MUSLIM
AUSTRALASIAN
Multimedia News & Views
ISSN: 1039-2300
AMUST
Print Post Publication No. 100021354
Print edition published Monthly on first Friday with Website updates
Religion in Section 18C
BOOMERANG PAGE 5
Islamic Museum Dinner
COMMUNITY PAGE 9
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Issue # 137
April 2017; Rajab 1438
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Walk for Respect in Lakemba Yusra Hadi in Sydney Manarul Islam in Canberra Multicultural Australia has celebrated the rejection of proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act by the Senate last week. Thousands of people from diverse backgrounds including mainstream Australians gathered on Friday evening 31 March at Haldon Street in Lakemba and walked to Perry Park in a show of respect for all and community harmony against hate speech and bigotry. The Walk for Respect, an initiative of Mr Tony Burke, Labor Member for Watson and Shadow Minister for Citizenship and Multicultural Australia, is an annual event, first organised in 2014. In a jubilant atmosphere of friendship, people pledged against racism and hatred and were treated with live music, drumming, lion dance, family BBQ and inspiring speeches by politicians and community leaders. Mr Burke said that this Walk for Respect is not only a message for those who want to propagate racial hatred but also to those who are targeted, offended and humiliated by racial abuse. “Australia is not a place of bigotry and hatred, we are a country of many backgrounds and many stories which make us strong and vibrant,” he said. Mr Jihad Dib, State Member for Lakemba and Shadow Minister for Education was overwhelmed by the presence of people at the Walk for Respect from various faiths and ethnic communities and the multicultural environment at the event displaying unity in diversity. “This is a message for every single person who thinks it’s okay to spew hate; it is not
A participant joins the Walk for Respect in Lakemba. Photo by Yusra Hadi. okay to spew hate and we are not going to take it and we are not going to accept it,” he said. The parliamentary report on changes to Section 18C of The Racial Discrimination Act was ironically handed down on Australian Harmony Day, Tuesday 21 March that also coincided with United Nations’ Inter-
national Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. Then on, the Turnbull government unveiled plans to reform the legislation, which would retain the word ‘intimidate’ and replace the words ‘offend’, ‘insult’ and ‘humiliate’ with ‘harass’. The changes were supposedly made to
ensure freedom of speech but were seen by minority groups as a green light for racial vilification and bigotry. However, on Thursday 30 March, the Australian Senate blocked the Federal Government’s attempt to change the wording of Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act. Thirty-one senators including Labor, The Greens, Nick Xenophon Team and Jackie Lambie voted to keep 18C; while 28 senators, Liberal/Nationals, One Nation, Derryn Hinch, David Leyonhjelm and Cory Bernardi voted to remove 18C protections. The current wording of the legislation, and its balancing counterpart exemptions highlighted in Section 18D represent a genuine attempt for civil and respectful communication. Section 18D balances the objectives of Section 18C by exempting ‘anything said or done reasonably in good faith’ such as artistic work and genuine publications. The issue was hotly debated in various government and community forums where the Liberal/National parties supported the changes to Section 18C while Labor, The Greens and many ethnic organisations and minority groups opposed it. Justifying the changes to Section 18C, Mr Turnbull said, “Free speech is at the very core of our party; it should be at the core of every party.” Taking its cue from PM’s statement and using her right to free speech, One Nation Senator, Ms Pauline Hanson publicly said “Islam is a disease” and Australians need to “Vaccinate ourselves from it”. She started a campaign with the hashtag “Pray 4 Muslim Ban” after the terrorist attack on UK Parliament. However, the PM was quick in condemning her anti-Muslim statement. continued on page 3
Recognition for Year 12 Muslim high achievers
Zachariah Matthews Human Appeal International Australia hosted its 10th Annual Year 12 Muslim Achievement Awards in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane from Friday 24 March to Sunday 26 March 2017. Australian Year 12 students who achieved an ATAR score or equivalent of 90 or more in 2016 were invited to register for the awards earlier during the year. An incredible 189 recipients, 54 more than last year, were honoured for their hard work and awarded certificates of recognition, tablet-notebooks and various other prizes at the nationwide events attended by the awardees, their families, school principals and teachers and business and community leaders. The ceremony in Sydney held on Friday 24 March at Himalaya Emporium awarded a total of 102 recipients (which included two from Queensland who are currently studying in Sydney).
The event was co-MC’d by Aya Al-Salti, a previous award recipient and Omar Al-Jamal, a Leadership Umrah Tour graduate. The Human Appeal Australia’s Director, Bashar Al-Jamal welcomed guests and said, “Investing in education is an important strategy towards empowering communities.” Speeches were given by The Hon Tony Burke MP, The Hon Jihad Dib MP, NSW Shadow Minister for Education, Dr Mohammad Al-Nakeeb from Al-Faisal College and Dalya Ayoub, a sponsor from Life Matters. Award recipient Muhammad Yaseen spoke passionately about the need to pursue both career and life success. Raihan Hossain spoke about his participation in Human Appeal’s 2017 Aspiring Leaders Umrah Tour and the emotional experience of distributing much needed aid to Syrian refugees in Jordan. Dr Zac Matthews briefly outlined Human Appeal’s Leadership Alumni and invited recipients to take advantage of the mentoring and development opportunities it provides. continued on page 3
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April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
NEWS
SOCIAL 23
Walk for Respect in Lakemba Continued from page 1 In a briefing held at Parliament House in Canberra on Wednesday 29 March, Labor leader, Mr Shorten gathered the press and members of the multicultural community in Canberra to make clear that the Labor Party will continue to fight to ensure that the changes to 18C were never accepted and attacked the government’s lack of empathy over the issue. “There is no freedom of speech crisis in this country. The Labor Party will not retreat on this issue and we will be successful,” he said, predicting the defeat of the changes in the Senate next day. NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams hosted a media conference for multicultural media organisations in the Parliament House, on Harmony Day Tuesday 21 March. She discussed key issues in the community and the concerns raised by members of the multicultural community regarding the Proposed changes to Section 18C. She confirmed twice stating that she was comfortable with the status quo and has no issue leaving things as they were. In regards to the Hijab and freedom of practising one’s faith within society, she told the Australasian Muslim Times during the press conference that “As long as people practice their faith without harming others, it should be fine. People should be comfortable to dress as they wish as long as it does not provoke or inflict harm to others in the community.”
AMUST
AMUST Issue # 137 Friday 7 April 2017; 9 Rajab 1438 News
1-4
- Walk for Respect in Lakemba - Recognition for Y12 High Achievers
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Boomerang
- Senator Hanson’s Muslim Ban - Unity & Diversity Within Islam
Community
8 - 11
- Inaugural Seerat Conference - Islamic Museum Gala Dinner - Freedom of Religion in Australia
Australia
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- Refugee Alternative Conference - Islamic Banks in Australia - Dr Aly on Feminism
Jihad Dib speaking at Perry Park, Lakemba.
Lifestyle
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- Indonesian Delegates in Australia - Six Divorce-Proof Hacks - Hijab is not a Fashion Statement - Call for Women to be Bold
Ummah
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- India Losing Secularism - Toowoomba Interfaith Meetup
Education
19 - 20
- Attributes of Allah - Al-Hadi - To Condemn or not to Condemn?
Travel
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- Travel to Morocco: Walkabout in the Maghreb
Attendees of the Walk for Respect in Lakemba. Photo by Yusra Hadi.
Recognition for Year 12 high achievers
Business
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- Qartaba Homes: Innovative Housing Solutions
Social
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- Tweets #HarmonyDay - Muslim Man Breaks Up Fight
AMUST Team
High achievers at the HAIA 10th Muslim Achievement Awards in Sydney. Continued from page 1 The Melbourne event held on Sunday 26 March at Laila Reception, Brunswick, 73 recipients were awarded. Sheikh Rabih Baytie, Human Appeal’s Melbourne Branch Manager welcomed guests and acknowledged the important role that parents and guardians played in the achievements of their children. He highlighted that more than 500 students have been awarded in Melbourne since its inception of the award program ten years ago. Other speakers at the event included The Hon Peter Khalil MP, Federal Member for Wills; Senator Richard Di Natale, leader of the Australian Greens party; The Hon Inga Peulich, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs and Shadow Minister for Scrutiny of Government; Cr Samantha Ratnam, Deputy Mayor of Moreland City Council; Nada Kalam from the Islamic Council of Victoria and Rifat Islam from BAILP. Award recipients Serra Mohamed and Mohammad Habbal both delivered eloquent speeches about achievement and emphasising that continuing education must be a lifelong process. In Adelaide, seven students were similarly awarded on Saturday 25 March at Hilton Adelaide. Branch Manager of Human Appeal’s Adelaide office, Ali Kadir welcomed guests and highlighted the organisation’s goal of encouraging and motivating out-
April 2017
standing achievement that will benefit the country. Justin Hanson MLC, representing the Premier of South Australia and Jay Weatherill representing the Minister of Education, Susan Close MP, spoke on the night. Other speakers included Libby Hotham, program director of the School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences, University of South Australia; Shihab Siddiquee, founder and director of Sace Simplified, a high level student tutoring organisation; Betty Livaditis, Office Manager and Zoi Papafilopoulos JP, Electorate Assistant to Tom Koutsantonis MP, Member for West Torrens and Imam Abdusalam Alim from Masjid Abu Bakr. Hussein Mahmud, a graduate of the 2017 Leadership Umrah Tour spoke emotionally about his participation in the nineteen-day trip to Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Turkey and UAE. With the ongoing expansion of the awards program, Brisbane hosted its first ceremony honouring seven recipients on Saturday 25 March at the IWAQ Hall, Springwood. Branch Manager of Human Appeal’s Brisbane office, Imam Akram Buksh welcomed guests and spoke of the importance of education and recognising both outstanding effort as well as achievement. The event was MC’d by Ali Rane, a graduate of the Aspiring Leaders Umrah Tour and together with Furqan Ahmed, they re-
flected on their experiences participating in the once-in-a-lifetime tour. Fahim Khondaker from the Islamic Council of Queensland spoke with enthusiasm about the future and the need for entrepreneurship by young people. Other speakers included Habib Jamal from the Islamic Society of Gold Coast and Dr Zac Matthews. Three videos were shown including Human Appeal’s 25th Anniversary, Leadership Umrah Tour 2017 and Winter Aid Distribution 2017. Overall, the four separate ceremonies held over one weekend in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane were a fantastic opportunity for parents and communities to celebrate with joy in the proud achievements of these amazing 189 individuals. “Human Appeal International Australia congratulates the award recipients as well as all the year 12 students of 2016 who put in their best efforts. A special vote of thanks goes to the generous businesses and organisations that sponsored the 10th Annual Year 12 Muslim Achievement Awards of 2017,” concluded Mr Bashar Al-Jamal.
Managing Editor: Zia Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mobinah Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Yusra Hadi Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Dr Daud Batchelor (Brisbane) 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, Luqman Landy.
AMUST Contacts PO Box 111, Bonnyrigg (Sydney), NSW 2177 Australia. Email: info@amust.com.au Ph:(02) 8006 2063; Mob: 0490 813 359
Disclaimer
The views and opinions expressed in articles, and Letters to the Editor, Website Comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Australasian Muslim Times.
Dr Zachariah Matthews is the Executive Director of Just Media Advocacy, Director of Deen Academy and a Human Appeal Leadership Alumni.
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BOOMERANG Senator Call for protection of religion in Australian anti-discrimination law Hanson’s Muslim Ban UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
The recent debate last month regarding tred that constitutes incitement to discrimithe watering down of Section 18C of the nation, hostility or violence, as well as disRacial discrimination act in order to crimination on the basis of religion. safeguard freedom of speech has created As has been pointed out by Mr Edward further concerns regarding discrimina- Santow, Human Rights Commissioner at tion, bigotry and vilification on the basis the Australian Human Rights Commission of religion. (see page 11), international law in this In Australia, it is unlawful to disarea has been incorporated in a hapcriminate on the basis of a number EDITORIAL hazard way into the Australian law of protected attributes including rendering only a piecemeal proAssalamu age, disability, race, sex, intertection for freedom of religion. sex status, gender identity and Mr Santow has pointed out, Alaikum sexual orientation in certain ar“Beyond the Constitution, our Greetings eas of public life, including eduordinary law offers some very of Peace cation and employment. limited protection against disHowever the elephant in the crimination or vilification on the room seems to be religion. Australian basis of religion, especially in a work law offers very limited protection against context…and there are some real gaps in discrimination or vilification on the basis how Australian law protects freedom of reof religion. ligion.” The Racial Discrimination Act doesn’t He talked about a recent Scanlon Founexplicitly prohibit discrimination on the dation survey found significantly more negground of religious belief. However reli- ative attitudes toward Muslims than Chrisgious groups who have a common ‘ethnic tians and Buddhists. There were concerns origin’ such as Jews and Sikhs do have raised about the negative impact of calls to some protection under these laws. ‘Ban the Burqa’ and opposition to planning This leaves out Muslims, as the only mi- applications for mosques. nority group who hail from a diverse range In its most recent statistics, the Executive of racial and ethnic background, who are Council of Australian Jewry recorded in one not protected by the law under this legis- year 210 anti-Semitic incidents, including lation. physical attacks, verbal abuse, harassment, International law in Article 18 of the In- vandalism and property damage. There ternational Covenant on Civil and Political have been many reports of attacks on places Rights enshrines the right to freedom of of religious worship or people who are visthought, conscience and religion. ibly religious. International human rights law also pro“We need to improve how the law protects hibits religious hatred and discrimination freedom of thought, conscience and religion prohibiting any advocacy of religious ha- and the rights of people of faith. One way of
doing that would be to protect freedom of religion in our federal anti-discrimination law. This is an idea that I’ll be working on further this year,” Mr Santow said. Australia’s Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed had earlier called for Muslims to be given the same protections as ethnic groups under Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act, saying the law must be “strengthened”, not weakened, in the interest of minorities. He also recommended amending the act to include the prohibition of religious vilification to cover Muslims and all religions, in accordance with article 20 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. Labor’s Dr Anne Aly, federal member for Cowan has said that there is scope to reassess extending Section 18C-style protections to make it unlawful to offend someone on the basis of religion. In making her point, Dr Aly said that she didn’t understand why “someone can call you a dirty Arab and that be covered under the bill, but if they call you a dirty Muslim, you’re not covered.” With rampant Islamophobia in the country and vilification of Islam and demonisation of Muslims, not only by extremists, but by some politicians, it’s time that religious discrimination, vilification and hate speech is prohibited and Muslims as a minority are protected by legislation for Australia to remain a respectful, cohesive and successful multicultural society.
