February 2023

AUSTRALIA STANDS WITH TÜRKIYE & SYRIA

Editor in Chief:

Fawaz Chawk

Creative Director: Omar Alhashemi

Editorial Secretary: Dr. Abdul M. Kamareddine

Layout: (OVISION)

Sydney: Monzer Gabr

Adelaide: Ahmed Zreika

We have leaders but do we have leadership?

Australia Stands With Türkiye & Syria

How are earthquakes measured?

“I’m still Jihad from the block”–Jihad Dib MP

WE HAVE LEADERS BUT DO WE HAVE LEADERSHIP?

Dr. Rawaa El Ayoubi

We take the concept of leadership for granted and assume that we all know what leadership is and what a great leader looks like. Once the concept leadership is clear to all, leaders have to practice and embody leadership mindsets and actions. It’s who you are as a person that makes you a leader. Doing leadership actions or holding a leadership position does not make you a leader.

Nowadays, each one has a different definition which influences how they lead and the culture of their organisation (governments, corporates, NFP, schools, hospitals…).

Leadership is not a rank or a position or an authority, it doesn’t have to be linked with someone being on the top of an organisation or a company, it is rather a decision or a choice.

It is a choice of a person who wants to serve his/her people and has the ability to move them towards noble goals.

“Leadership” is a word that gets used a lot but is often misunderstood or misused. We talk about leaders and leadership every day in the business world and on social media platforms, but have you ever tried to actually define leadership?

It can be much more complicated than you may think but taking the time to define leadership and what makes a leader is crucial to building a solid leadership culture and developing good leaders.

It is the decision of someone who has a clear vision of a great cause that is based on principles and can inspire people who believe what he/she believes and helps them to build a world that is better for all.

But why do we need leaders? Is that because we need a director to be on the top of a company or an organisation?

Actually, the need for leaders is much more humane and broader than that.

Who then is a leader?

There have been countless people throughout history and they are mentioned in the Holy Qur’an that led people but were inhumane and destructive like Pharaoh and Hamaan. Does that still make them leaders?

In my opinion, a leader is someone who does more than just lead people. They have to be driven by good principles and the right motivation and make a positive impact on the

people around them, as the noble Qur’an elucidates in Surat Hud: “And O my people, give full measure and weight in justice and do not deprive the people of their due and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption” (Qur’an,11: 85).

In summary, A leader is someone who can embody the leadership mindset and actions, and who rallies people to move toward a better vision.

Leaders can implement leadership when they work toward making their vision a reality while putting people first and connecting with their people empathically and with compassion.

We need leadership in every aspect of life. Everyone knows what leadership is, but few people can articulate what it truly means.

Creating one definition within your organisation is a fundamental step for developing good leaders and maintaining a shared leadership focus. A shared leadership definition within

the organisation can help you build a solid leadership culture and help prepare good leaders for the future.

Here I borrow the expression of having “leadership filters” in each organisation from Jacob Morgan who emphasises this need so that the right people end up in positions to lead. [1]

He states “If the shared leadership definition of an organization revolves around humble leaders acting as servants, that fuels the leadership filters and helps ensure leaders who fit those characteristics are developed and promoted. Similarly, an organization could filter for leaders who meet their business or financial goals, which means only leaders that prioritize those things would be promoted in the company”.

[2]

Of course, if the above idea is not transformed into a practice through teamwork no one can benefit from it. This idea will remain theory, and our challenges continue to be the same. So, whoever is trying to change ideas without bringing the change

at the leadership level and training the emerging leaders to be good leaders will not be able to do a good social change and build a better future.

I pondered a lot on these meanings and found that only correct and good leadership will secure the realisation of this practice, instill them in the heart and mind, and then move people towards them as a goal that rises in society.

[1] Morgan, J. (2020). The Future Leader: 9 Skills and Mindsets to Succeed in the Next Decade. NY: Wiley.

[2] Ibid.

Leadership is a fundamental element in changing nations and in the methodology of changing organisations, schools, institutes, and hospitals.

Founding Director Aspire Leadership Network

Dabbagh Trading and the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry are helping raise funds to help relieve the people affected by this devastating earthquake.

Your donations will help provide water, food, medicine, shelter and winter essentials to the families affected.

AusRelief is working with the Turkish Red Crescent to provide relief to the communities affected by the earthquake.

Please support our efforts to support those affected by this disaster

For your donations, please visit the Link below:

https://www.ausrelief.org/ fundraising/earthquakerelief-turkey-and-syria

At least 50,000 people have been killed by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake in Türkiye & Syria.

AUSTRALIA STANDS WITH TÜRKIYE & SYRIA PRAYER VIGIL

FUNDRAISER ORGANISED BY UID MELBOURNE

HOW DO EARTHQUAKES HAPPEN?

The Earth’s surface, or crust, is made up of giant slabs of rock called tectonic plates. These plates are constantly moving along cracks where they meet, called fault lines. As plates grind together they can get stuck, causing pressure to build up. Eventually, the pressure is so great that they break loose,

causing sudden movements which release energy in the form of seismic waves. These vibrations cause the ground to shake.

The point at which an earthquake occurs underground is called the focus; the area directly above it on the Earth’s surface is the epicentre. Several factors determine how destructive an earthquake

is, including the depth at which it occurs.

