and CresWalk organizers, Kemal
Omar and Iqbal Sultan
flank
Battal and the Brisbane Marathon
winner's trophy
Moroccan, Abelhay Battal
(30), ran the Brisbane Marathon last week and won
the race in a time of 2hrs and 36mins.
As a professional runner, Battal
runs an average of 300km a week in training and is
currently based in Cairns where he is in preparation
for next year's Beijing Olympics.
His best time for a 42km marathon
run has been 2hrs 13mins.
Crescents of Brisbane has invited
Battal to this year's CresWalk2007 as its special
guest of honour.
NOTE: Late entries for CresWalk2007
are still being accepted.
On Saturday the 21st April 2007 the
Islamic Women’s Association of Qld Inc. held a Special
General Meeting at the Slacks Creek Progress Hall.
According to a
communiqué released during the week eighty one
financial members attended and a number of observers
from Government Departments, Community Organisations,
and legal representatives were present at the meeting.
The existing Management Committee was
removed from office and a further Special General
Meeting was called for Saturday, 19th May 2007 to
appoint a new Management Committee.
The termination of Ms. Galila
Abdelsalam as IWAQ Manager was also revoked at this meeting.
Helping Logan's youth
- one day at a time
Amina Nabi with two
members of the
Boystown group
Amina Nabi (60) has a
background in social work and has put her life
experiences and years of study to good use by
becoming one of Logan's first mentor in Boystown's
new Mentor One Program. The program is aimed at
providing marginalized youths in Logan the
opportunity to reach their full potential and become
meaningful contributors to society.
"I am looking forward to working with
young people and helping them realize thet you have to
work hard to get somewhere in life," Amina said.
"You may not always achieve your dream
but if you have faith in yourself you will find
happiness."
Amina said as a single mother she faced a
fair share of challenges on her own and wishes at times
she had someone to talk to, to help her see the light.
"That's all these kids need, someone to
show them that can can achieve great things and being
there when they fall," she said.
Amina is passionate about helping to save
the children as they are the next generation and she
believes it is the previous generations; responsibility
to lend a hand.
"If everyone spent just two hours a week
with a child as part of the Mentoring program I am sure
they would be amazed at the difference it would make in
the life of that young person.
"And the personal feeling of helping
someone out is what will keep me coining back each day,"
she said.
Amina is gearing herself up for the highs
and lows that this volunteer position will inevitably
lead to.
"I know it won't be easy but the fact is
you have to take it at their pace and build up their
confidence gradually," she said.
"If you try and force a connection you
will loose ground."
The Mentor one training course will be
held in April and organizers hope the program will
commence shortly after.
If you would like to become a Mentor
contact Boystown on 3808 8677.
Source: The Reporter April 25 2007
Brisbane student
becomes Young Australian Muslim of the Year
Standing up for what you believe in comes
naturally for John Paul College Vice-Captain, Yassmin
Abdel-Magied, who was named Young Australian Muslim
of the Year 2007 at an awards ceremony in Melbourne last
Saturday night.
Yassmin was instrumental in introducing
the hijab to the ecumenical school’s uniform, paving the
way for other female Muslim students, and gaining
recognition of her natural leadership abilities.
Honoured to receive the award, Yassmin
says she never dreamed of being able to achieve
recognition for her work.
“I just hope to be able to make an impact
on every person I meet, and to inspire people,” she
said.
“It is a really great honour to have that
recognised,” she said.
The award acknowledges outstanding
contributions to the Muslim Youth community and
Australian community as a whole, and recognises years of
altruistic work by the 16 year old.
John Paul College Headmaster, Stephen
Paul, says Yassmin’s natural leadership qualities made
her an outstanding role model within the school
community.
As well as a school prefect and
Vice-Captain, Yassmin established and heads the
College’s active Amnesty International chapter, and
represented the school in the Youth Parliament in 2006.
Externally, her list of causes is no less
impressive, as a member of ALNISA, the Fair Go for
Palestine movement, the Ethnic Community Council of
Queensland advisory board, and the Democrats advisory
roundtable, to name a few.
Earlier in the year, Yassmin was also
named club and regional winner of the 2007 Lions Youth
of the Year Quest.
A high academic achiever, she is also a
member of the College’s athletics squad, debating team
and girls’ First XI soccer squad.
Originally interested in pursuing a
graphic design career, Yassmin is beginning to consider
how she can best utilise her public speaking and
community relations skills after leaving school.
Her ultimate aim is to become the
Secretary General of the United Nations.
Queensland Democrat Senator Andrew
Bartlett congratulated Yassmin on being named Australian
Young Muslim of the Year 2007.
“Yassmin’s achievement demonstrates the positive
contribution made to the community by Muslim youth,”
Senator Bartlett said.
"The public portrayal of young Muslims is often quite
unfair and negative, and it important for the many
positive contributions of Muslim youth to be better
recognised.
“Yassmin’s wide ranging community work and clear
determination to make a difference bodes well for the
future.