Mr Edward Santow
Dr Anne Aly
Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed
Readers comments Re: “One Nation” silly policies
If Saudi Arabia and the UAE (with all their wealth) are less concern with Iran and sectarian differences and more concern with how Muslims of all schools are treated globally the likes of One Nation would become irrelevant. Trading, investment and tourism are significant leverages and countries would be wary of their anti-Muslim policies when they trade with rich and populous Muslim countries with growing tourism in the mix. Likewise it is the indifference of Brunei, Malaysia, Indonesia and even Bangladesh that makes Madam Democracy, Suu Kyi turn her back on the persecution of the Rohingya Muslims in Burma. mal One Nation has explained their intention behind wanting to change Section 116 of the Australian Constitution. http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4314482/Pauline-Hanson-wants-IslamAustralia-shut-down.html Omar
Re: How to save AFIC from self-destruction
Thanks AMUST for making people aware of the problem. AFIC is an umbrella for nearly 400,000 Muslims in Australia. It’s not only AFIC that got holes, many other religious organizations got holes too.
April 2017
However, I don’t feel pessimistic. Where there is a will there is a way. AFIC services for the Muslim community will be remembered forever. Hafeez S. Reply to Hafeez I’ve got chopsticks that make better umbrellas for this community than AFIC. I don’t give a crap about what history they have. Nokia used to make great phones. Now they don’t. Times change and these jokers have done nothing relevant for a phenomenally long time. Sean M. AFIC has become an embarrassment to the Australian Muslim community. The way it is organized has allowed a tight group to exert control for many years. If they are dislodged, chaos ensues. Perhaps a genuine national congress of bona fide Islamic organisations, not front organisations for sects and foreign interest groups, should be established to re-constitute a national body. Once I would have favoured a body like the ANIC to handle this but since their press statement echoing Saudi foreign policy I have doubts as to their integrity too. The embarrassing upset in Preston Victoria and the two eruptions of AFIC onto the national stage in the Bolt Report and in the Supreme Court, mean we have a real problem. Perhaps there are enough genuine State Councils to be able to
Z I Ahmad
coordinate such a congress? Inshallah a few real leaders amongst them could help establish a genuine national body. The claws will come out over halal certification, but that may be needed to be placed under some separate national body, to eliminate the dollar competition and danger of corruption. Bilal Cleland
Re: Talal Yassine and Zia Ahmad recognised on Sir Syed Day
The event was a great showcase of collaboration among community leaders from Media, Charity and Corporate sectors, aiming to help the underprivileged. May Allah reward the efforts of everyone. Aameen. Syed Riyazuddin
Re: Visionaire Online: Transform your life with dua
Ma shaa Allah that was beautifully written :) you used the right words to describe the experience sister, bravo! rosedusahelblog
Re: Muslims feeding the needy in Sydney CBD
Good works. Thanks guys. Stay positive among the tide of Negativity & hate. Rational ppl will see through. Tony R. Great work! This is what the world needs more of Bec O. Keep up the good work. Lee P.
www.amust.com.au
Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas
Any person with any belief in God knows the importance of prayer and asking for the things we want in our lives from The One who created the universe and beyond, The Most-Compassionate God. In light of recent events, and previous events, and likely future events the prayer we should all be repeating more than anything is “Oh Allah, please inspire every person on earth, Muslim and non-Muslim to study Seerah, the life of Prophet Muhammed (s), ameen.” This prayer should especially be extended to the likes of Pauline Hanson, who is frankly doing nothing but ridiculing her own intellect by proposing that Islam is an ideology and Muslims should be banned from Australia. Skimming through Pauline Hanson’s policies on Islam and Muslims, I can’t help but wonder which violent extremist Senator Hanson has been talking to. Her sources are questionable and clearly her proposed policies are coming from fear, or a desire to entice fear for the purpose of meeting a political agenda. In any case they highlight her gross lack of understanding of the Islamic faith and tradition. No wonder her only solution to all of Australia’s problems is to ban a minority group, the same solution she’s been regurgitating for years for other minority groups. For those who aren’t familiar, Muslims base their belief and understanding of Islam on the noble Qur’an and the perfect example, sent as a mercy for all of humanity, Prophet Muhammed (s): Seerah. It’s very easy for anyone to cut and paste bits of the Qur’an to suit their agenda. Through studying Seerah we understand when and how the verses of the Qur’an were revealed and in what context they were revealed. This is one of the best ways to understand Islam and also to understand what you can expect from actual Muslims. One of the problems with Pauline Hanson’s Muslim Ban is that it doesn’t actually solve any problem. It does nothing to address the actual extremist recruitment process at grassroots level. It does nothing to build strong, sustainable, cohesive communities. It does nothing at all to prevent violent extremism in Australia. It only serves to alienate and marginalise law-abiding, God-conscious, hard-working, honest Muslims that call Australia home. If you haven’t studied Seerah already, regardless of your religious affiliation, even if your intention is to find inconsistencies, perhaps you desperately want to make sense of all the terrorism that’s happening in the world, or perhaps you are not convinced on the position of the overwhelming majority of Muslims that oppose oppression and terrorism, I strongly encourage you all to urgently commit regular time to study Seerah. There are many avenues through which you can study Seerah without stepping into a religious facility. You can watch it on YouTube while you’re folding your laundry; you can read the transcript while on the train home; you can join the Seerah channel on Telegram, download the app, buy the t-shirt, whichever way fits in best with your lifestyle. For your own personal development as a Muslim, or for insight into the truth of the Islamic belief if you’re not Muslim, or simply to make better policies that will actually produce positive outcomes for your country, if you’re Pauline Hanson. Everyone needs to be prioritising the study of Seerah. Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas has a background in marketing and has been involved in organising many intercultural events including the first Telstra Iftar Dinner in Melbourne.
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UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
BOOMERANG
SOCIAL 23
Unity and diversity within Islam Bilal Cleland The Islamic articles of Belief and the Pillars of Islam are firmly based in the Quran and form the core of the faith. However the great depth of its message, analysed by scholars over the centuries, remains fresh for each generation. The scholar of the modern period, Said Nursi in the 25th Word of Risale-i-Nur, which deals with the miraculous character of the Quran, describes it as ”a revealed scripture which contains in summary the books of all the prophets, whose times were all different, the writings of all the saints, whose paths are all different, and the works of all the purified scholars, whose ways are all different.” (p.378) He continues, “That is to say, the Holy Qur’an is a heavenly repast at which the thousands of different levels of minds, intellects, hearts, and spirits find their nourishment.” (p. 402). As the Quran speaks to people across the centuries, to all levels of education and experience, in many different lands, there are many different valid understandings of the book. This is one of the signs of its miraculous nature. Said Nursi writes: “According to the consensus of those qualified to interpret the Shari’a and the Quranic commentators and scholars of theology and jurisprudence, and according to the testimony of their differences, on condition they are considered correct by the sciences of Arabic and the principles of religion, all the aspects and meanings which are found acceptable by the science
of semantics, and appropriate by the science of rhetoric, and desirable by the science of eloquence, may be considered among the meanings of the Qur’an. The Qur’an has placed allusions to each of those meanings according to its degree. They are either literal or significative.” (p.407). A narrow interpretation, a black and white, “this is true and all other views are false” is not the way of the Quran. Bitter arguments, which seek to establish the exclusive, dogmatic “truth” are to be found amongst some Muslims today. That is one of our contemporary weaknesses. It was also a weakness at the time of the destruction of the Ottoman Caliphate, which assisted those who wished to dismantle Islamic culture. Again Said Nursi, who experienced this traumatic time, has sound advice; “All Muslims should say about his own school and way: “This is true, I don’t interfere with others. If others are good, mine is the best.” They should not say: “This is the only true way, the others are all false. Only mine is good, the others are all wrong and unpleasant.” (Nursi The Gleams) It is this diversity within unity which makes the organic imagery used by Baker so appealing; “A particularly insightful elaboration comes from Hamdan. He compares Islam to a coral reef. Coral is a living creature. Classified by scientists as an animal, coral assumes a wondrous variety of forms, some rigid and rocklike, others supple and vegetative. Coral does not live as an individual. It always establishes itself as a part of a complex colony of interconnected individuals that cooperate in ingenious ways to secure food for constituent elements, often vast in number. Coral also takes on a variety of splendid colours, thanks to the algae it ingests. That variety mimics the diverse
forms of the Islamic community. Like such communities, coral adapts to very different oceanic environments.” (p.66 Raymond William Baker One Islam, Many Muslim Worlds. Spirituality, Identity, and Resistance across Islamic Lands.) This diverse and colourful Islamic world community is flourishing as never before, despite widespread attack. What may look threatening may in fact be creating allies for the Ummah, allies we have never consid-
Reform is the answer for malaise in AFIC Professor Shahjahan Khan Many members of the Australian Muslim community are genuinely worried about the future of their umbrella organisation, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC). The ongoing grouping, infighting and lack of respect and trust on the leaders of AFIC may have even made some Muslims seriously thinking to start a new organisation to avoid the repeat of all wrongdoings of AFIC and the potential liabilities resulting from the ongoing legal proceedings. Some others are in the opinion that, as a last attempt to reform AFIC, a completely new leadership should be elected in the upcoming Federal Congress. The team must be fresh without any link to the recent and past infightings. Given the recent history of AFIC elections, the incumbent group is unlikely to create an environment conducive to any fair and noncontroversial elections. Fortunately, recently a wise judge has instructed AFIC to call a Federal Congress and appoint an independent body to conduct the election of a new Executive Committee (EXCO) of AFIC in the Federal Congress to be held from 6-7 May 2017. Refreshed AFIC must avoid all leaders who have brought it to the verge of collapse, especially those who have been frequently changing sides for mysterious reasons, compromising principle, dignity and trustworthiness, and are in the business of one day calling someone enemy and the next day becoming the best friend, and the vice versa. The starting point of the reform of AFIC must be its age-old and undemocratic constitution. A lot of the provisions of the current constitution is outdated and reasons for the current self-destruction. Changes to AFIC Constitution: Currently only nine Council Presidents and
April 2017
AFIC President vote in electing the EXCO. This is where the problems starts. All member Societies of AFIC must be allowed to vote in the election. To ensure the fairness of AFIC elections it is essential to scrutinise the Councils and Societies if they regularly held their AGM and elections as per their constitution, paid membership fees and submitted annual reports, at least for two consecutive years, to be eligible
AFIC must have “adequate representa-
tion of women and youth on the EXCO and all its organisational levels.”
to vote in the AFIC elections and participate in the Congress. All office bearers and members of the AFIC EXCO should be directly elected in the Congress. No EXCO member will be eligible for re-election for the same position, and more than two terms on the EXCO. AFIC must have adequate representation of women and youth on the EXCO and all its organisational levels. AFIC EXCO or State Council members must be volunteers, not entitled to any financial benefit (eg loss of income) other than reimbursement of exact expenditure to perform AFIC or Council assigned duties. Nepotism must be banned and conflict of interest transparently managed. No children and relatives of AFIC office bearers and its Councils will be appointed to any paid positions in AFIC or its business organs and awarded any business contracts. AFIC must get out of the culture of court cases and self-serving activities of its leaders, so that it could play a positive role to foster Islamic living in Australia.
The assets and business wings of AFIC must be managed and operated by skilled paid staff who will report to AFIC. The main focus of AFIC should be to re-establish as a community organisation. On a national level AFIC should: Organise Annual Conventions (similar to ISNA in the USA/Canada) for people of all ages, gender and ethnic background. This will provide a sense of belonging of Muslims to AFIC and a forum to know fellow Muslims and interact with them on matters of mutual Islamic and social benefits. Reactivate a national body of Muslim Student Associations (like the Australian Federation of Muslim Students Associations in the past) to create future generation of leaders for the Muslims of Australia and support a national student/youth organisation. Organise seminars on topics of interest to the Ummah at different centres of Muslim population and engage with Muslim and non-Muslim professionals, faith leaders, and policymakers to improve relationship and understanding with the wider community and government agencies. Work for Halal legislation through the Federal/State Government/s to make the system unified, transparent, accountable, reliable, professionally managed, and beneficial to the community and county. AFIC Halal Certification body should be a community owned AFIC managed entity where its income should be used to strictly manage the certification regime and promote Halal products. Proactively involve in Interfaith and Multicultural engagement and liaise with government bodies and the media to counter Islamophobia and contribute towards understanding, social cohesion, inclusiveness and friendship to promote peace and harmony within and beyond Australia. Professor Shahjahan Khan is the former Vice President of the Islamic Council of Queensland, the Director of MCCA and Professor of Statistics, University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba, Queensland.
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AMUST
ered before. By making Islam such a centre of attention it is also encouraging millions to investigate the faith, which they may never have been done in different circumstances. To be totally ignored would be worse. Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.
Keep on marching even if the fog is thick Fazlul Huq Keep on marching even if the fog is thick And keep on looking even if the sight is dimmed, Keep on doing the right thing even if others are plunged into darkness, Keep on spreading the message of love and hope. Because it is bound to create the spark in one and everyone sooner or later, Keep on singing the glory of freedom and the need for the inner peace, tranquility and consciousness, Because life is so much more than the physical or the material existence!
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 8300 compositions in Bengali and English and has also been involved in various community projects.
Australasian Muslim Times
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COMMUNITY
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Inaugural Seerat conference in Auburn Saleem M Khan & Kulsoom Hussain Auburn chapter of the Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) hosted its inaugural event titled ‘Seerat Conference 2017’ on Saturday 11 March, at the Berala Community Centre in Sydney’s west. The ‘Seerat Conference 2017’, was based on the Seerat of the Prophet Muhammad (s) and aimed to address issues on matters relating to family life, upbringing of youth, modern day challenges and a variety of other issues in the context of life in our society. Distinguished guest speakers at the conference included Mr Abdul Majid Yousfani (Consul General of Pakistan), Imam Dr Shabbir Ahmed (Prominent Sydney Scholar), Mr Samiullah Hussaini (Research Scholar), Mr Muaz Al-Haj (Community Leader), Mr Aneeq Ahmed (Dunya TV Channel Presenter) along with IFAM Executives. The audience were local community members accompanied by their families. The community was invited to share in gaining insights and knowledge which would be of benefit in their everyday living in Australia. Mr Haris Saeed, MC began with saying “the objective of the evening was to gather the local community in an informal environment and present topics of crucial importance”. Mr Saeed further added, “The life of the Prophet (s) gives us guidance in every aspect of our life, and we wished to help address issues which affect our daily life in today’s contentious social environment in context of the Seerat.” Dr Kashif Aziz, Vice President IFAM, opened the Seerat Conference welcoming distinguished speakers and audience. He introduced IFAM, its current projects and affiliated organisations. Mr Abdul Majid Yousfani, Consul Gen-
From left: Mr Muaz Al-Haj (Community Leader), Imam Dr Shabbir Ahmed (Community Leader), Mr Aneeq Ahmed (Dunya TV Presenter), Mr Syed Samiullah Hussaini (Research Scholar), Dr Kashif Aziz (Vice President, IFAM), Mr. Abdul Majid Yousfani (Consul General, Pakistan), Mr Abbas Rana (President, Pakistan Association of Australia) eral Pakistan, reiterated the theme of the conference, how the Prophet (s) was sent as a mercy to mankind and by effectively following the Seerat of the Prophet (s), the Muslim community can be torchbearers for mankind and prosper both in this world and the hereafter. Imam Dr Shabbir Ahmed shed light on the interaction of the Prophet (s) with non-Muslims while elaborating on how Prophet’s (s) humble and caring behaviour inspired non-Muslims not just by his personality but also by the religion he was preaching. Mr Muaz Al Haj articulated new age hurdles faced by Muslim parents and children. He included points of advice for the audience regarding parenting in our contemporary society and stressed to make our home a place of love and peace. Mr Aneeq Ahmed explained why individuals should not place emphasis on what is said through the media about Islam, rather focus on the true teachings of Islam and the Prophet (s) and the millions of practising
Muslims around the world. Mr Samiullah Hussaini discussed the importance and perfection of our Prophet (s) explaining why Allah mentions in the Holy Quran that the Prophet (s) is the best example for mankind to follow. The program concluded with the distribution of gifts to distinguished guests by Mr Usaid Khalil, Secretary General of IFAM). who also thanked the conference volunteers for their dedication in organising a successful event. The Dua was performed by Imam Dr Ahmed and dinner was served where all invitees and guests had the opportunity to continue to enjoy the evening with their families. A local resident of Auburn, Mr Mohammad Khan, attended the function with his family which included three children, and was asked about his thoughts on the event. He responded by stating that he thought the organisers had done an excellent job and that, “the topics were very relevant, all the speakers were very easy to understand and all gave a great talk.”
