In one of the biggest
turnouts for an Eid Day prayer in Queensland, over 3000
men, women and children, representing backgrounds from
virtually every corner of the globe, attended the Eid
prayer yesterday at the Islamic College of Brisbane in
Karawatha.
On a glorious Brisbane
Spring morning, people came from all parts of the city
to pray together and wish each other well on this
auspicious day.
The large crowd was a
glowing vindication for the proponents of a single venue
and stands as a testimony to foresight and wisdom of the
various stakeholders and their willingness to come to an
agreement for this Eid prayer.
CCN can confirm that Mr
Suliman Sadia, the President of Islamic Council of
Queensland is well and back home from hospital after
collapsing just after the Eid prayer. Mr Sadia was
rushed by ambulance from the school grounds to Logan
hospital.
Earlier in the programme
Mr Sabdia delivered a speech that called on all
organizations to lend more widespread participation in
ICQ affairs.
CCN wishes Mr. Sabdia a
speedy recovery and our prayers go out to him for his
good health and well being.
Eid in
Brisbane
How did your community celebrate Eid
yesterday?
If you have any photos (with short
captions and/or stories) that you would like to share
with CCN readers email them to
theteam@crescentsofbrisbane.org and we will build a
collage for next week's issue of CCN.
Of course, there will be prizes for the
photos that capture the occasion best.
To kick off the collage:
Mahabub Ali, Secretary General
of ICQ, with bucket loads of Fitrana and Zakaat
Straightening the Saafs for
Salaah
Getting down to the main
business of the day
Cool hand Fayzaan Omar
Close encounters of the Eid
kind
In the foreground, five of the
meanest card players in Brisbane can't wait to
deal after a four week drought
Two Ala-Dins and a Deen
Hussein Assaf and son, with
Rahman providing the pictorial balance
The Blues Brothers meet Danny
de Vito:
Yunie Omar and the Surtie
brothers
Faaiza Elias and Soiraya Khan
with a mysterious medico
lurking in the background
Twiggy Surtie a shoo-in for
the Mussalee Management position
New
Crescents of Brisbane Banner Unveiled
Look out for the new Crescents of
Brisbane banner at the
Crescents Breast Cancer Awareness Workshop on
Saturday 20 October
at the Kuraby Special School Hall and at the
Crescents Coffee Club
on Saturday 27 October
at Eidfest at the Mt Gravatt Showgrounds.
The banner was very kindly sponsored by
psdmedia.com.au - your
total print solution.
Thank you Alex and Josh!
A Musical Interlude:
Bismillah by Yusuf Islam
CCN
gets Up Close and Personal with..........
Ms.
Aliyah Deen, President Al-Nisa Youth Group
[CCN] Thank you for agreeing to let
CCN do a profile on you. Before we delve into what makes
Ms Deen tick, tell us a bit about your background and
family life.
[AD] I classify myself as an Australian
born Pakistani (giggle). I was born and bred in
Brisbane. My family consists of Mum and Dad, and 3 elder
siblings, 1 sister and 2 brothers. I am also an aunt to
my 4 beautiful nieces and my gorgeous nephew, whom I
love to spoil.
[CCN] They say Australia is the 'lucky
country'. What does that mean to you as a dinky-di
Aussie?
[AD] Alhumdulilah growing
up in this country where everything is easily accessible
and many opportunities are there for the taking is
something I am grateful for. Obviously it’s all in Allah
(SWT) hands, but visiting other less developed countries
and seeing how people live there and then coming back
home, is a real eye opener. It really make you think and
appreciate how lucky we actually are and how sometimes
ungrateful we are.
[CCN]
What did you do after school?
[AD] I went to Yeronga
Institute of TAFE and completed a Diploma in Information
Technology in Network Engineering and then decided to go
to University. At QUT I
earned a Batchelor Degree in Education (Secondary)
majoring in Business Communications &
Technology/Computing. After completing my degree,
I became a Secondary teacher, surprise surprise! I am
currently working at MacGregor State High School.
[CCN]
What's your role in Al-Nisa and what does the group
offer the Muslim community in terms of services and
activities?
[AD] I am the President
of Al-Nisa Youth Group Inc. Basically we act as an
advocacy body to provide young Muslim women in
Queensland with support and opportunities to express
themselves. The Al-Nisa team organises fun and exciting
activities for the youth as well as educational Islamic
lectures, and leadership seminars to name a few.
We also have two vibrant
Youth and Community Development Officers who work
alongside the Muslim and non-Muslim youth covering
various issues and misconceptions about Islam, basically
educating them about Islam, among other things.
