With NSW recording its
driest year since 1965 and
Australian farmers in the
eastern part of the country
suffering from extreme
drought conditions affecting
their crops and animals,
Muslims have come to rescue
in innovative ways from
praying for rain to raising
funds and supplying farmers
with feed for livestock.
Last week Muslim Aid
Australia (MAA) in
partnership with other
Muslim Charities in NSW and
Queensland delivered 30,000
kg of hay bales to farmers
hard hit by the ongoing
draught.
Three trucks rolled into
Goondiwindi in the NSW-QLD
border, where the aid was
delivered to dozens of
farmers struggling with the
current drought.
In the acute absence of
rains across NSW and parts
of QLD, the hay bales will
go a long way in ensuring
that the livestock are able
to get a decent feed and
continue being a source of
income to the farmers.
MAA’s Drought Relief is part
of ongoing efforts to
relieve the suffering
farmers in Australia and
continues the aid delivered
last month, where over 100
Food Hampers were provided
to farmers in Rowena NSW.
The third phase of the
programme is to deliver TEN
truckloads of hay bales
soon.
Facebook comment:
Goondiwindi was chosen by
Muslim Aid Australia to be
gifted these three semi's of
hay - and more to come. They
are the loveliest people,
Deen Brothers from Brisbane
own the trucks - yep the
demolition guys, 5th
generation Muslims in Aus
dating back to Pakistani
camel herders. They bought
the hay themselves, to help
Aussie farmers. About 15 of
them came out, prayer time
and BBQ-picnic under the
wilga tree at the saleyards.
There is a wonderful side to
multi culture Australia.
Council of Imams Queensland
(CIQ), convened on Saturday
15 September 2018, its
Annual General Meeting for
the election of
office-bearers and the
executive committee. The
election, with a record 29
Imams in attendance,
followed the completion of
the term by the outgoing
interim committee.
The Council of Imams
Queensland is proud to
announce that Imam Uzair
Akbar was elected as the new
President and Imam Imraan
Hussein as Vice President
for the next three-year
term. For further
information regarding the
CIQ statement please
click here.
The full committee is made
up of:
President Imam Uzair Akbar
(pictured left)
said: “With the addition
of these nine names the
Council is now ready to take
CIQ forward into its second
decade. The next few years
will be momentous for the
organisation and for
Queensland at large. In our
Council members, we have
real expertise and diversity
from across the various
disciplines and professional
skills we will be drawing on
to make the most of the
possibilities the Council
can offer the Queensland
Muslim Community.”
Imam Imraan Hussein, Vice
President: “We are
delighted to welcome these
nine wonderful individuals
to our Executive Council.
The breadth of their
experience is remarkable,
and I know they will bring
great energy to CIQ as we
head towards a new term.”
CIQ would like to
specifically thank the
Former President Imam Yusuf
Peer for his service to the
Muslim community in
Queensland, he provided
unprecedented and invaluable
service, for which he was
warmly thanked. The
community owes Imam Yusuf
Peer a great deal of
gratitude.
We ask Allah, the Almighty
to guide, protect and keep
us united.
About CIQ:
COUNCIL OF IMAMS QUEENSLAND
(CIQ) is the peak body for
Islamic leaders and
religious representatives in
Queensland. It comprises
more than 50 member Imams
and Muslim scholars of
different backgrounds and
schools of thought across
the state of Queensland. CIQ
at all levels of the
organization renders
volunteer service to the
Queensland Muslim community,
Government and
Non-Government entities,
families, and young people.
The Logan Roos football club
motto: TODAY'S YOUTH'S ARE
TOMORROW'S FUTURE. Invest in
what you consider to be good.
Once again Islamic Council
of Queensland (ICQ)
sponsored Logan Roos
football club's under 12's
team led by brave female
captain Zobiya claimed two
football Brisbane
competition titles this year
by winning the Premiership
and the Grand Final by
beating Ipswich city 3-1.
Last year our seniors won
the grand final in the same
fashion.
Congratulations to all
players, management team,
staffs, volunteers, mum's
and dad's for their great
efforts.
Head coach of the club Mr
Abdullah Samim Khan told CCN:
"This year our
juniors have done
extremely well. The club
had under 6's, under
8's, under 12's, seniors
first and senior's
reserve and over 35's.
They all have done very
well. The club and the
youth's have a great
future. Sports is one
thing but the main aim
is to protect our
youth's from trouble,
minimise the excessive
use of social media,
keeping them healthy,
opening opportunities
for the future careers
in life. As there are
many naturally talented
juniors and if they are
nurtured properly they
can become great sport
stars and sports can be
a means for their
livelihood, example
Mohammed Salah who plays
for Liverpool."
Under 12's coach Adil Jime
Ali congratulated his team
for playing the grand final
as planned.
