coronavirus Bill
2019-21 is said to allow designated
local authorities to disregard section
46(3) of the Public Health (Control of
Disease) Act 1984, which is designed to
prevent a local authority from being
able to cremate a body against the
wishes of the deceased.
MEND has called on political
representatives to immediately amend the
Bill to reflect “the human rights of
religious minorities”. The Bill is due
to have its second reading in the House
of Commons this Monday 23rd March.
The Muslim community and advocacy group
has stated that:
“Whilst the
purpose of the legislation is to
deal with a potential surge in
deaths and lack of grave space
capacity arising from the current
tragedy, the Government should not
neglect their responsibilities in
upholding Article 9 of both the
European Convention on Human Rights
and the Human Rights Act 1998, which
protects the right to freedom of
thought, conscience, and religion.
This includes the freedom to
manifest one’s religion or belief in
worship, teaching, practice, and
observance.”
The CEO of MEND, Dr
Shazad Amin said that:
“The sanctity of
the dead body and the importance of
religious burial is an integral
component of religious practice for
Muslims, as well as Jews. Cremation
is forbidden in Islam and Judaism
and therefore the possibility of
forcing a cremation upon the loved
ones of these communities would add
further anguish and trauma to
bereaved families, who themselves
may be in self-isolation.”
The Muslim Council of
Britain (MCB) also released a statement
on the burial measures in response to
the government’s proposed emergency
legislation to deal with the lethal
virus.
The Secretary General of the MCB, Harun
Khan stated:
“The Muslim
Council of Britain is supporting the
National Burial Council (Muslim)
working alongside other faith
communities and collaboratively with
senior UK Government officials to
highlight the absolute importance of
burials in our faiths, and how risks
can be appropriately mitigated.
“This is not something anyone is
taking lightly and we want to
reassure the community that we are
working hard to ensure that our
concerns are taken on board.”
He further added that:
“We are hopeful a
solution will be found that
recognises the challenges in extreme
cases, whilst maintaining the
importance of certain beliefs that
our faith communities hold dear.
“We urge communities at a local
level to work positively and
collaboratively with other faiths,
communities, and local and national
government bodies, and will be
providing more guidance soon.”
Princess R. Lakshman
is a writer, poet,
life coach, and
spiritual
counsellor. She
lives in Brisbane,
Australia. Her
website is
www.princesslakshman.com
If you wish to know
about a specific
topic with regards
to Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind,
please text or email
me. If you wish to
have a FREE one hour
Finding Clarity
telephone session,
contact me on
0451977786
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.
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.
Every global event
brings with it
valuable lessons for
humanity. This
Covid-19 breakout is
also teaching us
something. We've all
been sick before and
we all know that the
only certainty of
birth is death.
But what we keep
forgetting is that
thing that lies
between birth and
death - LIFE.
We keep taking LIFE
for granted. And we
keep inflicting
unkindness to self
and others.
Covid-19 is
affecting everyone.
There is medicine
for it and we can
use this medicine
every moment, every
day.
The medicine of Love
and Compassion. It's
time to recognise
that love and
compassion is not
only for the rich or
the celebrity or
one's own family and
friends.
Love and compassion
is for everyone.
The body and mind
feels better when we
practise love and
compassion. If there
is anything that
Covid-19 is teaching
us right now, it's
that we need to
replace fear with
love and compassion.
Fear will only breed
anxiety, judgement,
unkindness, and
hate.
Love in the time of
Covid-19 is our only
way. It is the only
way that will
illuminate us to
think better
thoughts, speak
better words, and
perform better
deeds.
Those who feel
anxious, know that,
like everything else
in life, this too
shall pass.
Self-isolation is
not about the world
ending. It is about
you stopping so that
the world can heal.
If you haven’t yet
isolated yourself,
now is the time to
seriously consider
it.
And for those who
are in
self-isolation, use
this time to reflect
on your life’s
priorities - health,
relationships,
vocation, and
spiritual growth.
This time, of less
doing and more
being, is a gift of
healing.
The world needs us
all to pause and
heal a disease which
is far greater than
the Covid-19. It is
the disease of
unkindness.
Today, just for a
few minutes, try to
be in stillness and
feel your intuitive
self...feel why you
have been created.
With all the
excessive doing,
take this time to
pause and reflect.
Breathe. Drink tea.
Listen to your
favourite music. Sit
on your balcony and
watch the birds and
the trees.
The need of the hour
is self-kindness and
self-compassion. Do
not be consumed by
worry. The worry is
not worth it. In the
bigger plan, the
greater good is what
matters.
And the greater good
starts with how you
are treating your
mind, body and soul
right this very
moment.
Love, light, peace,
joy, wisdom, courage
and clarity be with
you always. May you
be blessed with
optimal health and
well-being.
Mistaken
Identities, Forced Conversions, and Postcolonial Formations
by
Katy P. Sian
DESCRIPTION
This book provides a critical
investigation into Sikh and
Muslim conflict in the
postcolonial setting.
Being Sikh in a diasporic
context creates challenges that
require complex negotiations
between other ethnic minorities
as well as the national
majority.
Unsettling Sikh and Muslim
Conflict: Mistaken Identities,
Forced Conversions, and
Postcolonial Formations maps in
theoretically informed and
empirically rich detail the
trope of Sikh-Muslim antagonism
as it circulates throughout the
diaspora.
While focusing on contemporary
manifestations of Sikh-Muslim
hostility, the book also draws
upon historical examples of such
conflict to explore the way in
which the past has been
mobilized to tell a story about
the future of Sikhs.
This book uses critical race
theory to understand the
performance of postcolonial
subjectivity in the heart of the
metropolis.
