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Australia stands with Kashmir
A moment of prayer for football icons
Sonny Bill Williams (left) with Ofa Tu’ungafasi (right). Tahir Nawaz
Zia Ahmad Australia wide rallies were held on Sunday 27 October in major cities in support of Kashmiris held under lockdown for the last three months by the Indian military. The rallies were in support for the right to
self-determination of the people of Kashmir per UN Resolutions and to ensure the implementation of International Human Rights in Jammu & Kashmir state. Every year 27 October is observed as Kashmir Black Day all around the world. It was on this unfortunate day in 1947 that the Indian army forcibly occupied Jammu &
Kashmir against the wishes of its people. The current Modi Hindu nationalist government’s abruptly annexed the state of the Jammu & Kashmir on 5 August 2019 by abrogation of Article 370 of Indian Constitution, which gave the state a special autonomous status. continues on page 2
A moment of prayer was photographed and shared on social media, where All Blacks Muslim players, Sonny Bill Williams and Ofa Tu’ungafasi have been captured sharing a special moment in prayer after their massive 46-14 win over Ireland. ‘You made us proud,’ many Kiwi Muslims responded after looking at the beautiful photo. Sonny Bill Williams is a New Zealand rugby union footballer, heavyweight boxer and former rugby league player. He converted to Islam in 2009. Ofa Tu’ungafasi is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for the All Blacks as a Prop. He converted to Islam in March 2019. The photo gesture shows that our faith is for all humanity, and still can be practised wherever you are, even on the sports ground.
Awakening conference addresses plight of the Muslim Ummah Spoken word performance by Kamal Saleh.
Mehar Ahmad The “Awakening the Islamic Spirit” conference in Sydney attracted more than one thousand young people listening to a number of panellists addressing various issues facing the community such as faith-based support for mental health, recognising and tackling homosexuality, empowerment of Muslim women and suffering of the global Ummah due to oppression. This highly successful event was held on Sunday 20 October at The Highline Venue, Bankstown organised by the Muslim Students’ Associations (MSA’s) based at various universities in NSW. The event was sponsored by Auburn Gallipoli Mosque, Human Appeal, MCCA, MAA and Australian Islamic College of Sydney. The past few decades have seen a growing sense of helplessness around the problems
of the Muslim Ummah abroad. Crisis after crisis, it seems that none of the efforts to help have actually born fruit. There is a growing sense of disempowerment within Muslim societies suffering from violence, internal conflicts, authoritarian oppression and external attacks by hegemonistic world powers. During the event, the first panel titled “The Muslim Ummah bleeds: What can we do from here?” sought to address the plight of the Ummah overseas from right here in Australia. Bringing together experiences across different activist groups, charity organisations and diverse group of scholars, the panellists showed some direction towards helping the bleeding Ummah. This panel was facilitated by Mohammad Wahwah while the panellists included Mufti Yasir Nadeem, Sheikh Hassan Elsetohy, Uthman Badar and Rima Chahrouk.
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Australia stands with Kashmir Continued from page 1 Since then Kashmiris in the valley have been largely confined to their homes with communication lines cut off, rights of movement and speech denied and reports of detentions, beatings and torture against civilians including children as young as 13. The Indian government has denied entry to all journalists, politicians and human rights organisations to enter Kashmir valley but in order to whitewash their crimes, the Modi government has invited and allowed a delegation of 27 politicians, overwhelmingly far-right MPs from France and UK to visit Kashmir amid security clampdown. The Sydney rally was held on Sunday 27 October to mark the Kashmir Black Day and create awareness of the ongoing human rights abuse of the people of Kashmir. Australians of diverse background, faith and cultures including Kashmiris heard a number of speakers denouncing the oppression by the military and calling for the self-determination of the indigenous people of the larger Kashmir region. This event was organised by the Stand with Kashmir in collaboration with the Aus-
Former Greens Senator Lee Rhiannon addressing the Kashmir rally.
tralian Forum for Kashmir with people from different communities including Muslims and people of other faiths. Mr Rab Nawaz, Mrs Aysha Yasir and Mr
Anjum Rafiqui performed the duties as masters of ceremony and started the program with the recitation of Quran by Dr Wali Bokhari.
Former Senator Lee Rhiannon talked about the idealogical roots of the current PM of India, Narendra Modi with the Hindu supremacist organisation RSS and its stance against minorities in India especially Muslims. Bosnian Imam Jasmin Bekric comparing the atrocities that have been committed against Bosnians and Kashmiris warned of another genocide in the making in Kashmir. A petition to Prime Minister Scott Morrison was signed to take up the issue of Kashmir during his upcoming visit to India. PM Morrison should ask the Indian Government to: 1. Stop human rights abuses in Indian Occupied Jammu & Kashmir, 2. Restore communication and freedom of movement by ceasing house arrests, detention of innocent people and dismantling the communication blockade, and 3. Uphold the promise made by Prime Minister Nehru in 1947 that the people of Kashmir would have a plebiscite (referendum) on the status of Kashmir in future.
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Free and Equal conference highlights human rights challenges Mehar Ahmad The Australian Human Rights Commission organised the “Free and Equal Conference” at Sydney’s Hyatt Regency Hotel on Tuesday 8 October with the keynote address given by UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, Dr Michelle Bachelet focussing on Australia’s human rights achievements and challenges. The event also showcased a fireside chat between Craig Foster and Hakeem al-Araibi highlighting the power of mobilising international support for refugees and experiences of refugees and asylum seekers globally. The ‘Free and Equal’ Conference is one part of a bigger project known as the National Conversation where the Australian Human Rights Commission is exploring what makes an effective system of human rights protection for 21st century Australia? The outcome of the National Conversation will be provided in a report to the government with a release of roadmap for national human rights reform in 2020. During her welcome speech the President of the Australian Human Rights Commission, Emeritus Professor Rosalind Croucher said, “We are deeply honoured to have the UN High Commissioner accepting our invitation to attend Free and Equal and we look forward to her insights and expert advice on shaping our nation’s future.” “We live in a changing world and we face ever more complex challenges, so now is the time to have the hard conversations and bring our focus back to Australia’s human rights agenda,” said Professor Croucher. While referring to the government’s religious discrimination bill currently under consideration, Professor Croucher said, “While we are looking at the whole suite of federal discrimination laws, a particular topic of the moment concerns enforceable protections against religious discrimination for all people in Australia. Prohibiting discrimination on the ground of religious belief or activity is consistent with the tolerant, pluralistic nature of Australian society. The Commission has been a long-time advocate
for such protections.” Dr Michelle Bachelet AC during her keynote address commended the Australian Human Rights Commission for the national conversation initiative to ensure protection for all, now and for future generations. “The national conversation will help you to arrive at a set of common goals, around which you can build public support and with which you can engage the Government. These goals can also be presented to the international community next year when Australia undergoes its third Universal Periodic Review at the United Nations Human Rights Council,” Dr Bachelet said. She also commented on the rights of indigenous Australians saying, “Australia has also heard the Uluru Statement of the Heart, a clarion call by Indigenous Australia for a constitutional First Nations voice to Parliament, a treaty making process and a revelation of historical truth.”
Dr Michelle Bachelet, a medical doctor from Chile has spent some time during the mid seventies as a political refugee in Australia and assumed her functions as the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on 1 September 2018. She was elected President of Chile on two occasions (2006 – 2010 and 2014 – 2018), served as Health Minister (2000-2002) as well as Chile’s and Latin America’s first female Defence Minister (2002 – 2004). The Free and Equal event also featured a number of panel discussions with leading human rights advocates and others in the fields of law, business, civil society, academia, media, Indigenous affairs and social justice, children and young people. While in conversation with Craig Foster, former Socceroo, broadcaster, sports and human rights advocate, Hakim al-Araibi, community and human rights advocate and former Bahraini national footballer de-
scribed in graphic detail of his torture and abuse in Bahrain from 2011 to 2014 and his arrest in Thailand from December 2018 to February 2019 when he was released after global outcry. He finally got his Australian citizenship in March 2019 but is still concerned for his security and fears from travelling abroad. The conference also featured a panel of young people including climate activist Aisheeya Huq, 16 who passionately talked about mobilisation of young people on climate action. She is the media spokesperson for School Strike 4 Climate Action and an advocate for women, people of colour, Muslims and youth empowerment. Mehar Ahmad based in Sydney is a Public School Teacher and President of Seena Inc, Publishers of AMUST.
ANIC signs MoU with Culinary School
AMUST Media In an unprecedented and historic initiative in expanding the Halal market and awareness in Australia and globally, the ANIC Halal Authority and The Culinary School in Punchbowl Sydney have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
to collaborate and coordinate efforts in promoting and expanding the Halal market and awareness in Australia. The ANIC Halal Authority is a branch of the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC), Australia’s peak Islamic religious authority that will contribute towards the Halal accreditation and supervision in The Culinary School, raising more awareness on
Halal cookery and Kitchen. The Culinary School is the first Halal kitchen and School combined, training and coaching Halal cookery for industries demanding Halal to cater for the local and global market, established by a long-time and well experienced Muslim community member in hospitality, Mr Bashar Krayem. In its first of its kind, this collaboration
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will significantly contribute towards ANIC Halal Authority’s vision (Halal is a way of life in all aspects of life) and widely contribute to wider Australian society. For more on ANIC HALAL AUTHORITY visit www.anichalal.org.au & The CULINARY SCHOOL visit www.theculinaryschool.com.au
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Are people rising against their real enemies? We have been witnessing a surge of people power during the last few months from Hong Kong in the East to Chile in the West and elsewhere in Sudan, Iraq, Lebanon and other areas in between Although these protests are against authorities in frustration, the common enemy in all these countries is injustice, corruption, inequality and abuse of power. The Hong Kong protests were triggered by the introduction of the Fugitive Offenders amendment bill by the Hong Kong government that would have let local authorities detain and extradite fugitives who are wanted in territories with which Hong Kong does not currently have extradition agreements, including Taiwan and mainland China. This created concerns that the bill would subject Hong Kong residents and visitors to the mainland Chinese jurisdiction and legal system, undermining the region’s autonomy and its civil liberties. The Chinese government has expressed their opposition to the protests while taking measures against the protests and their supporters calling it separatist riots accusing the movement of displaying “characteristics of colour revolutions” and “signs of terrorism”. The people power that started the socalled Sudanese Revolution with street protests throughout Sudan in December 2018 and continued with sustained civil disobedience with the April 2019 Suda- la Hamdok and a mostly civilian cabinet, nese coup deposing President Omar al- while judicial power was transferred to NeBashir after thirty years in power. mat Abdullah Khair, Sudan’s first female The June Khartoum massacre took place Chief Justice. under the leadership of the Military To some extent, this has been a Council (TMC) that replaced success story so far. al-Bashir, and in mid 2019 The Iraqi protests over dethe TMC and the Forces teriorating economic condiof Freedom and Change tions and state corruption (FFC) signed a Political have been held in BaghZia Ahmad Agreement and a Draft dad and other major Iraqi Constitutional Declaration cities where almost 100 Assalamu legally defining a planned people have now been 39-month phase of transikilled by Iraqi security Alaikum tional state institutions and forces in October with over Greetings procedures to return Sudan to 6,000 injured. a civilian democracy. This sad situation has been of Peace Now the TMC has formalthe result of poor governance, ly transferred executive power to a sectarian politics, nepotism and cormixed military-civilian collective head of ruption where people now feel that enough state, the Sovereignty Council of Sudan, is enough. and to a civilian prime minister, AbdalSimilar is the case with Lebanon that has
EDITORIAL
Readers comments
Re: Evidence Muslims visited Re: Australian Islamic scholars emerge from ISRA Australia 1,000 years ago” The discovery of Australia was probably some 60,000 years ago when the first arrivals came across the land bridges and narrower seas when the ice held huge quantities of seawater. The Spice Islands certainly attracted Muslim merchants many centuries ago probably as far back as the 8th century. Abu Waqqas (r) passed close by in the seventh century en route from Ethiopia to China. Muslim traders must surely have touched on Australia but they would have recognised that it was inhabited not Terra Nullius as the Europeans pretended. Bilal Cleland
That is very interesting. For readers outside the Muslim community, could youplease clarify what is “a large Islamic jema’ah’? And is there any further information on why such a group would have come to this land? The water levels may have been much lower at that time, making it easier to island-hop, but I don’t remember the dates for that. Johanna Blows NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
Not all of them Rania Al-Sultan. I would like to thank ISRA and CSU for such amazing effort into teaching our youth the bounties of Islam. Mashallah! AMi Essam
Re: Islam and Judaism: Divine Connections
Fair, reasonable, unbiased and respectful appraisal. Kemal
Re: Kashmir awareness forum at NSW Parliament
Thank you for writing about the oppression against Kashmiris. It’s vital for us muslims to stand up for Kashmiris as they are voiceless. We need to tell the indian government what they are doing to Muslims in Kashmir is not acceptable and it’s highly condemnable! If we don’t do anything now they will continue to suppress the voices of innocent Kashmiris and Indian govt won’t ever be held accountable for all the heinous crimes they have done against humanity!!! Fiiza
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AMUST ISSUE # 168 FRIDAY 1 NOVEMBER 2019 3 RABI’UL AWWAL 1441 News
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- Australia stands with Kashmir - A moment of prayer - Awakening conference
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Boomerang - Role of story sharing - Powerbrokers in Syria
Community
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- Tariq Jamil Australian tour - Support for Bankstown hospital - Sydney tribute to Gandhiji
Australia
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- Musicians for refugees win awards - Muslims call for anti-vilification laws - Pledge for peace
Lifestyle
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- Bike ride to help Aussie kids - Crisis of pornography - 5 tips to control your anger
Ummah
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- Kashmir: World must not be silent - Killing in Bangladesh
Education
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- Sakinah and Shekinah - Daughters of Eve
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Business - Establishment of not-for-profits - Jobs for uni students
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- Modern Ibne Batota: Africa Tour 6 Johannesburg to Durban
been governed on the basis of religious/ sectarian political system for decades. The Lebanese protests started in response to the government’s planned taxes on fuel, tobacco and online phone calls such as through WhatsApp. However, now the protestors are calling for the replacement of the sectarian power-sharing system and replace it with true democracy. Most of the times we perceive our enemies to be amongst people of other faiths, cultures or ethnic groups other than our own. But this is not true. In building a peaceful society free from conflicts, it is important to fight the real enemies like corruption, nepotism, secrecy, abuse of rights and oppression and inculcate virtues such as justice, equality, transparency, sharing of power, safeguarding of human rights and wealth leading towards good governance.
Re: Ideological nexus between Modi and Trump
Technology has brought us the Global Village and its advantages. But what does it take to enlighten the mindset of some of the headmen of our globalised village. The saying that “you can take the man out of the village but cannot take the village out of the man” rings true. Modi can be the headman of our new village but his dinosaur mentality has not evolved! Mal
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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.
AMUST Team Editor-in-Chief: Zia Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mehar Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mobinah Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Theresa Dyckman Sub-Editor: Aisha Mohsin Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Dr Ameer Ali (WA) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Dr Daud Batchelor (QLD) Columnist: Simon Harrison (QLD) Columnist: Zahid Jamil (NSW) Columnist: Shahjahan Khan (QLD) 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.
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Privacy, artificial intelligence and Islam Connor William Harrison In a recent article Dr Malek Rashid referenced the ancient Arabic term “Firasah”: a perceptiveness to see deep into the future. He postulates that, in secular terms, the use of mathematics and algorithms which give meaning to data has the same outcome. This ‘predictiveness’ is a principal feature of Artificial Intelligence (AI) as we are starting to understand it today. This collation and processing of personal data impacts as never before upon rights to privacy and presents a challenge to Islamic thought and teaching as more and more personal data becomes part of the AI matrix. Privacy is an essential aspect of life, in both the physical and online worlds. Whether it is traced to Madison’s 1789 Bill of Rights: “Right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers and effects, against unreasonable searches and seizures.” Or whether it is the world’s most powerful companies, using Artificial Technology (AI) to harvest personal information; privacy remains a key social issue. According to a recent PWC report, AI will impact the Middle East to the amount of US$320 billion in the next 10 years. Saudi Arabia, for example, has now appointed a State Minister for AI as it projects that its economy will benefit to the tune of some US$132 billion over the next several years. We are all now ‘living online’ through digital platforms and as such new privacy concerns have arisen, in most part from the
impact of AI on digital platforms. With digital platforms implementing AI models such as deep learning, billions of citizens personal information can now be structured, quantified and represented in a form which data analysts can derive insights from: eg Facebook had 100 million active profiles in 2008, now it has an estimated 2.38 billion. This means a quarter of the planet’s personal information is routinely collected, stored, shared with third parties. As the Middle East calibrates its approaches to on line AI privacy the definition of what constitutes ‘personal information’ and how we protect it present real challenges : how is modern ‘privacy’ to be reconciled with the rights of privacy evident in the verses of the Holy Quran: “do not spy on one another.” (49:12) And “do not enter any houses except your own homes unless you are sure of their occupants consent.” (24:27) An individual’s privacy about their possessions, for example, may easily lead to the identity of the individual with the use of AI: if it were known that only one individual owned a certain brand of mobile device in a class, a simple digital platform survey would lead to their identity. If a digital platform holds personal information about an individual that was collected for a particular purpose, then the accepted norm is that the digital platform must not use or disclose the information for another purpose unless the individual has consented to the use or disclosure. Yet we harvest more personal information with every update. Pre-emptive legislative intervention combating current and future privacy invasive AI capabilities become essential in correcting the asymmetry of power held by large
scale digital platform companies for example. The recent massacre in New Zealand that was live streamed to Facebook in it’s seventeen-minute entirety has been the direct cause of the controversial and fast tracked, Sharing of Abhorrent Violent Material Bill 2019. This bill introduces new laws threatening platform executives with three years’ imprisonment if material deemed abhorrent is not removed “Expeditiously.” Currently, digital platforms require the user to consent to often ambiguous privacy policies in order to use the software, such as making an account on Facebook. Once the user accepts the aforementioned, ‘take-it-or-leave-it’ agreements, the personal information is then collected at will, such as locations and biometric data. It is then shared with multiple third parties at any time, unbeknown to the user. An example can be seen in the Facebook auto-tag ‘scandal ‘whereby biometric AI software scanned uploaded photos and presented the name and profile of a user in the photo. This was recognised as a privacy breach and the AI function was made illegal by multiple countries world-wide. Personal information has been a threshold legal issue for some time in the world of privacy. In combatting the methods of privacy invasion consenting to the use of this information is essential. There are many digital platforms that force individuals to consent to sharing all of their personal information in order to use their software, whether the information is required or totally unrelated. This is often followed by long, ambiguous and misleading privacy policy, often leaving individuals
lacking full, free and voluntary consent, to having their personal information harvested and shared by AI software. Protections may include that consent to sharing personal information must not be forced or as a condition of use for a digital platform, beyond what is absolutely necessary for its regular, user intended use. This would mean if an individual wanted to join a digital platform, purely to privately message friends, they could do so, without the platform tracking their location data and sharing it with third parties. If an individual wanted to use a digital platform for shopping and wanted to receive targeted advertisements, they could opt in and do so. As we live in a world where undersea fibre optic cables trace the legacy of imperial trading routes where people access information via search engines rather than libraries, regulations must also adapt with modern times and have the fluidity and breadth to monitor and combat negative impacts from technology such as AI. The importance of preventative legislation is paramount as the speed of AI data collection in unparalleled. However in Islamic nations it is suggested that a global lead should be taken to ensure that the secular development of AI is calibrated to the teachings of Islam. In a globalised economy, no matter how laudable the theological directive may be, the protection of privacy rights to the standard by which we understand Islamic thought in respect of privacy may be incompatible. Connor William Harrison is a student of law in Queensland.
