Sunday, 3 June 2007

Newsletter 0134

لسلام عليكم

......a sentiment expressed by the partisan spectators, but certainly not one supported by the two football teams.

The QPS – Muslim Rugby League Challenge was played in front of a high-spirited crowd last night at Sunnybank Rugby Grounds. Although the Police supporters may have outranked the Muslims in authority, it was the latter who pulled rank in passion and numbers on the night. The full time score of 36 – 6 to the QLD Police Rugby League Team went nowhere near reflecting the commitment and determination of the Islamic Rugby League Team.

The one converted try scored by the Muslim Team might have taken a long time in coming but for the vocal crowd it was a moment to relish. The roar that followed the player over the line would have been heard all the way to Suncorp Stadium on the other side of the Brisbane river where the Aussies were taking on Wales in an altogether different sporting code.

The evening was an initiative of the Queensland Police Service, and was organized by Sergeant Jim Bellos and Yasmin Khan, President of Qld I-CARE Assoc. Inc. It was an attempt to foster better relations between the Police and Muslim youth, and a friendly football match was seen as one way to break down barriers. In association with Oscar Akbar, President of the IRL, the Muslim team was put together from a composite of players from teams that played regularly as part of the recently formed Muslim League. 

The evening started off with the QPS Juvenile Piles and Drums offering an interesting rendition of the National Anthem on bagpipes. Football fans were privileged to witness former legendary referee Bill Harrigan adjudicate the match (albeit, without the help of a video referee) and Radio 4BC funny man Danny Hoyland played host entertaining the crowd in his inimitable and endearing style.

At half time spectators were invited onto the ground for a football kicking competition, giving some young policemen the opportunity to run around the field trying to catch the ball.

After the match both teams and the spectators got the opportunity to mix and mingle with each other and the common sentiment was that the rematch next year could not come soon enough. The evening was about more than a football game between two teams. It was about demonstrating in a practical way that groups can coexist, and work and play together in harmony without the need to comprise on individual beliefs and preferences. For that the organizers need to be congratulated. 
 

At a glittering function held on Friday at the Brisbane City Hall Lord Mayor Campbell Newman presented a selected group of businessmen and women with certificates acknowledging their contribution to the shared prosperity of the city of Brisbane.

Amongst the group of 25 entrepreneurs recognized were Mr. Faisal Hatia of Hatia Property Corporation, Mr. Suliman Sabdia of Sabdia & Co. and Imam Abdul Quddoos Al-Azhari of the Australian International Islamic College.

A glossy booklet entitled "Inclusive Business in Brisbane: Highlighting our shared prosperity", in which the journey of the 25 businesses is described, was launched on the night.

The booklet was part of a project of the Lord Mayor's Multicultural Round Table and was aimed to promote multicultural business development in Brisbane and to encourage new and emerging communities to be engaged in business activities.

"Brisbane is a city that grows and thrives on multiculturalism and diversity," Mayor Campbell Newman told CCN on the night. "Diversity is a key element in attracting business, investment and skilled people to the city to ensure our future economic growth," he added.

He was also of the firm view that Brisbane's culture, a city open to new ideas and respectful of differences, creates opportunities for a strong and profitable business sector that benefits the wider community.

At the last census in 2001, over 330,000 people in Brisbane were born overseas and over 150,000 residents spoke a language other than English.

At the Special General Meeting held a fortnight ago IWAQ elected a new Management Committee.
 

Mission of Hope (Sydney) is hosting the Third Annual Australian Muslim Achievement Awards. You can

submit nominations in a number of categories.
 

Categories include:
Woman of The Year
Man of The Year
Youth of The Year (Ages 16 - 26)
Sportsperson of The Year
Event of The Year
Media Outlet of The Year
Role Model of The Year
Professional of The Year
Business of The Year
Community Organisation of The Year
Best New Community Initiative / Project of The Year

Registration is now open. Sponsorship opportunities are also available. For more information email amaa@missionofhope.org.au.
 

