The
Muslim Charitable Foundation
assisted 34 families or
individuals this last month.
This ranged from paying
medical bills, rental
assistance, school fees,
electricity, gas and water
bills.
We also provided emergency
accommodation for a couple
at our house who would have
been homeless if we did not
have a place for them.
Some are permanent
residents, some are in
Community Detention, some
are on Bridging visas, some
have no visas, some have no
work rights and some have no
income. Yes, that’s correct,
NO INCOME. Some are single
parents, widows, divorced or
separated. Some have their
partners in jail.
A mother, separated with 4
kids has exactly $215.68 per
fortnight to live on after
paying rent. A family on a
Humanitarian Stay Temporary
visa with no work rights,
has no income.
Where do they go for help,
how do they feed their
children, how do they pay
their rent.
These are real cases, real
people. These are our Muslim
brothers and sisters, right
here on our doorstep.
MCF is your trusted charity
using volunteers with 100%
of donations used for the
needy. Fully tax deductible.
MCF acknowledges the
tremendous trust and support
the community has given us
and will continue to serve
those in need in our own
community.
The Hurricane Stars Club was
honoured to be chosen to
receive funding from the
Queensland Alliance for
Mental Health to offer a
program for October’s Mental
Health Week. The program was
held in the Islamic Women’s
Association of Australia’s
hall in Springwood on 4th
October 2018. It was a
parenting workshop specially
for mothers with the theme
‘Mums Get Moving Forward
Together’.
The workshop was a relaxed
and informal session
conducted by two
highly-trained and
experienced presenters –
Susan Al-Maani and Joan
Burrows. Attended by mothers
from different backgrounds
with children of a variety
of ages from adults children
who are married to those
who’s child is only 6 months
old. The session discussed
responsible parenting
practices among mothers
through focus on self-care,
self-esteem and improved
respectful communication.
The session also helped the
mothers to be more resilient
in facing day-to-day
challenges by identifying
psychological barriers that
they may have and building
on their own existing skills
and strengths.
It was a free event that
included babysitting, so
mothers can relax and
participate in the workshop,
a healthy morning tea and a
delicious lunch by Sara’s
Catering. Everyone felt
welcomed and certainly
gained a lot of insights
into stress and anger
management in being a
mother.
Elite, a new Spanish drama
which premiered on Netflix
this week, explores
prejudice and Islamophobia
targeting Muslim students in
high school.
“We wanted to work with this
character because it’s
something that is happening
in Europe. This is the
reality that we see every
day,” co-writer Dario
Madrona told Arab News,
speaking about the character
of the Muslim student Nadia.
Nadia, played by Mina El-Hammani,
is an ambitious
Muslim-Palestinian girl. The
story is based on a
prestigious private school
in Spain where three newly
enrolled working-class
students upset the status
quo.
In the first episode, Nadia
is ordered to remove her
hijab by the principal or
face expulsion in a scene
that plays heavily on the
debate over whether to ban
hijab in schools that has
gripped Europe in recent
years. It is in this context
that the show’s co-writers
sought to use Nadia’s
character to highlight the
challenges some Muslims face
when integrating into
European society.
During the series, Nadia is
also faced with hateful
comments from her fellow
classmate Lu, played Danna
Paola, who refers to her as
‘Taliban’: “(Nadia)
reflected the idea of what
Muslims have to face in
Europe every day. Because
you are part of a different
culture, you don’t know if
you can integrate. People
look at you funny
sometimes,” Madrona added.
Discrimination At Large
The challenges facing
Muslims in Europe are not
limited to schools and hijab,
as the show highlighted
discrimination at
workplaces.
In the series, Nadia’s
brother, Omar, played by
Omar Ayuso, faces a
challenge to find work,
where his friend Samuel was
accepted and Omar rejected
though they submitted their
resumes together. Aside from
Islamophobia and ethnic
discrimination, the show
also explores the identity
crisis some teenagers go
through in high school.
“My parents are from
Morocco, they are Muslims,
so I know what it is like to
live in a closed
environment. Nadia is from
Palestine so it’s different,
but the same clash of
cultures can be felt in both
cases,” El-Hammani said,
adding that she has been
facing Nadia’s challenges
during her real life.
