ISLAMIC COLLEGE
OF BRISBANE NOW
AN INDEPENDENT
SELF-MANAGING
SCHOOL FOLLOWING
SATISFACTION OF
STATE AND
COMMONWEALTH
GOVERNMENT
REQUIREMENTS
Board Chair –
Ismail Cajee
On 5th December 2014, the
Qld. NSSAB (Non-State
Schools Accreditation Board)
placed a “Show Cause” on the
Islamic College of Brisbane
following and audit by
Oakton. This was followed by
an audit of all AFIC schools
across Australia by
Deloittes and a resultant
DET (Commonwealth Department
of Education and Training)
“Notice” which required
satisfaction of 15
conditions and 11
sub-conditions.
On Monday 22nd October, 2018
the last and second most
difficult to achieve of the
conditions was finalised to
the satisfaction of DET
through a Deed of
Acknowledgement of Debt
between the Australian
Federation of Islamic
Councils (AFIC) and Islamic
College of Brisbane Ltd. (ICBL
Board). ICBL is now free
to conduct its day-to-day
operations without seeking
permission from DET. DET
further states that “ICBL
must ensure that it
continues to comply with its
obligations under the
Australian Education Act
2013 and the conditions
placed on its approval”.
DET is particularly
concerned that the first and
most difficult condition to
achieve that is, a new
constitution without AFIC
influence or the potential
for AFIC to influence ICB is
sustained. In fact, the only
influence AFIC now has is
that of landlord as they own
the land on which ICB is
located and ICBL pays rent
through a lease at
commercial value and not the
inflated value that existed
previously. The review and
amendments to our
constitution coupled with a
better financial position,
streamlined operational
functions and enhanced
performance lays the
foundation of a much
improved strategic direction
leading to better academic
and Islamic outcomes for our
students.
The journey has been long
and challenging; and as
Chair for the majority of
this period I have many
people to thank. It has to
be said that we owe a debt
of gratitude and special
thanks to our current and
soon to retire Principal Dr
Ray Barrett OAM, without
whose professional
leadership, insight and
guidance we would not have
achieved the positive
outcomes.
Principal, Dr
Ray Barrett OAM
A hearty thanks to my
Business Manager, Ms. Sharon
Lam for her dedication and
devotion in addressing the
difficult tasks she faced.
Business
Manager,
Ms. Sharon Lam
My gratitude and thanks to
Br. Ali Kadri (Acting
Board Chair) for
conducting the monthly
meetings and supporting me
with my duties during the
periods of my absences.
Br. Ali Kadri
(Acting Board
Chair)
I want to thank my other
Board of Directors Dr
Mohammed Rabiul Alam, Junaid
Qadri, Lyla Moshmosh, Suraya
Nikwan, Shahid Bharadia,
Mohammed Tilly (Former
Director) and Assoc. Prof.
Halim Rane (Former
Director), for standing
alongside me and providing
me with insight and
guidance. My role was made
much easier given the
wonderful management team
and people behind me,
bringing diverse sets of
skills and expertise to
contribute in maintaining
the high levels of service
delivery and addressing the
challenges we faced.
CPAC (College Parents Advisory Committee) under
the leadership of Maryam
Kissane, Osman Rane
(Remissions Committee
Chair), Orhan Camkara (ICT
Manager) and other staff of
the school under the
direction of Deputy
Principal Mr. Shariff and
Assistant Principals Mrs.
Ashraf (Primary) and Ian
Martineau (Secondary) who
not only maintained
operations but also improved
financial, record keeping
and student outcomes over
this period cannot be
thanked enough.
David Robertson (Executive
Director) and the team at
ISQ (Independent Schools of
Qld); Paul Paxton
(Paxton-Hall Lawyers);
Michael Harding (General
Manager) and the BGA (Block
Grant Authority) team are
others who have stood by and
supported ICBL over this
period of time.
ICB is now in a position to
continue its building
programme which has been
paused during the compliance
period and the long awaited
Block ‘I’ will be with us
some time next year. The
good news is that by
amalgamating subsidies from
different years we are now
able to construct a five
storey building instead of
separate buildings. Block
‘I’ will be able to
accommodate the whole of the
High School.
Another exciting development
is the commencement of the
Islamic Education Renewal
Project at ICB. This will be
conducted by Professor
Abdalla and Dylan Chown from
the University of Adelaide
Centre for Islamic Thought
and Education. The outcome
of this project will provide
the central direction for
the College as it moves into
its next phase of
Development.