He further added, “with small children under supervision of child minding facilities on the night, meant the audience were able to listen attentively and the speakers were able to deliver their message in a timely manner.” Another attendee commented, “I have been to many lectures and talks, but tonight’s conference was very different and enlightening. It was well planned and organised and ran to schedule.” IFAM – Auburn Chapter plans to further organise future events that will strengthen the bond created at this evening amongst the local community. Saleem M Khan is an IT professional and local resident of Auburn (Sydney), bridging community awareness through IFAM Auburn Halqa activities. Kulsoom Hussain is an undergrad at the University of Sydney, majoring in Government and International Relations. Her interests include world history and classic literature.
IPDC Youth learning camp in Victoria
Mohammad Mostadir
The Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC) Victoria organised a successful three days long Youth Learning Camp on 11-13 March 2017 at Urban Camp, Parkville, Victoria Over 32 delegates from different parts of Victoria participated in this event. The day-1 was spent attending the Australian Islamic Peace Conference at Melbourne Exhibition Centre. The day-2 and the day-3 events were exclusively for youths at the Urban Camp. The camp program started with the recitation of Holy Quran and welcome speech
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by Mr Mazhar Morshe, President of IPDC Victoria. Resource persons at the camp included Imam Akram Buksh and Mr Waseem Razvi, President of Islamic Research & Education Academy based in Melbourne. Diverse forms of youth activities were organised at the camp including talks by guest speakers, youth presentations, debate competitions, Qiamullail, outdoor games, sports activities like soccer and cricket. The Youth Learning Camp was a special and unique type of program for IPDC youth in Victoria where participants from various multicultural community youths gathered together to get the opportunity to interact with each other, share their views and thoughts in a frank and secure environment. Mohammad Mostadir is the Co-ordinator of the Youth Learning Camps, IPDC Victoria.
Boys with Brother Waseem Rezvi.
Australasian Muslim Times
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April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
The Islamic Museum of Australia strengthens the Muslim story Mobinah Ahmad The Islamic Museum of Australia’s annual fundraising gala dinner for 2017 was held on Sunday 19 March at The Mantra Hotel in Melbourne. The program started with an incredible performance by Aboriginal performer with Muslim heritage which described the sound (played by a didgeridoo) of the first Muslim man to walk in the Australian dessert with a camel. Muslims have pitched in and had a go in building contemporary Australia and the Islamic Museum of Australia tells the Australian story through the eyes of Muslims and how they’ve contributed. “Multiculturalism has also been great for Australia. Our migration program has en-
Nazeem Hussain.
abled Australia to attract cultural and the intellectual capital from every corner of the globe. Migration has underpinned our nations economic growth and the rising level of prosperity for the past 200 years” said Mr Ahmed Fahour AO, Emeritus Patron of the Islamic Museum of Australia. Mr Fahour further added, “The Islamic Museum of Australia was a project of passion for my family and myself over the last 7-8 years. We’ve all been affected by what happened in 9-11 which is the origins of where the Museum came to be.” As the evening went on, the audience was roused with an opportunity to bid on items fundraising for the IMA. Items included pieces of art, an overseas trip to China and tickets to Nazeem Hussain’s upcoming show. Over $30,000 was raised by the generous crowd present at the event. The Victorian Minister for Small Business, Innovation and Trade, The Hon Phillip Dalidakis announced that the Victorian government, with their ongoing support, will provide $450,000 towards education initiatives at the Islamic Museum. Senior Executive of the Commonwealth Bank, Mr Huss Mustafa said “As a proud sponsor of the Islamic Museum, the Commonwealth Bank is privileged to support this important initiative to expand people’s horizons by sharing stories and knowledge to foster mutual understanding and respect” and announced that Commonwealth Bank will be supporting the Islamic Museum with a $50,000 donation. Recent statistics reveal that there are more non-Muslims visiting the museum than there are Muslims. There are more young people than there are older people amongst the visitor at the Museum.
Ahmed Fahour AO, Emeritus Patron of the Islamic Museum of Australia. This shows that there is a sense of intrigue people in areas of art, creativity and culture and sincerity from the Australian public an internationally and mostly locally. interest to look beyond the negative portrayThe exhibits and the artwork of the IMA als by the media and to learn the Australian are an important depiction of the Australian Muslim story. Islamic experience, they tell the history how The Islamic Museum had two objec- Muslims have contributed to our country for tives: to create an educational and artis- the past 200+ years. tic institution that would de-mystify Islam Mr Fahour, while addressing Pauline Hanto non-Muslims and create a museum that son’s attack on his reputation and character, would be a force of greater social cohesion concluded with “Don’t allow a few rogue and inclusion in the Australian society. politicians who got in by some accidental In its origins, the museum’s purpose was opportunity to influence your thought by the to put a different image of Muslims and majority of federal and state politicians who their contributions to Australia and to the actually have a decent heart and care about world to demonstrate the beauty of Muslim a cohesive country.”
to the community by multicultural leaders. A number of medals and awards were given out at the event together with multicultural performances marking the community harmony week in Australia. Premier Gladys Berejiklian presented the Stepan Kerkyasharian AO Harmony Award to the Moving Forward Together Association for their dedicated work towards building a peaceful, tolerant and inclusive Australia. “I also congratulate all recipients of tonight’s Multicultural Community Medals for their dedicated work towards making our society more peaceful, tolerant and inclusive,” Premier Gladys Berejiklian said Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams said the Premier’s Harmony Dinner,
Mohamed Hage with his medal. now in its sixth year, is a celebration of NSW’s cultural diversity.
Multicultural Community Medal for Mohamed Hage Mobinah Ahmad The Multicultural Community Medal for 2017 has been awarded to Mohamed Hage, NSW State Chairman of the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, for economic participation. The medal was presented to him by the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian in front of an audience of almost 1500 at the annual “Premier’s Harmony Dinner” held on Thursday 16 March at the Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Sydney. The gala dinner hosted by the Premier and the Minister for Multiculturalism, The Hon Ray Williams is an annual celebration of diversity to the significant contributions made
Award winners with Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister Ray Williams at the Premier’s Harmony Dinner.
April 2017
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“The medallists recognised tonight are truly remarkable. They are the faces of the often unsung and humble work of members of our community,” Mr Williams said. The Economic Participation award recognised Mohamed for his outstanding success in fostering economic relations. Over the course of his career, Mohamed has worked with a range of diverse sectors in fostering investment, trade flows and creating stronger government to government ties in a range of sectors. As State Chair NSW of the Australian Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mohamed has also assisted the state of NSW in generating new economic activities while continuing to strengthen trade and investment between NSW and the GCC region. Mohamed continues to add two-way investment capabilities for investment growth and diversification between the regions. He has built more than 10 years’ experience in many aspects of professional investment management.
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COMMUNITY
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Events House of Sakinah lunch for women Calendar Abdur Rahman Mukaddam
Rising above the Storm Yasmin Mogahed Friday 7 April, 2017 6:30 PM - 10:00 PM Himalaya Emporium NSW Function Centre, Bankstown www.facebook.com/ events/1608425099185078/
From Worrier To Warrior! Saturday 8 April, 2017 9:30 AM - 3:30 PM
NSW
2/69 The Mall, Bankstown
www.facebook.com/ events/1332244023501471/
Doco Night - Special Rooftop Screening Saturday 8 April, 2017 7:00 PM - 9:30 PM Amity College, 26-28 Kerr Parade, Auburn, NSW
The House of Sakinah Womens Support Centre organised a fundraising lunch on 4 March at Plumpton Neighbourhood Centre at Western Sydney. The program was organised to raise awareness of the plight of Muslim women in the community and featured guest speakers including Ms Hanan Dover, a prominent psychologist as well as Ms Aisha Amjad, the recently appointed community ambassador for the Labor Party. House of Sakinah Womens Support Centre (HoS WSC) provides assistance to vulnerable women in the community and was established in 2012 as an initiative of Charity Australia International. The event started off with the recitation of the Quran and its translation followed by a short introduction of House of Sakinah and its aims highlighting its motto of “Support for Muslim Women by Muslim Women.” Ms Hanan Dover spoke on the status of women in Islam and what Islam teaches in regard to treating women with respect and dignity and explained as to how the Prophet (s) held women in very high regard and always treated them well.
NSW
www.facebook.com/ events/309584729456978/
Penny Appeal Family Fun Day! Sunday 9 April, 2017 10:00 AM - 3:00 PM Yathrib’s Horse Riding School, 30 Severn Rd, Bringelly, NSW
NSW
www.facebook.com/ events/1467902713280938/
Sydney Palm Sunday rally for refugees 2017 Sunday 9 April, 2017 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM Archibald Fountain, Hyde Park North, NSW
NSW
www.facebook.com/ events/1790212824567225/
After the War on Syria Sydney Conference Tue 18 - Wed 19 April, 2017 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM New Law School [LT024], university of Sydney, NSW Sydney, NSW www.facebook.com/ events/1237588133023949/
Aisha Amjad, community ambassador for the Labor Party. Photo: Arsla Khan.
Reunion at 11th IFEW Presentation Dinner Zia Ahmad The 11th IFEW Presentation dinner was held on Sunday 26 March 2017 at Dar-ulIslam, Bonnyrigg joined by invited guests and members of the Islamic Foundation for Education & Welfare (IFEW). The invitees included Mr Aftab Malik, Community Relations Manager from the NSW Department of Premier and Cabinet, Mr Rais Khan, President of IFAM, Sheikh Dr Kamal Talib, Imam at Roselands Mosque and Mr Luqman Landy, the veteran educationist and daawah worker. After introductions, Mr Aamir Ahmad, President of IFEW gave a detail introduction of IFEW history and activities for almost four decades with an audio-visual presentation. Mr Rais Khan explained the structure of
Melbourne Sisters Doco night “Muslims Like Us” Saturday 22 April, 2017 6:30 PM 250 Hume Hwy, Somerton, Victoria
Firdousi Obeidullah, House of Sakinah Coordinator with Hanan Dover, psychologist. Photo: Arsla Khan. She also spoke on different forms of do- • Unity and participation in the communimestic violence and signs to recognise them ty- Sisterhood that would be vital information for all womHoS has a mission to serve and provide en. professional support to women in a safe and Ms Aisha Amjad voiced her strong sup- pleasant environment, encouraging healthy port for organizations like House of Sakinah and safe relationships focussing on strengthand praised the good work that HoS were ening the bonds of families. Its values indoing at the Centre. She also highlighted clude: the government initiatives in place to help • Encourage women to “help themselves” women, especially in regard to those affectfostering respect, dignity and integrity ed by domestic violence. within them. Ms Zahra Turabie shed light on the impor- • Deliver non-judgemental services to tance of charity in Islam explaining different Muslim women from all backgrounds types of charity. She emphasized the moral • Driven by Islamic principles adapted obligation of every Muslim to help other from the Quran and Hadith less fortunate people than themselves from • Encourage respect, dignity and integrity the resources provided by Allah. of Muslim women in the family The event ended with lunch. HoS provides support for A women’s support centre is a vital part • Counselling for women of the community for the following reasons: • Legal referrals • Increase in domestic violence, relation- • Assistance to refugees & reverts ship difficulties, divorce and financial • Senior support & care programs hardship in our community • Islamic Courses • Muslim women need help in a safe, culturally sensitive, compassionate and pro- Abdur Rahman Mukaddam is a Year 9 stutective environment dent based in Sydney and is enthusiastically • Misunderstanding about the everyday associated with IFAM Islamic Quiz prolives of Muslim women gram.
IFAM with its various branches in many states in Australia and highlighted its education and daawah programs mosque construction projects and charitable and women’s refuge support facilities. Mr Aftab Malik talked about his journey into comprehensive study of Islam and the vast global experience of working with Islamic scholars, community organisations and institutions, academia and government bodies. Mr Shujaat Siddiqui, Trustee of MEFF, during his presentation related the development of MEFF and its successful track record during the last 33 years and highlighted the plans for MEFF 2017. With Sheikh Kamal Taleb who attended with most of his family members, it was a family reunion with the Ahmad family where young Kamal spend time in South Hurstville as a neighbour before his departure to Saudi Arabia where he spent the last 23 years in pursuit of Islamic education. Sheikh Kamal Talib gave a heart-warming talk on aiming for tranquillity and happiness
by leading our life in accordance with the commandments of Allah, akin to a life in paradise on this very earth. Mr Zia Ahmad talked about the Australasian Muslim Times, its history and performance and using the website demonstrated all info re AMUST news and views. Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad concluded the program with advice and dua before the dinner was served followed after Maghreb prayer led by young Mohammad Talib with his beautiful recitation of Quran. The presentation dinners are held in a family atmosphere during Australian Integrated Family’s (AIF) Usrah sessions that have continued for more than 30 years. Held twice a year, short presentations are given by IFEW, MEFF and AMUST followed by presentations from invitees to relate about their organisations and personal history, and then finish off with dinner in a casual family atmosphere. IFEW has been one of the pioneers in establishing daawah, education and welfare activities for more than 35 years in Sydney.
VIC
https://goo.gl/zO25gc
View more events online or add your own at amust.com.au/calendar
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Sheikh Kamal Talib (right) with Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad.