“I have had a childhood that
was very similar to what
Nadia has lived (through).
Although I was born in
Spain, when I go back to
Morocco I am a Spaniard and
when I am in Spain I am the
Moroccan girl. So, you
always wonder, ‘Who am I?’”
According to the Union of
Islamic communities (UCIDE),
Muslims make up 3.8 percent
of the Spanish population,
40 percent are Spanish and
the remaining 60 percent are
immigrants. Muslims in Spain
are mostly from Morocco,
although there is a
significant presence of
Pakistanis and Senegalese
Muslims in cities like
Barcelona, Valencia and
Logrono.
To
say Professor John Esposito
is an accomplished academic
would be an understatement.
He's Professor of Islamic
studies at the esteemed
Georgetown University, has
published 60 books (yes,
within one lifetime) and is
a senior member of the UN
Alliance of Civilisations.
To make this seem all the
stranger, we discover
Professor Esposito spent a
decade of his life away from
his family becoming a Priest
(from the impressionable age
of 14 no less!).
From here, a web of
coincidences, hard work and
an ingredient we only later
discover, take John Esposito
from a 14-year old boy to a
global authority on Islam.
This interview is a bit of
an emotional rollercoaster;
with lots of laughter, some
tears and an abundance of
wisdom.
It reflects on the
Professor’s life and gain
insights into the task ahead
for the Muslims in Western
contexts.
About
the Show
The Transit Lounge
chronicles the journeys of
people who’ve had a
considerable impact on the
Muslim world. In season 1,
we hear from successful
entrepreneurs, academics,
scholars and politicians.
Hosted by Mohamad Zaoud,
each episode explores the
highs and lows of our
guests, and tackles the
question of our time - what
does it take to find balance
when living a contemporary
Muslim life.
Mohamad Zaoud is a brand
enthusiast and consults
businesses and NGOs on brand
& growth strategies. He’s
currently the Manager of
Digital Growth – EMEA, and
formerly Head of Marketing
MENA, at Al Jazeera Media
Network where he’s worked on
flagship brands including Al
Jazeera and AJ+.
It’s been a few weeks of a
brand new season, and after
months of shivering in the
early mornings, the change
in temperature is very much
welcomed this side of the
world. Gone are the days
where our morning coffees
are going cold too soon. The
sun shines all through the
morning, giving us 25-degree
averages by midday.
The highly anticipated
warmer weather brings with
it an array of places to see
and things to do in the
Sunshine State. Whether
you’re into arts and
culture, if you fancy
yourself as a foodie, or
you’re the outdoorsy type,
this list of things to do
this spring in Brisbane
offers something for
everyone.
Spring is known for the
fresh produces we all
delight over from the
beautiful farmland as it
gets warmer. So why not
start the list with
Brisbane’s best farmers’
markets?
The well-known-and-loved
Rocklea markets offers the
largest fresh food and
lifestyle market in
Brisbane. The Saturday Fresh
Markets boast over 220
stalls with fresh fruit and
veg, flowers and meats,
plants and lifestyle
products. Check it out when
it’s on every Saturday, 6 am
to 12 pm.
The city centre offers the
Riverside Markets located at
the City Botanic Gardens and
Albert Street, being a
favourite for locals and
tourists for 30 years. Here,
you’ll find Queensland art
and fashion on display, with
live music and international
food and coffee every
Sunday, from 8 am to 3 pm.
If getting out there and
keeping active is how you
enjoy making the most of the
sunshine, the Toohey Forest
tracks in the Southside runs
for 3 km and takes about an
hour to complete on a hike.
You’ll find koalas,
echidnas, and gliders that
live in the forest.
Dubbed as Brisbane’s best
wetlands, the Boondall
Wetlands is an easy and flat
walk through. A diverse
range of wildlife and a
bird-watching hut make for
picturesque scenes through
this trail.
Known to dazzle Brisbane
music lovers every year at
this time of the year, the
Brisbane Festival will be
doing just that this year
when it transforms the city
over three weeks from 8-29
September. The program
includes theatre, music,
dance, circus and opera,
with the Riverfire fireworks
display ending the spectacle
with a bang, literally, on
Story Bridge.