At a depth of just 18km (11 miles) below the Earth’s surface, the magnitude 7.8 earthquake was relatively shallow – the proximity of the seismic waves to the surface making the shaking considerably severe.

How are earthquakes measured?

The magnitude 7.8 and 7.6 quakes are classified as “major” on the Richter scale — which measures the strength of an earthquake.

Magnitudes are based on a logarithmic scale, meaning for each whole-number increase on the scale, the magnitude, in this case, increases tenfold.

- To put that in context,

earthquakes registering a magnitude of 4 or less on the Richter scale are considered to be light, but may still cause some damage.

- A magnitude 5 quake is, by definition, 10 times more intense than a magnitude 4 and can cause moderate damage to buildings.

- Magnitude 6 quakes are typically considered strong and are 100

times more intense than a magnitude 4 quake.

- Magnitude 7 earthquakes are considered major, with the potential to cause significant loss of life and damage to built spaces.

- Earthquakes registering a magnitude 8, 9 or higher can result in major loss of life and near-total destruction of the impacted area.

- The magnitude, depth, proximity to inhabited areas, soil conditions, and chances of triggering secondary disasters such as tsunamis and landslides are just some of the many factors that determine how destructive an earthquake can be.

Source: Al Jazeera

“I’m still Jihad from the block” Jihad Dib MP

Written by Shazma Gaffoor

Changemaker. Influencer. Leader. With community always at heart. That’s Jihad Dib in a nutshell.

An As the first Muslim MP in the NSW lower house, single-handedly taking a depleting boys’ school that was almost writtenoff and turning it into a thriving school today, Jihad has made some significant changes to the Lakemba community.

He is also that person running around looking for his car in the middle of a zoom interview. Very chilled but all heart.

“There’s nothing unique about me. I’m very informal, so have a bit of a laugh,” he says, setting the tone of the interview.

Arriving in Australia with his family as a toddler from Lebanon, Jihad grew up as an everyday Aussie, playing footy and never thinking that he was any different until much later in life.

“Upon reflection I see that some people did treat me differently. The snide comments, making fun of your name, but I just rolled with it … I just accepted and thought ‘this is how it is’.”

Jihad tries to give everyone the benefit of the doubt and differentiated between those who were simply ignorant to those that were downright racist.

He praised his parents for shaping him to become the resilient and community-driven person he is today, although just like every migrant parents’ dream was for their children to become a doctor or a lawyer, Jihad’s parents were no different.

“I always wanted to do service. I never wanted to be a doctor or lawyer … but teaching, as soon as I found it, that was it. I was inspired to constantly think but also saw the value of a teacher, the way a teacher could shape somebody’s life for the better.”

“I never looked at things and thought of myself as a victim. I look at things and go ‘how do I present better than this?’. I just kept rolling with the punches. They call it resilience now. We didn’t call it that, it was just what we did.”

Jihad began his career as a teacher at Ulladulla High School situated near the suburb’s picturesque harbour. Six years after living the charming seaside life in Ulladulla, Jihad wanted to ‘give more than just standing in front of a classroom’. Which is when he made the move to become the Principal of Punchbowl Boys High School, a disadvantaged school which was barely hanging by a thread.

“I felt guilty that I was living this great life. I went into teaching to help, and I thought, there’s people who probably would need my help more than where I am at the moment. I also liked the challenge.”

The challenge was taking students who were so deflated, assuming they’d end up in jail, and instilling a sense of worth and belonging in them. They were hungry for someone to just believe in them.

“A lot of the time they felt they hadn’t been listened to, they felt like people were judging them … we started getting the kids to believe in themselves, so we started to do things that would be different, and we built around the community.”

From offering students work experience to reward excursions, Jihad soon made these students feel like they were family and even coined the phrase ‘we are the Punchbowl family’.

Jihad pioneered another muchloved tradition when he started the very first iftar held at a school. They called it a ‘community dinner’ to make it more inclusive and

accommodate all students and their families.

“I remember there were about 60 people. By the time I left, I remember the last one was about 700 people,” Jihad says.

“When you do stuff like that, the kids know that you’re with them, the kids know you care for them and that you’re sincere, and that’s all what those kids really want.”

Politics was on the horizon for Jihad who now wanted to expand his reach not only for his community but to wider Australia. After initially ‘umming’ and ‘arring’ about taking the political path, community support urged him forward.

“So everyone’s going ‘I want people to see what our community has to offer. I want people to see us’. We’ve got great people in our community but never had the chance. It was also about me telling the kids always ‘you can be anything you want in this world, the only thing that stops you is you’.”

Jihad prides himself for being given a platform in parliament to represent the Muslim community as well as himself as an individual.

“People stop seeing me now as a Muslim person. They go ‘Ah that’s Jihad’. And I go to them ‘but that’s what Muslims are!”

THE EMBASSY OF TÜRKIYE'S RESPONSE SENT TO THE SYDNEY

MORNING HERALD REGARDING THE ARTICLE TITLED " KURDS IN TURKEY, SYRIA FEAR DISCRIMINATION IN THE FACE OF EARTHQUAKE RECOVERY".

