MUSLIM
AUSTRALASIAN
Multimedia News & Views
ISSN: 1039-2300
AMUST
Print Post Publication No. 100021354
Print edition published Monthly on first Friday with Website updates
S
TIME
www.amust.com.au
Phone: (02) 8006 2063 Email: info@amust.com.au
Issue # 144
November 2017; Safar 1439
The Balfour Declaration
Mufti Menk Live in Sydney
Woolworths Goes Halal
Backpacker Medics
BOOMERANG PAGE 7
COMMUNITY PAGE 9
CENTREFOLD PAGE 16
LIFESTYLE PAGE 21
$2.00
Mosques open doors, hearts and minds Mobinah Ahmad Now in its fourth year, the National Mosque Open Day was held on Saturday 28 October 2017. This is a nationally coordinated event where mosques in all states open their doors to all Australians from various faiths and no faith to showcase Islam in theory and practice. There are information displays, tours, Q&A sessions, fun activities for kids, big and small and mingling of people from diverse background and faiths in order to break down barriers. This year’s event featured several mosques across the nation who simultaneously opened their doors to the public and invited them to come in and explore their local mosque. At Imam Ali Mosque in Lakemba, a young man asked questions surrounding whether the Islamic rulings of inheritance were still applicable today given the nature of gender roles in modern day society. The annual nationwide event is supported by the Lebanese Muslim Association and the Department of Social Services, promoting cohesion within communities and clarifying misconceptions. The day was also part of the National Day of Unity on 31 October when Australians are encouraged to contribute to greater harmony in society. According to one of the organisers of the Garden City Mosque, Professor Shahjahan Khan, the open day in Toowoomba was not about religion, but about bringing people to-
A National Mosque Open Day visitor at Lakemba Mosque. Photo by Anita Martins. gether to enjoy each other’s company. groups has improved – and is now at a are your next door neighbour, pharmacists, Acting president of The Islamic Centre of high,” said Mr Dorani. GP’s, fixing your roads, the shopkeepers Newcastle (which includes the Sultan Fatih “A couple of years ago we had people you buy kebabs from,” he said. Mosque), Forugh Dorani noticed a major asking us about Al Qaeda and ISIS, but it’s change since the open day started. shifted away from that,” he further added. continued on page 16 and 17 “Our relationship with the wider com“There is fear of the unknown, but this is with photo collage of National munity, our neighbours and different faith bringing attention to the fact that Muslims Mosque Open Day 2017.
Singapore conference calls for global peace
Photo: Mehar Ahmad. Zia Ahmad An international conference with the theme “The Role of Islamic NGOs in Promoting a Culture of Peace: Challenges and Prospects,” was held from Friday 13 to Saturday 14 October 2017 at the Pan Pacific Hotel in Singapore. The international forum was hosted by Jamiyah Singapore in collaboration with The Islamic Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (ISESCO) based in
Rabat, Morocco. Delegates from more than 23 countries from all over the world presented papers highlighting the challenges faced and the initiatives taken by non-government organisations in their respective countries in promoting harmony and peace between people of diverse background, faiths, ethnicities. The opening of the conference on Friday 13 October was attended by a host of community leaders , members of the diplomatic corps in Singapore, representatives of the main religious institutions in the country,
Proudly Printed in Australia by Spotpress Pty Ltd
several local and international media personnel , delegations from Southeast Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Asia, Latin America and the Caribbean, representing several countries including Argentina, the UK, Albania, Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, Australia, Philippines, Brunei Darussalam, Sri Lanka and Singapore. After the opening remarks by Dr Hussin Mutalib, Chairperson of the conference organising committee, President of Jamiyah Singapore, Dr Mohammad Hasbi Abu
Bakar during his welcome address thanked participating parties and highlighted the efforts being made by the Jamiyah in Southeast Asia through its various activities and initiatives with a view for promoting a culture of peace. The Director General of ISESCO, Dr Abdulaziz Othman Altwaijri thanked the Singapore government for all the facilities provided over the past years for the meetings held by ISESCO in association with the Jamiyah in Singapore. continued on page 2
Dispose of this paper thoughtfully - PLEASE RECYCLE
AMUST
NEWS
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Singapore conference calls for global peace Photo: Mehar Ahmad.
Interfaith session at the Singapore Conference. Secretary General of Muslim World League Continued from page 1 Dr Altwaijri also thanked Jamiyah Sin- (Rabita Al-Alam Al-Islami) expressed his gapore for its cooperation with ISESCO in support for the forum and ISESCO’s activorganizing this Forum which coincided with ities. He categorised terrorism and extremthe Jamiyah’s 85th anniversary, and com- ism as deviations from the middle path of mented on all the humanitarian, cultural, Islam. The Guest of Honour, Mr K Shanmugam, educational and social efforts made by the Singapore’s Minister for Home Affairs and Jamiyah throughout its long history. Dr Mohammad Bin Abdul Karim Al-Issa, Minister for Law congratulated the Jamiyah
Muslim Legal Network: Know Your Rights Mobinah Ahmad The Muslim Legal Network (NSW) in association with the Australian Muslim Civil Rights Advocacy Network held a free community launch event of the expanded 4th edition of ‘Anti-terrorism laws: ASIO, the police and you with new sections on citizenship, passports and traveling overseas ‘ on Saturday 28 October 2017 at Abu Hanifa Institute in Lidcombe, Sydney. The publication is a plain English community resource that explains anti-terrorism laws and raises community awareness of civil rights with the hope that in so doing, individuals may better understand and abide by their obligations under the law. The expert panelists included two Barristers and a Senior Lecturer from the University of Sydney who answered and discussed topics including stripping citizenship, dealing with police and travelling overseas. Each panelist provided their invaluable insights and explanations of rights and responsibilities that every Australian holds. Founded in 2009, Muslim Legal Network (NSW) is one of the peak professional associations representing Australian Muslim
legal practitioners. Copies of the Publication were available and distributed at the event and will soon be available on their website.
Overseas guests at Jamiyah Singapore’s 85th anniversary celebrations. on the occasion of its 85th anniversary. Mr Shanmugam stressed the principles of his government’s policy regarding respect for cultural diversity and promotion of dialogue, coexistence and peace between and among the various ethnic and religious communities in Singapore. The Forum’s programme comprised eight working sessions devoted to presentations and discussions on the following topics: • Role of the Supreme Council for Education, Science and Culture for Muslims outside the Islamic World in promoting a culture of peace. • Role of Muslim NGOs in Promoting Peace: Country Initiatives from Canada, France, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Russia, Spain, Switzerland, UK, Australia, Philippines Brunei, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Pakistan. • Role of Muslim Youth Ambassadors of Peace International. • Roundtable Discussion: Towards Better Inter-Faith Relations. Participating at this session were ISESCO Director General, the Secretary General of Muslim World League and the representatives of the Buddhist, Christian and Hindu faiths in
Singapore, along with the President of the Inter-religious Organization of Singapore. In parallel with the Forum, the participants attended the ceremony marking the 85th anniversary of Jamiyah Singapore at a gala dinner at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel attended by more than 1000 guests on Saturday evening 14 October 2017. Australia was represented by Zia Ahmad, Managing Editor of AMUST, who during his audio-visual presentation highlighted the challenges faced and initiatives by various NGO’s and government bodies working for the promotion of peace and harmony in the country. Professor Anwar Gilani, Chairman, Pakistan Council for Science & Technology during his presentation urged Muslims to give priority to education specially in the fields of science and technology in order to become a knowledge nation (Ummah). A comprehensively compiled proceedings of the Forum was distributed by the organisers containing detailed CV of delegates as well as abstracts of papers presented during the conference.
Zia Ahmad getting award for his presentation at Singapore Conference.
Professor Anwar Gilani getting award for his presentation at Singapore Conference.
ADVERTISE YOUR BUSINESS on the
2018 ISLAMIC Planner Calendar
Up to 8,000 Copies Distributed FREE all over NSW & ACT at:
Community Organisations
Shops
Government Departments
Mosques
Business Outlets
Community Functions
for
SYDNEY or canberra ISLAMIC FOUNDATION FOR EDUCATION & WELFARE
2
Ph: 0418 204 251 Email planner@ifew.com
Australasian Muslim Times
Learn more at https://goo.gl/6pskQ5
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
November 2017
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
3
5-CITY
TOUR
MAHER ZAIN IMAM SUHAIB WEBB
PREACHER MOSS
Perth
Thursday 23/11/2017 Perth Convention Centre
Brisbane
Monday 27/11/2017 Queensland Performing Arts Centre
4
Australasian Muslim Times
HARRIS J ADEL ELMSHITI
Adelaide
SHEIKH OMER TURKMEN
Sydney
Friday 24/11/2017 Adelaide Convention Centre
Saturday 25/11/2017 Sports Centre, Olympic Park
WINNER
Melbourne
Sunday 26/11/2017 Margaret Court Arena Melbourne Park
TICKETS: GOLD: $40 PLATINUM: $70
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
BOOMERANG
SOCIAL 30 - 31
Global village demands individual responsibility The modern world has become a global village as a result of technological advancement in mass communication, ease and affordability of movement and great opportunities in exchange of ideas. In our contemporary society, no one can now afford to live in isolation any more. What we say and how we act impacts on not only those around us but has the potential to affect any one on the globe. With empowerment given by social media to every individual, our audience now consists of diverse people on this globe from different faiths and no faith, different races, different cultures and with different ideas. This calls for us as global citizens to gard as to how his speech impacts on people be responsible in expressing ourselves in on the globe. As followers of Islam and practicing speech and action. In order to maintain Muslims, again we need to realpeace and cordial relations with ise that this world is made of our fellow global citizens, we not only Muslims but people need to be very responsible who are different from us in in what we utter and how faith. We need to address we utter it. them as well and cannot Freedom of speech afford to ignore them. does not translate into Zia Ahmad Islam cannot be pracfreedom from responsiticed in vacuum. It needs bility in our speech. Assalamu to be practiced with conThe example set by text. We need to learn IsDonald Trump through Alaikum lam from original sourchis irresponsible tweets es, but with reference to and comments, not only Greetings context. Again, we need to as a global citizen, but as of Peace apply Islam with context mindthe President of the most powful of the times and the place we erful nation in the world is highly are applying it. deplorable. This shows that he lives in With an emotional approach, we raise the his imaginary isolation having dismal re-
EDITORIAL
Re: Autonomy with citizenship for Rohingyas
I would like to think that Australia have run out of puff after East Timor. I would like to rule out the more sinister motive in championing the breakaway of East Timor from Indonesia and the shameful inertia in
for more news and photos Signup to our Email Newsletter November 2017
• Newspaper • Website • Email Newsletter For more info, Email info@amust.com.au
5-7
Boomerang
Australia
8 - 13
14 - 15
- Suicide Prevention Walk in Auburn - Change to End Elder Abuse
CENTREFOLD
16 - 17
- Lakemba Comes Alive
slogan that there is only one universal application of Islam irrespective of time and place. But this attitude is not realistic and creates difficulties in living Islam under different circumstances. Ongoing interpretation of original sources of Islam under changing circumstances and times need to be made by contemporary competent scholars abreast with both knowledge of resources as well as the demands of the modern world for daily peaceful living. With explosion of information and access to knowledge, all individuals have a responsibility to enter into such debates and competent scholars to join forums to exchange ideas and come up with practical solutions in the application of Islam in our modern daily living so that we can happily live Islam in peace with our environment.
Send us your thoughts about news or current events to be published in the next issue of AMUST
Email us at info@amust.com.au 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.
Yearly subscription
$10 E-newspaper $30 Newspaper $40 Institutions
Lifestyle
18 - 21
- Rohingya Fundraiser Picnic in ACT - SalamFest Set to Impress
Ummah
22 - 24
- Mediascan - Letter From A Rohingyan
Education
25 - 28
- AMU Alumni Formation - Australian Islamic Legacy - Halal Matters
29
Travel
- Modern Ibne Batuta: An Exploratory Trip to Indonesia
Social
30 - 31
- Muslims in the Mainstream - Video: What Are Your Fears?
AMUST Team
YOUR SAY
Re: Oldest Quran manuscript discovered in Birmingham
Choose from 3 ways of effective advertising
1-4
- National Mosque Open Day 2017 - Muslim Legal Network
- Diversity in the School Sector - Mushaira: Revolutionary Poets - Unique Evemt for a Unique Book
Read More Advertise Subscribe Visit our website at amust.com.au
News
Community
Re: Targeting terrorism: The not doing the same for the Rohingyas. mal Australian story
If we are going to compare this and the San’a Codex which was written 100 years earlier to the tradition Islamic era, confirms that Quran-Islam is much older than we taught. If empirical research on the Quran is to be carried out, it will proves what i had written above. For example, 1. The Quran says in 16:103 that an Aramaic speaker was the one who teaches an Arab the Quran. You will have to connect the dot with 09:26 & 40 and historical evidence that goes back to the 3rd Century CE, in order to know who the Aramaic speaker was? 2. The Quran says in 63:03, that the language of the audience of the Quran was Ancient South Arabian, a language that was last spoken and written in the early 4th Century CE. Moni Jiao
AMUST Issue # 144 Friday 3 November 2017; 13 Safar 1439
- Global Village Demands Individual Responsibility
Readers comments HAVE As late as 2014 toleration of right-wing extremism still clung to the Liberals, despite the exposure of the 1970s Liberal Party Migrant Advisory Council. Speaking at the Croatian Club in Sydney on April 13, MHR Craig Kelly’s words were noted in the Australian Croatian weekly Boca KroPres:“On behalf of the Prime Minister, who is in Japan, I’m conveying his greetings and good wishes on the occasion of the celebration of the 10th of April to you and all Croats in Australia, and those in Croatia.” [Independent Australia 23 April 2014] This was the anniversary of the establishment of the Nazi puppet state of Croatia. It resulted in a ‘please explain’ from the modern Croatian government. Bilal Cleland
AMUST
Editor-in-Chief: Zia Ahmad Managing Editor: Mobinah Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Zaynab Gul Sub-Editor: Mohammed Sinan Siyech Sub-Editor: Aisha Mohsin Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Dr Daud Batchelor (QLD) Columnist: Simon Harrison (QLD) Columnist: Anne Fairbairn (NSW) Columnist: Zahid Jamil (NSW) Columnist: Shahjahan Khan (QLD) Columnist: Prof Irfan Shahid (India) Columnist: Imam Malik Mujahid (USA) Promotion: Dr Wali Bokhari Web Developer: Shadow Approved Multimedia: iMoby Productions Printers: Spotpress 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, 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
Subscribe now at
amust.com.au/subscribe
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
5
AUSTRALIAN INTERNATIONAL ISLAMIC COLLEGE
Excellence in Education Character and Service Kindergarten to Year 12
2018
Academic & Sports
SCHOLARSHIPS Available APPLY NOW!
MAIN CAMPUS 724 Blunder Road DURACK QLD 4077 Tel: +61 7 3372 1400 Fax: + 61 7 3372 2500 Email: admin@aiic.qld.edu.au
6
Australasian Muslim Times
GOLD COAST CAMPUS 19 Chisholm Road CARRARA QLD 4211 Tel: +61 7 5596 6565 Fax: +61 7 5596 1110 Email: gc.admin@aiic.qld.edu.au
www.amust.com.au
CITY CAMPUS 6 Agnes Street BURANDA QLD 4102 Tel: +61 7 3391 7867 Fax: +61 7 3391 7867 Email: cc.admin@aiic.qld.edu.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
BOOMERANG
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
The Balfour Declaration: 100 years of conflict Bilal Cleland When the Balfour Declaration was made on 2 November 1917, Britain was at the height of its imperial power, locked in a deadly struggle with the upstart German Empire. Afraid of the possible influence of a declaration of jihad against the British Empire by the Caliph, the Sultan of Turkey, General Kitchener in October 1914 guaranteed to the Governor of Makkah, Sherif Hussein that in return for help against the Ottomans, there would be no intervention in Arabia. Letters were exchanged between Sherif Hussein and the British Government via McMahon, the High Commissioner for Egypt. One letter on 24 October 1915 guaranteed that Palestine would be included in an independent Arab nation after the war, but Lebanon would not. The next month, in great secrecy, discussions were commenced between the French and British allies as to the shape of the carve up of Ottoman lands after the victory. This was in direct contradiction with what had been promised to Sherif Hussein. According to this Sykes-Picot Agreement, a land later called Iraq was to be under the British, Syria and Lebanon under the French, TransJordan under the British and
Turkey was to be carved up with Czarist Russia occupying Istanbul and Turkish Armenia. The Bolsheviks published these secret agreements after the Russian Revolution but Britain denied that such an agreement existed. The Balfour Declaration was issued the year after the Sykes-Picot Agreement, in order to rally Jewish support for the British war effort. It promised to support the establishment of a national home for the Jewish people in Palestine, provided nothing was done “to prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine.” According to Avi Shlaim: “By helping the Zionists to take over Palestine, the British hoped to secure a dominant presence in the area and to exclude the French.” [25 August 2017 Middle East Eye] Well aware of what this would mean for Arab support for the war effort , Lord Allenby, whose troops were fighting in Palestine, kept the declaration secret. Balfour was no friend of the Jewish community. He was in fact anti-Semitic. He had the 1905 Aliens Act passed to keep Eastern Jews out of Britain. In 1880 there were about 60,000 Jews in England. Between 1881 and 1905, there was an immigration of some 100,000 Eastern Jews fleeing persecution in Czarist Russia. They could be compared to the present waves of Muslim and Christian refugees fleeing the Baath Party-muharib Daesh today.
The PM Lloyd George was the main instigator of the declaration. As Avi Shlaim comments: “In aligning Britain with the Zionist movement, he acted in the mistaken – and anti-semitic – view that the Jews were extraordinarily influential and that they made the wheels of history turn. In fact, the Jewish people were helpless, with no influence other than via the myth of clandestine power.” Born of the most murderous conflict the
Well-being is accepting one’s Fitrah state Dr Daud Batchelor Muslims acknowledge that God Almighty created everything in the Universe and ordered it following His divine laws. ‘Fitrah’ means ‘sound human nature’ as God created it. ‘Fatara’ in Arabic means ‘to create.’ Prophet Muhammad (s) clarified this: “There is none born but is created to his true nature (Islam). It is his parents who make him a Jew, Christian or Magian, quite as beasts produce their young with their limbs perfect. Do you see anything deficient in them? Then he quoted the Qur’an, ‘The nature (fitrah) made by Allah in which He has created men; there is no altering Allah’s creation; that is the right religion.’” (30:30) (Muslim) Al-Qur’an emphasises that God “bestows (children) male or female according to His Will.” (42:49). The gender assigned by God at birth is part of our fitrah, not to be changed. Among God’s beautiful names is ‘Al-Malik’, Possessor of the Universe. We belong to Him and our bodies are a trust to use wisely in the Path of worshipping Him. For such submission God grants Paradise: “God has bought from the believers their lives and their wealth in return for Paradise.” (Qur’an 9:3) Consequently, we would seek only healthy heterosexual relations in marriage. A 2015 review for Queensland’s AIDS Council highlighted “Studies in Australia consistently show LGBTI individuals ... to be at a greater risk for not only depression and anxiety, but an array of mental health issues, including suicide.” A wider study covering seven countries revealed that “the risk of depression and anxiety disorders among gay and bisexual individuals was at least 1.5 times that of heterosexuals. Furthermore, the lifetime relative risk for suicide attempt in gay and bisexual men was over four times that of heterosexuals.... Rates of suicide attempt among trans* individuals are particularly elevated.”
