MUSLIM
AUSTRALASIAN
Multimedia News & Views
ISSN: 1039-2300
Print Post Publication No. 100021354
Print edition published Monthly on first Friday with Website updates
Isolation of Asylum Seekers
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Amity HSC High Achievers
COMMUNITY PAGE 9
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Issue # 124
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Targeting Negative Gearing
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Paul Sheehan Another Empty Voice
UMMAH PAGE 15
SOL 2016: Six city charity concert Zia Ahmad The iconic Sounds of Light charity concert was organized this year in six cities of Australia and New Zealand from 25 February to 2 March 2016 attracting an audience of tens of thousands of people. This year the performing artists included the most popular Swedish singer Maher Zain, Macedonian/Turkish vocalist Mesut Kurtis, young British artist Harris J, American singer/actor/comedian Omar Regan and Kuwaiti nasheed performer Humood Alkhuder. Sounds of Light is an annual mega event organised by Human Appeal International in Australia as well as in many countries in Europe in order to provide shariah compliant entertainment with the aim of raising funds for the orphans of the world. The professionally organized mega event in the past has been held in 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011 and 2014 in the major cities in Australia. It is the first time that it is additionally being held in Auckland, New Zealand in 2016. This event attracts mostly young people who identify themselves as Australian Muslims rather than as Lebanese, Egyptians, Indians or Indonesians, concerned about the global Ummah in general and trying to help the orphans overseas. The Sydney event held on Saturday 27 February at the Sports Centre at Sydney Olympic Park had a near capacity attendance with all tickets sold out well in advance. The entertainers set the night alight with their spectacular voices, humour and reminders of doing good. The heart felt messag-
Humood Alkhudher performing on stage at the Sounds of Light 2016, Sydney. (Photo by Radim Cechvala). es struck a chord with the audience as they stage 4 cancer had her wish come true when entertainment, generosity, responsibility and pledged and donated generously for the or- she met her hero Maher Zain personally back- compassion, all for a great charitable cause phans of the world. stage. and all came out with smiles, satisfied minds A Sydney girl, Rouwaidah suffering from The crowds loved the electric atmosphere of and happy hearts.
AFIC Islamic Schools face closure
Iran elections: Reformists making strong gains
Abu Anees
Zia Ahmad
The federal funding of two Islamic Schools affiliated with the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) has been revoked while four other schools are still under investigation for their compliance with the requirements of the Australian Education Act 2013 with respect to their independence, financial viability, not-for-profit operations and governance structures. There have been cuts of $20 million to the Sydney based Malek Fahd Islamic School, and $1 million to the Islamic School in Canberra. AFIC run schools in other states await their fate. The Department of Education has alleged that the tax-payers funded grants were not entirely spent on the schools and hundreds of thousands of dollars were paid to senior administrators with vague job descriptions and qualifications as well as to the school’s parent organization, AFIC. The implications are that without federal
Allies of the current President, Hassan Rouhani have made strong gains in the Parliament as well as the Assembly of Experts during the elections held in Iran towards the end of February 2016. The successful candidates will serve the 10th Islamic Consultative Assembly from 28 May 2016 to 27 May 2020. The 290 seat Assembly has 285 directly elected members while five seats are reserved for Zoroastrians, Jews, Assyrians, Chaldeans and Armenians. Ayatollah Hashemi Rafsanjani, a former President and an ally of President Rouhani came first in Tehran’s voting for the Assembly of Experts while a prominent scholar Mohammad Kashani was second and President Rouhani himself came third. Supporters of Rouhani and Rafsanjani considered as the reformist group have won all the 30 seats representing Tehran and seem to have gained almost 100 parliamentary seats with one third of the national pop-
funding that constitute more than 50% of the schools’ operating costs, the schools might have to close down with dire consequences for their students. Parents groups and community activists have come into action with advice from Jihad Dib, State member for Lakemba to find solutions to this disastrous situation for the schools’ students. Unlike many Western countries such as UK, US, New Zealand, Australia is the only country that has a generous equitable grant system for independent schools including Christian, Jewish and Islamic schools.
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Rafsanjani with President Rouhani. ular vote. The peacefully held elections with almost 65% turnout are considered fair and free, a credit to Islamic Iran, that is a rarity in the Muslim world. The election results are seen as a referendum on the nuclear deal with the West paving way for strong economic growth, further openness in the Iranian society, individual freedoms and better relations with the Muslim World.
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UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
SOCIAL 23
Guarding against three evils:
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Mismanagement, nepotism and corruption A critical examination of Muslim socie- rules and regulations that we have agreed ties generally reveals conflicts between upon and pledged for ourselves in all matindividuals or groups as a result of mis- ters of living. management, nepotism and corrupIf we are in authority, we must know tion. the limitation of our authority and This state of affairs may not be EDITORIAL exercise this authority in a just and specifically limited to Muslims equitable manner. Assalamu only and may not be true for all In our community organisaMuslim societies. tions and institutions, locally we Alaikum However right from local find groups vying for power and Greetings Muslim organisations to Muslim influence, based on tribal loyalof Peace states, though our ideals in theory ties rather than principles. This may be very noble, in practice we results in us assuming absolute fall victims to these evils resulting in authority and follow our wishes rathconflicts. er than rules and regulations we are bound While we have noble teachings from the with. Those who differ from us become our Quran and its practice by Prophet Moham- enemies and we feel free to indulge in beatmad (s) in the form of Sunnah, these need ing them at any cost. to be hard wired into our modern instituOnce we are in authority, we construct tions in the contemporary world taking into a loyal group of supporters around us, reaccount the realities of time and place. warding them with positions, jobs and monOur following Islam sometimes becomes ey irrespective of their qualifications and limited to memorization or at the most un- skills. This is nepotism. derstanding of the Guidance without its As we gain more power and don’t feel acimplementation in our organized and insti- countable we indulge in corruption, worktutionalized living. ing for more power and financial gain by We may be very pious Muslims individ- illegal practices. ually, but when collectively organized in various structures of organisations, institutions and states, this piety seems to evaporate and we become victims of the three evils named above. We can learn a lot from Western societies, not by blindly following and copying the West, but modernizing our societies by building robust institutions based on the Guidance we believe in with the modern principles of management. We should not only practice our religious beliefs, but also follow constitutions, laws,
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In order to eliminate these three evils, it is important for our institutions to have built in checks and balances in place so that we can live and work in a conflict-free environment. Again Muslim societies and states can learn a lot from the West in this area who have certainly better political, business and organisational systems in place that work in a smooth way. Globally we find Muslims in violent conflicts, where Muslims are being harmed by fellow Muslims. Once they declare an opposition group as enemies then their life and property is considered fair game to be destroyed at any cost and in any way. Hence the extreme atrocities being committed on Muslims by Muslims in the Middle East. This is again because we have not hard wired our religious beliefs into institutionalized practice as to how should we deal with those we differ with, how should we deal with the opposition and how should we deal with our enemies with justice. Z I Ahmad
News .................................1 - 2 • SOL 2016: Six Cities Concert • Iran Elections Boomerang ..................... 3 - 5 • Guarding Against Three Evils • Media Activism in the World Community ..................... 6 - 9 • IFSA Seminar on Islamic Banking • Awards for HSC High Achievers • EFSOL: Islamic Financial Solutions
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Australia ....................... 10 - 11 • Here Come the Habibs • Accountability in Australian Aid • Targeting Negative Gearing Lifestyle ...................... 12 - 14 • The ‘P’ in Parenting • My Friend Plus One • Carer Gateway Ummah ........................ 15 - 17 • King Faisal Prize • Bringing Joy of Nawroz to Afghans • Umrah Tour: Five Fantastic Cities Education ..................... 18 - 19 • Islamic Education Conference • 99 Divine Attributes of Allah Travel .......................... 20 - 21 • People of China • Honeymoon Destinations Business ............................ 22 • Game Review: The Division Beta Social .................................. 23 • Top 7 Funny Tweets
Media activism in the contemporary world Dr Zafarul-Islam Khan Muslims the world over are yet to realise the power of the press or media. Printing press was invented in Germany in 1440 but it took many years for it to come to the Muslim world. The first printing press established by a Muslim was by Ibrahim Müteferrika in 1727 in the Ottoman State. Newspapers and later magazines started in western countries since 1700 but it took us more than a century to awaken to this great tool to disseminate what we want and to inform and influence people and governments. What matters in the real word is the perception of the common man, not hard facts. In this task, media plays a decisive role. Good newspapers and other media channels like TV and web-based news portals do exist now in the Muslim world and in countries where Muslim minorities live in large numbers but they mostly speak the language of governments or corporates. They are least concerned with the issues of the Muslim communities or the real issues of the Muslim world. Even the news of the Muslim world published in our own media resources come mostly through western press agencies. Since access to the mainstream media is difficult for non-government and non-corporate sections of society, alternative media has flourished since long, at least since the Second Word War, in western countries where committed people bring out their own publications, news services, run radio stations and now news portals to put across their points of view and to beat the curtain of silence erected by the mainstream media to filter out what is undesirable from its
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point of view. But here, too, like many other fields, we have failed miserably. With few exceptions here and there, we have failed to evolve our own free media which is committed to our causes and issues and which disseminates true information about what is going on in the world in general and in the Muslim world and Muslim societies in particular. The Internet and information explosion have provided us with new affordable avenues where disadvantaged people and groups with meager resources can make their presence felt but even here we have failed. One good start was made by Islamonline.net in Cairo but within a few years its Qatari financiers withdrew their support and the whole edifice fell down. I think new media, namely Internet-based portals, facebook, yahoogroups, e-letters, whatsapp etc provide huge opportunities for committed people with meagre resources to raise their voice and disseminate their news but, as usual, we are very slow to make use of this new opportunity. One problem responsible for our poor show in media is that our youth are not interested in media and even if some are, they hasten to join the same media outlets which neglect us or malign us. Another problem is that our rich people do not realise that media too is a field where successful business ventures are possible. If others can make money and survive in the field of media, why not our people? Dr. Zafarul-Islam Khan is the Editor of The Milli Gazette and is based in New Delhi, India.
Nusaybah bint Ka’ab Ummah Legends When 74 leaders, warriors, and statesmen of Medina decided to follow the teachings of Islam and become Muslim, Nusaybah was one of only two women to personally give their bayah in person to the Prophet Muhammad (s). During the Battle of Uhud Nusaybah was helping the soldiers by treating their wounds and giving them water, but after some of the Muslim archers disobeyed their orders and began deserting their high ground believing victory was at hand, the tide of the battle changed. At this point Nusaybah picked up a sword and shield and entered the battle. She ran to Prophet Muhammad (s) and shielded him from the onslaught of enemy arrows. Then a horse mounted Quraish attacked her, she grabbed the horse’s bridle and plunged her sword into its neck. The
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horse reared and toppled over onto the rider. Nusaybah had already received substantial wounds at this point, but she continued fighting. Her son Abdullah came to help and the two of them circled around the Prophet Muhammad (s), protecting him from the oncoming Quraish attackers. Prophet Muhammad (s) noticed Nusaybah’s wounds and ordered her son to bandage them, and praised their heroism. Nusaybah picked her sword and shield back up to continue fighting and Prophet Muhammad (s) complimented her on her incredible courage. She fought on bravely and it was not until she was struck for a twelfth time that she stopped fighting. The wound cut across her shoulder and left her unconscious on the battlefield. Once she awoke, her first thought and concern was for the Prophet Muhammad (s) and whether he had survived. Subhan’Allah.
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Readers comments
Re: Call for modernity in think- Way to go with the most dynamic Indian High Comissioner of our times!! ing I do not usually comment on newspaper journalism particularly columns by individuals as they are entitled to their opinions however absurd these maybe. However in this instance I could not help putting my finger tips on my android to express my disappointment with the comments highlighted by Zia Ahmad as a headline to his report on Sir Syed Day. It is unfortunate and sad that you chose a non-Muslim to lead you, lecture and preach to bring modernity in your thoughts and change your values. Yes, liberal democracy to lead us down the garden path of getting rid of the ways of our ancestors who taught us the old fashioned truth justice and fairness against modern ways of exploitation through corporate selfishness and greed. May Allah swt guide us to the right path. Amin Farooqi
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To sign up, visit www.amust.com.au/contributers AMUST is building a network of correspondents AMUST is building a network of correspondents in Australia and overseas in order to share the in Australia and overseas in order to share the good news, positive developments and achievegood news, positive developments and achievements in their community. Your contribution will ments in their community. Your contribution will be published on the AMUST website and will be be published on the AMUST website and will be included into the following print edition of included into the following print edition of AMUST, which is circulated throughout Australia. AMUST, which is circulated throughout Australia.
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I enjoyed reading the latest issue of The Australasian Muslim Times. Many thanks for sending me the web edition. Kindly let me know if I have your permission to reproduce following articles and the related pictures: 1. Call for modernity in thinking by Zia Ahmad 2. How to approach higher Islamic learning in the West by Mehmet Ozalp Venkat Raman
Re: Khawaja into World Twenty20 squad
Took them long enough to give a chance to non white player. Well done to Khawaja for his brilliant accomplishments. Attiya Ali Waezi
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Managing Editor: Zia Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mobinah Ahmad Journalist: Rouba Issa Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Lydia Shelly (Sydney) Columnist: Anne Fairbairn (Sydney) Promotion: Dr Wali Bokhari Web Developer: Shadow Approved Multimedia: iMoby Productions Printers: Spotpress Pty Ltd Distributers: Wrapaway Transport Pty Ltd Distributers: Abul Fateh Siddiqui, Shujaat Siddiqui, Usaid Khalil, Aamir Ahmad, Ibrahim Khalil, Usman Siddiqui, Zahid Alam, Shahab Siddiqui, Mahmoud Jaame, Mateen Abbas, Rashid Idris, Kamrul Zaman, Sakinah Ahmad, Anjum Rafiqi, Hasan Fazeel, Dr Quasim, Ismail Hossain, Hanif Bismi, Zohair Ahmad.