NEW information given to
police investigating two
unsolved arson attacks at
the Toowoomba mosque in 2015
suggest the same person is
responsible for the crimes.
Toowoomba detectives have
today renewed an appeal for
the public to come forward
with any information
relating to the suspicious
fires at the Garden City
Mosque.
Police have revealed for the
first time they believe the
attacks are linked.
Security camera footage of
the first attack on January
23, 2015, shows a hooded
figure - believed to be a
man - gain access to the
West St building.
At precisely 9.48pm, flames
can be seen igniting inside
before the figure calmly
leaves the building, closing
the door behind them.
The footage then cuts to
another camera which
recorded the person walk
through the adjacent car
park towards West St,
opposite the fuel station.
Police revealed the fire was
lit in a plastic bin which
caused damage to the floor
of the building.
The second incident, on
April 17 that year, caused
far more extensive damage
when a window was smashed
and a fire lit inside.
The mosque was gutted and
remained badly damaged until
a rebuild began earlier this
year.
Now, new information has
been received which has led
investigators to believe the
person of interest in both
offences is still living in
the Toowoomba area.
"As the two fires are
believed to be linked, it is
understood the person of
interest is believed to be
of similar description and
acting alone," police said.
"Detectives have again
released CCTV footage of a
male wanted in connection to
the arson on Friday, January
23, 2015.
"Police encourage members of
the public to come forward
with information as to the
identity of this male."
A possible $25,000 reward
remains on offer under the
Arson Reward Scheme or
anyone who supplies
information which leads to
the conviction of the person
responsible for the fires.
The arson attacks drew
widespread condemnation and
united Toowoomba in its
outrage against the crimes.
Then Police Minister Jo-Ann
Miller led the condemnation
after the second attack,
describing it as "shocking"
and urged the community to
report information.
"It is outrageous and we
want people to come forward
so that police can get the
names of people so they can
be investigated and, if
necessary, they are
charged," Ms Miller told
national media in Toowoomba
after the second attack.
Phone Crime Stoppers on 1800
333 000 with information.
The
Toowoomba Chronicle
In response
to this report, Prof
Shahjahan Khan of the
Islamic Society of Toowoomba
said:
Let’s
hope and pray that the
criminal will be caught
and brought to justice.
In the light of Islamic
and Prophetic (SWS)
tradition, we will
forgive him if he
apologies and repents
for his evil act.
We have nothing personal
against him. Ironically,
this criminal may not
understand that he has
united the community,
and strengthen our
resolve to take the
challenge of rebuilding
the house of Allah to
spread His light in the
region.
The Australian National
Imams Council (ANIC) is
issuing this precautionary
warning to members of the
Australian Muslim community
regarding fraudulent
individuals currently
operating 'Ruqya' or
spiritual healing services
in an abusive, unislamic and
illegal manner.
The practice of 'Ruqya' is a
confirmed tradition of the
Sunnah of the Prophet
Muhammad PEACE BE UPON HIM,
used to ward off the black
magic, evil eye (Hasad) and
as a general therapy. It can
also be performed by the
person seeking treatment on
themselves or by close
family members such as
spouses, parents or an
upright people.
In the unlikely event that
the services of a spiritual
healer or Ruqyah are
required, it is important to
be cautious of the following
prohibitions:
- Physical abuse such as
hitting, choking and use
of excessive force is
not permitted during
healing.
- Excessive financial
charges for treatment,
and sales of remedies at
inflated prices should
not be accepted.
- No Muslim woman should
be in seclusion with a
male spiritual healer
without the presence of
her Mahram (A close male
relative such as
husband, or brother).
- Any individual that
claims to be qualified
in Ruqya or spiritual
healing must be an
upright person with good
reputation and reference
from the Imams and
prominent community
leaders
HUNDREDS of hay bales will
be donated to
drought-affected farmers in
the region.
Eleven trucks arrived in
Goondiwindi carrying nearly
500 bales on Saturday.
Adding to three truckloads
already donated in previous
weeks.
The Muslim Charitable
Foundation from Brisbane and
Muslim Aid in Sydney raised
more than $60,000 in six
weeks.
The fundraiser started with
a prayer for rain, which
seems to have worked.