“Her work with the Democrats’ advisory roundtable has
helped ensure views and issues of concern to Muslim
youth are better recognised, and has helped encourage
greater communication and understanding,” Senator
Bartlett concluded.
"Little Mosque on the
Prairie" to Receive MPAC's 16th Media Award
Los Angeles: The Muslim
Public Affairs Council announced that it would present
its 16th annual Media Award to Zarqa Nawaz, creator of
the groundbreaking hit Canadian sitcom
"Little Mosque on the Prairie".
Zarqa Nawaz, creator of
"Little Mosque on the Prairie", will be honored for
her groundbreaking sitcom which shatters stereotypes and
presents a complex, real, and entertaining picture of
North American Muslims. The show serves as a candle in
the darkness of international events, even for Muslims
in the United States who have followed the program
online with much enthusiasm and anticipation.
"Little Mosque" sheds light on the not-so-serious side
of the Muslim community which has been facing mistrust
and discriminatory backlash since 9/11. It's the story
of the Muslim population in the fictional town of Mercy,
Saskatchewan. The show derives much of its humour from
the interactions of the Muslims with the non-Muslim
townspeople of Mercy and by the contrast of conservative
Islamic views with more liberal interpretations.
In an effort to promote positive and accurate portrayals
of Islam and Muslims, MPAC each year recognizes voices
of courage and conscience who are the best in their
field. Since 1991, MPAC has honored artists, actors,
authors, and activists for their artistic contributions
to tolerance and diversity. Past recipients include
Warner Brothers for "Syriana", the Academy Award
nominated film "Paradise Now" and director Hany
Abu-Assad, South Asian rock band "Junoon" founder Salman
Ahmad, Morgan Spurlock for the "30 Days" episode
"Muslims and America", the Allah Made Me Funny Muslim
Comedy Tour, Spike Lee, Karen Armstrong, Hakim Olajuwan,
Yusuf Islam and the producers of VH1's "Behind the
Music," Michael Moore, and Alec Baldwin.
"We are thrilled to be able to recognize these talented
and inspirational voices for their humanizing portrait
of Islam and Muslims," said MPAC Executive Director
Salam Al-Marayati. "Amidst dismal and ominous daily
reports featuring criminals who disfigure the image of
Islam and Muslims, music and film hold the power to
challenge stereotypes and win hearts and minds."
The Algester Alert
The Islamic Society Of Algester cordially
invites you and your family to the annual UR'S SHAREEF
of Hazrat Shaikh Abdul Qadir Jeelani (R.A.) to be held
at the Algester Masjid today (Sunday 29 April) after
Esha
Salaat (Eisha 7.20pm)..
Accommodation for ladies will be provided
as will refreshment after the programme.
For more details contact Maulana
Nawaaz on 32197414.
Introducing Al-Nisa's
Muslim Youth Officers
Two Muslim Youth and Community
Development Officers have been appointed under the
Muslim Youth Services project of the Al-Nisa' Youth
Group Inc. with their primary task being to address the
needs of the Muslim youth in the Greater Brisbane
Region, to facilitate their engagement with the broader
community and reduce their marginalisation and
isolation.
Shaima Khan is a graduate with a
Bachelor of Behaviour Sciences from Charles Darwin
University. She recently worked as a Research Officer
with the Central Queensland University on the Muslim
Youth Identity and Self-Perception Project giving her
good insight into issues faced by female Muslim youth.
Anas Abdalla completed a Bachelor
of Commerce majoring in Information Systems and
Strategic Management from Griffith University. Abdalla
has had several years of experience in business
development management within the Telecommunications
Industry. He has represented the Muslim youth of
Brisbane on a number of occasions including national
youth conferences, inter-faith dialogues, various forums
and liaising with official and government bodies.
Both Shaima and Anas would like to meet
with representatives of Muslim organizations.
Moulana Imtaiz (tel. 0064-210210763093)
from New Zealand has been down in Brisbane this past
week to raise funds to establish a Mosque and Islamic
Centre in Onehunga, Auckland.
The local contact is Anwar Khan (tel:
0411 588037).
Donations can also be made through the
following bank account:
Some 300 people were invited to
meet with Prime Minister John Howard on Monday at
Michael's restaurant.
Campaigning in earnest in one of the
Coalition's most marginal seats the Prime Minister got
to rub shoulders with members of the local community and
kiss a few of the proverbial babies in the process.
(Background) Farouk
Adam (2nd left), Noormahomed Adam and
Crescents of Brisbane Team members,
Zaheer Suliman and (Foreground) Yahya Hasham
Youth Survey
Mission Australia is conducting its sixth
annual survey for Australians aged between 11 and 24.
Your answers will help improve services for young
people.
The survey is for all Australians aged 11
to 24 yrs & has a closing date of 29 June. A report of
the survey findings will be released in around November
this year.
This
year's MAYFEST at Magregor Primary School, McCullogh
Street on Saturday 5 MAY promises to bigger and better
than ever.
Join in the fun and festivities and
support the halal stall selling Spicy Chicken and
Chips.
You can buy your lunch or alternatively
dinner after Magrib. The stall closes at 6.45pm.