Place chickpeas in processor and process till fine
Add in rest of ingredients and process further
Tahini sauce
1 tblsp tahini paste
¼ cup yoghurt
1 tblsp lemon juice
Salt to taste
Crushed black pepper
Water
Mix above ingredients
Adjust seasoning
Add more water if too thick
Heat a waffle iron
Drop a spoonful into waffle iron
Close and allow to cook for about 5 - 8 mins or till golden
Serve with salad and tahini
sauce
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.
Say: "Not equal are things
that are bad and things that
are good, even though the
abundance of the bad may
dazzle you; so fear Allah, O
you that understand; that
[so] you may prosper."
In
celebration and recognition
of Black History Month in
the United States, here is
one of the greatest and most
influential quotes by Black
Muslims who have made
history and continue to make
history in our world today.
Ilhan Omar
Ilhan Omar is an American
politician, serving as the
US Representative for
Minnesota’s 5th
congressional district since
being elected in 2019.
Making history, she is the
first Somali-American, the
first naturalized citizen
from the continent of
Africa, and the first
non-white woman elected from
Minnesota. Omar is also one
of the first two Muslim
women, along with Rashida
Tlaib, to serve in the US
Congress. Not afraid of
making controversial remarks
on US lobbying and Israel’s
influence in the US, Omar
was recently attacked for
her ‘controversial’ but
truthful remarks:
"But it’s almost as if,
every single time we say
something regardless of
what it is we say that
is supposed to be about
foreign policy or
engagement or advocacy
about ending oppression
or the freeing of every
human life and wanting
dignity, we get to be
labelled something, and
that ends the
discussion. Because we
end up defending that
and nobody ever gets to
have the broader debate
of what is happening
with Palestine. So for
me, I want to talk about
the political influence
in this country that
says it is okay for
people to push for
allegiance to a foreign
country.”
It is with much
regret that ISQ
Inc. advise that
the above
program, "Pre-Ramadhan
Fundraising
Dinner Night"
scheduled for
Saturday 18th
April 2020 at
the Australian
International
Islamic College
has been
postponed until
further notice
due to ongoing
concerns around
the impact of
COVID-19.
This decision
was not taken
lightly and
ensuring the
safety of the
members of the
public
supporting our
fundraising
venture is
paramount. ISQ
takes the health
of our community
very seriously
and like most
other
organisations
right now, we
are trying to do
all we can to
minimise the
risk of
COVID-19.
We advise those
people who
bought the
tickets and have
paid for it, and
would like to
get their
refund, they
should contact
the ISQ
Executive
Committee member
who sold them
the ticket.
Those who would
prefer to donate
the ticket value
to ISQ Inc, you
will be issued
with an official
receipt.
Should the
Society decide
in the coming
months, after
Eid, to
reschedule the
fundraising
dinner night,
the event will
be advertised
again and new
tickets
reprinted.
We thank you for
your patience
and
understanding
during this very
tough times.
All programs
will be
available on the
Mosque
YouTube channel
for viewing at
your convenience
after the live
session.
POSTPONED
POSTPONED
NOTICE
The Executive
Committee of ISQ
Inc. made a
decision at an
extra ordinary
Executive
Committee
Meeting on 14th
March, that the
Mawlid program
for April that
was to be held
on Saturday 11th
April at the
Rochedale Masjid
be cancelled due
to the
restrictions
imposed by the
Government for
gatherings over
100 people.
In light of this
decision,
members are
informed that
there will be no
gathering at the
Rochedale masjid
on the 11th of
April after
magrib.
Those people who
want to come to
the masjid for
their regular
salat at the
prescribed
times, will
still be able to
do that.
The Society
regrets that
this decision
had to be made
to safeguard
from the risk of
spread of the
COVID-19 in the
community.
We thank you for
your
understanding
and patience
under the
current
circumstances.
The current
information out
there indicates
that we should
prepare
ourselves for
the long run and
things will
worsen in the
coming months.
Rapid changes
have given rise
to an air of
selfishness
where those who
are able hoard
leaving the rest
to perish. We
need to
continuously
adapt to these
changes which
can be
challenging.
In response to
the
uncertainties
that lies ahead,
ICQ is planning
to launch
PROJECT HUMANITY.
The goal of this
Project is to
shift the focus
from selfishness
to selflessness
by promoting a
culture of
positivity. The
Muslim community
has a wider
array of skills
and talents,
which ICQ
intends to
coordinate and
make services
available to the
people of
Queensland.
LAUNCHING
27.03.2020
STAY SAFE
ACADEMY ALIVE
ENROLMENTS OPEN
The Year of Endless
Opportunities, Don't Miss Your OPPORTUNITY.
Alhamdulillah, only for Brisbane
residents are we so fortunate to have the ability to
access Islamic Education on a variety of different
platforms.
With registrations CLOSING SOON there are limited spots
remaining until classes are at full capacity 2020 with
both Full – Time and Part – Time close to capacity.
“The Quran Alive course is the culmination of over 14
years of research and development. Our Academy Alive
scholars have tailored, refined and systemised our
unique curriculum, producing world class standards of
education to suit all learning styles."
View some of our success stories of our students of
2019. 2020 could be your year!
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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With
the impending government
lockdown, one thing is
definite, maybe you can
relate to this, my children
will be at home all day
doing nothing. 
Ryanair boss slammed for suggesting
defending profiling of Muslim men
She
has pioneered
research on conflict
and prejudice
between various Sikh
and Muslim
communities, both in
South Asia and other
contexts such as
North America. 
Towards
Demystifying Islamophobia: 
GP, 76, 'becomes first UK doctor to die
after contracting coronavirus'
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011