MCF president, Yusuf Khatree,
said their community
understood the gravity of
the situation.
“We realise how serious a
situation this drought is
and that the repercussions
go down the line, and will
eventually reach us,” Mr
Khatree said.
Care Goondiwindi manager,
Tracy MacDonald, said the
organisation had fielded
calls from people wanting to
help farmers specifically in
our district.
A meeting involving Care,
council’s Megan Long with
stock and station agents
Darren Smith and Anthony
Triggs saw the inception of
Border Rivers Community
Care.
A Facebook page has been
started and application
forms are now available.
Mrs MacDonald said Care had
collated the information for
requests while the agents
took a more hands-on role
with their rural
connections.
“They know the ones who
aren’t going to ask and
those who we are desperate
to help,” she said.
Landholders in the border
rivers region, including
northern NSW, are urged to
contact Care for support.
“It’s not too late,” Mrs
MacDonald said.
She also wanted residents to
know Care could help in
other ways.
“If you are having
difficulty paying accounts,
especially essential
services, please call us.
Often, we can work with the
companies and apply for
hardship, especially now we
are in a drought declared
region.
“We also have food hampers
available, and dog food will
be going out with some of
the hay donations,” she
added.
“A lot of people think there
is always someone worse off
than them but we tell them,
there’s enough to share
around.”
Mrs MacDonald said
landholders were at their
wits end.
“It’s really sad. Most have
never had to ask for help
before.
“Some are spending tens or
hundreds of thousands of
dollars to feed their stock.
This is just a little
respite; a little bit they
don’t have to spend,” she
said.
“I’m finding when people
call to ask a question, that
often turns in to a very
long conversation. It’s
often the wives who ring.
They’re very concerned how
this is effecting their
family and their future.”
MAA’s Ahmed Baghdadi said he
had spoken to one farmer who
had three harvests in 18
years, but most remained
positive.
Mr Baghdadi was inspired
hearing first-hand accounts.
“It’s very motivational,” he
added.
“The farmers always seem to
look for the silver lining,”
Mr Khatree said.
Janet Deen of the MCF, and
former Elders employee, said
previously more support was
available.
“Now, there’s little help at
all. It’s sad when you
consider the farmers feed
our nation and now in their
time of need the government
isn’t helping them. That’s
basically what we are trying
to do here today.
“The government isn’t
compassionate. It’s cruel,”
she said.
“It’s a hard life for people
on the land and Australia
needs them!”
This donation was no easy
feat either.
Aside from the huge
coordination on a local
level the charities had to
source the hay from Gatton
and pay a premium.
The Deen family –
fifth/sixth generation
Australians – provided the
transportation.
Strike Fuels also came
onboard and donated the
diesel.
“One advantage that we have
is that what we collected,
we have used,” Mr Khatree
said. “There’s no
administration fees and no
in-between. It’s 100 per
cent collection and
delivery. And it has also
meant delivery has been a
bit quicker too,” he said.
Mrs MacDonald said schools
in the Lockyer Valley and
Toowoomba, the local St
Vincent de Paul and Gundy
Girls Shed had also provided
considerable funds to assist
with the purchase and
delivery of water to local
farmers.
The Irish singer
announced that she is "proud to
have become a Muslim" and added
that it is "the natural
conclusion of any intelligent
theologian's journey."
IRISH singer Sinead O'Connor
has revealed she has
renounced Catholicism and
converted to Islam, taking
the new name "Shuhada'
Davitt".
O'Connor, who last year
changed her legal name to
Magda Davitt, said she had
ditched the Catholic Church
for good in a message to
fans on Twitter.
The 51-year-old was
previously ordained a priest
by a breakaway Catholic
sect, the Irish Orthodox
Catholic and Apostolic
Church, in the late 1990s.
But in a series of recent
tweets, the Dubliner
revealed she had swapped the
clerical collar for the
hijab and become a Muslim.
"This is to announce that I
am proud to have become a
Muslim," she wrote.
"This is the natural
conclusion of any
intelligent theologian’s
journey. All scripture study
leads to Islam. Which makes
all other scriptures
redundant.
"I will be given (another)
new name. It will be Shuhada’."
The musician, who underwent
intensive mental health
treatment in the US last
year with the help of Dr
Phil, went on to post a
video of herself singing the
Adhan - the Islamic call to
prayer.