Boasting one of the world’s
most significant collections
of contemporary Asian and
Pacific art, the 9th Asia
Pacific Triennial of
Contemporary Art is a show
not to be missed. It
showcases contemporary art
from the Asia Pacific when
it arrives on our shores in
late November.
If you love culture and
interesting spaces, the
Brisbane Open House will
delight as visitors are
invited to go behind the
scenes in design studios,
places of worship, heritage
spaces, and medical labs
over one weekend on 13 and
14 October.
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. 8
Farheena is an
Actuary and has
worked for the
Australian
Government Actuary’s
Office in Canberra
before travelling to
London and Leeds
where she joined
Bacon & Woodrow
consulting
actuaries.
Farheena Ahmad has
been nominated for
her dedication and
vision in wanting to
make a difference to
the educational
standards of
children in the
community by
changing the way
Mathematics is
perceived and
instilling a love
for this area
through highlighting
its relevance and
developing a deep
understanding.
Farheena is an
Actuary and has
worked for the
Australian
Government Actuary’s
Office in Canberra
before travelling to
London and Leeds
where she joined
Bacon & Woodrow
consulting
actuaries. Her work
has ranged from
designing and
costing Employee
Benefit schemes in
the Australian
public sector to UK
pension schemes in
the private sector.
Farheena then joined
the investment
section of B & W in
London working on
investment
management.
Farheena has been
nominated because
not only is she an
excellent
professional in her
field and a mother
but she is a strong
advocate for the
importance of STEM
learning. She
believes that
Mathematics is the
foundation of all
other major
disciplines.
Farheena is on a
mission to dispel
fear and dejection
associated with
learning Mathematics
and is keen on
changing
perspectives one
student at a time.
To read further
about Farheena and
her mission, click
on the link
here.
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.
Habib bin Luthfi is
currently: Ra’is ‘Amm of the
Jam’iyyah Ahli Thariqah Al-Mu’tabarah
Al-Nahdliyah, Head of MUI
Middle Java, and the
spiritual leader of the Ba
Alawi tariqah in Indonesia.
The Ba Alawi are descendants
of the Prophet (PBUH) who
migrated to Hadramaut in
Yemen early on in Islamic
history. They played the
major role in bringing Islam
to the Far East, including
Indonesia and Malaysia, and
they hold high prominence to
this day.
Seeker of Knowledge:
Habib Luthfi started his
quest for knowledge early in
life, and first studied
under the tutelage of Ba
Alawi teachers in Indonesia.
He then travelled to Makkah
and Madinah for further
education and received
authorisation (ijaaza) in
all the traditional fields
of learning including hadith,
and sufism (tasawwuf). His
authorisation to be a
spiritual master comes from
more than one tariqah
(spiritual brotherhood).
Spiritual Guide: He
has established thousands of
schools, mosques and
zawiyahs in Indonesia, and
has a following numbering
millions. He emphasises
spiritual practices,
especially the recitation of
litanies (awraad).
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.
Reza Aslan immigrated from
Iran to the United States
with his family in the early
1980s, at a time of
escalating tensions between
the two countries.
He was 7 and barely spoke
English, but Aslan clearly
remembers classmates calling
him an “enemy,” and worse.
“The difference now is that
you’re hearing the same vile
language from inside the
White House.”
But Aslan, the author of
several best-selling books
about religion, isn’t one to
retreat from a verbal spat.
Last year, CNN cancelled his
show, “Believer,” after
Aslan used profane language
to describe President Trump.
But American Muslims say
Aslan remains influential as
a writer, Hollywood producer
and public intellectual.
What other Muslims say about
Aslan:
“Reza is a genius, an
actual genius, at telling
stories about religion.”
New
research shows
how Australia’s
newsrooms are
failing minority
communities
Australians from culturally
diverse backgrounds often
feel frustrated about media
coverage of news events and
issues that portray them in
a negative light. A new
study analysing media
coverage of issues related
to multicultural Australia
found that more than a third
of stories reflected a
negative view of minority
communities.
