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Multicultural News & Views
MAY 2021; RAMADAN 1442
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Thank God for the lucky country Australia overcomes COVID-19 and observes Ramadan celebrating community iftars together Zia Ahmad As Australians, we indeed are blessed where both, by luck and by design, we have finally come out of the COVID-19 pandemic comparatively with minimum impact. Surely it has affected our economy, we have gone through lockdowns and social restrictions and it has affected our travel, entertainment and religious practices. But together working with our authorities, health professional and community leaders, we have now overcome the obstacles and now looking forward to normalisation of life in all spheres. As Muslim Australians, this Ramadan, unlike last year, we are spending our fasting month without restrictions, offering our congregational prayers and enjoying iftar dinners with family, friends and the community. At the same time, we are indeed distressed by our fellow Muslims in other parts of the world, not able to enjoy the freedoms that we have and in many places are still suffering from the terrible effects of this pandemic. We cannot forget them and need to pray for them and support them any way we can. It has indeed been a big relief, again being able to join community Iftars, meeting people face to face, exchanging ideas and being able to frequent mosques for daily congregational prayers and Taravih. Continued on page 20-21 with more iftar photos from all around Australia
Iftar on Friday 23 April 2021 hosted by Jihad Dib, Tony Burke & Jason Clare in Punchbowl.
India in crisis: The living are counting the dead Manoj Sheoran When Europe and US were reeling under a second wave, Indian Government was busy planning election campaigns, Kumbh mela and other mass events without following COVID-19 protocols. The Modi led BJP Government was busy in vaccine maitri and sending other lifesaving drugs to other countries beyond its capacity, ignoring domestic requirement and lack of any international obligation resulting into unmitigated disaster. Now, the country on one hand is gasping for oxygen and on the other hand is jostling for the space to cremate and bury the dead.
The largest democracy of the world is today in the grip of a full-blown but undeclared health emergency. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought this powerful nation to its knees and has been reporting more than 300,000 new infections for the last 10 days now. The pandemic which hits the world last year like a Strom was a more of a natural disaster, but it seems the current Tsunami in India is a man-made disaster. Today in India not just ordinary people, but even the reasonably well-networked and privileged class for whom things have been a few phone calls or messages away are suffering terribly. What to talk of hospital beds, the last few days have been filled with desperate appeals for help in finding an Oxygen cylinder or a COVID-19 related drug.
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No more “Muslim Ban” in US in future
President Joe Biden signing a total of 24 executive orders on his first day of office. Source: The Independent. Faseeha Hashmi Welcomed by civil rights advocates as “a major step forward”, the US House of Representatives passed a bill on Wednesday 21 April 2021 that would limit the ability of any president to impose a travel ban on the basis of religion, in response to Trump’s “Muslim Ban”. Informally known as the NO BAN Act, the new bill comes in response to former President Donald Trump’s controversial “Muslim ban” that barred travel entry to the US from several Muslim-majority countries. The bill was approved by a 218-208 vote in the House on 21 April 2021, and must now pass in the US Senate chambers in order to become law. Former President Trump issued the ban
shortly after taking office in 2017, drawing widespread protests and condemnation. The ban was initially applied to countries such as Syria, Iran, Yemen, Somalia, and Libya as well as from North Korea and Venezuela. However, in 2020 Trump expanded the prohibition to include Myanmar, Eritrea, Kyrgyzstan, Nigeria, Sudan and Tanzania. According to US civil rights groups, the ban had immediate and far-reaching consequences for Muslim Americans and their families, refugees and others left stranded in these countries. Counsel to Muslim Advocates, Madihha Ahussain explained that the NO BAN Act would revise US immigration law to prohibit discrimination based on religion. It would also curb executive power requiring the president to present evidence of a credible threat before issuing travel bans. “The Muslim ban tore families apart, put lives on hold for years and labelled Muslims, Africans and other targeted people as threatening outsiders,” said Ms Ahussain. Criticised as discriminatory and punitive,
the ban divided families, denying people access to healthcare, and prevented friends and relatives from attending weddings, funerals and graduations. On his first day in office, alongside a raft of other measures, President Joe Biden rescinded Trump’s travel ban by executive order on January 20. The legislation was introduced by Representative Judy Chu and co-sponsored by at least 137 House members. According to Ms Chu, the ban was inspired by bigotry and was not created by any genuine national security concerns. “America does not ban people because of their religion,” said Ms Chu. Despite Trump losing office in the 2020 presidential election and the reversal of the ban by President Biden, many US legislators including Democratic Representative Don Beyer, a sponsor of the bill see this as an important opportunity to take legislative action and safeguard the nation’s values. “Donald Trump’s Muslim ban is a dark stain on our country’s history, and it must
never happen again,” said Mr Beyer. It is unclear what prospects the Democratic-backed House bill will have in the US Senate, where Democrats hold only a slim majority. Nevertheless, it is also hoped that this bill, alongside another related measure that would require that certain immigrants be allowed access to a lawyer when they are detained at US ports of entry both passes through Congress. Such legislation would help to create a more fair, humane and viable US immigration system. “It is very important to make clear to the American people and to the world that this betrayal of our national values, which hurt so many people, is not what we stand for and will not be repeated,” Beyer. Faseeha Hashmi, based in Melbourne has a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University and a Master of International Relations from the University of Melbourne. A prolific writer, she has an interest in politics and human security.
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Labor calls for recognition of the State of Palestine Shaoquett Moselmane MLC Labor’s 30th March 2021 National Special Platform Conference reaffirmed the Party’s call for recognition of the State of Palestine. This unanimous reaffirmation of the 2018 National Conference decision reinforces the ALP’s rank and file call on Labor when in government to recognise the State of Palestine. Accordingly, Labor’s Foreign Affairs Spokeswoman, Senator Wong moved to include the 2018 decision into the Party’s 2021 platform stating “any lasting resolution to the Middle East conflict cannot be at the expense of either Palestinians or Israelis’. This realigns the imbalance in the Party’s position that favoured Israel over the United Nations recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It reconfirms the Party’s national call for the next Labor Federal Government to recognise Palestine as a state and to support the recognition and right of Israel and Palestine to exist as two states (living side by side within secure and recognised borders as set out by Security Council resolution 1397 (2002)), with the expectation that this issue will be an important priority for the next Labor Government. Labor’s 30th March decision calling for recognition of the State of Palestine had extra significance for Palestinian people worldwide as it coincided with the 45th anniversary of Palestine Land Day. 30th March 1967, marked the day when Palestinians began protests against Israel’s expropriation and occupation of Palestinian lands. A Day that symbolises the national struggle for land. Since the partition of Palestine in 1948, however, many in Labor have supported the recognition of Palestine established on the principle of a permanent two state solution based on the 1967 borders, the realisation of the inalienable right of the Palestinian peo-
ple, and the right of all States in the region to live in peace and security. Today, the Labor Party is back on track with Australia’s 1948 historic position, when, then foreign minister, Dr H.V. Evatt, as chair of the UN Special Committee on Palestine authorised the partition of Palestine into two states. It was upon the basis of this decision that the state of Israel was created. It is upon the 2018 and 2021 Labor National Conference resolutions that Labor will recognise the state of Palestine for the Palestinian people. Whitlam’s 1972 even-handed policy, built on Doc Evatt’s 1948 two-state solution. This was followed by the Hawke Government’s 1983 acknowledgement of the right of the Palestinian people to self-determination. Then the Keating Government’s continued support for the basic principle of a two-state solution. A position reindorsed by the Rudd Labor Government. However, it was with the Rudd government that Labor in government began to take that extra step in balancing Labor’s position vis a vis Israel Palestine. This was taken a step further under the Carr foreign Ministry. In the campaign for recognition for Palestine, Prime Minister Rudd told the ABC Radio PM program that “The time has come for Australia to join countries like Sweden and the Holy See in formally recognising the Palestinian state….It is time for Australia to draw a line in the sand on this matter. As 137 states already have.” Former PM Bob Hawke, who is noted for telling his biographer Blanche D’Alpuget: “I’m an Israeli. If I were to have my life again, I would want to be born a Jew,” joined former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, and former foreign ministers Gareth Evans and former NSW Premier, and former foreign Minister, the Hon Bob Carr, in calling on Australia to recognise Palestine as a state. In a 2017 Financial Review opinion piece, Hawke called on the Australian government to recognise the State of Palestine: “Australia was there at the very beginning” he said. “The least we can do now, in these most challenging of times, is to do what 137 other
nations have already done – grant diplomatic recognition to the State of Palestine.” This significant call to recognise Palestine by a friend of Israel, was echoed in a landmark speech by the Hon Bob Carr on 30 July 2017 at the NSW Labor State Conference, by driving home the point that “It’s Time to recognise Palestine.” While there were some with this view in opposition, they were in the minority. The fact remains that this is a win for peace, for sensibility, for balance, for justice and for the recognition of the inalienable rights of the Palestinian people. It’s also a rebuke of those who continue to cover up Israel’s apartheid practices, its human rights abuses, its ongoing illegal occupation of Palestinian land, its ongoing hostilities and the subjugation of the Palestinian people, the illegal settlements as well as blockade of Gaza strip, the collective punishment of the Palestinian people, and the ever-deepening humanitarian crises and the daily suffering of the Palestinian people. Furthermore, the decision to recognise Palestine is a significant moment in Labor history. It is the result of years of counter pressure against those that had long held a stranglehold on the Party’s Middle East foreign policy position. Thanks to the considerable support of key members of the party and unions on all levels, from Left and Right and amongst the Party’s rank and file and supporters across the country. The win for the pro-Palestine side, was not just in the motion to recognise Palestine as a State, but in the ever-broadening support in Labor’s rank and file, in the union movement and amongst those in decision making in the upper echelon of the Party.
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This decision to recognise the State of Palestine is informed by Labor’s social justice values and its belief in human rights. It is also informed by the recognition that justice for Palestine and the Palestinian people is fundamental to peace in the Middle East as it is fundamental to the Australian Arab/ Islamic communities across Australia who want to see peace in their time in their war ravaged poverty stricken, chaotic, Arab nations. It is also significant to a large number of Australians across the nation, 73% of whom, according to the 2017 Morgan poll, support the establishment of an independent State of Palestine. This support for the rights of Palestinian people to an independent State of their own is growing by the day. In fact, the growth in favour of recognition is now worldwide. The latest shift in favour of the Palestinian people is in the United States and in particular amongst supporters of the US Democratic Party. In a recent annual Gallup poll on how Americans view the Israel/ Palestine conflict and for the first time ever, a majority of Democrats, 53%, up from 43% in 2018, say the United States should “apply more pressure” on Israel to make compromises as opposed to “ more pressure on Palestinians.” (Courtesy Pearls and Irritations: John Menadue’s Public Policy Journal) Shaoquett Chaher Moselmane is an Australian politician who has been a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council since 2009 and is a member of the parliamentary Australian Labor Party until suspended in June 2020. He was assistant president of the Legislative Council from May 2019 to April 2020.
Concern over Australia’s travel ban from India An Indian diaspora organisation, The Humanism Project (THP) has released the following statement on the travel ban:
Zia Ahmad In a knee-jerk reaction, the Australian Federal Government has imposed a travel ban on flights from COVID-ravaged India where Australian citizens are prohibited from entering their own country and risk fines of up to $66,000 or five years’ jail term if they attempt to do so. There are up to 10,000 stranded Australians who wish t return home due to the havoc COVID-19 has created in India where daily infection rates have reached over 400,000 and daily death toll almost 4,000 with hospitals running out of beds and oxygen. Critics are calling the travel ban from India as racist since no such drastic steps were when the US, the UK and Europe were going through similar deadly and infectious COVID outbreaks in the past year. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
Australia is the only nation to place an outright ban on its own citizens flying home. While other countries such as the United States and United Kingdom have stopped flights from India, they have not criminalised the actions of their own citizens. Two Australians, Jason George and Alex Marshall, are challenging the system through the United Nations and are being advised by Professor Kim Rubenstein, Australia’s leading expert on citizenship law, and human rights lawyer Geoffrey Robertson. “I don’t think there is any objection to stopping commercial and tourist flights from hotspot countries but to threaten five years’ imprisonment for any Australian who aspires to return home is ludicrous,” Robertson commented on the government’s move regarding the travel ban.