"Here is my 1st attempt at
singing the Azan [sic]," she
wrote. "I got some
pronouncition [sic] wrong
because emotions took me
from my page... but there’ll
be hundreds of others
onstage to come".
In another tweet, she added:
"Sorry re all the mistakes
in my Azan.... 1st attempt.
When I’ve practiced it 30
times i’m Gonna make the
world stop turning".
O'Connor also revealed she
had received her first Hijab
with the help of a friend in
Dublin.
"My best friend, Elaine just
gave me my 1st Hijab and she
got chills all over her body
when I put it on," she
wrote.
"Not gonna post a photo
because is intensely
personal. And I’m an ugly
old hag. But I’m a very,
very, very happy old hag."
In an exclusive interview
with the Daily Mail earlier
this week, O'Connor -
identified by her 'former'
name - revealed she was
collaborating with Ronnie
Wood of the Rolling Stones,
Irish actor Cillian Murphy,
Pink Floyd’s Nick Mason and
singer Imelda May for a new
EP.
'One More Yard' will pay
tribute to a young Irish
First World War soldier,
Michael Thomas Wall, and
uses words from 90 letters
he wrote home during the
conflict.
All proceeds raised from
sales of the EP will go to a
cancer charity.
Tasneem Chopra on being
awarded one of La Trobe
University's highest honours -
the Distinguished Alumni Award
Tasneem Chopra is a
cross-cultural consultant
who speaks across the
private and public sector to
issues of cultural
competence, gender,
leadership and
intersectional
discrimination.
Ms Chopra completed a
Masters of International
Development at La Trobe
before she was appointed the
Board Director for Ambulance
Victoria, The Australian
Centre for the Moving Image
(ACMI), NOW Australia, the
Luke Batty Foundation and
Chair of the Australian
Muslim Women’s Centre for
Human Rights. Tasneem is
also a TEDxMelbourne
presenter and a media
commentator.
The European Court of Human
Rights (ECHR) ruled on
Thursday that insulting
Islam's Prophet Mohammed is
not covered by freedom of
expression.
Defaming the Prophet “goes
beyond the permissible
limits of an objective
debate" and "could stir up
prejudice and put at risk
religious peace,” the ruling
stated.
The decision by a
seven-judge panel came after
an Austrian national
identified as Mrs. S. held
two seminars in 2009 in
which she insulted the
prophet.
The court said that the
woman's comments could not
be covered by the freedom of
expression, stating that it
had found that "the
applicant's statements had
been likely to arouse
justified indignation in
Muslims" and "amounted to a
generalization without
factual basis."
An Austrian court convicted
her of disparaging religious
doctrines in 2011 and fined
her 480 euros (548 dollars),
a judgment that was upheld
on two appeals.
“Mrs. S. appealed but the
Vienna Court of Appeal
upheld the decision in
December 2011, confirming,
in essence, the lower
court’s findings. A request
for the renewal of the
proceedings was dismissed by
the Supreme Court on 11
December 2013,” it said.
“Relying on Article 10
(freedom of expression),
Mrs. S. complained that the
domestic courts failed to
address the substance of the
impugned statements in the
light of her right to
freedom of expression.”
On today’s ruling, the ECHR
said it “found in particular
that the domestic courts
comprehensively assessed the
wider context of the
applicant’s statements and
carefully balanced her right
to freedom of expression
with the right of others to
have their religious
feelings protected, and
served the legitimate aim of
preserving religious peace
in Austria.”
Mental health is an
important part individual
health and wellbeing. Better
understanding and taking
care of your mental health
will provide beneficial
rewards.
My name is Ali Ghafoor and
I’m currently conducting a
Masters of Health Services
Management research project
looking at coping strategies
people may adopt post a
recent episode of psychosis.
Moreover, this research will
aim to identify how
participant experiences can
help health service managers
better understand
participant experiences,
stories and their coping
strategies.
Interested participants can
contact me for a project
brief and if deemed eligible
a suitable date and time for
an interview can be
arranged.
Participation is voluntary,
and participants can
withdraw from the research
at any point.
Large one
bedroom fully furnished
apartment in Surfers
Paradise available for
renting.
In immaculate
condition with spectacular
ocean views and on the Tram
Route (line).
To rent on
long lease at $500.00 per
week inclusive of water and
electricity. Walking
distance to shops and
amenities with resort
facilities and is available
from 1st
November 2018.