We encourage all Muslim
youth from various backgrounds to join up!
[CCN]
What is the Aliyah Deen secret for success?
[AD] Continuous
injections of Islam.
[CCN]
Where's your favourite travel destination?
[AD] Alhumdulilah, we
travel to Pakistan often, to visit all our loving
relatives. My favourite destinations include Dubai,
Kuala Lumpur and Lahore, hello ‘retail therapy’!!
I have made the intention
to perform Hajj this year or next, Insha’Allah.
[CCN]
What are your favourite books and food?
[AD] Books? What are
they? Anyone who knows me knows that Aliyah and
chocolate go together! Apart from that I love all foods
that are unhealthy!
Eid-ul-Fitre was also celebrated at the
Algester Masjid yesterday (Sat. 13 October).
Takbeer Started from 7.00am thereafter the Imam Maulana
Mohammed Nawaaz delivered a short Eid message.
Salaatul-Eid was performed at 7.30 am led by Maulana
Mohammed Aslam and the Eid Khutbah was delivered by
Sheikh Ahmed Abu Ghazalah.
A record amount of people attended the gathering,
including the communities of Eagleby and Capalaba
Masjids.
The Final Dua was performed by Imaam Rajab, the Imaam of
the Turkish Mosque in Eagleby.
A community lunch was held at the Chinese Community Hall
in Nemies road from after Zohor.
Empire
State Building Lights Up - for Eid
This weekend, the color green illuminates
the Manhattan skyline. On the evenings of October 12-14,
the Empire State Building—located in the heart of New
York City’s most famed tourist district and recently
named “America’s Favorite Building”—was lit in green to
commemorate the Muslim holiday of Eid-ul-Fitr.
According to the Executive Director of
the ASMA Society of Islamic Culture and Arts, Daisy
Khan, this gesture clearly demonstrates that the
principles of understanding, mutual respect, and faith
can remain vibrant aspects of our world.
She said: "In celebrating together with
the Muslims of New York City and the United States, the
Empire State Building once again shows itself to be a
powerful symbol in America’s most culturally vibrant
city."
Make a
Difference with your Zakaat, Lilah and Sadaqah
Due to the harsh economic situation in
Zimbabwe and the shortages of food and basic
commodities, a local group is collecting Zakaat – Lillah
– Sadaqah to help the poor and needy Muslims in Zimbabwe
who are experiencing very difficult times.
To contribute to this worthy cause, contact any of the
following people:-
Mr. Faisel Essof, one of the organizers of this drive,
told CCN: "People can choose to make a difference
in the life of someone else. You never know whose life
you touch."
Closing date 31st October 2007
The CCN
Centre Link
MUSLIM EMPLOYMENT PROJECT
Ladies! Would you like
to learn to sew on industrial machines?
ACCES Services INC has
a free Certificate 1 in clothing starting soon.
Training is for 2 days
per week for 10 weeks between 9am-2pm in Slacks
Creek.
We also offer
employment and training services to Muslims of Gold
Coast. Our office is in Southport.
Lots of other training starting soon between school
hours in Brisbane and Gold Coast.
If there is any
training that you are interested in AND not on
offer, we can still assist with information, advice,
referrals etc.
If you have overseas qualifications, we can assist
with skills recognition.
If you have the
experience and no trade certificate, we can assist
with recognition of the trade.
School students,
school leavers, feel free to call us for career
advice.
ACCES Services INC has
a driving school with a male and female instructor
in Brisbane and female instructor in Gold Coast
Please call Sushil and
Abdullah for further details on 38089299
Adecco Group Australia
Adecco Group Australia
are looking for pickers and packers and forklift
drivers.
You need to have
adequate literacy and numeracy. Computer knowledge
would be advantageous. Work may involve heavy
lifting and is repetitive. You will be working under
camera surveillance and need to be extremely
reliable and honest.
This employment is suitable for school hour mums and
dads, uni students and people who don’t mind working
afternoon shifts or on call.
Hours are from 2 pm to
6 pm or 2 pm to 10 pm, Monday to Friday. Pay is from
19.60 to $22+
Minimum requirements are safety boots and high
visibility vest.
Please call Abdullah Ibrahim on 3808 9299 or on 0407
698 312 to register your interest.
Kareema's Keep Fit Column
Q: Kareema, I have been consistent
with my workouts and have been encouraging
my husband to do the same. Any suggestions on exercises
we can do together?