Australasian Muslim Times
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April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
Freedom of Religion in Multicultural Australia Zia Ahmad Mr Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner from the Australian Human Rights Commission has stated that although Australia’s commitment to multiculturalism is broad and enduring, our ordinary law offers some very limited protection against discrimination or vilification on the basis of religion. He was speaking on the topic “The lion and the lamb: freedom of religion in multicultural Australia” at the lunchtime Affinity Intercultural Foundation’s popular lunchtime Lecture Series held on Wednesday 15 March 2017 at the Affinity offices in Sydney. The full house event with many guests finding standing room only was facilitated by former Senator and Privacy Commissioner Mr Chris Puplick and was also addressed by the newly appointed Minister for Multiculturalism, and Minister for Disability Services, Mr Ray Williams. Mr Williams during his speech acknowledged the excellent work being done by Affinity and emphasised the Australian values of equal opportunity and respect for all re-
gardless of differences of race, religion and gender. He gave an example of the Premier of the state of New South Wales, Ms Gladys Berejiklian, who rose to the highest office in the state while coming from a non-English speaking migrant background. Mr Santow started his talk by saying, “My family is a big, largely happy, often chaotic mixture of cultures, religions and languages – and I see that reflected in Australia’s own brand of multiculturalism. He elaborated on his is own heritage, where his grandfather with Jewish/Quaker heritage and Anglican grandmother migrated to Australia from Europe at the start of World War II while his mother of Jewish heritage fled from Apartheid South Africa to settle in Australia and stated further more that his wife is Catholic. “There’s enormous diversity in Australia and we should be proud of how well we get along. Yet there are times when our commitment to embrace difference is tested. In some ways, now might be one of those times. There appears to be increasingly combative rhetoric about the value of multiculturalism in Australia,” he said. Talking about religion, he said that there were two different dimensions in this regard: 1. There’s the outward-facing role of religion, the vital role that organised religion and people of faith play in helping people
Dr Elizabeth Coombs, A/Privacy Commissioner addressing the audience.
Mr Edward Santow. who are vulnerable or disadvantaged, especially in education, health and alleviating poverty. 2. There’s a more inward dimension – religious observance and practice. In the first dimension, religion is the protector of people’s basic dignity while in the second, religion itself needs protection. Talking about freedom of religion in international law, he highlighted Article 18 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, which enshrines the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and indeed to hold no religion at all. He further explained, “International law makes an important distinction between two elements of religion. First, the freedom to hold a particular religion or belief – this is essentially freedom to think – is absolute. The second element is the freedom to manifest a religion or belief. These are the actions a person might take in how they worship or practise their religion. International law also protects this second element of religious belief, but it recognises that this is an area where one person’s freedom can come into conflict with another’s, and so reasonable limitations on religious manifestation have always been permissible, largely to apply the ‘harm to others’ principle. Finally, international human rights law also prohibits religious hatred and discrim-
Mr Ray Williams. ination, prohibiting any advocacy of religious hatred that constitutes incitement to discrimination, hostility or violence, as well as discrimination on the basis of religion.” Mr Santow admitted that Australian law doesn’t automatically apply international law and only has piecemeal, narrow protection for freedom of religion. He pointed out that the Racial Discrimination Act doesn’t explicitly prohibit discrimination on the ground of religious belief. But the courts have decided that a religious group may be protected where they have a common ‘ethnic origin’ like Jewish and Sikh people. He concluded by saying that what human rights law can do is that it can set boundaries, helping to inhibit behaviour that violates people’s basic rights so that it doesn’t occur at all. The event ended with presentation of gifts to the speakers and highlighting of upcoming events by Mr Ahmet Polat, Executive Director of Affinity in his unique humorous way as usual. Read transcript of full speech of Mr Edward Santow: https://goo.gl/Mws91o Watch video of Minister Mr Ray Williams: https://goo.gl/mwy5jX Zia Ahmad is the Managing Editor of the Australasian Muslim Times & is based in Sydney.
Canberrans raise funds for Islamic schools ACT Muslim community members once again dug deep into their pockets this time to support the two Islamic schools in Canberra - Taqwa School and the Islamic School of Canberra. On Saturday 18 March, Canberrans gathered at the Canberra Islamic Centre (CIC) to raise funds to reduce the financial burden on the Islamic School of Canberra, based in Weston. The event was organised by the Parents & Friends Association of the school with cooperation of the school and its staff. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran and the guests were wel-
comed by the PFA President, Kalam Azad. Mr Azad described the importance of Islamic education and how it can help kids to become better human beings. He also described why the school needs funds to provide facilities in different areas including Library, class room resources, playground, indoor and outdoor sports facilities as examples. School Board member, Suhail Khan spoke of the many new improvement projects now underway funded directly by community members. Over 250 parents and community members attended the event including president of various Islamic organisations, school board members, the principal, David Johns, community leaders, Imams of the mosques, parents, school staff and students. It was a very special program for ISC where kids, parents, school staff, school
board and community members got together and enjoyed the event. There was also a jumping castle for kids to enjoy. Almost the whole ACT community got behind the school, allowing them to sell tickets at their places of prayer as well as
Ms Azra Khan, President of Canberra Islamic Centre. Photo: Jumanah Husna.
Imam Adama Konda, Imam of Canberra Islamic Centre. Photo: Jumanah Husna.
Mr David Johns, ISC Principal. Photo: Jumanah Husna.
Manarul Islam
April 2017
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businesses donating food and money for the event. Imam Mohammed Akram Buksh from Brisbane was the chief guest of the night and the lead inspirer. Thanks to his compelling arguments, the PFA raised over $60,000 including pledges, ticket sales and cash donations. The total collected money will be donated to the Islamic School of Canberra. At the conclusion of the program Mr Mohammed Ali, Master of Ceremony and school board member, on behalf of PFA, school board, staff and students, gave the vote of thanks to all who attended and donated generously. On Saturday 25 March Taqwa School based in Spence, also held their fundraising dinner at Albert Hall to a large turnout and generous donations. Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.
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NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Refugee Alternatives Conference at UNSW Philip Feinstein The University of New South Wales hosted the inaugural Refugee Alternatives Conference on 22 - 23 February 2017. The Refugee Council of NSW presented this 2-day event that focussed on improving policy, practice and support for refugees and asylum seeker issues. Attended by over 800 people from all points of Australia, the event featured a variety of expert speakers covering topics such as advocacy, resilience, unity, protection, displacement and general wellbeing. Following the Welcome to Country and Opening Session, Paul Power, CEO of the Refugee Council of Australia, officially opened the proceedings. “Today is very special as we welcome so many people to this event who are involved in the ongoing challenge to help refugees and asylum seekers wanting to make Australia home” he said. “The task has been a difficult one but I believe we are moving forward and making progress.” Paul then introduced the Keynote Speakers, Jennifer Hyndman, Director of Refugee Studies in York; Thomas Albrecht, Regional Representative of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees in Canberra; and Professor Yiombi Thona, Chair of Asia Pacific Refugees Rights Network - Professor Thona’s background was most interesting: Coming from the Congo in Africa, he became a refugee in South Korea where he now resides. He related many amusing anecdotes of his time becoming established in his new home. The days proceedings consisted of a number of presentations held separately in var-
ious lecture rooms - this made it difficult to choose with so many interesting topics. The writer chose ‘Asylum Seekers in the Community’ which included Tanya Jackson-Vaughan of RACS. Tanya explained the current financial difficulties in keeping this important service available to refugees seeking legal advice. The afternoon session had Keynote Speaker Emeritus Professor Gillian Triggs, President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, opening the proceedings. Covering such topics as to where human rights were and where it should be going, she focussed on the implementation of Australian law of the human rights treaties of which Australia is a party, to working with nations in the Asia Pacific region on practical approaches to human rights. With a strong legal background and having been the author of many pertinent books and papers, Professor Triggs set the tone for an intriguing afternoon. Another of the keynote speakers was Associate Professor Munjed Al Muderis. Having refused a decree by Saddam Hussein to amputate the ears of Iraqi evaders, Professor Al Muderis wound up on a rickety boat to Australia. He is now a pioneering surgeon giving amputees the ability to walk. He is also an Ambassador for the Australian Red Cross, a humanitarian volunteer and a human rights activist. In his delivery, Munjed said: “Every single day Australian communities benefit from contributions by new refugees to find more humane solutions to issues facing refugees and asylum seekers through every aspect of their lives.” The rest of the afternoon and following morning again consisted of a variety of choices from which to attend. The segment I attended was entitled ‘Wellbeing, Mental Health and Resilience’ and featured two members of the STARTTS organisation, viz
Professor Yiombi Thona (Chair of Asia Pacific Refugees Rights Network), Philip Feinstein (Music for Refugees) and Bahati Masudi (Murray Valley Sanctuary Refugee Group). Jasmina Bajraktarevic (Moderator) and Mo- • The last 25% will not budge. They are hamed Dukuly. stuck in their negative approach It was with great pleasure that I was reacI was also taught a useful and pertinent idquainted with Mohamed, as it was he who iom: It is not asylum seekers who seek asyconducted the STARTS course I completed lum, it is people who seek asylum. a couple of years ago on Treatment and ReThe day closed with huge applause for all habilitation of Torture and Trauma. speakers and organisers of the event. The final session of day-two drew me to We were all reminded of the upcoming the subject of ‘Achieving Unity in Diversi- Palm Sunday Rallies (9 April) in all capital ty’. Once again there were excellent speak- cities where our presence will make a difers moderated by Tim O’Connor of the Ref- ference. ugee Council of NSW. It was at that session More details on the Facebook page of that I was reminded of some interesting sta- Music for Refugees. tistics: • 25% of the population already seek posi- Philip Feinstein is a Sydney based writer, mutive change to policy. sician and activist working for MUSIC FOR • 50% of the population are persuadable REFUGEES www.musicforrefugees.org and should be encouraged to change.
In the name of Allah the most beneficent and the most merciful.
Donation Appeal for Mosque Queanbeyan Mosque
Your Help is needed.
185 Gilmore road, Queanbeyan, NSW 2620
No donation is small donation. Prayers are being offered at the Mosque land in a make shift arrangement with limited facilities for four years
Bank a/c: BSB 062 334
Account No. 1103 3525 Saarban Islamic Trust
www.queanbeyanmasjid.org.au Email: qbn.masjid@gmail.com Phone: 0434260704 / 0431435541
Required Target: $900,000 to start the construction.
- Mosque in Queanbeyan,
NSW, just next to Canberra has been in progress since 2013. - Raised and paid for the cost of 1500 sqm. land - DA for the ‘Construction of Mosque’ was approved in the month of Ramadhan of 2016. - Need your generous support to help build a Mosque for your community.
Please donate and join hands in this effort.
An initiative of IFAM (Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims) - ACT
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April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
AUSTRALIA
SOCIAL 23
Incorporation of Islamic Banks in Australia: Potentials and Challenges FINANCE Dr Abul Jalaluddin High Potentials There is a high potential for Islamic banking, Islamic financial services and Islamic wealth management in Australia due to a sizeable Muslim population (market) and Muslim businesses in various sectors of the economy. According to 2011 Australian Census (as the Australian Bureau of Statistics has yet to release the outcome of its Census conducted in November 2016), there were 476,290 Muslims in Australia, of whom about 40% were Australian born. This is a conservative figure and some estimates point to a much higher level of Muslims in this country. About 46% of the Muslims live in NSW, 32% in Victoria and 7% in Queensland, indicating the major markets for an Islamic bank within Australia. The age group is of interest: 48% are in the age group of 25 to 54 years which is the prime age of employment and income generation. A survey conducted by the Islamic Financial Services Council of Australia (IFSCA) in 2016 found that the level of wealth and purchasing power are high for Australian Muslims. As for Muslim businesses, Australian Muslims own businesses in various sectors of the economy. These businesses include retailing, butchery, accounting services, financial services including Islamic finance,
manufacturing, real estate, taxis & transportation, home & gardening, furniture, automotive, Halal food & beverages, travel agency, clothing & accessories, computers & IT, jewellery & watches as well as books. The Muslim market and Muslim businesses will create a sizeable demand in banking services for a commercially viable Islamic bank in Australia. Challenges The challenges to establish an Islamic bank are Formidable. To date, no license for Authorised Deposit-taking Institution (ADI) was issued to conduct Islamic banking business in Australia. We have other providers
Dr Aly on feminism and minority women Manarul Islam Dr Anne Aly, Federal MP for Cowan in Western Australia, presented a critical view of western feminism particularly in terms how it has isolated minority women. The talk, held on Friday 24 March at the Australian National University in Canberra, was the keynote address on “how radical western feminism has been counterproductive for the rights of minority women” as part of the On Point initiative. Dr Aly was introduced by Louise Taylor who herself has first hand experience of minority women’s issues as the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Legal AID ACT, her own background as a Kamilaroi woman and as a member of the Law Council of Australia’s Indigenous Legal Issues Committee. In the talk, Dr Aly pointed out that with regard to the feminist’s view of Muslim women, they have to get over the hijab or the veil and far from trying to “save” these women, they should be bringing them in and
Dr Anne Aly speaking at the event.
April 2017
standing side by side with them. Dr Aly spoke of her own experience on entering Federal Parliament of getting the looks of “you don’t belong here” but she has embraced the role of being “the disruptor, of the one that makes people go ‘huh, what’s she doing here’ or ‘she looks different’ and makes them reassess their own perceptions.” She pointed out that “In the early 70’s when I was growing up . . . we primarily identified as Egyptians . . . being Muslim was what we did at home.” As part of her research after 9/11 she saw young Muslim men “shed tears . . . they felt lost . . . their identity as Australians were pulled out from under them.” On Point is a new initiative that will host a series of feminist events that explore issues and perspectives that have been traditionally sidelined by the mainstream feminist movement. For more information or to be involved with On Point in Canberra please contact Renee Jones at reggie.e.jones@gmail.com. The gold coin donations collected at the event for the Women’s Legal Centre ACT.
of Islamic financial services in Australia, although they are not banks. Requirements for Establishing an ADI Under the Banking Act 1959, APRA issued relevant guidelines for prospective applicants seeking an authority to carry on banking business in Australia. Applicants Aust have “the capacity and commitment to conduct banking business with integrity, prudence and competence on a continuing basis.” Capital requirement is $50 million in Tier 1 capital which is equity capital and declared reserves or retained earnings. As for ownership structure, the Financial Sector (Shareholdings) Act 1998 limits sharehold-
AMUST
ings of an individual shareholder or a group of associated shareholders in an ADI to 15% of the voting shares, requiring at least 7 shareholders each contributing in excess of $7 million. Prudential Capital Ratio is 8% of the total assets of the ADI. The governance processes are stringent. All Directors and key management position holders will have to be “fit and proper” as per APRA regulations. Adequate risk management and internal control systems including credit risk, market risk, liquidity risk and operational risk will have to be in place. Foreign ADIs will not serve the banking purpose of the general consumers due to restrictions on them under the legislation. Foreign ADIs are not permitted to accept deposits from individuals and non-corporate institutions of less than $250,000. This will exclude banking for salary payments, rental payments and other payment services required by mum and dad customers. Concluding Remarks There are enormous potentials for Islamic banking in Australia which will create choices for consumers and diversify financial services for Muslims and non-Muslims alike. MCCA and others have been exploring this opportunity for years. If an Islamic bank is established, it will create jobs, generate incomes and economic growth for all Australians. Dr Abul Jalaluddin is an Islamic Finance expert, Director of MCCA, taxation advisor and a regular columnist of AMUST. He is based in Sydney.