Traditionally, so-called
“hard news” stories are
straight reports of “what
happened”. This means they
are reported in an objective
and balanced manner, taking
in diverse views on the
issue.
Our study analysed 1,366
media articles, examining
the sentiment towards
minority communities in
them. We found that over a
third of hard news stories
contained negative
sentiments towards minority
communities, while more than
half of the editorials and
commentary pieces portrayed
minority communities in a
negative light.
The sample included about
80% news stories, 4%
features and 16% editorials
and commentaries on selected
events and issues during a
six-month period.
It focused on six news
topics with some level of
public controversy around
the issue of multicultural
Australia. These included
Section 18C of the Racial
Discrimination Act; a
discussion of Islam as a
religion; US President
Donald Trump’s refugee ban
in January 2017; the Bourke
Street attack in Melbourne’s
central business district;
youth gang crime,
particularly in Melbourne;
and the London terror attack
on March 22, 2017.
The study collected articles
from five mainstream online
news sites: the ABC, the SBS,
The Age, the Herald Sun and
The Australian.
In our analysis, we found
only a quarter of the
stories about minority
communities incorporated
another point of view in the
story. For example, this
could be a member of the
relevant minority community
group, a scholar who may be
able to provide an
alternative view or comment
on the bigger picture, or a
shadow minister.
Most of the stories analysed
between September 2016 and
March 2017 were based either
on a reporter’s observations
(41%) or included a
government source (31%).
Only about 26% of stories
had a second source (a
non-government source, an
individual or expert).
THE
CONVERSATION
AN
INCREDIBLE thing
has just
happened in
Saudi Arabia.
IT’S a kingdom of
unimaginable
riches which has
made an
incredible move.
SAUDI ARABIA: In a first
for the kingdom, a woman has been
appointed as the head of a bank. Lubna
Al Olayan (pictured) has just
been announced as the chair of the new
company, which is being formed from a
merger between the Saudi British Bank
and Alawwal Bank, BBC reports.
Currently the head of a family business,
Ms Olayan is a trailblazing figure in
the finance industry. She studied in the
US and was scored first place in the
Forbes list of Middle East’s Most
Influential Women for 2018.
The stunning move has come amid a
much-publicised push to liberalise
women’s roles under Crown Prince
Mohammed bin Salman. Known as Saudi
Vision 2030, change is seen as crucial
to modernising the kingdom.
There has been much excitement around
changes to women’s rights in Saudi
Arabia that have been unveiled this
year. In June, a ban on women driving
that had been in place since 1957 was
finally lifted.
And last November, there was joy when
the kingdom recognised yoga as a sport.
Widely perceived as a Hindu spiritual
practice, yoga was not officially
permitted for decades in Saudi Arabia,
the cradle of Islam where all non-Muslim
worship is banned.
How the church is better
& worse than you ever
imagined
ABC Compass
Christian
history offers plenty of
ammunition to its critics:
crusades, inquisitions, the
oppression of women — not to
mention the recent horrific
incidence of institutional
child abuse, covered up by
the church. So would we be
better off without
Christianity? Join
presenters from the Centre
for Public Christianity on
location around the globe as
they weigh up the good, the
bad, the ugly — and the
unexpected — about some of
the impact Christianity has
had on the world we live in.
Who was Imam Shamil? OnePath
Network
Long before
Khabib.
Dagestan was home to a
fighter far greater and
powerful in rank.
His name was Imam Shamil.
And he was one of the
greatest warriors to emerge
from Dagestan in the 1800’s.
He was born in 1797 to an
Avar family in the village
of Gimri, Dagestan, at a
time Russia was expanding
into the Ottoman Empire and
Persia. Originally named
Ali, he was often sick as a
child, and was thus renamed
“Shamil” in hopes a new
found name would grant him
health.
As a young boy, he would
spend his days gaining
Islamic knowledge under the
town’s Sheikh. And by the
age of 20, he had travelled
to Syria and mastered
several Islamic sciences.
Upon returning home to
Dagestan, he joined the
resistance against Russian
forces that sought to expand
into his country.