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The isolation of Asylum Seekers Bilal Cleland There is a leaked document, supposedly in draft form, recently leaked to the media, which indicates the Liberal government is considering a major shift in refugee policy. In his article in The Conversation, 18 February 2016, Professor Michael Humphrey writes that it “…suggests the idea that refugees are a potential source of terrorism and radicalisation will soon shape Australia’s humanitarian resettlement policy.” If all refugees are seen as a security issue, the whole program will become dominated by deterrence. It also indicates that all refugees will only be able, if they are successful in gaining that status, to become temporary residents. It mentions that several arrivals on humanitarian or refugees visas have carried out terrorist acts. It also points to Lebanese Sunni Muslims, who are the most prominent ethnic group among Australian Sunni extremists, as a particular problem. The inclusion of this opinion, linking ethnicity to extremism, ignores current research and the lessons of history, and is itself cause for concern. The refugee crisis, Humphrey correctly points out, is related to “… our profound failure of political vision in the Middle East.” To attempt to conflate the terror threat with refugee policy will not assist us to deal with the global refugee crisis. By stepping up brutal deterrence policies we
Demonstration at Lady Cilento Hospital. will only serve to further undermine our reputation for respect for international law and further outrage a substantial proportion of the Australian population. More and more influential members of the community, many of them quite politically conservative, are speaking out. The President of the AMA, at a forum on the health of asylum seekers, 21 February 2016 said: “Doctors, along with nurses, lawyers and lobby others, must lead a debate on an issue of national importance. I believe that is the case when it comes to the
issue of children in detention and Australia’s provision of health care to asylum seekers. Each of our presenters today has demonstrated clearly why there is a need for the medical profession, and others, to speak up and to advocate to remove children from detention.” The widely acclaimed stand of the Lady Cilento Hospital staff, refusing to allow baby Asha to be sent to the camp on Nauru, and the huge public response outside the hospital, convinced Minister Dutton to change his attitude, at least for now. He has
Syria’s voice of the soul
not ruled Nauru out for the future. This strong stand in defence of justice by the medical community was further enhanced by the psychiatrists. “In a paper published in the Australasian Psychiatry journal this month, Dr Michael Dudley, a psychiatrist at Sydney Children’s Hospital and a senior University of NSW lecturer, wrote that prolonged immigration detention shows “reckless indifference and calculated cruelty”. Such policies misuse health and welfare professionals to “underwrite state abuses and promote public numbing and indifference resembling other state abuses,” he said, citing the so-called “war on terror” and, with qualification, Nazi Germany.” [The Age 18 February 2016] The declaration by churches all over the country that they would provide sanctuary to refugees, showing up the narrow intolerance of the extremist sectarians who support anti-refugee and anti-Muslim organisations, struck a chord with the nation. They may no longer have legal power to protect, but the moral authority of the churches is still strong. The Turnbull government may well fly kites about conflating refugee policy and counter-terrorism, which is possible what the “leaked” document was about, but public opinion may have changed. There are many indications that this is underway. What may save its political hide is that the Opposition, led by Mr Shorten, has not taken up the challenge to develop a more civilised refugee policy.
Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.
Radiance Fazlul Huq
Anne Fairbairn AM I believe poetry is the voice of the soul, transcending racial, religious and political differences and bringing many together in harmony. So with many Syrians who are experiencing Syria’s very troubled times and who are coming to live in our peaceful, multicultural Australia - let’s welcome them all to our harmonious country which I am sure they will enrich in so many ways including with their poetry, as our soul mates here Down Under. I have been studying Syrian poetry for years and included many poems by Syrian poets in my anthology of Arabic poetry ‘Feathers and the Horizon’, Published by The Leros Press in 1989. Professor A D Hope AO, OBE, wrote in his Foreword to this Anthology: ‘This anthology will help break down those barriers which so sadly divide us today’. Today there is poetry coming out of Syria that we could have never even dreamed of just a few years ago. Rather than relying on metaphors and allegorical images, these new poems rely on literal, visceral descriptions, with a newfound emphasis on a united Syrian identity instead of religious symbols. For instance, a poem by Najat Abdul Samad, titled “When I Overcome My Weakness”: I bandage my heart with the determination of that boy they hit with an electric stick on his only kidney until he urinated blood. Yet he returned and walked in the next demonstration…I bandage it with the outcry: ‘Death and not humiliation. Another poem by Youssef Bou Yihea titled “I am a Syrian” declares: “My sect is the scent of my homeland, the soil after the rain, and my Syria is my only
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Hail the radiance of the mind, Not splendour of the cage, Cherish goodness of the heart, Not charm of the display. The quest for the unknown Is a longing and a natural trait! As are support and acceptance, Recognition and acclaim! How can you reach the heights! Without opening the mind, How can you discover and invent Without vision and grind! Nothing is ever certain And nothing is fully laid, Nothing is ever stagnant And nothing is mundane, Nothing is taken for granted And nothing is gained from disdain!
religion.” “A lot of poetry and beautiful lyrics are rising up from the ashes in present day Syria,” says expatriate Syrian writer Ghias al-Jundi, who is responsible for PEN International’s research on attacks against free expression in the Middle East writes: “There is a cultural side to the revolution, and it’s brilliant,” he wrote. It’s not just the content that is new. Syrian poetry is also being spread through different channels. Instead of being introduced at formal gatherings or readings, Syrian poets often debut their work at public demonstrations, or on social networking sites. Ottoman Syria was turned into the shortlived Arab Kingdom of Syria in 1920, which was however soon committed under French Mandate. From 1938 known as a Republic, Syria gained independence in 1946, entering the Arab-Israeli War in 1948, and remaining in a state of political instability during the
1950s and 1960s. In a coup of 1970, Hafez al-Assad and his Ba’ath Party took power. Syria was ruled autocratically by Assad during 1970–2000, and after Hafez al-Assad’s death in 2000, he was succeeded by his son Bashar al-Assad In the context of the Arab Spring of 2011, Bashar al-Assad’s government faces the ongoing Syrian civil war which hopefully will end with the new agreement just made between Syria and Russia and the USA. Dr Anne Fairbairn AM is a widely published poet. She is also an artist with extensive connections and travels across the Arab World. For her many publications and work involving building understanding between cultures, Fairbairn was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM, for service to literature as a poet and for international relations, particularly in the Middle East, through Cultural Exchange.
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At the end every soul is on its own, Although in the Plan of the Creator Connections are found to abound, And destined to play diverse roles! The linage always encodes in the DNA, As the life entails mind, body and the soul!
Associate Professor Fazlul Huq is based in Sydney and leads the Biomedical Science Cancer Research Group in the School of Medical Sciences, Sydney Medical School. He is also an accomplished poet with over 1400 compositions in Bengali and English and has also been involved in various community projects.
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ISOC O-Week 2016: bigger & better Ramsha Naz and Nailah Masagos The Islamic Society of UNSW (ISOC) participated in the O-Week program at a grand scale that was held at the University of New South Wales from Monday 22 to Friday 26 February 2016. All Universities in Australia hold an orientation program at the commencement of the academic year for all students in general and the new students in particular in order to get them familiarized with campus life and activities in addition to their academic pursuits. Various clubs and societies including Muslim Student bodies at the campus organize various programs and activities to pass on information and recruit members. One of these is the O-Week stalls organized in an festive atmosphere to engage students and staff face to face at the campus. The University of New South Wales ‘Orientation Week’ (O-Week) is undoubtedly, the biggest event of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere. The Islamic Society of UNSW (ISOC) has been an active participant at O-Week since establishment in 1969. Every year, very keen and enthusiastic ISOC Shura members and volunteers help set up the stall for the duration of O-Week. They also assist in organizing side events that are held every day of the week to ensure new and returning Muslim and non-Muslim students are given a warm welcome. ISOC began O-Week this year with a traditional information session with morning tea that consisted of mouth watering Arab
“Try on a Hijab” at the ISOC stall at O-Week, University of New South Wales. sweets. Ramsha Naz and Nailah Masagos (Shura members and oraganisers of ISOC O-Week) gave a short presentation on what to expect from ISOC in the coming year. This year ISOC presented each student an ‘ISOC Survival Kit’: tote bags which consisted of useful items such as discount vouchers, a prayer mat, a Halal food guide, Islamic Planner Calendar, Muslim publications and much more. Another addition to our stall this year, a ‘try-on-a-hijab’ corner was well received by many non-Muslim students and staff who were very eager to see themselves in a hijab and take their photos taken
Following the information session, the next day on Tuesday 23 February, ISOC in collaboration with KPII (Indonesian Muslim Students Association) held a Halal BBQ on campus where all students, regardless of religion or race were welcome. An event such as this provides an opportunity for everyone to socialize, building mutual understanding and respect. ISOC firmly believes in portraying the message of Islam through love and respect; to involve all and display true Islamic values through action that capture the heart. On Wednesday the 24 February, ISOC held an afternoon tea that consisted of mini
pizzas and savoury pastries while on Thursday ever so famous ISOC Falafel Lunch was organized. In order to end O-Week with a fun and interactive event, ISOC held a trivia night on Friday 26 February to bring all the students together in a game that requires teamwork and trust. Ramsha Naz and Nailah Masagos based in Sydney are Shura members of ISOC. Ramsha is in her 2nd year of Criminology and Criminal Justice degree while Nailah is completing her final few months doing her honours thesis in Architecture.
IFSA holds seminar on Islamic Banking & Finance Farah Cassendra Jamaludin The Islamic Financial Services Australia (IFSA) organised a seminar on Islamic Banking and Finance on 30 January 2016 held at the Auditorium of the Auburn City Council. IFSA is working on a project to establish the first Australian owned fully functional Islamic Bank in Australia. The speakers at the event included Dr Sheikh Ali Elgari of Saudi Arabia, Dr Ashraf Hashim of Malaysia and Dr Rashid Raashed of Australia. These scholars are later embedded by a contract, within the Sharia’h Audit Executives (SAE) of IFSA. The seminar was moderated by IFSA’s deputy CEO Mr Norfadelizan Abdul Rahman. Other IFSA officials who attended the seminar included Dr John Hewson (Chairman Board of Directors, IFSA) Mr Yunus Ali Mondal (IFSA Director) Ms Farah Cassendra Jamaludin ( IFSA Office Secretary) and Mr Mike Lynch (Consultant/IM Project Manager). Notably, as a powerful board committee and armed with sufficient executive powers on Shari’ah compliance vested in their hands, Sharia’h Audit Executives (SAE) of IFSA will guarantee that the proposed Islamic bank’s products and services are 100% Shari’ah compliant. This is an Islamic legal requirement to make a bank truly Islamic. At a later stage, IFSA intends to progress as a banking group to be known as Islamic Bank Australia (IBA) Project. During the seminar, the speakers delivered their talks on various aspects of Islamic
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The IFSA-IBA Project Team and Independent Consultants. From left: Mr Norfadelizan Abdul Rahman, Mr Yunus Mondal, Mr Najib Shaharuddin (IBFIM), Mr Afjal Khan Bahelim, Mr Mike Lynch, Dr Rashid Raashed, Ms Farah Cassendra Jamaludin, Dr John Hewson, Dr Sheikh Ali Elgari, Dr Ashraf Hashim and Mr Razli Ramli (IBFIM) banking and finance, both in Australia and beyond. The talks were followed by indepth discussions on various topics including the duties of a Muslim to seek Sharia’h compliant banking and finance. The Q&A session was the most awaited event after the seminar, as participants actively asked questions on the viability of the proposed Islamic bank’s products and services to survive in Australia profitably, whilst meeting at the same time, the local regulatory mechanism and the needs and demands for a competitive banking and finance industry. Participants have shown keen interest in
IFSA’s initiative with the conclusion that Islamic Banking is a crying need for the fast growing Muslim community in Australia. The potential patrons hope that Islamic banking and finance on offer, will eventually bridge the existing gap within the current Islamic financial institutions in Australia and an Islamic bank to be established with an aim to provide halal financing sources for the existing financial institutions. Obviously, for Islamic banking to survive in Australia, it needs the support of the people who stand by their Islamic duty and conscience to avoid Riba at all cost. This can only be achieved through offering com-
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petitive banking products and services that are truly Sharia’h compliant and at the same time, are both competent and profitable, in providing and meeting modern banking and financial needs. Farah Cassendra Jamaludin, based in Sydney is the Secretary of IFSA. She holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) degree from UK and had a successful career in various industries covering Customer Service, Call Centre, Sales and Marketing, Banking, Human Resources, Case Management and finally as a Corporate Trainer/Facilitator prior to joining IFSA.
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Events PNG relief supplies from ARO Calendar Hanif Bismi
Sydney City Masjid Fundraising Dinner Saturday 5 March, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Croatian Club, 921 Punchbowl Rd, Punchbowl, NSW www.fb.com/events/ 556615804497616
Sydney International Women’s Poetry & Arts Festival 2016
Wednesday 16 March, 2016 5:00 PM - 9:30PM Parliament of NSW, 6 Macquarie Street, Sydney, NSW www.fb.com/events/ 1524554664541700
Australian Relief Organisation (ARO) held a breakfast meeting of its staff, volunteers and guests on Saturday 20 February at its Auburn headquarters in order to load a 40 foot container with clothing, shoes, toys school equipment and home-ware headed for the underprivileged of Papua New Guinea. More than 55 guests were welcomed by the MC, Mr Rifat Akpinar, ARO Advisor and the President of ARO, Ahmet Aydogan who opened the breakfast meeting. The guest of honour Mr Kerim Balci, Editor in Chief of the Turkish Review, a bimonthly journal who stressed the importance of altruism and how charitable services should be cherished by donors so they can enjoy the concept of giving.