The earthquake catastrophe has caused unbelievable pain and suffering within Türkiye and Syria. Hasene has been able to provide aid to both countries in multiple areas. We have been able to provide 160+ aid trucks, 80+ distribution vehicles, 5 logistics hubs, a tent village for 850 people, 370+ volunteers, 50+ medical staff and 30+ technical team members.

HASENE AND ITS OPERATIONS IN TURKIYE AND SYRIA

Logistics centres based in five provinces operate around the clock to ensure aid is provided to all provinces. Our largest logistics centre is based in Adana and distributes important aid arriving via airfreight.

Our mobile clinic, doctors and medical staff are ready to provide their services in Syria. We are currently working on the process to enter the area. Six trucks carrying humanitarian aid are on route to Syria.

A tent village housing 850 people has been set up in Hatay. The tent village includes a play centre for children and a Masjid. Construction of tent villages and container villages is underway in Malatya, Kahramanmaras and Adiyaman. Aid trucks are entering Mersin every two days.

We currently have a team based in Syria who have been distributing food packages and helping out the locals. All this and more can be seen on our social media platforms, giving readers a clearer image.

Hasene also carries out a wide range of activities domestically, in Australia. We have food trucks that provide warm meals to Melbourne’s homeless. Hasene also provides financial and counselling services to the needy.

The election is coming: GET READY TO VOTE

The NSW State election is on Saturday, 25 March, and the NSW Electoral Commission is asking NSW voters to get ready to vote by enrolling to vote or checking their enrolment is up to date.

NSW Electoral Commissioner John Schmidt said with much of the state on a break, now was a great time to get election ready.

“Whether you need to enrol for the first time, update your details or just check where you are enrolled, it’s quick and easy to do online.”

About this election

Welcome to voting

“Go to elections.nsw.gov.au and you’ll get all the information you need.”

Mr Schmidt said more than 100,000 people in NSW would be eligible to vote, but are not on the electoral roll.

“It is compulsory to enrol to vote in NSW if you are eligible and 18 or over.”

“With a state election coming up, we want as many people as possible enrolled correctly and ready to have their say.”

“All you need to enrol is a driver’s

licence, an Australian passport number, or have someone who is enrolled confirm your identity.”

Mr Schmidt said he also encouraged anyone who had moved recently to check, and update if needed, their enrolment.

“Moving is a busy time, but it’s really important that once you move you put updating the electoral roll on your to-do list.”

“Service NSW has put together a check list for NSW residents of who may need to be notified when you move house, including details of how

to change your enrolment.”

“It will make voting in your new area much easier and election day –Saturday, 25 March isn’t far away,” he said.

Find more information about the 2023 NSW State election on the NSW Electoral Commission website: https://elections.nsw.gov.au/ elections/state-governmentelections/2023-state-generalelection

New South Wales is divided into 93 state electoral districts. Voters in each district will elect one person to represent their district in the Legislative Assembly. Voters will also elect 21 of the 42 members of the Legislative

Voting is compulsory in Australia and enables you to say who you choose to represent you in federal, State and local governments. You only need to enrol once with the Australian Electoral Commission to

Council.

In August 2021, the 93 electoral districts in New South Wales were redistributed to ensure the number of eligible voters in each district does not vary by more than 10 per cent from the average enrolment across all electoral

vote for all three levels of government.

If you are not sure whether you are enrolled to vote, you can check your enrolment details online. You can also update your details, find out if there’s an election being

districts. The redistribution comes into effect for the 2023 NSW State election. Any state by-elections that take place before the election will be conducted on the boundaries used at the 2019 State electio

held near you, and sign up to our free election reminder service to receive SMS or email reminders for when you have to vote at an election.

If you are eligible to vote you must enrol to vote. You may be fined if you do not enrol or vote in elections.

It is important to enrol to vote as it will let you have a say in how you and your community are governed, and who represents you in federal, State and local governments.

You can enrol to vote if you:

• are an Australian citizen, or an eligible British subject enrolled to vote in Australia on 25 January 1984

• are 16 years of age or older (but you cannot vote until you are 18)

• have lived at your current address for at least one month.

THE GLAMOROUS WEDDING OF AYA & BASSAM

The high-profile lavish wedding took place in South Australia, at the multi-award-winning Adelaide Convention Centre with over 700 guests in attendance. Some of the prominent guests who attended the spectacular celebration were the Premier of South Australia, the Minister for Multicultural Affairs, members of the State and Federal Parliament, businessmen and women as well as community leaders.

- Aya holds a bachelor’s double degree in Law & Legal Practice and International Relations and is a member of the Dispute Resolutions team at the commercial law firm, Cowell Clarke.

- Bassam is a graduate of Economics from the American University of Beirut who also completed his master’s in International Business from Grenoble Ecole de Management in France. He currently works as a Planning Manager at the renowned Phillip Morris International. It was a beautiful celebration of love, laughter and family. May the Almighty bless the marriage of Aya and Bassam and we wish them all the very best on their new adventure together!

Aya Shahin, the daughter of reputable businessman Khalil Shahin, married Bassam Safieddine on January 7, 2023.