As 2018 season comes to a
close Logan Roos football
club will be preparing for
2019 season.
Those who are interested in
joining Logan Roos Football
Club either on senior or
junior level please contact
the club before the end of
October via email:
secretary@loganroosfc.org.au
or Mobile: 0413 669 987.
Many thanks all those who
have helped and supported
the club for the season. The
club has many sisters who
hold very important position
to make sure that our youths
are looked after.
For further information
please email the Secretary
sister Katherine or Vice
president sister Sahba via
admin@loganroosfc.org.au.
Thank you all for supporting
Logan Roos football club.
It has come to our
attention of CCN that there is
a
petition circulating
on social media
purporting to be from
the Muslim community and
seeking to have the Eid
days declared as public
holidays.
To the best of our
knowledge this is a scam
designed to cause
division in the
community. A cursory
look at the wording is
enough to raise
suspicions about this
petition.
Finalists Aysha Tufa (left),
Dr. Sara Hassan & Amona Hassab
(right) with VMC chair Helen
Kapalos and Hana Assafiri.
Brave, Strong, Courageous.
These were the words
encrypted on the awards
certificates presented at
the inaugural Baasila Women
Acknowledging Women Awards
Ceremony at Melbourne’s
iconic Moroccan Soup Bar in
Fitzroy on 8 September 2018.
The winners of the Women
Acknowledging Women Award
2018 in four categories
were:
Naima Usman: Women’s
Empowerment
Dr Sara Hassan:
Community Leadership
Amona Hassab: Youth
Capacity Building
Aysha Tufa: contribution
to STEM/Arts Innovation
The Baasila Awards is an
incredible platform
pioneered to celebrate the
substantial contributions of
Australian Muslim women,
where all nominations are
made by women for women.
From left: VMC Chair Helen
Kapalos, Activitist Hana
Assafiri, Senior Cons. Maha
Sukkar, writer Nezahat Eryegit,
Director of ISRA Zuleyha Keskin.
There was an overwhelming
interest in the idea of
these awards where more than
50 nominations across four
categories were received
this year.
Almost 100 Australian Muslim
women took their seats as
trays of aromatic mint tea
was offered, circulating on
silver trays amongst the
crowd. The warm Moroccan
colours and traditional
decor of the venue, combined
with the scents of a
generous Middle-eastern
vegetarian feast simmering
in the kitchen, set a
welcoming scene for social
justice advocate and owner
of Moroccan Soup Bar, Hana
Assafiri to make her opening
remarks,
“We created the Baasila
Women Acknowledging Women
Award to celebrate the
contributions of diverse
Muslim women in our
communities. We are aware
that against a divisive and
hostile backdrop, Muslim
women continue to transcend
social barriers and find
opportunities in social
conditions of adversity and
discrimination.
The women we seek to
recognise are the future
leaders of our communities,
those breaking new ground,
despite facing oppression
and severely limited
opportunities. We
specifically aim to
recognise women who are
seldom seen, yet whose
contributions and efforts go
a long way in maintaining
social harmony. These women
are nominated by their
female peers, to embody the
adage ‘when we lift and
enable women we progress our
entire society.”
AMUST
Hana Assafiri
presenting award to
nominee Rida Khan
Just days before heading
into a war zone in what is
being called "SBS's most
ambitious television event
to date", former senator
Jacqui Lambie has strongly
dismissed the notion that
Australia could do more to
help refugees.
"Do we need to bring their
problems here?" Ms Lambie
told SBS News.
"Are we bringing in the
right people for our
grandchildren and their
grandchildren? … Are they
compatible with our society?
Will they blend in?"
On Sunday, Ms Lambie will
travel to one of the world's
most dangerous countries as
part of SBS's Go Back To
Where You Came From Live.
The TV show will see
Australians with a range of
views on immigration get a
first-hand experience of the
global refugee crisis.
Ms Lambie, 47, will be
paired with 28-year-old
Sydney immigration lawyer
Marina, who came to
Australia as a refugee of
the Bosnia War. Along with
six other previously
announced participants, they
will find out where exactly
they are heading, live on
the show.
As part of the experience,
the pair spent time with a
Muslim-Christian family in
Sydney last weekend who had
been on a refugee journey.
Ms Lambie said it was
"difficult to listen to what
they went through. I won't
deny that".
'Our backyard first'
According to UNHCR, 68.5
million people were
displaced as of the end of
2017, but Ms Lambie said
Australia's infrastructure
and public services were far
too stretched to further
assist those in need.
A total of 24,162
humanitarian arrivals
settled in Australia in
2016-17.
"If we take more in, what's
that going to do to our
security? … Will we have
enough food and water supply
in ten years' time? Will we
have enough power supply if
we continue to bring them in
at the rate we're bringing
them in?" Ms Lambie said.