Voices from our past and the role of story-sharing Australian Muslim Musings I heard Abdul Majied Dean and Zarb-un-Nisa Dean tell their story in their own words long before I heard and met their daughter Hanifa Deen for the first time on Saturday 19 October. It was clear from the audio interviews conducted with her parents in 1986, that Hanifa comes from a family of articulate and captivating storytellers who can bring the past to life without images and the trappings of modern technology. Listening to a pioneer who was born the
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same year the Perth Mosque was founded can only be described as a historian’s dream. The tones, the expression, the little snippets of information not found in articles or books adds another dimension to our understanding of the past. Hanifa’s mother Neisha’s (Zarb-un-Nisa Dean) detailed account of their two weddings in 1933, was far more delightful than the colourful articles published in contemporary newspapers, that described the bride ‘with her face, excepting her dark lustrous eyes, completely concealed by a heavy veil’ (The Sun, June 1934). Neisha’s voice projected an image of a confident, well-read and sophisticated woman. Her descriptions of her Welsh mother, the Muslim communities in Perth and Melbourne as well as the friendships with mem-
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bers of the broader community account for a life spent enriching both. If only I had found these recordings twenty years ago. Though she didn’t know it, Hanifa led me to question the Australian Muslim historical narrative at a time when studies in this area were few and far between. It was the late 1990s and I had been asked to review her first book, ‘Caravanserai: Journey Among Australian Muslims’ in which Hanifa challenged stereotypes and depicted the human face of Australian Muslims. In time, her stories would prove vital for connecting Australian Muslims to a critical part of their history. Only a decade earlier in 1987, an Australian Muslim magazine published a piece that explored contemporary challenges facing Australian Muslim youth. It spoke of the gap between the generations, the need to the hear the voices of young Muslims and ended with an ominous warning that if a compromise cannot be attained, ‘then we may as well become the “past camel traders of the future”’ (Insight, 1987). One of the greatest myths woven around Australia’s early Muslim pioneers is the idea that those who did not return to their homelands in the early twentieth century, left behind a generation that assimilated into mainstream Australian society. It’s a myth that appears to have surfaced when post-war migrants feared ‘losing’ their children to a new homeland and a foreign culture. The old mosques in Marree, Broken Hill, Adelaide and Perth were perceived as remnants of the pioneering cameleers, hawkers, businessmen and their legacy which was buried in a distant past. A past that saw the erosion of their Islamic identity. It’s a myth that was also perpetuated by the Australian print media that spoke of disappearing and ‘sad’ Muslims during the years of the White Australia Policy and a whitewashed national narrative (Nebhan, AJIS, 2019). The recent visit by Hanifa Deen to Sydney revealed another reason, a lack of story-sharing. The legacy and history of the early Mus-
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lim pioneers are well-known in the regions where their descendants remain. Deen captured some of their stories in her book ‘Ali Abdul v The King: Muslims stories from the dark days of White Australia’ (2011). During her talk in Sydney on Saturday 19 October titled ‘Confessions of an “Accidental Author”: how I became a storyteller’, she also reflected on her own upbringing during this period. Some members of the audience could relate to her experiences, and all were fascinated by the historical images and stories she presented. I’m not sure how many reflected on the continuity and the legacy carried by Hanifa Deen and the many other descendants who chose to continue practising or identifying with the faith of their ancestors (a few of whom were present in the audience). Both her Australian-born parents spoke in detail about the challenges as well as the joys of raising their children as practising Muslims in Australia. Both played a vital role in maintaining the legacy of their fathers, as did Hanifa’s Welsh grandmother, who Neisha believes converted to Islam before her marriage. In telling her story, Hanifa Deen opened the door once again to much needed communication between the diverse members who make up Australia’s Muslim population. Story-sharing gives us a voice. It identifies shared experiences and helps address challenges through meaningful engagement with others. Story-sharing unravels connections that can help us understand our place and our legacy. Our history in this country precedes British colonisation, and whilst the majority of Australia’s Muslims arrived much later, there are still many connections and continuities that we’ve yet to uncover. It’s high time we ditch the myth and rewrite the narrative. Australian Muslim Musings is a social media platform for exploring the history of Australian Muslims, sharing stories and inspiring broader commUNITY engagement. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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The emergence of new powerbrokers in Syria and beyond Bilal Cleland The action of the Turkish government in seeking to establish a ‘safe-zone’ in northern Syria has led to an outcry from most European and American leaders. Turkey insists that it is to allow the beginning of repatriation of its 3.5 million Syrian refugees and is adamant that it is not attacking the Kurdish people but the YPG/PKK. The Arab League Secretary General attacked the operation and called on the UN Security Council to take action. [12 October Reuters] Algeria, Lebanon and Iraq have demanded that Syria should now be re-admitted to the Arab League. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu also denounced Turkey’s action and said Israel was prepared to offer humanitarian aid to the Kurds in Syria “facing an onslaught from Ankara.” [10 October 2019 Times of Israel] Qatar and Pakistan supported Turkey and Russia did not oppose it but Putin emphasised the Astana process in a phone call with President Erdogan. In what would appear to be a major diplomatic blunder, President Trump sent a letter on 9 October to President Erdogan. While threatening the Turkish economy, he passed on the offer of negotiations with General Mazloum of the YPG or SDF as it is now calling itself. This was like offering George Bush the possibility of opening negotiations with Osama Bin Laden. In 1984, the Kurdistan Workers Party, or PKK, initiated a campaign of separatist violence in Turkey that lasted fifteen years; more than thirty thousand people, most of them Kurds, were killed. [20 June 2004 New Yorker] In May 2004, the PKK announced that it was ending its ceasefire. Mazloum Kobani first served with the PKK within Syria and joined the PKK in Turkey, conducting militant activities in Hakkaria Province in 1996. Turkey has since called upon the USA to hand over Kobani.
Israel and Kurdish separatists Netanyahu’s concern for the Kurdish organisations in Syria marks a long standing Israeli policy. Seymour Hersh in 2004 explained the growing involvement of Israel with the Kurdish separatists as a response to the dismal failure of America to create a stable Iraq, a possible bulwark against Iran. His article “Plan B: As June 30th approaches, Israel looks to the Kurds,” is an excellent introduction to the present landscape. [20 June 2004 New Yorker] “Israeli intelligence and military operatives are now quietly at work in Kurdistan, providing training for Kurdish commando units and, most important in Israel’s view, running covert operations inside Kurdish areas of Iran and Syria.” [20 June 2004 New Yorker] This created suspicions in Turkey and brought the prospect of “a new alliance among Iran, Syria, and Turkey, all of which have significant Kurdish minorities.” The Iranian fear that an independent Kurdish state in northern Iraq would be “an Israeli land-based aircraft carrier”—that is, a military stronghold—“on its border” might be generalised to the Turkish position today. Turkey is well aware of the focus of the YPG. Kyle W Orton noted two years ago “The YPG has struggled to secure its legitimacy because it refuses to include other Kurdish voices and remains fundamentally focused on Turkey….” [6 June 2017 The error of arming the Kurds NYT] An emerging solution The retreat of the Americans and the emergence of Russia as a power broker on the regional scene are major recent developments. Middle East analyst Vyacheslav Matusov told DW that it was the US promises of Kurdish autonomy that had previously been in the way of bringing the Kurds back into the fold.” [14 October 2019 DW] Russia Turkey and Iran agreed on the Astana process on 16 September, determining the details of a constitutional committee in Syria. This led to the establishment of a UNbacked Syrian constitutional committee to write a new constitution for Syria and prepare for elections.
Three Presidents agree on the Astana process. Composed of 150 members, the committee is split evenly between Assad’s government, the opposition and Syrian civil society. [10 October 2019 Guardian] It is due to hold its first session at the UN headquarters in Geneva on Wednesday 30 October. Emerging bipartisan support for imperialism? There seem to be some second thoughts from the Americans regarding troop withdrawal. Pentagon officials have indicated that there will be only a partial withdrawal, leaving troops, “ …where lucrative oil fields are under the control of a mostly Kurdish force involved in the US-led fight against the Islamic State militant group (ISIS).” [25 October 2019 Common Dreams] Juan Cole, a professor of Middle Eastern and South Asian history at the University of Michigan, condemned this intention to occupy the Deir al-Zor oilfield as illegal under international law. Human rights activist Ajamu Baraka twittered “Democrats have criticised Trump’s growing imperial presidency for three years but I am finding it hard to find voices of opposition to his illegal desire to keep US troops in Syria to steal Syrian oil and gas. Is this silence another example of bipartisan support for imperialism?” The situation is still uncertain and subject
If only Pumpkins could speak! Sukoon Quteifan As pumpkins are always associated with the occasion of Halloween - The pagan rooted celebration that marks the beginning of winter and the rise of the souls of the dead. They have been misused as being a symbol of fear and evil. Saying that, it reminded me of the hadith of our beloved prophet Mohammad (PBUH) which says: “It is not lawful for a muslim to frighten another muslim” [Sahih by Al-Albani]. This Hadith reveals that the act of frightening others is not only prohibited in Islam but also considered to be “Haram” unlawful even if someone was just joking and pranking with another.
Make pumpkins happy! Share this nice looking cartoon. Help their voice to be heard.
Sukoon Quteifan is a graphic designer and illustrator. She is the creator and the illustrator of “Sukoon Al Quloob Peace of Hearts”, an Islamic Cartoons facebook page. Sukoon is based in Sydney, Australia. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
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to rapid change. While some commentators are warning of the danger of another war for oil, there is the hope of settlement. Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.
The Mother Earth says:
“I am betrayed by the leaders of man” Fazlul Huq The mother Earth says: “I am betrayed by the leaders of man!” So say oceans and the polar ice caps, The rain forests and the rivers of life, The tadpoles and the polar bears, The wetland and other landmass not so gained in height, The koalas and the Bengal tigers, The leopard and Asian elephant, The gorillas and the sea turtles, The sea otter and the panda, The orangutan and the saola, The vaquita and the pangolin, Tasmaian devil and blue whale, Pinesnake and Lebanon viper, Georgia Aster and Wild Rice. Scientists and others who have the knowledge including: Famous David Attenborough and young Greta Thunburg.. 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.
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Kashmir Forum on awareness forum Searching for at NSW Parliament Peace in Kashmir
Manarul Islam Peace in Kashmir is proving to be an elusive objective, especially since the Modi government revoked Article 370 in August 2019. That didn’t deter Forum Australia, however, in pursuing the possibility through it’s Searching for Peace in Kashmir forum held on Tuesday 15 October 2019. The forum, held at Taj Agra Restaurant, in the trendy Canberra suburb of Dickson, brought together speakers of all persuasions, over a three-course dinner, to discuss this thorny issue. Speakers included: Jack Waterford, Former Editor-at-Large, Canberra Times; Dr
Tahmina Rashid, Associate Professor of International Studies, University of Canberra; Sunil Gupta, Executive, Australia India Business Council; Lee Rhiannon, Former Senator for NSW; and Dr Ejaz Qureshi, a Kashmiri, Honorary Associate Professor, ANU and a renowned Development Economist. Whilst there was a diverse set of views, the overwhelming majority of speakers and guests were of the view that until the Kashmiris themselves don’t have a say in their future, any imposed situation by any party cannot guarantee peace, freedom and prosperity. Photos of the event and videos of the speakers and Q&A can be found at: http://tinyurl.com/y5jvqo75 Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.
Mohamed Ainullah A forum on Peace in South Asia highlighting the lockdown of 8 million Kashmiris was held on Thursday 24 October at the NSW Parliament addressed by a number of parliamentarians, community leaders and Kashmiri activists demanding action against the Modi government. The event held in the Jubilee Room and sponsored by the Kashmir Council of Australia attracted a house full of community leaders, activists, parliamentarians, diplomats as well as Australians of indigenous Kashmiri background. Dr Sarfaraz and Mian Mumtaz together with presentations highlighted the human rights abuse and atrocities being committed by the Indian Military especially during the last three months in the Kashmir valley since 5 August when the Modi government changed the status of the Jammu & Kashmir
state. While supporting the Kashmiri people, a number of speakers condemned the actions of the Modi Hindu nationalist government against Kashmiris and their treatment of minorities in India. Mr Jihad Dib MP and Mr Shaoquett Moselmane MLC during their address pledged their support to the plight of Kashmiris. Former Senator Lee Rhiannon described the ideological roots of the Modi government with the fascist organisation RSS. Keysar Trad, a former President of AFIC condemned the Arab governments who have presented awards to Narendra Modi, current Indian Prime Minister even after his illegal moves against Kashmir. The Pakistan High Commissioner in Australia, Mr Babar Amin spoke on the issue of Kashmir and highlighted government support for Kashmiris in their quest for self determination
The following statement was issued at the forum by the attendees:
Tickets $62 For tickets & info: growingstronger.eventbrite.com.au
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The Jammu & Kashmir dispute is a nuclear flashpoint in South Asia. If a nuclear war starts, no living being will remain unimpacted. We, therefore, discharge our moral obligations to pursue support for continuity of life on the planet by adopting the following resolutions: I. India must immediately lift the curfew; end the communications and internet blackout; release all detained children, protestors, and elected Kashmiri political leaders; reduce Indian security forces in the region; and, immediately reinstate the protected status for Jammu & Kashmir. II. The Australian government and the international community must blacklist from trade any Indian logistics and technology companies that have actively supplied or furthered India’s military takeover of Kashmir or construction companies aiding the Indian government’s building of concentration camps for Muslims stripped of Indian citizenship. III. The Australian government must immediately adopt visa restrictions on any Indian government official, WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
military leader, or political party leader who has ordered or overseen: India’s military takeover of Kashmir; stripping of Indian Muslim nationals of their rightful Indian citizenship; construction of concentration camps for Muslims stripped of Indian citizenship. IV. The Australian government must institute a visa ban on Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. V. India must stop all violations of human rights and war crimes in Jammu & Kashmir. VI. India must immediately restore all transportation, TV, health services, food supply and other essential services suspended since 5 August 2019. VII. Both India and Pakistan should resume dialogue to arrange a free and fair plebiscite allowing Kashmiris to decide their destiny as promised by the UN in 1948. VIII. India must withdraw all its occupation troops from Kashmir by no later than 30 June 2020. If necessary, such troops can be replaced by a reasonable deployment of UN peace keeping forces along the Indian Kashmir border. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Awakening conference addresses plight of the Muslim Ummah Continued from page 1 Mufti Yasir Nadeem, an Islamic Scholar and Director of Darul Uloom Online based in Chicago sought to explain the plight of Ummah through history by quoting the concept of Asabiyah, fragmentation of the concept of brotherhood from historian Ibn Khaldoon and its 5 point solution propounded by reformer Shah Waliullah Dehlawi. Uthman Badar, a Sydney based community activist said that in addition to improving our iman, doing charity work, earning a living and so forth we, in the West can do a lot more to assist the global Ummah towards empowerment. Sheikh Hassan Elsetohy, CEO of Muslim Aid Australia pointed out that this is not the only time that the Ummah is disempowered. We need to look into how the Ummah got out of this situation from a historical perspective and come up with a contemporary solution. Rima Chahrouk, reflecting on her own family’s history and that of many Muslim migrants to the West described how they were forced to emigrate from their homeland due to conflicts and oppression and are thriving in their new homeland as first, second and third-generation migrants. Mufti Yasir Nadeem emphasised the need for the spiritual upliftment of oneself, cooperation with those around you and awareness of the unity of the Ummah. Sheikh Hassan Elsetohy pointed out the difference between Ikhtilaf, the difference of opinion being acceptable but not Mukhalifah, opposing one another that was detrimental to the unity of the Ummah. There was a spoken word performance by YouTube celebrity Kamal Saleh who recited a letter to the Prophet Mohammad (s) in the form of a poem on the plight of the Ummah with special reference to the Christchurch massacre. Many Muslim youths have become alienated and struggle to find purpose in com-
munities which do not understand them. With internal fractures and disunity within the Ummah, it seems that many of the most pressing questions get lost in the noise. The second panel boldly addressed a hot issue entitled “Homosexuality in the Muslim Community: Have we criminalised our own? reflecting on community conversations around homosexuality in pursuit of a more mature approach. The panellists talked about conversations around homosexuality in the Muslim community that have a tangible impact on the lives of those with same-sex attractions. With high rates of people leaving the religion, undergoing severe depression and sometimes committing suicide, there is an obvious need to reflect on the impacts of the existing approach towards homosexuality within our communities. After the break for Dhuhur prayers in congregation and lunch, there were three more panels on other important topics facing the community. The third panel titled, “Do those with mental illness need more Faith? Interrogating existing narratives around mental health
and faith” was facilitated by Ziyad Serhan with panellists including Mufti Yasir Nadeem, Nuriddeen Knight, Dr Zuleyha Keskin and Zena Nikro. The interaction of mental health and faith has been the subject of heated disagreement within the Muslim community. While some claim that mental illness indicates a weakness in faith, others argue it is a separate phenomenon to Islam. A middle ground between these two positions has largely been unclear. Bringing together psychologists and religious figures, this panel digs deeper into the relationship between mental health and faith. The fourth panel titled, “Muslim women are mistreated: Is Feminism the answer? Empowering Muslim women in a compassionate and principled way” was facilitated by Sumya Rahman with the panellists including Ustada Umm Jamaal Ud-Din, Nuriddeen Knight, Dalya Ayoub, Mona El Baba and Dr Randa Abdel-Fattah. The past few decades have seen a growing awareness around the struggles that Muslim Women undergo. With continuous controversies around the influence of Feminism on
Muslim Women, the conversation around solutions has often been hampered. This panel raised different voices to articulate the issues facing Muslim Women and to seek a compassionate and principled way forward. The fifth panel was titled, “Entering the matrix: Can my career be Islamic? Channelling our careers to help the Ummah while obeying the Shariah uncompromisingly” facilitated by Ramzy Alamudi with the panellists including Ustada Abu Hakeem Yusuf Tang, Tanvir Uddin, Mona El Baba and Rahaf Ahmed. Ranging from halal-haram issues at work to feelings of an overall lack of purpose, many struggle to reconcile their Islamic identity with their career goals. This panel brought together successful Muslim professionals to shed light on what an Islamic identity can look like in the dizzying world of career. The panellists highlighted what a successful Work-Life-Islam-Purpose balance looks like.
Yasmin Mogahed on Emotional First Aid Mehar Ahmad Yasmin Mogahed, an author and speaker from USA attracted almost 900 people overwhelmingly young women at her Sydney speaking event held on Sunday 29 September 2019 at The Bellevue Venue, Bankstown. The title of her presentation was Shattered Glass: Learning Emotional First Aid where she talked about personal development, spirituality, hardships, relationships, resilience giving references from Quran and Hadith. Yasmin is the author of two best selling books, Reclaim Your Heart and Love and Happiness. She has a bachelors degree in Psychology and Masters degree in Journalism and Mass Communications from the University of Wisconsin, Madison. Currently she is an instructor for AlMaghrib Institute, a writer for the Huffington Post, an international speaker, and author, where she focuses most of her work on spiritual and personal development. The event was MC’ed Rahaf Ahmad and started with Quran recitation by 13 year old Adam El Rouz. During the entire duration of her presentation Yasmin engaged her large audience with self reflections, pondering and supplications (dua) and interactive dialogue. Her first request was for every individual in this hall to set a goal with Allah. Why are you here?. What you are going to take from here tonight? Within yourself set a goal. Verily are action by intention (HaNOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
dith). I want you to have a goal. Why did you come here? Her second request was to make dua. To Allah put blessing on all people who are here. Take a moment and do the dua. She asked a few people want to share their goals. One person shared his goal saying that he wanted to be strong in facing all his difficulties. This is the class about resilience. What is resilience? He wants to be strong against resilience. I will break the myths. The myth is to be soft is to be weak.
