Mr Hussain
Baba, CEO of the
Multicultural Social
Network, presents Human
Appeal's Dr Zakaria Amin
with an appreciation award
for contribution to the
COVID-19 food drive on the
Gold Coast
President of the Gold Coast
Islamic Society Hussin Goss says
there's high demand for the
Ramadan drive-thru
Key points:
The drive-through
service produces 400
meals per day for
members of the Gold
Coast Islamic community
A large number of
queueing for meals are
international students
who can't access
government support
Islamic leader Hussin
Goss is calling on the
Prime Minister to reopen
mosques before
restaurants and bars
Islamic leaders on the Gold
Coast believe they have
opened Australia's first
drive-through takeaway food
service for Muslims
observing the month Ramadan.
Gold Coast Islamic Society
president Hussin Goss said
the sudden closure of the
Arundel Mosque last month
due to the coronavirus
pandemic had forced them to
think outside the square.
"We've had to innovate a new
idea of feeding our fasting
people during the month of
Ramadan," Mr Goss said.
"Like Maccas has a
drive-through, we've got a
drive-through for people
picking up their meals,
taking them home, and
breaking their fast."
Ramadan is observed by
Muslims around the world and
began in Australia on
Thursday April 23.
Each day during the month,
Muslims abstain from eating,
drinking, smoking, and
participating in anything
that is ill-natured or
excessive from dawn until
sunset.
Hundreds
of curries flow once gates
open
Mr Goss said the
drive-through service, which
he believed was the first of
its kind in Australia, was
operated by seven people.
"We have two chefs that come
into the kitchen and prepare
about 400 meals," he said.
"We then have another team
of two who come in to pack
takeaway containers.
"Then we open the gate at
the centre from
approximately 1:00pm to
2:00pm."
Subsidised by donations, the
drive-through service gives
away rice, bread, and
curries made with lamb,
beef, and chicken.
Mr Goss said he was
surprised by how many people
were queueing up for food
since the service began this
week.
"We have a lot of
international students and,
as we're all aware, they
don't have jobs. They don't
have any income coming in at
all," he said.
"We are opening it up to our
own community, anyone that
is in need.
"This is a time of giving,
this is the month of Ramadan
where we have to show
compassion."
University student Junaid
Ali said he was very
grateful for the
drive-through, but he was
disappointed not to be
gathering with his family.
"Everybody wants to be
involved in Ramadan … [but]
they don't have any other
opportunity," he said.
Mr Ali said he hoped the
coronavirus crisis would
come to an end as soon as
possible.
"The month of Ramadan is one
of the greatest months in
the whole year," he said.
"I pray for God … that
everything [to do with
coronavirus] will be
finished as soon as
possible."
Call to
reopen mosques
On March 23 the Prime
Minister announced the
closure of pubs, licenced
clubs, cinemas, and places
of worship to reduce the
spread of COVID-19.
More than a month on, and
with the spread seemingly
under control, Mr Goss is
calling on the Federal
Government to loosen some
restrictions.
"I would hope that the
Prime Minister would
look at opening up
places of worship before
they open up pubs and
restaurants," said the
Gold Coast Islamic
leader.
"I think it's important,
I think people need that
spiritual guidance.
"People in this climate
now are turning to God."
He suggested coronavirus
fears could be managed by
limiting the number of
people who could enter a
place of worship.
This week the Daily Mail
published an article with
the headline: Riot police
and bomb squad swarm
lockdown the streets around
Australia's biggest mosque
as three men are arrested in
a home and a firearm seized.
The article concerned a
domestic matter which
happened to take place in
the home in the vicinity of
the Lakemba Mosque in
Sydney.
The Australian Muslim
Advocacy Network (AMAN)
wrote to the news service
and complained about the
decision to emphasise the
mosque within the headline,
including its size as
‘Australia’s biggest
mosque’, saying that it had
no material connection to
the criminal matters in the
story.
Within hours of receiving
the letter, the editor of
the news service
amended the headline to
read: Riot police and
bomb squad lockdown streets
as three men are arrested in
a home and a firearm seized.