She said while some refugees
are "very grateful" to be in
Australia, others "just
don't integrate and are not
trying to pull their weight,
and they're isolating
themselves which is making
things very, very
difficult".
In a promotional video for
the show, Ms Lambie says:
"You have the Chinese in one
place, the bloody Muslims in
one place, the Indians are
taking over the suburbs.
That's not integration."
Banning the burqa
Ms Lambie served as a
senator for Tasmania from
2014 to 2017, first with the
Palmer United Party then as
an independent, before
forming her own party. She
campaigned on foreign
affairs, veterans' affairs
and youth unemployment
issues but was forced to
resign last year due to
holding British dual
citizenship.
Ms Lambie told SBS News she
"absolutely" stands by some
of her more controversial
comments while she was in
parliament.
She pushed for a burqa ban,
telling parliament in 2017
that full face coverings
make Australians fearful.
Discussing the ban this
week, the former senator
said: "I want to see
everyone's face, it's a
national security issue".
But Ms Lambie dismissed the
idea that she was
Islamophobic, saying "I
don't care what religion you
are" and was only concerned
about people "not
assimilating into [our]
culture".
In 2015, following the Paris
attacks, she suggested some
refugees in Australia should
be forced to wear electronic
monitoring bracelets.
"[And] maybe the first
person that should have an
electronic device put on
them is the bloody Grand
Mufti," she told the ABC.
I was overwhelmed by the effort the committee of the
Muslim Charitable Foundation (MCF) employed in
organising a function to celebrate my community work
and the awarding of the Order of Australia Medal
(OAM).
The Muslim community came together in a way that
really showed their support for me in every way
possible.
In the early days of the Welfare shop, goods flowed
into the shop from all sections of the community and
in great quantities from the Gold Coast. The shop
won a prestigious award from the Logan City Council
and helped so many in the community at large. This
showed Muslim participation in the community. This
was thanks to the support of the donors. The Qld
Muslim Welfare Association Inc, then merged into the
Muslim Charitable Foundation which has gone ahead in
leaps and bounds and has built itself the reputation
of being the charity solely for Queenslanders.
Thanks to this organisation, I have been able to
continue the work I have pleasure in doing and to
continue my spiritual journey after the Haj. Thank
you all for the continued support you have given. It
has and will continue to help so many,. From working
on the inside, I can honestly say that the MCF
committee is a unified group who support each other
and devoted to helping those in need.
We have a Memorandum of Understanding with Muslim
Aid Australia (MAA) to distribute funds to overseas
countries experiencing disasters and wars. Riyaad
Ally is a great person to work with, as he knows the
community both at home and abroad. JazakAllah for
all the help donors have given.
Receiving the OAM shows the community at large that
Muslim have given back to the community and it is
not just an honour for me but for our whole Ummah
who have made this work possible. Remembering that
'no man is an island' and 'it takes a village to
raise a child', I was raised as an Australian Muslim
in the early days of Islam in Australia. You all
contributed to this award.
.
I thank all those people from so many organisations
and groups who attended the function and those who
travelled from the Sunshine and Gold Coast as well
as Gatton and other suburbs to attend the dinner.
You are all special people in my life.
I also want to thank Dr Mustafa Ally OAM, the
dynamic MC, and our uplifting singer Dr Sadeq
Mustapha for the dedication to making the evening so
enjoyable.
My daughter and her family as well as the dedicated
MCF Committee, you have given me memories to
treasure for he rest of my life.
The WAW awards celebrate the
quiet achievers through
nominations of Muslim women
who have contributed to
family and community or
promoted peace, human
rights, advanced arts,
education, STEM, public
health and environmental or
social justice.
(continued from last week's
CCN)
NOMINEE NO. 5
Ayesha is the
founder of SalamFest,
and works with a
crew of dedicated
volunteers to
organise this yearly
festival seeking to
celebrate the
contributions of
Muslims in the
fields of arts and
culture.
“Ayesha is the
founder of SalamFest,
and works with a
crew of dedicated
volunteers to
organise this yearly
festival seeking to
celebrate the
contributions of
Muslims in the
fields of arts and
culture. In 2017,
Salamfest occurred
at the State Library
of Victoria and saw
hundreds of visitors
experience
calligraphy
workshops, Middle
Eastern cuisine,
spoken word poetry,
pottery workshops,
Sufi qawwalis and a
myraid of other
activities.
Salamfest is poised
to make its return
later on this year
and is no small
undertaking.
Ayesha’s ancestors
first arrived in
Australia in 1860.
Her family is of
Pakistani heritage
and is in its
seventh generation
in Australia. She
has a Masters in
Computer Science
from RMIT University
and has taught at
various
universities.
Ayesha is on the
board of JCMA
(Jewish Christian
Muslim Association)
and the chair of the
women’s committee.