However after being injured
in the battle of Gimri in
1832, he retreated to the
mountains in order to
recover.
After recovering in 1834,
and also after two of the
subsequent Imams were killed
in battle, Shamil was
appointed as the new Imam
and leader of the Dagestani
army.
Due to his towering height,
strong build and immense
Islamic knowledge, he
swiftly attained the trust
of his people.
He was also able to
strategically reorganise and
unify the Muslim ranks
throughout the Caucasus. The
townspeople honoured him
greatly and would always
rush to accommodate his
fighters. He signified a
beam of light for Caucasian
autonomy and provided hope
of long awaited peace.
He was also able to rectify
many of the social vices of
the time and bring his
people closer to Islam.
From 1834 to 1859 he
continued to fight defiantly
against the Russian forces,
despite their advanced
military equipment. News of
his ability to forestall the
gigantic Russian empire’s
expansion soon spread across
the world.
He was known as a man of
bravery, courage and virtue.
A man who would never
surrender.
In 1859, his resistance
however slowly lost
grounding due to internal
tribal conflicts and he was
eventually captured by the
Russian army.
He was taken prisoner by
Russian forces and placed in
a ten year exile under
strict supervision in a
small city near Moscow.
Ten years later, he was
granted permission to
perform the Hajj pilgrimage,
for the second time in his
life. Following his
pilgrimage, he visited the
city of Madinah and
subsequently died there in
1871. He was buried in Al-Baqi
cemetery with many of the
family and companions of the
Prophet Muhammad ﷺ.
May Allah have mercy on Imam
Shamil and may his story
serve as a legacy for
Muslims around the world.
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.
HIJABS FOR KIDS Marks & Spencer
sparks online row after selling £6 school
uniform hijabs for young girls
The store says it is selling the
hijab after a 'number of schools
requested the option'
UK: MARKS & Spencer has sparked an
online row after it emerged the store is
selling school uniform hijabs for young
girls.
The company's social media pages have
been flooded with messages regarding the
black headscarf, which is on sale for
just £6 in their 'School Essentials'
section.
But radio presenter Maajid Nawaz has
criticised the move,saying it
'facilitates medievalism'.
He said: "It’s their right to choose
profit over values. But it’s our right
to shame them for doing so. Little girls
are told it is “immodest” to show their
hair. And blessed be the fruit.
"To be clear, these are stocked for
little girls as young as three years
old.
"Hijab is still imposed (only on women)
by law in Iran and Saudi Arabia, and
many other countries.
"This is gender apartheid. Marks and
Spencer are free to sell confederate
flag tee-shirts too, but I bet they
never will."
And some customers have threatened to
boycott the store until it is removed
from stock.
Lorraine Smith wrote: "Disgusting. How
could you profit from something that
promotes degradation to woman and
children? It's obscene!
"For a company struggling with profits,
bad move. I and many others will boycott
until it is removed. Unbelievable."
Melissa Turnbull, from Renfrewshire in
Scotland, posted on the store's Facebook
page: "I won't be shopping in your
stores until you stop this."
And Cassy Simmons-Thornton, from London,
added: "Can you please explain why you
are selling a hijab for young children
and helping the oppression of women from
a young age?
"A lot of people will now boycott your
stores."
But @sandchick4 argued on Twitter: "Hijab
is not primarily about modesty. It’s
about obedience to God."
And addressing the complaints on their
Twitter page on Thursday, Marks &
Spencer wrote: "We provide bespoke
uniforms for 250 schools across the
country.
"They tell us which items they need as
part of their school uniform list, and
for a number of schools this year, they
requested the option of the hijab."
White supremacist admits being behind
'Punish a Muslim Day' hate campaign
A man has
admitted being behind the Punish
a Muslim day hate campaign (
Twitter )
UK: A white supremacist behind the
Punish a Muslim Day letters who
encouraged murder and sent hoax letters
to The Queen, Theresa May, and David
Cameron is facing years behind bars
today.
David Parnham, 35, targeted Asian MP,
high profile political figures, Royalty,
and Muslim centres including Finsbury
Park Mosque with hundreds of poison pen
letters threatening violence which
stretch over two years.