Harmony Day at Admiralty House Mehar Ahmad Australian Harmony Day was celebrated at Admiralty House, Kirribilli, Sydney on 21 March 2017. Its a day where Australians celebrate the strength our country gains from our cultural diversity. Her Excellency Lady Cosgrove, wife of the Australian Governor General invited prominent women in the community from different backgrounds to sit together over lunch to learn and build friendships.
“On Harmony Day, it’s fitting that we come together around a table we all share, we all belong at, and we can all call our own,” Lady Cosgrove said. The event coincided with the Open Heart, Open Home initiative of Mahboba’s Promise and the invited guests included the Pakistani Ambassador to Australia, Her Excellency Naela Chohan, Madinia Abdur Rahman, Mehboba Rawi and Dr Parwin Faiz amongst others, some in their colourful cultural dresses.
Dr Parwin Faiz (right) with Lady Cosgrove.
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NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Friendships with network benefits MOBYDAYZE Mobinah Ahmad A recent conversation with a friend has led me into thinking about the difference between networks and friendships, and whether the two need to be mutually exclusive. I thought about people who only keep friends who they can ‘use’ as part of their network, and whether that was a bad thing. How do we make decisions on who we choose to be around socially? Those who are kind or perhaps entertaining to us? Or is it those who are popular, well connected and can boost us up in advancing our personal and professional goals? Both require meeting people, finding common interests and hoping the relationship will grow. However, networking builds rapport – you connect with others for advancing professional goals, whilst friendship is built upon more of a social connection. These days, most people are looking to merge the two. Your friends are your networks, and it’s just a regular expectation that you’re with each other because whatever the other person offers, may be in your better interest. I go to many networking events, and it took me a long time to feel accustomed to doing the whole business card exchange
thing – it seemed impersonal and boring to me. I just liked meeting people and sharing stories. Some people, were more business card collectors – they say hello, grab your business card and run like the wind. Some just want a photo with you. That’s why my networking skills needs a lot more work. There’s just something about it that seems insincere, or perhaps I’m just not doing it right. The idea of establishing a relationship
with someone purely to advance your own career agenda sounds wrong. I felt like I was being deceptive in some way. But when I turned to my group of acquaintances and friends, asking them for favours and career advice also seemed deceptive, as if I was using them. So either way, I wasn’t able to ask others for help and the only person I was really hurting was myself. One way to look at it is: when you need a reference, referral, work advice – a net-
work of friends is exactly what you need. People who know you well enough to vouch for you, those who are willing to bend over backwards to help you out because they know you’d do the same. However, this could create an expectation of “you scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours” where you’re basically just using each other. Is that what friendship is? Isn’t that supposed to be wrong? If you’re around someone you dislike, just so that they can help you – then that’s an insincere friendship. They become more of a network: keep things cordial, and ask when you need something. If you sincerely enjoy someone’s company and they just happen to be well connected and would be willing to help you if needed, then you’ve got a friendship with benefits. The only thing with that is that it could backfire, your friendship fades and you lose the benefits, and they become more of a network. I suppose, what matters the most is your intention. If your intention is sincere to care for the other person and value them in your life, and not to keep them around just to use them, then you’re heading in the right direction. Mobinah Ahmad is a professional social media analyst and AMUST Multimedia Journalist based in Sydney.
Indonesian Delegates meet Australian Muslims Mobinah Ahmad As part of the Australian-Indonesian Muslim Exchange Program (MEP), five Indonesian delegates visited Australia between 6-19 March to meet with key prominent community contacts in order to gain an insight into the Australian Muslim community. The Muslim Exchange Program has been successfully operating since 2002 and it involves visits to Australia by groups of young Indonesian Muslim community leaders to have a greater awareness of Australia’s multicultural society. The Indonesian delegates went to Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney within a period of two weeks and visited prominent universities, mosques, interfaith organisations and businesses and had the opportunity to meet a variety of community leaders. The Indonesian delegation comprised of five exceptional professionals that all brought a diverse level of experiences and knowledge. They include: 1. Mrs Oki Setiana Dewi is a well-known presenter on two national morning religious television programs, and an actress in Islamic-themed films. 2. Mrs Niswatin Faoziah is the Head of Department of Primary Education from Sunan Panandaran College of Islamic Studies; and Vice Treasurer at Fatayat NU, Yogyakarta (Fatayat NU is the wom-
en’s wing of Indonesia’s largest Islamic organisation). 3. Mr Prosmala Adisaputra is the Head of Diniyah Education Program at Selaparang Islamic Boarding School, Lombok; and Publications Division in Nadhlatul Wathan (Lombok’s largest Islamic civil society organisation). 4. Mrs Nurjanni Astiyanti is the Regional Coordinator, Vocational High School Guidance Counselling Musyawarah Association of West Java; and Staff member of the Indonesian Muslim Students’ Association. 5. Mr Syamsul Arif Galib is a lecturer at the Alauddin State Islamic University in Makassar; and the Co-founder of Makassar Peace Generation (part of the international Peace Generation Network). The delegation visited the University of Melbourne and meet with director for Indonesian Law, Islam and Society, Professor Tim Lindsey who also was the Former Chair of the Australia Indonesia Institute and Professor Abdullah Saeed, Chair of Arabic and Islamic Studies and Dr Nadirsyah Hosen, Senior Law Lecturer at Monash University. They visited a number of schools including a private Christian school, Balcombe Grammar, Al-Siraat College where they observed the Hifz Program and Arkana college. The Indonesian delegates enjoyed the many beautiful mosques in various cities of Australia including Doncaster mosque, Au-
Indonesian delegation with Mehar Ahmad, Rowan Gould and Zia Ahmad.
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Australasian Muslim Times
Indonesian delegation with the AMUST editorial team burn’s Gallipoli mosque and Imam Ali Bin Abi Taleb mosque in Lakemba. They were given a tour at Newport Mosque by Sheikh Abdulla Hawari, the Imam of the architecturally innovative Australian Islamic Centre, and ended their first day with an alumni dinner. The Indonesian delegation paid a visit to the Australasian Muslim Times offices at Bonnyrigg, Sydney led by Mr Rowan Gould, Director of the Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange Program and a researcher at Melbourne University. One of the delegates, Mrs Nurjanni Astiyanti said “Having wonderful moment to track a journey of community and family in search for belief and distributing the message of Islam through Australasian Muslim Times publishing since 1991. Surprisingly, Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad, member of the first generation came up in his wheelchair and caught up with us on Arabic and Islam and said “Without Arabic, you cannot understand Quran, and without Quran, no one can tell you who is Allah.”.” Another delegate, Mrs Oki Setiana Dewi said “Thank Allah for my amazing ‘spiritual journey.” In gaining an understanding of the interfaith Christian-Muslim relations in Australia, the delegates had the opportunity to meet with Martin Chatfield from the Catholic Archdiocese of the Ecumenical and Inter-
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faith Commission and visited St Patrick’s Catholic Cathedral – where they were invited to observe mass. They also visited the ACT Baha’i Centre, Aboriginal Tent Embassy, Canberra Interfaith Forum, Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, meeting with Revered Dr Stephen Pickard and the Sydney’s Jewish Museum. They met with mainstream Australian organisations such as ABC International, Victoria Police Multicultural Liaison Unit, the National Gallery of Australia, National Library, Parliament House and Football United. The exciting program included round-table discussions with associate professor Gregory Fealy and other ANU academics as well as the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed. Delegates also met with a number of Islamic organisations such as the Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights, the National Zakat foundation, the Islamic Museum of Australia, Islamic Council of Australia, Benevolence Australia, Indonesian Muslim Community of Victoria, Canberra Islamic Centre, the Islamic Sciences and Research Academy of Australia, Mission of Hope, Gould Sydney, Muslim Women’s Association, IQRO, Centre for Islamic Dawah and Education.
April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
LIFESTYLE
SOCIAL 23
Six Divorce-Proof Hacks HEALTHY MARRIAGE HACKS
Marriage Counselling & Introduction Agency Ages 18-40 - Males/Females Call Mahmoud 0432507936
Bilal Dannoun In this day and age of alarming rates of divorce and attitudes of replacing what is damaged instead of fixing it, we find many people unaware of the most powerful contributors for healthy and fit marriages. What follows are penetrating insights that every spouse must be consistently conscious of, that would lead to the success and longevity of a marriage. 1. Make Allah a Priority In Your Lives Allah is the turner of hearts and He is the one who inspires and guides to what produces the best outcomes. When husband and wife love Allah and His Messenger Muhammad (s) more than they love each other, Allah increases the love between one another. The relationship between spouses is compromised when the relationship between a spouse and Allah is compromised. Several verses throughout the Quran make it crystal clear that when Allah is a priority in your life that He will inspire and guide you to ease. On the other hand, He reminds us that most of what is unfavorable happens to us mostly due to our own wrongs. The pathway to ultimate success in this life and the next is to ensure the rights of Allah are being fulfilled. 2. Know and Fulfill the Rights of Your Spouse From the wisdom of The Legislator, Allah, is that He has gave laws outlining duties of husband and wife that have been legislated to be adhered to and not ignored or challenged. Knowing the rights of your spouse and implementing them is key to a thriving marriage. It’s not in your best interest to challenge the injunctions laid out by Allah and His Messenger or try and justify a wrong decision or action. There is no shortage of resources that outline the rights of spouses that are legislated from the One who knows what is best for us. 3. Communicate in the Languages of Love You may be doing many things for your spouse, but are you talking in the languages they understand best and that make them feel comfortable, cherished and appreciated. It’s important to listen to what means the world to your spouse and then ensure you are regularly doing those things that mean a lot to them. From amongst the most powerful languages of love are words whereby you acknowledge the love you have for your other half, offering reassuring words of
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Seeker & Sought For An initiative by the Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW) love, affirmation and compliments. Another language is the exchange of gifts. A third language is spending quality time with one another on a weekly basis. Date nights once a week are especially conducive towards are an enriched marriage. A fourth language is being gentle and sensitive in all your interactions. Being at the service of your family is another strong language of love. 4. Consistently Contribute to Your Spouse’s Expectations and Needs Your spouse is not, and will never be perfect. If you keep on looking for a spotless spouse, you may end up finding yourself spouseless. Avoid unnecessary disappointment by lowering your expectations. Listen to what are the needs of your spouse in terms of spiritual, physical, mental, and emotional needs. Next, ask your husband or wife how you can assist in fulfilling their needs. Once informed, proceed to take massive action towards all that will make them happy and fulfilled. Learn about each other’s weaknesses and insecurities and be sure to never belittle or down play them. 5. Be Informed about Your Differences Allah says: “And the male is not like the female.” This means that a man and woman are different. Different does not mean that one gender is superior to another. What it means is that we are different in many ways, and that these differences in strengths and abilities will allow us to complete one another in this journey of life. Explore each other differences and appreciate them instead of challenging them and you will enjoy your partner for who they are. There are many books that impart insights into gender differences and expectations that will allow you to not only understand your spouse but that will also allow you to understand your own behaviors. 6. Don’t Allow Problems to Reach Boiling Point
Part of the success of a marriage is to be prepared for the ups and downs that couples may inevitably find themselves in. Simply being prepared that there may be challenging moments means that you have already won half of the battle. When problems do arise, do ensure you address the problem at the right time, manner, and in the right tone. Whatever you do, do not resist to talk about a problem that is makes you feel uneasy. Once you resist to speak about an ongoing problem, this resistance may well lead to resentment. Resentment may build up and then lead to you rejecting the advances of your spouse until this build-up of rejection leads to repression of feelings that make you feel you are absent from a relationship you are present in. In the event your spouse ignores those matters that give you stress and anxiety and that impact your emotional health, you must speak to a professional (marriage counsellor, experienced sheikh in marital issues or psychologist) who will direct you to the best course of action. Many uncooperative spouses get away with ignoring their spouse’s issues because they know that their partner will not do much about their grievance or that they will get over it in time. Don’t allow your problems to reach boiling point and get help as soon as possible otherwise you are partly to blame for the state you find yourself in. Bilal Dannoun is a renowned Islamic and Civil marriage celebrant based in Sydney. He is an experienced marriage counselor, offering marital advice with a blend of Islamic texts and modern day research. For more information about his relationship services, courses and events visit: bilaldannoun.com
Seekers
F1515: Female, 58, Bangladeshi Muslimah, Divorced. I have 3 son’s. One of them living in Australia. I take Islam seriously and try to practice my best. Currently I am living with my son. I am looking for a practising Muslim who is an Australian citizen, open-minded with good manners. 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. M1516: Male, 25 Australian citizen, from Middle Eastern background. Electrical Apprentice. I am interested in keeping fit and following healthy choices. I make an effort to keep on the right path by observing Islam. I spend quality time with my friends. I am looking for a Muslimah who likes to keep reasonably fit and enjoys playing some sport. A life mate to share the journey of life together. M1514: Male, 21, Bangladeshi, Hafiz of Quran. Currently doing Bachelor in Accounting. I have received 6 points in IELTS. I come from a very educated and well practising Muslim family. My sister is an Australian citizen and is a doctor. Looking for a Muslim girl who lives in Australia. M1513: Male, 30, Pakistani, Currently doing PhD research at Tohoku University, Japan. I enjoy travelling. I am seeking a practising Muslimah.