Ayesha has served on
the board of SAARC
Chamber Women
Entrepreneurs
Council and as the
Honorary Investment
Consul for Pakistan
in Melbourne. She
has presented
globally at various
conferences and
events including
CHOGM Perth, WexNet
and Education
without Borders.
She is an avid
supporter of and
volunteer for
various causes
including women’s
empowerment,
interfaith harmony,
and empowerment of
marginalised groups
of the community.
She gained a
valuable insight
into the traditions
and practices of the
Abrahamic faiths
during her Catholic
schooling. This
inspired her ongoing
support of
interfaith
initiatives. She
works tirelessly to
ensure that her
community members
feel supported and
heard, whether its
feeding the homeless
or amplifying the
voice of migrant
women experiencing
family violence.
Ayesha lives by a
simple principle:
to be able to answer
her Creator and say
that she tried her
best in this world.
She is a strong
believer in letting
her actions speak
for her values and
beliefs, and lifting
others up.”
There are approximately 1.84
billion Muslims in the world
today, making up 24.38% of
the world’s population, or
just under one-quarter of
mankind. As well as being
citizens of their respective
countries, they also have a
sense of belonging to the ‘ummah’,
the worldwide Muslim
community.
The Muslim500 publication
sets out to ascertain the
influence some Muslims have
on this community, or on
behalf of the community.
Influence is: any person who
has the power (be it
cultural, ideological,
financial, political or
otherwise) to make a change
that will have a significant
impact on the Muslim world.
Note that the impact can be
either positive or negative,
depending on one’s point of
view of course.
Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid
Al-Maktoum is the
constitutional monarch of
Dubai, as well as the Prime
Minister and Vice President
of the United Arab Emirates.
After taking a heavy hit
during the financial crisis
of 2007-2010, Dubai’s
economy is back in full
swing, and stands out as a
regional leader.
Philanthropist: He has
launched multiple charity
initiatives from Dubai, such
as ‘Dubai Cares’, which has
reached over 13 million
beneficiaries in 39
developing countries since
its inception in 2007. In
2008, Sheikh Mohammed
launched ‘Noor Dubai’, an
initiative helping one
million people suffering
from treatable blindness and
visual impairment in
developing countries.
Visionary: In 1995,
as Crown Prince of Dubai,
his chief objective was to
make Dubai a resort and
business destination. To
that end, he helped develop
the Palm Islands, the Burj
Al-Arab hotel, the Burj
Khalifa skyscraper, the
Dubai World Cup and the
Godolphin Stables. In June
2017, two new initiatives
were added to the Mohammed
Bin Rashid Al Maktoum Global
Initiatives, the
“International Institute for
Tolerance” and the “Sheikh
Mohammed Bin Rashid Award
for Tolerance”. In lieu of
these efforts, Sheikh
Mohammed issued a law
forbidding discrimination
among people on the basis of
religion, sex, race, colour
or language.
Arts: Al-Maktoum and
his children are patrons of
the arts, including
participating in poetry
competitions, as well as
horse and camel racing. In
addition to authoring poems
in the traditional Nabati
style, Sheikh Mohammed
produced an electronic
compilation of Arabic poetry
that includes the work of
3000 poets spanning more
than 3.5 million lines of
poetry.
ANOTHER FROM THE TOP 50
INFLUENTIAL MUSLIMS IN NEXT
WEEK'S CCN
CNN spent a year
interviewing more than 100
American Muslims, asking who
they think are the most
influential Muslims in their
fields. We sought nominees
for whom religion is part of
their public identity, but
other than that, we let
American Muslims do most of
the talking.
When she was 6, she tied two
stockings together to make a
bow for her hijab, rather
than settle for a
store-bought model.
But as Lymus rose through
the fashion industry, she
noticed that for all the
value placed on artistry,
the models were rarely given
creative freedom, and some
were uncomfortable with the
risqué clothing they were
expected to wear.
In 2015, Lymus created her
own fashion line and
modeling agency, called
UNDERWRAPS, for women of all
faiths who are interested in
modeling but wary of baring
it all before the camera.
Lymus’ mission:“To
show how beautiful modesty
can be.”
While
I lost my mum to
domestic
violence but I
won't let fear
or racists keep
me silent
By Amani
Hayda (lawyer,
artist and
executive board
member at
Bankstown
Women's Health
Centre dedicated
to advocating
for the health
and wellbeing of
women. In 2018
she was a
finalist in the
Archibald Prize
and the Law
Society of NSW
Just Art Prize
and is currently
completing a
Masters in
Islamic Studies
at ISRA/CSU.
I've
been
encouraged
to have
these
conversations
with my
art and
my words
and have
come to
realise
the
healing
power of
storytelling.
CONTINUED FROM
LAST WEEK'S CCN....
Despite our disappointments, the
conversation is shifting
I witnessed this dynamic
in the days after my mother's murder.