As Sheffield prepares to host an Indian equivalent of the Oscars, Veronica Lee reports on the surge in interest in Bollywood in the UK

Fancy a trip to the Oscars? Well, travel to Sheffield next month and you can see some of the world's highest-paid stars walking up the red carpet to pick up their awards - but you may not instantly recognise some of their names, as these are Bollywood, not Hollywood performers.

They will be collecting awards, colloquially called the Bollywood Oscars, presented by the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) at the Hallam Arena on June 9.

Yorkshire may seem an unlikely location for such a glittering gathering, but as it is home to a large Asian population, the decision to stage it there was entirely logical. The UK has the biggest audience for Bollywood films outside India, and takings here contribute 15-20 per cent of the industry's profits.

But it's not just Asian immigrants and their offspring who are fans: Bollywood films are increasingly popular among non-Asians, and now the Indian film industry is as likely to set a film here as it is in its headquarters, Mumbai (formerly Bombay, hence Bollywood).

There has been a steady increase in interest in Bollywood movies in the past 10 years.

For British filmgoers, Bollywood is a more popular non-Hollywood genre than European arthouse movies, and its titles now regularly appear in UK top 10s. Last month Ta Ra Rum Pum, a family comedy, appeared at number nine after just one weekend, as did Namastey London in March, while Life in a... Metro, starring Shilpa Shetty of Celebrity Big Brother fame, made the top 20 when it opened on May 11.

Where Bollywood films were once seen only in specialist cinemas in predominantly Asian areas, they are now routinely programmed alongside mainstream films in multiplexes.

And Bollywood producers are increasingly using British locations and actors, or making films with substantial English dialogue as well as Hindi and other Asian languages. Namastey London - a bittersweet romance about a British-Asian woman and her arranged marriage to an Indian national - was shot largely in the UK, while Goal, about an Asian football league and entirely shot here, will be released later this year. About 15-20 Bollywood films a year are made at least partly in the UK.

So why the surge in interest? Akshay Kumar, Bollywood heartthrob and star of Namastey London, says: "India is 'in' - it's gone global. When you have one of the world's fastest-growing economies, people become interested in its culture and history. And Bollywood films have a unique quality that no other filmmakers can produce."

That "unique quality" is sometimes dismissed as a plethora of flamboyant all-singing, all-dancing, chaste romances.

"That's the stereotype," says Pratibha Parmar, a British filmmaker of Asian descent.

"And those films are still the mainstay of Bollywood, it's true. But there has also always been a more serious strain of movies being made - Mother India [1957], Lagaan [2001] and Kabhi Alvida [2006], for instance - that not only entertain but raise socially relevant and political issues of the time."

Parmar's latest project, Nina's Heavenly Delights - "a lesbian curry-house movie" set in Glasgow - is now out on DVD and appears to be indicative of broadening tastes among the Asian diaspora.

"Bollywood has been very reductive in the past," she says, "but now they're realising there's a huge market in the UK. The films are getting shorter, there are not as many dance numbers and the narrative is more important. You see films by younger Bollywood directors popping up in festivals around the world."

Sabbas Joseph, IIFA's chief executive, agrees that the UK effect is already evident in Bollywood output.

"A lot of films are now re-edited for the UK and filmmakers are increasingly sensitive to this market. There are more international stories, the direction is more adventurous and different types of music - rap, reggae and house, for example - are being used."

He mentions, too, the growth of "crossover" movies - those with Asian subject matter, many in English, being made with an eye to the global rather than domestic market - with films such as Monsoon Wedding (2002), Bride and Prejudice (2004) and Provoked (2007).

Kumar, though, despite welcoming increasing audiences for his work, cautions against Bollywood losing its uniqueness.