THP is deeply concerned at the travel ban on Australian citizens returning from India accompanied by the criminalisation of such travel under the Biosecurity Act. Indeed, Australia should take all possible measures to protect our biosecurity. However, it is also Australia’s moral obligation to look after its own citizens. The decision to impose hefty fines and jail term, without a plan to ensure safe return of its own citizens, is irresponsible, lacks compassion and raises serious human rights concerns. The government must come forward with a plan that will ensure safe return of all Australians
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abroad and announce measures, and a plan, to bring all Australians home, many of whom have been stranded overseas for a number of months. The government should also announce a timeline for establishing suitable quarantine facilities so that Australians could travel to Australia from India, and from any other country, without putting Australia’s biosecurity at risk. We hold serious concerns about these extraordinary measures and support Australian Human Rights Commission’s request to the Parliament’s Senate Select Committee to review these new restrictions immediately.
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India in crisis: The living are counting the dead Continued from page 1 Delhi High Court in a scathing observation blamed the Central Government for the mismanagement and categorically said, “lives don’t matter for Government”. Furthermore, when the union health minister replied to the court that files have started moving, the court shot back saying, “What is the outcome? We aren’t bothered about these files; Industry will be ready to help”. In another court observation, Madras high court during one of the COVID-19 related hearing hold the election commission of India and said the election officials must be booked for murder. Unfortunately, as the case with other constitutional bodies, election commission is in total grip of present regime. During the high decibel state election campaign barbs flew thick and high against each other, and no recommended Covid protocol were implemented. Worse was when the PM was seen cheering the crowd for attending his rally in large numbers. Finally, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi led with example and suspended his rallies in West Bengal over COVID-19 surge. Congress, the main opposition party, who has far more experience in handling and successfully combating epidemic & pandemic, and has far superior ecosystem of sound policy advisors, experts from across the world provided many valuable sugges-
tions but arrogance and naiveness came in play for the Modi Government and all those were ignored. Only last month, when number of infected patients were down, the Union Health Minister was boasting that the country was “in the endgame” of COVID-19 and hailed PM Modi’s leadership on successfully combating the pandemic “. This irresponsible, arrogant and incognizant from the ground reality misguided people which also resulted into this catastrophe. Under pressure from all quarters after this recent surge, PM Modi in his address to the nation on the night of 20 April committed nothing and delivered no more than a pep-talk. For a nation gasping for oxygen and action, Modi was quick to warn the state governments that the onus of any lockdown and subsequent losses would be entirely on them. Currently, the national positivity rate stands around 20% with many districts in UP and West Bengal stands more than 40%. The international press is holding the PM Modi missteps and complacency responsible for the devastating second wave of coronavirus in the country. The worst part is that the government is not able to digest the criticism and is repeatedly pressurising the social media platforms like twitter to delete the tweets which are criticising the government. Moreover, the Indian High commission
“... the PM
was seen cheering the crowd for attending his rally in large numbers.
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in Australia has written a letter demanding corrigendum to the Australian newspaper for a news carried by it on Monday with the headline “Modi leads India out of Lockdown....And into a viral apocalypse” Perhaps, India is the only country in the entire world where after the breakout of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Prime Minister has not addressed a single press conference and the same is still continuing. Today the whole world is extending their help to India to tackle this pandemic, but it is time for introspection for us as a society. India’s public health spending is among the lowest in the world in terms of percentage of GDP (less than 1.5%), even less than half of some of our neighbours. But we are busy nurturing a political class that has been offering us our neighbour’s minority rights record as an election sop, rather than hospitals and education. The demand for better health facilities or more doctors has never mattered in an election in
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recent public memory. That’s why we have an army of spin doctors now trying to tackle a health emergency on behalf of the Modi government. And that’s the last thing any democracy needs. Manoj Sheoran is CPA by profession and has more than 15 years of experience in various management and leadership role in various multinational companies apart from entrepreneur and running a business generating jobs for the community. Manoj is the President of Indian Overseas Congress Australia. He has conducted many large community engagement interactive events with Senior Indian leaders so that the problems and needs of NRI can be communicated and raised to the Indian Govt or their counterparts in the Australian Govt. He is also involved in various charity events from time to time whether crisis in Australia or India.
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Reaching up to the Creator should translate into reaching out to His creation Religion in general by those who practice it or those who do not practice consider it being a matter of relationship between man/woman and his/her God. The concept of faith and religious practice is generally understood to be a private matter between a person and his/her diety, or God for instance and neither a public matter nor interaction with the environment. We really need to question ourselves as people of all faiths as to all these religious rituals of chanting God’s name, singing His praise, dancing to please Him, reciting holy scriptures and prayers benefit God in any way? In Islam these religious practices are known as Ibadah, five times prayers, fasting in Ramadan, Zikr (reciting His names), pilgrimage and so on forming the pillars of Islam. But again the question is, do all these rituals we perform in devotion to Allah, benefit Him in any way? Are we doing a big condemns, a believer in the favour to Him by performhereafter, who repulses the ing these acts of worship or orphan child and ignores the Zia Ahmad Ibadah. poor and again condemns Assalamu Certainly not. As a matter those who offer prayers but do of fact these acts of worship not assist others. Alaikum or Ibadah do not have any Thus the acts of worship to Greetings value in themselves, but these God must lead to good actions of Peace are for our own benefit in order to for benefiting the society otherwise improve ourselves as better human these Ibadah have no value in thembeings in our dealings with our surroundselves and those who practice it in such way ings or the environment. stand condemned. Thus our stronger relationship with our Again in Surah An-Kaboot, Allah says that Creator through these acts of worship should Salat (regular prayers) should restrain you prepare us to develop stronger and better from shameful and unjust acts. This if it does relationship with Allah’s creation, other hu- not, this praying basically is meaningless. man beings and all. It is important that during this Ramadan we Islam separates neither the world from the should reflect on the real purpose of Ibadah, hereafter nor the spiritual from the the mate- salat, saum etc and not confine Islam to just rial. There is no compartmentalisation of life these ritual practices, but integrate and extrapbetween private and public affairs. olate them into our daily life to do good acts This is very well illustrated in the Quran benefiting the society, thus improving ourin many places. selves as human beings. For instance in Surah Al-Maoon, Allah Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman reflected this,
EDITORIAL
MashaAllah very impressive content. I think it’s time to take this to the next level and may be a TV channel. AMUST TV, first muslim TV channel in Australia. May Allah shower all the blessings upon you and the whole family during this Ramadan.. Syed Jafar
Draconian laws won’t be accepted by Australians
Australia News: (Indian) Australians to be jailed (5 years) or fined ($66,000), if they fly in (Australia) from India Absolutely disgusting and #criminal for Australian government to make such racist MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
News
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- Thank God for lucky country - India in crisis - Concern over travel ban
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- Reaching out to His creation - Facebook can no longer look away - Military retreat from Afghanistan
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- Inter-faith dialogue into practice - Accessible FunFest 2921 - Parliamentary iftar in Melbourne - Christchurch: Unity and diversity
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- Australia overcomes COVID-19 and observes Ramadan
Australia
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- Muslim female champ - “Don’t stay silent” - Feeding Australia’s homeless
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- Little Designer & Big Lion - Staying fit in Ramadan - Upside down in the land downunder
during an Iftar on Friday 23 April, organised by IPDC in front of interfaith guests and politicians, saying our practice of fasting during Ramadan, in addition to being an act of worship to our Creator should also translate into reaching out to His creation, developing understanding in our community. Again Rev Dr Patrick McInerney during his welcome speech at Interfaith Iftar on Monday 26 April gave a brilliant analogy comparing us as a tree that we should have our roots into our respective religious traditions and like the trunk our strength should be in our scriptures and laws while our branches should reach up to heavens towards our Creator and at the same time reach out to each other to know one other and develop mutual understanding among us. Towards the end of this Ramadan, let us reflect on the purpose behind our acts of worship and on the day of Eid, let us pledge to become better human beings by serving humanity. Ramadan Kareem & Eid Mubarak.
Re: AMUST TV’s Special Ram- policy against people of colour. Re: India in crisis: The living When America was facing covid surge, are counting the dead adan issue preview Europe was dealing with high mortality rate, when britishers were spreading variant 2, none of them visiting Australia were #criminalised in such #brutality When it’s #Indian origin #Australians, you can’t come up with #draconian laws to #humiliate fellow citizens This is no less #racist but also highlights the entrenched #whitesupremacy in some of our politicians till date - get your minds & hearts drained from such filth It’s unacceptable and an apology is to be issued from the government for even making such an oppressive and #authoritarian rule Myself being an #IndianAustralian, I take severe offence to this #tyranny and demand that this not only be revoked but an apology be issued to all Indian Australians and immediate arrangements for bringing the 9000 stranded Australians back home. I have family and friends stranded in India as we speak, and I am not going to sit silent for this insanity to prevail. I urge fair-dinkum Australians to write and urge their local ministers to speak up on this issue and not let century old white-supremacist ideology (that once #dehumanised & murdered aboriginal populace) pop up once again in our midst in 21st century. Waseem Razvi Proud Indian Australian
AMUST ISSUE # 186 FRIDAY 7 MAY 2021 24 RAMADAN 1442
Community
Readers comments Assalam alaikum team What an amazing idea! I enjoyed hearing a synopsis of the news. This gave me an opportunity to read, in detail, topics of interest to me, and yet have an idea of other issues. What a wonderful initiative for seniors too, who because of failing eyesight, can still keep abreast of news! JazakAllah khairen for all your hard work and dedication towards making this informative newspaper even better. Ramadan Mubarak to you all. Ayesha
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India under the populist cynical Hindu fundamentalist Modi is a demonstration of what happens when incompetent, amoral political cannibals are placed in positions of power. If Modi is re-elected India will never recover. It is also a lesson for Australia that when populist incompetents are in power we are all in danger. That the federal government has shied away from its quarantine responsibilities is the main reason for the extreme measures being taken to keep Australians returning from India with draconian penalties. That there are many brown Australians amongst them may also be a factor.. Bilal Cleland
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Facebook can no longer look away from our human rights Rita Jabri-Markwell The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) has lodged a complaint against social media giant, Facebook, through the Australian Human Rights Commission. It is alleging Facebook has breached discrimination and hate speech law under the Racial Discrimination Act. As an advisor to AMAN, I am able to put forward this complaint as an Arab Australian woman, and in the course of my work, also representing other racial and ethnic communities within the Muslim community. To keep the community in the loop, I share some of our arguments as follows. Dehumanisation of Muslims, allowed openly on Facebook, has had dire consequences for many culturally and linguistically diverse communities that make up the Muslim community. It has also had perilous consequences for asylum seekers and immigrants, who are often conflated with Muslims in these narratives. Discrimination protections under the Racial Discrimination Act includes race, ethnicity, descent, colour and national origin, as well as immigrant status. Those protections cover direct and indirect discrimination. While these problems are really unpleasant to confront, they are not intractable or unsolvable. Helpful strategies are in reach. It is largely a matter of Facebook’s will and leadership. Previously Facebook has taken down pages where AMAN has done all the heavy-lifting in terms of documenting all the hate speech violations and escalated the issue through national media. Facebook staff have advised me that it is unlikely any action will be taken unless we document all the violations of a page or group over time. This task involves resources we don’t have, with an immense psychological toll imposed by continually perusing hateful, dehumanising and violent material. The scale of the problem also makes this weeding approach a losing and everlasting battle. While we have observed that Facebook’s auto-detection tools and reporting tools do not reliably identify anti-Muslim hate
speech and calls to violence contained in comment threads this is not the only reason that the ‘weeding’ approach is a problem. Facebook focuses on ‘weeding out’ hateful comments rather than on the materials that dehumanise and trigger the hate speech – acting too late after the damage is done. Facebook should be responsible for the harm it creates. It can act systemically to reduce the manipulation of its users before the hate speech occurs (for example by disrupting and deterring hateful online echo chambers and dehumanising materials); and it has the resources to apply Australian law. Leaving the burden on human rights advocates like me amounts to discrimination. Facebook appears to allow Pages or Groups to continue on their platforms if they superficially characterise or position themselves as ‘anti-Islam’ or ‘counter jihad’, even when Middle Eastern, African, South Asian and Asian people are being routinely and dangerously dehumanised and discriminated against. This harm is achieved through sharing stories (often published and curated by hate actors) that contain falsely contextualised, retitled or false news, to incite dehumanising responses and disgust from users. Many of the images used in the ‘stories’ shared to those Pages or Groups represent Arabs who look like me and members of my family, attributing subhuman, depraved, inferior qualities. These stories presents people within our community as a hostile and homogenous mass, who are incapable of human warmth, independent thought or feeling, and who are trained by their religion to behave as subhumans. Often these news blogs have no authors, editors, editorial guidelines, but a clear and destructive purpose. Australia’s media guidelines recommend that racial and religious terms not be used in headlines unless critically relevant, to avoid typecasting over time. Media’s regulatory framework also prizes factual accuracy. Misrepresentation or misleading reporting is discouraged. And yet a range of these curated blogs reach audiences of hundreds of thousands of people through Facebook.