My father was not a religious man; his
mosque attendance was restricted to
funerals. He did not encourage hijab or
any other overt displays of religiosity.
Still, when my mum was murdered,
Islamophobes wrote articles that ignored
the reality of violence against women in
Australia and reduced the incident to a
caricature.
The Australia First Party proclaimed on
its amateur website, "Muslim immigrant
to Sydney murders his wife because she
wouldn't pass the salt", while another
source incorrectly referred to the
murder as an "honour killing".
In these spaces, my mum's faith rendered
her distinct from the 80 other women who
lost their lives to violence that year.
Already contending with trauma and
grief, and conscious of this broader
context, I was paralysed at the thought
of engaging with the media.
At the same time, I was frustrated by
the lack of opportunities to be vocal
about my grief within my family and
community. I was able to give a speech
at a mosque service that was held for my
mum about a month after her murder — an
empowering moment.
However, about a year later, I walked
out of the same mosque, with my baby on
my hip, in protest against an uninformed
and harmful sermon in which the speaker
shamed women who initiate divorce or
'embarrass' their (abusive) husbands by
involving police.
When I wrote a long complaint to the
organisation responsible, they responded
with a one-line email telling me to
telephone a sheikh directly. It left me
feeling disappointed and exhausted.
I have come a long way since then,
finding creative and empowering ways to
share my mum's story.
But spaces for Muslim women to talk
about sexism and abuse are too often
limited by the hostility we face on the
grounds of gender, race and religious
identity.
Empowerment can only come if we feel
safe enough to share our stories without
being blamed and vilified.
Dr. Mohamed
Ghilan is a student of
knowledge who has a Ph.D. in
neuroscience. He has
previously given lectures on
the biography of the Prophet
Muhammed ﷺ, Fundamentalism
in Islam, Islam and science,
the message of Islam, Jesus
in the Qur’an, in addition
to others. He has also
taught an introductory
course on Islamic
Jurisprudence according to
the Maliki School as well as
an introductory course on
Islamic Theology.
In this episode, Dr Mohamed
Ghilan sheds some light on
the issues of activism,
particularly with Muslim
activists and how allying
themselves with other
minority groups may actually
contradict Muslim beliefs.
Dr Sadeq Mustapha on the Great
Barrier Reef and the climate
ARRCC
Divorce Sharia Style
Real Stories
Nasira is
turning to Sharia Law to
decide how to handle her
husband's second wife
White, Female, Muslim and
Proud | Mum, I'm a Muslim
Real Stories
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.
Car Hits Muslims Leaving London
Mosque in 'Islamophobic Attack'
UK: A car drove into a crowd of Muslims
leaving a mosque in London, England,
while the vehicle’s occupants allegedly
made “Islamophobic” comments. The
incident left several people injured.
According to the Metropolitan Police,
three men and a woman, all in their
twenties, were sitting in the vehicle in
the mosque’s private car park “behaving
anti-socially, drinking and allegedly
using drugs” before security told them
to leave.
After driving near to the Islamic
centre, the car’s occupants “were
involved in a confrontation with a large
group of people” visiting the mosque in
Cricklewood, north London. Visitors were
attending a lecture series on the
Prophet Muhammad's grandson.
“Words were exchanged and comments of an
Islamophobic nature were allegedly made
by the group in the car,” the police
release said.
“The car then reportedly sustained minor
damage by some of those outside the
centre. It proceeded to make off at
speed colliding with three individuals
as it left.
“The car and its occupants who failed to
stop and injured three people are being
sought by police. No arrests have been
made.”
Two men in their twenties suffered minor
injuries and were taken to hospital. A
third man in his fifties was
hospitalized with a serious leg injury
and remains under the care of doctors.
Police said the incident, which took
place at around 12:35 a.m. Wednesday,
London time, is not being treated as
terror related "but the hate crime
aspect of the collision is being looked
at by detectives as an aggravating
factor."
You are amazing. You're an amazing mother, wife,
sister, daughter, friend, student, entrepreneur
...
You've given so much of yourself to the people
around you. You're hard working ... devoted ...
loving ...
And yet, do you sometimes feel like the world is
trying to tell you what to do? Like you have to
live according to everybody else's plan for you?
Maybe you're not even sure what's wrong ... but
you know deep down you want MORE?
MORE connection in your relationships. MORE
respect from your children. MORE say in the
community. STRONGER Eeman (closeness to Allah).
And to live your life with Ishan (with
excellence).
You can have it all when you embrace the leader
within.
When you give yourself permission to be a truly
brilliant, beautiful and powerful leader in your
life.
Step up and embrace the leader within and
discover:
– Fearless confidence
– Inner peace
– Effortless patience
– And real resilience
It is possible for anyone, even you!
"Asalamu 'alikum and thank you for providing
me with the opportunity to review your amazing
book.