The Second International
Conference on Organ
Transplantation in Islam
will be held at the Western
Sydney University on 22 and
23 November.
This conference explores a
rare topic in Islamic
theological and social
scientific discussions; how
Islam deals with organ
transplantation.
Existing studies on organ
transplantation, rare as
they are, either look at the
argument in support of organ
transplantation and
donation, or the argument
that considers organ
transplantation and donation
to be prohibited in Islam.
What is missing is a clear
and authoritative response
to the question of organ
transplantation and donation
in Islam.
Whether organ
transplantation and donation
is permissible or not in
Islam, robust theological
and social scientific
discussions are necessary
for individuals to make an
informed determination
Each week CCN presents the
abstract and biography of
one of the speakers at the
conference:
SINCE
1981, the World Values
Survey has tracked changes
in the values and beliefs of
citizens in 97 countries,
including Australia. These
surveys have identified
considerable change in what
people want out of life and
what they believe.
This is the seventh wave of
the World Values Survey,
allowing the researchers to
track changes between
countries but also over
time.
In each country, people were
asked the same questions
(across a range of different
languages) to measure their
views on religion, gender
roles, work, democracy, good
governance, social capital,
political participation,
cultural diversity, and
environmental protection.
Countries will have until
the end of December 2019 to
complete their survey
fieldwork.
The Australian component of
the World Values Survey is
referred to as the
Australian Values Study or
AVS.
The Australian National
University has been
responsible for the AVS
since 2005, with data
collection carried out by
the Social Research Centre.
More than 1,800 Australians
were surveyed during 2018,
and several key themes have
emerged.
God and the afterlife
The percentage of
Australians who consider God
‘not at all important’ in
their life is increasing. In
the 1981 World Values
Survey, 14 per cent placed
themselves in this category,
compared to 35 per cent in
2018. At the opposite end of
the scale, the percentage
replying that God is ‘very
important’ in their life has
declined from 25 per cent to
17 per cent between 1981 and
2018 (after increasing
slightly in 2005).
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 Mahmud Ustaosmanoglu,
also known as Sheikh Mahmud
Effendi, is one of the most
popular Islamic teachers in
Turkey today. He emphasizes
the Sunnah and is well-known
for having revived many of
the Sunnah practices.
Life: Sheikh Effendi
became a Hafiz (one who has
memorized the Qur’an) at the
tender age of 6. He then
started studying Arabic and
Persian at first, and then
went on to study the Islamic
Sciences. Sheikh Effendi was
appointed imam of the Ismail
Agha mosque in Istanbul in
1954, where he remained
until he retired in 1996. He
devoted three weeks per-year
to teach people across
Turkey and made several
missionary and educational
tours in several countries,
including Germany and the
United States.
Students: He has
millions of followers and
has established various
religious, social and
charity organisations such
as the Marifet Association,
the Federation of Marifet
Associations and Ahle Sunnah
wal Jamaah Confederation.
Although he himself has
moved to the suburbs of
Istanbul, his stronghold is
still the Fateh area where
his followers are easily
recognised by their
traditional dress. He
emphasises service to
humanity on the basis of
sincerity.
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.
Wajahat Ali jokes that he’s
tired of being the media’s
“Muslim fireman,” the guy
called upon to explain Islam
to America, usually after a
deadly terrorist attack.
He’d much rather be the
“Muslim gardener,” he says
with a smile.
“You know, planting some
seeds and maybe eating a
mango or two.”
It’s hard to imagine Ali
sitting still long, though.
The New York Times
contributing opinion writer
seems to always have a long
list of projects, from
penning plays to
investigating Islamophobia
to writing dystopian fiction
about life inside Muslim
concentration camps.
The Wi-Fi is sparse but the
weed is plentiful, he jokes.
Ali is also developing a
television series with
novelist Dave Eggers about a
Muslim police officer in the
San Francisco Bay area.
What other Muslims say
about Ali:
“It’s easy to go into online
spaces and complain all the
time, but one of the things
about Wajahat is that he is
always trying to tell
positive stories. He
believes that there is a way
out of this mess, and he
wants other people to
believe that, too.”