I will give another concept. Many people believe that to be strong we have to be hard. Prophet Mohammad (s) said that believer is a soft plant and the disbelievers are like a pine tree. When the strong wind comes it will bend but not break and that is the resilience. Whatever the life gives you it doesn’t break you. My life suppose is to be perfect. My children must be perfect. We define how the perfect looks like. If the life is not perfect then we feel that we are wronged Duniya is a place which is not perfect. When Allah said he is going to create Adam.
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Angel said that you have created Adam who will make mischief in duniya. They knew that duniya wasn’t to be perfect. Allah said that I know that you don’t know. We will go through this thing. How can we become resilience in this hard life not only physically, spiritually and mentally. I am from tornado land and we get the tornado siren to warn us that a tornado is approaching. They play the siren for the test. If you don’t know that it is a test then you would panic. The tornado siren for testing is played on Wednesday every month. I was prepared knowing that it was a test. Allah is preparing us that we will be tested. So we don’t panic. We are warned by Allah. This is the reaction of the believer. When the believer gets hardship there Iman gets stronger. Allah’s messenger told us that we will be tested. Allah is saying in Sura Al Baqarah. “We will verily test you of something of fear.” Why this is happening to me? That thinking is completely wrong. Everyone is tested in different ways. You might not see them in social media. People are putting our fake perfection. We focus on false perfection. The roots of jealousy comes in that we are seeing the blessing and don’t see the test. Sometime we see our own test but not our blessings. We look at others we focus on their blessings but we just look into our test. Some people are tested by having wealth or not having wealth. Both is a test. Some people are tested in health some people are tested in relationship etc and at the same time we have been given blessing. We focus on our test and for other people we look at their blessing and get jealous. The truth is everyone is tested.
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Pakistani preacher Tariq Jamil visits Melbourne Faseeha Hashmi Prominent Pakistani scholar and Mawlana (preacher) Tariq Jamil has congregated the faithful in his latest Australian tour. Gracing the Sydney community with his presence on Monday 7 October hosted by OnePath Network and in Melbourne on Saturday 12 October hosted by Al Siraat College, he delivered a lecture on the subject of self-purification, accountability, observance of Allah’s orders and following of the way of Prophet. On a sweltering day, Mawlana Tariq Jamil addressed a captivated Melbourne audience of around 1,000 community members in Urdu. Opening with Quran, he began by reciting the revered Ayat al-Kursi (The Throne Verse) praising the innumerable qualities of Allah, the Quran’s beauty and making the most of the precious time on earth. “The words of Quran are everlasting and unaltered,” he enlightened. He then went on to praise the Prophet’s virtues who lead an exemplary life as a teacher and guide for all of humanity. “Not only was he beautiful in appearance, (but) he was beautiful in his character too. The Prophet’s face was full of Noor (light)”, he exclaimed.” The Mawlana inspired the gathering to seek to emulate the Prophet’s attributes such as gentleness and compassion. Demonstrating this he explained, in a society where it
was unusual to express love to one’s wife publicly; when the Prophet Muhammed (s) was asked who he cherished most amongst this companions, he answered his wife, Aisha. When pressed further, from whom amongst his male companions he emphasised this point by answering “Aisha’s father, Abu Bakr”. Thus, bringing him to mention Aisha’s name twice before his followers. Thereby, setting an example for his male counterparts. “We should seek guidance from the Prophet Muhammed (s) by being fair and honest in our dealing (with people). Therefore, if you are a businessman, be a fair and honest businessman,” he encouraged. As Muslims living in the West, he urged the Australian Muslim community of our responsibilities to pay taxes and maintain fair and equitable dealings in this country. He reminded the congregation of our religious obligations to give in charity locally. He further elaborated that as Muslims, we should first look to support our local community by helping Australia first, which is the country we have chosen to call home. To support one’s immediate community he explained, is to live in accordance with Prophet’s teachings. “It can be compelling to make money and build fancy houses, but instead our focus
“We should seek guidance from the Prophet Muhammed (s) by being fair and honest in our dealing (with people).
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Mawlana Tariq Jameel. Source: 9newshd
should be on building a path to the hereafter,” he highlighted. The Mawlana went further to explain that the Quran introduces Allah’s qualities to humanity and to know the Quran is to know Allah. Having a background in medicine, Tariq studied at King Edward Medical College in Lahore. It was there that his focus changed to Islamic Education associated with Tablighi Jamaat, in areas as broad as Sufism and Islamic jurisprudence. His acclaimed ability to clearly articulate himself, drawing on his scientific background appeals to many. Moreover, his sweet disposition and eloquence in Urdu, as well as his fluency in Arabic, has earned him an esteemed reputation across the Muslim world. His talk was riddled with witty remarks speaking in a mixture of Punjabi and Saraiki. He stated the significance of maintaining vigilance with one’s prayers for spiritual success and warned against making prayers a chore.
“Make your homes beautiful by praying and ensure love is at the centre of your prayer,” he uplifted. Mawlana Tariq Jamil explained that the best amongst believers are those that do good deeds with a pure intention, seek to acquire knowledge and are sincerely wholehearted with one’s prayers. “When I came to the event…and I was so overwhelmed with emotion just being in the spiritual space, ” said the audience member Ammara. “Praise be to god…I thought it was lovely to hear such an amazing speaker…(he) reiterated the basic principles of Islam, to be honest, to be good to people and emphasised (good) character,” said the audience member Mehak. Closing with a moving prayer, he was greeted by an elated crowd of all ages. Faseeha Hashmi holds a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne, with an interest in politics and human security.
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Large turnout for Canberra Mosque elections
NEW EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Abdul Hakim President. Manarul Islam There was a large turnout for the election for committee positions for the Islamic Society of ACT (ISACT), which manages one of oldest mosques in Australia, Canberra Mosque, situated in the leafy suburb of Yarralumla, a stone’s throw from Parliament House. Over 230 members, or their proxies, came to vote on Sunday 29 September 2019 to cast their vote for the positions of President, Vice President, Secretary, Assistant Secretary and four Ordinary Committee Members. For the position of Treasurer, only one nomination was received and was therefore uncontested. The result was that the existing Executive
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Committee was returned to their positions for the next two years. The re-elected President, Abdul Hakim, thanked the Election Commissioners, Abul Ehsan and Mekki Hashim, for their organisation and smooth operation of the election and promised to run ISACT for the broader membership. Yusuf Mansuri, who had presented an alternative team to the members, also thanked the Election Commissioners as well as those who had come to vote. “The turnout showed that people are interested and willing to participate in an open or public Shura. We have also noticed that people are interested in our vision and I really hope that the elected committee takes this into consideration,” he said.
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Khalid Yamin Vice President.
Zikrun Badri Secretary.
Hashim Abdul Rahman Treasurer.
Ahmad Hashi
Assistant Secretary.
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Mawlana Tariq Jamil Australian tour attracts huge crowds Zia Ahmad Mawlana Tariq Jamil, the popular Pakistani speaker and YouTube celebrity paid a visit to Australia during early October addressing thousands of people, both males and females, during mass speaking events in Sydney and Melbourne. The Sydney event on Monday 7 October was attended by almost 4000 people hosted by OnePath Network while the Melbourne event was held on Saturday 12 October hosted by Al Siraat College attended by more than 1000 people. Mawlana Tariq Jamil is a scholar and preacher associated with Tablighi Jamaat and frequently delivers Islamic speeches at rallies in which he preaches peace and harmony, tolerance and respect for all. For exclusive Melbourne event report, please click here: The sold-out event in Sydney, held at the Whitlam Centre in Liverpool with outdoor Maghreb prayer in large congregation was very well organised by OnePath volunteer team with good crowd control, mega screen TV projections and a superb sound system that highly facilitated the speech delivery by the Mawlana. The program was started by CEO of OnePath, Mr Malaz Majanni welcoming the Mawlana and the audience and highlighting the services provided by the network. He introduced the sponsors of the event whose representatives briefly introduced their businesses. During his one and a half hour speech, Mawlana Tariq Jamil mesmerised the au-
Mawlana Tariq Jamil in Sydney. Photo by Zia Ahmad.
dience by his unique way of delivering the message of Islam in the context of modern living addressing social problems and providing practical solutions. Mawlana Tariq Jamil spoke to mainly Urdu speaking audience that included substantial number of females and young people, continuously quoting from Quran and occasionally from Hadith in Arabic with prompt rendering in Urdu for easy understanding. The ever smiling relaxed Mawlana with his articulation on stage and a humorous style delivered his message of social reformation cutting simple jokes in Punjabi that kept the audience very much engaged Mawlana Tariq Jamil with Mr Malaz Majjani. (Photo courtesy OnePath).
throughout the long speech. Endowed with a great memory, during his address, he recited the 99 attributes of Allah, almost 35 names of Prophet Mohammad (s) and named the genealogy backwards from Prophet Mohammad (s) to Prophet Adam (a). The Mawlana told in graphic detail the miraculous birth of Prophet Isa without a father saying that Allah has the power to do anything that us humans cannot sometimes perceive. He pointed out the great rights that Islam gave to women and urged his audience to respect women describing how Prophet Mohammad (s) respected his daughter Fatima by greeting her, standing for her and welcoming her during her visits. Mawlana Tariq Jamil emphasised the importance of prayer and pointed out that five times prayers are compulsory and should never be missed. In a passionate way he graphically related the incident of Karbala where Imam Hussain (r) pleaded to his oppressors to give him time to offer his prayers before his martyrdom. He advised Australian Muslims to live in this country as law abiding citizens, deal justly with fellow Australians and be loyal to their homeland. “You are very fortunate to be living in this country where your tax dollars are spent for your welfare unlike many countries with endemic corruption, so please pay your taxes, maintain fairness in business dealings and work hard to earn honest living,” the Mawlana advised. Mawlana Tariq Jamil called for building good relationships amongst husband and
wife, between siblings and between parents and children. He pleaded that parents must give time and value to their children specially teenagers and respect their opinions and wishes. He graphically demonstrated how much the Prophet Mohammad (s) loved his grandsons, playing with them, let them ride on his legs and on his back and showed great compassion. The Mawlana emphasised the rights of a wife over her husband to provide privacy for her including separate living quarters in an extended family home if not a separate home in order to mitigate issues between inlaws. He concluded by saying that his message of Islam is for everybody, ordinary people, sportsmen, politicians and celebrities without taking any rewards from them. He mentioned of his dialogue with Prime Minister Imran Khan who he believed was doing a good job and he hoped that he will get good support from fellow Pakistanis to solve some of the problems the country was facing. The event ended with a long dua by him for Muslim Australians, the Muslim Ummah and for global peace. Mr Malaz Majjani presented a plaque to Mawlana Tariq Jamil as a token of appreciation on behalf of OnePath Network. The event was sponsored by: Sadaqah Welfare Fund, Low Cost Housing, and Hab Shifa. Zia Ahmad is the Editor-in-Chief of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST.
Canberra mosques host Open Day Manarul Islam Two of Canberra’s mosques opened their doors to the public on National Mosque Open Day, Saturday 26 October 2019. Gungahlin Mosque, in the north of Canberra, and CIC & Masjid Sabah Al-Ahmad, located in the south Canberra suburb of Monash, both invited the public to visit their mosques to broaden the community’s understanding of their Muslim neighbours and how a mosque operates. Gungahlin Mosque President, Abdul Bari, and CIC President, Suhail Khan, stressed the importance of sharing knowledge and having an opportunity for members of the broader community to ask questions directly. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
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Charity ride for Birth and Babies Appeal Alsu Kurlow Human Appeal Australia together with Sydney Muslim Cyclists held a community event including a charity ride followed by a free sausage sizzle at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital on Sunday 29 September in order to raise funds for the Birthing unit at the hospital. The charity ride starting at 6 am from the Hospital with around 80 cyclists was joined by Mr Jihad Dib MP and Councillor Bilal El-Hayek, Deputy Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown. The event was also attended by the hospital’s management and staff, Mr Peter Rophail, the Hospital General Manager, Dr Karen Harris, Head of Obstetrics Department and Ronia Awick, Birthing Unit Manager. The Birth and Babies Appeal was launched earlier this month to provide Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital with a much- needed Ultrasound and Telemetry Machine which will be used in the Birthing Unit to enhance the services provided at the institution. “It is such an important initiative to support the Birthing Unit at Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, I’m happy to be part of it,” Mr Jihad Dib said. “I jumped at the chance to be involved because all the money raised will go to the birthing unit at the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital,” Councillor Bilal El-Hayek said. The new Deputy Mayor of Canter-
bury-Bankstown had a special reason for signing up for the challenge. “Eight years ago, my wife and I lost a child that was born at the hospital. While the staff were great, it was obvious that they were working in tiring conditions, using ageing facilities which were not up to date. That’s why it’s so important, that the NSW Government delivers on its promise to build a new $1.3 billion hospital in Bankstown. In the meantime, the money raised in our char-
ity ride will be used to purchase ultrasound equipment and a telemetry machine for the birthing unit. I encourage residents to support our ride and give generously,” Mr ElHayek explained. The funds raised will help the Birthing Unit to provide better services to the wider community. This will not only affect expectant mothers and their babies, but future generations to come. The campaign will conclude with a
much-anticipated Family Fun Day that will gather the local community on the Saturday 19 October at the Australian National Sports Club in Parry Park in support of the hospital. Human Appeal Australia wishes to thank all involved and reaching out to our community to donate generously to help reach the goal of $75,000 to support the hospital. Donations can be made at https://www. humanappeal.org.au/campaign/birthand-babies-appeal-bankstown-lidcombehospital/
Community cash support for Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital
Alsu Kurlow Human Appeal Australia with the support of Sydney Muslim Cyclists presented a cheque of $75,000, raised through the Birth & Babies Appeal, to the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, for the purchase of a new Ultrasound and Telemetry machine on Saturday 19 October at the Family Fun Day at the Australian National Sports Club in Parry Park, Lakemba. Mr Bashar Al-Jamal, the director of the Human Appeal Australia presented the cheque to the general manager of the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Mr Peter Rophail and Obstetrics Department and Nursing Manager Dr Karen Harris and Birthing Unit Manager Ronia Awick for the purchase of the machine for their birthing unit. This Ultrasound and Telemetry machine will be able to help serve many expecting parents in monitoring the growth and development of their babies.
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The event was attended by the Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown City Mr Khal Asfour, Mr Jihad Dib, MP and Clr Bilal ElHayek, Deputy Mayor of the City of Canterbury Bankstown. Mr Amin El-Bureeny, head of Community Care at Human Appeal thanked the generous donors for their help in achieving the targeted amount. He also pointed out the roles of Human Appeal’s supporters who made the Family Fun Day possible namely Lighthouse Community Support, Lakemba Travel Centre, NSW SES Canterbury Unit, Australian National Sports Club, GWS Giants, Campsie Police Area Command, Sunnah Sports with Bizry and PCYC Bankstown. The Birth and Babies Appeal were launched earlier this month to provide Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital with a muchneeded Ultrasound and Telemetry Machine which will be used in the Birthing Unit to enhance the services provided. Many families enjoyed the day with a free
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sausage sizzle, fairy floss, popcorn and frozen drinks alongside various free attractions including Sunnah sports with Bizry fitness challenge giveaways, petting zoo, jumping castles, face painting and henna. “Since its inception, Human Appeal Australia has always strived to provide medical aid to the poor and needy around the world. However, in the past couple of weeks, we have been provided with a unique opportunity, that is to help serve our very own local community. With the high pressure and demand on Sydney’s public hospitals, a need for a new ultra-sound machine in Bankstown-Lidcombe’s birthing unit was presented. My youngest son was born in Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital so it has a special place in my heart. Hence, it was my honour on behalf of Human Appeal’s Community Care program, to have pledged a total of $75,000 towards purchasing the machine”, said Bashar Al-Jamal. The Human Appeal director’s speech was followed by speeches from Mr Khal Asfour,
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Jihad Dib MP, Clr Bilal El- Hayek and Mr Peter Rophail. “Congratulations to Human Appeal Australia & Sydney Muslim Cyclists for raising funds to purchase an Ultrasound and Telemetry for the birthing unit at Bankstown Hospital. A special thank you to the beautiful people that donated and supported this important cause that is very close to my heart”, commented Clr Bilal El-Hayek. “Thank you to Human Appeal Australia and the Sydney Muslim Cyclists for their generous donation of $75,000 to Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital’s Birthing Unit. The Ultrasound machine will be used both by the Birthing Unit and the Day Assessment Unit. It will be used to do foetal surveillance which includes checking the babies growth, the amniotic fluid and the how the placenta is functioning. The machine could also be used during obstetric emergency or during labour to check the babies position”, said General Manager of the Bankstown-Lidcombe Hospital, Mr Peter Rophail. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Muslim Film Festival packs cinemas in Perth and Melbourne Kuranda Seyit The winners at the first International Muslim Film Festival in Australia held in September included film Nooreh by Ashish Pandey (India) in the fiction category and Dolls Fiction by Amir Karami (Iran) in the documentary category. This year’s festival also highlighted local talent including films by Kauthar Abdulalim (Found), Guner Hussein (Just by Your Voice), Fazal Subhani (Overcoat), Shejuti Hossein (Creed) and Ayan Yusuf (Bittersweet). All films were of a high calibre and entertained crowds. Festival Director, Joanne McKeown was happy with the first run and is confident it will just grow from here. “I am very excited about making this an annual event, that will be screened not only in Perth and Melbourne but Sydney, Brisbane and Canberra, inshallah,” she said. The film Raheel was just one of the many films and documentaries from the 2019 Muslim Film Festival which recently screened in Perth and Melbourne. Raheel is a moving short film that cap-
tures the plight of so many Afghan women who are caught between their marriages and poverty.
Director, Ayat Asadi Rahbar, portrays one woman’s plight, so poignantly and evocatively, in this short half-hour drama.
We are exposed to several themes of exploitation, domestic violence and rare displays of compassion and kindness all wrapped up in this moving story of a desperate woman on a mission. A distraught Raheel, feeling hopeless and despondent, stands on the edge of a bridge about to jump. The camera closes in on her hand as it lets go of the railing. Since the last two decades of war and instability in Afghanistan, there have been very few opportunities for employment for thousands of men, who have found labouring work in Tehran. Raheel has not heard from her husband in months and decides to travel there to find him. Initially, she is met with disappointment discovering that he has moved to another part of the city and in the middle of the night she tries to find a taxi. A driver stops to assist and after some awkward tension, he agrees to take her to a hotel. Thus, this uneasy friendship begins. Kuranda Seyit is a filmmaker and community worker, who wrote and directed By Compass and Quran: History of Australia’s Muslim Cameleers, which was broadcast on ABC TV. He is also founder of the Forum on Australia’s Islamic Relations (FAIR) and was editor of Australia Fair Newspaper from 2003-2010.