"Growing foreign audiences will encourage Indian filmmakers to give vent to subjects that might not get mass audiences in India or might not be allowed to be screened because of their content. Foreign viewership gives them another avenue to try new things, but if by doing more daring work we mean sleaze, then I doubt intelligent Indian filmmakers would go down that route."

He would, however, happily film here again, describing Namastey London as "a labour of love".

"For so many Indians, being in the UK is like coming home because we have so much shared history. I would be delighted to make more films here and I know other actors and directors feel the same."

Source: http://www.telegraph.co.uk/arts/main.jhtml;jsessionid=SU34CFNRQ0IYFQFIQMFSFF4AVCBQ0IV0?xml=/arts/2007/05/28/bfbolly128.xml#1

SCREENING on SBS Television in the Cutting Edge timeslot is Jihad with part 2 following at 10pm on Tuesday 5 June.

Jihad provides an in-depth look at modern, radical Islamic groups. The film explores the ideas and beliefs that inspire these groups, along with the challenges they pose for governments in the Middle East and the Western World. With previously unseen footage and first-hand testimony from those who fought, planned, argued, met or lived with them, this is the inside story of Al Qaeda's three leaders: Osama bin Laden, Ayman al-Zawahiri, and the recently killed leader of Al Qaeda in Iraq, Abu Musab Al Zarqawi.

This film examines how the blood-soaked careers of these three men were driven by an evolving ideology of violence and hatred towards the West.

From the Muslim Brotherhood in the 1940s to Islamic organisations today, the film offers insightful perspectives of Islam from Western and Middle Eastern journalists, US intelligence experts on the frontlines of the fight against Al Qaeda, and friends and contemporaries of Osama bin Laden and his lieutenant Ayman al-Zawahiri.

It is also the story of how the peaceful and noble religion of Islam was distorted by Islamist terrorists in the name of jihad. Jihad was filmed in the Middle East, Sudan, Pakistan, Afghanistan, America and Britain

The Governor Her Excellency Ms Quentin Bryce officially launched the 2007 Queensland Young Achiever Awards on Tuesday 29th May at her home Government House in Paddington Brisbane.

The Launch was MC’d by Triple M announcer John Caruso and will commence the call for nominations in the 2007 Qld Young Achiever Awards.

Queensland has a vast landscape which provides a wealth of talented young people. These include artists, scientists, athletes, business people and volunteers. However they are also neighbours, friends, colleagues and family members.

All young Queenslanders making valuable contributions in their field of endeavors aged between 14 to 26 are eligible to nominate in these prestigious awards in the following seven categories

• The Coffee Club Arts Award
• The Coates Sports Award
• The Sigma Energy Solutions Science & Technology Award
• The Department of Local Government, Planning, Sport and Recreation Regional Initiative Award
• The Cartridge World Community Service Award
• The Department of Main Roads Environment Award
• The Central Queensland University Career Achievement Award

The Queensland Young Achiever Awards will acknowledge and reward the valuable achievements young people are making to the community and the State.

The program will culminate at the Queensland Awards Presentation evening held on the 22nd September 2007 at the Crown Plaza Royal Pines Resort, Gold Coast, with each category winner receiving a $2,000 Heritage Building Society account and a hand carved glass trophy. The ultimate winner “The Young Achiever of the Year for Queensland” will receive a further $2,000 to add to their account and a magnificent trophy.

The Young Achiever Awards is a celebration of talent, determination and diversity in young people. The Awards are about breaking down barriers and promoting acceptance and providing recognition.

Nomination details are available here.

Nabila Ahmed interviews Bachar Houli, Monique Toohey, Nazeem Hussein and Raiyan Abdul-Rahim in a video clip entitled, “The Face of Islam” streamed on The Age Newspaper website on Friday 11th May 2007.

http://www.theage.com.au/multimedia/islamoz/main.html

Multicultural Development Association is conducting training sessions for all members of the Islamic Community organizations and groups on "How to access and manage grants".