Our Ramadan Food hampers,
that have been funded by the
communities generous
donations, have been
delivered to families in
need across Brisbane. We had
started collecting grocery
items earlier than we
anticipated due to the
effect of Covid-19 panic
buying. We also started
distributing the hampers
earlier than our deadline
because of the many people
who had reached out to us.
When we started the donation
drive for the second time
this year, we only thought
of doing it on a small scale
because of the challenges
and hardship that affect
many of us; people stood
down by their employers and
many had to close their
businesses.
We are truly grateful and
humbled by the donations
that have been coming in.
There are many generous
community member who are
just looking for
opportunities to help others
in the community. They are
racing to aid their
struggling fellow community
members in order to ease
their burdens.
Truly showing their true
generosity of spirit.
Especially our volunteers
who went to the supermarkets
everyday to buy 2 of the
essential items in the food
pack, due to purchasing
restrictions.
In total, 115 food packages
went out to different
families in Waterford West,
Kingston, Woodridge
Underwood, Sunnybank,
Doolandella, Holland Park,
and even as far as Warwick,
Redcliffe and Caboolture.
Through our network, we were
able to help - families in
need, single mothers, single
fathers, people with
long-term illnesses, elderly
brothers and sisters, and
struggling students with
their families.
The recipients were truly
grateful for the aid they
were receiving and sent
grateful thanks to every one
of the donors with
multiplied goodness for
their sincere donations for
the struggling people in the
community.
In three days of lockdown
due to covid19 these
communities had no water to
drink once their water
containers were empty. A
crisis emerged. Immediately
my husband Mohamed and I
decided to take action.
For two weeks I have been
raising funds for this
borehole project in Sierra
Leone. Thankful to have
completed one borehole and
people are collecting water
from today, servicing a
community of 200+ families
in Waterloo. Much gratitude
to all who donated towards
this one.
There was so much excitement
this morning as the
community are told they can
collect water. Group Prayers
were said and a crowd poured
in to help themselves to
pure clean water!
Project 2 Semi-Rural
Another borehole is required
in the semi-rural area. At
present, the people walk
down to the swamplands to
collect water. I will start
fundraising for this
borehole now. This will
service 60+ families in
villages surrounding an area
called Six Mile Crossing.
Donations collected from
South Africa, Botswana and
Australia. Local account
available for donations.
Due to the COVID-19 crisis
restrictions, sadly iftars
at mosques and by community
organisations have been
cancelled this year.
Last year Sisters With
Helping Hands hosted iftars
at their centre in Logan
Central for sisters but due
to this years restrictions
they were unable to host the
iftars again.
Therefore, they partnered
with Brothers in Need to
distribute iftar packs to
families and individuals in
the community struggling due
to the current crisis.
Four times a week volunteers
from Brothers in Need and
Sisters With Helping Hands
pack iftar packs and deliver
to those in need at their
homes.
Packs
include a suhoor pack of
oats, honey, snack bars,
fruit and dates, as well as
a hot food pack and dessert.
We started with 150 packs
per day and now we are doing
450 packs per day.
A big thank you to everyone
who is supporting the
program by donating money to
cover the costs of preparing
the packs each day or are
generously preparing and
donating food for the packs.
Thank you to our anonymous
donors and the Calamvale
discount fruit Barn, BBQ
Tonight, Sitaar Restaurant
Albion, AIIC, ICB, ICQ,
Brothers in Need, Muslim Aid
Australia, Muslim Charitable
Foundation, Sisters with
Helping Hands, Hurricanes
Star Club, Muslim Crescent
Scout Group, Deen Family,
Australia Youth Trust,
Rotary Club of Brisbane
International, Aus Leaf Pty
Ltd, Fussy Fruit and
Indonesian Sisters.
Please see the flyers below
for more details on how to
donate and refer individuals
or families who need
support.
Academy Alive is
proud to present
this project in
association with
Human Appeal
Australia,
Council of Imams
Queensland (CIQ)
and the Islamic
Council of
Queensland
(ICQ).
Plan Your Ramadan –
Abdal Hakim Murad (UK)
Cambridge
Muslim College
Ramadan Live!