Churchill Fellowship opening pathways to countering Islamophobia Jessica Swann Dr Susan Carland has been selected to travel around the world in the year 2020 as a recipient of the prestigious Churchill Fellowship Award along with another 114 other visionary Australians. Participants will meet and work with leaders of influence and gain and exchange in knowledge. For Dr Carland, her aim is to bring home measurable tools for the betterment of Australian culture, to improve inclusion, diversity and acceptance, specifically central to Islam and West relations. Dr Carland expressed her gratitude for being chosen along with other Australians for the award and highlighted her focus being on addressing world’s best practice when it comes to countering Islamophobia. “My research involves going overseas to investigate the most cutting edge approaches to countering Islamophobia, as well as speaking with non-Muslim organisations that have been countering the unique bigotry their communities face (such as Jewish organisations facing anti-Semitism, African American organisations fighting racism, etc) to see what can be learned from them. I then intend to develop a tool-box of best practice strategies that Muslim organisations, as well as government and other bodies, can utilise to effectively counter Islamophobia,” she said. Following the Christchurch attack, Melbourne based Not-for-Profit organisation Benevolence Australia opened its doors for the Annual Open Mosque Day. It was Sunday 17th March, just two days following the most deadly attack in Christchurch where a terrorist, Australian born, white supremacist and member of the alt right opened fire on the Al Nour Mosque and the Linwood Islamic Centre killing 51 worshippers and injuring many. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
In Victoria, Australia, the third annual Victorian Open Mosque Day was already planned and the events of Christchurch just two days prior, saw an outpouring of solidarity, compassion and pain in the many people that visited mosques across the State. Whilst not a mosque, Benevolence as a NFP educational organisation greeted the hun-
dreds who entered the sacred Bene space to feel humanity, to show empathy, to process the profound shock and the sadness that so many were feeling, Muslim and non-Muslim alike. Dr Susan Carland, Vice Chair of Benevolence joined Sr Saara Sabbagh, founder of Benevolence Australia in hosting an open-
Dr Susan Carland. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
house gathering to enable the many visitors a deeply and profoundly necessary conversation to be had with community. It was at that moment, that Dr Carland found herself reflecting on all those that had gathered, with standing room only, drawn together as a result of an unrelenting Islamophobic climate of hate and othering. The questions of how we as a society can move beyond this pain resonated deeply within her. “It was actually when I was sitting in Benevolence during Open Mosque Day straight after the Christchurch attack. I looked around the room and saw it filled with lovely, supportive people, but I wondered “Does this actually do anything? Do events like this change anything?” I went to see what the research said, and saw that while there was a decent amount of research on the causes and impact of Islamophobia, and some on what was being done to counter it, there was very limited research on what was actually effective. I wanted to change that”. Following the gathering, Dr Carland began researching avenues which could not only enable greater knowledge and understanding but also, provide a pathway for measurable action and change for Australians. The esteemed Churchill Fellowship Award which provides an unrivalled opportunity for those selected to experience world’s best practice in a specialised field became the focus of her inquiry. The Award stood out as a pathway that can make a measurable difference to Australian Communities. For more information on the Churchill Fellowship Award, in honour of the late Sir Winston Churchill visit churchilltrust.com.au/about/the-trust/ Jessica Swann (MIMW, BA) Intercultural engagement and media specialist in Islam West relations - Journalist I Presenter I Educator I Content-Creator. Director and Principal Consultant Jessica Swann Consulting Pty Ltd
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Sydney tribute to Gandhiji and Shastri Zia Ahmad An event to pay tribute to Mahatma Gandhi at the occasion of marking his 150th birthday and Lal Bahadur Shastri, a former PM of India marking his 115th birthday was held on Saturday 19 October at Western Sydney University, Rydalmere campus organised by Indian Overseas Congress Australia. Sydney siders were very fortunate to hear the untold stories of the two great Indian icons by their descendants face to face, Professor Uma Mesthri, great-granddaughter of Mahatma Gandhi and Mr Anil Shastri, son of PM LB Shastri. Mr Manoj Sharma, President of Indian Overseas Congress Australia (IOCA) welcomed the guests acknowledging the presence of a diverse variety of community leaders and activists, among them a large number of young people of Indian origin. Mr Sharma said that 2019 is a significant year where more than 100 nations in the world are celebrating the 150th anniversary of the birth of Gandhiji who propounded the idea of the non-violent struggle that has been emulated by many people throughout the world against oppression and domination. This man of peace and non-violence, unfortunately, became the victim of violence when he was shot by a Hindu extremist in 1948 and died soon after India became independent. This year also marked the 115th anniversary of Lal Bahadur Shastri, the second
Mr Anil Shastri.
Professor Uma Mesthri. prime minister of India, another man of peace who gave the slogan Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan and signed for a peace agreement with Pakistan and passed away due to heart failure in Russia while on his peace mission. A couple of documentaries were shown on the life and achievements of both of these Indian luminaries and their contribution to India and its people of all faiths and cultures. Professor Uma Mesthri shared family
stories of Gandhiji and his family in a most interesting manner and delved into the personality of her great-grandfather as told by her grandmother. She said that Gandhiji was initially a very shy man, but became a public figure after fighting for equality of man and a stalwart against racism starting from his time in South Africa and later in India. She disclosed that Gandhiji arranged the
marriage of his son, Prof Mesthri’s grandfather, with the daughter of a lady who used to reside in Gandhiji’s Ashram, in spite of her being partially deaf. Mr Shastri, a former union minister, during his keynote speech, talked about the simplicity of his father Lal Bahadur Shastri who remained steadfast during the war and opted for peace when the opportunity arose. After a Q&A session, refreshments were served together with informal discussions at the event. The Indian Overseas Congress Australia (IOCA) is an ASIC registered non profit organisation with Australia wide presence representing the ideology of Indian National Congress and conduct activities based on but not limited to the following broad objectives. • To work towards enhancing International Relations between India and Australia • Enhance Business, Trade, Cultural & Social Exchange • To facilitate networking opportunities between Indian political leaders and Australian leaders • To raise funds to support India during natural calamity or on other relevant issues • To promote the inclusive, democratic, secular and social justice values to enhance the goodwill of India • Conduct and convene meetings to discuss about the problems and needs of the Non Resident Indians and persons of Indian origins and effectively collaborate with Indian Government to resolve issues.
Day of fun at SAMAA’S Seniors’ picnic AMUST Media A large number of SAMAA seniors, members and volunteers filled the Cars Road Shelter of the famous Fagan Park at Galston on Sunday 6 October to enjoy annual SAMAA picnic. South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) has been caring for community elders since 2007 and organises events at regular intervals to alleviate social isolation faced by seniors after their retirement and as they age. SAMAA organised a special bus service from Auburn in coordination with Gallipoli Home to bring seniors to the picnic venue. Attendees enjoyed the delicious barbecue and South Asian Cuisine including biryani and desserts, much of which was prepared by SAMAA volunteers. The seniors not only enjoyed a day out with their contemporaries but were also given useful information about various aged care services. They were also entertained by local artists. Razia Sultana, a Sydney singer, sang a
Hamd to begin the cultural segment. Later she entertainment the audience with a few Bollywood songs. Mrs Nuzhat Ejaz and Mrs Shaheen Aleemullah conducted an interesting quiz in which the seniors participated with much enthusiasm. Mrs Kaneez Fatima Ali, Mr Rauf Rizvi and Mr Shahid Malik recited poetry to the delight of seniors. Anju Mathur, the Dementia and Well Being consultant of Uniting and recipient of 2019 NSW Volunteer of the award, gave an inspiring talk. Anju stressed the need for the commu-
nity elders to tell their difficulties and old age issues to relevant agencies. She said that there is huge reluctance among seniors of South Asian communities in disclosing their health and personal matters due to cultural traditions. The elderly generally would tell the aged care assessment bodies that their children were looking after them well, which may not be true very often. By doing so, they lose their entitlement of the services which they deserve. Anju gave details of the assessment process by MyAgedCare which is essential to
receive any service through aged care providers. The government offers Consumer Directed Care (CDC) Home Care Packages with four levels of care depending on the physical and mental needs of elders. SAMAA team would love to help elders in this assessment process in coordination with the service providers. Once a person is assessed as eligible and subject to availability, the Home Care Package approval will be allocated to the consumer. This will facilitate the provision of appropriate services. A similar process is required for admission into an aged care facility. Mr Zahid Jamil of SAMAA told the audience that SAMAA has signed Memorandum of Understanding with various providers. These include Uniting, one of the largest service providers in Australia, IWAA, the Muslim service provider for Home Care and Gallipoli Home, the first aged care facility built by a Muslim institution in Auburn. He urged the community elders and their families to come forward and avail the services which the seniors deserve after life long services to their families and the nation.
Robotics workshops in Western Sydney Shafqat Ali Young Innovators Network organized robotics workshop for kids during October school holidays in Campbelltown and Auburn. This was an amazing opportunity to make the kids smarter through interactive exercises. In Auburn, the workshop was run in collaboration with ISRA (Islamic Science and Research Academy). These workshops were catered for youth of South West of Sydney, which includes Liverpool, Campbelltown, and Auburn with
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over 100 participants. Need for increase the STEM studies is growing in the education sector that includes Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths. Robotics studies are such a comprehensive field of study that package all of the STEM fields. Using science study, a child has to learn to find a solution to the given problem. He/ she achieves through Robotics with his/her study skills in Maths, Computer Coding and Mechanical / Electrical engineering. Shafqat Ali based in Sydney is the Training Manager at Notebook Solutions, Campbelltown and a mentor with Young Innovators Network.
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ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Hanifa Deen mesmerises the audience with her storytelling style Mehar Ahmad The award-winning author, Hanifa Deen entertained a large group of Sydneysiders, overwhelmingly women with her unique style of storytelling on Saturday 19 October 2019 at ISRA offices in Auburn. The topic of her presentation was “Confessions of an accidental author: How I became a storyteller” where she explored the secrets of writing intuition, her ability to listen to her inner voice and to engage herself linking the past with the present and value her own personal history. The highly successful free event that included a multicultural supper was organised by ISRA Australia and sponsored by the Cumberland Council. The audience listening to Hanifa’s presentation learnt the rhythm of writing with the head and heart with the author of seven renowned books and a writing career that began 25 years ago that took her on a ‘Journey Among Australian Muslims’. Hanifa Deen of Pakistani ancestry, originally from Perth currently resides in Melbourne. She has been a teacher, researcher and senior public servant and for the last fifteen years she has been a social commentator and writer of non-fiction books. Hanifa has written widely on the issue of Australian Muslims and Muslim women, including the award-winning books Car-
Hanifa Deen.
Hanifa Deen at lunch with ISRA staff, AMUST team and Hazem El Masri.
avanserai, Broken Bangles and The Jihad Seminar. The event was MC Dr Mahsheed Ansari, a lecturer from Charles Sturt University (CSU) who remarked at the popularity of Hanifa as evidenced by a packed house at ISRA auditorium. Hanifa was introduced by Ms Katy Nebhan, a PhD student at the University of Sydney specialising in Australian Muslim History. Highly inspired by Hanifa, Katie talked about Hanifa’s ancestry, writings and contribution to history of Muslims in Australia. “I met her in 1998. When her book, Car-
Hanifa Deen in conversation.
avanserai came out. It was given to me by a my colleague to read it. I read the book promptly. Hanifa through her writing gave Muslim in Australia a voice,” Katy said. During her insightful yet humorous presentation with the help of overhead slides, Hanifa Deen talked about her life, her ancestry, her family and how she became a writer. “Originally, I was a teacher and later I was writing speeches for politicians. I never thought of becoming a writer. Brian, one of my colleagues who was a publisher at Penguin, 25 years ago trapped into writing a book proposal and send it to publishers Allan & Unwin. So I did and my first book Caravanserai was born,” Hanifa recalled. “Why do I write about social Justice? This is because of my family background. My family butted heads with the White Australia Policy that was established in 1901,” she said. Ridiculing the White Australia Policy, Hanifa said, “At that time if Jesus came to Australia they won’t let him in. Amongst Muslims, those days only some Bosnians were allowed entry into Australia because they were white. It was nothing about religion.” “During my research for writing, I real-
ised that there were some exploiters and some exploiters in the society. Australians called us mossies and hence we Muslims are Aussie Mossies. I was trying to breakdown the stereotype. I started to travel around Australia to collect the stories of Muslims and I came to Lakemba,” she said while talking about her book ‘Ali Abdul v The King: Muslims stories from the dark days of White Australia’ published in 2011. “I went to detention centre where women and children were behind the barbed wire. One day the boss in the detention centre decided to do something for the children during Christmas time. Someone dressed up as a Santa and calling children by their number instead of their names to give them presents. Santa was told to call them with their name, but Santa mentioned that he doesn’t know their names, he only knows them by number,” she recalled. “Bilal Cleland (a regular AMUST columnist) once asked me to attend a seminar on a court case that will conclude very soon but it went on for five and half years resulting in my book “ The Jihad Seminar,” she said. The program ended with a Q&A session and signing of her books bought by some members of the audience.
Sydney protest for Bangladesh student killing Md Juman Hussan A protest was held on Sunday 13 October in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba in order to demand justice for the killing of Abrar Fahad, a Bangladesh university student who dared to criticise the Bangladesh government. The protestors carried signs with messages like “Safe Campus For All Students” and “Justice For Abrar.” The protest program was anchored by Journalist Abul Kalam Azad with the help of I Right Chairman Habib Rahman, Engineer Suhel, Anm Masum, Nasim Ahmed, Liakot Ali Shopon, Nargis Banu, Dr Abdul Wahab, Yasir Arafat Sobuj, Abida Sultana, Md Juman Hussan and Sofiqul Hoq. The program included the singing of national Anthem of both Bangladesh and Australia by the protestors. Abrar Fahad was a second-year-student at Bangladesh University of Engineering and NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
Technology (BUET) who was found dead at the campus on Monday 7 October. Fahad’s body was found on a stairway at the university dormitory. An autopsy showed that he had been bludgeoned with blunt objects and had extensive bruises on his hands, legs and back. In a post on Facebook dated Saturday 5 October Fahad had criticised the government move to share water with India, after Dhaka and New Delhi announced the signing of several deals, including allowing India to draw water from Bangladesh’s Feni river. “They (the BCL men) did not allow Abrar to drink water when he (Abrar) asked for water and they did not allow him (Sadat) and others to take the victim to hospital for treatment,” Sadat, also a BCL activist, said. Sadat also said that Monir asked him to bring Abrar to another room from his room at Sher-e-Bangla Hall on the night of Sunday 6 October the attack on Abrar.
Abrar Fahad.
Md Juman Hussan is the news editor of Showdesh Barta and Australia correspondence of sylhetview24.com. He is actively contribute by his articles and poems. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
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AUSTRALIA Imam Konda wins African community award AMUST
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Musicians for refugees bag prestigious awards
Imam Adama Konda.
Manarul Islam Imam Adama Konda, Imam of Canberra Islamic Centre and Masjid Sabah Al-Ahmad, has won the ACT African Australian Religious Leader Award for 2019. At a ceremony held at Southern Cross Club in Woden, Canberra, on 28 September 2019, Imam Konda was presented the award by the Celebration of African Australians organisation which conducts the annual ACT African Australian Awards. The Awards aim to celebrate, appreciate and showcase the contributions of African Australians to the nation’s collective growth and prosperity. The certificate was received on behalf of Imam Konda by Mohameden H’meida as the Imam was on another assignment on the invitation by the Charles Darwin University Muslim Student Society as guest speaker on what they themed “Imam Konda Top End Tour.” One of the event organisers, Mr Charles Coker, described Imam Konda as truly deserving of the award.
He said that the Imam has “an outstanding and positive impact in the community in his various roles as Islamic leader, school teacher and parent. I came to know Islam as a tolerant religion from some of the lectures of Imam Konda, which is totally different from what is carried out in the media. As a religious leader myself, I believe you cannot just claim to love God and not people. Imam Konda is a great blessing to the city of Canberra in particular and of course the wider Australian society.” The chief administrator and teacher of the Canberra Islamic Center Community school re-echoed Pastor Kokers statement. Siar Azad described Imam Konda as a very deserving candidate of the award. He added that Imam Konda is always friendly, respectful to the diversity of the cultures in the community, well-equipped leader and counsellor. When asked about his feelings of being recognised by his peers as the Religious Leader for the ACT, Imam Adam said “the recognition brings with it a feeling of responsibility. It’s reminding me about the seriousness of my tasks in leading mankind to God - all mankind; those who believed and those who do not believe.” It is not the first time a CIC community member has been recognised for his contribution to society. Last year, Amadu Barrie was presented with the ACT Volunteer of the Year award.
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Philip Feinstein, NSW 2019 Volunteer of the Year. AMUST Media Musicians, Philip Feinstein and Adriaan Mees were presented with awards earlier this month for their long-term voluntary services in helping refugees. In 2008 Philip, an ex-South African and Adriaan, an ex-Dutchman realised how valuable music would be for refugees incarcerated in detention centres. The highly respected STARTTS organisation presented Adriaan with their Refugee Support award for 2019, while Philip was presented with the 2019 Volunteer of the Year Award by the Centre for Volunteering. Earlier in July this year Philip Feinstein was presented with an award from AMUST for his outstanding contributions to the Australasian Muslim Times on a regular basis. “When I first approached SERCO, the managing agents of Villawood, they were keen to discuss the project” said Philip Feinstein. When Philip arrived for their first meeting, he was disappointed to see that there were no instruments at all on the premises. “I realised that this created a need to ob-
Adriaan Mees (right) receiving STARTTS Refugee Support Award 2019.
tain many instruments for the refugees to use, “he added. And so began the task of procuring instruments. “The most popular instruments amongst the detainees have been guitar and percussion,” said Adriaan Mees, a proficient guitar teacher of many years. Since the opening of the Villawood Detention Centre, the clients have come from various parts of the world including Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, Sri Lanka, Nigeria and many more places. The mixture of religions is also across the board with people of Muslim, Christian, Hindu and other religions. “Some of them already knew how to play an instrument, but most were starting from scratch,” commented Mees. After a period of about one year the detention centre began to fill up with instruments. “Over time the number of compounds have changed” said Feinstein. “When I first arrived there were children in detention as well, I so I structured my programs to cater to them as well.” And being a piano player, he always ensured that there was a piano in each of the sections. Although he can play various instruments,
Adriaan Mees focuses on teaching guitar to as many refugees as possible, sometimes teaching 4 or 5 at the same time. “It is quite a challenge, but very rewarding,” he said. Both Philip and Adriaan agree that music is paramount for the centre. “We see people becoming more and more relaxed when the music starts,” was their combined view. And the fact that there are so many languages spoken there does not matter. They both have printed word sheets of well known songs which, despite mainly being in English, are sung with great enthusiasm. Mees and Feinstein visit the centre on alternative weeks. This makes it easier for SERCO to schedule the sessions and give most of their clients a good feel for the music as a stress-reliever. Despite the number of refugee clients dropping, the number of non-citizen ‘501-detainees’ is increasing, so the overall number of incarcerated detainees stays pretty much the same. “As far as we are concerned, they are also human beings who also need counselling by way of music jamming and music tuition” they both expressed.
Rabia wins Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award Farhan Rasul
Rabia (left) with Dame Marie Bashir (centre).