"I found your story fascinating, to say the
least. You have gone through so much but came
out a very strong, resilient and insightful
person.
"This is an exceptional account of your amazing
story infused wonderfully in an Islamic
perspective, for the benefit of many women (and
men indeed).
"I wish you the very best, and pray that Allah
Ta'ala place His Baraka in this work and make it
the means of guidance for others, and reward you
tremendously for your hard work."
Professor Mohammad Abdalla, Director, Centre for
Islamic Thought and Education, University of
South Australia
Kathryn Jones discusses what to expect
at her one off Talk & Book Launch at
Michael's Oriental on Tuesday the 25th
of September.
KB says:
Let us keep the fruit growers in business and
support them by consuming lots and lots of
strawberries.
An additional advantage are the health benefits
of strawberries
Packed with vitamins, fibre, and particularly
high levels of antioxidants known as polyphenols,
strawberries are a sodium-free, fat-free,
cholesterol-free, low-calorie food. They are
among the top 20 fruits in antioxidant capacity
and are a good source of manganese and potassium
Strawberry and Spinach Salad
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
2 tablespoons sesame
seeds
1 tablespoon poppy
seeds
Ľ
cup castor sugar
˝
cup olive oil
Ľ
cup distilled white
vinegar
˝
tsp paprika
Ľ
tsp Worcestershire
sauce
2 tablespoon of
minced red onion
1 bag of fresh
spinach or a mixture
of rocket lettuce -
rinsed and dried -
However you can use
any amount you
desire
1 punnet of
strawberries -
sliced - you may add
a second punnet if
you desire
Ľ
cup of almonds -
blanched and
slivered.
1 Tab. feta cheese
crumbled
Whisk together
the sesame
seeds, poppy
seeds, sugar,
olive oil,
vinegar,
paprika,
Worcestershire
sauce and onion.
Cover and chill
for an hour.
In a large bowl
add the
remaining
ingredients
(spinach,
strawberries,
feta and
almonds) Pour
the dressing
over salad and
toss.
Refrigerate for
10 minutes
before serving.
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.
Fit Fact:
Even small amounts of weekly exercise can lower
blood pressure and improve fitness.
A recent 12-week
study by the Queen’s Uni in Belfast found that
those who did 30 mins of brisk walking five days
a week, and another group walking three days a
week had lower blood pressure and improved
fitness compared to those who were sedentary
(who showed no improvement).
Find and follow me on Instagram for more fitspo
@Kareema_Benjamin
Writer, Clarity
Coach, Founder and
Facilitator of
Healing Words
Therapy - Writing
for Wellbeing
Muslimah
Mind
Matters
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 signs
and symptoms of
Anxiety and
strategies to
overcome them.
What is Anxiety?
There comes a moment
in everyone’s life
when the mind
perceives Stress.
This occurs when we
feel that there are
too many activities
to manage in too
little time. Or that
these activities
that need to be
managed are “too
expensive”, “too
difficult”, “too
embarrassing”, “too
unfamiliar”, and so
on. These
perceptions of “too
hard”, “too
expensive”, “too
embarrassing” and so
on, trigger the
brain to release
stress hormones in
the body. The most
common stress
hormone is Cortisol.
As this hormone
increases in the
body, the physical
reaction of the body
is to feel
overwhelmed.
Feeling overwhelmed
results in the
following symptoms
for most people:
• Heart
palpitations
• Sweaty palms
• Dry mouth
• Fatigue
• Worry
(constant)
• Fear of going
outdoors or
interaction with
people
To name a few.
The natural response
to these symptoms is
one of two things -
Fight or Flight -
that is, we choose
to either fight back
or to run away from
the situation in
order to minimise or
eradicate the above
symptoms.
The best part about
knowing this science
about Anxiety and
its symptoms is that
Anxiety can be
controlled with the
empowerment of your
own mind. Anxiety is
more often than not
a feeling of
“Exaggerated”
reality or
“Imagined” reality.
When we over think
things and make it
seem larger than it
actually is in
reality, we are
“Exaggerating”
reality.
When we over
think things and
start adding visuals
in our mind of
things that we fear
may happen but are
actually not
happening in
reality, we are
“Imagining” a
reality which is
completely false at
that moment in time.
Manage Anxiety
1. Acknowledge
and admit that
you have
feelings of
Anxiety. Tell
someone you can
trust that this
is how you have
been feeling.
Once you
acknowledge and
admit it to
yourself and
someone you
trust, the next
steps of
managing anxiety
becomes easier.
2. Avoid
caffeine and
nicotine
3. Drink at
least 2 litres
of water daily
4. Get at least
8 hours sleep
5. Eat
wholesome, fresh
food with more
protein and
fewer
carbohydrates
6. Walk for 30
minutes daily
7. Sit quietly
for at least
five minutes
daily and
breathe deeply,
staying aware of
each breath
8. Tell yourself
this positive
affirmation:
“Everyday in
every way, I am
better and
better. Thank
you, Allah.”