This month,
we’re bringing Cambridge
Muslim College to you with a
series of FREE talks
– online,
live and every day –
from renowned
scholars around the world.
Join us on
YouTube for a carefully
curated month of learning:
from the
Qur’an, Prophetic tradition
and self-improvement, to
arts, culture and astronomy.
Shereena and Emilee Kia
reading the Quaran during
Ramadan. April, 2020.
There is a call to
prayer, signalling the sun
is beginning to set. There
are dates passed across the
table. There are hushed
mutterings of thanks
underneath the tongues of
family members. There is
prayer.
Most notably, there is a
rich aroma wafting from the
kitchen. There is a great
feast, the first for the
day.
These short, poignant
moments are being shared in
the homes of Muslims around
the country during iftar
(breaking of the fast) as
individuals and families
observe Ramadan.
The Kai family come together
during Ramadan while the world
struggles with the coronavirus
pandemic.
More time for family and
reflection
The disruption is
disappointing and unsettling
for many in the community.
But for the Kai family in
south-west Sydney, the
pandemic is presenting an
important opportunity to
reconnect with a month they
are ordinarily too busy to
embrace due to work and
school commitments.
"In the previous years,
everything goes by so
quickly and by the time you
know it, Ramadan is
finished," says Shereena, a
21-year-old fashion and
textiles student.
"Now, I have time to reflect
on the everyday and be
present in the moment."
Even though the coronavirus
shutdown has left Shereena
and her two sisters without
jobs, they say they've never
felt more positive about
"reconnecting with our
family, with our creator and
renewing our intentions".
In addition to the family
Koran reading sessions, the
Kais have also connected
online to the Indonesian
Islamic community Iqro,
where they watch religious
lectures online "to make
sure we're gaining that
knowledge, socialising and
seeing how everyone is
doing."
Ella Misisa,
10, of Slacks Creek has received
a refurbished computer to assist
with her online schooling.
Accessing online information
from home will be easier for
more Logan families thanks
to locally rebuilt
computers.
The refurbished devices are
being rolled out by the
electronic waste recycling
team at Kingston-based
Substation33, the social
enterprise arm of Logan’s
YFS community support
services.
The project is being funded
and supported by Logan City
Council in partnership with
the Logan Together community
movement, YFS and
Substation33.
Devices have been supplied
to families and people most
in need.
Slacks Creek mother Chiquita
Misisa said computer access
would allow her family,
including daughter Ella, 10,
to face the coming weeks
with confidence.
“Education for our kids is
very important to me and my
husband,” Ms Misisa said.
“Academically they are doing
well and we didn’t want them
to fall behind.
“But we were wondering what
we were going to do without
a computer. This has been a
huge relief for us”.
Logan Mayor Darren Power
said Council remained
focused on supporting local
families and residents
through the COVID-19
pandemic.
“Our top priority at this
time is the safety and
wellbeing of our community,
customers and staff,” Mayor
Power said.
“More people are working and
studying from home and
require support and
technology to do so.
“Our community members are
rising to these new
challenges and Council is
proud to support them on
this fantastic initiative.”
Logan Together Director
Matthew Cox said current
social distancing
requirements had reinforced
the importance of every
child having equal learning
opportunities.
“Logan Together is focused
on the wellbeing of every
young child in our community
and on what they need to
thrive,” Mr Cox said.
“It has become very clear in
the last few weeks just how
critical access to a
computer is for connection,
but there are many families
in Logan and across
Australia who don’t have
that access.
“Logan Together is very
pleased to be able to
provide these computers to
families in Logan, providing
online connection now and
into the future.
“It is absolutely fantastic
that we have been able to
meet some of the need here
in Logan but this is a much
bigger issue that needs to
be addressed across the
state and country.
“If we address it well now
we will leave a lasting
legacy for families.”
To continue the initiative,
Substation33 is in urgent
need of donations of
computers, screens,
keyboards, mice, power and
monitor cables.