Despite repeated representations by AMAN, Facebook has also failed to explicitly acknowledge or exclude anti-Muslim and anti-Islam conspiracy theories. This failure causes us constant anxiety about the repetition of the Christchurch massacre. It enables us to be constructed as an ‘existential threat’ to society, which has immense impacts in terms of hate speech and hate crime, prejudice and discrimination. It legitimises the place of those narratives in mainstream discourse. It erodes our security and sense of belonging and makes our children especially vulnerable. It also presents significant harm and disadvantage as we internalise those narratives. Being able to psychologically and socially integrate our religious identity, and expressing my faith as an Arab Australian is fundamentally compromised by the mainstreaming of these toxic narratives. Facebook has recognised and taken action on COVID misinformation/disinformation because of its risk to public health and safety. Racism is a public health and safety concern. While Facebook has rightly acted to recognise harmful stereotypes targeting Jewish people as part of violence-inducing conspiracy networks in 2020, it has failed to do so for Muslim people, despite the Christchurch massacre 2019, the Oslo massacre in 2011 and numerous terror and hate crime attacks between and since. Meanwhile a recent study showed the extent to which Australian mosques have been targeted. Hate incidents continue to be very under-reported due to a lack of hate crime laws, but academically scrutinised analysis of death threats towards and abuse of Mus-
lims, and physical assault of Muslim women and girls, shows how Muslim identity has been crafted, dehumanised and demonised. Facebook contributes substantially to real life endangerment for Australian Muslims and people of various ethnicities who are also part of the Islamic community. Further to the claim of discrimination, we contend that section 18C has been contravened. This section makes content unlawful that reasonably likely, in all the circumstances, to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate a person or group on the basis of their race, colour, descent national or ethnic origin. Where hate speech is done for two or more reasons, it still comes under s18C if one of the reasons is on the basis stated above, ‘whether or not it is the dominant reason or a substantial reason for doing the act’. The changes we seek aren’t once off, but aimed at generating more sustained and serious responsibility from the platform. As part of this engagement, we have developed a model for measuring and identifying dehumanising conduct over time – a model that could be used in a range of geographical and social contexts. Facebook’s human rights policy commits the platform to stand alongside human rights advocates and uphold international law standards. Now it’s time to put that to the test. Rita Jabri Markwell is a lawyer and adviser based with the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN), a national body engaged in policy dialogue, political advocacy and litigation, to achieve social harmony, inclusion and security for Australian Muslims. @JabriRita
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A government out of touch with its national culture Bilal Cleland Australians are largely a compassionate people, as evidenced by their generous support to victims of bushfires and floods and their willingness to take on injustice. Christianity and Humanism are the dominant cultural foundations of our society, with First Nations cultures, Judaism and Islam making their own contributions, alongside others. Mainstream Christianity is imbued with compassion. “Christ spoke in terms of his own identification with the deprived and underprivileged: “I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.… Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brethren you did it to me …” [29 January 1965 Christianity Today] Similarly Judaism invokes compassion as a key value. The root word of compassion “rahmanut” is from the Hebrew word “reḥem,” womb, which implies a deep and abiding love. All who are around us need our caring and com-
passion. [reconstructingjudaism.org] In Islamic teaching the most used Names of Allah are Ar-Rahman and Ar-Rahim. “The roots of both these names of Allah are made up of the same root letters from which is derived the word “rahmah” which conveys the meaning of mercy and compassion; a sense of loving tenderness and grace, which stimulates in one the urge to show kindness to others. [8 April 2016 Munawar Haque AMDA] The approach of Humanism can be seen in similar light. “I consider it my responsibility to not only help others who may need help, but also to recognize and help them change those structures that prevent them from becoming self-sufficient and having full upward mobility.” [22 February 2008 Armineh Noravian The Humanist] Although there are hundreds of different cultures amongst the First Nations it is agreed that there are common foundations, one of which is the value placed upon people. [Aboriginal Culture and History Victorian Public Sector Commission] Given these cultural foundations of compassion, how have we evolved into a society in which these values are increasingly ignored by our rulers? Indigenous deaths in custody are a national disgrace thirty years after the royal
commission. So are the incarceration rates of First Nations people, having increased by 100 percent in that time. [18 April 2021 ABC News] We have witnessed an appalling death rate in private aged residential care from COVID-19. According to Dr Sarah Russell, Director of Aged Care Matters:“ What’s driving it is simple: the marketisation … of aged care. Along with the entrance of private equity firms and superannuation and real estate investment trusts… came the casualisation of the workforce and a reliance on holders of 457 visas.” [24 July 2020 Michael West
Military Retreat: Learning from the Afghanistan Imbroglio Dr Daud Batchelor For the American and Allied troops, withdrawal clearly should have occurred after al-Qaeda was removed as a credible force in Afghanistan and Osama bin Laden’s death in 2011. Afghanistan has a well-earned reputation as the ‘Graveyard of Empires’, with Persia, Britain and Russia suffering their most inglorious defeats against Pashtun Muslim fighters. Although perennially perceived as weak, Afghanistan acts like a Venus fly trap once invaders enter. The key strategy then of the US, whose foreign policy-cum-military power was suborned post-9/11 by the Neocons and AIPAC zionist lobby, was to terminate Taliban’s Islamic Emirate, which ruled Afghanistan since 1996. Afghanistan war costs rocketed, costing America a massive $US2.26 trillion and 2300 soldiers killed. Australia lost 41 soldiers’ lives and 261 wounded. Sally Neighbour’s report (The Australian, 11/9/2009), based on US Defense documents, shows the Taliban and Amir Mohammed Omar were not involved in the 9/11 attacks and were unaware of bin Laden’s planning. Omar offered to hand bin Laden over if the US could prove he was involved. The US ignored this offer. Taliban never threatened Australia or another country. US-NATO then was unjustified invading, which killed 300,000 Afghans and extended war in Afghanistan 20-plus years. Australian political leaders followed the Americans blindly, committing to regime change. Foreign interventions cause insecurity in Afghanistan. Scott Morrison’s claim that forces in ‘Australia’s longest war’ were there to ‘safeguard Afghanistan’s security’ rings hollow. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
As tribal Pashtuns in Oruzgan province where Australians operated would likely have been hostile to occupation forces, soldiers would have felt unwelcome. This partly explains why certain SAS forces may have committed alleged atrocities against civilians, and why some retired troops experienced psychological traumas. While Neocons’ objective was removing an Islamist government, calling it ‘terrorist’ rather than ‘defenders of Afghan sovereignty,’ their propaganda-sell to appeal to the Western public was that Allies keenly wanted ‘To establish democracy’ and ‘Provide freedoms’ for Afghan women. The US initially discouraged formation of an inclusive Afghan government. The Taliban themselves were not ‘power-sharers’ and had rejected conciliatory offers from Masoud’s Northern Alliance. After the US-NATO withdrawal, Afghanistan will comprise of two zones, with the Afghan government controlling larger cities but <40% of the countryside. The Afghan government will unlikely fall easily. A long-continuing war of attrition however, would be devastating for Afghans who have suffered 40 years of bloodshed. It’s surely time for leading Muslim countries, eg Turkey, Indonesia, Pakistan, to help end this conflict. The Western intervention has been a strategic failure. Afghans’ lives dramatically worsened. How does Rodger Shanahan (The Australian, 16/4/2021) reconcile his improvements in social indicators “which have undoubtedly been achieved”, with the 2018 Gallup Poll that found Afghans’ ratings of their lives now as well as predicted in five years’ time fell below record-lows ever of any country. In 2019, Gallup Poll found “No Afghans thriving and 85% are suffering.” My Islamic Well-Being Index rating 50 Muslim countries, found Afghanistan fell 30 places between 2012-2020. The Taliban, benefitting from the withdrawal, should acknowledge that in maintaining certain aspects of Pashtunwali cul-
Media] Another vulnerable community under attack by government was exposed by the Legal Aid Victoria robo-debt case. Centrelink had used averaged Tax Office income, not how much the individual actually earned while receiving payments. Admitted to be unlawful by the Australian Government, refunds had to me made to 470,000. [16 November 2020 The Conversation] However the wealthy Harvey Norman corporation will not pay back the $6 million JobKeeper subsidy it received from the government despite more than doubling sales and profit for the first half of the year. [26 February 2021 Age] Indications of danger ahead was revealed by Rick Morton who found two senior public servants involved in the establishment of the robo-debt program are now working in the compliance division of the National Disability Insurance Agency. [10 April 2021 The Saturday Paper] The trajectory is clear. This is a federal government which is attacking the poor and the vulnerable while indulging the super-rich. It is increasingly out of touch with Australian culture. Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.
Foreground lake and the summer palace Fazlul Huq
ture, they are deviating from true Islam. Firstly, Islam promotes the equal value of women and men, and similarly encourages women to seek an education. Secondly, the Almighty commands Muslims: “Believers are but brothers, so make peace between your brothers and fear Allah.” (Quran 49:10) So this entreats power-sharing between Muslim groups. Thirdly, as opposed to deplorable Taliban killing of innocent civilians, “Never should a believer kill a believer … If a man kills a believer intentionally, his recompense is Hell, to abide therein (forever).” (Quran 4:92-93) Clearly, the Afghan people deserve better, particularly compassion and mercy, from Muslims claiming to represent an Islamic Emirate. Dr Daud Batchelor, holds an MA in Islamic and Other Civilisations and a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University Malaysia, PhD from University of Malaya, MSc from the University of London.
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The foreground lake is hued in brown and pink as the distant shore anchors body of mountain covered in green from foot to the top. As the palace dressed in orange, brown and red is witnessed to stay in place on the mountain face and the footplate. While the patch of golden sands is found to cover edge of the shore from left to the right. As building placed close to the mountain top has the look of pagoda although not being so. Dr Fazlul Huq is a retired academic and Editor-in-Chief Emanreserch Journal Of Angiotherapy. He is also the poet “Jujube” at Allpoetry.com with over 35,000 compositions.
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Putting inter-faith dialogue into practice Jo Davenport The Catholic Archdiocese of Sydney and Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP hosted the eleventh Iftar dinner at St Mary’s Cathedral House on Thursday 15 April 2021. The event was a wonderful opportunity for leaders of multiple faith communities across Sydney to come together and share a meal after a year of separation due to the COVID-19 restrictions. Iftar means the breaking of fast during the religious observations of Ramadan, with people gathering to break their fast as a community. During the month of Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink between dawn and sunset. Muslims believe that Ramadan teaches them to practice self-discipline, sacrifice and empathy for those who are less fortunate, thus encouraging actions of generosity and charity. The Muslim community were represented by Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, Grand Mufti of Australia; Sheikh Kamal Mousselmani, Chair of the Supreme Islamic Shiite Council of Australia; Sheikh Shafiq Khan Abdullah; as well as members from the Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) and other imams, sheikhs and repre-
sentatives from the Muslim community. From the Catholic Church, Bishop Antoine-Charbel Tarabay of the Maronite Diocese attended as did various business leaders, clergy, religious and lay people representing Catholic agencies, ministries and parishes. Faith leaders and representatives from the Jewish community also attended, as did those from the Buddhist, Hindu and Ba’Hai communities. The Orthodox churches, Anglican church and Uniting church were also in attendance. With representatives from so many faith groups, Archbishop Fisher spoke eloquently of how in music, “composers sometimes add a different melody on top of or underneath an existing melody, so that, while the two are independent and different melodies, they work together, in harmony, interdependently, as a single piece of music.” Pope Francis of the Catholic Church and Sheikh Ahmed el-Tayeb, Grand Imam of AlAzhar, met in Abu Dhabi in February 2019 to sign the Document on Human Fraternity for World Peace and Living Together. In it the two leaders committed to “a culture of dialogue as the path; mutual cooperation as the code of conduct; reciprocal understanding as the method and standard.” In this spirit of inter-religious dialogue Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria (CCC) and the Muslim Cemeteries Board have been working together for almost 8 years to continue CCC’s mission of managing and providing burial spaces for all faith groups in the
Muslim and Jewish school kids join Interfaith Iftar
From left, Mr Peter O’Meara, Archbishop Anthony Fisher, Mr Kazi Ali and Grand Mufti Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed. Images courtesy of Giovanni Portelli/The Catholic Weekly. community. Mr Kazi Ali, the president of the Muslim Cemeteries Board and a veteran of several decades volunteer experience has been working closely with Mr Peter O’Meara, the CEO of CCC to facilitate the provision of burial places for the Muslim community in accordance with Islamic guidelines for burials. A Muslim lawn is now available for purchase at Kemps Creek and a future lawn has been ear-marked at Macarthur. The Muslim community is aware of the acute shortage of Sydney burial space, with Rookwood General Cemetery due to exhaust their section in just 4 years. Groups from the Orthodox, Jewish and Muslim community who require burial to meet their customs and beliefs are frustrated by the lack of strategic planning and action on behalf of the Crown. Many religious groups have been calling for action for over 20 years. The lack of a
clear strategy by the government has forced these communities to seek short-term and inefficient solutions to fulfil their religious customs and practices, despite the Act requirement that no religious group is “disadvantaged and adequate and proper provision is made for all”. CCC has created strong, active and respectful alliances with many multi-faith groups including the Christian, Jewish and Muslim communities, while extending its services to welcome those who are not religious. As Archbishop Fisher shared at the Iftar dinner “we are sharers in the same stream, singers in a massed choir” in our common requirement for sacred memorial places. Jo Davenport is the Marketing Manager at Catholic Cemeteries + Crematoria and is based in Sydney, Australia.