A: 'Team training' is a great option for
you guys.
In order to keep each other motivated,
why not take turns in 'leading' your workout sessions on
a weekly basis, eg. one week you take charge of
scheduling your training, and vice versa.
This way you can challenge each other,
but more imporantly, you will both be sure to enjoy your
routine as you will be including exercises that you
enjoy (and also those that you know your partner
struggles with or those that you can beat him/her in)!!
Set small realistic goals for each other - and watch
your partner get stronger and fitter...
The challenge is on! Keep us updated on your progress
and don't forget to have FUN.
All questions sent in are published here
anonymously and without any references to the author of
the question.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The
Culinary Corner
Did you make biryani for Eid yesterday?
How did it turn out?
CCN is on a campaign to develop the
perfect biryani recipe.
Compare your recipe with the following
and
email us with any suggestions where you think it can
be improved. There will be prizes for the best
suggestions.
MOUTHWATERING CHICKEN BIRYANI
Ingredients 1
chicken cut into 8-10 pieces – washed and drained - 2
big onions - 2 cups masoor/black lentils - 3 cups rice -
1 cup yoghurt - 2 tomatoes – liquidized - 1 tbsp lemon
juice - ¼ cup ghee - ¾ cup oil - 1 tbsp ginger/garlic
masala - 1 ½ tsp fresh or dry red pounded chillies - ¼
tsp crushed elachi - 1 tsp whole jeeru/cumin - ½ tsp
finely crushed jeera - 1 tsp dhana - 4 whole green
chillies – slit - ¼ tsp of crushed saffron (steep in ¼
cup boiling water) - 1 tsp arad (turmeric) - 1 tsp salt
- 6 small potatoes (or large ones cut) - 3 hard boiled
eggs - 1 elachi, 1 clove, 1 stick cinnamon and a few
sprigs of mint - 1 cup frozen green peas.
Preparation
Soak lentils in cold water for a few hours. Boil in
salted water until done. Drain off in colander.
Marinate meat for several hours as follows:
- Pat meat dry, add all spices, salt, green chillies,
lemon juice and tomato. Mix well and leave in bowl.
- Slice ¼ of onion and keep aside.
- Chop rest of onion fine in food processor. Fry chopped
onion in oil and when a lovely golden colour, put
through a sieve to drain the oil.
- Add onions to bowl of meat. Add yoghurt, mix well, and
add saffron mix and turmeric. Add the oil that was used
for frying the onions.
Method -
Boil rice in 6 cups of salted water. Add elachi and
cloves. Note: Different types of rice need different
periods of cooking, so test between thumb and forefinger
and drain off in colander while there is still a hard
resisting core in rice grains.
- Fry potatoes in oil and remove when gold in colour.
- In a large flat-bottomed pot, put some white rice,
green peas and lentils.
- Then arrange the marinating meat and put the mint
sprigs in between.
- Spread masoor over contents, then place potatoes and
add some green peas.
- Spread rice over this. Fry the left over onion in ghee
and when gold in colour sprinkle ghee and onions all
over rice. Sprinkle ½ a cup of cold water over contents.
- Close lid tightly, put over high heat for 5 minutes.
As soon as pot starts sizzling, steam fast. Switch to
low heat and simmer for an hour.
Variation
For mutton biryani – use the same ingredients and
procedure but add:
1 more tsp of ginger/garlic - ½ cup more yoghurt - steam
contents for 40 minutes longer.
Serve biryani with:
Spiced Dahi - 1 carton yoghurt - 2 tsp chutney - salt to
taste
Papadums Dhunia
Chutney - Liquidize dhunia; green chillies; garlic;
salt.
Source: Radio Islam Newsletter - Friday,
12 October 2007
Do you have a recipe to share with
CCN readers?
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 a word from this week's sponsor...........
MnM Packaging Australia
Contact Yahya on 0403 338 040 or Abdul on 0412 268 665
The CCN Chuckle
While our Mula
Nasruddin takes a well-earned break and recovers
from his Eid indulgences CCN offers you the
following chuckle:
A hen lays 3 eggs.
She makes dua to be blessed with pious chicks.
When the eggs
hatched, she found the first one reading salaah,
the second making zikr.
She waited for the third, but instead heard a little
voice from inside the egg saying "Ma don't worry, I'm in
itikaaf".
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.
Ms.
Aliyah Deen, President Al-Nisa Youth Group
Shahina Omar – 3345 2160/0431 162 844
MUSLIM EMPLOYMENT PROJECT