Also among the victims was Tory peer and
former security minister Lord Ahmad of
Wimbledon.
Parnham sent dozens of envelopes of
white powder to his intended targets
from his home in Lincoln.
He sparked full scale alerts over fears
that it was anthrax or other poisons.
However, the substances eventually
turned out to be harmless.
He signed off letters to Asian MPs and
Mosques as “Muslim Slayer” and included
the phrase “P*ki filth”, according to
prosecutors.
In a message to then-Prime Minister Mr
Cameron, Parnham wrote the phrase “Allah
is great”.
Mrs May, then Home Secretary, and The
Queen were among the targets of a series
of letters containing white powder which
included the sinister phrase: “The
clowns R coming 4 you”.
At the Old Bailey today, Parnham pleaded
guilty to a series of charges including
soliciting murder, making hoaxes, and
sending letters with intent to cause
distress.
He admitted being the source of the
Punish a Muslim Day series of letters,
which caused widespread alarm and panic
when they spread on social media in
March and May this year.
He had also sent out hate letters under
different titles, including “The Great
Cleanse” which was aimed at Mosques
around London in August last year. In
those notes, he suggested that Muslims
should be “exterminated”.
Chinese authorities launch
'anti-halal' crackdown in Xinjiang
Party officials also urged government
officers to speak Mandarin at work and
in public
A Uighur
Muslim prays on his prayer matt
during Friday prayers in Urumqi
in China’s Xinjiang province.
CHINA: Authorities in Xinjiang have
launched a campaign against the “spread
of halal”, claiming the growing number
of halal products is encouraging
religious extremism in the heavily
monitored Chinese region.
Party officials in Urumqi, the capital
of Xinjiang, which is home to about 12
million people from Muslim minorities,
on Monday called on government officers
to strengthen the “ideological struggle”
and fight “halalification” or the
“pan-halal tendency,” a post on the
Urumqi People’s Procuratorate Wechat
account said.
The term refers to extending halal
labelling – food that adheres to Islamic
law – to non-food items to appeal to
Muslim consumers. Officials and state
media say the growing number of products
labelled halal allows Islamic rituals to
penetrate secular life in China.
“The pan-halal tendency blurs the
boundary between religion and secular
life. So it is easy to fall into the
mire of religious extremism,” the
state-owned Global Times said in an
article about the new campaign in Urumqi.
The campaign comes as protest over
China’s counter-terrorism policies in
Xinjiang mounts. Rights advocates,
researchers and media have documented
the use of mass surveillance and
internment, as well as the curtailing of
religious freedoms of Muslims minorities
such as Uighurs, Kazakhs, and Hui in the
north-western territory.
Critics say China is trying to
assimilate minorities into the dominant
Han Chinese by stamping out Muslim
traditions. Local authorities have put
restrictions on long beards, head
coverings, or other Islamic clothing –
that can “whip up religious fanaticism”.
All Hajj pilgrimages must be taken
through state-organised tours. Uighur
activists say mosques are being torn
down.
Covered
from head to toe with only her eyes visible, the
sight of a Muslim woman on a western city street
rarely fails to provoke a strong reaction.
Feelings of shock, horror, repulsion, pity or
even fear are not uncommon. But have you ever
wondered who it is behind the veil and what
makes her tick? Ever wondered what her life is
really like and whether her dreams, hopes and
aspirations differ from yours?
From My Sisters' Lips offers a
rare glimpse into the lives of a community of
women, most of whom are converts to Islam, and
invites you to share their joys, sorrows,
convictions and faith. When Na'ima B Robert
abandoned her western lifestyle and embraced
Islam six years ago, it was not a decision taken
lightly.
Yet soon after she took her first
tentative steps towards covering, she felt
empowered; no longer judged on physical
appearances alone, no longer seeking the
approval to feel beautiful — or using her looks
to wield power over men — the experience
effected her greatly. Before long she grew in
confidence and courage.
As she says, "Something just
clicked." I thought, "Good, don't look; don't
compare me with your latest squeeze, don't try
and guess my measurements - my body is my own
business!"' From My Sisters' Lips offers a
glimpse into the lives of just some of the
extraordinary women who, like herself, have
chosen to live behind the veil.