Rabia Rasul 17, a year 12 student at Mount Saint Benedict College was recognised with the Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award at a ceremony held at the NSW Parliament House on Monday 30 September 2019. The award was presented to Rabia by the former governor of NSW Professor Marie Bashir herself along with the National Council of Women of New South Wales, in recognition of her commitment and her efforts to raise money for charity. The Dame Marie Bashir Peace Award recognises women who have made an outstanding contribution to harmony in many ways, and those who have fostered harmonious relationships and shown persistence and courage in the field of peace and harmony within the wider society. Rabia has received a myriad of awards and medals through her dedication towards extra-curricular activities and her passion for charity work. She was one of six girls
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throughout the state of NSW who was recognised with this honour. Rabia’s involvement in various multicultural activities, including her organisation of Harmony Day events in 2016 and 2018 where she raised over $7500 for Careflight and her role in countlessly advocating and embracing the need for cultural diversity in
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the community have led her being the recipient of this award. Through the eagerness and vision that she possesses, she has been the recipient of many awards honoring her devotion towards great causes, and her passion in going out of her way to help others has officially been recognised. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Muslims call for anti-vilification laws
Faseeha Hashmi In a recent submission to the Morrison government’s religious discrimination bill, a coalition of around 150 Muslim groups have regarded safety as of the uttermost concern; with anti-vilification provisions as a necessity. The collective called for the government to further strengthen the bill with a provision to make it unlawful to “harass, vilify, or incite hatred or violence” against a person’s religious belief or activity. Concern for bigotry has been building ever since former Attorney-General George Brandis defended the “right to be a bigot” during the Government’s failed plan to amend the 1975 Racial Discrimination Act (RDA). The group, which included the Australian National Imams Council, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Lebanese Muslim Association, went further to elucidate that the current socio-political climate has made it increasingly “mainstream” and “normal” to incite violence against everyday Australian Muslim. Noting anti-Muslim rhetoric has been on the rise. Certainly, Australian Muslims feel vulnerable especially as they appear highly visible and “readily identifiable” by names, appearance, dress and safety concerns for places of worship. Preceding the Christchurch massacre, recent vandalisation of Brisbane’s Holland Park Mosque and alongside a suspicious arson attack at Canberra mosque, the Muslim community is perturbed about further violent Islamophobic attacks.
AUSTRALIA Freedom of speech should not mask racism
At the heart of this plea, they recognised that the incitement to hatred and violence is a”fundamental threat” to all Australian Muslim communities groups. Furthermore, they recognised that the RDA fails to provide a safety net for Muslims under the 18C clause which recognises circumstances which “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” a person or group. The assembled group pointed out the fact that those that practise Islam make up countless ethnic communities. Whilst, Jewish people and Sikhs are afforded extra defence under the RDA, as they are regarded as an ethnoreligious community, Muslims who belong to countless ethnic communities are not covered for religious discrimination under RDA. The assembled group went further to explain that indeed, it is our responsibility to ensure that all people in our society are protected from vilification and demonisation and no one has the right to menace or discriminate. As a liberal democratic system, Australia is founded on the rule of law and does not have an official American-style Bill of Rights. Nevertheless, strengthening human rights on all fronts is imperative. Just as racism is no longer tolerated, all devout God-fearing communities deserve the same protection. As it currently stands, the bill makes it unlawful to discriminate against someone based on their faith. All Australian communities including Muslims, deserve to express their religious identity and feel safe. If enacted with these vital provisions, it would be a spiriting safeguard helping to encompass everyone within our society.
Chris Hayes MP Speech on Discrimination given during Private Members’ Business session on Monday 21 October in the Australian Federal Parliament by Mr Chris Hayes MP, Federal member for Fowler and Chief Opposition. ‘Our vision is an Australia with a hopeful and vibrant sense of nationhood; one that owns and celebrates its cosmopolitan nature. Necessary to that nationhood is the ability to grasp the most difficult contentions and tensions with honesty, genuine listening and mutual respect.’ That’s an extract from the Australian National Imams Council. It was in their submission to the Religious Discrimination Bill, which is currently in exposure draft form. I decided to use that extract because I believe it succinctly puts into perspective the need for action to be taken to protect the social harmony of our diverse communities, with this being so crucial to the continuation not only of our multiculturalism but of Australian democracy itself. I have the honour of representing one of the most multicultural communities in this country, made up of a diverse range of people that have come from various parts of the world, bringing with them their culture and their religious backgrounds. I have personally seen the benefits that come from multicultural communities and, to that end, multiculturally diverse nations such as the one we live in, Australia. We are a bigger, better and bolder nation because of the contribution of those who have come across the seas to make this country their home. All Australians should be able to go about their lives free from discrimination, religious vilification and hate-motivated violence. Unfortunately, in recent times, many Australians haven’t had the ability to enjoy those freedoms following events such as the Islamophobic attack at the mosque in Christchurch and the anti-Semitic attack on Jewish worshippers in a synagogue in Germany. These things have really become a point of contention in many areas of the community. It is these hate-filled crimes which have motivated white supremacist ideology on our shores, including the repeated attacks on
the Holland Park mosque in Brisbane—and I thank the Member for Moreton for bringing this motion to our attention. Only last week, an incident was reported of a man carrying a machete walking towards a congregation of worshippers at that very mosque. Luckily in that instance, neighbours of the mosque brought to the group’s attention what this fellow was up to, and as a consequence he departed. Nevertheless, that would have left people pretty shaken—to think that someone was trying to enter a mosque with a machete. Research by the Executive Council of Australian Jewry last year found that there had been a 60 percent increase in anti-Semitic incidents in the preceding 12 months. Similarly, the Office of the eSafety Commissioner has noted that 53 percent of youth in Australia have witnessed anti-Muslim content online. It’s just reprehensible to think that this is occurring under our watch. In social policy terms, the impacts are grave, with research indicating that such behaviour creates an environment which cultivates discrimination and vilification, normalises negative attitudes and, moreover, is linked to extremism, such as that we witnessed in Christchurch. To this extent, the Islamophobia Register has found that discrimination facing our community comes in the form of bullying at schools; personal attacks, including verbal insults; vandalising of buildings with graffiti; and targeting religious dress. What is more distressing, quite frankly, is that women are the main targets of personal attacks based on religion and that almost half of all personal attacks that have occurred on women have occurred in public and crowded places. That should be a concern to all of us. It is these statistics which reinforce our collective need to protect religious communities and minorities at risk of danger from incitement of hatred and violence. We must stand united and stand against hatred. Hatred stands in stark contrast to the values we all subscribe to. For those who mask freedom of speech as a form of protection against racism, let me say to Members that freedom of speech does not and should not ever equate to the freedom to spread intolerance and division in our community. Mr Chris Hayes MP is the Federal Member for the NSW seat of Fowler and Chief Opposition Whip.
Without prejudice towards a harmonious society Ernie Friedlander OAM Reviewing the issues leading to racism – some ignorance, but primarily prejudice. Created by an incident leading to stereotyping, generalising, branding, and disparity- instead of considering people on their merit. It also can be what was overheard or taught and not considering the merit. The Moving Forward Together organisation has linked up with the B’nai B’rith Alfred Dreyfus Anti Defamation Unit in initiating a proactive Anti Racism campaign. Prejudice will be a key point of the project. Several other organisations have also joined a consortium, identifying with the need for such a program. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
After a lot of research and seeing the rise of racism all over the world, requires a concerted and united effort. We should not sit back and wait for it to be even bigger. There is a lot of apathy and feeling it may not touch me, becoming a Bystander. Instead, we need empathy to address this through education and awareness. We can take a “Head in Sand “attitude and say: • It is too difficult • What can we do about it • Experts have tried and failed • It’s the Government’s job. There may certainly be some merit to these excuses. But actions are needed for the sake of our children and grandchildren and humanity in general. The actions that should be considered are: • Appealing to conscience and de-
cency of people, thereby addressing the negatives of racism • Galvanise society to take action as individuals, communal and local level • Showing that there is light at the end of the tunnel and plenty of Hope The message we are generating needs to be powerful enough to get people to realise that each person can make a difference can be a Champion of what is Right. By working towards it, step by step huge benefits will be achieved. We know it is not a quick fix, but with patience and perseverance, it will change attitudes, values and thinking. We want to encourage people to Stop, Think and carefully Consider their actions and reactions carefully. This will certainly help to avoid conflicts escalating substantially.
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Vilification should certainly be the first target as it can only lead to violence. There is solid political support has already been established for this enterprise. It now needs media involvement and broad undertakings to promote it to as wide an audience as possible. There is still work to be done to properly implement it. For this, a Working Party was established to fine-tune, consolidate and finalise the concept by early 2020. By considering the positives of life, it will be much easier to put it in perspective the negatives that we all encounter at time. Let us Move Forward Together to consider other people’s feelings and be kind to each other. Ernie Friedlander OAM is the President of the Moving Forward Together Association based in Sydney.
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Canan Coskun: Finalist for TEACHX 2019 award Ayesha Yusuf Ms Canan Coskun, the Head of Primary in Wisdom College, was chosen by the Queensland College of Teachers (QCT) as one of the finalists of their TEACHX ‘Contribution to School Community Award’ in September 2019. The Dr Joe McCorley OAM Award for an ‘Outstanding Contribution to the School Community’, was set up by QCT in 2018 in order to provide recognition for inspirational teachers who are the heart of the school community. Every year, the QCT offers an opportunity for teachers to be nominated for their TEACHX Awards. Ms Coskun had been nominated for three QCT TEACHX Awards, eg Excellence in Teaching, Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning, and Outstanding Contribution to School Community. The six winners were announced on Thursday 24 October 2019 out of 30 finalists from among 243 nominations. The TEACHX Awards are the only state government awards that recognise teachers from all schooling sectors and the early childhood education sector, across all subjects. Ms Canan Coskun is the second teacher from Wisdom College who has been recognized by QCT. Previously Ms Tahnee Brown won the Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award in 2017. Wisdom College is an Independent School
Canan Coskun.
that aims to provide students with academic excellence on the one hand and moral and ethical values on the other. Wisdom College students are from a diverse learning community from 44 cultural backgrounds. Canan has played a key role in the development of Wisdom College from its early years, right until now. She initiated the Wisdom values, eg Respect, Integrity, Compassion and Excellence, which form the basis of the School’s vision and mission. She also implemented and led the social-emotional development program “You Can Do It” into Wisdom College as well as the staff well-being program. As a member of QIS (Queensland Independent Schools), Canan has been involved in many interfaith and community projects.
She has initiated various school projects the longest one being the 3-year SIS (Self-improving Schools) project. Canan has also organised a variety of professional development programs such as differentiation and behaviour management. She has developed and assisted teachers in implementing a whole school-inquiry approach which aims to develop in Wisdom College students, 21st-century skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving and higher-order thinking. Canan’s hard work and efforts have even extended outside the Wisdom community. She initiated and ran a successful fundraising project whereby Wisdom College students together with the school community raised $5K to build a water well in Cambo-
dia. Her key strength lies in her ‘approachability’, and she is always ready to meet with parents to discuss any issues of concern. As the Principal, Mr Fethullah Erdogan states, “Ms Canan Coskun has been my best support and asset at Wisdom College”. The following six winners of the QCT Awards were announced at the TEACHX Awards ceremony on Thursday 24 October 2019 at Customs House, Brisbane: 1. Excellence in Beginning to Teach Award: Laura Loucks, Tagai State College – Badu Island campus, the Torres Strait. 2. Excellence in Teaching Award: Carla Trott, St Aidan’s Anglican Girls’ School, Brisbane. 3. Excellent Leadership in Teaching and Learning Award: Andrew Peach, Marsden State High School, Brisbane. 4. Innovation in Teaching Award: Jennifer Irving, Nambour Special School, the Sunshine Coast. 5. Outstanding Contribution to School Community Award: Tamika Megawatt, Maroochydore State High School, the Sunshine Coast. 6. The Courier-Mail Outstanding Contribution to Teaching Award: Norah Parsons, Moura State High School, Moura. Mrs N. Ayesha Yusuf is a retiree who has volunteered with schools and other organisations. Her ‘mission’ is to assist these organisations/schools in the areas of teaching English as a Foreign Language to both children and adult learners. Ayesha also assists in the editing of magazines/publications for Muslim organisations/schools, as and when necessary.
Pledge for togetherness and peace Kim Chong The International Day of Peace is observed globally on 21 September each year, as declared by the General Assembly of the United Nations. The day was originally a time to pause conflict in a war zone. But this year’s message from the UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, invited further pause for another threat to peace, climate change. “Peace is much more than a world free of war,” Guterres declared. “It means resilient, stable societies where everyone can enjoy fundamental freedoms and thrive rather than struggle to meet basic needs.” Guterres warned that our current climate emergency is a “global crisis” and asked
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that “we take concrete climate action”. For peace to prevail, Gutteres insisted that it is “only by working together can we make our only home peaceful, prosperous and safe for us and future generations”. Living in Australia means many of us enjoy the fundamental freedoms that Guterres asserts for a thriving society. But it is “only by working together” that we can make a real difference in alleviating further threats to peace and freedom. Prescient to this message of togetherness is that we see through our differences to our common humanity and the interconnection that we share with each other and our home, planet Earth. On this day, Saturday 21 September 2019, in one small corner of the globe, namely the Uniting Church’s Fellowship Centre in the headquarters of Parramatta Mission, more than 350 people from 15 different faiths and spiritualities gathered together to offer prayers for peace and celebrate our cultural
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and religious diversity through music, song and dance. During his keynote address, Professor Peter Shergold AC, Chancellor of Western Sydney University, spoke of the contributions refugees have made to Australia. The gathering was an outright expression of togetherness and peace. Minister of Parramatta Mission’s Leigh Memorial Church and MC of the event, Rev Dr Manas Ghosh, said, “On this day, we gather people of religions from A-Z, with representatives spanning Aboriginal spirituality to the Zoroastrian Communities. Those in between include people from the Baha’i, Brahma Kumaris, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Islamic, Jain, Jewish, Mandaean, Sikh and Sufi traditions.” For 16 years, Rev Dr Manas Ghosh has hosted this Interfaith Peace Service on the UN International Peace Day, first in Lindfield, then for the last 8 years in Parramatta. This local event might seem small on a global scale, but its interpretation of our interconnection, through lauding our religious and cultural differences, and the peace that
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this emanates, looms large. The prayers and performances this year were expressed in 10 different languages, in costumes, music and movement foreign to many of us in the audience, but they were nonetheless an expression of the values central to our humanity and what binds us together – humility, love, kindness, truth, light, compassion, respect, creation, community, joy and in a word, peace. Particular to this year’s Interfaith Peace Service was that all the prayers and many of the performances were conducted by children, from pre-school age to adolescence. Only the day before, children in more than 200 nations skipped school to participate in strikes demanding urgent action on climate change. Their message is that grown-ups listen up and take action for a safe and prosperous future. Their message is for peace. It is up to all of us to model this, together, no matter how small. Kim Chong based in Sydney is Media & Community Liaison, Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Around the Bay bike ride to help Aussie kids Sakinah Bokhari Around the Bay is Australia’s largest cycling event with over 10,000 cyclists of all abilities congregating in Melbourne every year with ride options ranging from 20km to 300 km. Riders raise money for the Smith Family who provide practical education for children in need. Both Tanya Kubitza from Melbourne and Sakinah Ahmad from Sydney participated in the ride and thoroughly enjoyed it. Tanya did the 20km ride and Sakinah did the 135 km ride. It has been an annual event for the last 26 years with cyclists enjoying beautiful coastal ride, soaking up one of the most beautiful stretches of Port Phillip Bay, 17km of pristine coastal riding between Safety Beach and Mornington with 6.5 kilometres of closed roads from Safety Beach to Mt Martha. The 135 km ride began in Geelong, then down to board the Queenscliff to Sorrento
Ferry for a scenic 40-minute boat trip between the Bellarine and Morning Peninsulas. The finish line was in Albert Park, Melbourne. Finishing the course was not an easy feat. It was a challenging and windy ride, but the sun came out eventually. It was worth the effort to give disadvantaged kids the chance to reach their true potential. Cyclists received their medals at the finish line and enjoyed the festival atmosphere at Albert Park with fellow cyclists, family and friends. Personally, it was a great sense of euphoria and accomplishment to finish the 135 km course among our fellow Australians who share the same passion for cycling. It took a lot of planning and organisation to go to Melbourne from Sydney to participate in the event, but it was made easier by the huge amount of support received from family, community and the Bicycle Network. You can watch highlights of my cycling here: https://tinyurl.com/y6ntgrd3 Sakinah Bokhari is a high school teacher based in Sydney.
Noosa: The northern alternative for Queensland holidaymakers
Suraya Daly For many of the Brisbane folk, when we think about going for just a little road trip or trip away, a majority of us will think of the Gold Coast. It’s seen by tourists as the holiday capital of Queensland after all. In the recent long weekend, so many Brisbane locals flocked to the Gold Coast that there was a gridlock that Monday afternoon on the highway for the people returning home to Brisbane. I was glad to have opted to plan the long weekend to the beautiful Sunshine Coast’s Noosa. Noosa, on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, is surrounded by stunning beaches, lakes, national parks and the lush hinterland of Noosa National Park. If you love places that are laidback, calm, with no hustle and bustle in sight, Noosa is the perfect destination. After a busy working year in Brisbane full of ups and downs, this was exactly what I looked for in a four-day getaway. My accommodation of choice was in Tewantin, which is a central suburb in Noosa. It’s the perfect location to stay as tourist hotspots such as Noosa National Park and Noosa Heads are close by with a similar driving distance. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
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A major hip shopping/restaurant hub nearby is the lively Hastings Street. Its close proximity to the beach, beachside restaurants and fashion shops mean you can have multiple strolls down this street and be intrigued by what you discover each time. It was delightful having lunch by the beach, browsing the shops on Hastings Street, and going for a dip in the water at the Noosa Heads Main Beach. We were also blessed by fantastic weather that weekend. For the rest of the trip, I had dinner at a lovely fine-dining restaurant in the picturesque Noosa Marina, bushwalked at the Noosa National Park and visited Sunshine Beach, and enjoyed fish and chips at the popular Noosaville Fish Market and mixed Asian takeaway in Tewantin. I highly recommend Noosa as a holiday destination for a simple, beautiful and cost-effective holiday for Queenslanders, Australians and international holidaymakers alike. Suraya Daly is a graduate of the Queensland University of Technology in the qualifications of the Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries and a Bachelor of Journalism. She is a Client Relations Executive and has a passion for writing, where she would often hone her creativity by contributing articles which can be found on her blog on www.surayaspeaks.wordpress.com. For enquiries, please reach out to suraya.daly@gmail.com
Countering negative effects of online activities
Md Juman Hussan Online Games and Social Media engagement has restricted kids and teens outdoor activities such as playing cricket, football, swimming etc creating negative effect on their physical and mental health. A report published by IZA Institute of Labor Economics even suggests that just one hour a day on social media can make a teen miserable. The study also theorized that this may be caused by issues of cyberbullying, an increase in social comparisons, and a decrease in real-life, face-to-face activities. According to a University of Alberta study, “Social media makes it all feel a little closer to home, when in reality statistics show that kids are actually safer today than they were in the past,” “The safety concerns are not really founded, but they’re heightened because of social media. That didn’t happen in their grandparents’ days.” Another 2015 study by the British Psychological Society finds that teenagers be-
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ing obligated to be responsive to social media (liking posts, answering texts and direct messages) throughout the day affects their mental health. A University of Michigan study seem to indicate that in young adults, Facebook use leads to decline in subjective well-being. The more young adults use Facebook, the worse they feel moment-to-moment and the less they feel satisfied with their lives overall. Thus, it is clear that, we have to inspire our young people to do more outdoor activities that can positively enhance their mental health and well-being. Some solutions: 1. Attending more outdoor games. 2. Inspiring them to read books. 3. Parents should give more time for recreation. 4. Face to face debating competitions. 5. Involvement with hobbies. 6. Intercultural and interfaith involvement. 7. Counselling at school about negative effect effects of excessive online gaming and social media use.