Photos taken by: Lost in Love Photography

SAUDI ARABIA WILL BE ONE OF THE WORLD’S FASTESTGROWING ECONOMIES SAYS AACCI PRESIDENT AND NATIONAL CHAIRMAN MOHAMED HAGE OAM

Saudi Arabia is aiming to develop sectors that will expand its economy to be both sustainable and progressing. The Kingdom is implementing optimal initiatives in efforts to build a framework suitable to make the country a mining hub capable of supporting large mining operations across the region and the entire middle east. Building a mining service and technology sector is part of this objective, which would provide a significant amount of economic and trade possibilities.

AACCI President and National Chairman Mohamed Hage OAM said “Australia has proven to be among the leading and largest producers of minerals in the world with significant expertise in the mining sector. Saudi Arabia is also seeking to implement sustainable practices in which Australian companies have deep

capabilities in”.

Foreign direct investment has also increased in the kingdom while business activity in the non-oil sector has expanded. The government has taken active steps to promote international trade, increase foreign direct investment and strengthen the kingdom’s public and private sectors.

Hage said “Saudi Arabia has several opportunities for Australian businesses seeking to expand into other sectors in one of the fastest growing developed economies. The government is empowering sectors that include education, health, mining, vocational training, renewable energy and the food sector.”

Education and vocational training present excellent opportunities for Australian companies, while the growth in the tourism sector would need to be supported by a strong hospitality

sector. Saudi Arabia’s tourism sector is expected to boom. This would expand the demand for Australian food and beverages and other products and services into the kingdom.

“The kingdom remains on track to be the fastest growing economy in 2023. This reflects the success Saudi Arabia has had in diversifying and opening its economy”. Hage said In July 2007, Free Trade Agreement negotiations commenced between Australia and the GCC. Negotiations with the GCC have since paused since 2009, however there has been renewed interest in commencing an FTA with Australia and the GCC.

“The future resumption of negotiations on an Australian-GCC Free Trade Agreement would be a positive step in fostering stronger trade and investment initiatives between Australia and the GCC.” Hage said

Australia and Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries share economic relationships across a broad range of sectors. The GCC is also seeking new trading opportunities with countries such as Australia. In 2020, two-way goods and services between Australia and the GCC was worth in excess of $11 billion.

An FTA agreement between Australia and the GCC presents an opportunity for greater trade diversification,” Mr Hage said.

“Australia companies are now operating in key industries across the GCC and an FTA agreement with the GCC would create more opportunities for Australian companies to expand among one of the world’s fastest growing economies such as Saudi Arabia and the wider GCC countries.”

Saudi Arabia’s Ambassador to Australia Musaed bin Ibrahim received in his office at the embassy the President of the Australian-Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mr. Mohamed Hage OAM

MUSLIM HEALTH PROFESSIONALS AUSTRALIA (MHPA) HELD THEIR FIRST EVENT FOR 2023

On Sunday 29th January, Muslim Health Professionals Australia (MHPA) held their first event for 2023. The social lunch attended by 40 health professionals, was held at the five star Oakwood Premium Hotel in Southbank, Melbourne.

The event included a buffet lunch, short speeches, introductions and networking opportunities which was received well by all. The MHPA are extremely grateful towards the Oakwood Premium Hotel who kindly sponsored the function.

MHPA aims to empower Australian Muslim health professionals to

advocate for the health needs of Muslims in the community and to engage in activities that promote and improve the health of the wider community. They provide a number of educational and social functions to a variety of Muslim healthcare professionals practising in diverse specialities.

New documentary to highlight devastating impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease among First Nations people

The Heart Foundation hopes a new documentary exploring the devastating impact of Rheumatic Heart Disease (RHD) on Australia’s First Nations people will rally more public support to end its spread and protect future generations.

The Heart Foundation’s First Nations Heart Health team including Professor Sandra Eades and Vicki Wade are urging Australians to learn more about RHD by watching the recently aired national television premier of documentary Take Heart Deadly Heart.

Both Prof Eades and Ms Wade are proud women of the Noongar Nation and two of Australia’s most respected and experienced First Nations health experts.

Together, they are leading the development of the Heart Foundation’s First Nations Heart Health Strategy. Supporting research and innovation to end RHD will be a key focus of the Heart Foundation’s new strategy when launched later this year.

Ms Wade co-produced Take Heart Deadly Heart and said an important first step to ending RHD was to help Australians understand the problem so they could take action to support efforts to end it.

“Many Australians still do not know what RHD is. Older Australians may recall it being around in the 1950s but since then it has been eliminated in the mainstream population. The sad thing is that it is now almost entirely seen in First Nations communities in Australia, with some of the rates being the highest in the world,” Ms Wade said.

“This is because it is rarely found in developed nations, and less so in urbanised areas where people have access to clean water and generally better living conditions.”

What causes RHD?

Professor Eades said living standards in remote communities allowed infections of Streptococcus A –which cause RHD – to flourish.

“Repeated Strep A infection can cause the immune system to overreact, leading to acute rheumatic fever (ARF),” Prof Eades said.

“This can then go on to injure the valves of the heart, progressing to the irreversible and life-threatening condition of Rheumatic Heart Disease.

“There are over 9,000 people in Australia with ARF or RHD and sadly nearly 80 percent of these are within Australia’s First Nations population.