Thought Switch
helps overcome
Anxiety
A daily practice of
Thought Switch
technique helps
overcome anxiety.
When we suffer from
anxiety our thoughts
begin to control us
to the extent where
we begin to believe
them to be real. For
example, fear of a
job interview, fear
of new parenthood,
fear of a new
relationship and so
on.
You can control your
thoughts.
Here is how to
practice Thought
Switch to change a
fearful thought to a
faithful thought.
1. Every time a
fearful thought
occurs in your
mind, become
aware of it.
2. Feel the
fear. Fear is
never a pleasant
thought.
3. The moment
you are aware of
this
unpleasantness,
immediately
start imagining
a happy and
joyful outcome
of your
situation in
your mind.
4. The mind is
not able to
differentiate
between what is
real and what is
imagined. It
will entertain
any thought you
plant in it.
5. Consciously
choose only
happy, positive
and joyful
mental images
and thoughts.
6. Repeat this
daily in order
to form a habit
of only positive
thoughts.
If you wish to know about
a specific topic
with regards to
Self-Care and
Clarity of Mind,
please email me on
info@healingwordstherapy.com.
If you wish to have
a FREE one hour
Clarity Coaching
phone 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.
Allah is the Light of the
heavens and the earth. The
parable of His Light is as
if there were a Niche and
within it a Lamp: the Lamp
enclosed in Glass: the glass
as it were a brilliant star:
lit from a blessed Tree, an
Olive, neither of the East
nor of the West, whose Oil
is well-nigh Luminous,
though fire scarce touched
it: Light upon Light! Allah
guides whom He will to His
Light: Allah sets forth
Parables for men: and Allah
knows all things.
Kathryn Jones is
the author of
Step Up. Embrace
The Leader
Within,
a book dedicated
to supporting
Muslim women
discover their
inner leader and
step up in every
aspect of their
lives.
She is the
founder of the
Beautiful
Muslimah Academy,
the annual
ME First Summit
and the
Great Ramadan
Giveaway.
She is known
internationally
as the Peaceful
Parenting Coach,
as well as a
Business
Performance
Coach
for Muslim women
experts &
professionals
who wish to
launch a legacy
by bringing
their life's
work online. Her
primary focus is
on supporting
Muslim women to
step up and
embrace the
leader within
themselves so
they can take
charge of their
lives, rather
than have life
take charge of
them.
Kathryn’s
mission in life
is to make a
difference in
the world of
Muslim women and
lead them from
oppression to
success and
purpose in life.
She is
particularly
passionate about
addressing the
‘tough’
subjects, such
as depression,
child abuse,
domestic
violence,
bullying,
abusive
parenting and
other topics
that are often
swept under the
carpet. Although
she would love
to change the
lives of every
individual
touched by these
experiences, she
realises that to
fulfil this
mission she
needs other
Muslim women to
be successfully
doing this work.
To build a
revolution of
Muslim women
coaching Muslim
women, she
established the
annual ME
First Summit
and her own
online marketing
program
especially to
fast track their
success.
She loves to
bust the
stereotypes
people have
about Muslim
women just by
being herself
and supporting
other Muslim
women to follow
suit. It is
possible for
every Muslim
woman to be a
part of the
solution by
embracing the
leader within
themselves.
Kathryn’s
program
Step Up:
Leadership For
Muslim Women
helps Muslim
women take
charge of their
lives and live
purposefully.
The Centre for Interfaith &
Cultural Dialogue invites
you to the book launch of
Islam and Muslims in the
West: Major Issues and
Debates
At the book launch,
Associate Professor Halim
Rane and Dr. Adis Duderija
will talk about their
recently published book.
This will be followed by Q
and A discussion facilitated
by Dave Andrews.
Two books will be gifted and
a discount flyer will be
available for those
attending.
Tea coffee and biscuits will
be served. 6:30 for a 7 pm
start. Free parking
available at N 38
Mental Health
Week is an annual, national
event that aims to improve
community awareness and
interest in mental health
and wellbeing.
Research has shown that high
levels of mental health are
associated with creativity,
learning and productivity,
and positive personal
relationships, with improved
physical health. Mental
health is about being
cognitively, emotionally and
socially healthy – the way
we think, feel and develop
relationships.
Culturally and
linguistically diverse (CALD)
women (women from
non-English speaking
backgrounds) face multiple
challenges, which can affect
their mental health.
What does positive mental
health and wellbeing mean ?
Are you copying well with
everyday life stressors ?
What works for you ?
Come and participate in this
interactive Women’s
Wellbeing workshop and learn
and share together and find
good coping strategies to
keep ourselves mentally,
emotionally and physically
healthy.