Cihan Tumen, Chief Executive Officer of ARO shared the organisations past achievements including distribution of qurban meat to needy people, digging of water wells in Cambodia and Tanzania etc. (To donate towards a water well visit http://aro.org.au/ ongoing-project-donations/) ARO has arranged a number of cataracts surgeries as part of its overseas cataract campaign. Individuals can donate $200 and sponsor a surgical operation to on eye of a cataract patient. Locally ARO recently initiated its Refuge Support Services in partnership with Settlement Services International (SSI). This project is developed to tackle social exclusion of newly arrived refugees into Australia by organising tours of Sydney City and the Blue Mountains in order to create a friendly environment for them. The President of ARO later distributed plaques to honour those who supported ARO’s activities: Choppers Transport and Martin Bencher and a certificate of appreci-
ation to the donor Kagan Korkman for cataract surgery. ARO’s achievements between 2013 – 2015 have included: • Establishment of community kitchen projects to feed 70 homeless in 20 countries. • Socialisation with 600 nursing home residents by our volunteers’ visits. • Emergency clothing to 12,000 flood survivors. • Establishment of 32 wells that provide clean water to 16,000 people every day. • Establishment of 3 orphanages for 187 children. • Cataract surgery on 56 patients who regained sight. • Qurban meat to 552,000 people • Iftar dinner to 33,000 people. • emergency financial aid to 32 afflicted families. . Hanif Bismi is a Sydney based historian, political analyst, community activist and an Advisor to ARO.
Iranian Art & Craft Exhibition OPENING NIGHT
Thursday 17 March, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00PM 142 Addison Road, Marrickville, NSW
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Great Figures of Islam Friday 18 March, 2016 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM ISRA Australia, Level 3, 128-132 South Parade, Auburn, NSW www.fb.com/events/ 1646630172265381
WELCOME REFUGEES! Sydney Palm Sunday Rally 2016 Sunday 20 March, 2016 1:00 PM - 3:00PM Belmore Park, Hay Street Sydney, NSW
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Nazeem Hussain – Hussain in the Membrane Melbourne Thursday 24 March, 2016 7:00 PM - 8:00PM ACMI Flinders St & Swanston St, Melbourne, VIC
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View more events online or add your own at www.amust.com.au/ calendar
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ARO executives and volunteers at the breakfast meeting including Ahmet Aydogan, Cihan Tumen, Mehmet Saral, Hanif Bismi, Talib Bismi and Ibrahim Khalil amongst others.
Pakistan Australia Friendship Fousiya Bismi Pakistan Australia Friendship organised a dinner on 15 February at the Himalaya Restaurant, Rockdale in honour of Prof Taufeeq Butt of Lahore College, Pakistan attended by a large section of the community. Prof Taufeeq is a well known educationist, journalist and columnist whose work is regularly published with the running title of Hasb e Taufeeq in Nai Baat, a Pakistani newspaper. Pakistan Australia Friendship a nonprofit organisation was founded by Mr Arshad Naseem Butt who dedicated 27 years in Australia to develop a harmonious friendly Pakistani community enabling migrants from Pakistan to easily integrate into the main stream Australian society while maintaining their Pakistani identity in Australia. Currently its President, Mr Arshad Naseem Butt is a philanthropist and an accomplished orator. He regularly arranges forums in order to honor distinguished members of the community. The dinner program started with welcoming the guests by Talib Mustafa Bismi, recitation from the Holy Quran by Riaz Shah followed by Naat-e-Rasool by Rana Nasir.
Australasian Muslim Times
From left: Mr Ashraf Shad, Mr Atiqul Hassan, Prof Taufeeq Butt, Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili and Mr Arshad Naseem Butt. The Pakistani Counsel General Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili expressed his appreciation for the organisation’s cordial activities in making settling easier for the newly arrived Pakistanis in Australia. The MC was Raja Taseer, Chief Editor of Hum Watan newspaper published in Australia. The president distributed honorary plaques for outstanding community work to
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the chief guest Prof Taufeeq Butt, the Pakistani Counsel General Mr Abdul Aziz Uqaili and Mr Syed Abbas Naqvi, community activist and photographer. Fousiya Bismi, based in Sydney is a family law advisor , student of comparative religions and a community activist.
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UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 23
Awards for HSC high achievers Zia Ahmad Amity College hosted the annual HSC and ATAR Awards Ceremony on Thursday 18 February to acknowledge and celebrate the outstanding achievements of the 2015 HSC students. Amity College, formerly known as Sule College with campuses in Prestons, Auburn and Illawara is managed by the Galaxy Foundation, formerly known as the Feza Foundation. Amongst the audience at the event were many members of the 2015 HSC Graduates, current Year 12 students, parents, teachers, principals and Mr Murat Yanik, CEO of the Galaxy Foundation. It was an event to mark and celebrate the HSC and ATAR results from one of the most successful years in the history of Amity College. The highest achiever was Zobia Khan whose ATAR of 99.90 in the 2015 HSC set the school’s new ATAR record. She was presented with a cheque of $6000 by Mr Murat Yanik, CEO of the Galaxy Foundation for
her outstanding achievement. Other high achievers included Ekin Karaoglu with an ATAR of 99.65 and Gunay Ada with an ATAR of 99.60 who were presented with a cheque of $4500 each. There were a large group of students from Amity College who achieved ATAR of 95 and above and all of them were recognized with presentation of crystal trophies and gifts by the School. In order to acknowledge the high achievements of its students at the HSC, the School generously provided cash rewards, computer equipment, trophies and gifts for all its HSC students. During the HSC 2015, 1in 2 students at Amity College achieved an ATAR of 80+ while 1 in 4 students achieved an ATAR of 90+. Those with an ATAR of 95+ were rewarded with laptops while those with an ATAR of 90+ were given Tablet PC’s. Those achieving an ATAR of 80+ received vouchers of $100 each. Galaxy Foundation also awards its top HSC graduates with scholarships for three years during their university education. The other presentations at the event included HSC results analyses by the Amity HSC Coordinator highlighting the great
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Zobia Khan (left) outstanding HSC student and record holder with an ATAR of 99.90 with Mr Deniz Erdogan Executive Principal, Amity College. progress made by the college in providing Zia Ahmad is the Managing Editor of educational excellence. AMUST and is based in Sydney.
From left: Galaxy Foundation CEO, Mr Murat Yanik with Amity College top students Gunay Ada (ATAR 99.60), Ekin Karaoglu (ATAR 99.65) and Zobia Khan (ATAR 99.90) at the HSC and ATAR Award Ceremony at Amity College, Prestons.
EFSOL providing Islamic Financial Solutions
AMUST Media Islamic finance has become increasingly significant in the finance world with Muslim investors looking for ethical investments following Islamic principles. Equitable Financial Solutions (EFSOL) have the vision to make Shariah-compliant financial solutions, a long-term and viable reality for all Australians. Shariah-compliant investments are in accordance with three Islamic Principles which need to be adhered to when analyzing an investment. The first is the absence of interest (riba) in the investment, the second is the potential for ‘unethical concerns’ in the investment mix, and the third relates to the nature of the contract between the parties involved. EFSOL are committed to providing innovative halal finance and investment solutions using traditional methods like Musharakah, Murabaha, Ijara and Wakalah. But what do all these terms mean exactly? Musharakah is a partnership structure with profit/loss sharing used in Islamic finance. It allows each party involved in a business to share in the profits and risks. Rather than dealing with interest, EFSOL achieves its return in the form of a portion of the profits earned, and share any losses. Murabaha is an acceptable form of credit sale, similar in structure to a rent-to-own ar-
March 2016
rangement, the mediator retains ownership of the property until the loan is paid in full. Ijara is an transactional exchange where a benefit arising from an asset is made available in return for a payment, however the asset’s ownership is not transferred. Wakalah (Protection) refers to a contract where a client authorises EFSOL to do a certain well-defined legal action on their behalf. EFSOL continues to implement the latest technologies, combined with experienced and inspired personnel and visionary leadership. Established in May 2011, they offer residential property finance, vehicle finance and investment products. EFSOL was founded by its managing director, Usman Siddiqui as a Shariah-compliant financing company. Previously, Mr Siddiqui worked for organisations in various sectors including banking, financial services and pharma companies. He is a Certified Credit Advisor (CCA), Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE, Dubai) and has completed a Diploma in Financial Management and Business Management. Hisham Fakhir, EFSOL Director of Funds Management, has twenty years of experience, which spans across some of the major investment banks in Singapore and Australia including Merrill Lynch and Credit Suisse. Prior to joining EFSOL, he was Director at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management,
Usman Siddiqui, EFSOL Managing Director.
Hisham Fakhir, EFSOL Director of Funds Management.
where he focused on revenue and product development and managed the trading operations across the country. “Times are changing in the world of Islamic financial markets. Operating in an increasingly demanding marketplace, more and more firms are looking to outsource Sharia Advisory solutions”, says Yasser S Dahlawi, Chief Executive Officer, Shariyah Review Bureau. Commenting on the assignment, he adds, “We are always on the lookout to deliver value-added solutions for clients like EFSOL
and will continue to enrich our services to provide faster and efficient suite of solutions for their Sharia supervisory needs.” EFSOL offers three products: Easy Home, Easy Home Saver, Car Finance and Ameen Investment. For more information, contact EFSOL on www.efsol.com.au, 1800 183 133, info@ efsol.com.au, or visit their Sydney office Level 7, 91 Phillip St, Parramatta. Be sure to like their Facebook Page. EFSOL has branches in Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth, Brisbane and Singapore.
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AMUST
AUSTRALIA
NEWS 1-2
BOOMERANG 3-5
COMMUNITY 6-9
AUSTRALIA 10 - 11
LIFESTYLE 12 - 14
Here Come the Habibs: Racist but hilarious Rima Dabliz It was either going to be hilarious, terribly racist, dry, or somewhere in between. Two episodes into the series and I’ve settled for somewhere in between. As an Australian of Lebanese heritage, this most recent portrayal of Lebanese Australians in the media is one of fascination and fun. It’s interesting to see so many Lebanese people expressing their distaste of the program and its ethnic stereotypes, but in all honesty, the stereotypes portrayed in the show don’t steer too far away from the reality for so many Australian Lebanese families. As you may witness in Here Come the Habibs, Lebanese people are closely knit to their families and extended families, they love food, they dance in any place they can, the women are a mixed bag of fun and crazy, the men balance hours at the gym with their reputation, and really, they all just want to fit in without attracting too much attention. Lebanese people don’t have a great track record when it comes to their air time. From the Cronulla Riots to the Skaf gang rapes to Islamic State – as a person of Lebanese heritage, I can personally testify to there being a lack of representation of Leba-
nese role models in the media. Beyond Marie Bashir, Robbie Farah, Hazem El Masri, Firas Dirani, Tim Mannah and others known to the media, there are an abundance of exceptional Lebanese role models doing great things every day. I could name a few: Hanan Dover, Zack Salhab, Samiha Elkheir, Leila Alameddine, Ahmed Fahour, Mohamed Taha,Talal Yassine, Roger Rasheed, John Symond and heck, Michael Usher as we found out this morning. The thing with being ethnic is that once you’re known as ethnic, you represent your entire community. Not just you, not your family or your many cousins, but your entire
country. You become the entire populationan economy, a culture, a polity, a society. Ask anyone and they’ll tell you that’s a lot of weight hanging on your shoulders, especially confused adolescent shoulders. Here Come the Habibs tells the story of just that- An Australian Lebanese family who have won the lottery and moved to a luxurious new ‘palace’ in Vaucluse, are trying to fit in and stay under the radar, unsuccessfully. Led by their mother and father; Mariam and Fou Fou Habib, the three Habib children are a hilariously stereotypical representation of young Lebanese people. But it’s not all bad, it could be much, much
worse. What we can learn from Here Come the Habibs is ironic and somewhat inspirational. We learn that appearances are not what they seem, that you can’t buy falafel in Vaucluse, that there are White Australians who will welcome you with open arms and there are others who will devote their entire life to expelling you from “their” country. Like I’ve said before, we’re all guests on this land and it’s about bloody time we realised it. This was, is and always will be Aboriginal land. I can confidently say that I’m more comfortable with the portrayal of Australian Lebanese people in the series than I am with the portrayal of White Australians, but I’ll leave that up to you to mull over. It was alright, the stereotypes are there but they don’t overpower the traditional Lebanese values of family, hospitality and generosity. What I’d like to see is the portrayal of Lebanese people beyond “habibs”, “cuz’s” and “bros” in a way that doesn’t make us appear as though our mental abacuses are faulty. Rima Dabliz, 19, is a blogger studying B Communication majoring in journalism/ B Laws at UTS. She is a keen fundraiser for the International Women’s Development Agency and the Cancer Council. Her occupational goal is to work as a criminal defence lawyer whilst maintaining her passion for writing about the world and aims to develop an online youth magazine made by young Muslims, for young Muslims, about young Muslims.