Then stay and watch the fireworks
display.
Muslim Women's Group
Meeting
The Muslim Women’s Group is
comprised of a vibrant and diverse mixture of women from
an array of cultural backgrounds merging together to
learn about women’s health under the umbrella of
sisterhood.
Some of their objectives include:
• To educate and equip women with knowledge about issues
concerning physical, mental, social and spiritual health
and well being from the expertise of qualified guest
speakers.
• To network women who lack family support or feel
isolated and alone.
• To explore and channel positive and creative solutions
to issues that we face and that affect us as
individuals, families and communities.
• To integrate and bridge the barriers that directly and
indirectly exist in our communities.
Meetings are held in a safe and secure women-only health
and wellbeing centre which also offers female
bulk-billing doctors, counsellors, natural therapists,
support groups, health information and activity
programs.
Located at 25 Ewing Road, Woodridge
(Opposite Blackwood Road) which is close to bus and the
Woodridge train station.
The group meets on the first and third Tuesday of each
month from 9:30 to 12:00. Currently there are around 15
regular group members.
There is no cost to participate in the Muslim Women’s
Group as is supported by Logan Women’s Health and
Wellbeing Centre and Multicultural Affairs Queensland.
There is free child minding as well! Take advantage of
this opportunity to have fun and learn while having time
for your own wellbeing.
Take along your friends, your sisters, aunts, mothers,
neighbours. All women are welcome.
They ask that you bring a plate of Halal food to share
with the group.
For more information please contact the Logan Women’s
Health and Wellbeing Centre on 3808-9233 or email Farina
at
farina@dwelling.com.au.
Algester holds
Meelad-e-Mustapha
The Islamic Society of Algester recently
held a celebration of the Prophet Muhammed (pbuh) at the
Croatian Community Centre.
I have come up with this cheeky solution
to curb my husband's spending!
As he is very much an 'Aussie bloke' and
quite a spendthrift, I opened an ANZ visa debit account
and ordered him the bright pink card linked to our
account.
He now thinks about everything he buys
and whether he really needs it - as he does not want to
take the bright pink card out of his wallet unless
absolutely necessary!
He gets very embarrassed when he does
have to use it but we are now saving a lot of money on
things we don't need!
Baked
beans and cheese casserole
1 Tin baked beans - ¼ cup grated cheese - 1 tsp dhunia -
½ turmeric powder - 1 tsp chillie powder - 2 green
chillies - ½ tsp salt - 1 onion finely sliced - 1 tomato
sliced - 2 green peppers - 1 ½ cup macaroni - 2 tsp oil.
METHOD
Put macaroni in boiling water with salt and cook until
done. Five minutes before macaroni is done, add one tsp
of oil in pot. Drain and rinse in cold water, keep in
colander. Fry onions in oil and when they become soft
add pepper rings and fry till onions begin to change
colour.
Add tomato and spices and cook gently till tomato is
blended. Then add baked beans and toss well. Arrange ½
of beans curry rest of macaroni and the rest of beans
curry. Bake in 350ºF (180º) oven for 10 minutes. Remove
from oven sprinkle with grated cheese and bake till
cheese melted.
Source:
Radio Islam Newsletter - Wednesday, 18 April 2007
Send in your favourite recipe to
theteam@crescentsofbrisbane.org and who
knows, you could be our "guest chef" for a future
edition of CCN.
...and
now for a word from our Sponsor
The CCN Chuckle
A man was hitch
hiking on a very dark night in the middle of a storm.
The night was rolling by and there was hardly a car on
the road. The storm was so strong that he could hardly
see his feet in front of him. Suddenly a car came
towards him and stopped. Without thinking, he got in and
closed the door, just to realize that there was nobody
behind the steering wheel. The car moved off slowly. He
looked ahead and saw a curve in the road.
Scared, he started praying, begging for his life. He was
terrified. Just before hitting the curve a hand appeared
through the window and turned the steering wheel. The
man, now paralyzed with fear, watched how the hand kept
appearing every time they got to a curve.
Gathering all his courage, he jumped out and ran to the
nearest lights he could see. Wet and in shock, he went
into a motel and asked for a drink of water. After
drinking it, he told everyone of the horrible experience
he just had. Everyone was silent when they realized he
was crying.
About half an hour later, two men came walking into the
motel and, on seeing the terrified man, the one said to
the other, "Look, Mfowetu (my friend), that's the idiot
that got into the car while we were pushing it".
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
Share your thoughts, feelings and ambitions for our community through CCN.
If there is someone you know who would like to subscribe to CCN please encourage them to send an e-mail to theteam@crescentsofbrisbane.org with the words “Subscribe Me” in the subject line.
Disclaimer
Articles and opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the Crescents of Brisbane team, CCN, its Editor or its Sponsors, particularly if they eventually turn out to be libelous, 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 either CCN or Crescents of Brisbane Inc.
This
year's MAYFEST at Magregor Primary School, McCullogh
Street on Saturday 5 MAY promises to bigger and better
than ever. 
Baked
beans and cheese casserole