New Muslim Care (NMC) are proud to
be working in alliance with Sisters Support Services
(SSS) and National Zakat Foundation (NZF) to
support new Muslims with the Islam 101: The Foundations
courses.
Through collaboration we are strengthening our
organisations and sharing resources in order to continue
to provide much needed services to the community.
Our aim is to offer continuous support to new Muslims
through Islamic workshops, classes and social avenues
and enable a more seamless transition successfully to an
Islamic way of life Insha'Allah.
Sessions for brothers are envisaged for the near future.
On 31 December 2017 the only
Islamic childcare centre in the whole of Brisbane had to
unfortunately close its doors due to the Department of
Transport requiring it for their future expansion. To
date they are still in the process of securing new
premises to continue serving this very important need of
the community and the wait continues….
In the interim the need is
still there. The question most Muslims would be asking
themselves is “Where do I send my child so that he/she
can learn, grow and develop in an Islamic environment,
and establish a sound Islamic foundation?”
Msasa Montessori is a private home based learning centre
for 3-5 year olds. The focus is an Islamic based
learning environment alongside the Montessori method of
teaching. Children will be taught their basic duas,
surahs, tasbeehs, stories of the Prophets will be read
and enacted, and Inshallah their love for Allah and His
Noble Prophet Muhammed S.A.W will develop. Supported by
the Montessori method of teaching they will develop
their independence and will utilise equipment which will
enable them to develop and grow.
Montessori is a method of education based on
self-directed activity, hands-on learning and
collaborative play. The Montessori materials cover
developmental activities designed to meet the needs of
children in five curriculum areas:
Practical life skills, Sensorial activities,
Mathematics, Language and Cultural Studies.
By providing such an
environment, the children will develop a strong sense of
wellbeing and identity as Muslims and they will become
confident and involved learners with the ability to
communicate effectively and with confidence.
You would be pleased to know
that the construction of
burned Toowoomba Masjid has
started last week,
Alhamdulillah.
The concrete work has begin.
We are in short of
AUD$650,000.
As you know our community is
small and financially
stressed and hence we need
generous help from people
like yourself to complete
the project.
Our request to you is for a
contribution (donation or
loan or mix of donation and
loan) to complete the
project.
But we also request you to
reach your relatives and
friends on your mailing
lists or social media who
may be able to make more
significant contributions.
Bank Account Details:
Commonwealth Bank of
Australia,
Toowoomba Plaza Branch
A/C Name: Toowoomba Islamic
Charitable Organisation
BSB: 064459 A/C Number: 1034
1586
Swift Code: CTBAAU25XXX
For more information, call
Prof Shahjahan Khan on
+61421081048
Fundraising Dinner/Auction for Australian
Drought Relief, Kerala-Indian Floods and Indonesian
Earthquake Victims
Combined ICQ,
Rotary Club of Archerfield,
MCF, and
MAA
Islamic College of
Brisbane, KARAWATHA
0418 738 432
TBA
17 November
Saturday
Annual Milad-un-Nabi
Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane
TBA
3PM to Maghrib
19 November
20 November
(tentative)
Monday (EVE)
Tuesday
BIRTHDAY OF PROPHET MOHAMMED
(pbuh)
(Milad un Nabi)
12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1440
2 April 2019
3 April 2019
(tentative)
Tues (EVE)
Wed
LAILATU MI'RAAJ
(Ascension night)
27th Rajab 1440
20 April 2019
21 April 2019
(tentative)
Sat (EVE)
Sun
NISF SHA'BAAN
(Lailatul Bahrat)
15th Sha'baan 1440
6 May 2019
(tentative)
Mon
RAMADAAN
(start of the month of fasting)
1st Ramadaan 1440
26 May 2019
(tentative)
Sun
LAILATUL-QADR
(Night of Power)
27th Ramadaan 1440
5 June 2019
(tentative)
Wed
EID-UL-FITR
(end of the month of fasting)
1st
Shawal 1440
11 August 2019
(tentative)
Sun
YAWMUL ARAFAH
(Night of Power)
9th Zil-Hijjah 1440
12 August 2019
(tentative)
Mon
EID-UL-ADHA
10th Zil-Hijjah 1440
PLEASE NOTE
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..
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 enter their details
here.
President Imam Uzair Akbar
(pictured left)
said: “With the addition
of these nine names the
Council is now ready to take
CIQ forward into its second
decade. The next few years
will be momentous for the
organisation and for
Queensland at large. In our
Council members, we have
real expertise and diversity
from across the various
disciplines and professional
skills we will be drawing on
to make the most of the
possibilities the Council
can offer the Queensland
Muslim Community.” 
While
I lost my mum to
domestic
violence but I
won't let fear
or racists keep
me silent
Car Hits Muslims Leaving London
Mosque in 'Islamophobic Attack'
My
dear Muslim sister! 
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011