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As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end I want to thank the Islamic community for the generosity and charity they have shown to every Australian during the month of Ramadan. Enjoying the evening. Nicky Sandler Over 250 students, parents and teachers gathered at Sydney’s Arkana College on Wednesday 28 April for Ramadan Interfaith Iftar organised together by Arkana College and Mt Sinai College with the support of inclusive not-for-profit, Together For Humanity (TFH), and was the culmination of TFH’s inter-schools program attended by year 5 and 6 students from both schools. The evening brought the two communities together in a spirit of warmth and openness. Guests learnt about the holy month of Ramadan, prayed together, shared culture, traditions and formed connections over an abundance of Halal and Kosher food. Together For Humanity National Director, Rabbi Zalman Kastel AM said the Iftar was a significant Interfaith event bringing together children and parents of two faiths and cultures. “The idea behind the gathering was to give children (and their parents) the opportunity to come into contact with people they might never otherwise meet. In doing so, they reduce their fears about cultural difference and develop empathy and mutual acceptance. Living together and appreciating our multicultural differences are the bedrock of our society in Australia. Events like these are critical in breaking down barriers and increasing social harmony,” he said. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
Sam Halbouni, Principal of independent Islamic primary school Arkana College which hosted the event, said the Iftar was a chance to expand on the connections made by the students. “The two communities seldom come together, if at all, so we created an opportunity for them to interact. In a warm and welcoming environment, they could explore their differences, delight in their similarities and forge new friendships,” he said. Phil Roberts, Principal of independent Jewish primary school Mt Sinai College said the school had been involved with Together For Humanity and the Interfaith program for close to 15 years. “I’ve seen waves of year 6 children go through and benefit enormously from developing that intercultural understanding. It’s been magnificent,” he said. Together For Humanity is an inclusive, not-for-profit organisation that works with school communities to combat prejudice, teaching students how to deal with differences and supporting teachers to create culturally inclusive classrooms. Since 2002, it has reached nearly half a million, primarily young, Australians through its programs that foster greater connection and inclusion. Nicky Sandler is the Communications Officer for educational, not-for-profit organisation Together For Humanity and is based in Sydney, Australia.
TONY BURKE MP
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Office: Shop 29/1 Broadway Punchbowl 2196 Phone: (02) 9750 9088 Email: tony.burke.mp@aph.gov.au www.tonyburke.com.au @Tony_Burke Tony Burke MP
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Authorised by Tony Burke MP, Australian Labor Party, Shop 29/1 Broadway Punchbowl 2196
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IPDC Iftar bring leaders together Dr Faroque Amin The Islamic Practice and Da’wah Circle (IPDC) organised their annual Iftar on Friday 23 April at Rydges Parramatta bringing together political, religious and community leaders breaking bread together. Various speakers briefly discussed various issues such as the practical lessons of the month of Ramadan, impacts of fasting, the aspects of love and social justice in Islam, the role of religion in creating harmony and coexistence in the society and the importance of shared values in Australian culture and Islamic living. Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC) is an Australia-wide community organisation primarily established by Australians of Bangladeshi-origin. While it organises nu-
Ms Jodi McKay MP.
Mr David Shoebridge MLC.
Dr Rafiqul Islam.
Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman merous Iftar events at various suburbs in all states of Australia for its members, this particular Iftar was arranged for the members of the greater Australian community. Sheikh Abu Hurayra, Imam of the St Mary’s Masjid, recited from the Qur’an to commence the formal program. A brief discussion session was moderated by Mr Shibly Abdullah, lecturer of Charles Sturt University. Mr Kamal Mahmud, the President
of IPDC NSW, thanked all the guests during his welcome speech. Among the guests who spoke at the event included Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, President of the Australian National Imams Council, Ms Jodi Leyanne McKay MP, Leader of the Opposition in the NSW Parliament, Mr David Shoebridge MLC, Member of the NSW Legislative Council, former NSW Senator Lee Rhiannon, Ms Mary Waterford AM, Chairperson of Sydney Alliance, Sheikh Adid Alrubai, representative of the Grand Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Jalal Chami, Amir of ASWJ Revesby, Reverend Dr Patrick McInerney, Director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, Bishop Vincent Long OFM, Bishop of Parramatta at St Patrick’s Cathedral, Dr Majharul Talikder, IPDC’s Multicultural Affairs Secretary. Dr Rafiqul Islam, Central President highlighted the religious aspects of fasting in Ramadan and achievements of IPDC while Mr Moniruzzaman, secretary of the organisation, thanked the attendees for their valuable participation. Several other speakers from various communities and organisations also joined this Iftar event, such as Dr Jan A Ali, Sen-
ior Lecturer of Western Sydney University, Mr Anwar Alsouly, Dawah Manager of the Embassy of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, Canberra, Dr Naim Islam, Chairman of Charity Right Australia, Mr Zia Ahmed, Editor-in-Chief of Australasian Muslim Times AMUST, Mr Wajahat Ali Rana, President of Charity Australia International, Dr Kashif Aziz, Vice President of Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims, Mr Abdullah Yousuf Shamim, Editor-in-Chief of Suprovat Sydney, Mr Syed Atiq ul Hassan, Editor-in-Chief of Tribune International, Mr Mohammad Abdul Matin, Secretary of Sydney Press and Media Council, Mr Maruf Khan, President of Halal Australia, Mr Omar al Jamal, Australian Islamic Mission Youth President Representatives from Sydney Alliance, Transport Workers Union, Community Migrate Resource Centre, Allied Industries NSW United Workers Union, Human Appeal, Australian Islamic Mission, Punchbowl Mosque, Al Khauther, Mercy Mission, Australian National Imams Council also attended the IPDC Iftar. Dr Faroque Amin works with Suprovat Sydney, a Bengali community newspaper published from Sydney, Australia.
Charity Australia receives $425,000 in pledges Usman Malik Charity Australia International held its Annual Fundraising Dinner on Tuesday 27 March 2021 in Bowmen Hall Blacktown in NSW. A large number of Sydney siders turned out to attend this event. This annual event is organised by CAI to raise funds to support its ongoing activities or support any catastrophic event which may occur and needs immediate attention. Charity Australia started its journey when a major earthquake hit northern areas of Pakistan in 2005. It is working diligently since then and has begun many key projects to help communities in many different parts of the world. “Our communities living in Australia have done a wonderful job so far since the beginning of this journey and continue to do so consistently”, said Brother Rais Khan, President of Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims, IFAM. CAI has built many houses, schools and mosques in the affected areas. Charity Australia is also running a Clinical laboratory in Mansehra district which performs pathology testing at significant reduced costs. Brother Wajahat Rana, Chairman of CAI has mentioned that CAI facilities are not lesser in standards than any of the renowned labs in the area but costs are at least 35% lesser. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
CAI has been building a state of the art hospital in Multan, Pakistan. It is located in the outskirts of city where no other hospital exists in nearby. This will be a three storey building with indoor and outdoor facilities. One section of this hospital has already become operational this year. During the fund raising event Brother Wajahat Rana mentioned that every year we fund few ongoing projects and several emergency relief efforts in response to any disaster. During the previous year relief was sent to Lebanon where a massive blast shook the area and hundreds of people got killed. The support provided included medicines, food, clothes and blankets. Similarly relief efforts were carried out in Hyderabad, India and Karachi, Pakistan when two big cities faced major rainfalls and subsequent flooding. Support was also provided to the Syrian people in the camps in Turkey who were facing severe cold weather conditions. CAI also provided support to Rohingiya people living in camps in Bangladesh. CAI also has a medical outdoor facility in Mithi, a main town in Cholistan. It is serving as great help to local people who don’t have sufficient medical facilities in the area. Another key project is where CAI sponsors orphans in Pakistan. CAI is sponsoring 100-200 children every year and provides support for their education and living expenses. Usman Malik is the MGM of IFAM. He is based in Sydney. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
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A Night of Sharing: ISRA and the ABC Aisha Abdu The Islamic Sciences and Research Academy Australia (ISRA) hosted its inaugural ‘Night of Sharing’ on the evening of Friday 23 April. Almost thirty guests from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) joined with both emerging and long-standing Muslim leaders to share iftar and address the evolving, and sometimes volatile, relationship between the Muslim community and the media. The two organisations connected during the 2020 ISRA Women’s Leadership Mentoring Program. In response to Dr Derya Iner’s damning Islamophobia report, which
exposed that women constitute 71% of victims of Islamophobia, postdoctoral researcher Chrisanthi Giotis sought to investigate how Muslim women felt about the role of the media in perpetuating these alarming rates, interviewing some of the mentoring program’s participants as part of her research. In attendance at the iftar was ISRA Founding Director Mehmet Ozalp, ISRA volunteers, the mentoring program’s participants, and a myriad of young Muslim advocates. ISRA was excited to be joined by the deputy editors of the ABC Sydney, Victorian and Asia-Pacific newsrooms, as well as the ABC 5050 Equality Team member, Flip Prior, who co-hosted the iftar alongside Amar Hamed. Young journalists and producers from a diversity of backgrounds; social media, digital media, radio, politics, and local community reporting invigorated the gener-
al sense of hope and solidarity enveloping the room. The event kicked off with each table discussing ‘you can’t ask that’ style questions, which were laced with the mutual, and arguably warranted, fear and distrust between the Muslim community and the media. It was an opportunity to debunk misconceptions and myths, but also to explain the skepticism experienced by each side towards the other. This was followed by an insightful panel consisting of political reporter Nour Hayder, seasoned journalist Stephen Hutcheon, Mehmet Ozalp, and politics student Lina Ali. The panelists discussed the responsibility of journalists to recognise the danger of conflating fear-mongering buzzwords such as ‘jihad’ and ‘sharia law’ with the Australian Muslim identity. On the other hand, the onus on the Muslim community to nurture media literacy and address popular and circulating conspiracy theories was discussed. Attendees and panelists expressed their take on the contro-
versial roads of tokenism and diversity quotas. It was foremostly agreed that diversity and competence are not mutually exclusive. The iftar was the first step of many to come, and the ABC was thrilled to have expanded their database of Muslim contacts to greater reflect the diversity of the Muslim community. At the closing of the event, the ABC reinforced their hope to be accessible bridges for the Muslim community to not only share their stories but join the world of media reporting. ISRA looks forward to seeing the fruits of the event’s conversations manifest in media and reporting policy. I am sure that most attendees would agree that, above all, there was something warm and promising about sharing dates and syrupy Lebanese sweets with our fellow Australians. Aisha Abdu is a medical student at UNSW and a conference organiser at UN Youth NSW.
I hope Ramadan has been a month of blessings and peaceful reflection with loved ones and friends. Sending you warm wishes for a joyful Eid-ul-Fitr.
MehreenFaruqi.org.au | fb.me/MehreenFaruqi Senator.Faruqi@aph.gov.au | 02 9211 1500 Authorised Mehreen Faruqi, The Greens, Parliament House, Canberra 2600
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FunFest 2021: Accessible and inclusive enjoyment for all Zia Ahmad One of its kind, an Accessibility FunFest was held on Sunday 4 April at Ollie Webb Reserve in Parramatta organised by Seena Incorporated, a not for profit community organisation promoting inclusiveness and celebrating ability and freedom as opposed to disability. The event was sponsored by a number of organisations and service providers including Resilience To Recovery, Zaffet Afraah, My Ability Care, Community Support Services and AMUST. There was an overwhelming response with more than 120 people registering for the free event in advance who turned up with their carers, family and friends to enjoy and relax on a beautiful sunny day. The indefatigable President of Seena, Mehar Ahmad together with her enthusiastic team arrived at the park at 6.30 in the morning and had everything set up including food and drinks by the time registered guests start-
Release of doves by FunFest attendees courtesy of Fly-High Doves @flyhighdoves.