November 2017
world had ever witnessed, part of the betrayal and lies of imperial politics, the Balfour Declaration was and is a disgrace. Unfortunately the British government is not ashamed of its creation. The current Prime Minister continues the policies of old. “In a December 2016 speech to the Conservative Friends of Israel, which includes over 80 percent of Tory MPs and the entire cabinet, she hailed Israel as “a remarkable country” and “a beacon of tolerance”. Rubbing salt in Palestinian wounds, she called the Balfour Declaration “one of the most important letters in history,” and she promised to celebrate it on the anniversary.” [Avi Shlaim, Middle East Eye. 25 August 2017] Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.
As branch of the vine touches the ground Fazlul Huq As the branch of the vine covered with leaves made in endless green remains in touch with the ground, As if determined to decorate the cylindrical base with threads of green, These findings surely indicate to any thinking person that it is wholly unwise to even contemplate LBGT practices if one is concerned about well-being. Given the high risks indicated, it is highly irresponsible to have promoted programs in Australian schools where children were encouraged to believe gender is fluid and to experiment with changing their gender. It is not unsurprising that “The Prophet (s) declared a woman should not wear a man’s clothing or a man a woman’s. He cursed men who imitate women and women who imitate men. Such imitation includes the manner of speaking, walking, dressing and moving. The evil of such conduct, which affects both the life of the individual and of society, is that it constitutes rebellion against the natural ordering of things. There are men and there are women, and each of the two sexes has its own distinctive characteristics.” (Yusuf Qaradawi) As for religious persuasion already discussed, parents and others can consciously or unconsciously, influence an individual’s
gender behaviour negatively. However, in such cases Islam calls for rectification back to the fitrah state through positive encouragement. One might wish to become an angel or a bird but that is not to be. When a non-Muslim seeks treatment and surgery to become a transgender person of opposite sex, the individual’s sex chromosomes still proclaim their fitrah gender (male XY or female XX chromosomes). Such is akin to becoming a kafir – covering one’s natural fitrah state. Let us encourage our Muslim youth to give thanks and be content with what God has pre-ordained. That is the best Path towards attaining peace, tranquillity and well-being, and seeking God’s good pleasure. Dr Daud Batchelor, holds an MA in Islamic and Other Civilisations and a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University Malaysia, PhD from University of Malaya, MSc from the University of London. Email: daud.batchelor@gmail.com
www.amust.com.au
Although more would be made on the well shaped platform where tiny vines made from the mother stem would make the lace and the bush, And so would be done by the identical one seen in the ambience, While the plants made on pedestals would have constant look at all things including displays and the greens, Made in the near field and far distant. 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 12,000 compositions in Bengali and English and has also been involved in various community projects.
Australasian Muslim Times
7
AMUST
COMMUNITY
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Diversity in the independent schools sector
Michael Carr, Acting Chief Executive of AISNSW. Minh Ai Nguyen On Wednesday 25 October, Affinity Intercultural Foundation hosted a Lunchtime Lecture with Michael Carr, the Acting Executive Officer of the Association of Independent Schools of NSW (AISNSW). The program was facilitated by Professor Mark Hutchinson, Dean of Education, Arts and Social Sciences at Alphacrucis College. The event attracted a turnout of more than 40 guests, who attended the presentation titled, We are one but we are many: independent schools making a difference. The AISNSW is the peak body for independent schools in NSW and represents the
8
Michael Carr speaking to the audience at Affinity Seminar.
interests of all independent schools in consultation with governments, statutory authorities and a wide range of other education stakeholders. The non-profit body focuses on offering quality support to its member schools in areas of governance, employment relations, compliance as well as professional development and educational consultancy services. Michael used his presentation as an opportunity to demystify many of the myths surrounding the New South Wales independent schools sector. He also profiled the sector as a whole and provided insights into ‘typical’ independent schools. He shared that presently, the AISNSW has 421 member schools, with 31% of those being non-faith based while 69% are faith based. There are 41 special schools that cater to students with specific needs, as well as 53
Australasian Muslim Times
boarding schools. Forty six percent of these schools enrol fewer than 200 students and 65% have a socio-economic statue of less than 104. Michael also examined the sector’s demography in terms of its relationship with Indigenous students, students with disabilities, multicultural based schools and the contribution independent schools make to Australian society. He also shared the statistic that independent schools in NSW enrolled 8,774 students with a disability and 3,759 Indigenous students. Michael shared that an increasing number of students are choosing to send their children to non-government, independent NSW schools due to a number of reasons, including the primary fact that an independent school education provides a greater focus on well-rounded education as well as high
www.amust.com.au
academic standards. He concluded his talk by commenting on the education standards of independent schools in NSW. Overall, NSW independent schools have a diverse range of students who generally perform well regardless of cultural background. In particular, students from migrant backgrounds perform at least as well or better, than students who were born in Australia. Minh Ai Nguyen has a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature and International Comparative Literature from the University of Sydney. She has worked in communications within the start-up sector and the education industry. She is currently an Executive Assistant at Affinity Intercultural Foundation based in Sydney.
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 30 - 31
Mushaira: Revolutionary poet Imran Pratapgarhi in Australia
AMUST
Mehar Ahmad A grand Sydney Mushaira (Poetry session in Urdu) was organised on Saturday 28 October 2017 at C3 Conference Hall in Silverwater where, in addition to talented local poets, a number of poets from India recited their poetry. The event was organised by MSK Films and Kavi Darbar and attended by a large number of Sydney siders from South Asian community as well as supporters and invited guests including Australian parliamentarians Julia Finn and Julie Owens. The star of the Mushaira was Imran Pratapgarhi, a young revolutionary poet from India who highly impressed the audience with his handsome looks, smile (qatil muskurahat), extraordinary poetry, oratory, stage performance and most importantly balanced ideas on all aspects of life including Islam, peace, nation building and international relations. Similar Mushairas were also held in other states where local poets were given the opportunity to recite their poems with the world renowned overseas poets. The program started with the local popular artist with the golden voice Riaz Shah reciting hamd by Maulana Hali. Welcome address was given by Mr Ale Ali, President of Kavi Darbar as well as by Mr Mohammad Shamim Khan, CEO of MSK Films while Mr Fasih Khan facilitated the program. Invited VIP’s from the community and sponsors were called on the stage to present shawls to local and overseas poets as an
Imran Pratapgarhi reciting his poem at the Mushaira in Sydney. Photo by Mehar Ahmad. acknowledgment of their accomplishments. rently visiting here were called on the stage tellectual panache. Initially a number of local poets were to take turns one by one to recite their poetThe last poet to take the mike was the star asked to recite their poems but limited to ry. Ms Julie Owens was also called on the of the Mushaira Imran Khan Pratapgarhi, only one-piece due to limitation of time. stage along with Mr Syed Atiq ul Hassan hailing from a town near Allahabad in InThese included Annu Chabra, Tahmina and showed great stamina in remaining on dia. He is highly popular, brave and frank in Rao, Subash Chopra, Riaz Shah, Javed Naz- the stage till midnight despite not knowing taking on social and political issues tackling ar, Farida Lakhani, Zeeshan Haider, Zafar the Urdu language. them through his medium of poetry in an efKhan, Harjit Singh. AM Turaz, an accomplished poet and a fort to bring about social change in Indian The top poets from India included Mr AM song writer for more than a dozen Bolly- society for the better. Turaz, Dr Ejaz Popular Meerathi and Mr wood films articulated his poetry in his meHe presented a range of balanced views Imran Pratapgarhi. Dr Rahat Indori who was lodious voice while Popular Meerathi made and ideas through his brief comments and scheduled to come could not make it due to the audience keep laughing with his poetry poetry as well as entertained the audience a death in the family. specially on the relationship between broth- with his style of delivery and melodious All the three Indian poets as well as Pro- er-in-laws (Saale). Prof Rais Alvi recited his voice. His poems ranged from current polfessor Rais Alvi from Pakistan who is cur- short poems with academic dignity and in- luted political climate in India to the issue of Rohingyas and finally an extraordinary poem on Palestine and got a standing ovation for it from the audience. Imran kept going till midnight on demand by the audience and no one left even for refreshments and biryani that was supposed to have been consumed for dinner. There is great hope from Imran Pratapgarhi who seems to be an embodiment of Allama Iqbal suited for our age in the 21st century to inspire young Indians in general and Muslims in particular with his simple awami language, effective delivery, balanced views in the current Indian political context utilising social media as the popular Poets and guests on stage at the Kavi Darbar Mushaira in Sydney. Photo by Mehar Ahmad. mode of mass communication.
Mufti Menk goes live in Sydney
Sakinah Bokhari Mufti Menk, the popular Islamic celebrity gave his live lecture, a first for Australia, addressing thousands of mainly young people at the Sports Centre at Sydney Olympic Park on Wednesday 25 October 2017. Dr Mufti Ismail Menk, the Grand Mufti of Zimbabwe is a leading global Islamic scholar with a high profile social media presence such as Twitter and has hundreds of videos on his YouTube channel Mufti Menk series disseminating Islamic education with effective delivery for a global audience. He was born and raised in Zimbabwe obtaining Islamic education in Madinah, Saudi Arabia and holds a Doctorate of Social Guidance. Mufti Menk was invited to Australia by the United Muslims of Australia (UMA). Initially all tickets for the event were sold out within the first few days of its release and therefore the venue had to be relocat-
November 2017
ed to Olympic Park in order to enable many more people to attend. Again, all tickets were snapped up within a few hours of release. UMA organised the event in a structured and professional manner and huge crowds of all ages and backgrounds to the lecture. Mufti Menk gave a very practical lecture and used important examples from hadith with good humour to emphasise his points. He talked about the signs of piety, mainly being good conduct and character and that being the key to take one to Jannah. Mufti Menk emphasised the development of good attitude and character that can be most effective for daawah purposes than mere advice. He pointed out that all actions in daily living were Ibadah, worship if carried out in the right manner. “Ibadah is a lifestyle. When you clothe yourself, it is an act of Ibadah (worship),” he said. Towards the end of his lecture, he reinforced the idea that we must be united as one Ummah and those that harm others are cowards. Sakinah Bokhari is a teacher based in Sydney.
Dr Mufti Ismail Menk addressing thousands gathered at the Sports Centre, Sydney Olympic Park. Photos courtesy of UMA.
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
9
FAIR, FESTIVAL & CONFERENCE
Media Partner
10
Australasian Muslim Times
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 30 - 31
Unique event for a unique book
AMUST
Rehan Alavi’s Urdu masterpiece: Ek Ghazal Ek Kahani Mehar Ahmad A meticulously organised event was held on Sunday 22 October at the upmarket waterfront scenic venue, The Connection located in the Sydney suburb of Rhodes to celebrate the publication of Rehan Alavi’s new Urdu book, Ek Ghazal Ek Kahani, a collection of his writings both in prose and poetry. Rehan Alavi, an IT professional is a wellknown journalist/writer/poet and an executive producer at SBS Radio. He has been writing fiction for more than two decades, having migrated to Australia from Pakistan almost 18 years ago. His last book written in English with the title “Beyond the dreams” as well as in Urdu with the title “Taabeer ki Talash Mayn” was launched in Australia in October 2015. It has now been translated into Hindi. The unique event incorporating innovative presentations and entertaining delivery was attended by a large diverse contingent of invited guests including poets, writers, academics, politicians, diplomats, media persons, indigenous leaders and many family and friends of the author, some of them coming from other cities of Australia as far as Perth. The program included clips of videos with comments regarding the book by literary figures in Pakistan, selected narration from the book by Sydney’s literary artists, recitation of selected poems from the book by Australian Urdu poets, comments on the book and Rehan’s literary accomplishments by academics, diplomats and politicians, ending with a South Asian style buffet lunch. MC for the event were well known poet
Ek Ghazal Ek Kahani book launch. Photo by Mobinah Ahmad. Noshi Gilani and Geo news fame Talib Haider. A couple of narration from the book were enacted by Legendry artist Ms Uzama Gilani enhancing Rehan’s short stories in a most entertaining manner. There were further narrations from the book by Mrs Yasmin Shad and Mr Javed Naza, recitation of poems by Ms Huma Mirza, Mr Arif Sadiq, Mr Arshad Saeed from Melbourne and Abdul Rahim from Adelaide. There was a unique presentation incorporating a combination of video and live narration by Mr Atif Faheem and Mr Ali Chohan of Meri pehchan Pakistan.
Pakistani Consul general Abdul Majid Yosfani and Greens member of NSW legislative council Dr Mehreen Faruqi gave inspiring speeches on contemporary sitiation in Pakistan and Australia as well as appreciating Rehan’s contribution to literature in both countries. Other guest’s speakers included poet/author and academic Prof Rais Alvi from Pakistan, Prof Samina Yasmin (UWA Perth), prominent author/poet Ashraf Shad, Prof James Trevelyan (UWA-Perth). SBS Network Manager, Program Manager and representative of many language groups also attended the event. The event was sponsored and by various
Rehan Alavi on stage. Photo by Mobinah Ahmad. social and literary organizations across Australia and organised with the help of a dedicated team of young volunteers. Mehar Ahmad is a school teacher based in Sydney and the President of Seena Incorporated, publishers of the Australasian Muslim Times.
Book Review: Rehan Alavi’s “Ek Ghazal, Ek Kahani” Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad I was not able to attend the launch of the latest book by Rehan Alavi Saheb: Ek Ghazal Ek Kahani due to health reasons. But my son Zia Ahmad, was kind enough to pass a signed copy of the book the same afternoon after its launch on Sunday 22 October. I read the whole book from cover in one sitting the same day, as is my habit whenever I get a new book and indeed found it extraordinary. Contradicting its title “One Poem One Story, the book as a matter of facts is a collection of 20 poems and 20 short stories. Rehan Alavi has been producing very
November 2017
unique pieces of literary works using his twin linguistic (Urdu and English), cultural (Eastern and Western) and residential (Pakistan and Australia) identities. His previous work “Beyond the dreams” was originally written both in Urdu as well as in English by the author himself. Again, this new work Ek Ghazal Ek Kahani is unique in many ways. It is a balanced combination of prose and poetry, that to my knowledge is first in the Urdu language. The stories are set in both Pakistani as well as in Australian settings just like his previous work. This type of literature is available in other languages like English, French, German, Arabic, Sanskrit and Persian but not of good standard in Urdu. This work to some extent can be compared to that of Shakespeare, Buddha, Milton, Saadi, Alexander Selkirk and Wordsworth. Living in Australia where time is a pre-
cious commodity, in addition to earn a living and raise your family, to create high quality literary work in a language other than English is indeed a great achievement. On top of that Rehan is professionally an IT person with full time job as well as a producer of SBS Urdu service that I understand consumes a lot of his time. Under these circumstances, to be creative in both prose and poetry in the Urdu language is indeed beyond belief. His great literary accomplishments simply prove his love for the Urdu language, his devotion to his cultural background and his service to our multicultural Australian society. Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad is a retired professor of engineering and a prolific reader and writer on various subjects. He is based in Sydney, Australia.
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
11
AMUST
COMMUNITY
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Events Gungahlin Mosque opens to a Calendar welcome crowd
Islamic School of Canberra Open Day Friday 4 November, 2017 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM ACT 33 Heysen Street, Weston ACT islamicschoolofcanberra.act. edu.au
ISRA: Islamic Studies Open Day
Saturday 11 Nov, 2017 10:00 AM - 2:00 PM Level 3 128-132 South NSW Parade Rd Auburn NSW
isra.org.au/isra-open-day
SAMAA Annual Picnic Saturday 11 Nov, 2017 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM Plough & Harrow Park NSW Elizabeth Drive, Cecil Hills facebook.com/events/ 1324174237693651
Manarul Islam
The Gungahlin Mosque, located in Canberra’s burgeoning north, opened its doors to the public on Sunday 8 October, after over a decade of planning, fundraising and building. Gungahlin is the ACT’s fastest growing regions, and a magnet for the settlement of new Muslim families to the capital. The day opened with an army of volunteers organising the BBQ and cake with a jumping castle and balloons for the kids. Then the extraordinary crowd, extending beyond just the Muslim community and made up of locals and those from all around Canberra, filled the mosque for the ceremony. Local community member and activist, Mohammed Ali, was the MC for the afternoon as he introduced the special guests and speakers after the recitation of the Holy Quran and its meaning. Mr Mainul Haque, President of the Canberra Muslim Community (CMC) which owns the mosque, stressed that the mosque was for all and wanted to ensure that the mosque and the CMC was an inclusive
Katy Gallagher, Federal Senator for the ACT.
Andrew Leigh, Federal Alistair Coe, ACT Leader Member for Fenner ACT. of the Opposition.
place and organisation. “We are Muslims but we are also Australian. The values that make us Australians are measured not by the colour of our skin or by our religion or where we were born but by our dedication to the fundamental principles of mateship, fairness and respect for all,” he said. He pointed out that there is more work to be done and the mosque and its objectives are not complete. Amongst the speakers at the opening were: • Yvette Berry, ACT Minister for Multicultural and Youth Affairs;
Ladies High Tea for Rohingya
Wednesday 22 Nov, 2017 10:30 AM - 1:30 PM 797 Punchbowl Road, NSW Punchbowl, NSW pennyappeal.org.au/ ladies-high-tea-rohingya
Sounds of Light 2017 Charity Concert WA
Thursday 23 Nov, 2017 7:30 PM - 10:30 PM Perth Convention and Exhibition Centre, 21 Mounts Bay Road, Perth
SA
Friday 24 Nov, 2017 6:30 PM - 9:30 PM Adelaide Convention Centre North Terrace, Adelaide
NSW
Saturday 25 Nov, 2017 6:00 PM - 9:00 PM Sports Centre, Olympic Blvd, Sydney Olympic Park
VIC
Sunday 26 Nov, 2017 3:30 PM - 6:30 PM Margaret Court Arena Melbourne Park, Melbourne
QLD
Monday 27 Nov, 2017 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Queensland Performing Arts Centre, Cnr Grey & Melbourne Sts, Brisbane www.soundsoflight.com.au
View more events online or add your own at amust.com.au/calendar
12
• Katy Gallagher, Federal Senator for the ACT • Andrew Leigh, Federal Member for Fenner, ACT • Alistair Coe, ACT Leader of the Opposition • Imam Adama Konda, Imam of Canberra Islamic Centre Canberra Muslim leaders, including Abdul Hakeem, Zafar Ahmad and Osman Adam were also present during the opening, demonstrating the solidarity of the community behind the new mosque. Special mention was made of Mr Nic Manikas, former Director of the Community Participation Group in the ACT Government, who had been a tireless supporter of the Muslim community in Canberra. As Mr Haque concluded: “I thank Allah, the most high, the most merciful, for enabling us to deliver this mosque for generations to come Insha’Allah. However, building alone is not enough. We should continue to work together to promote tolerance, harmony, peaceful coexistence and understanding with wider Australian community as well with our fellow Muslims.” For more information about the new mosque, visit their websites: www.gungahlinmosque.org.au/ www.facebook.com/GungahlinMosque/ Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.