The enterprise is
accepting donations during
business hours at 31 Mary
Street, Kingston, or they
can be contacted on 07 3826
1533 to make arrangements
for larger collections or
pick-ups.
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!
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.
PLESE
NOTE:
Due
to the
unprecedented
uncertainty
regarding
the
coronavirus
pandemic,
The
Muslim
News has
postponed
its
prestigious
annual
awards
ceremony
until
late UK
summer.
Khizra Mosque &
Community Centre in
Manchester stands
out for engaging
with the wider
community and not
just its members.
Besides traditional
mosque facilities,
Khizra regularly
hosts events for all
ages in the areas of
health and exercise,
education, poverty
relief, and
interfaith.
Examples include
mosque tours,
careers fairs, blood
donation clinics,
charity fundraising,
language classes,
and all types of
clubs from youth to
gardening.
Khizra has organized
street cleaning and
provided support for
flood victims in
Cumbria and
Somerset.
Khizra has received
many awards and
recognitions for its
activities,
including the Be
Proud Manchester
Special Recognition
Award following the
2017 attack at the
Manchester Arena,
the UKIM Best Mosque
Award in 2018, and
seven awards at the
Beacon Mosque Awards
2019.
While being active
in community
development, Khizra
is undergoing
development in the
form of construction
work aimed at
furthering its
endeavours.
Shah Karim Al-Hussayni, also
known simply as the Aga Khan
(Imamate: 1957-present), is
the leader of the Shia sect
of Muslims known as the
Nizari Ismailis. For 10–15
million Nizari Ismaili
Muslims the Aga Khan is the
49th hereditary Imam, with
lineage descending back to
Ali, the cousin of the
Prophet Muhammad (PBUH).
Influence Hereditary Leader of
Ismailis: The Aga Khan,
a hereditary title bestowed
upon the Imam by the Shah of
Persia in the mid-nineteenth
century, derives his
position of authority from
his lineage. At the age of
21 the Aga Khan bypassed his
father and uncle to become
the fourth Aga Khan and 49th
Imam, a choice that his
grandfather made because he
felt the community needed a
leader ‘who has been brought
up and developed during
recent years and in the
midst of the new age, and
who brings a new outlook on
life to his office.’
Unparalleled
Philanthropist: The Aga
Khan Development Network (AKDN)
is a collection of
development and humanitarian
agencies working in areas of
poverty. The network is
widely known for its
architectural and cultural
work, including projects
that revitalize historic
cities. Some projects
include the renovation of
the Old City of Aleppo and
the Al-Azhar Park in Cairo.
The Aga Khan’s foundation
maintains a strong and
enduring presence in
developing
countries—building health
care capacity, promoting
economic development in
rural areas and helping
improve educational
opportunities. The AKDN is
particularly influential in
Central Asia, where it works
in areas that are often
neglected by other
organizations. The period
from July 2017 to July 2018
was designated the Diamond
Jubilee Year of the Aga
Khan’s 60th year of reign.
.
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
TOWARDS THEORISING
ISLAMOPHOBIA
...continued from last
week's CCN
With globalisation and the
rise in social movement and
immigration, since the
1970s, the concept of
identity politics has
emerged. It is founded on
the premise that the
identity of cultural
communities needs
recognition.
However, these cultural
communities may cause
problems in contemporary
liberal democracies because
“the recognition these
groups’ claim appears in the
current view as a threat to
public order and community
life forms.”
However, in Muslim identity
politics, there is a move
not merely to consider
Islamophobia as religious
discrimination but also to
recognise that Islamophobia
“refers also to the
practical consequences of
such hostility in unfair
discrimination against
Muslim individuals and
communities, and to the
exclusion of Muslims from
mainstream political and
social affairs.”
Islamophobia has also been
associated with expressions
of racism and antisemitism.
The Runnymede Commission on
Antisemitism pointed out
that Muslims and Jews
experience exclusion and
marginalisation because they
are both treated as
“intruders,” with Jews
considered “Christ killers”
and Muslims as “infidels.”