Accountability in Australian aid dollars Manarul Islam Forum Australia brought together some of the best minds in international aid on Wednesday 28 February in Canberra to discuss answerability in the programs and industry. Titled Australian International Aid: Accountability and Transparency, the forum and dinner, held at Taj Agra Restaurant in Dickson, had government and NGOs discuss how their respective organisations provided this accountability. A sumptuous three course dinner was served by Taj Agra during the forum. More than 60 attendees heard from Kathryn Elliott from the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), Emily Wilson from the Australian Red Cross and Sam Zappia from Care Australia. Professor Bill Maley from the Australian National University (ANU) also provide some insight to the link between aid and diplomacy. The Master of Ceremonies for the evening was Siobhan Heanue from ABC Television. As Ms Heanue introduced the speakers, highlighting their qualifications for speaking on the topic, she also recounted her experience from the Nepal earthquake and the observation of how aid was applied on the ground. She first introduced Kathryn Elliott from DFAT who outlined the steps DFAT take to ensure Australian aid dollars are delivered to those targeted. Whilst identifying the aid that is provided, Ms Elliott made the point that “Aid alone is not enough”. She added that DFAT manages the aid program “to ensure that our funds are effective, accountable and deliver results” using the Performance Framework for the Aid Program. “At the project level, we have a robust quality system to ensure that funding is directed towards making the most difference”, she explained. Emily Wilson, the International Policy Manager of the Australian Red Cross, was the next to speak. Ms Wilson explained the structure of the Red Cross, including the
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From left: Siobhan Heanue, Mohammed Ali (President Forum Australia), Emily Wilson (Australian Red Cross), Kathryn Elliott (DFAT), Prof Bill Maley (ANU) and Sam Zappia (Care Australia). role of the International Federation of the Red Cross. “Probably the most well known component . . . International Committee of the Red Cross and Red Crescent. The ICRC . . . are really the custodians and guardians of the international humanitarian law which is essentially the laws of war”, she clarified to the audience. Professor Maley, of the Asia Pacific College of Diplomacy at the ANU spoke of the “tension between the recognition that transparency in the abstract sense is a good thing for ensuring the quality of program delivery and on the other hand typical reluctance of some people to endure the burden of responsibility.” The final speaker was Sam Zappia, the Manager of Country Programs Team for Care Australia, ACT. Mr Zappia pointed out that “there has been an extraordinary revolution in the world in the past few years . . . in health, education and living standards . . . for the first time in the world’s history less than 10% of the world’s population live in extreme poverty.
Australasian Muslim Times
However there is more to do.” “The majority of the poorest people in the world are women and girls,” Mr Zappia reminded the attendees. A long question and answer session at the end further strengthened the debate. At the end of the evening Forum Australia presented the restaurant with a certificate of appreciation in recognition of the long term involvement with the forums. Included in the attendees were Wenda Donaldson from the Red Cross, Hon Salman Mirza, Deputy High Commissioner of Pakistan and Khizar Hayat Niazi, former High Commissioner of Pakistan Photos and full videos of the speeches and question and answer sessions can be accessed through the Forum Australia website: www.aussieforum.org. Forum Australia’s next forum at the end of April will be on the perplexing refugees and asylum seekers issue.
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Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.
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March 2016
UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
AUSTRALIA
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
Negative gearing being targeted for tax reform FINANCE Dr Abul Jalaluddin Negative gearing is shaping up to be a contentious area of tax reform. It is a complex and highly political issue with significant revenue implications for the Federal budget outcomes. In 2013-14, almost 1.3 million Australians had negative gearing. Some 300,000 people with taxable income less than $18,200 a year owned rental properties. Rental interest deductions amounted to $22.5 billion. Taxpayers claimed a total of $12 billion in tax losses from investment properties. Negative gearing refers to the practice of borrowing to purchase a property for investment. It is negatively geared when the financing costs such as interest exceed the rental income from the property. The taxation outcome of a negatively geared property is a net rental loss in an income year. Property investors are able
to claim a deduction for the full amount of rental expenses and losses against their rental and other incomes such as salary, wages or business incomes when lodging tax returns for the relevant income years. Where the total income is not sufficient to absorb the loss, it is carried forward to the next tax year.
Older people at risk of losing homes AMUST Media Seniors Rights Service was recognised at this year’s Zest Award for the organisation’s outstanding work in community partnership and collaboration with Legal Aid NSW for the 2015 Borrowers Beware Project. Borrowers Beware uses community radio to educate elderly people from Arabic, Croatian, Serbian and Macedonian speaking communities on the dangers of borrowing money against their home for the benefit of their children. Diana Bernard, Manager of Education and Promotion at Seniors Rights Service said, “The issue of older people gifting or guaranteeing their homes for their adult children can sometimes leave the older person stripped of assets and potentially homeless. Our project aimed to inform people from these particular communities of the potential risks due to the high prevalence of these issues reported in these communities.” Bernard added, “It’s essential people understand the potential risks involved with
‘home gifting or guaranteeing’ without seeking independent legal advice. We intend to continue shining a spotlight on this issue and will continue to target those most at risk.” The Zest Awards showcase the great work of the Community Sector across Western Sydney. The awards promote a positive image of Greater Western Sydney region through highlighting the area’s assets, its diversity and its creative and innovative work. NSW Premier, Mike Baird, is a patron of the Zest Awards. Seniors Rights Service will continue to work in partnership with vulnerable communities throughout NSW and with Legal Aid NSW. The success of Borrowers Beware demonstrates that meaningful and considered collaboration can achieve positive impact in communities that are sometimes considered ‘hard to reach’.
A number of proposals are currently debated to reform the taxation of negative gearing in property investment. Federal Treasury is reported to be considering a global limit for all deductions including those related to negative gearing, work, health, managing tax affairs and gift or donations. This will limit the total deductions to a proportion of income or an indexed ceiling, say 25% of income or a ceiling of $50,000, whichever is greater. Britain has a similar system introduced in 2012. Using data from 2010-11, it was found that a cap of $50,000 or 25% of income would affect only 0.9% of property investors and only 1.3% of those incurring rental losses. A lower cap of $12,500 would affect 9% of landlords and 14% of those incurring a rental loss. Another proposal being debated is to restrict the negative gearing only to newly constructed homes. No negative gearing deductions will be available for investing in existing houses. The measure is expected to save $32 billion over a decade. This will increase supply of rental properties, lessen
upward pressure on house prices and provide a powerful affordability stabiliser for first home buyers. Under this proposal, the new regime will be operative as of 1 July 2017 and all existing negative gearing arrangements will be grandfathered or continue to be eligible for the current level of deductions. Negative gearing may never be fully removed as it would have adverse effects on rental affordability. It was once removed from 1 July 1985 and then allowed back in September 1987, the removal was operative only for around two financial years. The repeal was due to the fact that investment in rental properties dried up, supply of dwellings for rent drastically reduced and property rents soared as a result. This badly impacted upon the ordinary Australians who could not afford to own their private place of residence. Dr Abul Jalaluddin is an Islamic Finance expert, Director of MCCA, taxation advisor and a regular columnist of AMUST. He is based in Sydney.
Apple co-founder to transport summit 2016 AMUST Media Minister for Transport and Infrastructure Andrew Constance has announced Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak would headline a NSW Government technology summit to help uncover the next big ideas set to transform the transport system. The two-day ‘Future Transport’ summit will be held in Sydney on 18-19 April, featuring the brightest minds in tech and transport, with representatives from emerging start-ups and some of the world’s leading technology and transport companies. “We’ve got big data happening, Opal, ridesharing and the advent of the driverless car around the corner – I want to work with those in-the-know to get a better grasp of what’s coming next and how we can adapt,” Mr Constance said. “I’m ecstatic we’ve got some big names from Sydney and around the world headlining the event, including Apple Co-founder Steve Wozniak.”
March 2016
Steve Wozniak said he was excited to be heading to Sydney for the summit to talk all things innovation, technology and transportation. Registrations are now open for industry leaders to join 150 invited guests and speakers at the event. There will also be many ways for the public to get involved - with live streaming, web chats and plenty of social media conversation. The summit is part of a 12-month ‘Future Transport’ program, which will also include a youth summit and new partnerships with incubators to stay across emerging ideas and products.
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LIFESTYLE
NEWS 1-2
BOOMERANG 3-5
COMMUNITY 6-9
AUSTRALIA 10 - 11
The ‘P’ in ‘Parenting’ is for Perseverance AMUST
Saltanat Bora
My daughter is not what you’d call a “good eater”. In fact, the year she turned two, I don’t think she ate much at all. When she hit 3, her ‘attitude’ was steeled by her innate stubbornness of character combined with the courage to lash out with epic meltdowns every meal-time. Now, she is bordering on age 4 and things have started to change. She has become more courageous in trying what’s on her plate as opposed to down right rejecting it. Here are some reasons as to why I think this transformation occurred: We didn’t stop giving her veggies just because we “knew” that she didn’t like it. Giving your child the ‘easier’ but deepfried, processed food because “at least they are eating something” might work for you in the short term, but it will set them up for bad eating habits, weight gain and behavioural issues. I know the desperation a mother feels when their stubborn child refuses to eat the organic vegetables arranged as a spaceship on their child’s plate. I have felt the acute tiredness and utter helplessness that a mother feels in those moments. To then have your child not eat the nutritious food that you spent hours preparing is basically the last straw. But a lesson that I have faced over and over again in the past four years of my par-
enting career is perseverance. If there were ever a test of your character, it is when trying to raise a child. Because over and over again you have to make the choice between what is best for them, or what is easier for you now. We have to truly understand that we have a responsibility over our children to protect them, nurture them, and raise them in the best possible manner. What this means is that sometimes, we have to be the ‘bogeyman’. We have to be that figure of authority in our children’s lives that delivers truth to them; the truth of the cost of making bad food decisions. Because when they are teenagers, or adults, after a lifetime of making bad food choices, they will wonder why their parents did not teach them that this was wrong. Of course we must discipline and raise our children with kindness and love. But at the same time, we must be stern when we have to be. We must be authoritative. Not authoritarian. The other day my husband took the girls grocery shopping. When he got back he related this incident to me… I happened to wander into the confectionary aisle lined with chocolate and lollies. J (my eldest daughter) didn’t say a word until we made it towards the middle of the aisle. She turned to me and said, “Baba, why are you in this aisle? Don’t you know that lollies
and chocolate are bad for you?” When he told me, I cried. Perseverance paid off. And believe me when I tell you dear fellow parent that you are capable of persevering through those excruciatingly difficult moments when you are faced with a choice. A choice between allowing your child who has not even been in this world for five years
friendship. Also, it’s better for their relationship! Psychological research shows that when couples share friends, they are happier. Social psychologists say that when you dislike your partner’s friends, it can affect their relationship with their partner,and when couples share mutual friends, their greater likelihood of a stronger marital relationship. In the beginning, both your friend and their partner are on two separate levels. And with any newly formed relationship, there is a period of adjustment - getting to know them and finding that sweet spot on where you stand with one another is important. There are a multitude of different couple types, and their relationship with mutual friends reveal what kind of couple they are around friends. Firstly there are the couples where you are much closer to one than the other. This often just means your friend’s part-
ner, although enjoys being acquainted aren’t really interested in a close friendship. Secondly, there’s the ones that compete. Your friend’s partner, noticing the relationship you have with your friend - wants to reach the same level. At first, I didn’t realise that this was an actual thing - husband and wife competing with one another for friendship, but after speaking to a few different couples, this was definitely the case. Obviously its a healthy competition, but for some, the race is on. Thirdly, there are the couples that are on the same level, and it feels as though you’re just three friends hanging out. The group dynamics are not influenced by their marital relationship, and everyone feels very comfortable around one another. Fourth, there are the couples that feel comfortable enough around you to make light fun of one another. It usually might be a joke or telling an embarrassing story - when it’s done right, its
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and therefore knows nothing about it, to do as they please, or making the right choice for them because you are the adult, you know what is best for them, because YOU are the Parent. Saltanat Bora is the editor of The Modest Bride.
My friend plus one - can this work? MOBYDAYZE Mobinah Ahmad As you transition from your 20s to your 30s, most of your friends seem to be getting into long term romantic relationships or are getting married and they begin to settle down. As this happens, the time comes when you meet your friend’s partner and by extension, start to formulate some kind of relationship with them. Usually it starts by meeting them at a social event, or at their house. And meeting your friend’s partner is a significant moment, because it reveals another aspect of your relationship with your friend. It’s important to get to know your friend’s partner and have some working relationship with them. After all, this person directly affects your friends life and can effect your
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just fun. But if they’re not careful, it can turn into bickering - which is often quite entertaining from my end. If it gets anymore intense, things can get awkward very quickly. Fifth, there are couples that have no issue with having massive arguments in front of you, and may even ask you to take sides. Eep. Very brutal. I once was hanging out with a couple of friends, they had a big argument and both stormed off - I was in the middle, not knowing where to go. I felt like their neglected child asked to choose who did they want to live with after the divorce. So there it is, the five different couples I’ve met. Having a working relationship with your friend’s partner is crucial. After all, if something were to happen to your friend - its important for the people (parents, partner, other friends) around them to be able to work together to come to their aid.