New lease of life for Islamic School of Canberra
Manarul Islam
The parents of children attending the Islamic School of Canberra, in the suburb of Weston, were invited to an information session on Friday 13 October to meet the new board and hear the future plans for the school, which for the last year or so had been under immense financial and federal government pressure to close its doors. Earlier this year the Department of Education and Training (DET) had announced the cessation of funding on 30 June based on governance and financial viability issues. This was later extended to 15 December. In the meantime, the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC), an Australia-wide not-for-profit organisation, submitted a proposal to AFIC, the leaseholder of the land, and the school board to take over the administration of the school and the holder of the lease of the land. This process has been approved by AFIC, the School Board and IPDC and is now undergoing approval and transfer processes in the ACT government. The proceedings commenced with the recitation of the Holy Qur’an by one of the
Australasian Muslim Times
kindergarten students of the school, Nouman Ansari. The information session, hosted in conjunction with the Parents & Friends Association (PFA-ISC) of the school, was to give the parents and other well wishers an insight as to the vision the new board has for the school. The session was MC’ed by PFA member, Manar Ahmad. However, as stressed several times by Rafiqul Islam, Chair of the new board, the school should be seen as being owned by the Canberra community and a concerted effort was planned to encourage community participation. “The school offers the solution to the many problems that our children can face. Our vision for the school is to have a trusted community partnership. This is your school, its a community school,” he pointed out. Dr Rafiqul Islam presented the vision and plan for the next few years with a view to upgrade the infrastructure and playground in parallel with investment in the running of the school and teaching resources. Visiting guest, Imam Aarij Anwar, from Toronto, Canada stressed how fortunate and blessed we are by Allah (swt) that we live in a country where the government supports
www.amust.com.au
and funds our schools and made dua that the school reaches its potential. Kalam Azad, President of the PFA-ISC, thanked the previous board and the current Principal, David Johns, for their tireless work in keeping the school afloat through a very difficult time. Azra Khan, the former Chair of the Board, thanked the previous board members, and Suhail Khan and David Johns (ongoing Principal of the school) in particular, for their hard work over the last year. The event concluded with a dua from one of the most active members of the PFA, Br Amadu Barrie. A week after the event, there were reports again that the DET was proceeding with the cessation of funding in December with the same concerns. The school however is confident that when the new arrangements are fully considered those concerns will be mitigated and funding will resume. The school is hosting a community-wide Open Day on 4 November which will include a BBQ and opportunity for the public and parents of current and potential ISC students to have a guided walk around the school.
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
COMMUNITY
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
Islam at work, “Surfer” Sheikh Living study, home and play visits Canberra
IFEW holds 34th Annual General Conference
Zia Ahmad
Sheikh Haisam Farache in Canberra. Manarul Islam Sheikh Haisam Farache, sometimes known as the “Surfer Sheikh” due to his active lifestyle, visited Canberra on 13 October for a series of talks and discussions. In his first talk, he leveraged his background as a Sydney lawyer and qualifications in shariah, to present a talk on Shariah Law: What is it and How is it implemented? in the JG Crawford Building at the Australian National University (ANU). His second talk was a change of direction and focused on Spiritual Development in Modern Times. A third discussion on Madhabs (Islamic Legal Schools of Thought): Past, Present and Future was held in a more intimate atmosphere to allow for more detailed discussion. Born and raised on Sydney’s North Shore, Sheikh Haisam attended Marist College North Sydney and commenced his under-
graduate university studies at the University of Montana, USA. He attained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Sydney, a Diploma in Shariah (Hons) Dar al Mustafa, Yemen and a Master of Applied Family Law from the College of Law, Sydney. Sheikh Haisam holds numerous Ijazas (Licenses) in Islamic Law from scholars in Yemen, Syria, Tunisia, Lebanon and Saudi Arabia. Previously he has held posts as an Imam at Imam Ali Mosque (Lakemba Mosque) and Artarmon Mosque. Currently, Sheikh Haisam is the principal solicitor at Garrison Lawyers predominantly practicing in family law. He also teaches at Charles Sturt University, Arts Faculty in Islamic Studies, a Minister of Religion (Islam) and is an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Sheikh Haisam has played semi-professional rugby league and college basketball in the USA, and, of course, he is a keen surfer.
The 34th Annual General Conference (AGC) together with the Annual General Meeting of the Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW) was held on the October long weekend from Saturday 30 September to Monday 2 October 2017 at the Uniting Venues, Elanora Heights on the North Shore of Sydney. Starting as the Australasian Integrated Family (AIF), IFEW has been one of the pioneers in establishing daawah, education and welfare activities for almost 35 years in Sydney. One of the offshoots of IFEW is the MEFF Eid Festival being organised for more than 33 years at the Fairfield Showground while another one is the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST currently being produced by Seena Incorporated. The AGC brought together four generations of family members at the retreat, participating in a well structured balanced program with reports for the past year and planning for next year. The theme for the AGC 2017 was “Living Islam at work, study, home and play” where four presenters discussed issues related to living Islam in our contemporary Australian society in various settings. Manar Ahmad discussed “Living Islam at work” raising the issues related to prayers, halal meals and socialisation in the workplace based on his own experience. Ibrahim Khalil talked about “Living Islam at study” with his own experience at school
as well as the university. Mehar Ahmad advised on “Living Islam at home” and how to develop best practice for harmonious living based on her long experience in living as an extended family in a large household. Usaid Khalil talked about “Living Islam at play” with shariah compliant entertainment, outings and sports. The AGC started on Saturday afternoon with recitation of Quran by Hafiz Dr Waliullah Bokhari followed by welcome by IFEW President Aamir Ahmad and words of advice by Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad. Maintaining three decades of tradition, AIF Tarana in Urdu was sung by first and second generation while the 3rd generation song (Iqbal’s dua) in Urdu sung by 3rd and 4th generation kids. The AGC also included business sessions with reports and planning for various IFEW projects as well as family reports for each individual, adults as well as children with questions and discussions. The 34th AGC handbook was prepared well in advance containing talks, reports and future plans, distributed as a printed copy as well as in electronic form. As per tradition a photography session was held to take annual portrait photos of individuals, basic families as well as group photos of all IFEW members and their families consisting of four generations. All catering was provided Halal, courtesy of the Uniting Venues saving time for members from food preparation and devoting time in more creative activities during the AGC.
IFEW members and their families at IFEW AGC 2017.
MEKAR 2017: Keep on Blooming! Kamil Mustaffa The 5th Mekar event was organised in Sydney in collaboration with the Islamic Society of UNSW (ISOC) on Saturday 30 September 2017 at Law Theatre, The University of New South Wales’ Randwick campus. ‘Mencari Keredhaan Allah dan Rasul’ (MEKAR) is an annual program initiated by students in order to cater for the spiritual needs among Malaysian communities in Australia. The event attracted almost 150 participants from a diverse background including Malaysia, Singapore and Brunei. With the theme of “Homecoming”, MEKAR 2017 invited three inspiring speakers from Malaysia including Ustaz Wadi Annuar Ayub, a speaker from Kuliyyah – a TV3 Malaysia’s television program; Irma Hasmie, a renowned Malaysian celebrity and her husband, Redza Syah Azmeer. Slot 1: Game of Shadow was covered by Ustaz Wadi in which he focused on the
November 2017
www.amust.com.au
threats and enemies faced by Muslims internally and externally. In Slot 2: Now You See Me, Irma Hasmie and Redza Syah shared their meaningful life experience as a true Muslim. The last slot 3 entitled “Today is Tomorrow”, a forum moderated by Hasif Farhan, discussed the importance of our current actions and how it could affect our future. “The first step in changing ourselves is our intentions towards Allah,” advised Redza. “MashaAllah, this event triggered my heart to change towards becoming a better Muslim,” said Ezlan Adlee, one of the participants. Several invited guests including Mr Khalil Zaiyany, Director of Education Malaysia Australia, Mr Ahmad Zuriat, Director of MARA Australia-New Zealand, and Mr Shahrezan, JPA Advisor also attended MEKAR 2017 in order to support this event. Kamil Mustaffa is a 3rd year student of Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)-Electrical at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS). He is Secretary of MEKAR Sydney 2017 and President of Aman Palestine Australia 2017/2018. He is originally from Taiping, Perak, Malaysia.
Australasian Muslim Times
13
AMUST
AUSTRALIA
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Together for Hope Suicide Prevention Walk Linda Abdelqader Hundreds of people gathered in Auburn on Thursday 12 October to march in solidarity for Suicide World Prevention Day. Organised by the Salvation Army and funded by the Cumberland Council, the Together for Hope candlelight walk aims to raise awareness for suicide and mental health. With more than 3000 people being affected by suicide each year, suicide is becoming one of the leading causes of death in the Australian community. Between eight to ten Australians die from suicide each day and there is an estimated 180 people who attempt suicide, nearly half being hospitalised. Suicide prevention awareness is one powerful tool of sharing knowledge that empowers individuals and the wider community to assist those who are at risk of suicide. Paul Moulds, leader of the Salvation community in Auburn says this is one of many activities the Auburn Salvation are doing to raise awareness on the issue of suicide. “[Suicide] is particularly an issue in our community because there is a lot of taboo around it. A lot of the different cultures in our [Cumberland] community are often reluctant to talk about it. There is shame associated with asking for help and sometimes there are religious prohibitions about it. We
are really trying to play our part in encouraging conversation around suicide.” Crowds accumulated at Auburn Primary school where face painting, temporary tattoos and light refreshments were accommodated by the friendly volunteers who assisted throughout the day. Following registrations, attendees commenced their walk towards Auburn Central Forecourt. People of all ages and cultural backgrounds marched side by side waving their self-made signs and their candles that act as a symbol of hope to all those who
have been affected by suicide. Among the crowd marching was Cumberland Mayor, Greg Cummings, who showed his support for the suicide prevention initiative. “The more we can get out to the community in general, especially Cumberland being so diverse – the better. If you see a friend and it looks like there’s something wrong, please ask them if they are alright and just try to talk to them because that could turn them around from their troubles”. The high spirited crowd concluded their
march at the steps of Auburn Central where they listened to heart felt speeches and performances by different groups and organisations. If you or anyone you know is suffering from suicidal thoughts or depression, please call the 24 hour hotline for lifeline Australia on 131 114. Linda Abdelqader is a Sydney-based journalist studying a media degree at Western Sydney University.
Concerns regarding Manus Island closure Philip Feinstein
Together making change to end elder abuse Jane Polkinghorne Over the past year there have been many reports of “elder abuse” – the abuse and neglect of older people. While many recent reports have revealed shocking problems in retirement villages and aged care, statistically the abuse of older people is most often caused by family members or someone trusted by the older person. It is the private and personal nature of elder abuse that makes it difficult to know how often and to whom it is happening. The abuse of older people occurs in all cultures and across all levels of society. The World Health Organisation estimates 1 in 6 older people have experienced abuse in the past year. In Australia it is estimated to affect at least 1 in 20 people, but with little to no research to date the extent of the problem is unknown. Elder abuse takes many forms including financial, psychological, neglect, and physical. The financial exploitation of seniors is the most common type of abuse reported to organisations that assist older people such Seniors Rights Service and the Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit. The abuse of older people abuse ranges from seemingly trivial matters such as the theft of small amounts of money, to an older
14
person being forced into selling their home. In February 2018 Seniors Rights Service, the community legal centre for older people in NSW, is hosting the 5th National Elder Abuse Conference. This event will brings over 400 people together to exchange ideas and solutions to elder abuse. Sessions are in themes including legal, health, social and policy with an understanding that elder abuse is both systemic and very personal. Presentations will also focus on how elder abuse affects disadvantaged and vulnerable older people, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and gay, lesbian, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. The Conference has attracted many high-level speakers including Anna Bligh AC, CEO Australian Bankers Association; HON Ken Wyatt AM MP, Commonwealth Minister for Aged Care; Nicholas Cowdery AM, QC, Former Director of Public Prosecutions and Human Rights Promoter; Jane Caro Social Commentator, Writer, Lecturer; with M.C. Virginia Trioli. Register now to confirm your place at 5th National Elder Abuse Conference Together Making Change: http://togethermakingchange.org.au/ Jane is Communications and Media Manager for Seniors Rights Service. In her spare time she is an artist who grows vegetables and surfs.
Australasian Muslim Times
With the imminent closure of Manus Island, The Australian government may find itself in a quandary. The local PNG population has not taken kindly to the refugees; the Americans are only looking at taking a small number, if any; and the balance have been given the poor choice of returning to their homeland and facing the dire consequences. Meanwhile the Australian population is not happy with the situation at all. The Chief Executive Officer of the Refugee Council of Australia*, Mr Paul Power, has pleaded with the Prime Minister, Mr Malcolm Turnbull, in an especially poignant letter outlining many of the points needing immediate addressing. He reminded him that the fourth anniversary of Kevin Rudd’s decree of the ‘Regional Resettlement Arrangement’ had passed and resulted in over 2,000 people who sought Australia’s protection being sent to long term detention in PNG and Nauru. Apart from the psychological harm done to these human beings, Australian taxpayers have paid over $5 billion for the project and has a poor reputation within the international community. In addressing the fears of uncertainty and psychological suffering sustained by the refugees on Manus Island and Nauru, Mr Power pointed out that “none of them has ever wanted to be in detention and all have constantly asked for their detention to end.” However, now that they are being told that they must leave the detention centre and live in the community on Manus Island, they are deeply concerned about their safety and their future. They have heard of others now living in the community who have been assaulted and left destitute. They are confused as to why the Australian government is now abandoning them with no hope or future. Speaking on behalf of many Australi-
www.amust.com.au
Paul Power, Chief Executive Officer of the Refugee Council of Australia. ans, The Chief Executive Officer put to Mr Turnbull the depth of concern and despair about the aspects of the Australian policy and questioned why the government would spend so much money on adding to the suffering of vulnerable people. The UNHCR statistics shows that Australia’s contribution remains small despite a significant increase in settlement arrivals in 2016. Last year 27,626 resettled refugees arrived in Australia with the increase being due to the one-off commitment of 12,000 places for Syrian and Iraqi refugees. In summary, Australia has accepted 1.36% of the 2.5 million refugees around the world. The UNHCR has stated that Australia’s politicians mislead the Australian public when they suggest this makes our nation one of the world’s most generous. *Refugee Council of Australia www.refugeecouncil.org.au Philip Feinstein is a Sydney based writer, musician and activist working for MUSIC FOR REFUGEES www.musicforrefugees.org
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
AUSTRALIA
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
The Vision 2030: A Saudi Arabian blueprint for economic development FINANCE Dr Abul Jalaluddin Saudi Arabia recently released the Vision 2030 to achieve economic diversification away from over dependence on oil. In 2016, 93% of government budgeted revenue was from oil and the remaining 7% had a significant indirect contribution from the petroleum sector. This dependency on oil dates back to the discovery of black gold in 1938. The Vision was released against the backdrop of low oil prices pressuring Saudi budget. The current level of Saudi budget deficit is $100 billion, the biggest economic challenge over a decade. The Vision 2030 is an ambitious program for socio-economic development of Saudi Arabia. It includes the establishment of the world’s largest sovereign wealth fund with $2 trillion under management; boosting private sector contribution from 40% to 65% of GDP; increasing foreign direct investment from 3.8% to 5.7%; reducing unemployment to 7% from 11% (youth unemployment is 29%); privatising government services; reforming education and continued investment in infrastructure. More than two-thirds of employed Saudi nationals work in the public sector. More than 80% of the private sector employees
are expatriates. The Vision aspires to serve Hajj and Umrah visitors in the best possible way and increase the capacity, including the expansion of the two Holy Mosques, to welcome pilgrims from 8 million in 2015, to 15 million in 2020 and 30 million in 2030. To honour the birthplace of the Prophet Mohammad (s), it will build the World’s largest Islamic museum with the highest global standards of collection, preservation,
presentation and documentation. The initiatives plan to have 3 Saudi cities be recognised as top 100 cities in the World; increase household spending on cultural and entertainment from 2.9% to 6%; lift the ration of individuals exercising at least once e a week from 13% to 40% and increase average life expectancy of Saudis from 74 to 80. The Vision aims to enhance economic contribution of small & medium enterprises from 20% to 30% and increase women
participation in the workforce from 22% to 30%. Saudi Arabia is the third largest military spender in the World, only 2% of it is sourced from within the Kingdom which is expected to increase to 50%. They plan to localise the oil and gas industries from 40% to 75%. They have a target to generate 9.5 gigawatts of renewable energy by 2030. The Kingdom targets to move from the current 19th largest economy in the World into the top 15 economies. They will raise the share of non-oil exports in non-oil GDP from 16% to 50%. The Saudi economy is expected to increase household savings from 6% to 10%; raise the non-profit sector’s contribution to GDP from 0.3% to 5% and rally 1 million volunteers per year, currently only 11,000 of them. The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is engaging with some Middle Eastern and other countries on this Vision 2030 economic program. The Kingdom now has a unique opportunity to partner with various Muslim nations around the World and invest the vast financial resources of its sovereign fund. This will greatly enhance economic development of Muslim countries and generate a competitive rate of return for Saudi Arabia. Dr Abul Jalaluddin is an Islamic Finance expert, Director of MCCA, taxation advisor and a regular columnist of AMUST. He is based in Sydney.
Deplorable or Adorable? The price of safety in the new policing environment Rural life and politics Manarul Islam
Minh Ai Nguyen
Are our rural communities being sidelined in the political discourse? And is that likely to feed the further rise of rightwing groups who take advantage of this disassociation through fear and intolerance? These were some of the questions raised and addressed in a talk by the Guardian’s political correspondent, Gabrielle Chan on 26 October at the ACT Legislative Assembly hall. The talk, Deplorable or Adorable? Small town life and politics in rural Australia, was a precursor to a book Ms Chan is in the process of writing dealing with the role of rural communities in our political, economic and social psych. The talk was organised by Canberra-based Bluestar Intercultural Centre and Ms Chan was introduced by its Director, Muhammed Aksu. Ms Chan spoke about her experience coming from suburban Sydney and marrying into a farming life in the town of Harden, a rural NSW town situated between Yass and Young. She contrasted her experiences in the town against those whenever she comes to Canberra for the sitting weeks of parliament. She relayed the remarkable story of Maggie Kate from Harden who went to study Medicine at the University of NSW.
In their ongoing series of lunchtime talks in the city of Sydney, Affinity hosted a lecture by NSW Police Deputy Commissioner Catherine Burn on Wednesday 4 October at their offices. The program was facilitated by Judith Whelan, Head of ABC Spoken Content and was attended more than 50 guests including members of the judiciary, Consul-Generals, as well as journalists and CEOs from various religious, community and media organisations. The title of the Deputy Commissioner’s talk was “What is the price of safety? The role of policing in our new security environment.” During her talk, Deputy Commissioner Burn discussed the wider impacts of Australia’s current security environment and its implications for public safety. She outlined the threats that exist, as well as the changes to policing as an outcome of increased threat. “The area that most changes in security measure will occur, is in the realm of cyber security,” she said.
Muhammad Aksu.
November 2017
Gabrielle Chan. According to Ms Chan, “her (Maggie Kate’s) experience offers a bridge between an increasing divide between regional and metropolitan Australian culture.” “And its the cultural divide more than the economic divide which might explain the big shift in global politics,” she added. Ms Chan has been researching this area over several months, considering BREXIT and the election of Donald Trump. With regards to Australia: “The rise of the minor parties vote (in the Senate) has increased across Australia. It starts at 20% in the inner cities . . . and rises the further you get from the GPO. “There is clearly something going on in regional areas that is pushing people from the major parties at a greater rate. There is also something in Hanson’s platform that particularly appeals to regional votes.” She appealed for all to understand regional Australia better. “We are neither rednecks nor salt of the earth. We are neither deplorables or adorables. So all I ask is that communities like mine need to be included in the political story – not as some weirdo racist backwater but in a respectful conversation.” She thanked Bluestar for organising these types of dialogue.