What emerges is a vivid and
intimate portrait of a sisterhood; as they speak
candidly and with conviction on a diverse range
of subjects ranging from marriage to motherhood,
stereotypes, submission and self-image, we hear
the strong, proud voices of those who are seldom
heard.
KB says:
Banana Nut Muffins - quick, easy, moist and full
of flavour. These delicious muffins are one of
my all-time favourites - soon to be yours, too!
Banana Nut Muffins
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
• 1 cup flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour (You could use 1½ cup flour
without any whole wheat flour if you'd like)
• 1½ teaspoon baking soda
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• ⅛ teaspoon nutmeg
• ⅛ teaspoon cinnamon
• 113g salted butter (½ cup), melted
• 3 large ripe bananas, mashed
• ½ cup sugar
• ¼ cup dark brown sugar, packed
• ¼ cup milk
• 1 large egg
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• ¾ cup - 1 cup walnuts (toasted if you'd like)
1.Preheat oven to 180degrees.
2.Sift flours, baking soda, salt, nutmeg and cinnamon
together in a large mixing bowl. Set aside.
3.Melt butter. Set aside.
4.In a separate mixing bowl, mash bananas with a fork.
Mix in butter, both sugars, milk, egg and vanilla. Stir
until well combined.
5.Combine wet ingredients into dry ingredients. Stir
until just combined - do not over mix.
6.Fold in half the walnuts.
7.Spoon batter evenly into 12 greased or paper lined
muffin cups.
8.Sprinkle remainder of walnuts over top of muffins.
9.Bake for about 20- 25 minutes or until muffins are
golden brown and toothpick inserted into centre comes out
clean.
10.Let muffins rest in pan on wire rack for 5 minutes.
Remove from pan and let cool completely on rack.
A perfect accompaniment to a cup of tea.
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.
Ladies take the time this month to find out what
you need to know about breast awareness.
Breast cancer
remains the most common cancer among Australian
women, so use this opportunity to find out more
& share information with family and friends.
N-JOY!
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 topic
“Live from
Abundance”.
In recent times, due
to an increase in
popularity of New
Age Philosophy,
certain words have
been trending on
social media with a
purpose to motivate
people into living
better lives. Words
such as Mindfulness,
Gratitude and
Abundance, to name a
few. Whilst
motivational quotes
may be poetic and
profound, their
purpose is only
fulfilled if the one
who reads them truly
understands the
essence of these
words and actually
practises them by
having a mindset
that aligns with
these words.
Abundance
(plenty) is a
mindset. Living from
Abundance is a
conscious practice.
As Muslims, when we
ponder on ALLAH’s
creations, we
realise that HE has
actually blessed us
with ABUNDANCE. All
limits or lack that
we perceive is
self-imposed.
For example, how
often do
relationships suffer
due to arguments
concerning money? Or
the lack of it? How
often do we find
ourselves feeling
anxious because we
fear we may not have
enough - enough
courage, enough
money, enough
knowledge about a
subject, enough
physical beauty,
enough intelligence,
enough children,
enough material
possessions?
Notice, it is only
humans who have this
fear. ALLAH has
created this entire
planet for our
benefit and yet we
live from fear.
Unless we open our
minds to embrace
this abundance, we
will go on living
from lack.
If you take a
teaspoon to the
ocean, you will fill
only a teaspoonful
of water. The
abundance of the
ocean remains before
you and yet you only
fill a teaspoonful.
Similarly, ALLAH has
blessed us with an
abundance of joy,
kindness, love,
creativity, peace -
all in nature within
us and outside of us
- yet we present our
own limiting vessels
(our closed minds)
to capture only a
fraction of this
abundance.
Furthermore, we
begin to believe
that the vessel is
the source and its
limitation gives us
an illusion of a
false security. All
along, the one and
only source -
ALMIGHTY ALLAH -
bestows us with an
abundance that we
reject because we
begin to live in
fear of the lack of
space in our own
vessels.
Let us transform
ourselves right this
moment and cultivate
a mindset whereby we
live from abundance.