Topics include:

. Step by step process for writing funding proposals/submissions

. Practical skills in writing submissions

. Project management strategies

SESSIONS WILL BE HELD ON THE FOLLOWING

DATES AND VENUES:

•   Thursday, JUNE 7, 5-7:30 Southport Library, GOLD COAST,

Cnr of Lawson and Garden Sts, Southport

•   Thursday,  JUNE 14, 5-7:30      SUNNYBANK HILLS LIBRARY

Sunnybank Hills Shopping Centre

Cnr Compton and Calam Rds

•   Saturday,  JUNE 23, 10-12:30  CHERMSIDE LIBRARY

375 Hamilton Rd, Chermside

Places are limited please RSVP: Jo-ann Cochran or Grace Prince, 3337 5400 or email:

jo-annc@mdabne.org.au , or gracep@mdabne.org.au

The fund raiser BBQ at the Australian International Islamic College was held in Durack last Sunday where the indefatigable Crescents of Brisbane Team raised some $450 for the school's coffers.

Kareema Benjamin fields readers' questions on fitness matters.

This week a reader asks:

What steps can I take to improve my diet?

FOCUS ON FRUITS: Eat a variety of fruits daily.  Different coloured fruits have different nutrients. Make dried fruit a part of your choice too. 

VARY YOUR VEGETABLES:  Include more green leafy vegetables. Again, more colour - more nutrients.

SUBSTITUTE WHITE WITH BROWN:  Try brown rice and bread varieties.

LIMIT YOUR INTAKE OF SATURATED FATS AND SALT:  Most fats should come from natural sources such as fish and nuts.

CHOOSE LEAN MEATS AND POULTRY:  Try grilling and baking instead of frying foods.

DRINK AT LEAST 8 GLASSES OF WATER A DAY (or a glass every hour).

-------------------------------------------------------

Send your questions to fitness@crescentsofbrisbane.org.

PLEASE NOTE: All questions sent in are published here anonymously and without any references to the author of the question.
 

If you have left behind any one of these items during CresWalk2007 please email theteam@crescentsofbrisbane.org to claim it.

 

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	Item 7

RECIPE
CHICKEN LOLLIES
Ingredients
1 kg chicken mince - Green masala to taste - 1 tsp dhania, jeero, salt.
Mix the above together in food processor - Soak 4 slices bread in a little water – squeeze out excess water.

1 egg, 1 tsp lemon pepper, 1 small onion chopped, Green dhania.
Mix all the ingredients together add bread crumbs if mixture too soft.
Roll into lollies around a stick. Add a little water to pot and steam the lollies till done.
Add the sauce 10 mins before done.

SAUCE
¼ cup soya sauce - ¼ cup tomato sauce - ¼ cup mayonnaise - ¼ cup oil 2tsp peri peri sauce or fine red chillies - Mix all together.

COOKING TIP
If frying almonds, cashews, etc. at the same time, first fry the cashews, then almonds, as the Almonds will discolour the frying medium.

Source: Radio Islam Newsletter - Monday, 28 May 2007

Mula Nasruddin telephoned St. Michael's Hospital.

He timidly asked, "Is it possible to speak to someone who can tell me how a patient is doing?"

The operator said "I'll be glad to help, Brother. What's the name and room number?"

Nasruddin in a weak tremulous voice said, "Mula Nasruddin, Room 302."

The operator replied, "Let me place you on hold while I check with his nurse. "

After a few minutes the operator returned to the phone, "Oh, good news. His nurse has told me that Mula Nasruddin is doing very well. His blood pressure is fine; his blood work just came back as normal and his physician, Dr. Sultan, has scheduled him to be discharged Tuesday."

Nasruddin said, "Jazakkalah! Alhamdulillah! That's wonderful news! I was so worried! God bless you for the good news."
 

The operator replied, "You're more than welcome. Is Mula Nasruddin your son?"

Nasruddin said, "No, I'm Mula Nasruddin in 302. No one tells me anything..
 

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