“There will be new legislation in place for internet and data related cyber-crime…we need to be able to have powers to disrupt, interrupt, contain and control, as well as be adaptable. “If I could have anything more, it would be to have greater information systems and sharing information.” she said. The Deputy Commissioner also provided statistical evidence around terrorism and fear from it, and questioned whether there will be a time when we will view the threat differently. “In the last 15 years, only 0.05% of deaths from terror attacks have occurred in western countries,” said Deputy Commissioner Burn. “The majority of deaths from terrorism don’t occur in Western countries. This is perhaps not what we feel when we read newspapers or watch TV news. It is not what we are made to feel. “Islamic fundamentalism is not the primary driver of terror attacks – right-wing and other forms of radicalism are.” She concluded on an optimistic note, stating that things are actually not as bad as we tend to think.
Catherine Burn and Judith Whelan Q+A.
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
15
AMUST
CENTREFOLD
Woolworths goes halal
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Mosques open doors Continued from page 1 While mosques are open all year round, many non-Muslim Australians are unaware of this fact and do not take the opportunity to meet local Muslims and find answers to their questions about Islam. On National Mosque Open Day, each participating mosque presented a unique experience and flavour, representing the
particular multicultural make-up of its congregation. Some mosques had BBQs, sweets and food, activities for children and as well as special exhibitions including distribution of books and information leaflets. With traditional food, jumping castles, there was also an opportunity for members of the community to ask questions of the
Tamam Abdel Qader, Customer Service and Vish Naikar, Store Manager. Mobinah Ahmad Woolworths Lakemba had their grand opening of their new store on Wednesday 25 October at their store in Lakemba located in the newly completed Avant mega-apartment building at the corner of Haldon St and Lakemba St. Store Manager, Vish Naikar is excited to be managing his first store, ever since joining Woolworths seven years ago and is driven towards customer satisfaction. “The response we’ve received since opening has been amazing” said Vish, “Customers are really happy. They’ve been waiting for many years to have a local Woolworths and they’re very excited. We have plenty of parking, a very open front of store, good lighting – the customers really like that.” Vish also talked about stocking a large variety of halal products such as an extensive range of Fettayleh Smallgoods and a number of other frozen and refrigerated products certified halal. “We have really tailored the store according to what the customers wanted. We’ve got a new range of halal products. Based on their shopping needs, we received feedback
16
that customers wanted halal options. We’ve really listened to provide them with a unique range at a competitive price,” he said. Aside from offering halal products, Naikar also talked about his plans to engage with the local community, provide support and give back. “We really want to engage the local community, especially with locals schools and mosques, to really provide as much support as we can through free food and see what we can give back to the community. Nothing is set as yet, but ideas such as a fruit and veg garden for a local childcare is the type of engagement we’re thinking of,” he further commented. It’s not just giving back to local schools, businesses, mosques and organisations, the new Woolworths store provided 100 jobs to local residents, with 20 employees working in the store as their very first job after leaving school. “We want to train them for the workplace” said Vish. Before managing his first store, Vish had worked in many large departments across the state, in project management roles. He is excited in his new role and enjoys standing at the front of the store greeting customers.
Sultan Fatih Mosque, Mayfield, Newcastle. Photo by Marina Neil.
A woman tries on a hijab at Al Khalil Mosque, Adelaide.
Mobinah Ahmad is the NSW Executive Officer of The Australia Arab Chambers of Commerce & Industry (AACCI). Lakemba Mosque. Photo by Anita Martins.
Lakemba Mosque. Photo by Anita Martins.
Lakemba Mosque. Photo by Anita Martins.
Australasian Muslim Times
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
CENTREFOLD
SOCIAL 30 - 31
s, hearts and minds Lakemba comes alive mosque’s religious leaders to find out what a mosque is and what Islam and Muslims are really like. National Mosque Open day is held in mosques all around Australia, in capital cities as well as in regional towns, giving more Australians more than ever the chance to visit and be welcomed into their local mosques.
The mosques this year taking part in the National Mosque Open Day included Lakemba Mosque, Cabramatta Mosque, Young Mosque, Qaker’s Hill Mosque, Sultan Fatih Mosque (NSW), Rockhampton Mosque, Cairns Mosque, Garden City Mosque (QLD), Hobart Mosque (TAS), Al Khalil Mosque (SA) and Perth Mosque (WA).
with Haldon St festival
Mobinah Ahmad Dr Usam Ali and son Abdullah Ali, Garden City Mosque. Photo by Kevin Farmer.
Al Khalil Mosque, Adelaide.
Haldon Street in Lakemba has always been a great attraction in the media, sometimes for the right reasons and sometimes for the wrong reasons. In it’s incredible 17th year, the Haldon Street Festival held on Saturday 28 October in Lakemba being the city’s cultural epicentre, exploded with colour, the fragrance of multicultural food and a wonderful community turn out. More than 20,000 people gathered on the small street strip in Lakemba to watch camels, performers, try delicious varieties of food and do their shopping. Lakemba has been through a lot of negative press, primarily the suburb being viewed through the bigoted lens as a Muslim ghetto: a mini-Lebanon. But that is far from the truth. One of the best things about Lakemba is that although it has a Muslim majority, a
number of events are held from time to time to welcome mainstream communities. At the festival, there were stalls of other religious groups as well selling non-halal items for those who wished to try them. Over 80 stalls selling international food, I Love Lakemba mugs, jewellery and produce as well as a fun photo booth that were loved by the crowd. The halal snack pack- eating competition, was hosted by Channel 9’s Family Food Fight starring the Shahrouk sisters. The first person to devour their Al-Aseel snack pack won a 2018 Bulldogs family membership. Lakemba fashion designer Amalina Mardiyah Aman, whose designs have appeared at New York Fashion Week, launched her 2017 spring and summer collection at the festival. The Haldon Street Festival in Lakemba indeed is such a beautiful representation of a truly Australian multicultural suburb.
Community Wellness Expo held in Lakemba Mobinah Ahmad
Henna art at Sultan Fatih Mosque. Photo by Marina Neil.
The Lebanese Muslim Association, in partnership with NSW Health SLHD and BreastScreen NSW successfully held their second Community Wellness Expo on Saturday 14 October in Lakemba. The expo offered a number of local health services for the community an opportunity to speak to, learn from a variety of experts and get their health checked up. A family day of fun, learning and healthy living, the event featured free health servic-
es offering: Breast Cancer Screening, GP Check up, Nutritionist Advice, Baby and children health checks, Diabetes Risk Assessment, Fitness and sporting advice, Dental health care, Healthy mind tests and Chiro assessments and much more! Free activities were held such as the Fitness and Health competitions, Hijma/Cuppings, Portrait Booth, Activities for Children, Food and drinks The LMA Vision is an Australian Muslim community that has a positive and sustainable contribution globally.
Al Khalil Mosque, Adelaide.
November 2017
AMUST
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
17
LIFESTYLE Canberrans gather to support Rohingya refugees NEWS 1-4
AMUST
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Manarul Islam The Nara Peace Park on the banks of Lake Burley Griffin on a fine spring day became the venue for a community-wide fundraising event for the Rohingya refugees. The fundraising, held on Sunday 15 October, was the brainchild of three active community members, Emad Soliman, Holly Vanderpol and Hajira Mohammed who worked tirelessly with the Muslim community in Canberra to make the arrangements and promote the event, with collaboration with Human Appeal International Australia and Charity Australia International who both collected the donations during the occasion. According to spokesman, Mr Soliman, the event collected in excess of $25,000 on the day with more likely to follow. Marc Purcell, CEO, Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), described the plight of the Rohingya refugees. “Some camps have been there for many, many years. Rohingya refugees fled Myanmar persecution in the 1990’s so the total population of Rohingya now is estimated to be around 1.2 million with about 525,000 who have come in the last six weeks,” he pointed out. He stressed that there is still no humanitarian access to the Rakhine state, which is controlled by the Myanmar military. “My organisation (ACFID) is calling on the Australian government to set up targeted sanctions against senior Burmese military officers. Secondly, its very important that Rohingya refugees should be resettled by countries like Australia,” he said. Imam Adama Konda, of the Canberra Islamic Centre, appealed to the hearts of those who had attended the fundraising event. “Our freedom in the truth. Allah made us the crown of His creation but somehow the table of human rights is vandalised in the Rakhine state of Myanmar. From tonight,
The fundraiser collected in excess of $25,000 on the day with more likely to follow. when we walk away from here, we should would feel without any rights and respect in do our best to be human beings – that is a land where their forefathers had been for when our brothers and sisters happiness generations. comes first before mine,” he appealed. Kathy Ragless, Board Member, ComFederal Greens Senator Nick McKim, panion House, a consistent and active camwho is the immigration spokesperson for the paigner for refugees in the ACT, who pointGreens party, advocated for 20,000 Rohing- ed out that the Rohingya are literally being ya refugees to be settled in Australia. “starved out” of Myanmar. “These are stories of murder and rape and “We need the pressure on our representthe biggest civilian displacement in Asia atives and faith leaders to speak up about for many, many decades. Unfortunately their human rights needs much more quickAustralian leadership has been lacking,” he ly than they are doing right now,” she said. lamented. Holly Vanderpol, one of the organisers of Zainab – a Rohingyan woman in Australia the event, read out a letter from a Rohingya gave her account of the long and ongoing ANU Post-grad student, Maria Begum, who situation. recently temporarily returned to Myanmar “The Rohingya crisis is not something to be with her ailing father. The letter has new to the world. They have been discrimi- been published in AMUST on page 24. nated against for many decades – only now Imam Akram Buksh, Imam of Slacks has it come to the media’s attention. Still no Creek Mosque and Vice President of Islamaction is taken,” she said. ic Council of Queensland, who emotionally Zainab asked the audience how they conveyed his experience of his visit to a Ro-
Zainab gives her account of the plight of the Rohingya people. hingya refugee camp in Bangladesh. “I have been to many places around the world, where people are suffering and there is no doubt in my heart what I saw there was the worst tragedy that I have seen with my own eyes. We have seen people and spoken to them and all that we have seen and heard is true. There are hundreds and thousands living under trees or out in the open. And that is travelling for up to 10 days without food,” he explained. “Imagine if you have six children and the army forced you to give up three of them – how would you feel?” he asked the audience. As is quite frequent at fundraising events across Australia, the auctioneer responsible for selling off the masses of donated goods was Hossain Goss, from Queensland. Details about the event are captured on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ events/1468276429922951/
Uniting for the support for Rohingya Theresa Dyckman The Mission Myanmar fundraising dinner was held on Saturday 7 October in Parramatta in order to help the Rohingya refugees. The event was planned by the Floating Flowers organisation in conjunction with Islamic Relief, where the 450 seats were promptly sold out. Around $115,000 was raised was raised at the event going towards Islamic Relief’s Myanmar Emergency Appeal. One of the most persecuted minority groups in the world, the Rohingya people of Myanmar have been subject to major human rights abuses. So far more than 770,000 have been forced to leave their homes of their native Rakhine state, seeking refuge in neighbouring Bangladesh. As we were flooded with distressing images and dismayed at the lack of action by, not just our government, but those around the globe, we felt compelled to take action as best we can to help our brothers and sisters to receive much-needed aid and supplies the refugee camps. Floating Flowers came up with the idea of the fundraiser to provide humanitarian aid and supplies to those in need with all proceeds going directly to this cause. Zia Hussain, who leads this organisation and co-hosted the event along with his son, Sarib, hailed Islamic Relief’s work, and said, “We are making a statement tonight that no human life, or drop of blood can be sac-
18
rificed based on race, religion, ethnicity, cultural background, or manmade boundaries.” After Maghrib prayers the night began, drawing in people of various ages, ethnicities, and religions. Sheikh Saeed recited Surah Al Baqara, verse 264 from the Quran. This was followed by heartfelt poems. Sister Zainab Mohammad from the Rohingya community bravely recounted the trauma that her family had faced. Her sister had lost her children and husband to atrocities committed by the Burmese military. She emphasised that many lives could still be saved with help from the community. The night also included a riveting nasheed performance of Maher Zain’s, Inshallah, as well as videos displaying the work of Islamic Relief on the ground, in terms of providing food, and shelter to the up to 125,000 people displaced, and 20,000 trapped at the border. Australia’s Islamic relief CEO, Mr Salwan Ameen during his speech heralded the diversity of those in attendance and encouraged people to make dua if that was all they could do to help the Rohingya people. Sheikh Tarik urged the audience to donate to this vital cause while quoting the Hadith of Muhammed (s) that the Ummah is one body, and stressed how fortunate we are to live a comfortable life with, food, clothing, and shelter. He also touched on the importance of Sadaqah on the day of judgement, including the promise of Allah that whatever you give today He will reimburse it. Sheikh Tarik also used the example of our beloved prophet to encourage generosity, “Rasoolallah (s) was as generous as wind, he used to give right, and left to everyone.
Australasian Muslim Times
Floating Flowers founder Zia Hussein with the handmade Quran from Syria, which was auctioned for $1800. Up to $115,000 was raised for Islamic Reliefs Myanmar Appeal. He never used to discriminate, whether the person was Muslim, or not, whether he was a Jew or a Christian, whoever asked for his help he gave it” The auction was conducted by the wellknown auctioneer Mr Hussin Goss. One of the items included a handmade Quran from Syria, which sold for $1800. It was a chance for the community to unite for the Rohingya people, highlighting the potential to make a difference in the world, even if it is just through dua. To donate to Islamic Relief’s Myanmar Emergency Appeal, please visit:
www.amust.com.au
https://islamic-relief.com.au/myanmar/ Theresa Dyckman is a student in Media, Culture, and Communications at Macquarie University and a current SBS & NITV mentee as well as a former Global Leadership program participant and intern. Born in the US and brought up in Australia, she has been a revert for 13 years and interested in news & current affairs, storytelling through photography & documentary and passionate about history, travel, art, the environment, and all aspects of Islam.
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
LIFESTYLE
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
SalamFest set to Impress Melbournians Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas This November an exciting new community engagement initiative is taking place in the heart of Melbourne, expected to attract thousands. SalamFest, a family-friendly festival which captures the true message of Islam – ‘Peace, Love and Compassion’, will be running from 24 to 26 November. This festival of peace is designed to showcase and celebrate contemporary Muslim art, culture and cuisine with the wider community. We interviewed Ayesha Bux, the founder of SalamFest, to discuss how this incredible idea came about and what the event aims to achieve for the Muslim community and the broader community; “My family, now in its 7th generation, has been in Australia since 1860’s and the idea for SalamFest came about from observations and experience of Islamophobia. What is being shown in the media is not what Muslims think or believe. One of the main causes of Islamophobia is not knowing about true Islamic values. So that is why I thought let’s try and create awareness and share with the wider
community the true Islamic values of peace, love and compassion. The Muslim community comprises of over 70 different ethnicities so our contribution to the Australian tapestry in culture, art and cuisine is unique. SalamFest also aims to showcase the diversity of the Muslim community. We want this to be a platform where we engage with the wider Australian community, foster
cross cultural understanding and showcase the diversity of the Muslim community.” A truly mesmerising series of programs and demonstrations are listed as a part of the SalamFest schedule including demonstrations of Caligraphy and Ebru arts, Sufi Whirling Dervishes, Pottery, Henna Art, Islamic Storytelling and more. Ayesha appreciates the outpouring of positive feedback and support she’s received to develop this
important initiative. “Our 3 major partners are Islamic Council of Victoria, Islamic Museum of Australia and State library Victoria. We strongly believe in inclusion so it is a free festival and all the events except the dinner are free. We would like everyone to come and join us to celebrate the contributions of Australian Muslims to the Australian tapestry.” “The feedback from the community has been overwhelming and we’ve received many messages of support, prayers and duas from people. It’s very moving to see that people we don’t know are praying for us.” We encourage Melbournians to use this brilliant opportunity to experience authentic Islamic culture showcased as a part of SalamFest and we encourage the development of many more platforms for engagement with and amongst Australian Muslims. For more information please visit the SalamFest website at www.salamfest.com or Facebook page www.facebook.com/ SalamFestau 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.
“The Big Anxiety” showcased in Auburn and Fairfield Aisha Mohsin The University of New South Wales has introduced a novel social project that brings together the artists, designers, technical innovators, psychologists, psychiatrists, mental health experts to create a cultural festival on a massive scale – one that addresses mental health as a collective, social responsibility. The initiative “The Big Anxiety- We Are All Affected” as the name suggests, prioritises issues targeting to address anxiety within and around Australian Muslim communities by invoking difficult conversations, exerting art’s capacity to build connections through empathy and collaboratively channelling the societal behaviour to stop the continuation of stress and strains of everyday life. The project is being showcased in the
form of an exhibition from 21 September to 11 November 2017 open from 10am to 4pm at the Auburn Peacock Gallery as well as at the Fairfield Gallery and Museum. Amidst photography, video installation, sculpture, ceramics and interactive media, a series of workshops are being staged. The quality of a society is largely determined by how much importance the society places on the arts. Keeping in mind the educationally critical, socially essential & aesthetically pleasurable benefits art brings to any society, we all need to work together to contribute to our values reflected through diverse expressions of arts & culture. Given below are two thoughtful reflections of two of the Australian Muslim artists featured at the exhibition. “We Are All Affected was the principle commission for the Big Anxiety Festival and features some of Australia’s most well-
known and respected Muslim artists, most of whom have recently come together to form a collective of contemporary artists, writers and curators. As an Australian Muslim curator, working alongside internationally acclaimed Sydney based artist, Khaled Sabsabi, to reconnect the works of these brilliant artists who mostly exhibit in major galleries and museums both here and internationally is an essential part of my practice. This exhibition was really about reconnecting with our local communities through contemporary art. It is also about being able to share this narrative and our stories through the arts, and in particular to begin to address the issues around Islamophobia from a different angle and to bring that conversation, on our terms, to a very different and unexpected audience.” - Nur Shkembi “We Are All Affected was part of The Big
Cream cheese, Jalapeno and Caramelised Onion Jaffles FoodFlukery
Anxiety project. The concept primarily revolves around identifying and tackling anxiety among the Muslim community being alienated from the rest of the society. This exhibition serves as a unique communion of voice and experiences related to social isolation shared though the contemporary practice of the Australian Muslim artists for the Muslim audience. We Are All Affected is a call to action, one that fosters connection, relevance and belonging in our society. I encourage others to reach out to such events to create rich engagements critical to our collective mental health.” - Khaled Sabsabi We can do better by recognising how profoundly our cultural life contributes to the health of communities not only across our nation but around the world.
FOODFLUKES Next-level dishes created by chance
Serves 4 as a snack, or 2 hungry adults When it comes to rainy day comfort food, nothing quite beats melted, stretchy cheese nestled snugly between crispy toasted bread. Making it in a jaffle iron means more room for the fillings. I’m obliged to acknowledge the creator of this recipe, Mr Foodflukes himself. Every once in a while, he creates something of pure genius, and then proceeds to tell me that his creation is pure genius. I had to agree (reluctantly) on this one.
Caramelised onions
For the jaffles
• 1 onion, finely sliced with a mandolin slicer • 1 tbsp butter • 1 tbsp brown sugar • 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• 8 slices bread of your choice (I used light rye) • 125 g cream cheese • Roughly 1.5 cups of grated cheddar or mozzarella • 1 jalapeno pepper, sliced • non-stick spray
(make in advance so they can cool)
1. Melt the butter over low heat in a pan. Once it starts to bubble, add in the onions. Cook over low heat, for about 5 minutes or until lightly golden, stirring regularly to ensure the bottom doesn’t burn. 2. When the onions are ready, add in the brown sugar, stir to coat, and cook for a further minute or two. Add in the balsamic vinegar, and cook for an additional minute. Set aside to cool.