Ireland
'leads the world
in Islamic
values as Muslim
states lag'
Ireland
best
embodies
the
Islamic
values
of
opportunity
and
justice,
according
to a
survey
by a
leading
US
academic
Ireland
best
embodies
Islamic
beliefs,
according
to
survey
The Koran's
teachings are
better
represented in
Western
societies than
in Islamic
countries, which
have failed to
embrace the
values of their
own faith in
politics,
business, law
and society, a
leading academic
at George
Washington
University has
said.
A study of 208
countries and
territories has
found that the
top countries in
both economic
achievement and
social values
are Ireland,
Demark,
Luxembourg and
New Zealand.
Britain also
ranks in the top
ten.
The first
Muslim-majority
nation is
Malaysia ranking
at 33, while the
only other state
in the top 50 is
Kuwait at 48.
Hossein Askari,
an Iranian-born
professor of
International
Business and
International
Affairs at
George
Washington
University, said
Muslim countries
used religion as
an instrument of
state control.
He said: “We
must emphasise
that many
countries that
profess Islam
and are called
Islamic are
unjust, corrupt,
and
underdeveloped
and are in fact
not ‘Islamic’ by
any stretch of
the imagination.
“Looking at an
index of
Economic
Islamicity, or
how closely the
policies and
achievements of
countries
reflect Islamic
economic
teachings -
Ireland,
Denmark,
Luxembourg,
Sweden, the
United Kingdom,
New Zealand,
Singapore,
Finland, Norway,
and Belgium
round up the
first 10”.
“If a country,
society, or
community
displays
characteristics
such as
unelected,
corrupt,
oppressive, and
unjust rulers,
inequality
before the law,
unequal
opportunities
for human
development,
absence of
freedom of
choice
(including that
of religion),
opulence
alongside
poverty, force,
and aggression
as the
instruments of
conflict
resolution as
opposed to
dialogue and
reconciliation,
and, above all,
the prevalence
of injustice of
any kind, it is
prima facie
evidence that it
is not an
Islamic
community,” he
said.
An Overall
Islamicity Index
analysing social
rules and human
rights measures
found that
similar rankings
were generated
in 2010.
"New Zealand,
Luxembourg,
Ireland,
Iceland,
Finland,
Denmark, Canada,
the United
Kingdom,
Australia, and
the Netherlands;
and again only
Malaysia (38)
and Kuwait (48)
make it into the
top 50 from
Muslim
countries,” he
said. “Islam is,
and has been for
centuries, the
articulation of
the universal
love of Allah
for his creation
and for its
unity, and all
that this
implies for
all-encompassing
human and
economic
development."
The
Telegraph UK
Why
non-Muslims are
converting to
sharia finance
Competitive
savings
rates
are
attracting
non-believers
The halal restaurants
established by Muslim migrants in
Britain quickly inspired an almost
religious following among non-believers.
Now a similar conversion may be under
way in banking. Al Rayan Bank, Britain’s
biggest sharia-compliant retail bank by
assets, says around one in three of its
customers is non-Muslim, up from one in
eight in 2010. The Bank of London and
the Middle East (blme), another halal
outfit, also has a following outside the
faithful: the “vast majority” of
customers are not Muslims.
A bank prohibited from paying interest
might seem an unlikely choice for
savers. The practice is banned under
sharia. Instead, Islamic banks invest
deposits and return a cut of the
profits, which amounts to much the same
thing as far as many savers are
concerned.
Some non-Muslims may be drawn to pious
banks for ethical reasons. Sharia
forbids investments in sin stocks like
arms, alcohol and tobacco. Simon Walker,
head of retail sales at Al Rayan,
compares his firm to Charity Bank and
Ecology Building Society, which market
themselves as ethical alternatives.
But more are probably persuaded by
competitive rates. Funds deposited for
two years at Al Rayan return 2.32%, the
best deal on the market according to
Moneyfacts, a data firm.
Price-comparison websites bring in
clients who might not otherwise have
considered Islamic banking. Some 90% of
savers who opened fixed-term deposit
accounts with Al Rayan last year were
non-Muslims.
How do sharia upstarts beat the market?
Returns on ordinary savings accounts are
steered by the Bank of England’s base
interest rate, which has been at rock
bottom since 2009. Sharia accounts do
not follow the base rate so closely. Nor
do Islamic banks benefit directly from
quantitative easing (in which the Bank
of England creates money to buy assets
from financial institutions), since no
sharia-compliant facility exists. Sharia
banks seem to pay for their generous
savings accounts by offering much worse
deals on lending. Al Rayan’s home
purchase plan (its sharia-compliant
version of a mortgage) charges 4.24% in
the first two years, almost double the
market average. Even so, 12% of Al
Rayan’s home-purchase customers are
non-Muslims.