See More at amust.com.au/ listing_types/seekers/
Placing/Responding to 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
April 2017
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NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Professional interfaith network in Perth Raihanaty A Jalil
On Sunday 26 February, in local Western Australian suburban mosque, Masjid Ibrahim, located in Southern River, three communities came together in the spirit of friendship and seeking common ground - Muslim, Sikh and Jew. As we intermingled among the 100 or more people representing these communities, in spite of seeing skin of all different shades and attire in all the colours of the rainbow, to onlookers, you could not have distinguished who belonged where, as three communities appeared as one. “What a brilliant evening. It was awesome catching up with old friends and making new connections. Thank you to all the organisers for welcoming us into your home and making us feel part a the greater global community.” - Gary Louis It was a day that marked the third event in a series spanning a 24 month collaboration between Muslim Professional Network, Turbans and Trust and Temple David, an event in which the Perth Muslim community warmly welcomed our Sikh and Jewish friends for a guided tour of the mosque. Furthermore, it was a unique opportunity in our otherwise secular world, to speak of the faith that nurtures and feeds our spirit, which colours a Muslim’s day to day life. “There is much that could be said. The
fraternity and solidarity of all who attended was very evident, and anyone there from a non-Muslim background would have learnt something about the great faith of Islam. The dome and beautiful recitation of the sura connected me to a divinity most wonderful that is hard to describe. And love was imparted to all attendees through the delicious food that was shared. Salaam alaikum.” - Jon S Kaub. As we collected in front of the entrance of Masjid Ibrahim, awaiting the commencement of the evening’s program, our female guests were invited to try on a hijab at the ‘Hijab Selfie Booth’, kindly hosted by Sureyya Demir, who took great care in choosing a colour and style of hijab to match each participant’s outfit. “Enriched” is a perfect way to describe
the experience.” - Jordan Smith Sheikh Safdar performing ablution. Photo by Ma’en Abdulla After the formal welcome and introductions, our guests were invited inside, where they witnessed the use of technology in our modern-day mosques, the tour beginning with a discussion on the times of Salah in front of a monitor that displayed the prayer and congregation times. This followed with a demonstration of how Muslims perform ablution before prayer (Wudhu), after an enlightening talk about the practice of our noble Prophet Muhammad (s), who would typically use the volume of just one single glass of water to perform a complete ablution - a lesson that Muslims will admit we could relearn today, in the spirit of environmental conservation.
the needs of Multimillion dollar companies who are capitalising on it and creating our apparel in sweatshops. We are constantly altering western clothing to suit our demands, but the question is, why isn’t it the other way around? The ‘hijabista’s’ or the so-called “Hijabi fashion influencers” who are being paid every second post on your feed could be underestimating the implications and consequences of their clothing influence not only to younger Muslim females but to the message and true meaning of the Hijab and Islam. With the easy accessibility of social platforms, everyone has suddenly become a beauty or fashion blogger, inspiring the world to unleash their inner Marilyn Monroe. Sometimes I wonder if Muslim hijabi bloggers are being acknowledged beyond their ability to perfect their wing liner or styling their jersey hijab in 7 different ways. While some may argue it’s a form of self-expression, I call it a trend. The hijab has simply become an online trend and its experts solely depend on
the number of following they attract. The concern is that modern ‘hijab fashion’ is going against everything hijab stands for. This idea of the Hijab being affiliated with the literal word ‘headscarf’ is misleading. The Hijab appears eight times in the holy Quran and refers to multiple meanings in different contexts. One must understand the fundamental laws of this before taking Quranic verses out of context and using it for one’s personal actions. Thus, the hijab is not simply just about covering the hair on your head or the skin on your arms. The hijab is about guarding your body figure in a modest way; it’s about one’s manners and self-presentation, it’s about being recognised for your actions and not your appearance. It’s a representation of liberation and the stand against objectification and sexualisation. A lot of people have the misconception that modest clothing is boring, that you must wear an Abaya to fulfil the core requirements of Hijab. This is not true; Muslim women are free to dress in any way they desire as long as the fundamental element of modesty is not broken. This is where it’s not so
“What a beautiful event, I’m so happy I made it down in the end. I feel enriched just learning something new. Thank you so much Affy and Hoosein.” - Kostantinos Nikolaos Our guests were then invited into the main prayer area that was beautifully adorned with Islamic art that can also be seen in some of the famous mosques around the world. Here, the steps involved in the ritualistic prayer were demonstrated and translated into English. This followed with a ‘Nasheed’ or ‘song of God’s praise’, being chanted with melodic tones. As our evening together drew to a close, everyone was invited to ask their questions in an open Q&A session with the local Imam. An array of questions ensued, from curiosity over the significance of the diverse dress of Muslim men around the room, to queries around any hierarchies that may exist in a typical Masjid. Overall, it was an event that truly celebrated our shared values, while respecting the beautiful diversity around the room, which could be deduced by how the evening itself concluded, with a value we certainly all possess - the sharing of delicious, multicultural, vegetarian food! The event was organised by Muslim Professional Network in Perth. Check them out on Facebook/MPNPerth. Raihanaty is a Perth based poet, writer, speaker, trainer: developing and facilitating workshops on Cultural Competency. http:// www.raihanaty.com
The Hijab is not a fashion statement Yusra Hadi The boundaries of Islamic modest clothing have become blurred over the past few decades, primarily in the West due to the controversial ideology of modest hijab fashion input in our daily lives. The idea behind modest clothing becoming a fashion statement seems to be taken too far. And that’s understandable, in an era where money and power are above all principals of humanity, it’s only natural for large companies and global business owners to use the booming Muslim market to their advantage. A figure of $230 billion (USD) was spent on clothing by Muslim consumers worldwide, making the Muslim market 11% of global expenditure. It estimated the figure will be doubled, reaching $484 billion (USD) dollars in 2019 according to the State Of The Global Islamic Economy Report by Thomson Reuters. Whilst this may be great news to Vogue, and participating models who are appropriating the Hijab as a fashion icon, it’s clear that the Muslim market has simply been acknowledged as consumerists, catering
black and white anymore. What is modesty? And how can it be measured? While everyone has varying answers, God’s answer is one. As women, we all have the desire to dress to impress, but that’s the beauty of Islam; it acknowledges beauty beyond the psychical appearance and rewards those who attempt to stray away from society standards in attempt to follow the correct law and ruling of hijab in Islam. It’s important to acknowledge that every individual is at a different stage with their faith, thus, it’s not right to make judgments about another person’s dress code. Modest fashion bloggers have an immense responsibility to maintain a positive image of the hijab to the rest of the world. In the digital world, we need to be very cautious of who we refer to as role models and influencers. We must question in what ways they are influencing our lives and character. We need to stop being followers of popular culture and romanticising about materialistic trends. Regardless if we wear hijab or not, as Muslims, we all have the responsibility to represent ourselves and Islam to the best of our ability. Yusra Hadi is a Sydney-based multimedia journalist with the Australasian Muslim Times.
Sydney Muslims ride for Burma, Syria & Palestine Manarul Islam
Mehmet Saral rides into Canberra.
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A group of cyclists from Sydney rode into Canberra on a sunny Sunday morning on 2 April aiming to raise awareness and funds towards aiding those in disaster-struck regions of the world. Organised by the Sydney Muslim Cyclists club (SMC) and sponsored by Human Appeal International Australia, they had started out early on the morning before from Apex Reserve Bradbury Campbeltown for the 145km ride to Goulburn where they stayed overnight before riding the remaining 90km to Parliament House.
Australasian Muslim Times
The group then cycled to the Canberra Mosque in Yarralumla where they prayed, showered and changed before heading back to Sydney by bus. On reaching the mosque the club president, Omar El Eter, explained the reasons for the ride. “We need to raise money for our brothers and sisters in Burma, Syria and Palestine. Our aim is to raise $10,000,” he said. “There are a lot of displaced people out there. What they go through is much, much worse than what went through these last two days. We are hoping that through our efforts we can raise money for relief for them inshaAllah,” he said.
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“It took us eight weeks of training and it paid off and every one of us made it to here.” By the end of the ride the group had already raised half of the target. “We still have 30 days before we send off the money to them, inshaAllah,” Omar pointed out. To donate go to the SMC (www.smcclub. com.au) or the Human Appeal (www.humanappeal.org.au) websites. Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.
April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
BUSINESS 22
LIFESTYLE
SOCIAL 23
AMUST
Call for women to be bold for change Mehar Ahmad
Each year, the Muslim Women’s Welfare of Australia (MWWA) invites local women to join the global celebration in March for International Women’s Day. This year on Saturday 25 March, the MWWA acknowledged and celebrated this global event with a lavish lunch, encouraging women to #be bold for positive change, in our schools, communities and lives. It was a timely opportunity to celebrate inspirational women who have overcome barriers in their bold journeys to success. In addressing this year’s International Women’s Day theme of, ‘Be Bold for Change’, the MWWA invited high-achieving guest speakers who offered their views on the importance of women in the public sector and shared their insights for women to realise their full potential. As a defining example of what it means to be ‘bold for change’, the President of the Muslim Women’s Welfare of Australia Faten El Dana OAM affirmed the organisations coherent role of notably protecting, assisting and empowering vulnerable women in our community. “I would like to firmly resonate that the ongoing message of MWWA is NOT to stand for oppression in any of its variations. Therefore, we call upon the Australian Government to provide protection for Australian women from violence and abuse,” she said.” Inspiring women to be bold for change, a wave of influential messages continued to roll out during the event including a video
message from a highly recognised supporter of MWWA, Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells; the Minister for International Development and the Pacific who commended the organization for its astounding work. Member for Granville, Ms Julia Finn applauded Muslim women for being bold and brave in Australia. “You are being bold; it actually is quite brave in Australia to walk down the street and be so demonstrably proud of your religion and your background and to put that out there in a climate of Islamophobia”. Also in attendance was Ms Aisha Amjad, Director of Community Relations in the Office of Senator Sam Dastyari shared some strong words of praise for MWWA stating that “Under the leadership of Hajjah Faten El-Dana, I commend you all for the fantastic
work you do in engaging and empowering women from diverse backgrounds.” Ms Myrna Chaar, Senior Multicultural Caseworker at the Department of Family and Community Services took the opportunity “to emphasise how important the services which MWWA offers, encouraging women to develop their skills and integrate into Australian society without sacrificing their customs, traditions and most importantly, their belief, their religion”. Ms Farah Khairat, representing Mrs Omneya Negm the spouse of the Ambassador of Egypt Mr Mohamed Khairat expressed the vision behind the cook book ‘Minnie’s Taste of Mediterranean Delight” that she and her mother published. The President of MWWA, Mrs Faten El-Dana also presented a cheque on behalf
of Darulfatwa for Mrs Omneya Negm’s Cookbook Charity Fundraiser. Each of the words given by the prominent guest speakers gave women in attendance the encouragement to realise their full potential, to be ‘Bold for Change’ and transform their lives and communities as leaders and change agents. There was also a heartfelt musical performance about the importance of our mothers and some delightful giftbags given out to attendees.
ian society. The chief guest at the event, Her Excellency Ms Naela Chohan, Pakistani High Commissioner to Australia distributed the awards for the HSC 2016 high achievers of Pakistani heritage. Ms Chohan announced the signing of five year agreement with Macquarie University for the betterment of overseas students from Pakistan as well as Australian students of Pakistani background. Dr Rahat Munir, from Macquarie University explained the details of the agreement and the lucrative scholarship offered by the university to Pakistani students. Special achievement awards were distributed by Mr Abdul Majid Yousfani, Consulate General of Pakistan. Pakistani Pashtun folk dance was performed by Mr Sameen Hussain and party and classical songs by Mr Mueen Qureshi before a delicious Pakistani cuisine dinner was served. The event showcased the successful team work of PAA under the presidency of Mr Abbas Rana helped by Mr Abbas Naqvi, Mr Murtaza Ali, Mr Raja Taseer, Dr Khurram Kayani and Raja Aslam amongst others.
Zahid Jamil
plained the origins of the classical music and poetry of Qawwali while Mrs Kaneez Fatima Ali presented gifts to the artists. Mr Zahid Jamil of SAMAA told audience about current programmes of this benevolent institution. Apart from its voluntary services, SAMAA offers various services in partnership with a major service provider Uniting in culturally and religiously appropriate manner. These include Social Support Programme, Home Care as well as Nursing Home Care. Mr Jamil during his address urged elders and their families to register with MyAged care so that professional services can be arranged for them. He requested the community to support SAMAA including financial support as donations to SAMAA were tax deductible. Dr Ahad Khan thanked supporting organisations for the event including Indian Crescent Society of Australia, Edhi Foundation, Gujrati Muslim Association, SBS Urdu, Australasian Muslim Times AMUST, SadaeWatan, Radio Suniye To including a number of community leaders as well as SAMAA volunteers. The event was supported by Multicultural NSW as well as Bankstown Sports Club. You can listen to a few video clips of the evening at SAMAA facebook page.
Mehar Ahmad is a school teacher based in Sydney and the President of Seena Incorporated, publishers of the Australasian Muslim Times.
Pakistan Resolution Day Samaa’s Qawwali magical celebrations in Sydney night a huge success Hanif Bismi A resolution was drafted and presented on 23 March 1940 during Lahore Conference known as Pakistan Resolution Day. The resolution was presented by Mr A K Fazlul Huq, then Chief Minister of Bengal which became instrumental forming a new nation to be called Pakistan. Pakistan Association of Australia (PAA) organised an event to celebrate the Pakistan Resolution Day on 26 March 2017 at Bankstown. Hon Mark Coure M P representing the Premier of NSW congratulated the PAA and highlighted the contribution of the Pakistani community towards the Australian society. Other key note speakers Hon Geoff Lee MP for Parramatta, Hon Tania Mihailuk MP for Bankstown and Hon Julie Finn MP for Granville appreciated the fact that Pakistani Australians were the one of the earliest migrants and well-integrated into the Austral-
Abbas Rana with Pakistani High Commissioner Naela Chohan.
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South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) staged a magical Mehfil-e-Qawwali on Sunday 19 March at Bankstown Sports Club theatre attended by more than 300 people. The ensemble of Tahir Faridi Qawwal gave an outstanding performance in singing very popular numbers of Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and Sabri brothers. With their rich rhythmic grooves, soaring vocal melodies and the classical performance, the performers were able to spell bound the audience for almost three hours. It was an exceptional exhibition of the ancient tradition of Sufi music. The lead singer Canadian born Muslim revert Tahir Hasssan Faridi showed total mastery of this South Asian art with its smooth melodic overtures, fierce leaps of vocal passion & rich vocal choruses which captivated the audience. The group represents Australian wing of world famous Fanna Fi Allah Qawwali group. During the program, Mrs Saba Abdi ex-
Fanna Fi Allah Qawwali group at SAMAA event.
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Australasian Muslim Times
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UMMAH Millions in Yemen pushed Syrians suffering due to to the brink of famine aerial bombardment NEWS 1-4
AMUST
AMUST Media Fighters in the Yemen war and their international backers are wilfully pushing the country to the brink of famine, Oxfam warned today, on the two year anniversary of the escalation of the war (26 March). Nearly 7 million people have been pushed to the brink of starvation and 70 per cent of the population is in need of humanitarian aid, in what was already the Middle East’s poorest country. Oxfam is calling for urgent action on two fronts: an immediate resumption of the peace process and for governments and other donors to provide the additional US$2.1 billion the UN says is needed for the humanitarian response. The appeal is only 7 per cent funded and so far the Australian Government has provided no direct funding to the humanitarian response since the conflict flared up two years ago.