Watch video highlights of the event. ed arriving at 10 am. There was no formal program, but plenty of interactive activities organised for the participants in keeping with their ability level including colouring, Henna and face painting for both for adults and children. The NDIS service provider Resilience to Recovery organised a fantastic fashion pa-
rade where their clients arrived in their best cultural dresses, many proudly wearing a variety of hats and jewellery. In sync with drumming by Zaffet Afraah, a large number of people including those in wheelchairs joined a procession going around the park singing and dancing in their own way joined by many others picnicking in the park. With the water park adjacent to the FunFest venue and it being a warm day, many children supervised by their parents had aqua fun on the day as well. Free show bags with all kinds of goodies were distributed to all participants and many other visitors in the park who in the spirit of inclusiveness were offered free food as well. A group of Indians friends on picnic at the
park became inquisitive as to the nature of the event and commended Seena for bringing isolated people out of their homes to the park in a very interesting and inclusive communal event. The FunFest concluded with the release of a number of doves by people of different abilities with their own hands symbolising freedom from isolation and limitations. The FunFest indeed proved to be an extremely inclusive event participated by a diverse range of people from different cultural backgrounds, ages, faiths, abilities and interests who were all catered for very well. Zia Ahmad is the Editor-in-Chief of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST.
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Attendees celebrated to exciting drumming and music by Zaffet Afraah.
BEST WISHES TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILY ON THE OCCASION OF EID UL FITR Lynda Voltz MP
MEMBER FOR AUBURN P (02) 9737 8822 E auburn@parliament.nsw.gov.au A Mezzanine Level 92 Parramatta Road Lidcombe NSW 2141 Authorised by Lynda Voltz MP, Mezzanine Level, Lidcombe Centre, 92 Parramatta Road, Lidcombe NSW 2141.
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Iftar Al Khair: The true Ramadan spirit Soukina Kassir “What comes from the heart, goes to the heart”, a famous quote which Mrs Joumana Menzalji Elljamal, owner of Dustypink, and chairperson of the non-profit organisation Sydney Community Connect Inc, loves to live by. A lady not novel to social work and helping the l community, with a vibrant past of helping others since her arrival to Australia. This Ramadan 2021, “Iftar Al Khair” was launched. “I’ve always attended Iftars that were held for politicians, community leaders etc which have been great,” Joumana explains, “but I felt I had to do more for those in need during Ramadan. I felt the urge to give back on a broader scale,” Joumana narrates. “Iftar Al Khair”, a project launched by Sydney Community Connect Inc, and led by Joumana, aims at offering 100 meals a day in Ramadan to any person or family in Sydney, be the person Muslim or non-Muslim who is in need. The meal includes a main meal, bread,dates, water, drinks, fruits, veggies, and sometimes chocolates or sweets. But it’s not just about the food. “Iftar Al Khair is about bringing the community together from all walks of life, putting our hands together to offer something wholesome. It’s a way to connect and demonstrate to our youth what giving is all about. It’s a way to show what Islam is all about: kindness to every human being no matter what background, nationality or culture they are from,” Joumana explains. “I’ve been overwhelmed by the support I’ve received. Not only from Muslims, but
Joumana Elljamel (left) with Ali Eljamal, Ibrahim Eljamal and Abou Ahmad Akkaoui from Mina Bay Seafood in Bass Hill. from the entire community from all walks of life.” Joumana admits. Joumana goes on to name some businesses that have generously contributed to and supported this initiative. “Some businesses which have generously supported this project include Mr Shawarma, Nutroasters, Mdprovodres, Minabay Seafood, Crown Bexley, Bexley Wrap and Burgers, Abu Salim Greenacre, Al Aseel Restaurants to name some in addition to many individual donations - some worth thousands,” Joumana states. “To say that seeing businesses come to-
gether and offer their food and time to the needy has been heartwarming is an understatement. I have been brought to tears by the generosity of some people in our community,” an emotional Joumana describes. Charity work is something Joumana has always been doing. And this is not the first time. In 2019, she launched the “Do it for fashion Cancer Fundraiser Show” at the Brian Brown Theatre in collaboration with Lara Hawash which raised 5000$, and in 2020 again, the “Do it for Fashion Show” which she put together with her daughter Christine raised $7500 for Cancer Council Joumana Elljamel (left) with the Mr Shawarma Restaurant team in Greenacre.
NSW; the event which was held at the Highline Venue, Bankstown with more than 350 people attending through the support of the community. This year, Sydney Community launched the inaugural “IWD Achievement Awards Night and Fashion Show” in calibration with Dusty Pink and La Royal. Throughout the years, Joumana has built an amazing foundation of trust from the community around her by offering support, be it emotional, social, financial, and much more to all the people around her and fortunately, and with “Allah’s Grace” as she describes, when she called for donations and contributions to her project, the help came pouring in. “There are so many people to thank and day after day, I’m getting more offers of help from many different people and we are not even half way through Ramadan,” Joumana states. “I’d like to thank Jihad Dib MP and his wife Erin Dib, Mostafa Hijazi, Nadia Saleh , Rachelle Harika , Bilal Hayek , Souhair Afiouny, Ghada Hamdan, Mariam Mourad, Dr Rawha Ayoubi, Dr Anam Nazir, Rawha Hassan, Iman Kaloun, May Mansour and my two sons Ibrahim and Ali Al Jamal for volunteering. I’m sure there will be many more people to thank by the end of Ramadan too,” Joumana discloses to me with a happy heart. When asked what gives her the energy and drive, Joumana concludes by saying she loves seeing the smile on people’s faces. “Seeing that happiness in people’s eyes is just so fullfilling. As the prophet says ‘Your smiling in the face of your brother is charity,” she concludes.. Soukina Kassir (Juelliet) is a mum of two, an image consultant and a former instructor (in Lebanon). Charity and non profit work has always been a passion of mine.
Best wishes to all Muslims across Victoria celebrating Eid al-Fitr. Ramadan is an incredibly important time for Muslim Victorians and Eid celebrations mark the end of this sacred period of reflection and devotion. This year, Eid will be a joyous time for families to gather and for meals to be shared. On behalf of our Government, we’d like to thank all Muslim Victorians for the sacrifices you have made over the past year and the contribution you make to our state. Because of your hard work, we can enjoy the special occasions that mean so much to all of us. Stay safe and Eid Mubarak!
Ros Spence Minister for Multicultural Affairs
James Merlino Acting Premier of Victoria
coronavirus.vic.gov.au/translations Authorised and published by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne
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Spectacular Parliamentary iftar dinner in Melbourne From left: Fathi Tuncer, The Very Revd, Dr Andreas Loewe, Dr. Katie Allen MP, David Southwark MP, Rabbi Gabi Kaltmann, Maria Dimopoulos, Frank Greenstein. Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent & Director for AIS Ahmet Keskin
Sheikh Alaa Elzokm.
From left: Prof Sarah Maddison, Hayley Conway, Diana Sayed, Nesreen Bottriell, Dr. Zuleyha Keskin.
Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) hosted their 15th Annual Parliament Iftar Dinner in collaboration with Minister for Multicultural affairs Ros Spence, and Multicultural Affairs Minister Neil Angus On Tuesday 27 April 2021. The exclusive event was held in the La Trobe Ballroom of Melbourne’s iconic Sofitel Hotel and was attended by several politicians, prominent community leaders, academics and changemakers. AIS has a robust history of interfaith engagement and establishing platforms for dialogue that strengthen mutual respect and understanding between people of diverse communities. The master of ceremonies for this event was Mr Michael Rowland, with the Welcome to Country performed by Muslim Aboriginal Elder of the Wurundjeri, Uncle Andrew Gardiner. The opening prayer was performed by popular Australian imam, Sheikh Alaa Elzokm. President of AIS, Mr Ahmet Keskin spoke on the importance of Interfaith engagement. Keynote speaker, Gender Equality Commissioner Dr Nikki Vincent, gave an inspiring presentation. Reflecting on the Parliament Iftar Dinner,
community leader Tasneem Chopra stated, “The evening featured some brilliant presentations, including one from Dr Nikki Vincent, the newly minted Gender Equality Commissioner who spoke about her Offices mandate to centre intersectionality in their engagement remit. It was gratifying to see issues of sexism and racism tackled in these presentations, lead by women and women of colour in particular, acknowledging the powerful forces for change in our midst. These engagement events that elevate discourses from platitudes to critical conversations are exactly what we need.” The highlight of the night was a powerful spoken word by inimitable artist Zaynab Farah, titled “She is.” Reflections were shared by Journalist Sara James, Deputy Commissioner Neil Patterson and Justice Victoria Bennett. Special mention goes to main event sponsor, Selimiye Foundation, as well as acknowledging the contributions of Arab Bank, Parker Lawyers, NAB, Capital Wealth Advisors, Melbourne ISP and Gozleme King in making this event truly memorable. Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas is the president of Whittlesea Interfaith Network and Head of Community Engagement at Al Siraat College. Gulhan has four published books and a robust history of advocacy for gambling industry reform, Interfaith engagement, Muslim female leaders and mentoring young people to be spokespeople for their community.
NZF: Ramadan Real Talk launch
Mariam Sarhan A new show by National Zakat Foundation called ‘Ramadan Real Talk’ has been launched during the blessed month of Ramadan. The series aims to speak about taboo issues facing the Muslim community. The series is streamed live on the ‘National Zakat Foundation Australia’ Facebook page at 9pm. The first episode of ‘Ramadan Real Talk’ was aired on Sunday 18 April which featured guests Clinical Psychologist Nasreen Hanifi and mentor and educator Dalya Ayoub to discuss mental health issues within the muslim community and iman. Dalya Ayoub mentioned that working in the field and listening to people’s distressing stories sometimes has a negative impact on her mental health but says it is vital that we take care of ourselves. “It is important to take care of yourself MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
and for me spiritually is the ultimate aspect, because seeking strength from the source of all strength and power which is Allah I believe is the ultimate way to help through this”, Dalya Ayoub Said. There is no doubt that conversations around mental health have arisen, however there are calls to improve and normalise discussions about various mental disorders beyond depression and anxiety. “There are still families who are in denial of drug and alcohol factors, sexual abuse is another huge factor. Those topics of discussion are still very taboo”, Nasreen Hanafi Both ladies stressed the importance of tapping into your emotions as it is normal to show and feel them. They also emphasised that mental struggles does not equate to a lack of Iman. “We can’t say that if a person has chronic back pain that it’s because of their lack of Iman, just like we can’t say somebody who’s got depression that it’s because of a lack of Iman”, Dalya Ayoub, says. Mariam Sarhan is a Journalism intern at AMUST. She is based in Sydney.
On this joyous occasion of Eid-ul-Fitr, I wish all Muslims in Victoria and all around Australia, a very Happy Eid.
Bruce Atkinson MLC
Member for Eastern Metropolitan Region Member of the Legislative Council Phone: 03 9877 7188 | Address: R19B | Level 3 West 5 Car Park Entrance, Eastland Shopping Centre
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SAF Australia Appreciation & Fundraising Dinner
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To the Muslim Youth Princess R. Lakshman
Daniya Syed Shahid Afridi Foundation Australia organised an Appreciation and Fundraising Dinner at Mercure Hotel, Liverpool on Sunday 28 March 2021. The purpose of the event was to appreciate the efforts of donors and supporters who actively participated in COVID19 Local Community Support, Ramadan Food Drive, Educate A Child Campaign and few other campaigns throughout the last 2 year. The second most important pur-
pose was to kick-off SAF Ramadan Campaign and raise funds for Water, Education and Food projects. Country Director Australia, Shahid Afridi Foundation, Mr Syed Atif Faheem highlighted the 3 most critical issues which people in Pakistan are facing ie access to water, illiteracy and food insecurity. He briefed the audience about how Shahid Afridi Foundation through its Water, Education and Food projects is helping resolve these issues in Pakistan and people living in Australia can contribute to these causes. The event was virtually attended by star cricketer Shahid Afridi and squash legends Jahangir Khan while sports journalist Dennis Freedman joined event in person in Syd-
As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, the Australian Labor Party wishes the Islamic community a happy Eid Mubarak.
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ney. Shahid Afridi and Jahangir Khan also addressed and answered many questions of the enlightened audience. Mr Mohammad Ashraf – Consul General of Pakistan in Sydney was the Chief Guest at the auspicious event who was presented a shield by Country Director SAF, Syed Atif Faheem. While other awards were presented to SAF Australia donors, supporters and the team. Daniya Syed is a student of Year 9, she is technology enthusiast and have participated in FLL International Robotics Championship competitions. Daniya also has keen interest in community related activities and volunteers herself for various charity organisations.