“RHD causes permanent and irreversible damage which tragically shortens or reduces the quality of life of those affected. In the case of First Nations people, RHD mostly impacts women and children.”

Ms Wade said the main take away for all Australians is that RHD is entirely preventable.

“By watching Take Heart Deadly Heart you’ll see just how preventable this terrible disease is, and how much better life could be for our First Nations peoples if we bring RHD to and end.”

The MHPA welcomes university students studying health related courses to become Members free of charge. Membership for professionals is $100 per year. Enquiries can be made at mhpa.membership@gmail. com. For more information, please visit www.mhpaustralia.com.au

AUSTRALIA-ASEAN MUSLIM EXCHANGE PROGRAM 2023 –APPLICATIONS NOW OPEN!

We’re inviting Muslim changemakers, community activists and emerging leaders in Australia, Brunei, Thailand, the Philippines, and Malaysia, between 23–40 to apply for AAMEP 2023!

This is your opportunity to join us for a fully-funded, 7-10 day in-person visit program of cultural, social, religious and intellectual exchange. In 2023, Australian delegates will travel to Brunei, and ASEAN delegates will travel to Australia.

During the program, delegates will participate in an intensive and immersive experience of their counterpart country, create new personal and professional connections, and enhance their understanding of Muslim and other communities in our region.

For more details or to apply, visit: www.aamep.com.au

Applications close 12 March 2023

ISLAMIC COLLEGE OF MELBOURNE

CELEBRATED WORLD HIJAB DAY

ISLAMIC CO-ORDINATING COUNCIL OF VICTORIA

Helping Australian businesses export halal products to over 140 countries

ICCV is the largest Halal certification organisation in Australia servicing clients locally and internationally.

ICCV is responsible for the certification, monitoring, and supervision of Halal food for the domestic market as well as the export market.

Clients cover a range of sectors including abattoirs, food processing businesses, transportation and cold storage operators.

We are the largest halal certification body in Australia. Professional, experienced and trusted.

AB A T T OIR

We work with abattoirs to get and keep their halal certification.

MARKETS

ICCV is specifically accredited within these Muslim majority countries.

Our certification is approved for all halal importing countries.

We monitor the certified businesses for compliance of halal requirements.

We provide a means for direct supervision in house for quality assurance.

We provide full turnkey solution for FGMs to get halal.

Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Brunei, Oman, Kingdom of Bahrain,Tunisia,Yemen, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Kuwait, Libya, Qatar, Afghanistan, Albania, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Iran, Kosova, Morocco, Maldives.

Our certificate is approved in countries that now require halal certificate if goods have halal stamps:

We provide logistics companies for cold room and transport to get halal. Canada, South Korea, China, European Union (EU), New Zealand, Russia Federation, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, United States of America (USA).

HALAL COSMETICS AND PERSONAL HYGIENE

Less than fifty years ago, Muslims didn’t know much about the complexity of ingredients used in food products. They were only looking for products which were pork-free and alcohol-free.

Nowadays, Muslims are aware not only of what they consume but also about what they put on their skin.

Islam encourages women to beautify themselves by using skin care and make up as long as they do it for the right reasons.

Finding the right cosmetics is often difficult because cosmetics contain prohibited ingredients such as alcohol, pig-derived collagen and gelatine or fats derived from pork. Increased consumer awareness of doubtful ingredients found in cosmetics and personal hygiene products has led to the rise of halal certified skin care and makeup products.

Non-Muslims also use halal cosmetics because of the perception that halal cometic products are safer to use than non-halal products.

The global halal cosmetics market accounted for USD 45.32 billion in 2022 and it is expected to reach around USD 162.41 billion by 2030.

Halal certified cosmetics and personal hygiene products in the market today include shampoos, hair conditioners, bath and shower gels, cleansers, creams, lotions, talc and baby powders, toners, make up, perfumes, eau de cologne as well as oral care products.

Muslim consumers need to pay attention to the chemicals and compounds listed on cosmetics. Some of the ingredients that are animal based, including hyaluronic acid and collagen, may be derived from cow or pig placenta. There are many other animal ingredients used in a variety of cosmetic products. Lipsticks may contain animal derived fats and oils. Shellac may be used in hair sprays and nail varnish. Civet (from civet cat), musk (from male musk deer), castoreum (from the beaver), and ambergris (whale excretion) maybe

used in perfumes

Ingredients derived from fur, hair, and related materials of land animals that are halal, soil, chemicals, synthetic materials, plants, and microorganisms on land, air, or water, are all halal except those that are hazardous and/or mixed with najis (ritually unclean).

The personal care industry is different due to consumer demand for pure and animal free ingredients. This comes from the growing market of vegetarians and vegans as well as animal rights activists, plus people who are concerned about diseases in certain animal species. Diseases such as mad cow disease, foot and mouth disease, and avian flu in poultry. For these reasons, many manufacturers of personal care around the world are replacing their animal-based ingredients with natural ingredients. Although the manufacturing

of cosmetics and personal care products is highly regulated, giving the consumer confidence in product safety, this does not necessarily mean that the final product will be halal compliant. For example, the usage of alcohol in cleaning equipment can contaminate the final product.