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ASPIRE program helps women change the world Jack Walden Less than one month after graduating from the ASPIRE program run by Victoria University’s Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, 15 young Muslim women are using newly developed governance and leadership skills to support 34 community organisations. The 15 women, who were born in 14 different countries and speak 17 different languages, share a common desire to change the world, but lacked some of the leadership skills to make the change happen. Over a six month period, the ASPIRE program gave the women the opportunity to learn new leadership and governance skills through a mixture of classroom sessions, mentoring, and group activities, and took 15 women with individual strength and created a force to help change the world. The women learnt how to assert themselves, how to lead a boardroom, how to create opportunities and how to maximise the impact of an organisation’s mission. These skills will take the group far in their careers. The skills will also be shared with colleagues and peers. This year’s graduates are the third group of young Muslim women to complete the ASPIRE program. Director of the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre, Professor Kathy Laster says the benefits continue to reach far beyond the individuals. “These young women are already playing important roles in their community and with the lessons they have learnt through ASPIRE will be able to make an even bigger impact and continue to give back through the community organisations they work with,” Professor Laster said. Among the most innovative part of the program, a group of CEOs and senior lead-
ers from non-profit organisations including AMES Australia, Benevolence Australia, Fitted for Work, Foundation for Young Australians and Justice Connect act as mentors for the ASPIRE participants. These sessions provide an opportunity for the women to learn about the individual leadership skills of each leader as well as gain insights into
organisational best practice. The ASPIRE program is supported by Lord Mayors Charitable Foundation, and the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre is developing a model where ASPIRE can be delivered within communities for communities. A new program will begin in early 2020, with a call for applications beginning later
Realisation
Umar ibn Tim What am I to make of it all, breath to breath the rise and the fall, Of my chest and the Golden Lamp, day by day cast onto the damp, Dark earth beneath me, just briefly, a few short years reach out to meet me, Before farewells and last goodbyes, then wrapped and prone, alone I’ll lie. What am I to make of it all? ***** Oh, my dear friend … What of the beauty and the splendour, the orange glow of the final ember, The campfire crackle and smoky scent, our night out bush when we last went, Among the gums and the banksias, the grass trees and the hakeas, The mountain air and calming breeze, moving our manic minds to ease. What of the crystal clear cold water, carried along by that peaceful porter, Meandering over pebbles and stones, smoothed to round, with soft coloured tones. The soothing trickle of the river run, from one to many and many to one, Heaven sent and scattered about, now gathered together with measured clout. What of the gang-gang and the galah, rosellas, whip birds, and budgerigars, The haunting call of the black cockatoo, and the playful prancing of young kangaroos. A comically clumsy wombat’s retreat, startled - at last - by approaching feet, The dragons sprawled on a sunny ledge, of rocks, down by the river’s
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edge. What of the sky spread out up there, Rembrandt’s palette could scarcely dare, Approximate such subtle hues, vivid colours, rubies and blues. Shades of amber, silvers and greys, and at times that surreal haze, Stoked by summer’s glowing guest, a whole new spectrum its bequest. What of our days down at the beach, warm, soft sand subsuming each, Barefoot, cool water drawing us in, beyond the breakers where the dolphins swim. The underwater world just off the rocks, with magical fish and sea-sculpted blocks, Gardens of weed decked with shimmering shells, dancing daintily to the rhythmic swell. What of the ripples of peach and jade grass, the coruscant waves mapping breezes that pass, Through seas of pasture fringed by green
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groves, offering ample shade to the droves. The grand verandahs ‘round rural homesteads, with rusty browns adorning the sheds, The lonely peace of a country road, where space has swelled and time has slowed. What of the star-studded heavens at night, the silhouette shapes of fruit bats in flight, The waxing and waning of the Luminous Sign, above, marking out the passage of time. The dim-cast shadows in pale moonlight, nocturnal mammals just out of sight, Relief for tired eyes, relief for the mind, a time to reflect, a time to unwind. What of the inconceivable cosmos, this dazzling display in the deep that surrounds us, Of light; seen and unseen, extended, way past that which can be comprehended. The worlds, numbered like drops in an
this year. Jack Walden manages media and communications for the Sir Zelman Cowen Centre at Victoria University and is based in Melbourne, Australia.
ocean, each one unique, like a cloud in motion, What extravagance is this, that we gaze upon, from our Vantage Spot as it courses along. What of the taste of a home-cooked meal, the simple pleasure that we all feel, On a winter’s night, warm and dry, inside our homes, our loved ones nigh. Laughing aloud at life’s mishaps, sharing time for that overlap, Between our souls, that space for love, for all those things worth dreaming of. What of the flutter of a love-struck heart, the first tender kiss on the lips as you part, From your beloved, who’s swallowed you whole, who’s found in you food for her soul. What of the radiant joy on the face, of a young child who with reverent grace, Looks up to you admiringly, blind to your faults and frailties. What of the greatest mount of all, your dad’s broad shoulders when you’re small, The safety of his bear embrace, that gentle smile upon his face. What of the one who’d never rest, until she knew you had the best, Of life, and through great sacrifice, your mum gifted you a paradise. What of it all, my friend? ***** It is all from God to you. Surely we belong to God and to Him we shall return. - The Qur’aan
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ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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EDUCATION 24 - 26
BUSINESS 27
TRAVEL 28 - 29
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Communities tackle crisis of pornography Wael Ibrahim Around the world, over 2000 people gathered across 9 nations towards the end of September 2019 to discuss the hidden epidemic created by online pornography. Community groups from Egypt, Jordan, Palestine, Kuwait, Turkey, Pakistan, USA, New Zealand and Australia have gathered with the single aim to create awareness and discussion around the undeniable harms facing families from pornography’s impact. Spearheaded by Wael Ibrahim of the AWARE Academy, parents, psychologists, psychiatrists, sexologists, academics and advocates from diverse cultural backgrounds united for one cause—to break the shame and silence about the health and relational harms created by pornography, with a particular focus on children and youth. Australia’s line up of speakers flew in from the United States, Brisbane and Perth, attracting guests from Sydney, Melbourne, regional Australia and as far afield as New Zealand. Renowned academic Dr Michael Flood provided robust evidence on how pornography is one risk factor, among many, for sexual violence perpetration; and was clear about the ways in which pornography is both a sexist and unhelpful educator. Liz Walker, Deputy Chair of eChildhood and founder of Youth Wellbeing Project, drove home the realities of prevalence rates of kids accessing pornography, with research finding that 65.5% of boys and 30%
of girls view pornography by the age of 12 years old—most content is violent and aggressive in nature. Walker also highlighted strategies and resources to assist parents and educators to have important but tricky conversations. Executive Director of eChildhood, Tamara Newlands, shared what is being done in Australia to address this issue from a public health perspective, including the possibilities of Age Verification to reduce children’s access. Presenter, Gabe Deem, was among the first in the world to blow the whistle on porn’s harms on young men’s sexual function, after suffering from porn induced erectile dysfunction at the age of 23. Monthly, 15,000 people of all ages access the support of Reboot Nation, a selfhelp forum founded and managed by Deem. Another forum site, NoFap, attracts around 500,000 users every month and similar sites attract millions in countries such as Japan.
Deem’s message of how porn potentially conditions users’ brains to porn-induced extreme themes—and may result in reduced capacity to function sexually with a partner—has never been more important for the myriad of emerging young porn consumers. Dr Rob Weiss had also attended the event and was more focused on adults use of pornography and the difference impacts that porn could have on them versus on children. The event was concluded by Wael Ibrahim who emphasised on the importance of prevention better than cure, in the sense that we must raise an awareness, not only about pornography, but also on any irresponsible media that could lead to this trap. Attendees were provided with solid strategies to support kids through this cultural war and were inspired to speak up about pornography for the sake of the well-being of families and communities. The Aware conference had the support of Australian Registered Health Promotion
Charity, eChildhood, along with sponsorship from Safe4Kids, Youth Wellbeing Project, Seeking Integrity, Human Appeal and Reboot Nation. Communities wanting similar events organised in their region can contact Wael Ibrahim from Aware Academy. Mobile: 0414919806 Email: wael@wael-ibrahim.com Web: www.facebook.com/awareAU/ Wael Ibrahim is best known for his work on fighting the plague of pornography addiction and the harmful impacts of irresponsible media. He’s an international speaker, trainer, teacher, and a certified life coach. He is also the founder of Mentor PLUS, Connect Institute and the Co-founder of the AWARE Academy, an institute of educating the masses about the potential harms of Pornography. Currently, Wael is a student counsellor in one of the largest schools in Western Australia.
Protests and the 5 tips to control Law in NSW your anger Dr Kamran Ayub
Tammy Tong The NSW Police Force recognises that people have a right to free speech and peaceful demonstration. Where possible, police will attempt to negotiate with all groups wanting to use a particular public space for such purpose. In managing the use of public space, police will be impartial, and will use their discretion to facilitate the lawful activities of all parties. To properly manage the use of public space, police may need to collect information for legitimate policing purposes. A form, known as Schedule 1, must be submitted to police either by fax, email or hand delivered in advance of holding the demonstration. This form should be completed by a representative of the organization holding the demonstration. Police will assess the request and make a decision whether to grant or refuse permission to hold the demonstration, depending on a number of factors, including but not limited to, time, date, location, other corresponding activities in the area, resourcNOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
es and risk to people and property. Police also consult with other agencies, such as councils, RMS etc when making a decision. Note that the primary goal of police will be the maintenance of law and order, public safety and security, as all people have the right to feel safe and secure. To do this in such cases, police may need to exercise discretion in relation to some unlawful activity. When necessary, police will take action to prevent or address harmful or dangerous unlawful behaviour towards people or property. This action may be taken on the day of an incident occurring, or on a day after the incident has occurred. Police will arrest offenders according to NSW Police Force guidelines, and any person arrested will be treated with care. Please visit the following website to locate Form 1: NOTICE OF INTENTION TO HOLD A PUBLIC ASSEMBLY https://tinyurl.com/o394c9v Tammy Tong is the Multicultural Community Liaison Officer based in Sydney City Police. Her role is to engage with the diverse communities and help them to understand their rights and responsibilities when in contact with police, help to report a crime and support in raising concerns such as scams and safety issues.
Sometimes it becomes hard to control your anger, whether it’s something at work, dealing with family or just watching the news and the atrocities that we see around the world in this day and age. However, what has been said about the nature of anger, and how can one learn to control it? Lets see how important is anger control in Islam. A man came to Prophet Mohammad (s) and asked him for advice. He said: “Do not become angry.” The man repeated his request for advice, and each time, the Prophet replied with this one phrase that sums up all good attitudes and behavior: “Do not become angry.” (Bukhari) Following this beautiful hadith following are some practices which will change your life: 1. Think before you speak In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to say something you’ll later regret. Take a few moments to collect your thoughts before saying anything and allow others involved in the situation to do the same. 2. Remember: Anger is not Power The strong man is not the one who can wrestle, but it is the one who can control himself when he is angry.” (Hadith: Bukhari). So don’t ever
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think that your anger will make you strong in front of others. 3. Take a timeout It won’t bruise your dignity nor tarnish your image. You can end your presence in this situation. Whether physically or if it’s a phone conversation, or a virtual presence with chatting, and react later when you’re mentally ready to deal positively with the situation. 4. Stick with ‘I’ statements For example, “I understand how you feel, I know you must be angry, etc. Try and avert the angered person from thoughts that continue to anger them. 5. Never go-to the Past Most of the time we raise those points which has nothing to do with the current situation, it is very wrong and dangerous and often works like fuel on fire. If you hate the attitude of the person who’s angry, know that reacting in a harsh manner will render you pretty much similar to him/her, so you’d better be careful. It is narrated that “The Prophet never took revenge for his own sake, but if the laws of Allah were violated, he would take revenge for the sake of Allah.” Dr Kamran Ayub is a researcher and public speaker. Academically he belongs to the Radio Electronics field. He is an emotional intelligence expert and loves to help young people in managing their stress, tackle with difficult situations and to become a team player. H e has written dozens of papers.
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FIFA fights for fearless female fans in Iran Faseeha Hashmi
Middle Eastern Leadership Dr Reginald Naulty How often has the promise been lost, the fair prospect for the future dashed? What happened to the wistful tune rising in the morning, subtle and shimmering, waiting for a flute like a lover, a twinned melody to begin a symphony? All that could have been but is not can still be; where is the leader with the divine method, the Rabia of Basra turned national guide, strong, moderate and wise? Surely the hosts of Islam contain her, waiting patiently for her hour. Dr Reginald Naulty, originally from Adelaide, has taught at Charles Sturt University and has been a prolific writer since 1972.
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suffered similar parallels in the late 1990s under the repressive regime of the Taliban, where sports stadiums were used for public executions. This is not the first time that FIFA has become embroiled in controversy over female engagement in Iranian football. In 2011, Iranian women’s national football team were prohibited from an Olympic qualifier due to their donning of the headscarf. Regrettably, the female team forfeited the game against Jordan when pressured, as they did not want to play without wearing
their religious head-covering. Khodayari’s self-immolation has prompted international condemnation, with human rights groups calling for a policy change on the discriminatory ban on gender. Amnesty International released a solemn statement of the appalling state of contempt for women’s rights in the country. “(Sahar Khodayari’s)…only ‘crime’ was being a woman in a country where women face discrimination that is entrenched in law and plays out in the most horrific ways imaginable in every area of their lives, even
Kashmir: the world must not be silent Tahir Nawaz Every year the 27 October is observed as Kashmir Black Day all around the world. It was on this unfortunate day in 1947 that the Indian army forcibly occupied Jammu & Kashmir against the wishes of its people. Since then this beautiful land has been witnessing state terrorism unleashed upon its people. The Kashmir issue has recently gained traction globally due to the current Indian government’s abrupt annexation of state of the Jammu & Kashmir on 5 August 2019 by abrogation of Article 370 of Constitution, which gave the state a special autonomous status. This unilateral step is illegal as it was without any consultation with the Kashmiri people. This action by the Hindu nationalist Indian government is an attempt to dilute the demographics of Muslim-majority Kashmir with Hindu settlers. The communication is completely cut off, and curfew imposed confining people to their houses for the last three months. There are reports of indiscriminate detentions, beatings and torture by the security forces. Children as young as 13 forcibly taken away and some kept at unknown locations outside Kashmir. The Washington Post interviewed 19 people in 13 villages who said they had been abused in the days after 5 August and re-
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ported “beatings with rods, sticks and cables, electric shocks, and being hung upside down for long periods.” The Indian government denies the allegations, yet it does not allow independent observers to enter into Kashmir. Indigenous Kashmiris are being denied their fundamental right of self-determination while being imprisoned in their own land. This world is silent on injustice imposed on Kashmiri people with their human rights violations. This silence is deafening. The world must raise their voices for innocent Kashmiris.
“Children as
young as 13 forcibly taken away...
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FIFA has guaranteed that Iranian women will attend football matches, starting with a World Cup qualifier next month. The sporting body assured female fans that it would not stand for anything less than equal opportunity. Iran’s 10 October World Cup qualifier against Cambodia, the pending home game was critical for Iran to qualify for the 2022 competition in Qatar. This has resulted in a policy change where the Iranian government has agreed to allow female fan to watch the sport in stadiums. FIFA’s announcement comes as a shocking revelation relating to the death of a female spectator earlier this month. Sahar Khodayari, a young female university graduate and football fan died on the 8th of September after being arrested for trying to go to a match disguised as a man to pursue her love for football. FIFA President Gianni Infantino commented about the abhorrent ban, stating that he would have frank discussions with Iranian authorities. “We need to have women attending – we need to push for that with respect but in a strong and forceful way and we cannot wait any more,” Mr Infantino told a FIFA women’s conference. Moreover, participation also has discrimination attached to it, with foreign women often being allowed access to stadiums at the expense of Iranian women. He acknowledges that ensuring female participation in Iranian football has been historically precarious. The ban was temporarily lifted last year to allow women to watch the World Cup at a stadium in Tehran. Sadly, female attendance has been denied ever since. Iran is the only country in the world that outlaws and punishes women seeking to enter football stadiums. Saudi Arabia and Afghanistan which have had a checkered past on female participation. In Saudi Arabia, women were recently allowed to attend matches under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman’s authority. Whilst, Iran’s neighbour Afghanistan
sports,” said Amnesty International. To make matters worse, it has been reported that Khodayari was suffering from bipolar disorder. It certainly was no consolation that her father noted that she had stopped taking medication a year ago. Woefully, Sahar Khodayari has been dubbed “Blue Girl” for her admiration for her favourite team Esteghlal colours. Khodayari’s tragic death has aroused fierce indignation after she set herself on fire outside a court due to fears of her jail sentence. Across the world, widespread grief and outraged football players and fans have been paid tribute to Ms Khodayari include European women’s team FC Cologne that wore blue armbands in her memory. Former Bayern Munich midfielder Ali Karimi, a leading Iranian footballer in the country has been a vocal advocate of ending the ban on women and has urged Iranians men to show their sympathy with the “blue girl” by boycotting football stadiums in protest. FIFA itself has faced growing criticism with calls for the sporting body to suspend or ban Iran’s football federation. Iranian clerics have cited their interpretation of Islamic law, believing in segregating men and women at public events, as well as keeping women out of so-called ‘men’s sports’. There have been no official reports of Khodayari’s death from Iranian state media, whilst some politicians have voiced their perturbed sorrow. Emboldened female lawmaker Parvaneh Salahshouri defiantly remarked that Khodayari is “Iran’s Girl”, boldly tweeting that “(As a nation,)… we are all responsible.”