In a world of falsehood, Be your genuine self. In the company of fakes, Stay true to yourself. In a world where people live with a disease to please others, Please only ALLAH In a world where many may praise you and flaunt themselves on you for their selfish gains, Choose wisely, beware and know in your heart, that you are not an object. Don’t settle for fake friendships. Speak well about yourself to yourself, Be kind with yourself Stay true to your heart Your heart knows ALLAH If ever in doubt, close your eyes and ask ALLAH. If ever you feel regret, guilt or worthlessness, Know that there is no one else in the entire cosmos that is you. You are from ALLAH You matter. Why? Because ALLAH created you. Look within you and recognise that one thing that gives you most joy. That thing is your gift from ALLAH Go forth and live your gift. And even if you say nothing else today, Say Shukr Alhumdolillah.
From the Australian Labor Party: Anthony Albanese MP, Leader of the Australian Labor Party
Andrew Giles MP, Shadow Minister for Multicultural Affairs
Richard Marles MP, Deputy Leader of the Australian Labor Party
Ed Husic MP, Shadow Minister for Industry and Innovation
Penny Wong, Leader of the Australian Labor Party in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs
Anne Aly MP, Member for Cowan
Kristina Keneally, Deputy Labor Leader in the Senate, Shadow Minister for Immigration and Citizenship
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Fifteen years of interfaith engagement Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas On Thursday, 22 April 2021, Al Siraat hosted another Interfaith Ramadhan Dinner and celebrated Whittlesea Interfaith Network’s Fifteen Years of Interfaith Engagement. Whittlesea Interfaith Network has a long and proud history of developing platforms for Interfaith dialogue in the City of Whittlesea and was first founded by former mayor Kris Pavlidis. Their members are made of the many religions represented in the region and they welcome new members from all faiths to participate in their programs that encourage greater social cohesion and harmony. The purpose of WIN is to acknowledge and promote faith as a community value and to provide opportunities for Interfaith dialogue, peace, understanding and harmony
across all faiths and cultures. The Interfaith Ramadhan Dinner was a wonderful opportunity for members from local community groups and organisations to reconnect. Respected guests from St Monica’s College attended, including coordinators Clare Turner, Denis Zucchett and Jessie as well as student leaders. Al Siraat and St Monica’s share a long and proud history of interfaith collaboration and friendship. Noori Ahmed, coordinator for Student Interfaith Leadership, was pivotal in coordinating all the background work for this event and continues to be a strong advocate for grassroots interfaith engagement. The masters of ceremony were College Captains Layla Rashid and Humza Ghouse. Mufti Aasim Rashid gave a talk on ‘Ramadhan – the Month of Gratitude,’ before maghreb prayer and breaking of the fast (iftar). The event began with a beautiful
Lisa Thorpe, CEO of Bubup Wilam Aboroginal Child & Family Centre, Manal Shehab, Muslim Indigenous Elder Andrew Gardiner and his wife Sadika Kassab.
IMESA fundraising iftar for Indian kids AMUST Media Indian Minority Education Society of Australia Inc (IMESA) held a fundraising Iftar event on Saturday 1 May 2021. The Marigold hall at Glenwood Community Hub was filled to capacity with nearly 200 people in attendance. The program commenced with Quran recitation by Moulana Abeer ul Hassan Thanvi, a locally raised Imam, educated in South Africa. He gave an inspiring talk speaking about the acquiring of knowledge in Islam and the emphasis of education of Muslim children. He appealed for giving zakat and sadaqat during the holy month of Ramadan. The renowned humanitarian Rabia Siddique, during her video message, emphasized that Ramadan was the time of compassion and charity saying to educate a child will educate and change the whole community. “We must be the change, each and everyone of us, we have the power, as ordinary people, to do extraordinary things and to change the lives of those that we can” She said. Daughter of an Indian Muslim father and an Australian mother, Rabia Siddique is an International speaker, humanitarian, best-selling author and hostage survivor during gulf war in Basrah, Iraq. The retired British Army officer, criminal and human rights lawyer and former terrorism and war crimes prosecutor, is also a sought after transformational coach and mentor. She applauded IMESA’s efforts in educating the poor Muslim children in India. Speaking on behalf of IMESA, Mr Zahid Jamil described the plight of Indian Muslim children and why it was a duty of Indian Muslims living in Australia to help the poorMAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
The Whittlesea Interfaith Network team with Federal MP Andrew Giles. Qur’an recitation by Hifz student Farhaj Faheem with translation by Da’wah Leadership student Yunus Benamar. Muslim Indigenous Elder of the Wurundjeri Hassan Andrew Gardiner performed the Welcome to Country, reflecting on the shared history between Indigenous First Peoples of Arnhem Land and the Makassan Muslims dating back long before settlement. College Principal Fazeel Arain shared an inspiring story on the importance of gratitude, especially after you have been blessed with abundance and prosperity. Federal MP Andrew Giles shared his reflections on gratitude and celebrated our great diversity of the region. He expressed that “With everything that’s going on in the world, it has never been more important to have more platforms for interfaith engagement.” Justin O’Meara gave a heartfelt speech on behalf of Craig Lloyd, the CEO for City of Whittlesea reflecting on the month of gratitude and our diverse community made up
of people from over 140 different countries. The formal presentation closed with a speech by the founder of Whittlesea Interfaith Network (WIN), Kris Pavlidis, where she spoke very highly of all the members of WIN and celebrated their commitment to fostering greater social cohesion. Kris was presented with a plaque of appreciation, from Al Siraat College, produced on campus by the Art & Technology Team, and presented officially by Federal MP Andrew Giles. This event would not have been possible without the generous support of the Parents & Friends Community leadership, namely Ms Serap Bulli and Ms Rihana Penitito making this event truly memorable. Interfaith Ramadhan Dinner was a part of the Interfaith Youth Forum Project, proudly supported by the Victorian State Government and hosted by Al Siraat College in collaboration with Whittlesea Interfaith Network & St Monica’s College, and proudly supported by City of Whittlesea & Victoria Police.
Rabia Siddique.
est Muslims back home. Surely, all Muslims and people in general should consider helping this humanitarian cause. IMESA aims to increase the educational levels of poorest Muslim children in India. Muslims number approximately 180 million in India and majority of them are among the poorest communities in India, and have below average levels of education, and suffer from deprivation of their basic needs. IMESA seeks to improve the lives of these families through promoting education, both encouraging children to stay in school, and encouraging parents of child labourers to enrol their children in school. It is achieved through educational campaigns, providing additional financial support for families (school fees, uniforms, compensation for lost), and providing after-hours study spaces and tutoring support. By providing vulnerable children with an education, IMESA seek to improve their future employment and economic opportunities, to improve their overall socio-economic status, and ultimately pass on these benefits to their families and the broader community. The fundraising call was very well received by the attendees who generously donated to the cause. The evening concluded with a dua by Dr Sikander Khan for COVID-19 affected people in India.
Do you feel supported to live well with epilepsy? Do you believe there is enough support, resources and information available? If you think the state of epilepsy care in Australia could be improved, then we would like to hear from you. We invite you to participate in an online survey to better understand your needs and the gaps that exist in epilepsy services and supports in Australia. The survey is open until May 31st and should only take you 20 minutes. This research is being conducted as part of the Epilepsy Smart Australia Program Pilot and will be managed with independent consultant KPMG. Your responses will remain anonymous. Access the survey at bit.ly/epilepsysmart or scan the QR Code above to have your say! If you would like more information about how to get involved on a deeper level, please contact Mohana Ryan on 0436 404 895 or mryan@epilepsyfoundation.org.au. Alternatively, you can email au-fm-EpilepsySmart@kpmg.com.au.
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Christchurch: Unity in Diversity Dinner Farid Ahmed What a wonderful gathering! It was as if the whole world came together in Spreydon Primary School hall, in Christchurch on Saturday 10 April 2021, for the Unity in Diversity Dinner. The organisers, Bangladeshi Parents’ Group wanted to pay respect to their 5 martyrs and 3 injured in 15 March Christchurch massacre and to pray for all martyrs and injured by celebrating the unity against hate. Since I was born in Bangladesh, I had the privilege to take a role as a volunteer. We as a community were deeply moved by the love we were given by the lovely people from diverse walks of life and we were inspired by the unity among people in love, peace, and compassion. So, we wanted to acknowledge that precious spirit of unity by the “Unity in Diversity Dinner event.” As planned, 300 selected guests were gathered from all walks of life. That included teachers, professionals, community leaders, Imams, Members of Parliament, Ministers, Ambassadors, representatives from Police, Ambulance, Victim Support, Mayor and former mayor, City Councillors, Human Rights Commission people, interfaith leaders, charity organisations, civil society leaders, and neighbours who provided support to Muslims during and after the shooting.
“... each one of
A minute of silence was observed in respect to late HRH Prince Philip. The remembrance service was followed by a panel discussion regarding unity in diversity before the dinner and Nasheed (spiritual songs). The speakers at the event included Farid Ahmed, Patrick O’Connor, Mayor Lianne Dalziel, Minister Megan Woods. Bangladeshi children group recited the opening chapter of the Quran in order to
us should work for promoting unity amongst humanity in order to live in peace.
commence the program followed by Recitation by Imam Abdul Lateef and dua by Imam Jamal Fouda. There were video messages from HE Rosemary Banks NZ ambassador to Washington DC, HE Patricia Forsythe, Australian High Commissioner to NZ, Hon Minister Priyanca Radhakrishna. The panel included Hon Minister Andrew Little, HE Mira Woldberg, Netherlands’ ambassador to NZ, respected Faran foley Deputy Ambassador of Ireland to NZ, respected Leslie Goodman Country Public Affairs Officer, US Mission in NZ, Dr Duncan MP, and Human Rights Commissioner, Mr Paul hunt. The entire event was moderated by Br An-
thony Green. The dinner ended with the positive note that each one of us should work for promoting unity amongst humanity in order to live in peace. Guests took the opportunity to make connections with others through smile, chat, and by sharing contacts during the round tables. Bangladeshi parents’ group was praised for their hard work for organizing such a meaningful event that the world needs. Farid Ahmed is a survivor of Christchurch attack on 15 May 2019, a peace advocate, author of HUSNA’S Story and Quran teacher in Christchurch.
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Authorised by Ed Husic MP, ALP, Shop 41 Plumpton Marketplace, Cnr Hyatts & Jersey Road, Plumpton NSW 2761.
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Islamic Art and Calligraphy Exhibition at Gallery One62 in Auburn Azlin Ali Gallery One62 is a privately owned art gallery based in Auburn, NSW, that has been supporting local and international artists since 2018. They have held solo exhibitions for a number of local artists as well as poets and musician while also showcasing group shows for local together with international artists. Gallery One62 recently had an International Women’s Day exhibition and is now exhibiting Islamic Art and calligraphy. The opening day, held on Sunday 11 April 2021, was a great success as fans of art flocked the gallery and were also gifted with live calligraphy demonstration by renowned Iranian artists, Jalal Pouramini, who had exhibited his works at the Imam Hussein Shrine and other masjids in Iran. This Ramadan, the walls of Gallery One62 are decorated with works by Sithi Thaslee-
ma, Roger ibn Tyrone, Samia Khan, Azlin Ali, Sarah Mumtaz, Shahid Malik, Atif Ali, Umair Ahmad, Rabia Daud, Rafi Riaz, Tasneem F Imaan and Jalal Pouramini. In conjunction with the theme of Islamic calligraphy, Gallery One62 is now running an Islamic Calligraphy Competition open to everyone. Participants may send images of their artwork to Gallery One62 Facebook page or by email to galleryone62@hotmail.com. To be chosen as finalist, send your artwork before Saturday 15 May 2021 with your name and contact details. The top 10 finalists will be announced on Tuesday 18 May 2021. The finalist will then compete on the competition day on Sunday 23 May 2021 at Gallery One62. Cash prizes of $500, $300 and $200 are to be won. For more information, do contact us at Gallery One62 Facebook and Instagram or email to galleryone62@hotmail.com. Azlin Ali is the art curator at Gallery One62, a privately owned art gallery showcasing local and international artists, as well as art workshops, based in Sydney, Australia.