In the second part of this article, I will mention the complexity of defining halal is far greater in cosmetics and personal hygiene than just pork-free ingredients. I will also talk about the halal integrity of some the E ingredients such as: E100–E199 (colours), E200–E299 (preservatives), E300–E399 (antioxidants, acidity regulators), E400–E499 (thickeners, stabilizers, emulsifiers), E500–E599 (acidity regulators, anti-caking agents), E600–E699 (flavour enhancers), E900–E999 (miscellaneous).

Dr Bekim Hasani

Head of Shariah Affairs, ICCV

An obvious practice is prayer, the act of praying itself is believed to be beneficial for mental health to the extent that it can help to calm the mind and provide a sense of peace and tranquillity, which could be particularly helpful for those struggling with anxiety or other mental health issues. Before one is quick to point out that I am being idealistic in this assessment, it would be prudent to point out that there have been several studies that have examined the relationship between prayer and mental health. Some of these studies have found that prayer may have a positive impact on mental health.

As for those studies which describe a positive impact, we may refer to one study published in the Journal of Health Psychology which found that prayer was associated with lower levels of anxiety and depression as well as higher levels of positive affect (e.g. happiness, contentment) in a sample of Christian and Muslim college students. Another study published in the Journal of Religion and Health found that prayer was associated with lower levels of stress and better mental health in a sample of older adults.

Having said this, it is important to note that the relationship between prayer and mental health is complex and may vary depending on a variety of factors, such as an individual’s belief in the efficacy of prayer itself, the specific type of prayer being used, and the context in which prayer is being practiced. More research is needed to fully

ISLAM AND

By Furqan Jabbar

Mental health is a topic that is increasingly being discussed and recognized as important within Islam. This is due in part to the fact that mental health issues, such as depression and anxiety, are becoming more and more common in society. In addition to this, I would argue that mental health is seen as an essential aspect of overall health and well-being in Islam for one of the key beliefs espoused within classical Islamic scholarship is the belief that the mind and the body are interconnected and that they both must be cared for to achieve overall health and well-being. The Qur’an and ahadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him) contain numerous references to the importance of maintaining a healthy mind and spirit, and there are many practices within Islam that encourage mental health and well-being.

understand the potential benefits of prayer on mental health.

Nonetheless, in addition to prayer, Islam also emphasizes the importance of self-care and selfcompassion. Muslims are encouraged to be kind to themselves and to take care of their physical, mental, and spiritual needs. This includes eating well, getting enough sleep, and engaging in activities that bring joy, fulfillment and bring benefit.

Islam also emphasizes the importance of community and social support. Muslims are encouraged to be kind and supportive of one another and to seek help and support when needed. This can be particularly beneficial for those struggling with mental health issues as social support can provide a sense of belonging and reduce feelings of isolation and loneliness.

Islam also promotes the importance of seeking help and seeking treatment for mental health issues. The Qur’an and Hadith contain numerous references to seeking help and seeking treatment for physical and mental ailments, and Muslims are encouraged to seek professional help when needed. This includes seeking help from a mental health professional, such as a therapist or counselor, or seeking support from friends and family.

One such way Islam encourages seeking help from a mental health professional is through the principle of seeking knowledge. In Islam, seeking knowledge is seen as a sacred obligation, and this conceivably includes seeking

knowledge about mental health and how to effectively manage and treat mental health issues. Muslims are encouraged to seek out qualified professionals and to follow their guidance to improve mental health and well-being.

Islam also emphasizes the importance of seeking help from others when needed. For example, in a famous hadith of the Prophet (peace be upon him), the Prophet (peace be upon him) was quoted as saying: “Religion is sincere advice”. Thus “sincere advice” in one context could include seeking help from friends and family, as well as seeking help from professionals such as therapists or counsellors. If by dealing with one’s mental health issues, one becomes a better person, it would then be correct to state that Muslims are encouraged to be open and honest about their struggles so that they may attain the support and guidance they require. On this point, it is worth noting that there is often a stigma surrounding mental health within the Muslim community, as well as within many other communities around the world. This stigma can prevent people from seeking help and treatment for mental health issues and can lead to a lack of understanding and support for those who are struggling with mental health challenges. One reason for the stigma surrounding mental health among Muslims may be a lack of understanding about mental health issues and how they can be effectively treated. Some Muslims

may view mental health issues as a sign of weakness or a lack of faith and may be hesitant to seek help for fear of being judged or ostracized by their community. Another reason may relate to a lack of access to mental health resources and support. In many Muslim-majority countries, the stigma surrounding mental health in the Muslim community may be due to cultural and social norms that discourage talking about mental health issues or seeking help for them.

In some Muslim cultures, mental health issues may be seen as a private matter that should not be discussed openly, which can make it difficult for people to seek support and treatment. Given this reality, it is important that we work towards reducing the stigma surrounding mental health and to create a more supportive and understanding environment for those who are struggling.

THE NEXT DECADE OF LOCAL ZAKAT: A VISION FOR THE FUTURE

By Farooq Syed

This year, we celebrate a milestone - the 10th anniversary of National Zakat Foundation, an organisation that has been dedicated to spreading the benefits of Zakat in Australia since 2013. For 10 years, we have been working tirelessly to assist those in need through local Zakat, educate and support Muslims to accurately calculate and pay their Zakat, and fulfil the obligation of this beautiful Pillar of Islam.