March 2016
UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
LIFESTYLE
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
How important are looks? Marriage Bureau
LOVE HAQTUALLY
Seeker & Sought For
Zeynab Gamieldien A dear friend of mine was recently at an event. Following the event, she was told that a guy had expressed interest in her and wanted to get to know her. Given the fact that she hadn’t exchanged a single word with the guy in question, the only thing his interest could possibly have been based on was her looks. Anyone who is (un)fortunate enough to know me will know that the concept of beauty has always intrigued me. I’ve bored any number of friends to death with my forays into the issue of how looks influence perception. While I don’t claim to be some sort of professional commentator on all things aesthetics, I do find the issue fascinating. Is beauty really in the eye of the beholder? Well, studies have shown that this adage is largely untrue and that particularly in this globalised age, representations of beauty are becoming more standardised. Do good looks get you places in life? Studies have shown that yes, good looks are an asset, even in the workplace. I won’t bore you any further with the academic stuff, but instead I’ll turn my attention to the more interesting, anecdotal stuff. It’s obviously impossible to quantify the extent to which looks are valued in the world of relationships, but I’d hazard a guess that they’re fairly valuable. How often do we see some old billionaire with a series of young models on his arm? Without casting any aspersions on the character of billionaires (I’m sure they’re lovely people), it isn’t too difficult to conclude that looks are an asset in the game of love. This issue is particularly interesting when examined in the context of the Muslim community. The little example I mentioned above is repeated again and again, with some girls getting asked about practically every time they attend something. This is a strange by-product of segregation. Because people often aren’t given the opportunity of speaking with members of the opposite sex at Muslim community events, they’re in effect almost forced to assess people based on their looks. I’m certainly not attacking segregation on this basis or suggesting it should be dismantled, but it’s an interesting thing to ponder: if there was more space for contact between the sexes, would personalities be given more of a centre stage role as opposed to looks? Of course, the answer may simply be no. As a friend put it, if someone doesn’t meet your looks threshold, many people simply
An initiative by the Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW)
Seekers
won’t consider them regardless of how amazing their personality is. People often won’t admit this to themselves, of course. They tell themselves that they just don’t see X in that way, or that Y is awesome but just ‘not for them’. The sad truth is that many of the people who get friendzoned immediately are those who aren’t conventionally good-looking. People may be happy to befriend them and may have a great deal of respect for them, but they just don’t consider them in romantic terms. (‘They’re nice, but’…) I say that this is sad, but I understand that attraction is certainly important in any relationship. But here I’d like to make a quick little distinction: good looks and attractiveness are not necessarily the same thing. X could appreciate that Y is conventionally good-looking without feeling any attraction whatsoever, and A could find B attractive while rationally appreciating that B isn’t conventionally good-looking. But this is perhaps where the question is asked again: if you don’t have much contact with people of the opposite sex, how can you feel attracted to them on any basis other than looks? The funny thing is that while looks are undeniably important to many people, anyone who’s too overt about this being a requirement of theirs gets blasted. A guy who specifies that he only wants a skinny girl (it happens) will get hated on, even though many may secretly share this sentiment. A girl who says she only wants a tall guy will be branded as ‘superficial’, while many others may filter out guys on this basis without even admitting it to themselves. The guy who asks about a girl after seeing her at an event is often rejected by the girl in question because she feels objectified, but perhaps he’s simply more open about it than others. A related issue is that of clothing and
style, which again is particularly interesting in a Muslim context. People may sometimes have preferences as to the clothing of a potential partner and depending on their level of conservativeness, an outfit choice may attract or repel. Wearing skinny jeans may be a no-no for some, while others may find it funky and attractive. Others may simply not care at all, as long as it looks good. Some people consciously modify their choice of clothing depending on the scene they’re in, which suggests, rightly or wrongly, that people may make judgments based on whether they wear a skirt or a dress, or pants as opposed to shorts for men. I wrote a post about hijab being a must for some and a repellent for others, and this certainly factors into the debate on outward appearance. At the end of the day, perhaps much of the assessments we make of the looks of others may be in fact linked to our assessment of our own looks. Someone who considers themselves to be good-looking may make a point of seeking someone who is also good-looking, just as a person who considers themselves to be intelligent may seek a person they consider to be of a similar level of intelligence. If looks trump all else, then that’s frankly a little depressing given the advice of the Prophet (saw), but it’s not something that can be easily altered without some open and honest conversations. How important are looks to you? Have you felt that people place a disproportionate emphasis on looks when it comes to finding a partner? Zeynab is an Australian lawyer, social inquirer, traveller and chronic human observer. She created Love Haqtually as a space for Muslims (and anyone interested) to discuss relationships, love, the weirdness of being a Muslim in the 21st century.
Ahmed Mehryn
weds
Mrs Samina Khan & Dr Ghulam Akber Khan announce the marriage of their son, Ahmed Khan to Mehryn Tiwana, daughter of Mr & Mrs Saleem Tiwana. Ahmed is a Business Banking Manager at Westpac and Mehryn is a Senior Recruitment Specialist at Brunel. The wedding took place in Pakistan on 28 November 2015 and their reception in Sydney was on 26 February 2016. March 2016
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F1510: Female, 58, Fijian Australian widow from Indian background, Administrative officer. I like to Travel watch soccer, cook, socialise and help people. I am looking for a down to earth, loving and caring person. Someone to be my life partner and is willing to accept my son (19 years) who also lives with me. F159: Female, 27 medical doctor, Indian residing in Saudi Arabia. I apply Islam in my day-to-day life. I have performed Hajj twice and Umrah numerous times. I am soft spoken, humble and well cultured. I respect elders and very adjusting by nature. I am seeking for a life partner who is an educated and practicing Muslim. F158: Female, age 35, an Australian from Bangladesh An accountant working as a finance manager. Enjoys reading books, likes cooking and loves to travel. Seeking for an educated and practicing Muslim who comes from a good family. F157: Female, 23, New Zealand-Indian, Engineer I enjoy reading books, learning more about Islam, exercise, cooking, watching tennis and socialising with friends. I am a practicing Muslimah and enjoy attending community Islamic events. I work for a multinational company. I am seeking an educated, honest, caring, loving, upright and religiously compatible life partner who is committed to grow with me to achieve our dreams of fulfilling life together. M1511: Male, 37, divorced, Bangladeshi Australian, Masters in professional accounting. I am a practicing Muslim, interested in attending Islamic and Educational seminars and socialising with friends. I am seeking a practising Bangladeshi Muslimah who resides in Australia. M156: Male 58 divorced Pakistani Australian. I have been in Australia for 30 years and worked in IT and now I am retired. I am seeking for a Sunni muslimah widow or divorced from any culture. M154: Male, 42. Pakistani Australian, Accountant I come from a respectable family, I have been brought up with traditional Pakistani culture. I am a Sunni Muslim. I like reading Islamic Books, attending Islamic seminars and meeting friends of a similar background. I also like watching movies, listening to music and watching various sports. I am looking for a Sunni Muslim Pakistani woman who is educated and comes from a respectable family background.
See More at amust.com.au/ listing_types/seekers/ Placing/Responding a notice If you would like to place or respond to a notice, fill out the matrimonial form at: www.amust.com.au/marriage-bureau All information is held in strict confidence
Australasian Muslim Times
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AMUST
LIFESTYLE
Intercultural dining pops up in City Square AMUST Media The age-old tradition of ‘breaking bread’ is one of the most powerful ways to facilitate conversations and connections with other people. Universally, there are few celebrations in the world that do not involve food in some way, be they religious or familial to even a first date, they all involve food. So what better way to facilitate intercultural connections in the heart of Melbourne than a Pop-up City Square Interfaith/intercultural dining experience. The ‘I’ll Dine With You’ dinner was held on Monday 29th February at 6pm. The interfaith / intercultural dinner was inspired by the 2015 twitter hashtag #illridewithyou campaign, and was hosted by the Interfaith Centre of Melbourne. This unique dining experience was held on a spectacular 80 metre long table that gave Melbournians a chance to actively support what we do best, connecting with people of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds through great conversation over food. Helen Summers, Founder & Director of the Interfaith Centre of Melbourne who conceived the idea stated that, “For every one person who has a positive experience of meeting someone outside one’s own circle, at least ten other people will be informed and thus a wave of acceptance and appreci-
ation may follow. Most fear of the other is due to a lack of understanding and limited opportunities to meet and socialise.” Event spokesperson Monique Toohey and member of the Australian Muslim community said, “Culture is the vehicle by which we are able to get to know each other and build vibrant societal relationships. Intercultural events such as this one inspire curiosity for difference and create an environment that gives permission for people to ask questions respectfully about one another’s beliefs, traditions and hopes for the future.” Further stating “When we come together we activate our doing of difference. It’s not at all uncommon for people to gravitate towards what is familiar and similar. Our dinner provides an opportunity for people who share different social and cultural scripts that influence their daily living to get to know each other in a relaxed environment”. This was an exciting opportunity for members of the public who are committed to a flourishing and diverse Victoria, attending an event where they exchanged stories over good food. The event was celebrated in collaboration with 19 sponsoring and supporting diverse organisations such as the Islamic Council of Victoria, The Council of Churches, the Australian Multicultural Foundation, Benevolence and the Sikh Interfaith Council.
NEWS 1-2
BOOMERANG 3-5
COMMUNITY 6-9
AUSTRALIA 10 - 11
LIFESTYLE 12 - 14
The challenges of modern parenting Rouba Issa The United Muslims of Australia organised an event on 11 February discussing the ‘Parenting challenges in these times’. 21st century global experiences have parents facing very difficult challenges especially in dealing with their children. The special guest lecturer was Danny Mikati, the director of Ausrelief and President of the PCYC Bankstown. He is also the Sargent and team leader at Campsie Local Area Command. Drawing from his years of experience in dealing with the community, Danny Mikati addressed parenting challenges and provided method to counter them. As a policeman, Mikati continues to experience and deals with troubles the community has faced for more than ten years. In his lecture, he shared his words of wisdom on how parents can become more involved in their children’s lives. He provided key ideas on how to better connect with your children and ideas of how to engage as a parent with your child. One of the ideas explored was the importance of being present, connected as a father, to lead by example and to inspire. “As a Muslim we are commanded to honour our contracts, and well parenting is a lifelong contract. Lead by example and practise what you preach.”, Mikati said.
Danny Mikati also suggested for those fathers who felt as though they are not stepping up to the role of fatherhood, that they especially should get involved in their children’s lives and pay attention to what they are getting to them as individuals. Parents must get involved with their children from a young age. He encourages people to treat them as individuals, to know who they’re friends are and where they are going. In doing so we are preventing others from filling the role of parents. He gave practical examples, mentioning that parents should not get easily irritated by their children as their behaviour may be a way of trying to connect with their parent. He spoke about being aware of certain dangers such as the effects social media and being mindful of what is discussed in front of children, such as geopolitics. Danny Mikati hopes to continue giving talks, providing advice and education to the wider community on important topics relevant to happy family living. The United Muslims’ of Australia (UMA) was established in 2001 by a group of sincere and dedicated youth who have found a need to provide the youth with an alternative to help combat current youth problems. They continue to have regular talks and events to engage community on these issues. Rouba Issa is a Sydney based AMUST contributor with a Bachelor of Arts (Media, Text and Writing) and is currently doing a Masters in Education.
Carer Gateway, a new national service for carers AMUST Media
Australia’s 2.7 million unpaid carers can now find support services more easily by accessing Carer Gateway, a new Australian Government initiative delivered by Healthdirect Australia. Every day in Australia, millions of people provide care to a family member, loved one, friend or neighbour who needs help to go about their everyday lives. Carers provide unpaid support and assistance with daily activities, such as getting to appointments, buying groceries, personal care and cleaning. Carer Gateway, an initiative of the Australia Government Department of Social Services is a national service which provides information about the services and support available for people who care for someone with a disability, chronic illness,
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dementia, mental illness or who are frail aged. Carer Gateway provides information for carers online and by phone: Telephone: Carers can call 1800 422 737 from Monday to Friday between 8am and 6pm for information about services and support available. Website: A wealth of information including practical advice on how to care, details about financial and respite support, and how to adjust when caring ends, can be accessed at www.carergateway.gov.au. Service finder: Carer Gateway website has an interactive service finder to help carers locate their nearest carer support service.
Australasian Muslim Times
Danny Mikati at the UMA event “Parenting Challenges at These Times”.
Cycling for humanity
AMUST Media Tanya Kubitza continues cycling for charitable causes. She is at her bike again in March to support “Cycle for Humanity and is well on her way towards reaching her cycling goal. She is raising the awareness of this great organisation and seeking sponsors for this great cause. Donating to the project will help to increase awareness of sustainability in recy-
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cling and re-purposing bicycles, and empower disadvantaged people worldwide through the simple access to a bicycle. Donations can be pledged by using the ‘Give Now’ button on her fundraising page: http://goo.gl/bK9uZT 1. The sale of one bike can feed 60-80 children at the feeding centre for one day 2. The sale of one bike can pay the school fees for one child for 6 months 3. The sale of one bike can provide the monthly wage for one preschool teacher at Sepo.
March 2016
UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
UMMAH
SOCIAL 23
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Paul Sheehan: Another empty voice in a cacophony of hatred Mostafa Rachwani Upon reading Paul Sheehan’s article (SMH, 21 Feb 2016) about the extraordinary story of “Louise”, I have to admit, my first thought was one of resigned exasperation. Not because his column was full of enormous logical potholes, nor because of its insulting insinuations. It was because the narrative being peddled was so unoriginal. The fantasies woven around angry Arab males and their apparent insatiable appetite for violence and rape are a time worn trope of racists and their tirades. It has taken many forms over the years, from an image of “Arab” men pulling at a white women on the front page of a Polish magazine to now Paul Sheehan making grandiose claims about “Middle Eastern Raping C***s”. Unfortunately for him, though, Sheehan has now had to make a grovelling apology, back peddling on his writing after it was discovered the story of “Louise” was found to be not entirely true, if not completely false. Such extraordinary claims of incompetence within NSW Police and Health could never have flown under the radar in the way described by “Louise”. One needs only see the first comment on the piece to get a good idea of the kinds of sentiments such narratives reinforce. “Anyone who believes that we should not have a discriminatory immigration policy does not care about Australia and its future.” Paul E writes. What Sheehan writes is utterly undisguisable from the racist drivel located in the comments to his article. He reduces Arab men to a pack of raging lunatics, barely human, unable to control themselves. There is no balance to his writing, no indication he cares for the humanity of his targets. He could barely hide his glee at having validation attached to his grotesque views on Islam and Muslims. The manner in which he so flippantly paints NSW Police and Health authorities as incompetent is disturbing, all in the name of his politics. Not least of all, his actions now cast doubt upon any claims to sexual violence. Rape is
already under-reported and under-investigated, there is already much shame and social stigmatisation attached to its reporting and addressing. Sheehan has only exacerbated an ongoing problem, again, all in the name of his narrative. We can continue peddling the usual responses about how often he has actually engaged with a Muslim, or how much he actually understands of Islam, but that all seems rather pointless in the face of such forceful prejudice. It clearly has enough power over him so as to impede his ability to effectively corroborate facts. Sheehan creates and embellishes attitudes that vilify and demonise Muslims and Arabs. His writing actively promotes the idea that Muslims are inherently evil people, seeking to whip people up into an anti-Muslim frenzy. It demands the Muslim community prove itself as peace-loving citizens of this country, and not a pack of violent animals. In that very act, we find the most damaging aspect to this narrative. The inherent assumption underscoring it is that Muslims are inhuman, uncivilised fiends and need to prove themselves. It does not argue for the inhumanity of Muslims, it adopts it as fact. Regardless of such sentiments, the humanity of Muslim and Arab men is not actually up for question, no matter how much Sheehan and his cohorts may believe it is fair game. Nobody should feel the need to demonstrate how nice and pleasant Muslims should be. It shouldn’t be normal for an entire community to constantly feel like it needs to explain and defend itself. Nonetheless, the incredible level of negligence present in the processes behind the article’s publication can be dissected endlessly, but to no avail. The unavoidable truth is, it was published. And it continues a long line of degrading politics pursued by Sheehan and Fairfax. Sheehan has published numerous other columns that might not contain similarly explosive stories such as the one “Louise” shares, but share similar sentiments on the Muslim and Arab communities.