Sajjad Mohamed Sajid, Oxfam’s Country Director in Yemen, said: “If the parties to the conflict – and those fuelling it with arm sales – continue to ignore Yemen’s food crisis, they will be responsible for a famine. “The people of Yemen are being starved to death and may not survive the situation much longer. A fully funded humanitarian response is vital to prevent countless people dying needlessly, but ultimately what Yemenis need is an end to the fighting. “All sides to the conflict must understand that famine is the real enemy of Yemen. Preventing it must take priority over any side’s military aims. The world cannot wait for famine to be declared in Yemen - it will be too late.” Airstrikes and fighting have killed more than 7,600 people, including over 4,600 civilians, forced more than 3 million people from their homes and left 18.8 million people – 70 per cent of the population – in need of humanitarian assistance, the greatest number in any country in the world.
UP elections: India’s secularism under threat Zahid Jamil The recent election results in the state of Uttar Pradesh (UP) in India have alarmed Muslims around the country. Strategists in Hindu Nationalist political party viz Bhartiya Janta Party (BJP) have successfully calculated various parameters and took advantage of division of non-BJP votes among two main opposition parties led by Mayawati and Mulayam Singh Yadav. The biggest political party of the Indian nation, who claim to represent all Indians, was so bold and blunt in sticking to its Hindutava agenda that it denied any representation to more than 40 million Muslims of the state, 20% of the population. In recent UP election BJP got 39.7% of the votes, while Samajwadi party (SP) and Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) , combined polled in total 44% of the votes. As more than 60% of the population did not vote for BJP, if there was a single second party, that party would have won the elections. Australia and a few other nations follow
Heavenly Culture, World Peace, Restoration of Light (HWPL) and International Peace Youth Group (IPYG) conducted the 3rd Peace Builders Forum on Sunday 19 March in Sydney with the theme Respect and Fair Play. Various community leaders, politicians and media personalities attended the event with the pledge to eradicate discrimination and to work for peace in the Australian society. The organizers used this gathering to introduce and promote the Declaration of
AMUST Media After six years of brutal conflict the five millionth Syrian refugee fled their country overnight to seek safety – the total now equivalent to a quarter of the country’s pre-war population. Oxfam and three Syrian organisations have called on the international community to recommit support to Syrians forced to flee. While half of Syria’s total pre-war population of 22 million have had to flee their homes since 2011, a quarter have then crossed into Lebanon, Turkey, Jordan, and Iraq, in an attempt to look for safety. When broken down, that is an average of 2,500
preferential voting system which tends to overcome the above deficiencies. Here, the voter is allowed to rank all candidates according to their preference. If no candidate secures an absolute majority of primary votes, the candidate with the fewest votes is then eliminated from the count. The votes for this eliminated candidate are then redistributed among the remaining candidates according to the number two preference indicated on the original ballot. This process of elimination based on preferences continues until a candidate secures an absolute majority. This seems to be a much fairer system. However, what is even more disturbing is that while there were many capable candidates for the CM office, PM Narendra Modi picked up the most controversial candidate who can only be described as the most notorious in disturbing communal harmony in UP over past few years. Narendra Modi, Amit Shah and Yogi Aditayanath have become axis of evil of Indian democratic system. Surely Indian secularism faces biggest challenge in current political environment.
Peace and Cessation of War (DPCW) in Australia. DPCW is drafted by HWPL and International Law Peace Committee with experts from around the world to prevent war related behaviors and safeguard religious, cultural and ethnic identities of individuals. The organizers are hopeful that DPCW will be legally binding document which will be adopted by the United Nations to bring peace in many countries. Another attraction of the gathering was Korean traditional food called ‘bibimbap’ which symbolizes the meaning of harmony and the gathering also celebrated Australia Harmony Day. The special ingredient of ‘bibimbap’ makes a unique taste and multiple colors encouraging the participants to think about a peaceful harmonious Australia. Ms Lydia Le thanked the audience and announced the 4th Peace Builders Forum which will be in May.
Australasian Muslim Times
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
people crossing the border every day for the past five years. Only 10 per cent of Syrian refugees live in camps. The overwhelming majority are in informal settlements established on agricultural land in Lebanon, in cramped flats in Jordan, and in housing with basic necessities in Turkey. Though Syria’s neighbours have further restricted their borders since 2015, the relentless fighting and dim hopes of peace continue to force Syrians out of their wartorn country. They are either being smuggled into Lebanon at the risk of their own lives, or living in limbo in makeshift camps at the borders of Turkey and Jordan with little to no humanitarian aid available.
New School Year and Nawroz in Afghanistan The 2017 school year for the children of Afghanistan will start soon. After a long break over the cold winter, children head back to classes when the heavy snow begins to melt away and spring can be felt in the air. It is an exciting time for Mahboba’s Promise. We have been marketing our early education centres in Kabul and Panjshir heavily to the local communities, leaving flyers in shops and visiting local houses to talk about the benefits of early education for children. Last year, our Kabul centre had over 60 children attending. We hope to see that number grow even higher in 2017. Our Panjshir early education centre was opened mid-2016. It is in a poorer, more rural area of Afghanistan so there are less
families able to give their children the benefits of early education. This means the Panjshir early education centre’s presence in the community is even more important. With a funding goal of purchasing a mini-van as a school bus for the centre, we will be able to bring in more children from neighbouring villages to attend the centre over the 2017 school year. The new school year in Afghanistan also coincides with Nawroz, or Afghan New Year. Nawroz is a time when Afghan’s clear out the old and welcome in the new. It has also become a time when fathers gift their children new school supplies for the year ahead, symbolising a positive, fresh start for the school year. In a country with over 2 million orphans, Mahboba’s Promise aims to ensure that disadvantaged children in our care are still able to experience this New Year gifting.
Toowoomba Church hosts dinner for Muslims AMUST Media The St Anthon’s Church in Toowoomba invited members of Muslim community for a dinner on Tuesday 28 February at the eve of the start of the Lent, a 40 days long fasting journey leading to the Easter. The day is known as the Shrove Tuesday and the food is dominated by pancake and fruits. This year the event was special because of the support of the Church for the Garden City Mosque, Toowoomba, especially during the approval process of the rebuilding plan of the burned Mosque by the Toowoomba Regional Council (TRC) last year. The main organiser of the event was Dr Mark Copland who is also a Member of the Parish Committee of the Church. The event was blessed by the Priest of the Church and the Catholic Bishop Robert McGuckin. Councillor Megan O’Hara of the TRC also attended the dinner. The participants from the Muslim community were led by Imam Abdul Kader. He emphasised the strong bond between St Anthony’s Church and Garden City Mosque because of high level of mutual respect and support. Professor Shahjahan Khan reminded that the relationship between Christians and Muslims in Toowoomba started in 1994 with Fr Brain Sparksman and it is getting
Media Scan Ainullah
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COMMUNITY 8 - 11
Mahboba Rawi
3rd Peace Builders Forum: Respect and Fair Play Hanif Bismi
BOOMERANG 5-7
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better and better over time. Islamic Society of Toowoomba regularly invites non-Muslims, including members of the St Anthony’s Church, in the Garden City Mosque to breakfast during the fasting month of Ramadan. The Garden City Mosque, the only Mosque in Toowoomba region for over 2000 Muslims, has received unconditional approval of its development plan from the TRC to rebuild the Mosque that was burned by an arson attack in April 2015. The Islamic Society of Toowoomba is preparing for receiving the Operational Work Permit from the TRC to start the rebuilding work, and requesting all Muslims to make dua, and support the upcoming fundraising appeal to be launched in the near future.
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EDUCATION 19 - 20
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BUSINESS 22
EDUCATION
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AMUST
The 99 Divine attributes of Allah Part 32 - Attribute 94
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 94. Al- Hadi - The Guide “And the Messenger has said, ‘O my Rabb, indeed my people have taken this Quran and abandoned1 ie avoiding it, not listening to or understanding it, not living by it, or performing something else to it.” “And thus have We made for any Prophet an enemy2 from among the criminals. But sufficient is your Rabb as a Guide and a Helper3.” (Al-Furqan, 25:30,31) 1. In Arabia, the word Muhajirun is derived from the infinite ‘hajr’, which means forsaken or abandoned ie not worthy of attention. If it is considered to be derived from infinite hujr, it means that on one hand they consider it as a joke and talkativeness or they are making it as a target of their chattering. 2. Their enmity towards you nowadays is a thing new. It has been repeated with every prophet. “And thus We have made for every prophet an enemy-devils from mankind and jinn, inspiring to one another decorative speech in delusion. But if your Rabb have willed, they would not have done it so leave them and that which they invent.” (al-An’am, 6:112) The enmity with the Prophet, like with other prophets in the past, reflects the principles and traditions of Allah which is infused in public by the word mashiyah, the Will of Allah. So if they had to undergo the sunnah (mashiyah of Allah) they have to forbear the test of tribulation with firm determination. It is better to comprehend the delicate difference between the Arabic words Mashiyah and Raza.
A. Mashiyah - it’s meaning is the Will when used for Allah (God). It refers to the destiny prescribed for every human being individually by Allah. B. Raza - it’s meaning is the pleasure, approval and satisfaction by Allah. Hence it is important to understand the importance between the two. A. Mashiyah As far as the mashiyah (will) of Allah is concerned, it can be reconsidered or changed by the person himself or herself. Allah has given full freedom to humans to change any evil to good, or even change any good to evil by his/her own efforts or determination. Thus Allah provides the opportunity to everyone for submission/disobedience, virtuous/devilish, honourable/dishonourable performance. Allah bestowed freedom to every human being to deal with any action of goodness or evil. The Will of Allah is given to every human being because of his/her freedom but the pleasure, approval and satisfaction of Allah is associated only with the performance of goodness.. So Allah loves and likes that His servants (obedient humans) should adopt goodness instead of evil, using their freedom of choice and not by any compulsion from Allah. Moreover, Allah conveys the important principle that the type of performance by humans is much different than the angels who were created by Allah only by the Orders of Allah without any obligation or annyance. The real credit to the humans is not to behave like angels to struggle for getting the noble God-approved actions demonstrated over the performance of the wicked and the rebellious against Allah. This must be kept in mind of the believers that since Allah likes their virtuous acts and His approval is for their nice thinking and action, He shall compel the disbelievers through His interference and compulsion to make them like you or shall remove the wicked devil community of humans or jinns forcefully who have decided to work
against you. Never: if you’re determined to work virtuously and make your genuine efforts you shall prove it not by words but by actual behaviour and practices. Allah has decided to test your sincerity and virtuous determination. B. Raza 3. The word ‘Guide’ does not refer only to the capability given to the true believers about the true path and line of action to be carried on. It definitely includes the most important and suitable strategies and wisdom to carry on the task of the Islamic mission and importantly to struggle against the plans and wicked desires of the non-believers against Islam. Similarly the help also includes all types of help, whatever opportunities open in the conflict of truth and falsehood. Allah helps the believers to the extent that he does not stand himself against the false-
hood. But this is ascertained only when the believers themselves try their best in efforts and performance. The outcome of any event in this world does not depend upon the pleasure, approval or satisfaction of Allah (God). The Will of Allah depends upon its inclusion in the overall scheme of Allah. For example, the theft by a robber, the killing by a murderer, the crimes of any oppressor, the blashphemy of any unbeliever or polytheist, is not possible without the Will of Allah. In the same way, the belief of a pious person, a believer or the righteous is also impossible without the Will of Allah. All kinds of events occur under the Will of Allah. But the first type of events is not permissible or agreeable to Allah, or gain His Pleasure, while the second type of events gain His Pleasure and the rewards from Allah. Continued in AMUST issue #138 May
them Islamic countries. These are countries simply where the majority of the population is Muslim.” I was talking to a leading figure of the Muslim community in Australia a few months ago who had recently visited Turkey. Before I asked about how was his trip, he said that he saw ceremonial Islam being practiced there. This is not only in Turkey only but the whole Muslim world largely follows ceremonial Islam. The practical solution to going beyond ceremonial Islam to is to truly understand the meaning of shahadah and applying it in
daily life in through our good behaviour. Ali Hajwairi (990-1077) sates that the shortest and safest way of achieving this is to have faith in Allah and worshiping Him and then is to serve all His creation in the best possible ways.
Beyond ceremonial Islam: Displaying good behaviour
Dr Salih Yucel One of the most influential scholars of Islam al-Ghazali (1058-1111) states that half of the people run away from Islam because of misbehaviour of Muslims towards others. Inculcation of good behaviour amongst humans was one of the reasons that the Prophet Mohammad (s) was sent as a blessing to humankind by our Creator. In a hadith, the Prophet (s) states that “I have only been sent to perfect good moral character” (Musnad). According to al-Shatibi (1320-1388), Islam aims to build noble character amongst its followers. Today manu Muslims claim to practice their religion but focussing more on appearance than good behaviour. A common fallacy in the Muslim world is to believe that change is manifested through appearance only, and that modernity means wearing a suit and tie, while piety means having a beard or wearing a turban. Some Muslims take these appearances
April 2017
as a condition of piety. However, piety and righteousness are reflected in person behaviour not appearance and how a person is dealing with others according to the Quran (2:177). One of the major issues for Muslims is how to present Islamic ethics in all aspects of life. This is called tamthil or role modelling. In shahadah (testifying of faith), the first pillar of Isla, in the second sentence, the word of ‘abd’ or servant comes before the word of rasul or messenger. Abd means to practice as a servant and mentioning of the word of abd before rasul means representing or role modelling comes before the conveying of the message. Therefore it can be argued that the behaviour of a Muslim should proceed conveying of the message for Daawah purposes, just as lightening precedes thunder. Research shows that 92% of Americans reverted to Islam because of coming in contact with a Muslim displaying good behaviour. Only 5% of those who those who reverted did so because of proselytisation. Thus, the action of a good Muslim speaks louder than his/her words. Different surveys have shown that Americans who have not met practicing Muslims are not in favour of Islam. Muslims not displaying good character may be one of the reasons of Islamophobia in various societies. The grandson of Hasan al-Banna and son of Saeed Ramadan Professor Tariq Ramadan (in his speech at ICV in 2009) argued that “without good behaviour, Islam becomes a sloganic faith only and this is a betrayal of the religion. When we look at the Muslim countries, it is very difficult to call
Dr Salih Yucel is an Associate Professor at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University. He worked as an Imam at Redfern Mosque in Sydney between 1987-1992 and then as a Muslim chaplain at Harvard Medical Schools’ hospitals for seven years.