As we reflect on the past decade, we are thankful to Allah and we are filled with gratitude for the impact we have made and the lives we have touched. We have distributed over $14 million in Zakat locally, assisting over 19,000 families and educating tens of thousands of Muslims about

the importance of local Zakat. Alhamdulillah, these numbers will continue to grow in the coming years, insha Allah.

But, as we look towards the future, we must also strive for innovation. We are faced with a choice - do we continue to grow and meet the demand of both increasing Zakat payers and those in need in our community? Or do we re-evaluate our position and innovate our services to empower something far greater?

We have realised that the transformation we have witnessed in our community over the past 10 years is a testament to the power and impact that can be made when the community comes together for a common cause. With the increasing number of community organisations

and individual partners eager to join us in making a difference, we believe that our community is reaching a maturity point where we can empower our collective community to assist Zakat receivers at scale, right here in Australia. Surely, by tapping into this unified strength, we will be able to achieve far more than any single organisation ever will be able to on its own! This is our dream. Empowering a community where Muslims are constantly connected and aware of those in need locally and being able to respond in a timely manner. A brother who is a stranded traveller, a sister who is escaping domestic violence, a family who is undergoing a financial emergency and can’t afford food, all at your fingertips, anonymous, Zakat eligibility verified

and underpinned by a powerful, reliable system and framework, powered by NZF. In addition, you will have easily accessible and trusted tools to learn, calculate & pay your Zakat securely.

With your support and dua, we believe this dream will become a reality, insha Allah. We look forward to the next 10 years of transformation, not just as an organisation, but as a community united by a shared goal of assisting and uplifting those in need and reaping the rewards of the powerful pillar of Zakat. Together, we can make a real difference in Changing Tomorrow.

Join us in celebrating the last decade of NZF and working towards realising our dreams for the next.

INEQUALITY A POLICY CHOICE

Oxfam is a highle respected global movement of people working to end the injustice of poverty. In 2021, its global confederation included 21 member organizations, or affiliates, which contribute their strengths and expertise to Oxfam to help it tackle the inequality that keeps people poor.

Bilal Cleland dunk1689@gmail.com

In its 2023 Report, Oxfam outlines the polycrisis which our world is facing:

“Hundreds of millions more face impossible rises in the cost of basic goods or heating their homes.

Climate breakdown is crippling economies and seeing droughts, cyclones and floods force people from their homes.

While we still hear stories about how wealth will filter down to the masses if we take care of the rich – the trickle down myth made popular by the Reagan conservatives and Thatcher Tories –the reality is starkly different.

“Since 2020, the richest 1% have captured almost two-thirds of all new wealth – nearly twice as much money as the bottom 99% of the world’s population.”

“Food and energy companies more than doubled their profits in 2022, paying out $257bn to wealthy shareholders, while over 800 million people went to bed hungry.

Only 4 cents in every dollar of tax revenue comes from wealth taxes, and half the world’s billionaires live in countries with no inheritance tax on money they give to their children.” [2023 report Oxfam] This is not the natural order of things, despite the propaganda to which we are subjected.

Oxfam points out “Inequality is not inevitable. Inequality is a policy choice. Governments can take clear and concrete, practical steps to radically reduce inequality and give themselves the fiscal firepower to protect their people.”

Millions are still reeling from the continuing impact of COVID-19, which has already killed over 20 million people. Poverty has increased for the first time in 25 years. At the same time, these

Inflation is making the cost of living spiral out of control.

“Corporate price profiteering is driving at least 50% of inflation in Australia, the US and Europe, in what is as much a ‘cost-of-profit’ crisis as a cost-of-living one.”

Oxfam’s analysis of 95 companies which made a windfall profit illustrates the obscenity of this profiteering:

They made $306bn in windfall profits; their profits increased by more than two-and-a-half times (256%) in 2022 compared with the 2018–2021 average; they paid $257bn to shareholders in 2022 – 84% of their windfall profits were paid directly to shareholders; and 76% of the companies increased their profit margins

Tax the Rich

In order to lessen the terrible effects of this polycrisis, the rich must be taxed.

Oxfam has a suggested four step plan to turn back this tide of inequality:

1. Introduce one-off solidarity wealth taxes and corporate windfall taxes as well as much higher taxes on dividend payouts to stop crisis profiteering.

2. Permanently increase taxes on the richest 1%, for example to a

multiple crises all have winners. The very richest have become dramatically richer and corporate profits have hit record highs, driving an explosion of inequality.”

www.oxfam.org.au

minimum of 60% of their income from both labour and capital, with higher rates for multimillionaires and billionaires.

3. Tax the wealth of the superrich at rates high enough to systematically reduce extreme wealth and lower power concentration and inequality.

4. Use the revenues from these taxes to increase government spending on inequality-busting sectors, such as healthcare, education and food security, and to fund the just transition to a low-carbon world.

What About Australia?

Of great concern to Australians is the apparent reluctance of the government which replaced the Morrison dominated Cabinet to take on the polycrisis affecting so many lives.