It’s the game
taking the world by storm,
children, teenagers and even
adults.
Fortnite Battle Royal – is a
free multiplayer-shooting
game, where the last one
standing wins. The game can
be played on nearly all
devices and players enjoy
the ability of being able to
speak to one another while
they play.
But in all its fun and
excitement – there’s a dark
side no one seems to be
talking about.
Fortnite is addictive and we
are now seeing an epidemic
of children consumed with
unhealthy gaming habits.
The World Health
Organisation has listed
“Gaming Disorder” as a
mental illness in its latest
International Classification
of Diseases.
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.
Understanding Sharia: Islamic Law in a Globalised World
by
Mohamed Keshavjee, Raficq S
Abdulla
Description
Sharia
has been a source of misunderstanding and
misconception in both the Muslim and non-Muslim
worlds.
Understanding Sharia: Islamic Law
in a Globalised World sets out to explore the
reality of sharia, contextualising its
development in the early centuries of Islam and
showing how it evolved in line with historical
and social circumstances.
The authors, Raficq S. Abdulla
and Mohamed M. Keshavjee, both British-trained
lawyers, argue that sharia and the positive law
flowing from it, known as fiqh, have never been
an exclusive legal system or a fixed set of
beliefs.
In addition to tracing the
history of sharia, the book offers a critique
concerning its status today.
Sharia is examined with regard to
particular issues that are of paramount
importance in the contemporary world, such as
human rights; criminal penalties, including
those dealing with apostasy, blasphemy and
adultery, commercial transactions, and
bio-medical ethics, amongst other subjects.
The authors show that sharia is a
legal system underpinned by ethical principles
that are open to change in different
circumstances and contexts, notwithstanding the
claims for 'transcendental permanence' made by
Islamists.
This book encourages new thinking
about the history of sharia and its role in the
modern world.
KB says:
Cannelloni are a cylindrical type of pasta
generally served baked with a filling and
covered by a sauce in Italian cuisine. I prefer
using the Lasagne sheets for the cannelloni as
its easier to fill and will cook al dente in the
sauces. Other popular stuffing include spinach
and ricotta or minced beef
Cannelloni with Chicken and Béchamel
Sauce
Indian style
INGREDIENTS
METHOD
½ kg Chicken breasts cubed
Fresh Lasagne sheets – cut into 3
1 bottle of Béchamel sauce
1 tsp green chillies
1 cup Tomato Chutney (see recipe below)
1tsp salt
1tsp ginger and garlic
1 tab olive oil
1 tsp chilly powder
½ cup water
1 cup of pizza cheese (a mixture of cheddar and mozzarella
cheese)
Place ginger
garlic in olive oil
Add cubed
chicken, salt and chilly powder and cook until chicken
is done.
Add chutney
and braise until mixture is fairly dry but still a
little saucy.
In a
casserole layer tomato chutney to cover the base.
On a third
of the lasagne sheet place 1 tab chicken filling on the
edge and roll.
With the
seam side down place the cannelloni in the casserole and
continue until the casserole has been filled.
Place ½ cup
of water into it.
Mix the
béchamel sauce with the green chillies and pour over the
cannelloni to cover it completely – as any exposed
cannelloni will dry out.
Top with
cheese and cover with foil.
Bake on
180deg for half an hour, then remove the foil and bake
for further 5 mins.
Tomato Chutney
Braise 2 chopped onions in 1 tab olive oil until light brown
add 2 tsp garlic.
Braise for a minute before you add 6 chopped tomatoes, 2 tsp
salt 1 tsp chilly powder and ¼ tsp turmeric, 1 tab tomato
paste, 1 tab vinegar and allow it to simmer until the sauce
thickens.
Puree the chutney and its ready to use in pizzas, pastas or
as base for curries, baked beans, fish curry etc
Note: Very handy to have it in the fridge and I normally
double this quantity.
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.
Q:
Dear Kareema, I have a reunion
coming up in a few months and would like to shed
just a few kilos. I’m on track at the moment but
was wondering if there were some simple do’s &
don'ts leading up to the event?