World leaders must demand that India end its illegal siege on this beautiful valley of Kashmir and give its people a chance to choose their destiny. Tahir Nawaz is Specializing in Muslim Affairs of New Zealand & Global Muslims. He is Current President of International Muslim Association of New Zealand (IMAN). He is also the Current council member for Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and previously served as First Vice President of FIANZ. Tahir is also actively involved in the interfaith communities and current Executive member of Wellington Abrahamic Council of New Zealand. Tahir has been interviewed on several Muslim related issues by Media nationally and internationally. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Expressing your opinion would kill you in Bangladesh, it killed Abrar Dr Faroque Amin In the early hours of Monday 7 October 2019, Abrar, a 21-year-old undergraduate student of Bangladesh University of Engineering and Technology (BUET), breathed his last at his university dormitory. It was not a natural death. He was mercilessly beaten for hours by a group of students of the student wing of the ruling party of Bangladesh and his ‘crime’ was to express his opinions on Facebook on different occasions. On Sunday afternoon, Abrar had just returned to Dhaka after spending a 10-day holiday at his home in Kushtia, a western district of Bangladesh located at 5-hour distance from the capital. He was a 2nd-year undergraduate student at the Department of Electrical and Electronic Engineering in BUET, the most prestigious university of the country. According to his roommates in the university dormitory, Abrar was studying maths for preparation for his forthcoming exams. At 8 pm, a group of students appeared to their room saying that Abrar now has to meet a big-brother in room number 2011 at the same dormitory. In Bangladeshi universities, everyone knows those big-brothers as well as their following groups. They are the leaders and activists of Bangladesh Chatra League (BCL), the student wing of the government party Bangladesh Awami League. No one has the audacity to ignore such a call there. Students are being called and punished by them regularly for various ‘crimes’, ranging from not participating in the party meetings to supporting opposition student organisations and so on. However, the punishment for Abrar went overboard this evening. At 2 in the morning, his roommates were instructed to find him in the 2nd floor staircase of their dormitory building and take care of him. They ran to the staircase, and found him motionless, lying down on the floor. They called the resident physician of
Abrar Fahad, 21, was murdered for expressing his opinions on Facebook.
the university and upon arriving, he pronounced Abrar dead. After the post-mortem next day, physicians said that he died due to excessive internal haemorrhage. He was a completely healthy young man at 8 pm the previous day and he was now dead at 2 am. Over these hours, he was beaten by cricket stamps, a blunt piece of hardened wood, as a punishment for a recent Facebook post that he wrote on the previous day. On Saturday, Dhaka and Delhi signed seven bilateral agreements during the Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina’s visit to India including allowing India to build a coastal surveillance radar system in Bangladesh, allowing it to withdraw a huge quantity of water from Bangladeshi rivers to run a water project in the neighbouring India, allowing it to use Bangladeshi seaports for good transportation and exporting liquid gas to India. Water has been always a sensitive issue between these two countries. Historically, India has been controlling the river flows through dam to create droughts and floods in Bangladesh. These recent agreements, grossly in favour of Indian interest and damaging Bangladeshi interests furthermore, has created little reaction in the country. In Bangladesh,
all newspapers and TV channels with differing views have been already shut down over the last decade. Every single news outlet in the country is run by pro-government journalists. Therefore, this little reaction was limited to some facebook posts only. On Saturday afternoon, Abrar posted a brief 157-word status update in Bengali on Facebook. He mentioned a historical incident in the fifties when India didn’t allow its neighbouring country to use any seaport during a time of economic crisis, another current incident of conflict between two South Asian states where they do not agree to share river water, and exporting gas to India while many Bangladeshi factories have recently been shut down due to gas crisis. Finally, he wrote an old proverb that inspires to sacrifice someone’s own interests to make others happy. Using this proverb to denote the relation between the two countries was a very subtle and gentle satire. However, Abrar is dead now; gone and rested forever. Bangladeshi media have reported this event using their usual methods; ‘a student was beaten due to his alleged connection with Shibir’ was the general heading. Shibir is the student wing of Islamist political party the Jama’at, which has become almost extinct through years of mass-arrest, killing,
torture and enforced disappearance. Previously, Abrar put a slogan on his Facebook profile picture saying ‘Stop killings in Kashmir’. In August, he wrote another post where he expressed his sympathy for Rohingya refugees. The nature of such online expressions by him was the reason he was identified by these ultra-secular pro-government students as a ‘potential Islamist threat’. Islamophobia can be sometimes more fatal in a Muslim country than a non-Muslim one. In Bangladesh, this is the perfect example of age old saying ‘give the dog a bad name and hang him’. The leading intellectuals and journalists of the country regularly dehumanise the opposition and normalise any oppression on them. Being a Jew was good enough reason to be treated inhumanly in Nazi Germany, differing with the so-called pro-liberation government narrative is now adequate to lose everything, even the life itself, in current Bangladesh. For a person like Abrar, religious consciousness added to expressing his opinion freely in the public domain, this was an inevitable destiny. Abrar’s death is not anything new or unthinkable in Bangladesh. Over the last several years, hundreds of man, women and even children were tortured and killed there. Many were arrested and imprisoned for years due to their posts on social media. However, the death of a student with such academic success and studying in the top university of the country has renewed the shock to many. “My son was just an innocent student. He had his own strong opinions and he was killed for that” - Barkat Ullah, Abrar Fahad’s Father, rightfully told Aljazeera. If Abrar’s death clarifies only one thing, that would be the fear of the fascists towards freedom of speech. They have now made Bangladesh into such a place, where a 157word Facebook post is adequate enough for a young boy full of life gets killed and afterwards the justice denied by all institutions in the country. Dr Faroque Amin works with Suprovat Sydney, a Bengali community newspaper published from Sydney, Australia.
UN expert: Israeli occupation ‘longest’ in modern world Mohamed Ainullah A UN human rights investigator on Wednesday called the Israeli occupation in Palestine “the longest occupation” in the world, Anadolu reports. “Israel has occupied the Palestinian territory for more than 52 years, the longest belligerent occupation in the modern world,” Michael Lynk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories, told the General Assembly. He said the international community has been reluctant to take action against Israel for its permanent occupation and serious violations of international law. “The status quo of Israel’s ‘occu-annexation’ is endlessly sustainable without decisive international intervention because of the grossly asymmetrical balance of power on the ground,” said Lynk. Gaza The rights expert said the ongoing blockade — land, sea and air — has severely restricted basic rights of the residents including healthcare, education and livelihood. “The Gaza blockade is a denial of basic NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
human rights and amounts to collective punishment,” he said. Turning to ongoing protests by Gazans and the use of live ammunition by Israeli security forces, Lynk said Tel Aviv has not demonstrated accountability for their actions despite calls by the international community and civil society organizations. The “Great March of Return” and related protests have resulted in the deaths of 207 Palestinians and 33,828 have been injured, he said. West Bank The expert also raised concerns on the annexation of parts or all of the West Bank by Israeli government, saying the levels of settler violence have increased in the West Bank. “Incidents of settler violence were recorded in a number of West Bank towns including in Hebron, Nablus, and Ramallah,” he added. Lynk said the Israeli security forces have intensified their raids into various parts of the West Bank and arrests and arbitrary detentions. East Jerusalem Lynk also said more than 100 Palestini-
Michael Lynk, UN special rapporteur on human rights in the Palestinian territories.
an-owned structures have been demolished in East Jerusalem since late April. Demolitions and construction of settlements are aimed at changing the demographic balance by reducing Palestinian presence and strengthening the Jewish majority in East Jerusalem. Israel occupied East Jerusalem — in which Al-Aqsa is located — during the 1967 Middle East War. It formally annexed the entire city in 1980, claiming it as its capital — a move never recognized by the interna-
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tional community. He said the Israeli occupation is a “bitter illustration of the absence of international accountability in the face of the systemic violations of Palestinian rights under human rights and humanitarian law. “Accountability is the key to opening the titanium cage that is the permanent occupation, and its principled application is the best path to a just and durable settlement,” he said.
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Ibn Khaldun’s concept of Asabiyah Dr Jan A Ali In my earlier piece I offered an examination of Ibn Khaldun’s theory of asabiyah. In this piece I want expand on this and delve deeper into Khaldunian concept of asabiyah. As I mentioned before, Ibn Khaldun is best known for his conceptualisation of asabiyah. The term asabiyah linguistically is an abstract noun that derives from the Arabic root asab, meaning “to bind” or “to unite”. As a term, it was already in use in Arabia before the advent of Islam but it was popularised by Ibn Khaldun in his masterpiece, The Muqaddimah: An Introduction to History which is a universal history of the Arabs and Berbers of North Africa. Beyond a universal history, Muqaddimah is a theory of the rise and fall of communities, states, dynasties, societies, and human civilisations from which emerges Ibn Khaldun’s concept of asabiyah as a descriptor of “group solidarity”, “human cooperativity”, and “social cohesion”. According to Simon (2002: 47), asabiyah refers to “‘the nature of the group’ or ‘groupdom’” and Baali (1988: 43) explains it is “to bind the individuals into a group (asabtun, usbatun, or isabatun)”. He goes on to note that: Asabiyah is also a form derived from asaba, which designates the concept that is etymologically abstracted from the concrete form. … The term asabiyah has been translated as “esprit de corps,” “partisanship,” “famille,” “parti,” “tribal consciousness,” “blood relationship,” “tribal spirit,” “tribal loyalty,” “vitality,” “feeling of unity,” “group adhesion,” “groupdom,” “sense of solidarity,” “group mind,” collective con-
sciousness,” “group feeling,” “group solidarity,” “feeling of solidarity,” and “social solidarity” (1988: 43). Ahmed notes that “With ‘asabiyya, society fulfils its primary purpose to function with integrity and transmits its values and ideas to the next generation” (2002: 30). Jamal offers his own insight into asabiyah saying “Asabiyah is the force, which binds groups together, who share same culture, language and customs. It goes to varied levels from family, tribe, kingdom or nation as a whole. It reflects the developments in the society” (2012: 79). For Turchin, “Asabiyyah of a group is the ability of its members to stick together, to cooperate; it allows a group to protect itself against the enemies, and impose its will on others” (2007: 91). In his definition of asabiyah, Turchin stresses the social role of asabiyah which resonates with Khaldunian notion of asabiyah as a social phenomenon. It is clear that varied understandings and definitions of asabiyah exist in the literature. Consensus over its meaning is weak and for some even absent. What Ibn Khaldun meant by the term asabiyah precisely is not clear because although he uses the term quite extensively in his Muqaddimah, he never offers an explicit definition and this perhaps is due to the
term being familiar and in regular use in his day. Ibn Khaldun was concerned with discovering and explaining the basic laws and principles upon which society operates. He considered it necessary to have asabiyah in the construction of a strong social group. Thus, he explains the rise and fall of groups, communities, societies, and civilisations with the use of his concept of asabiyah. For him asabiyah is “a social bond”, “a relational glue”, “solidarity”, “group belongingness”, and “social cohesion” that can be used to gauge the strength, stability, and progress of social collectivities. It enables individuals to identify with a group, pledge their loyalty to it, and relinquish their own personal interests for the sake of the group rendering the individuals subordinate to the group (Ibn-Khaldun 1967). For Ibn Khaldun, the principal unit of analysis in his theory of human collectivity is umran (civilisation). In his worldview, umran, which would be in our understanding of the “social” was central. He divides civilization into two – nomadic/rural and sedentary/urban – and explains how there is a movement from one to the other, that is, a transition from umran badaw i (rural) to umran hadari (urban). Umran, in Ibn Khaldun’s view is not something fixed or an artefact but rather a dy-
namic process. Humans by nature, asserts Ibn Khaldun, are social beings who favour collective existence over individual living and therefore opt for living together, cooperate with one another, and be assistance to each other. He says, “… human beings cannot live and exist except through social organization and co-operation for the purpose of obtaining their food and other necessities of life (Ibn Khaldun 1967:151). However, this is not always the case as individuals give into worldly temptations and motivated by self-interest, sometimes act against group interest and collective benefit thereby contributing to the weakening and destabilisation of the society. He notes that nomadic tribes lived together in a cooperative and unselfish manner manifesting strong social solidarity or asabiyah. Nomads as umran badawi people essentially lead a very simple and natural life far removed from life of luxury, opulence, and lavishness. They are hard workers, display great bravery, and are connected together by their close ancestral or tribal bonds. Although they can be fierce but overall possess good character and are subservient only to their tribal heads with outstanding character (Ibn Khaldun 1967). Asabiyah acts as a bridge to unite them together. Although asabiyah manifests itself most clearly and prominently in consanguinal relations and in families and tribe than among sedentary people, it is not confined to nomadic or tribal people because asabiyah is a social value, a craft acquired through the process of socialisation. Dr Jan A. Ali is a Senior Lecturer in Islam and Modernity in the School of Humanities and Communication Arts at Western Sydney University. He is a Sociologist of Religion specializing in Islam with a research focus on existential Islam.
Applying science: An unstoppable force for success Najla Turk “Whatever you focus on expands.” Your mind responds to what you focus on and then you get more of that. This is the Law of Focus. Have you had this experience? For example you decided to buy a new car. What happened as you drove down the street? Did you notice every second car was either the same colour or make of your new car? How did that happen The thoughts in your mind filter then what you focus on expands. Now combine this with the Law of Momentum… ‘Energy in motion, tends to STAY in motion’ ‘Energy stopped, tends to STAY stopped’ Again you may know this is to be true from your experience. When you drive fast down the road and slam the brakes, what happens? It takes some effort for the car to come to a stop? Things that are moving tend to keep moving, until something of equal energy - an opposing force - gets it to stop. What this means is… once you begin to create movement or motion towards success, you will experience more and more success, day by day, and it will actually be hard to stop the momentum.
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Success multiplies success Now, think of trying to get your car moving when it has stopped – say you had a flat battery. How much effort does it take get the car moving once it has stopped? Things that are stopped will stay stopped until something of equal energy - an opposing force gets it to move. What this means is… once you choose to sit on the lounge to surf the net, post or view your whatsapp videos, this can turn into hours. Is that right? If you’re stopped, you’ll require a significant amount of energy to get you moving. These two laws of physics – the Law of Focus and the Law of Momentum apply universally, not just to our cars or physical world. They also apply to You and your life but above all, your thoughts drive your outcomes. Whenever you think, and act upon it, you become an unstoppable force to make that thought or intention happen. Be warned. Negative and destructive thoughts can and do create havoc in your life. Scary isn’t it? Your results in life are very predictable. In simple terms the contents of your mind and your actions create your results. To illustrate, imagine your mind is a huge overflowing lake that’s just waiting for an outlet to pour into. When it finds an outlet, it starts with a dribble of water. That dribble turns into a stream. After that, the stream turns into a small river. Next, the small river is a huge unavoidable waterfall. Your thoughts act in the same way. Have you experienced lying awake in bed, irritat-
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ed and forcing your mind not to think?... “I just want to have some good sleep! Stop thinking. The business in my mind is driving irrational thoughts”. “Then… “If only I could do such and such”. “Will so-and-so return my belongings” or “What should I do about this and that problem. Another negative thought see[s om… how can I… Ahh!!! I’m thinking again, not sleeping and getting more irritated. If you are going to utilise the power of the Law of Focus and the Law of Momentum and become an unstoppable force of success, the trick is to learn how to master your mind. Begin by reciting the following dua over
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and over to control your thoughts. “Bismillaah hirRaahmaan nirRaaheem” In The Name of Allah The Most Beneficent, The Most Merciful. “Saallaallaahu aalaa Muhaammaad Saallaallaahu aalaayhe Waasaallaam.” For additional techniques to effortlessly control your thinking email Najla Turk at najla@conneqt.com.au for “The 6-Steps to EVOLVE” ebook. Najla Turk is a highly skilled author, speaker, coach, and consultant. Najla’s expertise lies in building individual capabilities and skillsets that help improve engagement and participation. ISSUE 168 / NOVEMBER 2019
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Sakinah and Shekinah One word with two holy perspectives Rabbi Allen Maller Sakinah is an important word and a very important concept in both Islamic and Jewish thought. In Islamic thought, it refers to the tranquility, serenity and peace of mind that results when a believer becomes totally aware of God’s near by presence. Although Sakinah dwells in the heart of one who is already a sensitive and faithful believer; it now comes to him or her directly from God’s close presence and personal interest; to confirm and strengthen that believer’s faith. As the Qur’an says “It is God who sent down tranquillity into the hearts of the believers, that they would increase in faith along with their (present) faith.” (48:4) Thus, the experience of Sakinah is both God’s gift of enhanced, confirming faith and the product of one’s own faithfulness. (Qur’an 9:26 & 40) This is clearly stated in the example given in the Qur’an about Prophet Samuel’s (a) selection of Saul to be the first King of Israel. “Their prophet (Samuel) said to them (The People of Israel), “Indeed, a sign of his (Saul’s) kingship is that the chest (ark of the covenant) will come to you in which is Sakinaha s -
surance (Ghali translates; serenity) from your Lord, and a remnant of what the family of Moses and the family of Aaron had left (the ten commandments’ stone tablets), carried by angels. Indeed, in that is a sign for you, if you are (already) believers.” (2:248) Jewish tradition asserts that Torah scholars may experience a Shekinah blessing during study, Rabbi Chananiah ben Teradion said, ‘when two sit together and words of Torah pass between them, the Shekinah dwells between them’ . . , (Mishnah Avot 3.3) Community prayer is also a place where one can experience Shekinah as Talmud B’rachot 6a says: “Whenever ten (or more) are gathered for prayer, there the Shekinah dwells.” The Sakinah can also dwell in a sacred object like the ark of the covenant or in a lowly bush (Qur’an 2:248). Those who are truly “Blessed by the Lord...with the best gifts of the earth and its fulness, and the favor of Him who dwells in the bush”. (Deuteronomy 33:16) The Sakinah can also dwell on or in a holy person; a saint, a sage. or a Prophet like Muhammad (s): “Allah sent down His Sakinah (tranquillity) upon His Messenger and upon the believers and imposed upon them the word of righteousness, and they were more deserving of it and worthy of it. (Qur’an 48: 26) However, the word/concept Shekinah in Jewish rabbinic thought is also a name for God that focuses mostly on the pres-
ence of God that may manifest itself during several types of ordinary religious activities such as the prayer and Torah study already referred to; and also when visiting the sick (Shabbat 12b). practicing hospitality (Shabbat 127a & Sanhedrin 103b), giving charity (Baba Batra 10a), practicing chastity before marriage (Derek Ereẓ i.) and faithfulness within marriage (Soṭah 17a). It is true that doing all these things frequently will help produce greater faith, confidence, and peace of mind. But the Jewish focus is more on the opportunity to personally experience God’s presence in a daily activity, than on an individual’s personal spiritual growth. This somewhat different emphasis between Sakinah and Shekinah are not opposites. They are simply two different perspectives: like seeing a lion from the front, or from the side. Sakinah and Shekinah thus compliment each other; and proclaim the interactive reciprocities between humans love of God and God’s love of humans. From another perspective, Shekinah, a rabbinic name for God, shifts the view from the community to the individual’s experience, just as Sakinah shifts the focus from Jihad (both military and personal effort) to calmness, serenity and effortless peace of mind. Both of these shifts are complementary; not contradictory, The connection between our faithfulness and God’s Shekinah is described in Exodus 25; when God directs the People of Israel
to build a sanctuary. But first God says, each person should make a voluntary offering: “The Lord said to Moses “Tell the Israelites to bring me an offering. You are to receive an offering for me, from everyone whose heart prompts them to give.” (Exodus 25:12) Six verses later God says,“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell (Shekanti) among them.” (25:8) First humans choose to make a heart felt offering to God; then God chooses to dwell among, and within, faithful humans and their religious communities. When God is well pleased by faithful people, God’s gift of inner peace and reassurance is sent down to them. As it is written: “Certainly Allah was pleased with the believers when they pledged allegiance to you, (Muhammad), under the tree, and He knew what was in their hearts, so He sent down Sakinah (tranquillity) upon them and rewarded them with an imminent conquest”. (Qur’an 48:18) Allen S Maller is an ordained Reform Rabbi who retired in 2006 after 39 years as the Rabbi of Temple Akiba in Culver City, California. His web site is: www.rabbimaller.com. Rabbi Maller blogs in the Times of Israel. His book ‘Judaism and Islam as Synergistic Monotheisms: A Reform Rabbi’s Reflections on the Profound Connectedness of Islam and Judaism’ is for sale on Amazon.
Is God Dead?: Where is the scientific evidence? Oussama Magar In 1966 Time magazine ran a cover story asking: Is God Dead? Yet it turns out that the evidence for God’s existence is coming from science itself. Here’s the story: The same year Time featured the now-famous headline, the astronomer Carl Sagan announced that there were two important criteria for a planet to support life: The right kind of star, and a planet the right distance from that star. Given the roughly 1 octillion, 1 followed by 24 zeros—planets in the universe, there should have been about 1 septillion, 1 followed by 21 zeros—planets capable of supporting life. This means basically that there should be aliens all over the universe. With such spectacular odds, the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence, Aliens, began. But as years passed, the silence from the rest of the universe was deafening. As of 2014, researchers have discovered precisely bubkis—0 followed by nothing. What happened? As our knowledge of the universe increased, new factors continued to be discovered, and the number of possible planets that could support life kept on dropping until it hit zero, and kept going. In other words, the odds turned against any planet in the universe supporting life, including this one. Probability said that even we shouldn’t be here. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
Today there are more than 200 known parameters necessary for a planet to support life—every single one of which must be perfectly met, or the whole thing falls apart. The odds against life in the universe are simply astonishing. Yet here we are, not only existing, but talking about existing. What can account for it? There’s more. The fine-tuning necessary for life to exist on a planet is nothing compared with the fine-tuning required for the universe to exist at all. Scientists have discovered that not only did all the ingredients for making the universe had to not only exist before the universe formed, but had to all come together within one millionth of a second after the BiG Bang. Really? All this happened by chance or does this
prove the existence of God? It’s like making a car, before you get started all the parts have to be present or you will have no car. Alter any one value and the universe could not exist. Multiply that single parameter by all the other necessary conditions, and the odds against the universe existing are so heart-stoppingly astronomical that the notion that it all “just happened” defies common sense. It would be like tossing a coin and having it come up heads 10 quintillion times in a row. Really? One followed by 30 zeros. Fred Hoyle, the astronomer who coined the term “big bang,” said that his atheism was “greatly shaken” at these developments. The greatest miracle of all time is the universe. It is the miracle of all miracles, one that proves beyond a doubt that God exists.