November 2017
1. Spread a layer of cream cheese on each slice of bread. Layer half the slices with the jalapenos, grated cheddar or mozzarella and caramelised onions. Top with the remaining slices of bread. 2. Cook in a jaffle iron, or in a hot pan, over low to medium heat, till the bread is toasted and the cheese is hot and melted. 3. Serve with fries if desired (pictured here with sweet potato fries).
www.amust.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
19
LIFESTYLE Upcoming Art Muslim teacher amongst & Technology top Australian educators NEWS 1-4
AMUST
Exhibition at Al-Siraat
Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas The Al Siraat College Art and Technology Exhibition will be held on Friday 17 November 2017 from 2.30pm to 5.30pm at the School campus. The walls of Al Siraat College will be showcasing the beautiful artworks made by their creative and enthusiastic students, who will be presented with the Art and Technology awards. Imagine being surrounded by colour as you walk through the hallways of our school. You will be mesmerised by our students art and technology pieces. Not only will you get to admire these artworks, you may purchase them as well. There will be children’s art activities on the day, which includes activities such as printmaking, textiles, clay pots, face painting and henna designs. Also featuring outdoor activities such as jumping castle and the Splat. The school canteen will be opened for those wishing to purchase food and refreshment and there will also be stalls and a sausage sizzle to satisfy your hunger after a long day. Be sure to be part of all the fun and excitement!
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
A thirst for a rain drop Hosneara Zaman Ali (Munni)
Tanya Kubitza Mohammed Azim, Head of English and Teacher Mentor at Al Siraat College based in Melbourne has been recognised in The Educator Magazine’s Third Annual Hot List of 2017. The Educator is Australia’s only magazine for the most senior educational professionals and decision makers. The Educator Magazine works with some of the world’s most high-profile business schools and leading education executives from around the globe. Mohammed Azim is the only Muslim educator from an Islamic School around Australia who has made it to the prestigious list of the Top 50 of Australian Educators for 2017. His citation reads as follows: Mohammed Azim is a hard-working and dedicated teacher whose career spans three decades. Having taught at primary, secondary and tertiary levels, his influence has not been limited to the school environment, but extends to the wider community. For the past four years, Azim has collaborated with Moreland City Council’s Oxygen Youth Centre in Melbourne to offer free holiday English Master Classes for students unable to afford classes run by other providers. It’s a program that has seen hundreds of students obtain their Victorian Certificate of Education and achieve good marks. Mohammed Azim has received a number of national awards which included the prestigious National Excellence in Teacher Award and AITSL’s Commendation for Teacher Leadership Award. As a proud Australian citizen who is Muslim by faith, he sees his task as one of ensuring his students practicing the faith of Islam are taught Australian values as well as the univer-
Mohammed Azim, Teacher at Al Siraat College, Melbourne. sal values of peace, tolerance and acceptance. Mohammed Azim is also a strong advocate of interfaith initiatives. This year - The Educator was inundated with excellent nominations from across Australia which made the process of selecting 50 educators rather arduous for the team. Nevertheless, the selection committee has chosen the best and offers you a n insight into their work in the latest edition of The Educator magazine. The 50 education professionals honoured this year are from around the country who have continued undertaking outstanding work in the name of ensuring all students have the highest quality educational experiences possible. Tanya Kubitza is the Chair of the JCMA Membership Committee, Registrar and Marketing Manager of Melbourne based Al Siraat College.
Winter is behind me Boarded into spring, So many rainless weeks A long drought brings, The hot blazing air No moisture in there. A crow cries with a cracking voice, Dry beaks are wide open Looking for a drop of rain. Mother duck in the pond, Looks at her ducklings With sadness in her eyes ! How can they learn to swim ! In the tiny muddy puddle !! Frogs don’t jump with joy ! They keep slipping in the muddy water, Throats are dry , changing voices As they sing ! Dewless lawns in the morning, Struggle to lift their bodies with a smile. The Sun is on constant duty No break even for a while, Rays of intense Sunlight Relentlessly shines on the earth. The hot breeze blows, From the North and West Dispels clouds, Temperature rises, can’t escape. Flower petals coated with dust, As their dreams die ! Soil suffers, begging for rain, To come down and Soak the land for fresh grain. Green bushes discolour and fade, Farmers praying for grey clouds To bring the rain drops at their aid, While cows and lambs look for shade. Our hearts are like a desert, Waiting to be soaked by rain. Better days are surely coming To soothe our lands, And our cracked tongues and soil. Oh, Lord shower Your mercy With rain ! For what cause Is the land deprived Of Your blessings ? Please bring Your blessings Upon us again !!
The Science of Sydney Alliance
Philip Feinstein The organisation Sydney Alliance has a reputation of bringing together various groups who have the common goal of helping people. The organisation puts citizens back at the heart of democracy, achieving change collectively, and using their diversity for good. They are made up of over 30 organisations including many civil society organisations founded for, or connected to, Muslim communities including the National Zakat Foundation, United Muslim Women’s Association, and the Arab Council Australia.
20
Many of their organisations are also connected to refugees and people seeking asylum, communities such as Settlement Services International and Community Migrant Resource Centre. The recent Sydney Alliance annual fund-raising event held at the St Stephen’s Uniting Church in the city was multifaceted. Sydney’s leading acappella gospel choir, Café of the Gate of Salvation, lent their talent with a special compilation of songs - the songs hailed from times of hardship during the American civil rights era to Mandela’s movement in South Africa. The huge audience was also privileged to hear SBS Lani Tupu as narrator. The
Australasian Muslim Times
night then featured Sarah, one of Sydney Alliance’s newest leaders, who shared her escape from Iran as a political refugee and her experiences in her new homeland of Australia. The evening was rounded off with a raffle in which 10 special prizes were drawn. The funds raised from the concert and raffle went towards funding their campaigns, including establishing organisers and actions and events. Their campaigns at the moment include: Affordable Housing, Changing the Conversation which develop new perceptions in the community around people seeking asylum, Save our Weekend dealing with the saving
www.amust.com.au
penalty rates from being cut for hard working low paid Sydneysiders, and Voices for Power which is about cheaper, cleaner energy and climate justice. A final thank you to the Café of the Gate of Salvation choir - several of their members have been involved with Sydney Alliance campaigns and actions in their professional or personal capacity. They are an exceptionally talented choir, with a wonderful lean towards social justice and community. Everyone was very honoured to have their talent for this occasion. And we now look forward to the 2018 event.
November 2017
LIFESTYLE Backpacker Medics – Restoring Faith in Humanity LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
Aisha Mohsin The world these days has seemingly descended into gloominess and endless suffering. With each flicker of a news channels, the stories of how humanity is in chaos batters away at our faith in humanity. As I sit in the comfort of my home writing these words, there are hundreds of Rohingya people in Myanmar getting killed. What could be more tragic than to witness everything you ever loved being blown out? That the violence has been going on for a while with no stops to the flow of refugees makes us wonder when will we get our act together as a species. However, turning my eyes away from this morbid reality also allows me to understand that humanity isn’t completely doomed. There are countless people who are trying everything they can to help the less fortunate, who refuse to sit and watch injustice, who by their selfless action, help restore faith in humanity; yours as well as mine.
TRAVEL 29
SOCIAL 30 - 31
“You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty.” This famous quote by Mahatma Gandhi materialised in my head once again this morning as I spoke to Mr Nathan Burns, the Founder of Backpack Medics Australia. Backpacker Medics, a brainchild of Mr Nathan Burns was founded in 2012. Driven by the need to give back to the community, this organisation has a simple yet profound goal at the core of its operations i.e. ; “to take effective medical care to those who need it most.” Backpacker Medics provides mobile and self-sufficient medical treatment for remote and rural communities around the globe. It is a team comprising of highly qualified and experienced paramedics, doctors, clinical psychologist and volunteers who have what it takes to be their own inspiration. While Backpacker Medics is wholly run on donations, they have an edge over similar organisations in that the model they have employed is extremely far reaching. This is because some of the places in dire need of help are well off the usual tourists trails, and the only possible access is on foot. That’s where the mobile Backpacker Medics come in with initial equipment and supplies snuggled into
AMUST
custom-designed backpacks! “Our main values are self-reliance, motivation, adaptability, team work, integrity and physical endurance. We use this criteria as our strength to move forward and wholeheartedly help those affected by disaster, we just can’t sit back and watch them suffer”. said Mr Nathan. The driving force within each member of the team was manifest physical in the period following the earthquake in Nepal in 2015. During this time, not only was Backpacker Medics on the forefront to extend humanitarian health services but was also able to form a ‘Disaster Response Group’ to be better prepared for future disasters Another laudable achievement they facilitated was the “Kerasawara Women’s Health Initiative” which aims to ‘train the trainer’ by raising the traditionally poor level of women’s health and education in Nepal. In the wake of the spiral of violence & Rohingya Muslims leaving Myanmar, it is extremely heart-warming to know that recently
Backpacker Medics has sent a second deployment to Bangladesh while a third one is almost ready to join them. They are doing their best to maximise the effectiveness of special health care services being offered to disaster-stricken Rohingya refugees. Mr Nathan enthusiastically informed us about the setup of local health clinics in Bangladesh with the assistance of local doctors. It’s people like Mr Nathan Burns and his team who prove that our lives can be lived for any kind of purpose. Be it to advance our materialistic ideals in this world or to pursue a life lived by embracing service and selflessness to our fellow human beings. The choice will always be ours. The world needs more people like him! Aisha Mohsin is a Melbourne-based academic editor and blogger. She has a knack for writing. You can find her at www.aishamohsinblog.wordpress.com
Sadiqah Reflects on All Nations Squad Achievement Tanya Kubitza Sadiqah Fatimah is a Year 7 Al-Siraat Senior School student, selected for the AFL “All Nations Squad” for 2017. She is a great example of the wonderfully ambitious and talented girls we have in the Muslim community. I applaud her efforts and may she be a great role model for young girls. She recently played in the in the National Diversity Championships, held in Byron Bay/NSW from 9 – 13 October 2017, and reflects on her amazing experience below: Day 1: Monday On 9 October I had been given the opportunity to represent Victoria in the AFLW in Byron bay. I met my team at the virgin terminal at 9am. We had checked our bags and were ready to head off. Our landing and departure was very smooth, we all were very excited. We arrived there around 12 midday. All together we were about 40 girls. From the airport we went to Wollongbar motel. It was near the beach which was great for recovery sessions. Today was the day of our orientation. Day 2: Tuesday On the 2nd day it was our biggest day be-
November 2017
cause we were going to play 3 games back to back. The 1st game was against Tasmania, and we beat them by 80 points. Then we played against New South Wales, we beat them as well. The 3rd game was against South Australia. In the first half, we dominated and gave it all we had but unfortunately South Australia came back hitting even harder in the second half. At the end of the day our coaches were
very proud of us as the kick-starts and all nations were both on the top of the ladder. After the games, we went to the beach, it was great. My team was shocked to know that I was the youngest player in the team. By the time it was 10pm we were all knocked out. Day 3: Wednesday Day 3 was not as hectic as day 2, we only had to play one game and it was against Queensland. In the first half, we had lost one of our players due to knee injury. So then we only had 1 substitute player. This got us on high alert and our hard work really paid off with another win making us undefeatable. Then we had an education session with one of AFLW’s greatest player Sabrina. She played for the Brisbane lions and was the Queensland girls coach. After the game, we went to the beach again. At night, the coaches had a surprise installed for us. They said they wanted to test our cooking skills in the kitchen. We had to cook pasta without any help and it also had
www.amust.com.au
to be creative. My group had won the challenge and got to sleep in for 30 minutes more than usual as the treat. Day 4: Thursday Today was the Semi-Finals and we were ready for anything. In the first match against Northern Territory, we won by 40 points. The next game was against our rivals Western Australia. It was a really tough match, we had another player go down with an arm injury and she was gutted. By now we had no substitutes. We were down by 4 goals in the 2nd half. But in the last 10 minutes we dominated and brought the win back home. Now we were on fire. We made it to the grand finals. We went back to our hotel, had our recovery sessions and went straight out for dinner. We went with our own groups to different places and ate different food. But the day wasn’t done yet the coaches had one last surprise installed for us. We went to bowling; it was so fun all the girls were having the time of their lives. We got home around 11pm and went straight to bed for the grand-finals. Day 5: Friday Today was the biggest day of my life. It was grand final day. We were going to verse Western Australia again. In the first half we were winning by only 1 point. In the second half we were unstoppable. In the last 2 minutes we were panicking because the ball was in our forward pocket but our girls were really pumped up and knew what to do. When the final siren went off our whole team were in tears. We couldn’t believe that we actually had won the grand finale. At 1pm we had to go to the airport. We arrived back in Melbourne at 5pm. It was really hard to say goodbye to everyone because we had such a strong bond. It was an adventure for me. Sadiqah Fatimah 7G2
Australasian Muslim Times
21
AMUST
UMMAH
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Dr John Morrow recognised by US Congress Taraneh Tabatabai Dr John Andrew Morrow, the award-winning academic, author, and activist, received a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition at the IMAN Cultural Center in Los Angeles, California on 24 September 2017. The extraordinary recognition to Dr Morrow was given for his presentation of a lecture on The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World, that has now been published as a book. The recognition, signed by Karen Bass, Member of Congress for California’s 37th District, was presented to Dr Morrow by Mrs Parvaneh Kadivar, who described Professor Morrow as “a prolific writer, an accomplished scholar, and a fine human being who has devoted his life to building bridges between and among the diverse faith communities and who has spent his life in search of truth in scrolls and scriptures.” During his lecture on the covenant Dr Morrow (Imam Ilyas Islam) said, “Considering that the continued conflict between Christians and Muslims across the world has been artificially ignited by the forces of imperialism, especially in Africa, the Middle East and Asia, the content of these price-
Parvaneh Kadivar, John Andrew Morrow, and Zachary Markwith. less historical documents can shed light on Book. Thus, these covenants can serve as a the early history of Islam. Via this informa- source of inspiration for the establishment tion, we are witness to the primordial rela- of insuperable harmony between the three tionship between Muslims and People of the Abrahamic religions: Judaism, Christianity
and Islam.” Taraneh Tabatabai is an Iranian American from Los Angeles. She writes from Crescent International, the Australasian Muslim Times, and other publications.
Hadiya, a victim of bigotry in India Hanif Bismi Hadiya, a 24 years old Homeopathic Medical doctor from Kerala is currently under judicial house arrest by the order of the High Court of the state of Kerala having annulled her marriage to a Muslim man by the name Shafin Jahan. Kerala, the Indian state with the highest literacy rate and excellent social indicators is also known for its religious harmony producing a cohesive society. She converted from Hinduism to Islam and changed her name from Akhila to Hadiya during her university days. Later she married a Muslim man after meeting him through a matrimonial site. Now her case is in the Supreme Court of India which has ordered a probe by the National Investigation Agent (NIA), the country’s top counter-terror agency under the supervision of a former judge. The government is trying to link her conversion to Islam to terrorism and further investigate her marriage in the possibility of her being a victim of the so-called ‘Love Jihad’, a libellous act.
caption Many legal experts and social activists have opined that Hadiya has been denied her constitutional rights and is a victim of human right violations by the government of India. The Indian constitution guarantees conversion and preaching of any religion as a fundamental right of a citizen. This is not something that has been seen in the case of Hadiya. Since India’s new right-wing ultra-nationalistic government came into power, traditional secular values started diminishing and intolerance towards religious minorities par-
caption ticularly Muslims and Dalits (a community considered as low caste in the hierarchy) increased. Today Hadiya is a prisoner in her own house under armed police guard for 24 hours. She is not allowed to see anyone or talk to anyone. So far, only three members of right-wing parties have been allowed to visit her. One of them took a video in which Hadiya says that she wants to continue to live and die as a Muslim. When women activists went to meet Hadiya, permission was
denied but reports say that Hadiya cried out to them for help from behind the bars of a window. Inter-religion and inter-caste marriage is not a strange practice in Kerala. In her case she did not become Muslim after marriage; she converted much earlier to her marriage to Jahan There are two valid questions that arise from this incident. Why is she being denied her two constitutionals right to practice any religion and marry any person of her choosing? These questions bear special weight in a state like Kerala which is known for its human rights and liberal values. Hadiya’s illegal confinement to her home is because she exercised her right as an Indian woman. The silence of the State Women’s Commission and the State Human Rights Commission in a Communist-ruled state projects a gloomy future for the situation of Muslims in the country. The Indian feminist who cry wolf that Islam oppresses women are now selectively silent in Hadiya’s case. Hadiya’s story is now being turned into a movie as a Gopal Menon film. Hanif Bismi is a Sydney based historian, political analyst, community activist and an Advisor to ARO.
Read books to change your life Taraneh Tabatabai “Have you ever learned anything meaningful about someone else’s religion by reading something in a book?” asked Linda Sarsour at address delivered at Rutgers University in March 2017. “That’s not how you learn about people. That’s not how you experience people,” she continued, to my utter dismay. She might as well have asked: “When was the last time a book changed your life?” Has she not considered the cultural and scientific impact of The Origin of Species by Charles Darwin, The Communist Manifesto by Karl Marx and Friedrich Engels, The Republic by Plato, the Complete Works of Shakespeare, the Critique of Pure Reason by Immanuel Kant, A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft,
22
The Wealth of Nations by Adam Smith, Orientalism by Edward Said, or Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell? One could easily list hundreds of works that totally transformed our understanding of the world for both good and bad. Although Sarsour’s aim was to promote the practice of Islam, as opposed to the mere theory of Islam, which is something that should certainly be supported, there is no practice without theory: each go hand in hand, complement one another, and are intended to operate in harmony. The idea that Muslims should “Stop focusing on trying to sit people down and tell them about the five pillars of Islam or who our Prophet was”, is short-sighted. Muslims must do both; teach Islam and observe Islam. Content and character are the key. When was the last time a person learned something meaningful about a religion by
Australasian Muslim Times
means of a book? How about The I Ching? How about the Holy Hebrew Scriptures? What about the Upanishads? The Tao Te Ching? The Avesta? The Analects of Confucius? The New Testament? And importantly, what about the Qur’an? It is one of the most influential books in human history and one that has brought millions of upon millions of people into the Muslim faith. So, yes, without a doubt, I, and billions of other people can directly point to books in which we learned something meaningful about someone else’ religion. Ironically, when Linda Sarsour decided to step down from the Arab American Association of New York in the spring of 2017, she announced that she would like to write a book since The Autobiography of Malcolm X changed her life. I guess books do change lives after all.
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
UMMAH
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
Australia acknowledges ‘Black day’ in Kashmir marks atrocities against Rohingyas 1947 Indian army arrival In a media release on Monday 23 October the Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop after some initial silence has acknowledged the atrocities being committed against Rohingyas and condemned the violence in Rakhine state. Australia has increased its funding by another 10 million to a total commitment of 30 million for the Rohingya humanitarian crisis and called for protection of civilians and access by humanitarian workers. Several letters have been written to Ms Bishop by Muslims and representations made to various politicians and together with rallies and demonstrations in support of Rohingyas for the past two months in Australia.