It is true that Australia cannot fix the world up by itself, but as Guy Rundle argues in Crikey: “Only in Australia do we have a Labor government committing to programmatic neoliberalism, without any vocal opposition. A genuine left is gone from the party. The unions lack any independent point of view with any visibility. Having mounted explicit social critiques before the election, they have gone very quiet

since.”

His conclusion is horrifying: “The Albanese Labor government is now the world’s most efficient agent for extending neoliberalism, and any understanding of Australian politics should proceed from there.” [17 Jan 2023 Crikey]

The Liberal/National Coalition, the opposition, is very obviously no solution. It is still mired in climate denialism, naked trickle down mythmaking and fear of the national anticorruption body about to descend upon it.

It is calling for troops in Alice Springs and poking holes in the campaign for a Voice to Parliament with diversions about detail. There is no alternative but to increase public pressure on the Albanese government for a Jobseeker payment above the poverty line, the abandoning of tax cuts for the rich and the preservation of public hospitals and Medicare.

The author is a prominent Australian Muslim scholar and activist.

ناكو .”صصختلا مسق ـ

نرقلا نم ةطوطخم ةجلاعم ريتسجاملل

يزاغلا ةبتكم يف ةظوفحم ،رشع سماخلا

يف باطخلا لصف“ ناونعب ،كبورسخ

.يرادراولا ميركلا دبعل ”باتكلا مأ ريسفت

ةساردلاو قيلعتلاو قيقحتلا ثحبلا لمشو

.ةطوطخملل يملعلا ميوقتلاو

STRESS. Short word, big impact. Especially among parents. For working parents, stress means juggling deadlines from demanding bosses, handling tasks that keep coming beyond office hours, even as they struggle to raise a family. Mind you, a stay-at-home parent also works round the clock: cooking, cleaning, disciplining, making sure the kids get along most of the time while getting the chores done take all day and almost all night. Staying at home and staying sane isn’t a breeze either.

Is stress all bad? Not really. We all need a certain amount of stressgood stress that can motivate us to do the things we’re supposed to do.

Bad stress is the kind that makes you feel exhausted all day, you feel drained and unable to cope. This happens when you have too much stress, for too long. In fact, you can get so overwhelmed, that you no longer look forward to seeing your child. You want to stay away, keep a distance from your child as much as possible. Parenting feels like a burden. If this is isn’t bad enough, you might even physically hurt your

By Jamilah Samian www.coolmumsuperdad.com

child at the slightest provocation. You’re no longer the parent you wanted to be.

What can you do to reduce stress?

1. Be mindful of your stressors. A lot of stress has to do with what goes on in our heads about how things will work out next year, in five years, in ten years. We worry how that child is going to turn out, if we’re going to do better the following year, if there will be a bumper crop next year. Because we are so focused on the “might-be’s” of tomorrow, we tend to notice less the blessings we have now. In truth, nobody knows if they will have another day in their life. So be present, and make the best of today despite circumstances.

2. Take short but regular breaks. A parent once complained to me, “I’m so exhausted, I haven’t had a vacation in years.” But you don’t have to wait for a long vacation to take a break. A break could be a short 5-minute power nap or a long hot bath or 7 mins talking to your favourite plant. But do it anyway. The keyword here is SELF-CARE. Selfcare is critical for parents, and as

parents we are so good at sacrificing our needs to prioritise others including work. If this is true of you, know that nobody is indispensable at work. If something happens to you tomorrow, your boss, your supervisor will still find someone to do the job.

3. Share your concerns with a trusted person.

The idea here is not to expect that person to solve your problems. Rather, talking to a trusted someone helps clarify your thoughts, helps you see options and a possible way out. Most of our problems can be resolved if we take the time to clear our thinking to see through the mist, and take steps to unravel the knot bit by bit.

4. Start a gratitude journal. At least once a day, write down 3-5 things you’re grateful for. Note the date. I had a hearty breakfast. The children are safe. Everyone has clean clothes to wear. It was a smooth train ride to work this morning. Anything that makes you notice what went well that day. And when you’re feeling low, re-read these notes to remind you that no matter what, there’re things that will go right.

5. When you feel better, come up with a strategy.

If there’re external factors causing your stress e.g. relationship issues, or money issues, draw up a plan. Plan your work and work your plan, but be flexible along the way. Take a deep breath when things don’t happen the way you planned it. Think of another way to get things done which may still bring you closer to the desired outcome. No matter how difficult a situation you’re in, there’s always a way out.

As parents, how we carry ourselves, the kind of interactions we have with our children will colour their lives today and in the future. We lead our children all the time, through our words, actions and decisions. Nobody is a perfect parent, but by being mindful of what we say and do, we can motivate, encourage and inspire our children to be the best they can be.

For as little as $50 a month you can grant an orphaned child a better start in life.

Jamilah Samian is the author of Cool Mum Super Dad, Cool Boys Super Sons, The Kindness Miracle, Parenting Generation Y & Z, Leadership in Parenting, and 77 Power Parent Tips.

ميركلا نآرقلا يسردمو ددجلا ةمئلاا

نينمؤمللو نيدلاولاف هلوسرل مث لاوأ يذلا هبرل دبعلا بحب بحلا لصأ أدبي

اونمآ نيذلاو( ىلاعت هللاب ناميلإا دعي ىلع