A:
If you are on track with your goals, just stay
focused and keep going at the rate that you are.
Make your workout routines a priority and stay
consistent. Don’t leave anything for the last
minute. That’s when you’ll tend to push yourself
too hard in your last few training sessions
which could lead to injury.
N-JOY!
Find and follow me on Instagram for more fitspo
@Kareema_Benjamin
The
Queensland Council of Social
Service and BDO would very
much welcome your
participation in a
networking function
with guest speaker Mr Peter
Fitzsimons.
Peter
FitzSimons is a
well-respected columnist for
The Sydney Morning Herald
and Sun-Herald, speaks four
languages, has played rugby
for Australia, co-hosted
radio shows with Mike
Carlton and Doug Mulray,
interviewed famous people
around the globe from George
Bush to Diego Maradona and
written over 27 best-selling
books.
Peter
supports a number of
community organisations, and
is passionate about creating
healthy, engaged communities
where everyone has equal
opportunity and often writes
and presents on a range of
difficult social issues
through media and telling
stories of hope and
realisation rather than pain
and demonisation.
Date and
Time: Monday
5 November 2018 between 5:30
– 7:00 pm
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.
Commonwealth
Bank of Australia, Toowoomba
Plaza Branch
A/C Name: Toowoomba Islamic
Charitable Organisation
BSB No
064459,
A/C No 1034
1586,
Swift Code: CTBAAU25XXX
Contacts:
Prof Shahjahan Khan Ph
+61421081048, Email:
khans@usq.edu.au, Dr
Mainul Islam Ph
+61432533550, and Br Shahbaz
Rafiq Ph 0402398608
(Brisbane).
17
October 2018
Alhamdulillah
with the duwa and support
from every one of you the
construction of the
rebuilding of Toowoomba
Masjid is progressing well.
The earth
moving and removal of
damaged parts, foundation of
the front extension and
ground work for the rear
extension are completed.
The estimated
cost for the rebuilding is
$900,000 and the current
shortfall is $570,000 AUD.
As agents of
Allah we are trying to make
His Light to be clearly
visible in the region as
declared in Surah As-Saff of
the Holy Qur’an:
يُرِيدُونَ لِيُطْفِئُوا نُورَ
اللَّهِ بِأَفْوَاهِهِمْ
وَاللَّهُ مُتِمُّ نُورِهِ
وَلَوْ كَرِهَ الْكَافِرُونَ
61-8. They intend to
extinguish the Light of
Allah with their mouths. But
Allah will spread His Light
even though the disbelievers
dislike it.
Please pray to Allah for the
timely completion of
rebuilding of the only
Masjid in the city/region
with over 2000 Muslims.
A full-time
Imam teaches round 100
children in the after
hour/weekend Madrasa in the
Masjid.
Muslims in
Toowoomba are financially
stressed and request you,
your family, relatives and
community to share this
appeal to potential donors
in the local, national and
international levels with a
request to make financial
contributions for the
project.
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:
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.
SINCE
1981, the World Values
Survey has tracked changes
in the values and beliefs of
citizens in 97 countries,
including Australia. These
surveys have identified
considerable change in what
people want out of life and
what they believe.
This is the seventh wave of
the World Values Survey,
allowing the researchers to
track changes between
countries but also over
time.
In each country, people were
asked the same questions
(across a range of different
languages) to measure their
views on religion, gender
roles, work, democracy, good
governance, social capital,
political participation,
cultural diversity, and
environmental protection.
Countries will have until
the end of December 2019 to
complete their survey
fieldwork.
The Australian component of
the World Values Survey is
referred to as the
Australian Values Study or
AVS.
The Australian National
University has been
responsible for the AVS
since 2005, with data
collection carried out by
the Social Research Centre.
More than 1,800 Australians
were surveyed during 2018,
and several key themes have
emerged.
Ireland
'leads the world
in Islamic
values as Muslim
states lag'
Why
non-Muslims are
converting to
sharia finance
UK's Oldest Mosque: Incredible
pictures shine a light on Britain’s oldest
mosque dating back to the reign of Queen
Victoria
Sharia
has been a source of misunderstanding and
misconception in both the Muslim and non-Muslim
worlds.
Alhamdulillah
with the duwa and support
from every one of you the
construction of the
rebuilding of Toowoomba
Masjid is progressing well.
post comments on
our Wall
7
August 2011