Citizenship legislation scrapped The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) has applauded the scrapping last night of the Federal Government’s proposed new citizenship legislation. The Senate removed the proposed Bill from the Senate notice paper after the Government, which faced certain defeat of its proposed legislation, failed to bring it to a vote. “We congratulate every Senator who stood up against this cruel, unnecessary and discriminatory proposal,” the Chairperson of FECCA, Ms Mary Patetsos said today. “The plan to extend the waiting period and demand university-standard English language skills from migrants in order for them to become Australian citizens was unjust and unfair,” Ms Patetsos said. “The fact is that generations of migrants, despite having limited command of English when they became citizens, have made huge contributions to Australian society.” Ms Patetsos said that now the Parliament
had spoken, the Government should put such harsh legislative proposals to rest. “For decades, Australian citizenship had fostered inclusivity, allowing migrants to feel Australian, regardless of their country of origin.” “This legislation would have damaged Australia’s cohesive multicultural society by creating an underclass of Australian residents denied citizenship.” “We now have a great opportunity for FECCA to work with the Government to find positive ways – rather than punitive ways – to make migrants feel welcomed and part of Australian society,” Ms Patetsos said. FECCA is the national peak body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Media Scan Ainullah
BJP accelerates it’s antiMuslim rhetoric in India
The tide of public opinion is turning against the BJP. Popular anger over the deepening economic mess amid disappearing jobs and rural distress has been so overwhelming that the ruling party has been finding it difficult to face the people even in Modi’s home state of Gujarat that goes to polls by year end. The BJP has gone back to Lord Ram and its core agenda with the likes of Yogi Adityanath, the saffron robed Uttar Pradesh chief minister, and Sangeet Som, the BJP rabble-rouser known for his role in the 2012 Muzaffarnagar carnage, leading the charge. The BJP is queering the pitch by absurdly attacking the iconic Taj Mahal, which attracts millions of foreign tourists and foreign exchange every year, as something built by “traitors” and as a “blot” on the country’s image. The BJP government after 3 years in office has decided to light up the temple town of Ayodhya with unprecedented celebrations led by Adityanath and the entire state machinery, amid the talk of building the Ram temple. As if the trauma of disastrous demonetization wasn’t enough, this government rolled out the haphazardly executed GST amid great fanfare, comparing the occasion to India’s ‘freedom at midnight’ celebrations. While the past three years of this government have been nothing but an endless nightmare for the Muslims, with the BJP politicians and their extended clan leading the frequent lynchings and mob attacks on the community, the BJP needs a major emotional issue to polarize the electorate in time for 2019. The revival of Ayodhya row with the lead-
November 2017
Seventy years ago on Friday 27 October, the Indian army landed in the Himalayan valley of Kashmir, now the most militarised zone in the world with India maintaining 500,000 strong armed personnel in the region. Every year the people in this divided region mark 27 October as a “black day” to protest the decades-old “Indian military occupation”. The referendum to decide the fate of Kashmir as promised and agreed upon both India and Pakistan was never held even after 70 years making Kashmir an unsolved legacy of partition. India and Pakistan each administer part of Kashmir, but both claim the Himalayan territory in its entirety. Rebel groups have been fighting since 1989 for the Indian-administered portion to become independent or merge with Pakistan. Nearly 70,000 people have been killed in the uprising and the ensuing Indian military crackdown. Muhammad Ashraf Wani, a professor of history, said 27 October 1947, changed the history, geography, and culture of Kashmir as the borders were sealed that connected the region to Central Asia, which was an important trade partner. “The Kashmir conflict continues to be same as it was 70 years ago. There is no change in it, there have been atrocities on the people,” Wani said, adding the conflict has disconnected Kashmir with its past. “We suffered heavily since that day, and we continue to suffer. The partition had enduring effects on us. All those who love humanity should come forward to solve this dispute because this is the longest pending dispute
ing lights of the BJP openly threatening the Muslims to “accept” the Ram temple at the site where the 16th century mosque stood once, coupled with this huge Diwali jamboree by Adityanath is a step in that direction. The deliberate targeting of the Taj — and by extension the Moguls and Muslims — is part of the same agenda to demonize the beleaguered minority. The portrayal of Muslims as “foreign invaders and destroyers of Hindu temples” and attacking the celebrated national monuments like the Taj Mahal as illegitimate and oppressive is also part of a wider Hindutva project to denigrate the Muslims and question their “Indianness” and legitimacy, as Kuldeep Kumar suggests in the Wire. Denying a people’s identity is the first step to delegitimizing and wiping them off. If you think that is a far-fetched idea, look no further than the neighboring Myanmar and its persecuted Rohingya Muslims to know what I mean. If the world can stand and stare while the Burmese state turns its full wrath on a minuscule, oppressed minority, burning village after village with its inhabitants, driving nearly a million people into Bangladesh, anything is possible. Who would have believed that nearly 14 centuries after Muslims made India their home and enriched it in a myriad ways — from culture and arts to architecture and food, they would be told that they do not belong here? Not only is the Muslim influence found in every sphere of activity, India would be incomplete as a nation and civilization without its Muslims. — Aijaz Zaka Syed, Khaleej Times.
in the world.” Khalid Bashir, a Kashmiri author of Kashmir: Exposing the Myth behind the Narrative, said even after wars and other violence a solution has yet to be found in Kashmir. “The conflict gave rise to armed struggle, deaths and destruction, but still there has been no seriousness in solving the issue. The conflict has resulted in orphans, injured, and bloodshed continues. Syed Ali Shah Geelani, who supports Kashmir joining with Pakistan, said in a statement India “forcibly” seized Kashmir in 1947. “Seventy-one years back on this day India without any constitutional and moral justification forcibly took control of Jammu and Kashmir, and since then, Indian forces are mercilessly killing innocent and unarmed Kashmiris, vandalising their properties and indulging in other inhuman acts,” said Geelani. The leader, who has called for protests against the “illegal occupation”, accused Indian security forces of “unleashing atrocities and cruelties upon Kashmiri nation to suppress the peaceful voices”. Expecting large-scale protests, authorities imposed curfew in most parts of Kashmir on Friday. Locals were prevented from attending Friday prayers at Srinagar’s grand mosque at Hazratbal.
India will become Islamic nation by 2027, warns Hindu leader A Hindu Yuva Vahini leader on Sunday alleged it is the Muslim community’s conspiracy to increase their population to make India an Islamic nation by 2027. The extremist right-wing organisation was founded by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in 2002 and he is also the chief patron of the outfit. “If the Muslim population continued to
grow at the same pace, India will become an Islamic country by 2027. It’s a conspiracy of the Muslim community. They want to have total control over India,” Nagendra Pratap Tomar, the western Uttar Pradesh head of the outfit, said at workers’ conference. “Muslims bear children not because they want to have them, but because they want to occupy the whole country,” he alleged.
Seven Palestinians killed in Gaza
At least seven Palestinians have been killed after Israeli forces targeted a tunnel in a southern town of the besieged Gaza Strip, according to Palestinian officials. Palestinian media reported that the tunnel had been hit by the Israeli air force. Israeli officials said that the tunnel near the border wall, which was in the process of being built, was blown up after being monitored for some time. Since 2008, Israel has launched three of-
www.amust.com.au
fensives on the Gaza Strip. The Israeli blockade of the occupied Gaza Strip, in its current form, has been in place since June 2007, when Israel imposed an airtight land, sea and air blockade on the area. Israel controls Gaza’s airspace and territorial waters, as well as two of the three border crossing points; the third is controlled by Egypt.
Australasian Muslim Times
23
AMUST
UMMAH
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Letter from a Rohingyan in Myanmar Maria Begum Myanmar is a developing country in South-East Asia which suffered more than 60 years under international sanction and civil war. Since independence from colonisation, the ethnic groups haven’t stopped fighting with the Myanmar military. At the time of colonisation, the British government favoured some ethnic groups over others to control the country. After independence, our leader General Aung San gave a huge effort to unite the whole country and he promised to establish federalism in ethnic areas. Unfortunately, it never happened as General Aung San was assassinated together with his fellows by Buddhist nationalists. Buddhist Nationalism is not new in Myanmar and its always being in Myanmar in the whole history. ‘Rohingya’ which Burmese accuse as ‘Bengali’ are one of the ethnic groups in Myanmar whose faith in Islam. The name ‘Rohingya’ is actually very new to all other ethnic groups in Myanmar as the name, and the whole ethnic group, were systematically destroyed and hidden from the media by Dictatorship. The geopolitics of the Rakhine state and May Yu district, where almost all Rohingya live, plays an important role in the genocide. Before independence, Rohingya also has an armed group called ‘Mujahadin’, and they fought Japanese army to help the British. In the Rakhine state, there are many other ethnic groups but Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya are the majority groups. Both groups share the same ancestors, but are different in that the faith divided them very strongly and they have hated each other throughout history. About 98 percent of the population of the Mayu district, which is near Bangladesh, are Rohingya. After independence, Rohingya leaders and Mujahadens wanted to separate from Myanmar and unite with East Pakistan. Unfortunately, Pakistan leaders refused. So, they decided to drop the arms and unite with Myanmar. At that time, the Rakhine Buddhist group was also having arms and wanted to separate from Myanmar to establish a Rakhine Kingdom. So, Rakhine people hated Rohingya for uniting with the Myanmar government which constituted mainly with Burman people, a major ethnic group of Myanmar. Since that time, the two groups hated each other and Rakhine people have been fighting with the Myanmar military and keep holding their vision for the Rakhine Kingdom. Myanmar has more than 20 ethnic insurgent groups that fighting for federalism. Under dictatorship, all ethnic groups suffered. However, the Rohingya were victims of systematic genocide by the military. Before the dictatorship, U Nu’s democratic government recognised 143 ethnic groups in Myanmar. They recognised the Rohingya as ethnic but with the name of ‘Chittagong Muslims’ as Mayu district is close to the Chittagong state of Bangladesh. They were granted full citizenship, full civil rights and representation in Parliament. Under Military Dictator General Ne Win, all of these rights were removed from Rohingya and removed from the list of ethnic minorities. He declared only 135 ethnic groups as the ethnic of Myanmar. His military committed mass killing of Rohingya people. During the more than 60 years of Military regime, all people of Myanmar were subject to propagandised education system and media. We only had two TV channels, and two published newspapers. The military government censored these, and we had to learn manipulated history at schools. Western literature was strictly controlled and leftist ideas were strongly prohibited. We couldn’t access any news or information that were truthful.
24
Yangon, Myanmar.
Background on letter Manarul Islam The author is a medical doctor in her thirties, who is currently undertaking post-graduate study at the Australian National University. As mentioned in the letter, her father is Rohingyan and her mother Buddhist. She chose to use her Rohingyan name, Maria Begum, as using her official Burmese name would no doubt cause her problems. Maria has deferred a semester to return to Yangon, Myanmar to take care of her father who is suffering from liver cancer. She receives constant news from her uncles and grandmother who live in the Buthidaung township in Rakhine state. “I heard that all Muslims villages in Maungdaw are torched by the Rakhine extremists and soldiers from Myanmar military and many people are fleeing every day as they were forced to flee by the military,” she told AMUST. “Many Muslims in Buthidaung and Maungdaw are not able to find foods as Rakhine Buddhists are not selling goods The media will usually cast Rohingya as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh, and ethnic insurgencies as terrorists. Rohingya are not allowed to exist from the Rakhine state, and they need permission for movement inside the country. Rohingya are not allowed to marry without permission. Only thirty people are allowed to marry in a year in one quarter. If they marry without permission, they are arrested and extorted huge amount of money by the police. Rohingya are not allowed more than two babies. They can’t access any health services and education. The military regime intentionally destroyed all the evidence of Rohingya identity, national registration cards, family registration cards, literature and books. It is part of the genocide. Since the time of General Ne Win, no Rohingya children can get birth certificates, national registration cards or anything which can prove their identity. By this way, all Rohingya were forgotten in Myanmar and the world. The regime persecuted all educated Rohingya. My grandparents were one of the educated Rohingya who served for this country as school teachers. However, under the military regime, my whole family became victims of persecution. The military confiscated my grandparents’ farms and properties. My father ran from the Rakhine state to Yangon forty years ago where he met with my Buddhist mom, who is from another
Australasian Muslim Times
to Rohingya. People who not fleeing are only surviving on their own livelihoods. But most of them are preparing to flee to Bangladesh as they can’t access any humanitarian aids. People who are living in the Sittwe IDP (internally displaced persons) camps are also in the critical situation as they are trapped inside these camps. They need to be provided humanitarian help and protection,” she added. She claims that the military arrested and many Rohingya youths from Buthidaung and Maung Daw even before the August 25 attack on the police outposts. “After the August 25 attack, the Myanmar military killed all Muslims men and boys indiscriminately. All men including my cousins ran away from home as they are afraid of being arrested and killed by the soldiers. We have lost all contact with my two cousins and we don’t know they are still alive,” she said. Although she is careful and concerned about the Myanmar government, her real angst comes from the threats and hate speech directed at her from Buddhists nationalists on Facebook. ethnic group. My wise mom decided to hide our identity for the sake of our education and, so, our persecution was not as extreme as other Rohingya people. But my whole life, I didn’t dare to say that I am a Rohingya. We survived under constant fear of persecution. My father didn’t get any chance to return to the Rakhine state and couldn’t see his parents until now. My siblings and I also didn’t get any chance to meet them. I am a doctor and served a few years for this country in the war zones, but my grandfather died in Rakhine state without any medication. Since 2010, the previous government which composed of military personnel used the Rohingya issue to take political advantage and to push Aung San Su Kyi into political defeat. It is the most convenient way to put Aung San Su Kyi into this dilemma for more than thirty years. The Rakhine state is very important for the geopolitics of China and also very resourceful. China bought all the coastal places of the Southern part of Myanmar as it is critical for Malacca peninsula. China also built the gas pipeline which transported the offshore gas from the Rakhine state to China. The majority of Rohingya were living in this area of the Rakhine state where China wants to build the business zone. In 2012, there was a conflict between Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya which killed more than 4000 Rohingya and put more than a million Rohingya into the IDP camps. So,
www.amust.com.au
the military government backed by China confiscated all the lands of Rohingya and Rakhine people and put both communities into IDP camps. After this conflict, China was able to establish this pipeline project successfully. At that time, Aung San Su Kyi (ASSK) raised her voice not to bully Rohingya. For this reason, many Burmese people and Rakhine people accused her as pro-Muslim and nationalist monks attacked her in many ways. She took this as a lesson and in the 2015 election, her party didn’t allow any Muslims candidate to participate in election. The Rohingya cannot vote. Although Aung San Su Kyi’s party won the election, she can’t be a president because of the 2008 constitution. According to the 2008 constitution, she will never be a president and the country power is in the hand of the military chief. Soldiers occupy 25 percent of the seats in the parliament, according to this constitution. ASSK government can’t change the constitution without revolution. She has no power over the military and the Rohingya issue is also not her priority. She seems to differ from the reality which happening on the ground. Recently, torching of Rohingya houses is still happening. She raised her voice for Rakhine issue on 19 September, but there are many flaws and vague mentions of a detailed plan of repatriation and the verification of nationality for Rohingya people. However, I am very welcome for her effort towards the Kofi Annan report which no previous government wanted to do. On the other hand, Rakhine Buddhists and the majority of Burmese people have an extreme view on this issue. Some Rakhine extremists are responsible for mob attacks toward the aid for the Rohingya people and torching and destruction of Rohingya houses that is highlighted by international media by a foreign journalist who witnessed these. Together with the ASSK, Burmese so-called democratic, human right activists and educated people including Burmese diplomats studying at the ANU have the desire to blame the victims by justifying ethnic cleansing on both sides. The whole country seems to forget the ill-treatment of the military for more than 60 years which they had suffered when it comes to Rohingya issue. Their hidden racism, nationalism and Islamophobia blindfolded them from critical thinking. Their racism, hate and torture pushed the oppressed Rohingya to be radicalised. Before the insurgent attacks, Rohingya villages were blocked by Rakhine people and police for many weeks. They couldn’t go out of their villages to find foods and things to survive. Finally, they decided to fight back. You can see on the information committee Facebook page of the Myanmar government, the majority of insurgents which they captured after the 25 August attack were not well-trained fighters and most of them are ordinary Rohingya people who fight with a small knifes and bamboo stick. However, I strongly condemn the leader of ARSA (Arakan Rohingya Salvation Army) and his fellows for their stupid choice which costs the thousands of lives of my people including my cousins. We will need to find a peaceful solution, and I am sure it will take many years for reconciliation. However, the military and China will never let this happen. They will never stop their greed. My people won’t be suffering in this way if they are not from Rakhine state or my country is not between China and India. So, the only solution is international community and the government to work together to strengthen the rule of law in Rakhine state and to give safety for my people until Kofi Annan’s report was established fully. (Ed.: Kofi Annan’s Rakhine Commission report can be found here: http://www.rakhinecommission.org/the-final-report) Maria Begum is a Post Graduate Student at the Australian National University.
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
EDUCATION
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
AMU Alumni of Australia: its formation and achievements Zia Ahmad The Aligarh Muslim University Alumni of Australia (AMUAA) is celebrating its 25th Sir Syed Day on Saturday 4 November 2017, indeed a quarter century of sustained development and high achievements. AMUAA has been working for more than 25 years and in addition to celebrating annual Sir Syed Days and holding educational and social events, one of its great achievements has been the initiation of a sustained scholarship program to economically disadvantaged students in India from a scholarship fund established in Australia. Initially the Alumni granted scholarships to students at the Aligarh Muslim University, but later on the programme had included Jamia Millia Islamiah in New Delhi as well as to school students in Faizabad, UP. The Alumni also helps in infrastructure projects to establish school buildings, classrooms and scientific laboratories for technical education in high schools. There were very few Aligarians who had migrated to Australia by 1990. It was perhaps during a social gathering at the residence of Dr Farhat Yusuf in Ryde during early 1992, where the few Aligarians who lived in Sydney were also present including Mr Ali Hussain Siddiqui, Mr Qutbuddin Siddiqui, Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad, Mrs Yusuf, Mr Kamil Hussain Kazmi, Mr Mahmoodullah Khan, Mr Zafar Siddiqui and Mr Zia Ahmad, that the idea of establishing an AMU Alumni was floated. As I recall, Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad being a visionary, a pragmatic man and with well-developed multitasking ability, assigned the tasks to prepare documentation and other resources required for the registration of AMU Alumni of Australia as well as Anjuman Taraqi Urdu, for the promotion of Urdu language. Other non-Aligarians of Indian as well as Pakistani origin present at the gathering who were highly inspired by the Aligarh movement and Sir Syed’s vision as well had great concern for the Urdu language voiced their enthusiastic support for the twin projects. During the next few months two organi-
Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad at AMUAA’s Sir Syed Day 2006. Photo by Sadaewatan. sations namely the Aligarh Muslim Univer- tralasian Muslim Times AMUST that consity Alumni of Australia as well as Anjuman sumed most of our energy and time during Taraqqi Urdu were registered as non-profit those days. community associations. Two senior AligarBy mid 1990’s as a result of chaos after ians, Mr Shameem Ishaq from Brisbane and the first Gulf War, a number of young AliProfessor Akhtar Kalam from Melbourne garians migrated to Australia from Kuwait, also gave their assurance of support for the Saudi Arabia and other Gulf countries. Alumni. Again, Dr Ashfaq Ahmad pointed out that The first Sir Syed Day was celebrated in the Alumni was conducting some good soNovember 1992 at the Islamic Council of cial activities, but it should do more serious NSW Community Hall in Chullora (current- work in order to practically serve Aligarh, ly the premises of Malik Fahd School). This our Alma Mater. wa a twin event to introduce both the AlumThus a Scholarship Committee was estabni as well as Anjuman Taraqqi Urdu to the lished in 1996 and started operating under wider community and included a Mushaira his chairmanship with a devoted team of and children performances in addition to the young Aligarian technocrats with very frestandard SS Day program including the rec- quent meetings, minuting and strict financial itation of the Tarana. accounting. Subsequently, a number of twin events A complimentary scholarship committee including SS Day combined with Mushaira was also established at AMU in India under conducted by the Anjuman were annually the Chairmanship of Dr Qidwai in order to during the early nineties. I remember one of facilitate publicity and selection of meritorithem perhaps in November 1993 at Bonn- ous but disadvantaged students for the alloyrigg Public School where the Chief guest, cation of scholarships. then Indian High Comissioner to Australia, The Alumni has been working consistan Aligarian and later Indian Vice President ently for more than a quarter century now Mr Hamid Ansari, a cousin of Dr Ashfaq holding in addition annual Sir Syed Days, Ahmad, gave an excellent speech in Urdu on educational seminars, picnics and other soSir Syed’s vision and our role to promote it. cial events involving both Aligarians as well We were very busy with the running of the as other community members from diverse weekly multilingual newspaper, the Aus- background. It’s a great success story.