How to change the
mindset from “Lack”
to “Abundance”
1. Praise
ALMIGHTY ALLAH
for all that HE
has already
given you. Write
down a list of
everything you
are blessed
with.
2. Now, Praise
ALMIGHTY ALLAH
for all the
things you wish
you had but
don’t have.
Believe it or
not, there is
goodness in all
that you don’t
have.
3. Consciously
choose positive
words when
talking about
your situation.
The more you
affirm your life
positively, the
more positive
outcomes arise
from situations.
Refer to
examples below:
Someone wise once
said, “When you
change the way you
look at things, the
things you look at
change.”
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.
Restore the property of the
orphans to them (when they
reach their age), nor
substitute (your) worthless
things for (their) good
ones; and do not devour
their substance (by mixing
it up) with your own. For
this is indeed a great sin.
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.
Journalist
Ms Gabrielle Chan will
deliver the keynote address
on Thursday 25 October. Ms
Chan is a renowned political
journalist and author with
over 30 years experience
working for The Australian,
ABC Radio Australia, Daily
Telegraph and Guardian
Australia.
She has a
passion for bridging the
economic and cultural divide
between the city and the
country, and has authored a
book on “Why Country
Australia is Fed Up”. This
is arguably one of the most
important topics of
discussion in Australia
today.
Register for
a ticket below. Discounted
early bird tickets are
available now!
Why
Country Australia is Fed Up
- A perspctive on Politics,
Media and the Economy
(see this
week's CCN Book Club
section)
The Brisbane AMYN
Sunday School will start on Sunday (14 October '18).
Classes will be on same time. Please use the following
contact details for more info.
Official Mobile number: 0414 156 900 (SMS Only)
Email:
info@amynweb.com
Class Day & Time : Every Sunday from 9am - 12pm
(Starting 14 October 2018)
Please Note: Due to load on volunteers, the Pre-School
Students class (5 years old or less) is full. We cannot
accept admission until 2019.
All classes and academic materials are supervised by
Sheikh Aslam AbuIsmaeel.
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.
Abu Darda
reported that the Messenger of
Allah ﷺ said, “Seek out the vulnerable
among you. Verily, you are only
given provision and support due
to your support of the weak."-
Sunan al-Tirmidhī
In Indonesia, MAA’s relief
operations now are in full swing
after the devastating
earthquake, tsunami and volcanic
eruption rocked the island of
Sulawesi and caused thousands of
deaths and displaced people.
Our relief operations are in two
phases:
The first phase is taking place
right now, and we are
distributing fresh water,
emergency food packs, hygiene
kits, bedding and other
essential items in the worst
affected town of Palu.
The second phase will be focused
on long-term aid, and on
providing a source of income to
the victims, so they can get
their lives back on track as
early as possible.
Please help save lives in
Indonesia by donating now:
➤ Online: http://bit.ly/IndoEQ1
💰 Donate via our App:
Playstore: bit.ly/PStoreAppMAA
iTunes: bit.ly/iTunesAppMAA
☎ Call 1800 100 786
🌐 Bank Transfer:
MAA International
NAB (Branch: Sydney)
BSB: 082 057 & Account No.: 251
725 137
SWIFT: NATAAU33
Ref: INDOEQ
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
Islamic Care clothing
bins are now operational
around South East Queensland
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.
The
Muslim Charitable Foundation
assisted 34 families or
individuals this last month. 
To
say Professor John Esposito
is an accomplished academic
would be an understatement. 
New
research shows
how Australia’s
newsrooms are
failing minority
communities
AN
INCREDIBLE thing
has just
happened in
Saudi Arabia.
HIJABS FOR KIDS Marks & Spencer
sparks online row after selling £6 school
uniform hijabs for young girls
Covered
from head to toe with only her eyes visible, the
sight of a Muslim woman on a western city street
rarely fails to provoke a strong reaction.
Feelings of shock, horror, repulsion, pity or
even fear are not uncommon. But have you ever
wondered who it is behind the veil and what
makes her tick? Ever wondered what her life is
really like and whether her dreams, hopes and
aspirations differ from yours? 
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011