The best argument for atheists is that we don’t know how the universe came about but it has always existed. Wrong. According to science the universe has only existed for around 15 billion years. Imagine that God allowed scientists to actually retrace to the very beginning of the Universe. Imagine, that according to atheists all creation happened by accident in the first millionth of a second, and we are not even talking about the miracle of how life started. According to Isaac Newton’s first law of thermodynamics, Nothing can be Created or Destroyed. Well I’ve got news for Isaac Newton. Atheists believe that everything came from nothing, or is it easier to believe that God created everything? A question in my year 10 science book asks what happened at 15 billion years minus one second, before the Big Bang. I was very intrigued and rushed to check the answers at the back of the book which said, that science currently has no idea. In a YouTube video, Reuben Street asks,” I just need a sign to prove that God exists,” and then he opens the Koran and it says. ‘For those of you who ask for signs, haven’t we shown you enough already. Look around you, look at the stars, the sun, water. These are the signs for people of knowledge’. Oussama Magar Head of Science Australian Islamic College Dianella Western Australia, and one of the founders of the Australian Islamic College in Perth Western Australia.
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Daughters of Eve, are we so complex? Shifa L Mustapha “Who can understand women!” a phrase often voiced by men around the world. Sigmund Freud once said, “The great question which has never been answered, and which I have not been able to answer despite my thirty years of research into the feminine soul is: What does a woman want?” While the feminine soul may be intriguing to such as Freud, at least he has acknowledged that she has a soul. In France, a synod in 1586 was convened by the Church to debate the question: “Does woman have a soul? Is woman to be considered a human being or not?” The Verdict: “Woman is a human being, but she is created to serve man.” We, as Muslims, may rightly point out that Islam in the 7th century CE acknowledged woman’s soul as being equal to that of man; that she was to be treated with respect; that, as a Mother, Paradise was at her feet. However, in a number of regions of the Muslim world, these worthy teachings appear to be suffering culture shock. Indeed, such things as “Woman’s face is fitna” and “Women are the kindling of hell” have not escaped us. Unfortunately over the centuries, women have believed these utterances, considering themselves to be lesser beings, subservient to their male counterparts and their male children; always teetering on the brink of hellfire. Even young women reverts have fallen into this trap. So it would seem that the early Christian finding is still alive in so-called Muslim men who question the soul of woman, evidently believing that spiritually and in every other way she is a lesser mortal.
The fall of Man This tendency to look down upon women would be better suited to Christianity or Judaism as in the earlier scriptures Eve is blamed for man’s fall: “And the man said, ‘the woman whom Thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree and I did eat.’” [Gen.3:12]. Excuses, Excuses! If this were to be carried to its logical conclusion, in effect Adam is blaming God for giving him such an inferior mate. In Paul’s letter to Timothy, he said: “And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in transgression. [1Tim.2:12] Ah! That wicked woman! This very definitely this is not the case in Islam: “Then did Satan make them slip from the garden.”[Q.2:36]; “...so he brought about their fall when they tasted of the tree.” [Q.7:22]. However, just in case there is any ambiguity here: “Thus did Adam disobey His Lord and allowed himself to be seduced.” [Q20:121] There is no hiding behind Eve in the Qur’an. Scriptural dynamics So what are the scriptural dynamics of the male/female relationship that beg to question? In the Biblical context, Eve was created to be Adam’s help-mate. It is said that he was lonely so God made him fall into a deep sleep during which He took one of his ribs and from that fashioned Eve. Adam said when he saw her, “This is now bone of my bone and flesh of my flesh…” It further states, “Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.” [Gen. 21-24] I note that there are some Muslims who believe this version of creation. However, negativity intrudes and it has been writt e n that a s
the rib is crooked this must be taken into account when dealing with a woman. If one is to believe this version I would much prefer the account that says “Eve was created not from Adam’s head, nor his feet, but his chest. She was not created to rule over him, nor yet to be trodden underfoot. She was created close to his heart so that he could protect and hold her close, while she, on the other hand, was given to comfort him and to be there for him in good times and adversity. It is a tender scenario and love was the keynote here. Qur’anically it was Allah’s Lovingkindness that prompted the creation of Eve for Adam. “He, it is Who did create you from a single soul and therefrom did create his mate that he might dwell with her in love.” [7:189] Prophet Muhammad (s) spoke of the husband & wife relationship as “twin souls”. Little is said regarding the actual creation of Eve, however, there are wonderful texts relating to this aspect: “O Mankind, reverence your Guardian-Lord Who created you from a single soul, created of like nature his mate, and from them, twain scattered countless men and women…Fear Allah from Whom ye demand your mutual (rights) and (reverence) the wombs that bore you.” [Quran 4:1]; “I will not suffer to be lost the work of any of you whether male or female. Ye proceed from one another.” [Q.3:195] Female traits Women have been created to fulfil many roles, therefore, multi-tasking comes naturally to her. Her God-given maternal instinct is a determining factor here. She has been given intellect and capability to reach the pinnacle of academic and scientific heights when this has been made possible. Education is one of the mutual rights which she has been accorded. She can be as gentle as a dove but should she have to stand against what
she considers to be wrong or threatening to those she loves, she can be as strong and brave as a lion. She is often thought to be stubborn about some things when it comes to decisions about right and wrong. It is natural for her to be a home-maker and to take pride in her work and her family. She has the uncanny ability to see further into the hearts and minds – some call it intuition, but rather this is the gift given to her whose first priority is that of protecting those she loves. Her ability to withstand pain is a legend and her capability of bearing and giving birth to children is a testament to that. It is also a sign of the love for her husband and the already burgeoning love for that small life which she carries within her. She is not immune from fear for those whom she loves, and while being stoical can also be found hiding her tears and her fears. The heart of woman, while sometimes cloaked, is tender. The heart of a woman The daughters of Eve bring with them all the aspects that have been gifted to them since Creation. The heart of Woman needs to be loved but she needs to be able to love and to be that for which she was created; to know that she is loved and needed. She, O Man, is not a chattel nor an animal that has been brought into your life merely to do your bidding and bear your children. She is your companion, your wife, your lover, but more than that, she is the gift that God has given to you. Love her and cherish her as such while you still may, for when a woman is loved the complexity dissipates and you will realize that really, you are not at odds, you are now complete! Shifa Mustapha is a writer and community worker based in Brisbane.
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Establishment of not-for-profit organisations in Australia FINANCE Dr Abul Jalaluddin Not-for-profit organisations do not operate for the profit or gain of its members including the main organisers and directors. No profit or gain could be derived by its members during its operations or when it winds up. However, a not-for-profit entity can engage with commercial activities and make profits but these cannot be distributed among its members. Profits can only be used for the purposes outlined in the notfor-profit organisation’s constitution. The common structures used by not-forprofit organisations include Unincorporated associations, Incorporated associations, Companies registered under the corporations Act 2001, Cooperatives, Indigenous corporations and Trusts. A structure has implications for statutory reporting and tax obligations of a not-for-profit organisation. To register a not-for-profit entity, you would need to consider a number of regulatory and reporting obligations: • Do you require an Australian Business Number (ABN)? • Are you required to be registered for GST? Do you need to register for “Pay as You Go” (PAYG) for income tax?
• Do you provide Fringe Benefits Tax (FBT) to your employees and hence, need to register for FBT? • Do you need to be registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profit Commission (ACNC) and have an endorsement for Deductible Gift Recipient (DGR)? • Do you need to register your business name with the Australian Securities &
Jobs for passionate university students
Shafqat Ali Last month Young Innovators Network ran an information session for Passionate University Students at UTS. An introduction to the Young Innovators Network (YIN) was given with its two Year Life Journey together with details of the upcoming workshops of Coding, Robotics, Public Speaking, in Campbelltown, Granville, Auburn, and Melbourne. Dr Asif Gill, from UTS, explained UTS Software Engineering Pathways. Mr Asim Saleem talked about Industry Job situation. Mr Yasir presented current trends in the IT industry. Mr Saad Younis presented Mentoring Programme and shared the opportunities for University Students. Mr Richard Baranski from TAFE Campbelltown talked about Robotics and shared the upcoming opportunity of FREE Robotics Mentoring Training. There were fun activities, and prizes were NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
Investment Commission (ASIC)? There are two broad categories of not-forprofit organisations for taxation purposes: 1. Charities and 2. Others such as Sports Clubs, Recreational Clubs, Community Service Organisations, Professional and Business Associations. To register a not-for-profit organisation as a charity, an application must be lodged with the ACNC. For an organisation to be a charity, it must be not-for-profit, have a charitable purpose and be for public benefit. The ACNC determines and registers organisations as charities under appropriate charity sub-types which are enshrined in the Charities Act 2013. The charity sub-types are as follows: • Advancing health; Advancing education; • Advancing social or public welfare; • Advancing religion; • Advancing culture; • Promoting reconciliation, mutual respect and tolerance between groups of individuals that are in Australia; • Promoting or protecting human rights; • Advancing the security or safety of Australia or the Australian public; • Preventing or relieving the suffering of animals; • Advancing the natural environment; • Any other purpose beneficial to the general public that may reasonably be regarded as analogous to, or within the spirit of, any of the purposes mentioned in the subtypes above; • Advancing public debate (promoting or opposing a change to any matter established by law, policy or practice in the
Commonwealth, a state, a territory or another country); • Public benevolent institution and Health promotion charity. An organisation could be registered under one or more charity subtypes. Each subtype has a specific meaning under the law which should be explored in details prior to making an application to the ACNC. An applicant’s objects and activities must be directed towards achieving the charitable purpose described by at least a subtype. The constitution of a charitable organisation must include clauses ratifying that the organisation is a not-for-profit entity and in the event of winding up, the assets of this entity will be distributed to entities with similar charitable objects and purposes. An organisation must be registered with the ACNC to access any charity tax concession and apply to be endorsed as a DGR. A DGR endorsement allows donations received by the organisation to be deductible to donors for income tax purposes. In 2019-20, as an example, an individual on the marginal tax rate of 37% will get a refund of $37 in the tax return for each $100 he or she donates to a DGR endorsed entity. Apart from DGR tax concession, endorsed charities are able to access a number of tax concessions such as income tax exemption, GST charity concession and fringe benefits tax (FBT) rebate or FBT exemption. Registration with the ACNC is a must to access these charity tax concessions. Dr Abul Jalaluddin is an Islamic Finance expert, taxation advisor and a regular columnist for AMUST. He is based in Sydney.
also part of the program. Shafqat Ali thanked everyone and Media partners, including Zia Ahmad from AMUST, Rehan Ahmed Alavi from SBS, Sunail Hasnain from BOL Radio, and Muzamil Hafeez from Aptitude Migration. In the end, Dr Asif Gill conducted a short tour of UTS software labs for various projects and study areas. Young Innovators Network enables students to become independent, smarter, and productive learners. Basically, they take charge of their learning and career and become productive in the class, innovative in their assessments, and achieve high marks in the exams. And how do we do this? We run workshops based on Passion-Driven Interactive & Experiential Learning system. These workshops are run by University Students who are passionate about their study areas. If you want to enrol yourself as a mentor, register yourself and apply here: https://tinyurl.com/yinmtf WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
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Africa Tour Part 6: South Africa MODERN IBNE BATOTA Zia Ahmad & Mehar Ahmad While planning our trip to Durban, I had a contact there who was going to guide me and take me around to meet people and visit places of importance. I have been seeking his advice on a regular basis. Since I love travelling by train and have done so in many countries, I opted to buy our train tickets from Johannesburg to Durban in a coupe of two people to South Africa. It was a little difficult but doable. When I told my Durban contact that I had purchased the train tickets, he became very upset. “Brother only black people catch trains here, even we locals don’t travel by train, it is very dangerous, return the tickets and book a flight instead,” he advised. I listen to everybody but make my own decisions. I politely told him that I like travelling by train and wouldn’t mind taking the risk and travel by train. I think he got offended and stopped replying to my emails and never heard from him again. However, I did get worried a little and some anxiety did take me over regarding safety during travel by train in South Africa. The train station was in downtown Johannesburg. Apparently, people avoid going to downtown areas as we have been told that lots of criminal activity takes place there and its not safe. Johannesburg has still apartheid-era segregated areas, safe and affluent areas and unsafe and poor areas. When we arrived downtown, it indeed was a mess. Nothing like Sydney. There was a lot of rubbish everywhere and it was not a pleasant scene. Our Johannesburg hosts, Davud and Salma were very kind to drive us to the train station and accompanied us into the station to obtain the hard copy of our online booked tickets. As soon as the gate opened to enter, we went down to the platform and boarded the train without any trouble. The platform was very clean. There were staff to guide people. The train service was very systematic. Within a blink of an eye, the whole platform was cleared. All the passengers boarded the train. We thought about India, where the platform is choc a block with people. It was not only blacks who travelled by train we saw whites, even single ladies and people of mixed race finding it safe to travel contrary to the advice we received from my local friend earlier. Our train was Shosholoza Meyl. The train was very clean with lots of sleepers and a dining car. It had a clean vacuum toilet, shower and a room to change. The shower was adjacent to our sleeper. At night the attendant came and made our bed at a cost 150 rand for two beds. Appar-
ently, you have to hire the beddings. The sleeper was airconditioned with lights and switchboards. It was a small room but very clean. It had a sink as well. When you
put the board down on top of the sink it becomes a table. We slept really well. At night it was not cold, so we closed the shutter. Got up at 5 am looked out of the window. It was beautiful scenery with the sun coming up the ho-
Beach side walk in front of our hotel
Praying at Dr Mahmood Khan’s mother’s grave,
Mosque near Dr Khan’s house.
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rizon. We really enjoyed different types of scenery as the train was moving fast. In the morning we had a hot cup of coffees and two egg toasted sandwiches. The egg sandwich was very tasty, and the coffee was very hot. Loved the breakfast.
AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
Mehar with Hawa and Dr Khan’s sister (right).
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Johannesburg to Durban by train
Before reaching Durban, we passed the point where Mahatma Gandhi was thrown out of the train by white passengers, although he had a ticket for travel. He had stopped in South Africa on his way back from the UK earning his barrister qualifica-
tions and was helping the Muslim community for their legal rights. Possibly this led Gandhiji to work against racism and discrimination in South Africa, well before he joined the freedom struggle in India.
About 50 km from Durban, we were told that a local passenger train in front of us had broken down. Our hosts in Durban, Mohamed Kadir and Hawa Kadir were kind enough to drive out and pick us up and drop us to the beachfront Blue Water hotel.
Mehar with Hawa.
Mohamed Kadir, Zia and Dr Khan’s brother in law at a high-tech Durban mosque.
Lunch with our hosts Mohamed & Hawa Kadir.
It was the time of Shabbe Barraat celebration where the local community that evening with an elaborate program. Our hosts picked us up in the evening and took Sofee Sahab Masjid and Mazar, a big complex which could attend a few thousand people. Many people fast that day and therefore arrangements for Iftar and dinner were made for almost three thousand people men, women and children. It was a festive atmosphere that reminded us of our Sydney MEFF Eid festivals with a stall of food etc but with a religious pious atmosphere. There were no speeches but an hour-long zikr session that we joined after Maghreb prayer followed by Isha and dinner, free for all. We noticed a stall selling chicken and beef kebabs and packed some to consume at the hotel. There was a paan stall whose owner, a Pakistani from Karachi was very keen for us to taste meetha paan and we obliged him. Next morning our host came to pick us up at in the morning to visit the sister of our long-time friend in Sydney who is originally from South Africa Dr Mahmood Khan. His sister and brother in law live in Dr Khan’s house in Durban, a huge complex rented to 7 tenants, and one section occupied by his sister and brother-in-law, who proudly told me that he still insists on paying the rent to Dr Khan for living there. This was very impressive and indeed a lesson to many brothers-in-law. His sister had a small garden and she was growing chillies, paan, various succulents, tomato, sem, pawpaw. We had a short but sweet time with her. She gave me paan, Katha and choona for me to eat on the way. Dr Khan’s brother in law came with us to take us to Dr khan’s mum’s grave. Zia and his brother in law read Fatiha. The grave was in the cemetery within the premises Sofee bhaijaan’s mosque. The mosque, surrounding premises, including function halls, the mazar were very clean and well maintained. The cemetery was beautifully gree with well-maintained plants. We visited a number of mosques in Durban as well as sighted the office of Ahmad Deedat in the city and did some shopping before catching a flight to Durban in the evening. Durban is a beautiful coastal city with good climate, neat, clean and well maintained. Our hosts Mohamed Kadir and Hawa Kadir were fabulous spending their time with us for two days and we really had a good time. Next issue: Africa tour part 7 Back to Sydney via Johannesburg and Abu Dhabi.
Prayer at Sofee Bhaijaan Mazaar.
Inside Sofee Bhaijaan mosque. NOVEMBER 2019 / ISSUE 168
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Social Spotlights ABC Brisbane @abcinbrisbane Almost 34 years to the day since Uluru was handed back to the Anangu people, their wishes will now be enforced by law. From this point onwards, anyone aiming to ascend Uluru will be in breach of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Act and could face fines of up to $10,000. FULL STORY: ab.co/2N6QDNC
Gift a Smile @GiftASmileProject The End of Cancer Treatment ceremony was indeed one of our GREATEST highlights this year. It was extremely emotional to watch all 20 children at the award ceremony receive their awards and ring the golden bell so proudly. Many tears of relief filled the ceremony hall as the families embraced one another in comfort. Their worst nightmares were finnally over, the pain, the suffering, the endless hospital appointments and surgeries came to an end, but soon enough when the families entered the ward for the last time, we suprised them with a big celebration they won’t forget. Thanks to the wonderful people from: #Atouchofclassevents #thesweeteventco. #fruitfultemptations #charchacatering #balloonsbyrana #lamiascatering #starlightfoundation for making this event possible!!! We had a AMAZING AMAZING time with all the families, children, staff, doctors and event planners, who left most of the families and staff speechless with their setup and generosity. <3 <3 <3 For all the amazing little soldiers who beat cancers butt, you were the true hero’s of this event!! we pray for a big bright future for you and your families
The Amazing Race AU
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Meet Rowah and Amani, this fierce mother-daughter duo are ready to take on the world and win the race no matter the obstacles The Amazing Race Australia | Premieres Monday October 28 on 10
Preston Mosque Islamic Museum of Australia
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Our good friend Bachar Houli recently hit the studio and recorded the adhan (call to prayer) for us to install as part of the interactive audio tool in our minaret display. On Saturday, Bachar will take his place in the AFL Grand Final. We wish him and the Richmond FC , the very best of luck. Both Bachar and Richmond are huge supporters of the Museum and we’re very happy to reciprocate. Go Tigers!
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AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
Laura Morlock @LauraBMorlock Scotland has officially created a tartan to honour its Muslim citizens. Blue: Scottish Flag Green: Islam 5 white lines: the 5 pillars of Islam 6 gold lines: the 6 articles of faith Black square: the Kaaba Scottish citizens, Glasgow City Chambers (Attire’s Mind)
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Taken from the Archives A picture of our beloved Sheikh Fehmi, one of the most heavily influential men in the Islamic community. Also, one of the men who made Preston Mosque what it is today. When this Mosque was just a diagram on a piece of paper, our Muslim brothers and sisters from all over Victoria came and helped make this dream a reality. This came from both young and old, men and women, it took a whole community, an inspiring unity. May Allah have Mercy on those who’ve passed and are still living and have contributed to this beautiful Mosque.
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