Media Scan Ainullah
Winners of King Faisal International Prizes for 2016 announced The King Faisal Foundation in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia has announced the prestigious King Faisal International Prize for the year 2016. The recipients in the categories are as follows: Service to Islam: Shaikh Dr. Saleh Abdullah bin Himeid of Saudi Arabia; Islamic Studies (Topic: Muslim Geography Heritage): Professor Abdullah bin Yousif Al-Ghunaim of Kuwait; Arabic Language and Literature (Topic: Analysis of The Arabic Poetic Text); Professor Mohamed Abdalmotaleb Mostafa of Egypt and Professor Mohammed El-Ghazouani Miftah of Morocco; Medicine (Topic: Clinical Application of Next Generation Genetics): Professor Joris Andre Veltman from Netherlands; Science (Topic: Biology) was awarded to Professor Vamsi Krishna Mootha of USA and Professor Stephen Philip Jackson of UK. The prize consists of a certificate, hand-written in Diwani calligraphy, summarising the laureate’s work; a commemorative
March 2016
And it isn’t just him. The Daily Telegraph is notorious for its fear mongering, Islamophobic front pages. Only a couple of months ago, the Grand Mufti of Australia was portrayed as a monkey on its front pages. The Australian is no better, nor our politicians, who mount long campaigns against Halal Certification and speak at Reclaim Australia rallies. Sheehan’s piece is not just a damming reflection on the editorial policy at Fairfax. It is a reflection on the increasing normalisation of Islamophobia in the public sphere. The wider narrative surrounding Muslims now cares very little for facts or actual engagement, revelling instead on racist tirades and patronising politics And the truth is, I am sick of being dehumanised and being outraged about it. I wouldn’t be able to count the amount of times I have come across Muslims and Arabs in my community who are equally tired of being painted as barbaric monsters.
There is a growing indignation at the fact that these sentiments remain relevant to the public conversation on Muslims in Australia. Personally, I have found in my interactions an increasing resistance to engagement with mainstream media for this very reason. How often do Muslims need to continue having to explain themselves, their identities, challenges and religion? How often do they need to continue being insulted on the front pages of prominent newspapers, patronised by mainstream media, and demonised by columnists? To the Muslim community, this is just another step in the race to the bottom. Another insult to be added to the flood of animosity. We’ve been here many times before, required to explain how our religion teaches this or that, “exposed” as a pack of rapists and murderers, generalised, demonized and stepped on constantly. Sheehan is just another empty voice in a cacophony of hatred. Mostafa Rachwani is an award winning writer, community activist, project officer at the Lebanese Muslim Association. (Courtesy NewMatilda)
Criminalizing activism against Israeli occupation
The UK Government announced last month that it is now illegal for “local [city] councils, public bodies and even some university student unions to refuse to buy goods and services from companies involved in the arms trade, fossil fuels, tobacco products or Israeli settlements in the occupied West Bank.” Thus, any entities that support or participate in the global boycott of Israeli settlements will face “severe penalties” under the criminal law. There is a very coordinated and well-fi-
nanced campaign led by Israel and its supporters literally to criminalize political activism against Israeli occupation, based on the particular fear that the worldwide campaign of Boycott, Sanctions and Divestment (BDS) – modeled after the 1980s campaign that brought down the Israel-allied apartheid regime in South Africa is succeeding. But the current censorship goal is to make such activism a crime not only in Israel, but in western countries generally. And it is succeeding. (Courtesy The Intercept)
24 carat, 200 gram gold medal, uniquely cast for each Prize; and a cash endowment of Saudi Riyal 750,000 (about US$200,000) to be shared equally. (Courtesy Radiance ViewsWeekly)
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UMMAH
NEWS 1-2
BOOMERANG 3-5
COMMUNITY 6-9
AUSTRALIA 10 - 11
LIFESTYLE 12 - 14
Umrah tour: Five fantastic cities Zachariah Matthews Human Appeal International Australia (HAIA) in coordination with Deen Academy (DA) hosted a group of young Muslim Australians on its second Aspiring Leaders Umrah Tour of five cities - Mecca, Medina, Amman, Istanbul and Dubai. The Tour took place from 3 to 21 February 2016, comprising fifteen participants from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. The group of young university students and graduates were led and mentored on the tour by Bashar Al-Jamal, regional director of HAIA and Dr Zac Matthews from DA. The journey commenced with undertaking the minor pilgrimage (umrah) in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Very little equates to the spiritual enrichment gained from umrah. Worshippers dressed in ceremonial plain white cloth visiting Islam’s holiest mosque, the Kaba, performing rituals of spiritual cleansing as performed by Prophet Abraham and taught by the last and final Prophet of God, Muhammad (peace be upon them both). Tour members spent valuable mo-
ments connecting with the Almighty and reconciling their own personal affairs with the Sublime. The City of Light – Medina – the Prophet’s city, where his mosque and grave are located was the second stop of the journey. Being present at the very place where a profound message flourished left an indelible mark on all. Several museums and exhibitions were visited in both historical cities including Assalaamu-alayka Ayyuhan-Nabiy (The Prophet’s Project), the Holy Mosques, Ninety-Nine Names of God, Dar Al-Madinah, etc. The group also visited the Library and Museum within the Prophet’s Mosque in Medinah, the Quran printing complex as well as the historical sites of Arafat, Mina, Quba, and Qiblatain. The most physically demanding event of the stay in Mecca was climbing the 600 steps of the Mount of Light to reach the Cave of Hira where the Prophet first received Divine revelation from the Archangel Gabriel. After renewing spiritual and emotional connections at Islam’s holiest of places, the tour then moved on to the city of Amman in Jordan. It was here that the group visited two separate camps of Syrian refugees. They personally assisted with HAIA’s Winter Aid Appeal handing out gas cookers, blankets and food packs to more than one
Tour members from Sydney, Melbourne and Adelaide. hundred Syrian families. The provisions River, shopping at the Grand Bazaar and were estimated to last about three weeks in eating delicious beans outside the Suleithe cold winter. Witnessing first-hand the maniyeh mosque. The group also attended dire plight of refugees was gut-wrenching. a workshop on managing public opinion by Jordan currently has more than 600,000 Dr Nasir Al-Mani` from Anadolu LeaderSyrian refugees - approximately 80 percent ship and Management Training. Other interlive in urban areas in the north, while the esting highlights included a soccer match on remaining 20 percent live in refugee camps. a cold-winter’s night and a scrub-down in a The group also handed out food and cloth- traditional hamam (bath). ing vouchers from monies they personally From Istanbul the tour moved to Dubai collected beforehand to two separate groups where Human Appeal International has its of orphans. They also attended an inspiring headquarters. The tour group was graciousawards ceremony at an Orphan Centre, met ly hosted by its secretary-general His Exwith the board of the Conservation of the cellency, Salem bin Ahmad Abdulrahman Holy Quran Society in Amman as well as Al-Nuaimi. The group visited the HAI ofthe Australian Ambassador, Ms Heidi Ven- fices in Ajman where presentations about its amore, and visited historical ruins at Jerash, orphan program and various other humanUm Qais, Ajloun and others. At least two itarian projects were observed. The group important lessons were reiterated to partic- also participated in a workshop on leaderipants: the need to care for and serve others ship and did some site-seeing in Dubai. and the essential requirement to study the The overwhelming feedback from particNoble Quran. ipants was “a trip of a life time,” one that From Amman the group travelled to Istan- they would never forget. Special acknowlbul, the city of the Ottoman Empire. Istan- edgment goes to A&H Travel for supporting bul was equally rich in history and seemed the 2016 tour. to amalgamate the meeting of East and Tour members: Sydney (Mohamed West. The group’s first stop was to pray at Sharawy, Muhammad El-Hajje, Firas Hamthe famous Fatih mosque, followed by Sul- moudi, Ahmed Rafik, Ali Darwich, Omar tan Ahmet, Abu Ayyub Al-Ansari and other Afyouni, Ahmad Al-Jamal, Useid Rafiq), significant places. The tour group was for- Melbourne (Ali Abou-Zeid, Ahmed Souki, tunate to be hosted by the Deputy-Mufti of Abdullah Sheriffdeen, Amet Balla, Bilal Istanbul, Dr Sabri Demir on a day-long tour Barakat), Adelaide (Abdulsalam Juma, of the beautiful city. Other visits included a Yahya Ahmed). Group Leaders: Bashar breath-taking ferry ride on the Bosphorus Al-Jamal, Dr Zac Matthews.
Nationalism in the contemporary world Zahid Jamil Last month during an event organized by the Students Union at the prestigious Jawaharlal Nehru University in New Delhi, India, voices were raised against atmosphere of growing intolerance in the country under the current Hindu nationalist government, capital punishment of Kashmiri activists without due process of the law and the oppression of Kashmiris in the state of Jammu & Kashmir. A few protesters raised anti-nation slogans. Sighting a British-era sedation law that carries a maximum sentence of life imprisonment, the Students Union leader Kanahiya Kumar was promptly arrested together with arrest warrants issued for a number of other students who subsequently went into hiding. This was followed by a rally by students and teachers at the university and their public supporters to protest at what they say is an official clampdown on dissent by the Modi government. JNU has been a hub of left wing groups for decades and they are often willing to confront right wing ultra nationalist groups
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who have become extremely noisy since the Hindu nationalist party BJP came to power. Hindu extremist groups have repeatedly targeted minorities, specially Muslims and blamed even iconic Indian Muslims for their lack of patriotism. As the debate and protests heated up due to incident in JNU, left wing student groups found an opportunity to counter right wing Hindu nationalists and their action prompted communist groups throughout India to come out in the streets. Since division of India on religious grounds and the creation of Pakistan 68 years ago, Muslims who opted to stay in India for multiple reasons are expected by the Hindu nationalists to hate Pakistan as an enemy nation in order to prove their nationalist credentials. Indian Muslims, although loyal to the Indian state, have close family links in Pakistan sharing common history, religious beliefs, linguistic ties and cultural lifestyle with their neighbouring nation. These links can not be simply erased. Nationalism is originally the belief that a people who share a common language, history, culture, belief system should constitute an independent nation. Although majority of the population in the subject nations do share common culture and ideological/religious beliefs, but not the minorities. In this contemporary world, with large
Australasian Muslim Times
movement of people between nations, there are large minorities living in all nation states whose rights need to be protected. Minorities in general and Muslims in particular living in Western countries face difficult situation regarding their loyalty to the nation states. This becomes even more problematic as the West has colonized, exploited and waged war against Muslims. In situations such as above, the concepts of nationalism becomes very complicated and needs to be reassessed. People leave their own countries and migrate to other countries to seek better life. They do not go to other nations to seek new ideology or change their lifelong beliefs. It is natural human instinct that we, humans, develop deep love and interest with our roots which includes the belief system, culture, food and lifestyle. Such human tendencies cannot be changed by force. The extremists among the majority in nation states tend to define their own ideological thoughts as nationalism and impose them on the minority. In doing so they are acting against human nature. As long as the minorities are obeying the laws of the land, paying their due taxes and living like good citizens, they should not be challenged further. Surely all such minorities should not act against their resident countries. However to harass them and force them to be patriotic under crisis situations is
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not justified. In today’s free world, imposition of apostasy laws in extremely conservative Taliban like regimes face extreme condemnation throughout the world. Sedition laws of most of the countries are no different. The concept of freedom needs to take the next step. The minorities should be allowed to be free from commitment to nationalism but be bound to common/civil laws which should exclude sedition. A few Western countries have taken a few steps in this direction. Sedition laws were scrapped in Britain in 2010. Flag desecration is not illegal in Australia. However there is a long way to go in redefining the concept of Nationalism suited to the contemporary world. Zahid Jamil is an engineering post graduate from Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) and runs a financial planning practice based in Sydney. He heads South Asian Muslim Association of Australia, SAMAA: http://samaa.org.au ), a benevolent institution offering wide range of services to the community elders. He also moderates an Islamic website “Islamic Forum for Education and Research” http://isfer.info/. He is a regular writer on various forums and expresses opinion on talk back radios.