Whether to link Muslim
identities with race is
moot. Tyrer professes,
instead of engaging in a
discussion about the
positioning of Islamophobia
within the sphere of racial
politics, one should put
forward the premise that
Muslim identities “acted as
a device that could drive
forward a wider narrative of
denial while foreclosing
politicisation around
experiences of Islamophobia.”
What complicates the
blurring of the link of
Islamophobia with the
concept of race is
Islamophobia’s inherent
ambiguity. However, calling
a Muslim ‘the Other’ “does
not dispel its racial
intent, but it does open up
a new form of racial
politics …”
Tyrer adds:
the attempt to deny the
racist nature of
Islamophobia is of
utility in extending a
particular racial
politics without risking
the accusation of
racism, and in doing so
it also centres
problematic ideas of
phenotypal racial
difference, not by
labelling Muslims as
biologically bounded but
by contrasting Muslims
against other minorities
who are held as such..
For years,
studies have
shown the
positive impact
nature has on
our mental
wellbeing – so
much so that
doctors have
even started
prescribing it
to patients
living with
anxiety and
depression. Many
have come to
realise just how
important nature
is for their
mental health.
From listening
to the birds to
feeling the sun
on your skin,
people are
realising how
much happiness
can be found in
the simplicity
of the natural
world.
Ways you can
incorporate
nature into your
life during the
COVID19
pandemic.
House Plants
that thrive
indoors - the
colour green is
soothing and it
increases the
amount of oxygen
in your home.
A stroll down
that path,
surrounded by
trees and birds
– particularly
after finishing
work and the sun
is beginning to
set.
Take
your daily
exercise routine
outdoors.
Feel the earth
and grass under
your bare feet -
a few minutes
each day is very
calming.
Close your eyes
and listen to
the rustling of
the leaves, the
sound of water
flowing, birds
chirping.
Me more present
with elements
around you, seek
out their
colour, texture,
smell, and be
aware of how
they make you
feel.
Multicultural
communities long
for the social
interaction with
the community
where support
and comfort are
sought, nature
can fill some of
that space for
you.
If COVID19
restrictions
allow you to go
to a park, the
beach, a
waterfall, a
rainforest, take
the opportunity
to connect with
nature at least
once a week.
Just being able
to inhale some
fresh air and
smell the trees
and the earth
seems to have a
soothing effect.
Nature is now
being prescribed
by doctors to
help with mental
health problems.
We are naturally
programmed to
want to be with
nature Dr Vishal
Shah, a GP and
Medical Director
at Thriva in the
UK, explains
this response is
natural because
humans are
actually wired
with a desire to
be around living
things. She
says: ‘We’re
naturally
programmed to
want to spend
time in nature –
in fact, the
term “biophilia”
is used to
describe the
innate tendency
we have to
connect with
nature and
living things.’
– is such an
effective escape
from cabin fever
and feeling a
bit downcast.
It’s not just
our mental
health which
benefits from
the natural
world – our
physical health
is better
because of it,
too. Dr Vishal
adds: ‘Spending
time in nature
is linked to
lower stress
levels, lower
blood pressure,
reduced symptoms
of anxiety and
depression,
better sleep,
and a stronger
immune system.’
Mona Mahamed
is the CEO and Founder of Community
Support Services
Incorporated, a social
enterprise aiming to help
vulnerable individuals from
low socio-economic
backgrounds, providing
engaging programs and a
platform for social
cohesion, particularly for
those from CALD background.
Mona Mahamed is a mother of
six children, living in
Bankstown, Sydney. Mona is
of Egyptian heritage and was
born and raised in
Australia.
Mona created a one-stop-shop
for the community of
Canterbury/Bankstown
district by offering
referral services including
educational seminars, case
management, financial
assistance, youth education
and support services,
Village Food Pantry
addressing food insecurity
and ‘The Village’ radio
program, broadcast by Mona
herself.
‘The Village’ comes from the
proverb ‘It takes a village
to raise a child’, reviving
the concept of being in a
supportive village and
giving a sense of cohesion
for those who need it most.
Mona says “We hope to open
avenues to train women and
youth alike to become
financially independent by
providing pathways to get
them into the workforce and
to grow nationally or even
internationally, touching as
many people as possible,
creating a positive ripple
effect – thriving, not just
surviving!”.