New exhibition: Islamic Museum highlights voices of Victorian Muslims Mei Nee Cheong The Islamic Museum of Australia will be presenting the untold testimonies of over 50 Victorian Muslims through a documentary-style exhibition and online gallery commencing Thursday 15 April 2021. Titled Missing Voices, the exhibition will feature photographs, video interviews, musings and paintings, exploring tropes of belonging, Islamophobia, tolerance and resilience which pervade the everyday lives of Muslims in Australia. Opening on Thursday 15 April, the date falls within the early days of Ramadan; the most sacred month in the Islamic calendar. Islamic Museum of Australia Curator, Dr Mahmoud Mohammed said the Museum is humbled by the participants’ generosity in sharing stories. “One participant shared with us that prior to coming to Australia, she was not allowed to fast during Ramadan in her home country. For her, coming to Australia meant having the freedom to practice her religion – that includes fasting during Ramadan – one of the pillars of the Islamic faith,” said Dr Mohammed. Another musing from a participant describes how her great-grandmother was branded a ‘human shuttlecock’ for wearing a burqa upon her arrival into Western Australia in the early twentieth century. Another story from a ninety-four year old recalls the scarcity of olive oil in Australia, instead having to bulk purchase tiny bottles from a pharmacy intended for moisturising babies. Islamic Museum of Australia Founder and Director Moustafa Fahour OAM said the exhibition offered a unique opportunity to share lived experiences of Victorian Muslims. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
Mr Jalal Pouramini, renowned Iranian artist.
“The exhibition will stir the emotions of all individuals who read or hear the musings. For some, it will evoke memories from their own migration stories or individual journeys in navigating identity. For others, the stories will offer a unique insight into the experience of Muslims, some are confronting, others are uplifting or even amusing, but each story has been told with candour,” said Mr Fahour. Among the work on display as part of Missing Voices, are eight portraits by the late Ethiopian born Melbourne-based artist, Tamirat Gebremariam, who sadly passed away in June 2020. The Museum has become a meeting point for diverse cultural, social and interfaith groups, and a locus for learning and dialogue between these congregates. Through this exhibition, the Museum aims to create and share positive narratives about Muslims, celebrate their contributions to society, and strengthen a sense of belonging, pride and accomplishment within the community. Missing Voices is on display at the Islamic Museum of Australia and online at islamicmuseum.org.au from 15 April – 16 July 2021.The Islamic Museum of Australia is located in Thornbury, in Melbourne’s north. It is the only Islamic museum in the country and provides educational and cross-cultural experiences for all ages. The Museum is open Monday – Saturday 10am – 4pm.
Mr Shahid Malik (gallery manager), far left, with art collectors
Mei Nee Cheong is a marketing professional who has worked across the arts, arts education and travel. She is currently the Media and Marketing Manager at the Islamic Museum of Australia and is based in Melbourne, Australia. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
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NSW Premier’s iftar on Tuesday 20 April at Parramatta.
Australian National Imams Council iftar on Thursday 29 April at Punchbowl.
Islamic Museum of Australia’s iftar on Thursday 29 April at State Library Victoria. Afghan Community Support Association of NSW iftar on Saturday 1 May
Mizan Avenue Fundraising iftar on Saturday 1 May.
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Canterbury Bankstown iftar, on Wednesday 28 April, hosted by Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour.
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Arkana College interfaith iftar on Wednesday 28 April.
ISRA’s volunteers iftar on Sunday 2 May at Auburn. IFAM Community dinner on Sunday 2 May at Rooty Hill Masjid.
iftar on Wednesday 21 April
Jihad Dib, Tony Burke & Jason Clare iftar on Friday 23 April in Punchbowl.
Lion’s Club Multifaith iftar on Thursday 22 April. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
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A caged bird can still sing Dr Vacy Vlazna
Father Stan Swamy.
Jharkhand, in Eastern India known as The Tribal State is home to 32 indigenous tribes – 7.1 million Adivasi whose tribal land is the source of 40% of India’s profitable minerals; gold, silver, copper, graphite, bauxite, uranium, coal. The combination of rich resources and impoverished Indigenous people is the stock formula for state/corporate theft, violence and racism (ask Indigenous Australians). Add to this explosive mix President Modi’s fanatical Hindutva supremacists. Under his watch as Chief Minister of Gujarat over 200 Muslims were savagely butchered in 2002. Then add the militant Maoist groups that conduct rural rebellion against state hierarchical violence, exploitation and racism of the caste system under which the poorest tribal folk also suffer. Then along comes Father Stan Swamy, a Jesuit priest inoculated with the empowerment teachings of Paolo Friere’s Pedagogy of the Oppressed wherein “the path to liberation is through raised “conscientização” (critical consciousness) on the part of the oppressed: becoming aware of the situation of oppression and determining how it might be changed without perpetuating an unjust system.” In the 30 years of devoted service to the oppressed Adivasi, “He moved the high court seeking the release of 3,000 young men and women who have been languishing in prison after being branded as Maoists. He trekked to remote tribal villages to inform them of their rights. He told them how mines, dams and townships were be-
ing built without their consent, and of how they had been deprived of land, often with no compensation. He openly sympathised with a 2018 rebellion of tribespeople, asserting their rights over their resources and
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Collaborate and inspire
common land. He regularly wrote articles on how big corporations were taking over tribal land for factories and mines.” Arrested under anti-terrorist laws 6 months ago on false charges of conspiracy, 84-year old Fr Swamy who is debilitated with poor health and Parkinsons is languishing in a Covid-ridden Delhi prison along with 16 co-accused ‘prominent intellectuals, lawyers, writers, poets, activists, student leaders’ for expressing “their dissent or raised questions about the ruling powers of India”. “Even in prison, Father Swamy has found ways to keep his thirst for justice alive. “We 16 co-accused have not been able to meet each other as we are lodged in different jails or different ‘circles’ within the same jail …“But we will still sing in chorus. A caged bird can still sing.” There are calls for Fr Swamy’s immediate release as there are calls for the release of Mohammad al Halabi languishing in an Israeli prison and Julian Assange held in Belmarsh prison by the UK for US interests. What Swamy, al Halabi and Assange have in common is their moral strength, their innocence and imprisonment by right-wing despots; Modi, Netanyahu and Trump/Biden. Reading about injustice is pointless unless we too drink from the well of justice and act accordingly, “Eat and drink from the provision of Allaah, and do not commit abuse on the earth, spreading corruption.” [Quran 2:60] (Demand Fr Swamy and his co-accused release; Indian High Commission Canberra hco.canberra@mea.gov.in)
Princess R. Lakshman The flower has no ambition, It is naturally blessed to bloom and wither away. The flower has no need to be reminded of its beauty, It is naturally unique. As are you. Let go of your ambitions. Ambition focuses on limits and lack. Replace it with awareness. Awareness of your infinite potential. Resist ambitions, Embrace inspirations. Then, Notice how where once lived conditioned beliefs of competition and constant comparisons, You will now experience the beautiful understanding of collaboration. In competition, there is lack. In collaboration, there is abundance. Ambitions are competitive. Inspirations bring about collaborations. So, become aware. Collaborate. Inspire.
Dr Vacy Vlazna is Coordinator of Justice for Palestine Matters. She is the editor of a volume of Palestinian poetry, I remember my name.
As the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end, I would like to wish you and your family a happy and blessed Eid. - Anne Stanley
Anne Stanley MP FEDERAL MEMBER FOR WERRIWA
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Interfaith guests join Muslims at iftar and in Prayer Dr Patrick Mclnerney The Diocese of Parramatta and the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations (CCCMR) co-hosted an Interfaith Iftar on 26 April 2021 at the Novotel Hotel, Parramatta. At the appointed time, Imam Issa of the Parramatta Mosque gave the azan, after which the Muslim guests broke their fast with dates and water. The MC, Rev Dr Patrick McInerney, directed them to the prayer room which had been set aside for the maghrib (sunset) prayer. To the other guests he added: “Some have said that we cannot pray together, as our faiths are different! While it is certainly true that we should not participate in those rituals that are proper to another’s faith, we can certainly join in spiritual solidarity. If you wish, you may stand behind
our Muslim brothers and sisters and pray/ meditate/reflect with them, each according to your own tradition.” Many of the guests accepted the invitation. As the Muslims performed salat – standing, bowing, prostrating to the one God – the guests from other religions stood behind them in respectful silence, bowed their heads, and prayed, meditated, reflect-
Feeding Australia provides food for the homeless
ed, each according to their own faith tradition. Buddhist, Catholic, Hindu, Jew, Muslim, Sikh, Uniting – imam, bishop, minister, priest, rabbi, leaders and members of different faith congregations – all united together in acknowledging a greater power. It was a very moving and powerful experience of a profound spiritual communion that transcends our differences. I am convinced that this experience shaped the extraordinary atmosphere of warmth and friendliness that prevailed throughout the rest of the Interfaith Iftar, as believers from different faiths shared food, drink and table conversation and were inspired by the occasional speeches. There was intensive mingling before and after the Iftar together with photo sessions while a number of speakers expressed their feelings of joy in breaking bread together during the dinner. This Interfaith Iftar was in line with the
spirit of cooperation between Christians and Muslims. Pope Francis and Sheikh Ahmed Tayyeb, who co-authored, and on the 4 February 2019 in Abu Dhabi, co-signed the Document on Human Fraternity, the opening line of which states: Faith leads a believer to see in the other a brother or sister to be supported and loved. Our faith in the one God – who is Creator, Provider, Judge, al-Rahman, al-Rahim – makes us sisters and brothers to each other. Pope Francis has affirmed the necessity of cooperation among the religions. Addressing religious leaders in Abu Dhabi he said. “There is no alternative: we will either build the future together or there will not be a future.” Rev Dr Patrick McInerney is the Director of the Columban Mission Institute and Coordinator of its Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations and is based in Sydney.
Eid mubarak
Muhammad Hussain Feeding Australia, subsidiary project of Salman Foundation provides food to the homeless people of Perth. “Do not show lethargy or negligence in giving alms and charity till your last breath.” -Muhammad (s) (Hadith Bukhari and Muslim). Muhammad Salman and his team are the real-life example of this hadith by providing Fresh fruits, vegetables and hot meals in the centre of the Perth CBD. Feeding Australia doing this charity from 2015 by providing over more than one hundred thousand kg food to the homeless people of Perth on evMAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
ery weekend. Feeding Australia collects fresh vegetables from Coles Australia through second bite program, on every Friday night they distribute it among all the homeless people of Perth, on next night volunteers’ members of feeding Australia cooked over more than fifty meals for the homeless public of Perth. Feeding Australia Founder Muhammad Salman “vowed that his organisation would keep doing this food charity unless there is a single homeless person sleeps without food in Perth and for future his organisation Feeding Australia will try to provide food to the homeless even on the weekdays as well.”
Senator
Raff Ciccone Federal Labor Senator for Victoria
03 9894 2098 1A Blackburn Road, Blackburn VIC 3130
Muhammad Hussain from Pakistan and student of Masters of Processional communication in Perth, Australia. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU
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Wishing you and your family joy, peace and happiness
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Coronial Inquest into Calls for Mr death of Raghe Abdi Mohammed El Halabi’s release AMUST Media
Chris Hayes MP I draw attention to the House of the ongoing plight of Mr Mohammed El Halabi, former director of World Vision Australia, who worked in Gaza and on the West Bank. Mr El Halabi was arrested in 2016 by Israeli authorities on the allegation of funnelling $50 million of World Vision money to the terrorist group Hamas. It’s been five years since his arrest and the Israeli authorities have yet to prove the allegations made against him or release him. There are serious ongoing concerns about Mr El Halabi’s welfare, given his restricted medical care and limited visitation rights. There have also been a number of significant restrictions placed on his legal team. Despite 156 court appearances, still no evidence has been presented to substantiate the charges that have been made against him. Investigations conducted by our own Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, independent auditors, as well as World Vision itself, have all failed to produce any evidence that any money was ever diverted by Mr El Halabi. Given that no evidence has been presented thus far by the Israeli authorities to substantiate the allegations, we must continue to place pressure on Israel to finalise Mr El Halabi’s
trial without further delay and ensure that human rights are adhered to in this matter, including due process and the rule of law itself. Mr Chris Hayes MP is the Federal Member for the NSW seat of Fowler and Chief Opposition Whip.
The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) has sought leave to appear at the Coronial Inquest into the death of Raghe Abdi. The inquest will examine the death of the 22 year old Somali-Australian, who was shot by police in December 2020. Police declared a terror event shortly after, suggesting there was a link between the boy and a double homicide of an elderly couple in their home. Mr Abdi was prejudicially labelled a ‘radicalised ISIL supporter’ by numerous mainstream media outlets. In March 2021, the ASIO Director General referred to Mr Abdi with the same label, before the inquest had even begun. AMAN had asked the Queensland Police and Australian Federal Police to clarify or correct the record in December 2020. “Seeing this label being thrown around before the inquest, without any clear evidence or allegation stated by police was distressing to many,” said AMAN’s advisor, Rita Jabri-Markwell. She says the inquest carries possible implications for human rights, public health and safety. The organisation hopes to provide latest research on counter terrorism policing and its impact on vulnerable youth and community, including the media handling. It also hopes to have access to the facts to conduct its own independent analysis. Separately, AMAN has also written to the Queensland Police Commissioner about the media handling of that incident. The organ-
isation will be looking for standards that uphold human rights, especially in regard to due process before the law, acknowledging there are high community impacts from terror reporting and that defamation safeguards are not applicable where the individual has passed. It is understood the family of the late Raghe are privately represented but are appealing for donations to assist with the steep and ongoing costs of legal representation. Support for the legal costs can be directed to the boy’s father, Mohamed Abdi, via Pay ID 0450 626 248 or by emailing kaahqld@hotmail.com.