March 2016
UMMAH 15 - 17
EDUCATION 18 - 19
TRAVEL 20 - 21
BUSINESS 22
UMMAH
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
Mahboba’s Promise: Bringing the joy of Nawroz to Afghan orphans Linda Cassidy After the bleak, cold and dark winter comes New Year in Afghanistan. Nawroz, meaning ‘new day’, marks the beginning of the spring equinox. Afghan families are about to celebrate a special time together and with friends, feasting and listening to music. Nawroz is particularly special for children as it is customary for fathers to spoil them with presents. Traditionally, this ancient festival, stretches back 3000 years to its roots in Persia. In Afghanistan it is observed for around two weeks culminating on the first day of the New Year, 21 March. It is a time to spring clean houses, wear new clothes, visit friends and families and feast on haft mewa, a mix of raisins, dried apricots, prunes, fresh fruit and nuts, along with samanak, a wheat germ dish. Women are very involved in both the preparation of food and in the celebrations. Unfortunately, this joyous time isn’t shared by all Afghans. After 30 years of war and destruction, Afghanistan has been left with a terrible legacy of over 2 million orphans. Most orphans completely miss out on celebrating Nawroz. Some are lucky, they are the ones that find their way to one of three Hope Houses built and run by Mahboba’s Promise with funding provided by Australians. Mahboba Rawi who married an Australian and settled here in the 1990’s, founded the not for profit after responding to calls for help from an Afghan doctor working in a refugee camp in Pakistan. From humble beginnings the organisation grew to include three Hope House centres across Afghanistan housing 120 orphans. Currently among the orphan children is Yasmeena. When her mother was pregnant with her, the Taliban assassinated her father. When her pregnant mother gave birth, she gave Yasmeena to her in-laws and left without nursing her. She soon remarried and Yasmeena and her brother, with no parents to look after them, had little hope in their lives until they reached Hope House.
March 2016
Mahboba with Panjshir Valley girls. Yasmeena is a cute girl, but her face shows all the hallmarks of a traumatic upbringing that no young child should have to live through. On Mahboba’s recent visit to Afghanistan she spent time with Yasmeena and her older brother Aarmaan. Already there has been a significant improvement from the love and care they are receiving at Hope House. Other orphans like Zararin are also living happily at Hope House. He says, “When I lost my father, no one gave me love. My uncle used
to kiss his children. When I saw this I thought that if my father was alive, he would do the same thing and give me love”. Nine year old Nouriya with tears in her eyes told Mahboba that, ‘since my father died in a bombing, we cannot celebrate Nawroz. I feel so sad I cannot enjoy this time like other children”. Mahboba says a fundamental goal of her organisation is to give joy to children like Yasmeena, Zararin and Nouriya. She says, money can’t buy a loving parent but it can help ensure
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they are well cared for. Each year Mahboba’s Promise conducts a campaign to raise funds to provide a little celebration and joy to orphans during this festive period. Linda is a long-time supporter of Mahboba’s Promise and has recently started to volunteer her time to write about the organisation’s activities.
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BOOMERANG 3-5
COMMUNITY 6-9
AUSTRALIA 10 - 11
LIFESTYLE 12 - 14
First Islamic Education Conference in Melbourne Silma Ihram The first Islamic Education Conference was held at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre on February 20th and 21st. Organised by Griffith University in conjunction with Al Siraat College, the conference brought overseas experts, researchers, board members and lead teachers from around Australia and NZ to discuss the issues facing Muslim schools in Australia. Starting off with the most controversial issues, Ayda Succarie presented her research on the difficulties facing many of our Muslim schools, where founders and boards did not understand their role as stewards, but saw themselves as owners of the schools in their care. Dr. Jan Ali added in his presentation a neo-liberal ideology which leads to a focus on high marks as opposed to Islamic content in order to deliver high socio-economic status rather than Islamic character and knowledge. This led to the importance of developing a realistic and appropriate vision for schools that could be meaningfully applied by all members of the school community. The role and importance of vision was covered by other speakers, including Dr. Nadeem Memon from the Razi Foundation, who spoke about the characteristics of different schools, their teaching methods and styles. Having a diversity of different visions on method, style and vision for schools allows parents to find a school that matches the parents own vision for the ideal school. The issue of vision was carried by Dylan Chown in developing a worldview for the Islamic school that he is leading. Anne MacDonald from the Nazareth School demonstrated how a prayer developed by
the staff inspired the vision of the school and the practice of the students. Dylan Chown and Troy Meston spoke about the indigenous community and how they should be treated and their integration of their understandings of country with the Islamic vision of Kalipha. Dr. Freda Shamma spoke alarmingly of the lack of ethical content in kids reading material. Highlighting the Western liberal worldview as opposed to the Muslim worldview she tabled the hidden references in Western juvenile literature which has little family involvement, independent children, challenging parental control, aggression, and the focus on individual desire as well as romance. Many Muslim schools do not have any oversight of the reading material in their libraries or ability to include meaningful literature that encourages the ethics and priorities of Islam. The greatest challenge affecting Muslim schools however lies in the delivery of meaningful knowledge in Arabic and Islam. Research indicates that these are the lessons that are the least attractive to students due to their inappropriate format, poor teaching methods and shortage of skilled teachers. Various approaches were discussed to trying to address this global problem which ultimately requires greater specialisation, resources and training for teachers. Dr. Omaira Alam from the Razi Foundation spoke about the importance of Mercy in our schools, from the Dignified Way of discipline, to the engagement with the community at large through visits to aged care homes and community services. After more than 80 in depth interviews with staff and former students of Islamic schools, Dr Peter Jones had ample evidence that there was no difference in the values and ethics of Islam and Australian society. However, it was clear that Islamic schools had a long way to go before realising their own set of values with significant issues in the presentation of Islam to students, its in-
clusion in the wider curriculum, and the relevancy of how it is taught. Muslim schools now have a strong presence in Australia through their significant populations and their overall number in most states. While espousing high aspirations, there is much real work to do in terms of governance, staff training and quality delivery of the key subjects that inform the Islamic world view – Arabic, Quran and Islamic Studies. Participants pledged that
the research should continue, the global links should be strengthened and initiatives should be evaluated in time for the next annual Australian Islamic Education Conference. Silma is CEO of Diversity Skills Training, education consultant, community activist with Australian Muslim Women’s Association and pioneer of Islamic schooling in Australia.
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Luqman Hakim Landy, an Australian Muslim revert has been serving the people of Indonesia through his JIMS Foundation in the field of daawah and education for more than 15 years. Luqman was born in Syndey and was introduced to Islam at a university in Canberra. He converted to Islam in 1975 after a six year search for TRUTH in Australia and a supernatural experience in Jakarta. He performed Hajj in 1979, worked with AFIC in 1979 - 1982 and was Mudir of a government Islamic Orphanage in Sabah, Malaysia 1983-85. He has 10 years teaching experience in Darwin & 12 in Jakarta He did HIJRA to Indonesia 1988 and fell into DA'WAH activities, in remote village where people did not know Islam.
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BUSINESS 22
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AMUST
The 99 Divine attributes of Allah Part 19 - Attributes 72
BEYOND THE BOX Dr Q Ashfaq Ahmad
This issue continues the series exclusive to AMUST on the 99 divine attributes of Allah. Read previous parts at www.goo.gl/L1wvP2 72. Al-Mu’akhkir - The Deferrer “9. Has not the news reached you, of those before you, the people of Nuh (Noah), and Ād and Thamud? And those after them? None knows but Allah. To them came their Messengers with clear proof, but they put their hands in the mouth (biting them from anger) and said “Verily, we disbelieve in that with which you have been sent, and we are really in grave doubt as to that to which you invite us (i.e. Islamic Monotheism)1 10. Their Messengers said “What! Can there be a doubt about Allah, the Creator of the heavens and the earths? 2 He calls you to Montheism and to be obedient to Allah) that He may forgive you of your sins and give you respite for a term appointed. They said 3 “ You are no more than human beings like us! You wish to turn us away from what our father used to worship. Then bring us a clear authority (a clear proof of what you say). 4 11. The Messengers said to them 5 “We are no more than (human beings) like you, but Allah bestows His Grace to whom He wills of His slaves. It is never for us to bring you an authority (proof) except by the Permission of Allah. And in Allah (Alone) let the believers put their trust.6 12. “ And why should we not put our trust in Allah while He indeed has guided us our ways? And we shall certainly bear with patience, all the hurt you may cause us, and in Allah (Alone) let those who trust put their trust.” 7 13. And those who disbelieved said to their Messengers, “Surely we shall drive you out of our land, or you shall return to our religion. So their Rabb revealed to them: “Truly, We shall destroy the Zalmun (polytheists, disbelievers and wrong-doers).8 14. “And indeed. We shall make you dwell in the land after them. This is for him who fears standing before Me (on the day of Resurecction or fears My punishment) and also fears my threat. 9” 15. And they (the Messengers) sought victory and help (from their Rabb, Allah]; and every obstinate, arrogant dictator (who refuses to believe in the oneness of Allah) was brought to a complete loss and destruction. 16. In front of him ( every obstinate or arrogant dictator) is Hell, and he will be made to drink boiling, festering water. 17. He will sip it unwillingly, and he will find a great difficulty to swallow it down his throat and death will come to him from every side, yet he will not die and in front of him, will be a great torment. 10 “ 18. The parable of those who disbelieved in their Rabb is that their works are as ashes on which the wind blows furiously on a stormy day and they shall not be able to aught of what they have earned. That is straying far away (from the Right Path).11 19. Do you not see that Allah has created the heavens and the earth with truth? If He wills, He can remove you and bring (in your place) a new creation. 12 20. And for Allah that is not hard or difficult.13” (Ibrahim 14:9-20) 1. The passage is a dialogue with the disbelievers. Initially they whisper their rejection of the message of the Prophet. Then the last verbal expression depicts total denial of their appeal with an indication of anger. It expresses their remarks of objection. It is the denial of the message for the acceptance and action of truthful verdict. The situation becomes precarious that neither opposition camp denies with full
March 2016
conviction nor other opponents oppose it with correct argument. Hence all non-accepting person openly oppose it because of their absorbed in their vested interest; but the truth of the message by the Prophets affect the minds and hearts of everyone who hears it. This develops a sort of turmoil and confusion among the audience. 2. Since the polytheist of all times used to believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, as the Creator of the earth and the heavens, all the prophets used to convey their truthful message on the basis. They presented the message as the extension of their own accepted ideas of existence of a supreme being. But the polytheists don’t believe the Supreme being as the sole Creator of the earth and the heavens. 3. The promised respite can be considered for the present individuals at the present or upto the last day of Resurrection. Honourable and stable communities start removing the vices and their accounting respite in this world is nullified, while deteriorating and unstable communities if changed with virtues in their ideas and actions, their respite maybe extended till their practicing with virtues (as explained in Al-Quran, Ra’d, 13:11). 4. Their argument against their prophets was: you seem human just like us, drink, eat and enjoy a family like other humans. Then you are similar to us in undergoing all feelings and human deficiencies like we humans. Hence we do not find any remarkable difference in you that convinces us that God talks with you and angels appreciate you. We would definitely test you to convince us that God has sent you the message. 5. The prophet replies “Truly we are also human beings but Allah has taught us the knowledge and vision. It is His order and duty assigned to us to convey his message as directed by Allah. He is free to bestow upon His servants (human beings) to whom He selects and appoints the Messenger to convey His Message. Neither we can give you whatever has not been given to us nor we can keep secrets of what has been directed to us to be conveyed to you. 6. It does not mean that the prophets were used to be part and parcel of the astray
communities. It only refers to the prophets having direction before their prophethood that they never took the side or raised against ideology prevalent in their communities. Thus these communities used to consider them a part of their communities. So, after starting to convey the new divine message/directive after Prophethood, the prophets were ousted by their communities. In principle they never participated in ongoing activities of communities. So the blame of the community on the prophets is a baseless plea. 7. Allah consoles the believers to not worry about the threats of the opponents. Allah asserts his own verdict among the members of the community that they may not be allowed afterward to live in the country as a nonbelievers. The future shall disclose the outcome for those who believe. 8. Allah is expressing his Sunnah (strategy) as to what happened with the previous communities of the prophet. Hence the Makkan non-believers had been especially warned that now onwards their future depends upon the call of the Last Prophet. If they accept they can live comfortably otherwise they will be ostracised from the community if they are rejected. The Sunnah of Allah explains through these historical events that in 5 years not a single polytheist remained in Arabia. 9. For those who adopted the characteristics of living with dishonesty, selfishness, disbelief, egoism and vehement denial of the call by the prophets, history proved that their whole life-dealing and action transformed them from their mansions and palaces into a heaps of ashes. Just through one thunderstorm could make their pomp and show vanish. The wonder-struck industrial achievements, their vast empires and their manifested virtues as well as the welfare and precious achievements, on which they had great pride, would totally vanish by the thunderbolt of the Day of Resurrection. So in the life Hereafter, no particle of all these civilisations and activities will remain as an asset in the divine balance to fetch the recompense for themselves. 10. This is the argument for the example in the previous verse (no.18) just to remove