As far as I know the Scholarship Program of AMUAA is unprecedented of any AMU Alumni in other countries where it has been conducted successfully for more than 20 years with great dedication, transparency, equity and enthusiasm. Annual Scholarship Reports have been published and presented at SS Day regularly every year with names of donors, amounts donated, recipients of the scholarships as well as full transparent accounting. With this long and meticulous track record of the Scholarship Committee, the donors, both Aligarians and others have felt great confidence in the operation of the Scholarship program and therefore continue to donate generously. It is great to notice that we have now seen the fruits of the efforts by the scholarship initiative by way of some Aligarians now migrating to Australia who received scholarship from AMUAA in the past. Zia Ahmad is the Managing Editor of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST. He was one of the founding members of AMUAA and spent his childhood in Aligarh while his father Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad was a lecturer there during the mid 1950’s and then later studied at AMU from 1969-1971.
Sir Syed’s vision still needs realisation Zahid Jamil Indian Muslims around the world are currently commemorating the bicentennial celebrations of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, the founder of Aligarh Muslim University ranked this year as the top Indian University. He was indeed a great visionary who believed that Muslim of India could not progress without modern education. He was a pragmatist Islamic scholar, a reformist whose main objective was to bring about the change in the psyche of Indian Muslims. In a reaction to British rule, who had captured power from Muslim rulers, religious leaders discouraged modern education, leading to a non-progressive attitude of Muslim population at large. Born on 17 Oct 2017, Sir Syed belonged to an aristocratic family of Delhi and was thus able to travel to England for higher studies. Upon his return from England, he embarked on a project to establish a British style modern educational institution which could offer quality education to Muslims and later established the Mohammedan Anglo-Oriental College in 1875. He worked tirelessly for his educational movement till his death on 27 March 1898.
November 2017
However, his Mohammedan Anglo-oriental college at Aligarh continued to prosper, eventually becoming a national university in 1920. At large, Muslims were under influence of traditional Muslim scholars who vehemently opposed the new system of education believing that the modern science and logic taught in English was at odds with the tenets of Islam. As the Indian nation battled to seek independence, the political divide between Hindus and Muslims worsened and independence lead to a partition of the country into Muslim dominated Pakistan and Hindu dominated India. A large number of Muslims, many of them educated, from North India migrated to Pakistan for greener pastures. The remaining Muslims in India were viewed by some with suspicion often as a Pakistani fifth column with aspersions cast on their loyalty towards India. They were thus subject to many sorts of ill-treatment and discrimination at various levels. Coupled with the lack of opportunities was the fact that Muslim intellectuals, themselves distressed due to partition, failed to inspire Muslim masses to seek and excel in modern education. Such a combination of factors led to bleak figures for the state of Muslims in the education sector. According to the latest census data released in 2016, 42.7 percent of
Muslims are illiterate compared to 36.4 of Hindus, 32.5 for Sikhs, 28.2 for Buddhists and 25.6 for Christians. The situation is worse when it comes to higher education. As per government statistics of 2015, Muslims comprise 14% of India’s population but account for 4.4% of students enrolled in higher education. Looking at primary education, again Muslims fair badly compared to non-Muslims. According to a recent research paper, 63.23 % of Muslim boys drop out at the end of primary education and 78.66% at the end of secondary school. For Muslim girls, it is 59.26% at the end of primary education stage and 79.02% at the end of secondary school. Extremely poor performance in education is also reflected in the professional sphere. Prestigious government jobs have very little representation of Muslims. Muslims had been found to be only 3% in the IAS (Indian Administrative Services), 1.8% in the IFS (Indian Foreign Services) and 4% in the IPS (Indian Police Services). At the same time, Muslims have a very high representation in menial jobs such as rickshaw pullers, handicraft factories workers and other labouring jobs. These figures demonstrate that the Muslims of India continue to struggle and the great vision of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan still needs to become a reality.
www.amust.com.au
Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, founder of Aligarh Muslim University. Zahid Jamil is an engineering post graduate and runs a financial planning practice based in Sydney. He heads South Asian Muslim Association of Australia, SAMAA: samaa. org.au), a benevolent institution offering wide range of services to the community elders.
Australasian Muslim Times
25
AMUST
EDUCATION
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Australian Islamic legacy needs recognition CHANGING TIMES Simon Harrison Australia quite rightly prides itself on its diversity of peoples, of life styles and of religions and indeed the Constitution itself protects the freedom of religion. Australia’s founding fathers, unlike their mostly European and mostly Christian founders, enshrined that Australia would not adopt a State Religion nevertheless Australia is predominately a Christian country. Whilst the level of religious observance and uptake is not a competition nevertheless it does have great significance. How much Australia owes to Islam is less well understood, or appreciated. History always has lessons for the now and we perhaps should recalibrate our appreciation of this countries Islamic history which signif-
icantly predates the first fleet of 1788 and indeed is found in many aboriginal observances. Indeed, we can now acclaim that Islam arrived in Australia at least 400 years ago, and possibly earlier, indeed the maps of the sea of Java by Muhammad Ibn Musa al- Kh-
warizmi of circa 800 CE (in his major geography work “Book of the Description of the Earth) includes parts of northern Australia some 900 years before colonial settlement and significantly before western maps made the identification. In the 1720s organized groups of Indonesian Muslims fishermen from Makassar began to arrive on our shores creating an industry of cultivating sea cucumber to sell to the Chinese markets as medicine. Evidence exists however that less organized Markassian ventures took place many centuries before that and their Islamic influence can be seen in the culture of several aboriginal peoples in northern Australia to this day. Carbon dating of Cave paintings places Makassians and their Islamic practices in Australia as early as 1500. Anthropologist John Bradley from Melbourne’s Monash University provides that “If you go to north-east Arnhem Land there is [a trace of Islam] in song, it is there in painting, it is there in dance, it is there in funeral rituals….It is patently obvious that there are borrowed items. With linguistic analysis as well, you’re hearing hymns to
Allah, or at least certain prayers to Allah.” The importance of when Islam first arrived in Australia is not merely an exercise in history or anthropology, nor just of relevance to Australia’s half a million Muslims it’s a crucial building block in our nationhood whose recognition could have profound importance as to how our nation today values its founding grandfathers, I appreciate the provocativeness of that term “grandfathers” but fact is fact. Let us not forget how long it took Australia to finally recognize the importance of its aboriginal legacy. Perhaps a discussion of the importance of Islam to Australia’s early development may inform our current appreciation of that legacy in a time when it is becoming so easy to castigate a world faith of such importance and relevance. Simon Harrison is an international lawyer and Chairperson of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry (AACCI) Queensland and a National Director OF AACCI. He is also an Honorary Consul for Tunisia in Australia
The Balfour Declaration: Ancestral concerns Dr Anne Fairbairn AM
Dame Florence Ann Reid was my grandmother. Her maiden name was Brumby. She was born at Longford in Tasmania in 1867. Her fore bearer James Brumby, sailed to Tasmania in the early 1800’s from the United Kingdom and settled there. When quite young, she was an active member of the Woman’s Federal League whose members were working very hard to bring about a federation system in Australia. She was also very concerned for the original inhabitants of Australia, the Aborigines who had lived in harmony with nature for many millennia. As a teenager I was able to read many of her notebooks, diaries and letters recovered from my parents’ house in Sydney. So, looking back 100 years, one sees in these items, how three key events of 1917 changed the world - America’s entry into World War I, the Bolshevik Revolution and the issuance of the Balfour Declaration, in which Britain indicated support for a Jewish homeland in Palestine. The decision was made public in a letter from the British Foreign Secretary Lord Arthur James Balfour to Lord Rothschild (now termed the Balfour declaration). A copy of this letter was in a box in the attic since my grandfather had received a copy. The following is the content of the letter:
Foreign Office November 2nd, 1917 Dear Lord Rothschild, I have much pleasure in conveying to you on behalf of His Majesty’s Government, the following declaration of sympathy with Jewish Zionist aspirations which has been submitted to and approved by, the Cabinet His Majesty’s Government view with favour the establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people, and will use their best endeavor to facilitate the achievement of this object, it being clearly understood that nothing shall be done which may prejudice the civil and religious rights of existing non-Jewish communities in Palestine or the rights and political status enjoyed by Jews in any other country. I should be grateful if you would bring this declaration to the knowledge of the Zionist Federation. Yours, Arthur James Balfour. It is clear in one of their diaries that they were both extremely worried about the future of the Palestinians. Indeed, they were right to be worried, since few people have ever suffered more constant misery and daily oppression than the Palestinians. I came to know a great deal about their suffering from Professor Jabra Ibrahim Jabra a Palestinian who was Head of the department of Literature at Baghdad University. I always spent time with him when I was a guest annually at the Poetry Festival held
in Baghdad for many years. My grandmother continued to be extremely worried about this, according to my father, until her death and did many things to support the Palestinians who came to live in Australia. Having read so many things about the Palestinian issue in her dairies and letters in the attic in my parents’ house made me very determined to have Arabs and Muslims better understood and thus respected in Australia. This led me to visit universities in many Arab countries over a number of years.
Members of the Muslim community here, are now certainly enriching our country in very many ways. It is unfortunate that the sufferings of the Palestinian community have become so normalized that not a single tear is shed anymore for the deplorable conditions of this people today. 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.
25th Sir Syed Day & Mushaira Featuring world famous poet: Dr Nausha Asrar USA Along with Chief Guest: Dr A M Gondane High Commissioner of India, Canberra
UAK DESIGN & CONSTRUCTION
Keynote Speaker: Mr Jihad Dib Shadow Minister of Education, NSW Parliament To be held at North Ryde School of Arts Community Centre 201 Coxs Road, North Ryde, NSW 2113 on Saturday 4 November 2017 at 6:00pm
PTY LTD
LET US DESIGN & BUILD YOUR DREAM HOME
Dinner Contribution Adults $40, Children (7-12) $20 Family (2 Adults + 2 Children) $90 Online payment: BSB: 082250 | A/C: 624 661 683 While doing an online bank transfer it’s mandatory to mention attendee/s’ name in the comment.
• GRANNY FLAT FROM $109,000* • ARCHITECTURAL & STRUCTURAL PLANS • BUILDING APPROVAL - DA, CC & CDC
*CONDITIONS APPLY
Usaid Khalil 0411 081 624 (02) 9729 0484
26
www.uakdesign.com.au info@uakdesign.com.au
Australasian Muslim Times
Scan and add us to your contacts
For further information, please contact 0430 481 729, 0430 271 736 or email: secretary.AMUAA@gmail.com
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
EDUCATION
SOCIAL 30 - 31
AMUST
Halal matters: its management in Australia
there is no regulatory body that can assess and issue a permit to Halal businesses. In Australia, there are many Halal Certification bodies operating, some are prominent and some not but they all are running under various Islamic organisations and groups. Yet, their output is limited to only Halal certification dealing with Halal meat and food. These certification bodies need to do more work focusing on educating common Muslims about Halal and Haram and educating non-Muslims why Halal is obligatory to Muslims and Halal is not harmful to non-Muslims.
Syed Atiq ul Hassan The media has the capacity to shape public opinion and change public perception on critical issues. Nonetheless, the primary goal of the media is to inform, criticize and educate the recipients (public) on different subjects rather than exploit the sentiments of the public with the intent of deriving commercial and political gains. Journalism, which is a core element of the media, is a discipline of collecting, verifying, analysing and presenting the stories in a fair and neutral manner to the public. While global media plays a major role in providing timely information and knowledge on current affairs using modern technology; the misuse of technology is also crossing the ethical limits of journalism. Exposure to faiths, cultures and other elements of human sociology through global media and social media have demolished the territorial boundaries among people of different backgrounds. In this multimedia age, the digital contents of the media are playing an imperative role in societies through breaking news, attracting stories, and talk shows. The revolutionary change in the media industry, means that a journalist can make a difference on critical issues and sensitive matters through their professional work. In this situation, what is the role of journalists, writers and academics? It is commonly these groups work in the common interest of the public which is the pursuit to live peacefully and respectfully with others. Therefore, it should be the role and responsibility of journalists that, when they write stories, especially related to someone’s faith, extreme care must be taken in investigating and validating the contents of the stories. Any content that may create high ratings and profit for media outlets but cre-
Photo by ayeshaasimphotography.com ate unrest among the public should morally have no excuse to be published. Talking about Halal food, I find Muslims in the western world, like in Australia are confused about the authenticity of available Halal products due to opinionated or interpretational difference between Islamic leaders representing different sects and ethnicities. On the other hand, a common Muslim looks for knowledge on Islam as genuine, simple and according to Quran and Sunnah. In this context, journalists, writers, and academics within the Islamic world have more responsibility to work closely with religious leaders and scholars and convince them to come out and provide messages of unity and harmony on divisive matters especially issues related to Halal affairs. They can play a vital role in providing valuable service to the Muslims and everyone through publishing information like interviews of Islamic scholars, knowledge-based articles, reporting on Islamic/Halal events and other such content especially in cyber space. The word Halal however, isn’t limited to aspects of eating alone. Islam as a religion
has principles to conduct every act of life from eating, drinking, washing, dressing to the activities of businesses and professions. Thus, activities like banking, financing, loan, insurance, and superannuation must be according to the Islamic Sharia, that is it must be halal. Muslim writers, journalists, and academics can play a leading role in creating awareness on the importance of Halal practices based on facts and figures. Subjects like interest free superannuation, interest free house loans, and financing are required to have prominent space in the media so that the people have more knowledge and adequate information on them. Periodicals should include interviews and articles of Islamic Scholars and Muftis on Halal Products & Services. The Islamic satellite TVs should hold debates and talk shows on Halal affairs. More efforts are required by the Halal industry players, Islamic scholars and academics. They should work closely, establish communication with their local governments and related authorities to form a regulatory body. As I mentioned, in Australia,
Generating interest in Maths and Science via PBL Sharmeen Ali Recent studies show that Australian students are declining their interest in maths and science subjects. This is in contrast with computer-related activities where they don’t want to disengage with computers and tablets. The data (Figure) shows that up to 50% of Australian Year 8 math students are nor very keen to study maths compared to an average of the same globally (Gotsis, Tom, “STEM education in NSW schools”, https://goo.gl/ Ju13Uf ) The Australian government identified Science and Mathematics as vital areas of study for Australian students to maintain their future life including job security and run a day to day matters. That led to the initiative of STEM education philosophy that is the learning of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics in an integrated style. Another model under consideration is the South Korean trend to adopt STEAM; Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics. (www.stem-nsw.com.au). The main reason for lack of interest in Maths and Science is the perception of that these subjects are theoretical and not related to everyday living. On the other hand, computer related activities are found to be interactive and engaging as well as entertaining thereby supporting indirect learning with fun. Young Innovators Network came up with
November 2017
the strategy of project-based learning activities using smart devices in order to create interest in Science & Maths for their members. Students gain and apply knowledge, deepen their understanding and develop creative and critical thinking skills within an authentic context via project-based learning. Young Innovators workshops are based on Project-based learning (PBL) philosophy that provides a great advantage over traditional learning environment: • The sense of excitement with a bit more independence in learning. • Learners gain life experience with competition in reaching their goals. • Inquiry and problem-solving skills learning are built in projects to explore various learning disciplines • After the initial stage of the project, teachers role evolves into mentoring • At the end of a successful project, learner feels more confident in the area of their learning.
Recently during school holidays, we had two sessions for primary school where they learned how to design Computer Game using Scratch Programming (www.scratch. mit.edu). It has taught the innovators to create programs using Scratch ‘blocks’ to code each sprite or character to move, say something or even change colours. In these sessions instructor, Syed Nasir Ali taught the innovators to create a game called ‘Cat VS Dog Race’ which included a cat and a dog racing against each other. There were different versions such as the normal one where both were controlled by keys. There was the version where one was a computer, one where you could control the speed of the computer and one where the cat was controlled by the noise level that we generated. Music was added to get into a racing mood and cheer noises at the end for accomplishment.
www.amust.com.au
Syed Atiq ul Hassan based in Sydney is an international journalist, writer and editor-in-chief, Tribune International Australia. He is the founding director of Halal Expo Australia and International Halal Conference Australia.
Al Huda Sydney awards prizes for its course Lyeba Khan Al Huda Sydney hosted an event on Saturday 14 October 2017 to celebrate the completion of the 30th Juz’ of the Qur’an by its English Fahm Ul Qur’an students.
Prizes were awarded to acknowledge the individual efforts of high achieving students for punctuality, discipline and excellence in going through the course. The chief guest at the event was Sister Maryam Saeed of Al Huda Canada who gave a most beneficial talk on how to extract solutions from the Qur’an into our everyday lives. She began with highlighting the importance of the intention behind each student’s attendance of this course, which should be to earn the pleasure of Allah. She went on to share ayaat of the Qur’an that teaches us how to deal with sadness, difference of opinion, hurtful people, disaster and bad news.
The courses currently running are the Fahm Ul Qur’an English and Urdu courses, in which students go through the meaning of one Juz’ of the Qur’an every week. Upcoming courses include a summer course for youth, which will run in several locations, and a Sawt al Qur’an course, which will go through the tafseer of the Qur’an and the word to word translation of Arabic. Al Huda Sydney is located at 49 Kildare Road, Blacktown, NSW. It is open to females of all ages. Please contact Sister Maleeha on +61423371971 for enquiries.