Prince
Charles' Ramadan Message
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.
South African High Court dismisses
application to have mosques reopened
SOUTH AFRICA: The Gauteng
High Court in Pretoria has dismissed an
application by a group of Muslim leaders
and entities to declare certain parts of
the lockdown regulations
unconstitutional because it prohibits
prayers, specifically the Muslim daily
prayers, in places of worship.
The application was brought by Muhammed
Bin Hassim Mohomed, Anas Mohammed Chotia
and the As-Saadiqeen Islamic Centre.
Judge Brenda Neukircher said in her
judgment that every citizen had been
called upon to make sacrifices to their
fundamental rights entrenched in the
Constitution. She said this was done for
the "the greater good", in light of the
Covid-19 pandemic.
She added that the government had put
together a task team to consult
extensively on the safety of citizens in
order to flatten the curve and prevent
the country's health system from
collapsing.
"I cannot find that the restrictions
imposed are either unreasonable or
unjustifiable and thus the application
must fail," she said.
Describing the impact on other
religions, which included Jews and
Catholics, she said many did not gather
on many auspicious days during the
lockdown.
"Holy Communion and mass had to be
foregone by Catholics, and Easter could
not be celebrated in church services
throughout the country. In fact, each
religious sector of the country had to
make tremendous sacrifices for the
greater good."
What did the Saadiqeen Islamic
Centre ask for?
Among the proposals from the Islamic
Centre was a call for small
congregations of approximately 10 to 15
people to attend the morning, afternoon
and evening prayers.
They said there would be sanitising of
the mosque before and after the prayers,
and if the prayers attracted larger
crowds, they could be split into three
to five smaller "congregations" that
would pray for no more than 10 minutes.
They also proposed security to control
the numbers and to ensure that no more
than 10 people enter and pray at a time.
Judge Neukircher said there were clear
examples of gatherings spreading
Covid-19. She said the spike in India's
coronavirus cases were linked to the
attendance of 3 400 worshippers at the
Nizamuddin Mosque in Delhi.
She also said that, all over the world,
entire countries of people have had to
suffer similar inroads to their civil
liberties and way of life.
"In this respect, SA is not unique or
alone in its efforts. In some countries,
these restrictions were placed too late
and others have suffered criticism of
being too draconian. What they all have
in common is the presence of Covid-19
and the toll it has taken on human life
in so many ways."
Saudi Arabia to end flogging as a form of
punishment
Form
of corporal punishment will be
replaced by jail terms, fines or
a mixture of both
SAUDI ARABIA: Saudi
Arabia is ending flogging as a form of
punishment, according to a document from
the kingdom’s top court.
The decision by the general commission
for the supreme court, taken sometime
this month, will mean the punishment
will be replaced by prison sentences,
fines or a mixture of both.
“The decision is an extension of the
human rights reforms introduced under
the direction of King Salman and the
direct supervision of Crown Prince
Mohammed Bin Salman,” the document said.
Flogging has been applied to punish a
variety of crimes in Saudi Arabia.
Without a codified system of law to go
with the texts making up sharia, or
Islamic law, individual judges have the
latitude to interpret religious texts
and come up with their own sentences.
Rights groups have documented past cases
in which Saudi judges have sentenced
criminals to flogging for a range of
offences, including public intoxication,
harrassment and extramarital sex.
“This reform is a momentous step forward
in Saudi Arabia’s human rights agenda,
and merely one of many recent reforms in
the kingdom,” said Awwad Alawwad, the
president of the state-backed Human
Rights Commission.
Other forms of corporal and capital
punishment, such as amputation for theft
or beheading for murder and terrorism
offences, have not yet been outlawed.
“This is a welcome change but it should
have happened years ago,” said Adam
Coogle of Human Rights Watch. “There’s
nothing now standing in the way of Saudi
Arabia reforming its unfair judicial
system.”
The Saudi supreme court said the latest
reform was intended to “bring the
kingdom into line with international
human rights norms against corporal
punishment”.