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their doubt about the future prophecy. “Don’t you observe and apply your vision to decide whether this whole universe with the earth and heavens and their contents have been created and monitored by One Supreme Being or by chance without any Being of capabilities and intellect and wisdom. It is quite obvious that any event based on chance, fiction and day-dreaming not having reality and occurrence can never exist or establish a progressive management. There is no possibility of establishment and future progress.” 11. If you can grasp the simple logic, how can you become astonished that the one who works on becoming free from the deviation and obedience of God (Allah) and the Messenger of God (Allah) follows the correct way of thinking and action. 12. So when it is not real that the humans are totally self independent or the servants of ‘a being’ other than the Supreme being (God or Allah), how can the persons who live in this world as the real nice people have been working correctly about the ideas of life after death. A person may question that if the scheme by Allah is the real truth why doesn’t every atheist and evil–doers become exterminated from his life. This is also responded in the verses 19 and 20. 13. In the end, an expression of advices as well as the elimination of doubt cultivates in the heart of some persons after hearing the claim of the disbelievers. A person can question that if the prophecy about the future of every evil-doer and disbeliever is true, then why doesn’t it occur immediately. Its replies is given by Allah as interpreted below: “Do you envisage that it is difficult for Allah to terminate such persons. Or the persons are related with Allah and just because of family relationship Allah has given a latitude to them. If it is not so and you know very well that it is not so, then you should also realise that a disbelieving and evil-doing community itself is well-aware of this bad occurrence with them. Hence they may correct to change their path. If there is today not an actual occurrence of this prophecy then the community should consider it a kind of respite and therefore they should correct themselves the earlier the better. “ Continued in AMUST issue #125 April
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Honeymoon destinations Part 1
AMUST
WAYFARER’S COMPASS Sana Gillani Honeymoons are important retreats and bonding periods for a couple after the intensity of wedding preparations. They’re an excellent bonding exercise to nurture love and intimacy and can often create some of the most valuable memories in you and your spouse’s lifetime. Honeymoons chosen by couples come in all different shapes and sizes. Some people prefer simple local getaways, some like action-packed holidays and others like more slow-paced and peaceful surroundings where they can relax, fully occupied by one another’s company. The following are honeymoon destination suggestions which include useful booking tips, and also take into consideration comfort and practicality for the Muslim traveller. I’ve tried to include options for a diverse range of preferences and budgets. As always, it’s good to check travel safety alerts and undertake a good amount of research before making any decisions. Hajj/Umrah This is a very popular option for people who are recently married. Let’s acknowledge that our priority when travelling is to fulfil what is Fardh (obligatory) upon us, and Hajj is one of the five pillars of faith. What better a way to begin a new life together, than to undertake a journey together to the Holy Lands, cleanse yourselves spiritually and seek the blessings of your Creator for your marriage? Being tested by the challenges that come along with pilgrimage can be a way to foster strength and resilience in your marriage and learn about one another during this unique journey. Bookings for Hajj are best made through local mosques and agents, as online information is too location-specific to best summarise. One Umrah trip I have always been interested in joining is the Sacred Caravan Umrah program. This group, run by an organisation in the US, is led by esteemed scholars popular in the west such as Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, or as in 2016’s program, Dr Umar Faruq. Bed and Breakfast, the local retreat This really is the ideal honeymoon solution. Simple to organise, cost effective, and sentimental. If you live in a big city, chances are that there are many escapes to the countryside you can organise. In my own hometown of Sydney, I am spoiled for choice in
this regard. There is the vast natural beauty, cool mountain air and quaint boutiques to enjoy in the Blue Mountains, a two hour drive west of Sydney. Then there are the luscious Southern Highlands, and the pristine seascapes of the Central and South coasts of New South Wales. There’s something just incredibly comforting about a peaceful road trip into the countryside with your new life partner. A good quality Bed and Breakfast deal which you can find all over the world, tested and reviewed on Airbnb, would be a well-deserved retreat from the stress of planning a wedding. Malaysia Malaysia is up there as a global leader in the Halal Tourism industry and honeymooning couples will find that their needs are excellently catered for in this Muslim-majority country. Malaysia is a very safe choice for a honeymoon for those feeling indecisive. You have the perfect combination of bustling metropolises, relaxing island getaways and also some of the most fascinating natural landmarks and wildlife. From Mount Kinabalu to Penang Island to the wonderful culinary and shopping hub of KL, the diversity of honeymoon experiences makes Malaysia a very popular destination for Muslim couples. Part of my own honeymoon was spent in Malaysia. I can personally recommend Langkawi for a peaceful island getaway, which has many resort options often opted by Muslim couples. We stayed at the Langkawi Lagoon resort on a stilt cabin overlooking the vast sea surrounding the Island, and our highlight of the trip was the island-hopping tour offered by many tour outlets on the island. We also enjoyed visiting the historical port city of Melaka, which has heritage listed monuments to explore and has a more laid back pace than Kuala Lumpur. KL itself also hosts enough for a couple to be entertained and relaxed for a honeymoon. The food is fresh, flavoursome and halal isn’t an issue to find at all. For a tranquil escape from the KL City Centre, you may wish to stay at a hotel recommended to me by a Malay friend of mine. It’s the Majestic Hotel situated in Bangsar, about a 7-10 minute drive to KL City Centre. The hotel has been built with an open-living design and is abundant in natural light, greenery and affordable rates per night. In KL, attractions such as the Islamic Art Museum, Masjid Negara and the Petronas Towers are all easily accessible and worth exploring. I used cuti.my, a Malay travel site, to book my Langkawi package. I found it very
New Zealand © Mark Towning - http://tinyurl.com/zu6jnar
March 2016
Langkawi Lagoon Resort © Sana Gillani useful with plenty of package deals on offer across the country. Turkey Turkey is another very popular and obvious choice of a honeymoon destination for Muslim couples, especially for those residing in Europe. This culture-rich Mediterranean country is full of endless possibilities. The city of Istanbul boasts the perfect romantic setting for a look back into one of Islam’s most magnificent civilisations as well as one of the most vibrant emerging economies in the Muslim world of today. Istanbul’s timeless landmarks of the Bosphorus river, Hagia Sofia, Sultan Ahmet Camii, and the iconic Grand Bazar are all worth the wide tourist acclaim. Istanbul’s landmarks promise to amaze, inspire and delight those longing to connect with Islam’s prized Ottoman history. In order to escape the city rush of places like Taskim, try finding yourselves some spiritual solace in the religious community of the Çarşamba quarter in the Fatih district of Istanbul. I recently visited their Wednesday Pazaar and was treated with local hospitality and excellent deals on clothing. Although Istanbul itself is worth spending a week alone in, the country is most vast and full of other amazing honeymoon Inclusions. Be enchanted by the Seljuk architecture in the resting place of the great Mevlana Jalal Uddin Rumi, Konya. Visit the Tekke of a Sufi order in Bursa. Rejuvenate yourselves under the warm Turkish sun on a beach in Antalya or Bodrum. Take a Hot Air Balloon ride over the High Plateau of Cappadocia. Halalbooking is an excellent booking service directed at Muslims and prides itself for offering accommodation options tailored to Muslim preferences. These preferences include private or gender-segregated swimming facilities, halal food and drinks and Muslim family-friendly environments. They are a leading online booking service contributing to the rapid improvement of halal travel options for the Muslim market. Halalbooking has abundant accommodation options, especially for Turkey, with an impressive range of resorts, city hotels and villas. New Zealand A picturesque adventure and holiday destination, which is unlikely to disappoint. A short journey for those in Australia, South East Asia or the Pacific, New Zealand boasts some of the world’s most beautiful natural landscape attractions and a proud and rich
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indigenous Maori culture which we have much to learn from. New Zealand offers active volcanos, island sanctuaries, the highly rated Lord of the Rings tour, glacial valleys, National Parks and the untouched wilderness of the South Island. New Zealand has special value for a honeymooning couple as it is full of quaint towns and villages, where you will find a wealth of restful places to stay and explore. I spoke to my friend, Diani, who honeymooned in New Zealand, and she was kind to share some travel tips. She mentioned that she would recommend spending more time in Mount Cook National Park than in Christchurch and she also emphasised the beauty of all the drives in between towns which means a New Zealand honeymoon should really be a road trip honeymoon if possible! Diani also shared some information that would be useful for Muslim couples, such as the difficulty in finding halal food in many destinations in New Zealand. In smaller towns, many restaurants are pub settings, and one may have to do some prior research and preparation for food and prayer locations. She also recommended spending less time in Queenstown, which is a bit of a party town, but said that small towns nearby are definitely worth visiting such as Milford Sounds and Arrowtown. When travelling to non-muslim countries where facilities for Muslims can be scarcer, I do suggest exploring options of halal tour operators that offer services in the area. I did some research and found that Halal Tour NZ offer package and customised halal tours and there is also Serendipity Tailormade who offer impressive packages as well as the choice to design your own trip as well. I also found on the Crescent rating guide for New Zealand, the Ad-deen mosque which is quite cool because it caters especially for Muslim travellers journeying across the main highway, State Highway 1, North Island. It is actually currently the highest mosque in New Zealand, situated amongst the mountains and standing 440m above sea level. The mosque also offers a kitchen for tourists to cook halal meals. Continued in AMUST issue #125 April Wayfarer’s Compass is a Muslim Travel Hub created by Sana Gillani. This article was originally posted on www.wayfarerscompass.com.
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“The Division” is Beta than anticipated Afzal Ansar Over 6.4 million people gathered on their PS4s, Xbox Ones and PCs to play the Open Beta for Tom Clancy’s The Division, classifying it as the largest beta for a new game brand on these platforms. (Ubisoft, February 2016) The story follows from a smallpox pandemic which spread on Black Friday, and left the United States crippled and in chaos. You play as one of many sleeper agents who have been tasked to restore order to New York, and prevent the public from going out of control. While the story isn’t well-explained in-game, you learn it through general conversation with civilians and audio recordings. The game is set in the near future, with augmented reality assisting you with navigation through the post-apocalyptic streets of New York, planting mobile turrets, finding useful loot in crates, and much more. The open-world RPG can be played alone or in a group of up to four agents, and was built for cooperative gameplay – teammates can use their skills to benefit the entire team, and each player can explore the city separately. You’ll be desperate for teammates once you enter the “Dark Zone” – the huge PVP arena that pits you against every other player in the area. You’ll be searching for topnotch gear while constantly watching your back, and when you have to get them airlifted out of the area, you’ll have to defend the airlift zone (and yourself) as other players fight you for it. Ubisoft aimed to make PVP more inviting to players who were nervous about the competition, and they seem to
have succeeded; you can choose how much trouble you get yourself into. To top it all off, you’re able to customise how your character dresses, and everything from the cosmetic thick winter coat to the colour of your stat-enhancing holster can be seen as you swap gear and clothing. While most of the clothing is (understandably) thick jackets and beanies, there’s still plenty of variety in this category. But of course, there’s a purpose to Betas: so that players can point out the faults and shortcomings. At the time of the beta, only two issues stood out; firstly, the buildings
and streets can feel all too similar even in completely different areas, and the layouts of many apartment buildings are exactly the same. Secondly, the inventory mechanics aren’t explained well, and can feel clunky at times. Besides these minor annoyances, the game played smoothly – and even these issues may not appear in the released game. Even for a beta, the open-world RPG was well polished, indicating that the full game will be even more so once it’s released, which is expected to be 9 March. The game can be pre-ordered for approximately AU$85.
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Great Wall Kitchen Great Wall Kitchen makes great Indian style Halal Chinese food. We are located at 154 Haldon Street, NSW. Phone: (02) 9759 9531 Website: www.facebook.com/gwkhalal Halal Square Australia’s favourite online guide to restaurants and eateries offering halal food, halal groceries and restaurant reviews. Covering all major capital cities in Australia Website: www.halalsquare.com.au Homebush Halal Meats A halal butcher in Ashfield, provides you with the best and freshest halal meats in the area. We stock lamb, beef, goat, poultry and game meat. Phone: (02) 9799 7049 Website: www.homebushhalalmeats.com.au Red Rooster Minto Tender loving chicken. Completely renovated with a new dining area. Suitable for the whole family. Chicken supplied by Baiada. Phone: (02) 9603 3696 Cnr Pembroke Rd & Brookfield Rd, Minto.
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Oh Canada, by Missy Higgins
Australian singer-songwriter Missy Higgins has paid tribute to the plight of Syria’s refugees with her new song, Oh Canada.”It was inspired by the photograph of the little three-year-old boy, Aylan Kurdi, who was washed up on a beach in Turkey,” Higgins said. Higgins said the image of Aylan’s body on the beach had resonated with her in an unexplainable way. I thought the best way to approach it was to tell the story as it happened, because that in itself is powerful and devastating enough.” The video for the song features children’s drawings by Syrian refugees.”These children have seen such horrific things,” Higgins said. “There was guns and blood and fighter planes — things that children of that age shouldn’t have to witness.” “This shouldn’t be happening, one way or another, and we should be doing everything we can to prevent innocent people and children from being in this situation,” she said. All proceeds of Oh Canada will go to the Asylum Seeker Support Centre in Melbourne.”It’s a safe haven for so many people in need,” she said.” Video Link: youtu.be/TsFaI0YlWU0
Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal A page for people to donate, volunteer, be further educated about and kept up to date with the Syrian Refugee Crisis Appeal and Upcoming events
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Jalal Brothers admit Pranks were staged
THE Jalal brothers at the centre of a media storm over their prank terror videos have made a surprising confession they’re all completely staged with family and friends roped in to play the parts. “Our latest drive-by shooting was staged and they were all actors,” the brothers revealed that the young girl was actually their cousin. The brothers have apologised for their pranks but will still face court over whether or not their videos are deemed a public nuisance. Earlier, Max, 20 and Arman, 18, and another 16-year-old were bailed out and banned from producing any more videos over their stunts that involved what looked like scaring ordinary people with fake AK47s. The three were charged with public nuisance, possessing a prohibited weapon, and behaving in an offensive manner in a public place. “Absolutely horrid behaviour running around trying to terrorise members of the community, dressed up in clothing in some ridiculous attempt to look like what they perceive terrorists look like,” said Victoria Police Chief Commissioner Graham Ashton, “People could respond violently being the victim of this sort of prank.” Video Link: https://goo.gl/kK4NMf
March 2016
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berlin-artparasites shares compelling artwork that alters the way we live, love, work, play, think and feel.
Tasty Food that’ll make you close your eyes, lean back, and whisper “yessss.” Snacksized videos and recipes you’ll want to try.
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ﻓﺎرﺳﯽ اردو اﻟﻌﺮﺑﻴﺔবাঙািল
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Equitable Financial Solutions Pty Ltd ABN 86 151 172 039, Authorised Credit Representative No. 417248, Auth Rep AFSL 1236161
24
Australasian Muslim Times
www.amust.com.au
March 2016