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EDUCATION
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Terrorist attacks: To condemn or not to condemn? Ahmed Bassal
Every time people are murdered somewhere in the world by a Muslim, we go through a similar process internally within the Muslim community. First we see and hear the attack, and feel a heavy weight on our chest, in our gut, and we think “Not again...” We might even stop reading the news, change the channel, or put down our smart device if we don’t want to deal with the news then and there. As we venture out into the world, going about our daily lives, we catch more glimpses, hear more sound bites of what’s going on. Eventually we realise we can’t put it off any more - alright - let’s find out what happened. As we find and digest the various facts and reports around the incident, the loudest voices are the right-wing speakers and politicians around the world. Without a doubt, they are shouting from the rooftops that Islam is the problem, they will probably also fold-in refugees somehow, imply that they are the ones who can fix all the world’s problems once elected, and they might also take a stab at whatever centre or left-wing figures they have long had an agenda against. The height of political opportunism. Something interesting also happens within the Muslim community itself. The endless debate, of whether we should all collectively condemn, or not condemn,
the murder of innocent people going about their lives. There are many voices in this debate, the Muslim scholars have their own varying views, with some well-known Imams quickly posting and tweeting their well-worded condolences and calling for world peace. Some encourage others not to condemn, because we are not guilty of any crime, and condemning the violence exacerbates the idea that somehow all Muslims are collectively responsible for this crime. Some Muslims also condemn the attack, while simultaneously condemning attacks on Muslim countries around the world that have claimed many more lives, but got practically no media attention whatsoever something we are sadly used to by now. I’ll admit, it’s hard to know how to go about this all at times. If we don’t condemn, we will be accused of not caring, and not opposing terrorism. If we do condemn, the world sees it as insincere, and will still claim that we “aren’t doing enough” to oppose terrorist attacks. Not to mention if we take this line, we will undoubtedly find ourselves condemning every single attack perpetrated by anyone who can be classified as a Muslim, and giving far less attention ourselves to the genocide happening to Muslims around the world With each option, we must look at what we really achieve, and although I’m still thinking it over, I feel like we don’t really accomplish anything either way. What is the real-world impact of this Olympics of opinions? Probably nothing at all. While all of this is happening, there are literally millions of people around the world
who are interested in Islam, feel positive about Islam, and might even be considering exploring Islam. There are millions of people in the world actively seeking the truth, and to be close to Allah. This situation reminds me of Surah ‘Abasa. Prophet Muhammad (s) was preaching Islam to the nobles of Quraysh, who were not interested in Islam. A blind man approached the Prophet, genuinely seeking out Allah, and the Prophet Muhammad (s) frowned at the blind man, and turned away from him. To which Allah responded with specific Quranic revelation in Surah 80 Verses 1-12. The Prophet was told clearly by Allah, in no uncertain terms, that his priority should be those who are earnestly and sincerely looking for Allah, and the truth, rather than
trying to please those who are indifferent to the message of Islam. These are powerful verses not just relevant to the Prophet (s) and this incident, but to all of us, for all time. Ahmed Bassal (MBA) is a Muslim Business professional and Da’ee residing in Sydney Australia. He is passionate about delivering the message of Islam to all people, taking the best care of reverts to Islam, and up-skilling Muslim and Da’wa organsiations to help them succeed. He is part of “Introduction to Islam: The New Muslim Course” - A standardised revert course running in NSW, VIC, and SA, with plans for QLD to come online in 2017. He is available for Business workshops, Dawa Workshops, General Islamic Talks and Friday Khutbah.
Support for local My proud ANZAC Islamic Infrastructure heritage Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas
“Whosever builds a Mosque for Allah, then Allah will build for him a similar house in Paradise.” (Hadith, Sahih Bukhari) Allah in all His mercy and compassion has allowed us to live in a country where we have the freedom to practice our religious observations peacefully and sustainably. We have mosques and schools, Islamic organisations and groups representing the Muslim community, catering to our religious needs, and striving for the betterment of our communities every day. These places assist in the development of exemplary citizens that make positive contributions for themselves, their communities, their nation and the world. We are very fortunate that we are free to raise our children to uphold the wholesome values instilled in us by the noble Qur’an and the Sunnah of our beloved Prophet Muhammed (s) which in many ways are synonymous with the law of this land, founded on wholesome Christian values. We have so much to be grateful for, Alhamdulillah. One organisation that was built on these very foundations is Al Siraat College, the investment project built by Barakah Properties. Al Siraat College is dedicated to instilling the values of respect, sincerity, integrity, responsibility, perseverance and benefiting others in all their students. Al Siraat College is also one of the few schools in Australia that has a Hifz program, based in Melbourne’s booming outer-north. The long term sustainability of companies like Barakah Properties relies heavily on their investors. These investors are directly contributing to the development of facilities for current and future generation of Muslims, while gaining a modest but consistent financial return. As for the returns expected in the afterlife, its a reward that keeps multiplying. Now consider the reward for every letter
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of the Qur’an that one child learns at this school. The child is rewarded for learning, the teacher is rewarded for teaching, the parents are rewarded for encouraging their child, the founders are rewarded for facilitating this learning platform and the investors are rewarded for making it possible to build the infrastructure where it all takes place. It’s a ripple effect of rewards for the entire progeny of that child that continue on the path of Qur’an and Sunnah. Now consider the hundreds of children that study there now and the hundreds that will study there in years to come. This is the opportunity for barakah that Barakah Properties offers investors. It doesn’t end there, apart from the continued development of Al Siraat College, Barakah Properties are also scheduled to start building a masjid for the growing population of Muslims in Melbourne’s outer north. The demand is high, the resources are necessary. Just last year Al Siraat College Musallah was expanded to accommodate for well over 400 people that attend the Friday congregation, a temporary measure to cater to increased demand. Supporting Australian schools in the Islamic tradition has never been more important. Their platforms for community engagement throughout the year ensure correct representation of Muslims, and the value they add to communities, contrary to the many efforts made to discredit the Ummah. These schools are proactive in strengthening community ties, building strong, resilient, cohesive and inclusive communities. Al Siraat College supports and promotes the principles and practice of Australian Democracy, including a commitment to: elected Government; the rule of law; equal rights for all before the law; freedom of religion; freedom of speech and association and the values of openness and tolerance.
Australasian Muslim Times
Dr Anne Fairbairn AM My grandfather, Sir George Houstoun Reid KC, who had been Premier of NSW, Prime Minister of Australia, our first High Commissioner to Britain and was also voted into the House of Commons. He is known by many in Australia as the true Father of Federation. However he was always very concerned for the indigenous people, as was his wife Dame Flora Anne Reid (after whom I was named). She would often talk about this to me when I was a child, hence my book ‘Shadows of Our Dreaming” dedicated to the indigenous people of our country, who had lived in harmony with nature for over sixty thousand years, and should always be recognised on Australia Day. The Rev John Reid, George Reid’s father, was the Moderator of the first Scot’s Church in Australia, was also very concerned about the Aboriginal people and believed they would call the British arrival here Invasion Day. For Australia, the First World War remains the costliest conflict in terms of deaths and casualties. From a population of fewer than five million, 416,809 men enlisted, of whom more than 60,000 were killed and 156,000 wounded, gassed, or taken prisoner. Germany, in support of Austria-Hungary, invaded neutral Belgium and Luxembourg and advanced on France, prompting Britain to declare war against the Germans on August 4, 1914. As part of the British Empire, Australia sent a message to the British government on August 4, 1914, offering “20,000 men of
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any suggested composition.” In Europe the Australian troops fought bravely in the First Battle of Bullecourt, the Second Battle of Bullecourt, the Battle of Messines, the Third Battle of Ypres. Sir George Reid was Prime minister of Australia from 1904 to 1905. Upon his first knighthood in 1909, his wife became Lady Reid he had further knighthoods in 1911 and 1916. Born as Florence Ann Brumby in Longford, Tasmania, she moved to Sydney, where she married George Reid in 1891. He was 46 years old, she 23 years old. They had three children. My father Clive was his younger son. She became a member of the Women’s Federal League, but otherwise focused on raising her family. She accompanied her husband to London in 1910 on his appointment as the first Australian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom. For her work in assisting Australian soldiers recuperating in London during World War I, she was appointed a Dame Grand Cross of the Order of the British Empire (in August 1917, being in the first list of appointments to the order, which had been created only in June 1917. Dr Anne Fairbairn AM is an accomplished poet and writer. She is passionate about First Nation peoples, Muslims and Arabic literature and culture. She is based in Sydney.
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Walkabout in the Maghreb Manarul Islam When travelling, just getting out of the hotel and walking around on foot has to be one of the most enjoyable and valuable experiences being able to take in as much of local scenery and peoples as possible. Nowhere is this more true than in Morocco. We had started walking along the deserted Tangier corniche (it was winter) when we
came across a gentleman who initially tried to sell us ferry tickets. Once he learnt we had just come over from Spain the previous night, he quickly switched tack and offered a guided tour of the city. The price was reasonable (I didn’t haggle - to my son’s surprise) and a deal was struck. I did warn him that I was a bit of a dawdler and was interested in meeting the locals and going off the normal tourist track. He didn’t disappoint.
Tangier – An example of the mosaic tile work in the many buildings.
Tangier - rich in fruits from the mountains
Asilah – I have a feeling they like blue.
April 2017
We meandered through the narrow streets, through the markets, in and out of bakeries and dark and dusty buildings in which tradespeople produced their wares with delicate artistry. We visited mosques, churches, synagogues, and an electronics shop run by a second generation Indian before driving off to Asilah, a small town down the Atlantic coast, where we had a late seafood lunch walked through the streets and pathways surrounded by the most vivid and colourful
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artwork. Asilah was recommended to us by the daughter of a Moroccan diplomat in Canberra - she was right and we were fortunate to have made the journey. By nightfall we had returned to Tangier and had kebab and chicken tagine at a local coffee house near the sea. This is part three. Read the other parts here: http://tinyurl.com/h9x9efn
Grand Mosque of Tangier.
Asilah – Walls of artwork.
Tangier – Weaving the djellaba.
Asilah - Green within the walls.
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Australasian Muslim Times
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BUSINESS
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 11
AUSTRALIA 12 - 13
LIFESTYLE 14 - 17
Qartaba Homes: Innovative Housing Solutions Abu Anees With booming house and land prices in all capital cities in Australia in general and Sydney in particular, housing affordability by new migrants and young families had increasingly become out of reach during the last decade. Growing population and migration from overseas and interstate led to increased housing demand in Sydney metropolitan areas. Extra ordinary increase in rents and fluctuating interest rates proved to be a great barrier to housing affordability. A group of entrepreneurs devised an innovative solution to the housing affordability problem by initiating to provide alternate to the mortgage based existing housing solution by establishing ‘First ever Interest Free Housing Solution’ in Australia. In December 2010, Qartaba Homes was established to give a execute thoughts and plans into reality by establishing the first phase of Riverstone Housing Project (RHP) towards the beginning of 2011. Unexpectedly, this Phase was completed in a few weeks’ time to give Qartaba Homes boost and encouragement. Qartaba Homes aim to turn the dream of owning an Interest Free House that opens up a world of comfort for young families at an affordable price that offers great value for money. Qartaba Homes are an Australian owned business serving community for affordable housing without any interest. Their main focus is helping those Australians who never thought of buying a house due to mortgage challenges. They are supported and funded by individual investors who also want to support the community for finding solution to affordable housing. In NSW there are four land projects in Riverstone, Schofields, Box Hill and Aus-
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Qartaba Homes partners and staff at the commencement of the developement project at Riverstone. tral. While in Victoria there are again four projects in Pakenham, Tarneit, Riverdae and Wollert. There are three projects in Queensland in Redbanks Plains and two in Bundamba. There has been enthusiastic support from land buyers both from Australia as well as overseas. So far Qartaba Homes have served more than 1000 families. The average appreciation of land value for customers so far has been 200-300%.
Australasian Muslim Times
Qartaba Homes have commenced the development of the land at Riverstone at the beginning of this year and estimate to deliver the land in 2017 to almost 300 families in Sydney and Melbourne. For land development purposes, Qartaba Homes have engaged Australia’s top engineering firms like BG&E, REEDS Consulting, Orion Consulting for planning and engineering consultation and Well reputed firms like Leffler Simes architects and DWA
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Workshop have been engaged for architectural work. Well known civil contractors like, Winslow Construction, BMD Group and Friends Civil are working on different Qartaba Homes projects. For more information check Facebook page and Qartaba Homes website: http://qartabahomes.com.au For enquiries, please call by 02-9627 3073 or email info@qartabahomes.com.au
April 2017
UMMAH 18
EDUCATION 19 - 20
TRAVEL 21
TOP 7 Muslim Memes
It’s very confusing to hear my racist uncle say: “Those Arabs have done zero good things” when Arabs invented zero...
BUSINESS 22
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TOP 6
VIDEOS
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#HarmonyDay
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Podcasts
To Watch
Harmony Day is a celebration of our cultural diversity – a day of cultural respect for everyone who calls Australia home. Held every year on 21 March. The Day coincides with the United Nations International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. – www.harmony.gov.au
#GoodMuslimBadMuslim
Co-hosted by friends Tanzila “Taz” Ahmed and Zahra Noorbakhsh, the women swap funny stories about their personal lives, such as the time one of them got hit on by a guy who wrote a WikiHow article titled, “How to Cold Approach Women.” They also discuss issues that impact the Muslim community, often able to imbue serious topics with a touch of light humor.
Hanson knows that, to be vaccinated against Islam, everyone in Australia would have to be introduced to small amounts of Islam... right?
Muslim Man Breaks Up Street Fight
I search for the halaal sign more than I ever searched for love
A video of a fight between two young teenagers with their friends looking on, recording on their phones has gone viral, but not for the reason you think. A man stepped up, stood in between the two boys and stopped the fight. The man said “Ya’ll almost men, Ya’ll ain’t kids no more. Ya’ll don’t shake hands, I’m not leaving, bro.” This peacemaker is a Muslim man, Ibn Ali Miller who spotted two boys getting into a fight and immediately intervened. He told the boys that their friends who were recording and laughing were cowards. Ibn Ali Miller said “What made me stop is because before I had mentors and before I had people to help me out in my life, I was like those kids. So when I saw those kids, it’s a true reflection of myself and who I used to be.” Ibn Ali is a lifelong resident of Atlantic City and knows many of the kids. “The main thing that I was trying to convey to them was to respect themselves” said Miller. His actions attracted celebrity praise and he was honoured by the city’s officials. Video: wp.me/p4ICdM-2MK
Muslim Women Respond to Ayaan Hirsi Ali
Produced by Persons of Interest, an upcoming News and media platform dedicated to conversations about social justice, Six Muslim Women speak directly to Ayaan Hirsi Ali, a star of the global Islamophobia Industry. In this powerful video, the women say “Ayaan Hirsi Ali, you do not speak for us. You are not our ally. You’re not interested in our lives or our freedom. You’ve described Muslim women as being irrational, docile, having no minds of our own. You’ve called us slaves. How can you claim to stand for our liberation when you simply repeat the language of our oppressors? This is not the language of solidarity, or understanding, or freedom. This is the language of patriarchy and misogyny. This is the language of white supremacy. This is the language used to justify wars, invasion and genocide. You’re not here to help us or stand with us. You’re here to profit from an industry that exists to dehumanise us. An industry built on selling hatred, misinformation and stereotypes. This hatred you feed puts us in danger every day. It encourages fear, persecution and violence. This is not brave. This is not progressive. This is propaganda.” Video: http://wp.me/p4ICdM-2MO
April 2017
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