The most high-profile instance of
flogging in recent years was the case of
Saudi blogger Raif Badawi who was
sentenced to 10 years in prison and
1,000 lashes in 2014 for “insulting”
Islam.
He was awarded the European parliament’s
Sakharov human rights prize the
following year.
The abolition of corporal punishment in
Saudi Arabia comes just days after the
kingdom’s human rights record was again
in the spotlight after news of the death
from a stroke in custody of leading
activist Abdullah al-Hamid.
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
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Muslimah
Reflections - my new
ebook of poetry and
affirmations
DOWNLOAD The
Ultimate Self-Care
Guide For Muslimahs
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from Muslimah
Mind Matters YouTube
Channel.
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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.
Muslimah Mind
Matters now has a
blog site.
Please visit this
link and follow the
website to get your
latest articles on
self-care and mind
wellness from
Princess R. Lakshman
(Sister Iqra)
https://muslimahmindmatters.wordpress.com
Muslimah Mind
Matters blog site
advocates self-care
and clarity of mind
for Muslim women.
Princess R. Lakshman
is a writer, mind
wellness coach,
narrative therapist,
soon-to-qualified
clinical
nutritionist,
speaker, and
workshop
facilitator.
To suggest topics
for blogs, email
info@princesslakshman.com
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:
Self-Care Is Not
Selfish
What self-care acts
you have performed
today? When I ask my
clients this
question, the common
response I get is:
“What do you mean,
self-care? Isn’t
that a bit selfish?
I can’t ignore
everyone else and
put myself first. I
wasn’t raised that
way.”
Let us understand
the vital difference
between self-care
and selfishness and
why self-care is not
selfish but rather
without self-care,
it becomes
absolutely
impossible to care
for others and be a
healthy individual
in body and mind.
To be selfish
is to lack concern
and care about
others and indulge
in personal
pleasures and
profits.
To practise
self-care is to
care for yourself
with the intention
to be a better
person in mind, body
and spirit, so that
you live a full life
of love, light,
peace and joy and
are able to spread
love, light, peace
and joy to others.
In order to
understand self-care
at a deeper level,
let me explain about
your Physical and
Essential Self.
We often take our
‘Physical Self’
as the primary self.
When it comes to
self-care, we need
to delve deeper and
find the ‘Essential
Self’ - our essence.
This Essential Self
is what dwells
inside the physical
body. Our spiritual
self.
For example...
When you use words
like: “I am angry”,
“I am fat”, “I am
confused”, “I am
hungry” and so on,
what you are really
saying is that your
physical body is
angry or fat or
confused or hungry.
Your energy force,
the Essential Self,
within you, “I”, is
free from anger or
hunger or confusion
or fat.
When the Essential
Self is ignored for
too long, the
Physical Self begins
to show negative
symptoms such as
anger, confusion,
anxiety, fear,
accumulation of
abdominal fat, lack
of sleep, fatigue,
worry, increased
blood pressure and
shallow breathing,
to name a few.
Now, ask
yourself...is it
selfish to care for
your Essential Self
so that your
Physical Self
operates at an
optimum level? Think
about it...if your
Physical Self has
been manifesting
symptoms of fatigue,
poor concentration,
agitation, anger,
irritability and
more, how is that
affecting your
ability to care for
others? How is it
affecting your
ability to pray? To
connect with ALLAH?
To live a life of
joy and positivity?
The truth is that
lack of self-care
leads to negative
behaviour patterns
whereby you
eventually feel
resentful towards
others (the same
people you are
caring for) and
resentful towards
yourself. This
further results in
terrible outbursts
of anger or complete
withdrawal from
people. Before you
realise it, you are
on pills for a
diagnosed mental
health issue and are
programmed to
believe that there
is a label that
defines you, when in
reality, all you
need is self-care.