Australasian Muslim Times
27
EDUCATION Ibn al-Haytham: great scientist and mathematician NEWS 1-4
AMUST
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
Professor Irfan Shahid Ibn al-Haythan was one of the great scientists of the world who made a remarkable contribution to physics, mathematics and astronomy. His Kitab al-manazir was the first comprehensive book on optics and light, and a masterpiece of physics. He was first to give a correct description of vision. He improved the planetary model with his theory of solid spheres against the ancient view of imaginary circles of orbits for planets and discovered the laws of reflection and refraction of light. Life Abu Ali al-Hasan Ibn al-Haytham was born in Basrah, Iraq, in about 354 AH/956 CE completing his education at Basrah; he worked in a government office, but he was not satisfied with his job and continued his studies. He prepared a major project to construct three dams and reservoir on the Nile at Cairo. This had three objectives to save Cairo from the annual flooding, to store water, and to increase the agricultural produce by using the stored water throughout the year. The project was shelved due to some reasons, may be high cost and the uncertainty about success. Sometimes ago, the United Nations revived the project and built the Aswan Dam on the Nile near Cairo at a huge cost. In his last years, al-Haytham took residence near
Ibn al-Haythan. the mosque and university of al-Azhar, and dedicated himself to scientific research, experiment and writing. He was a very pious person and lived a very modest life in the meagre earning. He made a copyist of scientific books. He died in Cairo in 430 AH/1039 CE. Contribution Ibn al-Haytham may be rated among the ten greatest scientists of Islam. He wrote more than 100 books on theology, poetry, metaphysics, politics, ethics, logic, music, physics, politics, astronomy and mathematics. More than fifty of his books are extent including Kitab al-manazir, Maqala fi alalam and Maqala fi dhaw al-qamar
He was the first scientist to give a correct description of vision. He refuted the 700year old Greek view that eyes emit light making the object visible to the eye, He stated that it is the light from the object which reaches the eye to create the image of the object in the eye. Concerning light, an object is self-luminous, illuminated by light from the object, opaque, translucent and refraction. He stated that light takes time to travel; its intensity gets reduced as it travels; it travels faster in the rarer medium than in denser one, etc. Mathematicians since Euclid have been struggling to prove his twelfth axiom (of straight lines). One of the important mathematical achievements of Ibn al-Haytham was the discovery of a simple substitute for the complicated Education method and two straight lines that intersect one another cannot be
parallel to the same line. Interestingly this was attributed to the English mathematician Player who came 800 years after Ibn al-Haytham His works have been translated into Latin, German, Italian, Spanish, Hebrew, Russian and English from the thirteenth century onwards. A large number of European scientists like Roger Bacon, Johannes Kepler, Newton, Fermat, Descartes, Witelo, Snell and others either adopted his ideas or were greatly influenced by him. Professor Irfan Shahid, based in India is a prolific writer on Islam and Muslims. He is an Islamic Economist and a Sharia Scholar and can be contacted via shahid_ irfan2002@yahoo.com|Contact No +91 9940442317. For more detail please visit his personal website www.irfanshahid.net
Jews and Muslims celebrate Sukkot Philip Feinstein
With the conclusion of the Jewish New Year celebrations comes Sukkot—when Jews expose themselves to the elements in greenery-covered huts. Sukkot is a week-long Jewish holiday that comes five days after Yom Kippur and celebrates the gathering of the harvest and commemorates the miraculous protection God provided for the children of Israel when they left Egypt. Muslims mark this event on Ashura on 10th of Muharram, first month in the Islamic Calendar with optional fasting on either 9th and 10th or 10th and 11th of Muharram. Jews celebrate Sukkot in a foliage-covered booth and take special species of vegetation—the palm branch (lulav), willows (aravot), and citron (etrog)— which are neatly bundled together. The etrog is a sweet-smelling citrus fruit grown in Israel. It is held with the lulav and brought both to the Synagogue and the Sukkah, where it is waved in six directions, signifying that God is found everywhere.
The Emanuel School in Randwick had a special Sukkot celebration to which they invited refugees from the Sydney community, among whom were those of Muslim and other faiths. Danny Siegel, Head of Jewish Life at Emanuel, said “Traditionally, the Sukkah has been a place of refuge and a means of providing a sense of belonging for those who might feel marginal to our community.” The participants were from Afghanistan, Australia, Canada, Chad, Chile, Iran, Israel, Pakistan, Romania, Somalia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, South Africa and the United States. And this included Emanuel students who helped host their guests mixing in with the refugees. The atmosphere of the event evoked a special feeling of togetherness and the singing of popular songs added a special element to the night. Philip Feinstein, a regular music visitor to Villawood Detention Centre, used his music prowess as the backing track for the singing. “It was lovely to see the students playing percussion instruments and interacting
The mixed group standing outside the Sukkot with our guests” added Shira Sebban, one of “Sukkot serves to remind us of the importhe main organisers. “It certainly made for a tance of experiences, positive and negative, most meaningful Sukkot celebration.” in our ultimate journeys. It also reminds us In the words of student Tomer Belkin: that material possessions, whilst to some are important and necessary, are just temporary. We should take solace in the relationships we make, and the things we feel, because there will come a time when we may no longer have what we do now.” Some of the comments at the end of the evening demonstrated the importance of mixing together . . . . Hadi A (Iranian): “A great pleasure of sharing and caring” . . . . Maria (Somalian): “It felt like home - may God bless you” . . . . Sonia (Australian): “I will forever cherish the conversations and the friendships I made” . . . . Asif, Nui and baby Daniel H: “It was very good to learn something new about your culture” . . . . . Hadi P (Iranian): “It was a special night for me and my sister, Sareh - I wish one day we can visit Israel and its people”. Danny Siegel concluded with some wonderful words: “Our teachers, parents, students and our new friends experienced a sense of fulfillment which is integral to this holiday of ‘Ingathering’ (another name for Sukkot). In embracing others within our Sukkot we felt embraced as well.” The evening ended with a vote of thanks twitter.com/amust_au to the wonderful Jewish hosts.
Follow us on
28
Australasian Muslim Times
www.amust.com.au
November 2017
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
UMMAH 22 - 24
EDUCATION 25 - 28
TRAVEL 29
TRAVEL
SOCIAL 30 - 31
An exploratory trip to Indonesia MODERN IBNE BATOTA Zia Ahmad Towards the middle of October 2017, I was invited in Singapore to speak at an international conference. I used this opportunity to incorporate a side trip to explore Indonesia together with my wife Mehar. Although we had passed through Jakarta a couple of times in the past and visited Bali while on a cruise to South East Asia, I did not get an opportunity in the past to really explore Indonesia. Since both of us have been on a weight loss program during the last few months with strict diet and daily exercise, we decided to use our two-week trip with 10 days in Indonesia and four days in Singapore as a sharia compliant boot camp with daily early morning visit to the gym followed by swimming in the hotel pool and long walks in the day. Hotel accommodation in Indonesia is extremely economical almost a quarter of the price you pay in Singapore. We got a special package in the five star Hotel Chain Aryaduta in three cities namely Jakarta, Bandung, and Medan with well-equipped gyms and 25-30 meter long swimming pools that we utilised very well. While in Acheh, we stayed at a resort in Sabang with its own pool and other facilities. Flights from Sydney directly to Jakarta are very infrequent and therefore expensive.
Hence we had to book our flight to Singapore using Singapore airlines and then flew via Scoot to Jakarta. We used Garuda and Lion airlines for internal travel in Indonesia that were reasonable priced. We arrived in Jakarta on Tuesday 3 October. Although Jakarta is notoriously infamous for traffic jams, our experience was not too bad and for our movement around the city, we combined walking, used tooktook and taxis that are extremely economical. Another mode of conveyance like Uber is Grab that is half the price of taxi travel and extremely reliable, efficient and free of overcharging. During my visit to any city, in addition to sightseeing and shopping, We always ensured to offer our salat as much as possible in a mosque, mingle with local people and visit our contacts and make new ones. In Jakarta we offered our Juma prayer at the largest mosque in South East Asia, Istiqlal mosque. It was indeed a huge structure with a reputed capacity of 120,000 with six floors on sides and back of the main hall. Its directly opposite to the Jakarta Cathedral and its parking is offered to Christians during Christmas. We also had the opportunity to meet the staff at the Australian Embassy in Jakarta who have continued to subscribe AMUST for the last three years. We were hosted by
Zia riding a motorized rickshaw in Sabang.
Masjid Al Irsyad at Bandung.
Masjid Raya BaiturRahman in Banda Aceh.
Zia with staff at Sabang resort.
November 2017
Angky Septiana OAM, Media Manager and First Secretary Lydia Trotter and Second Secretary Jenna Hand in an hour-long meeting. We visited Bandung on Wednesday 4 October travelling by train in comfort in executive class, a journey of almost three hours enjoying the mountainous scenery. We offered our Maghreb prayer at Masjid Raya Bandung that has a huge park with artificial turf for children to play and teenagers to roam around. On Thursday morning, we visited a unique modern mosque Al Irsyad Mosque with natural climate control and opening towards the Qiblah where the Imam and the congregation are insight of natural greenery surrounded by a pond with goldfish. On Saturday 7 October, we flew to Banda Acheh and the same evening offered our Maghreb and Isha prayer at the miraculous Masjid Raya BaiturRahman reminding us of Prophet’s (s) mosque at Madinah with its huge umbrellas for protection from sun. This is the mosque in addition to another one in this city, the two structures that remained standing after the tsunami where all other buildings were completely destroyed. On Sunday, we took the luxurious fast ferry to Sabang, the western most part of Indonesia staying in a peaceful resort, luckily we being the only guests at the time. We performed our Maghreb prayer at the local waterfront mosques mixing with friendly congregation and teachers and students at
AMUST
the evening madrassa operating at the time. We went for daily swimming and walking as well as snorkelling and fishing where I was lucky to catch two fish that were consumed happily by Mehar at dinner. On Tuesday 10 October, early morning we sailed back to Banda Aceh and visited the Aceh Tsunami Museum designed by an Indonesian Ridwan Kamil that houses an electronic simulation of tsunami, photographs of victims and damage done as well as names and flags of countries who came forward to help soon after the disaster. The same day we flew to Medan, the third largest city of Indonesia on the Island of Sumatra. We performed our maghreb prayer at Masjid Raya Al Mashun that used to be part of Maimun Palace complex with combined elements of Middle Eastern, Indian and Spanish architecture in an octagonal shape. On Thursday 12 October, we flew back to Singapore for our conference. I found Indonesia to be a peaceful relatively clean country with very friendly people. It was great to see that women were represented very well in public life, mosques as well as in business with healthy relationship between genders. I found the people in Aceh at peace despite of losing more than 200,000 people during the tsunami disaster, practicing Muslims with women very much visible as part and parcel of the society. Photos by Zia and Mehar Ahmad.
Mehar with hijabi policewoman, Sabang.
Aceh Tsunami Museum at Banda Aceh.
Indonesian greeting at Aryaduta Hotel, Medan.
www.amust.com.au
Masjid Raya Al Mashun, Medan.
Australasian Muslim Times
29
AMUST
#SOCIAL
NEWS 1-4
BOOMERANG 5-7
COMMUNITY 8 - 13
Upcoming SBS documentary series, The Mosque Next Door offers unprecedented access to the community from the Holland Park Mosque, located in the heart of the suburbs of Brisbane. Through the three-part series debuting on 8 November on SBS, viewers can explore one of the many ways to be an Australian. The series features Imam
Uzair, Imam of Holland Park Mosque, Ali Kadri, community leader, Robbie Maestracci, a convert, Lamisse Hamouda, youth worker and Galila founder and CEO of the Islamic Women’s Association. With an incredibly interesting group of Muslims, this series is set to impress. Watch SBS on 8 November, 8:30pm.
Amna Karra Hassan Sunrise/Medibank
1 2 3
You See Monsters is a film about the power of art to challenge assumptions and change the way that we view the world. Commissioned by the ABC and supported by Screen Australia and Film Victoria, the documentary explores the work of a new generation of Australian Muslim artists who are fighting anti-Islamic bigotry with crea-
6 7
8
9
10 12
11
2
13 14
Across What you can use for
Clues Across
5
Australasian Muslim Times
tivity, satire, and irreverence. Following the creative endeavors of contemporary artists working on the fault line where art, racism, and Islam intersect. You See Monsters is an inspirational story about the capacity of art to expand our horizons and enrich the idea of what being an Australians means.
Crossword 4
30
CENTREFOLD 16 - 17
You See Monsters ABC
The Mosque Next Door SBS
Sunrise caught up with champion for women’s sport Amna Karra-Hassan on how local communities can get healthy & active, for free! Amna talked to OneWave founder Grant Treblico about how they tackle mental health issues with saltwater therapy, surfing & fluro! Amna’s passion and work reveals how health, mindfulness & community go hand in hand with the Medibank Free + Active program. “We’re committed to helping 1.5 million Australians feel happier, healthier & more connected!
AUSTRALIA 14 - 15
ANSWERS on Page 31
www.amust.com.au
1
Down Language the call to
2 What you can use for Tayammum in the absence of water. 5 Where the Beast will emerge (2 words) 7 Name of the companion who wrote the call to prayer. 9 Number of countries with Shahadah on their flag. 11 First thing you must have to pray. 12 Number of Times Allahuakbar is said in the call to prayer. 13 Quality of recitation in Dhuhr and Asr prayers. 14 No. of months in the Islamic Calendar
Down
1 Language the call to prayer is in 2 Quality represented by wearing white cloth in pilgrimage. 3 Inshallah represents belief in this. 4 Nickname given to Abu Bakr 6 Needed to perform ablution: wudu 8 Surah is called The Heart of the Quran 10 The collective name of the last two surahs in the Quran. 12 Number of times to run between Safa and Marwa hills during Hajj. 14 Number of Prostrations in the Noon prayer on Fridays at the mosque
November 2017
#SOCIAL
SOCIAL 30 - 31
TOP 5
VIDEO
To Watch
Facebook Comments
AMUST Media
Kerrie and Mobinah were both born in Australia but they have very different backgrounds and very different views on Islam in Australia. #HearMeOut
6
1
www.amust.com.au
D
Video: https://goo.gl/LZ5ys7
Crossword Answers
W 7 Z A I T E E R
Julie Warren Ignorance is saying “Do you know how hard it is for an Anglo Aussie woman to go in to a mosque?” and not actually knowing if it is or not. Hard to hear? Maybe. But truth can be difficult to hear at times.
tricts have partnered with the NSW Multicultural Health Communication Service to run a media campaign for the Arabic, Bengali, Chinese and Nepali speaking communities in Sydney to learn about the importance of this phone app for their children’s learning and development. The Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play phone app in Arabic, Bengali, Chinese, Nepali and English is available to download for free from the app store or google play.
X
William Joseph Here’s the problem. Too many Australian’s with a false sense of entitlement and superiority who refuse to see anything other than their own history and practices as valid or worthy of respect. In their small world, it’s their country, their day, their flag, their history, every other Australian is subordinate.
When Mobinah is asked “How do you feel after an Islamic Terror Attack?”, she responded with “I feel a sense of anxiety and fear. There’s a sense of paranoia, like is that person just looking at me because he’s having a bad day or is it because what just happened in the media? I think people don’t realise how much the Muslim community how much the Muslim community has to go into damage control. Immediately, we’ve got press releases saying we condemn this.” And Kerrie responded with “You are right, and they’re the word, we do not realise. I want to hear more love from you people. I think you need to be focusing and targeting more working class and middle class people, because that’s the majority of Australians.” Mobinah says “But see, I’ve got a job, I do volunteer work, I’ve got a family. So I’ve got to do that, as well as fight and say “Muslims are good, don’t panic!” I just want to live my life.” And Kerrie responds with “I understand”. Mobinah continues “We’re trying so hard to get the message out there. Islam has been hijacked by terrorists, by people who are terrible. And we’re just as fearful, when they do something to Australia or if they do something overseas, guess who also gets abused? Muslim women. I think that anyone who questions whether I would be upset over if someone’s dying, of course I would be, I’m a human being. That’s why it’s so important for your mainstream everyday Anglo Australians to talk to a Muslim, go to your local mosque.”
12
Bijou Po Dead people don’t know they are dead. Ignorant people don’t know they are ignorant. Kerri’s manner is condescending and ignorant. We have two Australians here and only one of them is articulate.
Australia’s national conversation about Islam is often heated, sometimes abusive. Kerrie and Mobinah were both born in Australia but they have very different backgrounds and very different views on Islam in Australia. In ABC’s latest series called Hear Me Out, Kerrie and Mobinah discuss particular issues surround terror attacks and fear of Islam. Kerrie fears the spread of Islamic terrorism in Australia. Mobinah thinks a lot of the fear is driven by ignorance. They’ve promised to hear each other out.
S I E V E N
Azz Fahmi Moby Nah don’t know how you had the patience to endure this imbecile. Apparently *all* “Australians” hate the word ignorant and the onus is on the Muslim community to educate these morons even though they’re the ones in positions of power and privilege; racially profiling and interrogating people for sport and making unsubstantiated claims about marginalised communities. Hokay Becky. Hokay.
What Are Your Fears? A conversation about Islam In Australia
Down 1 Language the call to prayer is in 2 Quality representing by wearing white cloth in pilgrimmage 3 Insha Allah represents belief in this 4 Nickname given to Abu Bakr 6 What you need to perform ablutions (wudu) 8 Which surah is called the Heart of the Quran 10 The collective name of last 2 surahs in the Quran 12 Number of times to run between Safa and Marwa hills in Hajj 14 Number of prostrations in Noon prayer on Fridays at mosque
Zalman Kastel interesting genuine exchange. people talking and hearing each other. Not warm and fuzzy but real.
Arabic, Bengali, Chinese and Nepali speaking parents are encouraged to download the new Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play updated mobile phone app that contains information for every family to help their children learn and develop. This update means that parents for Arabic, Bengali, Chinese and Nepali communities can use their phone to access the Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play app to help them answer burning questions about their child’s emotional and social development anytime and anywhere. The app, now available in English as well as Arabic, Bengali, Chinese and Nepali. It gives parents tips on how to engage with their children from birth to six years. Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play started as a Families NSW printed resource for parents. Thanks to a joint effort by Sydney, South Western and South Eastern Local Health Districts, the resource is now available as a mobile phone app and a website. This year for Children’s Week, the Local Health Dis-
2
ABC News
November 2017
AMUST
App Review: Love, Talk, Sing, Read, Play app
A R T H 3 A P 4 B R T I A N D E S E R T C D U E T 8 9 Y S T H R A T F S I U N T I O N L N A T 13 S I L E N C O N
Muslim Memes
TRAVEL 29
L V E
TOP 5
EDUCATION 25 - 28
E A Q U 5 A R A B L I T Y 10 R 11 I N T E F U G 14 T WE W O
UMMAH 22 - 24
oss at you can use for ammum in the ence of water ere the Beast will erge (2wds) e of the companion wrote call to prayer ber of countries with hadah on their flag t thing you must have ray ber of times huakbar is said in call rayer lity of recitation in hr and Asr prayers ber of months in mic Calendar
LIFESTYLE 18 - 21
Australasian Muslim Times
31
PRICE FROM
$161,000
+ DEVELOPMENT COST
48 Months
Payment plan
INTEREST FREE LAND FOR SALE Project 3 released
AUSTRAL & LEPPINGTON NORTH
Sydney South Growth Centre
Book your interest now
Land size 308 - 711sqm
CLOSE TO NEW BADGERYS CREEK AIRPORT
Project 1 sold | Project 2 sold
4 Minutes to new Leppington Train Station now open with services running 45 Minutes to Sydney CBD Easy Access to M5, M7 2 High Schools, 5 primary schools 4 Muslim Schools and colleges
12 km to Liverpool City Close to Austral Public School 3 Minutes drive to Unity Grammar College 9 Minutes drive to Malek Fahd Islamic School
Expected Delivery 2021 - 2022
Interest Free Installments & Flexible Payment Plan FOR MORE INFORMATION
1300642300 | 02 8021 6099 0450 899 349 | 0470 336 246 0410 988 858 | 0423 085 500 Site Office: 404 Fourth Ave, Austral 2179 Head office: Suite 6 Level 13, 329 Pitt St, Sydney NSW info@mhahomes.com.au www.mhahomes.com.au
32
Australasian Muslim Times
www.amust.com.au
November 2017