Strategies for
Self-Care
• Be compassionate,
gentle and caring
towards yourself. Do
not judge yourself
with negative
self-talk
• Change negative
thoughts by
immediately being
grateful to ALLAH,
and mean it
• Care for others
with an intention to
care, not with an
intention to seek
approval or to
please
• “No” is a complete
sentence. Practise
saying “No” and
understand that you
do not always have
to explain why you
are saying “No”
• Say “Yes” with
love and compassion,
not resentment and
guilt
• Upon waking up,
express gratitude to
ALLAH for giving you
this brand new day
to be a better
Muslim
• Be grateful for
your body and all
its organs. Take
care of it by
resting and sleeping
on time, eating the
right foods and
drinking water and
healthy beverages.
Exercise for at
least 15 minutes
daily
• Inspire others to
care for themselves
• Speak only
positive words,
think only positive
thoughts, perform
only positive deeds
• Repeat this
Positive Affirmation
daily:
ALHUMDOLILLAH -
Everyday in every
way, I am better and
better.
• Love yourself (if
you have a hard time
understanding this,
contact me for a
Clarity-Coaching
session).
'Why are you
making this about race?'
This question is repeated
daily in public and in the
media. Calling someone
racist in these times of
mounting white supremacy
seems to be a worse insult
than racism itself. In our
supposedly post-racial
society, surely it's time to
stop talking about race?
This powerful refutation is
a call to notice not just
when and how race still
matters but when, how and
why it is said not to
matter. Race critical
scholar Alana Lentin argues
that society is in urgent
need of developing the
skills of racial literacy,
by jettisoning the idea that
race is something and
unveiling what race does as
a key technology of modern
rule, hidden in plain sight.
Weaving
together international
examples, she eviscerates
misconceptions such as
reverse racism and the
newfound acceptability of
'race realism', bursts the
'I'm not racist, but'
justification, complicates
the common criticisms of
identity politics and warns
against using concerns about
antisemitism as a proxy for
antiracism.
Dominant voices in society
suggest we are talking too
much about race. Lentin
shows why we actually need
to talk about it more and
how in doing so we can act
to make it matter less.
KB says:
This recipe will change the way you eat chicken.
Asparagus Stuffed Chicken Breast
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
Ingredients
4 Skinless boneless chicken
breasts
1 Tsp Italian seasoning mix
1 Tsp Garlic Powder
1 Tsp Smoked Paprika
1 Tsp Red Chilli paste
Sea salt and pepper
12 Asparagus stalks end trimmed
1 oz Tomatoes chopped up
4 slices Mozzarella Cheese
1 Tbsp Coconut Oil
Method
Preheat your oven to 200'C.
Place the chicken on a clean
chopping board and sprinkle with Italian seasoning,
chilli, garlic powder, paprika, salt, pepper.
Start cutting each one
lengthwise to create the pockets. Be careful not to cut
all the way through.
Add 3 sprigs of asparagus
and a couple of pieces of tomatoes to a mozzarella
slice, then roll it to hold them inside. Stuff the
chicken breasts with it.
Close the pocket with a
toothpick. Heat oil in pan.
Add in the chicken and sear
it until nicely golden brown, about 3-5 minutes per
side.
Bake the chicken for 15-20
minutes.
Serve with a side of hot
chips or baked vegetables
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.
Q: Dear
Kareema, I don’t normally exercise at night time
but during Ramadan it seems to be the only time
that I can. Is it ok to exercise so close to bed
time?
A:
Any movement
is good, and as long as it doesn’t affect your
sleeping pattern you should try to keep going.
I find that going
for a walk / run after a light meal works.
Coupled with a yoga
session or bodyweight exercises.
Notice how your body
feels and do what works, no matter the time of
day.
Changing it up might
be a good thing.
Try mini-workouts
throughout the day and
you’ll find you don’t have to do too much come
evening.
Allah enlarges, or grants by
[strict] measure, the
sustenance [which He gives]
to whomso He pleases. [The
worldly] rejoice in the life
of this world: but the life
of this world is but little
comfort in the Hereafter.
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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Packs
include a suhoor pack of
oats, honey, snack bars,
fruit and dates, as well as
a hot food pack and dessert. 
Towards
Demystifying Islamophobia: 
Take
your daily
exercise routine
outdoors.
South African High Court dismisses
application to have mosques reopened
post comments on
our Wall