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Muslim female champ knocks out stereotypes
Mariam Sarhan Carol Earl punches through the barriers of “typical Muslim women” in her stellar career. Many people they think oppression when they think Muslim women. However Carol Earl, a Muslim female boxer, is axing those false stereotypes placed on Muslim women. The two time Australian champion also inspires other Muslim women to try the sport. From learning the skill of throwing punches, strength, defense and agility she has also mastered psychological advantages such as strong fortitude, patience and determination. The two time Lebanese Australian champion migrated to Australia at just six months of age and didn’t take up fighting until she was thirty-four years of age. She was a dentist for sixteen years before she made the decision to retire. Carol started Muay Thai during the pregnancy of her third child and later on had her first fight after giving birth with the support of her husband Wayne. From a long time, females have been underrepresented in sports, especially physical sports or mixed martial arts, especially Muslim and ethnic women being told this is not for you, or women should not participate in sports that have violence in them. “I don’t look at it as violent. It takes so much courage and mental health to work through those ropes,” Carol says. So a sport like boxing or any mixed martial arts is considered taboo or abnormal by the Muslim and ethnic community for women to participate in, women should not be told they are unable to compete in these sports at any MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
level. “I wanted my community to look at the positive, not the negative. Why can’t they uplift a female. What don’t they realise that what I do gets the message across is more effective than theirs,” she said. The representation of females in sport is important, they offer many jobs for these
women’s at a professional level and it gives them the benefit that all the male athletes get. May that be physically, financially, psychologically and to any other way. Dawah how it can seen positively, due to the misconceptions about Islam and stereotypes, and mainly cultural norms from ethnic old ideology that does put women at obsta-
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cles that make them feel they should not be competing these sports. Dawah comes in many forms, one of the best ways dawah is done by practicing and being the best form of yourself. “Being an ambassador for females in our religion became a great deal for me. Not fame or money but for purpose dawah openly for all religions. It wouldn’t matter, just being that different female can approach people in different ways.” Seeing Muslim women in these sports being the best they are promotes Islam in a way that shows they are able to go out and do things everyone does. “Before they criticise boxing, they try it. When you look at something on the outside, like never watch a fight, but if you’ve done boxing, and you know the ins and outs of it, you will see how its a sport and discipline.” Carol Earl is not only breaking misconstrued ideas of what a Muslim woman is but also represents her faith in a positive light which is rarely shown in mainstream media. In doing so its creates a space for non Muslims to view Islam as a religion that empowers women and doesn’t oppress them. Carol Earl has opened up HIT FC Liverpool in Sydney’s South-West in a bid to accommodate for females and males. “Boxing Muay Thai saved me mentally, taught me about human mind and body and has allowed me to meet people then see changes through this sport. I need to share my experience to help them to become bigger and better.” Forty-four fights later, Carol Earl now retires after an incredible career, she has also inspired many girls in our community as well as being a great advocate for Islam.
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“Don’t stay silent” AMUST
Jim shares what happened to him during his 8 years in the police
these complaints with care and people who make them cannot be victimised for speaking up. In Taylor’s case, he wasn’t aware of the true nature of discrimination or his rights until years later. But it doesn’t mean the effect was any smaller.
Mia Leigh
From unsettling to life-threatening: Jim’s experiences of racism Mr Taylor provided the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) with a list of the many forms of racism and discrimination he suffered throughout his time in the WA Police Force. It ranges from casual racism, to racist and dehumanising slurs, to
Live in the present moment Princess R. Lakshman Live in the present moment Reflect on the past And release Do not dwell in it Pray for the future And surrender Do not anxiously try to control outcomes Live in the now Think good thoughts now Speak good words now Do good deeds now Now is what is real All else is imagery of the mind.
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being left out and ostracised, to being endangered in the line of duty. Comments were made such as “What kind of law do you have in Turkey? Hand chopping law?”, or “They employed you because they needed to fill their quota for foreigners.” Whilst on duty at Perth Police Station, Mr Taylor overheard his colleague talking over the phone to a boyfriend: “Yeah I am working with a goat shagger today.” This person kept calling him a “goat f***er” and “goat shagger” the entire day. The colour of his skin was also subject to ridicule when a colleague said, “I am white, and you are? I don’t know? brown or something?” It also came in the form of non-verbal threatening behaviour. “I felt that I had no backing of my colleagues when we were dealing with the public. The worst form of racism was when they ridiculed me in front of members of the public with the uniform on. There were occasions that my colleagues sided with the public with racist slurs.” Jim speaks to the corrosive effects of this lack of support, saying it “weakened my hand with the public and made me lame duck.” Sometimes this led to life-threatening danger. “There were also some coppers that would be glad if I was injured or killed during the duty. There were a few who would look the other way in a dangerous situation, which could have led to me being injured or killed.” AMAN advisor Rita Jabri-Markwell says the harms Jim experienced were acute and sustained over a number of years, in an environment that was high risk to his personal safety. “The behaviour Jim describes from fellow police officers suggests they believed they didn’t owe him the same moral responsibilities they owed fellow white officers,” she said. “Dehumanisation of racial minorities associated with Islam, as inferior, barbaric, savage ‘others’, might have played a role in this.”
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Ms Jabri-Markwell explained that if someone thinks you’re less than human, they’re much more likely to “enact violence against you or condone violence against you.” “Racism in media, culture, in political dog-whistling and official rhetoric, contributes to attitudes and won’t change without clear leadership at the top,” she said. “I am furious that Jim has experienced such dehumanising and discriminatory treatment over a number of years, and is yet to receive acknowledgement.” AMAN is urging the WA Attorney-General Mr John Quigley to respond “fairly and compassionately”, arguing he could make a grace payment and acknowledge this wrong.
The WA Police needs to take responsibility AMAN wrote in support of Taylor to the WA Police Commissioner in January 2021, but they weren’t prepared to engage. Meanwhile, question marks about racism continue to loom over the state agency. A recent report obtained by SBS News showed that a WA Police Force senior constable was accused of targeting people of Aboriginal, Indian or Pakistani background for roadside drug tests. Mr Taylor’s key message to the WA Police Force is to stop denying his appalling treatment and to approach his issues with open minds to improve the culture within the organisation. “WA Police have not embraced multiculturalism. They were rather pushed to do so… As the organization itself did not internalize multiculturalism, the individual officers follow the same path…. and this creates a hostile environment for a multicultural person.” “I am seeking WA Police to do more than just cursory multiculturalism training.” AMAN’s advisor Ms Jabri-Markwell echoes his call, saying workplace diversity and inclusion needs to be made a priority. The path to healing When asked how he dealt with the pain of this experience, he says “I went back to my reli-gion and formed friendship with Aboriginal Noongar people.” These days, Jim Taylor works as a translator. He is a board member of the Ethnic Communities Council of Western Australia and the Islamic Council of Western Australia. He continues to pressure the WA Government for a response. And Jim remains passionate about fighting racism in this country, especially in the work-place.
“I started to feel sick. Racism slowly set under my skin, negatively affected me, and [began to define] who I am
Options for survivors of discrimination The daily abusive behaviour led Jim to withdraw more and more. “I was always nervous and constantly feeling sick at work and kept myself in the shadow to avoid racist comments from my colleagues.” His experience, according to studies, was not uncommon. But there are options to explore. Each state and territory in Australia has equal opportunity and anti-discrimination agencies with statutory responsibilities. Employers are bound by this legislation. They are liable for the wrongful actions of their workers or agents. Discrimination might include your employer refusing to take action on racist abuse or behaviour. Complaint processes are free and you don’t need to have a lawyer, but you can seek one. Free legal aid is available for some. However there are time limits on taking action. Usually one has 12 months to lodge a complaint from the last example of discrimination. Employers are supposed to handle
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Jim’s advice Mr Taylor encourages others who are experiencing racism and discrimination to record every incident and report it immediately. “Silence will make it worse,’ he says. ‘Don’t stay silent and keep it in the house like I did and explode later. If we show a collective attitude, things will change even though it may take a long time.” If you’d like Brother Jim Taylor to speak to your organisation about the effects of racism at work, please contact him at jim.taylor.perth@gmail.com If you’ve experienced or are experiencing discrimination now, please report it to the Islamophobia Register and tick the box for referral and support. www.islamophobia.com.au/report/
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“I wouldn’t have joined the Western Australia Police Force that’s for sure and should’ve quit as soon as I could.” That’s what Jim Taylor thinks he would have done differently to respond to workplace racism he experienced in his 8 year service. Jim now wants to share his story to raise awareness of how harmful racism can be to mental and physical health, and what one can do about it when it happens at work. Jim says at the time he felt that making a complaint would make the situation worse, saying he feared people would “avoid you and ostracise you.” But staying silent took a toxic toll on his mental and physical health. “You end up dealing with more problems than you started with,” he says. Jim was known by his Turkish name, Umit Demir, when he entered the force. The racism he experienced started shortly after he joined. The ongoing effects of that racism led to his early retirement from WA Police on medical grounds. He has experienced major depression and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and has been living on a disability pension since the age of 36. He even changed his name to an Anglicised name hoping it would make him less of a target. Initially, he couldn’t see his health problems were caused by racism. “At first I didn’t recognise it, I was not in a position to recognise when people were racist…I wanted to think my colleagues liked me and they were making jokes.” “I had no idea what racism was and how it manifested in real life.” “I started to feel sick. Racism slowly set under my skin, negatively affected me, and [began to define] who I am.”
Mia Leigh is a law undergraduate volunteering with the Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN). ISSUE 186 / MAY 2021
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Billal Mourad: A talented nasheed artist to listen to Mariam Sarhan Many Muslim artists are entertaining the Muslim community with Nasheed, considered to be halal and remind the listener of Allah and Islamic teachings. This is an alternative to mainstream music that many scholars consider haram due to its contents and negative effects on society. Muslims from all around the world listen to nasheeds which are more suitable and usually are about Islamic teachings or about good ethics and mannerisms and are found to be acceptable in Islam and encouraged by Muslim scholars especially as an alternative to for mainstream illicit music. Lebanese Australian nasheed Artist Billal Mourad was brought up in a nasheed orientated environment. “My parents raised me up to love the Prophet Muhammad (s) and chanting songs of love towards our messenger was part of my up bringing,” Billal Mourad said. In today’s world, we are undoubtedly surrounded by music that goes against Islamic teachings along with music videos that show
images that can be very damaging to Muslims thoughts and can lead to sinful acts. Mainstream music can have really damaging effects on a Muslims by listening to bad words and can lead to adultery (zina). These days music is contaminated with curse words, obscene language, violence and drugs. All these are toxic for Muslims and may influence them into doing the themes contained in these types of music and stray listeners away from the right path. It can also be destructive and make you feel depressed and take a toll on one’s psychological well being, it can bring negative thoughts and sad emotions. The long term negative and damaging effects of listening to mainstream music is normalization of sins and acts that are praised or bragged about in mainstream music, things like bragging about money and materialism, objectifying women, committing crimes, and many other things that are not only not accepted in islam but also unacceptable in society. Performing nasheeds in gatherings is quite normal for Billal. However, singing in a studio and shooting video clips wasn’t
something that he always entertained. Billal is a teacher by profession and a Taekwondo instructor. Gaining motivation from his father and other devout mentors to sing, he recognises the impact music can have on Muslim youth and hopes give a different substitute for Muslims to remind them of Allah, his Messenger Prophet Muhammad (s) and Islam. “We all know about the pernicious effects of modern music. I wanted to give people, especially the youth, an alternative. I hope I do it justice, inshallah,” he says. He advises Muslim youth to veer away from listening to unethical music. As it will destroy you from inside and out. “It’s an industry that has undoubtedly shaped the modern world. Artists are now
looked upon as mentors and many have a huge following. It becomes concerning when the wrong message is being propagated. I ask Allah to guide me in spreading a good message,” he said. Being inspired by other nasheed artists such as Mishary bin Rashid Alafasy and Sami Yusuf. He loves praising the Prophet (s) which makes his debut single ‘Rasulillah’ his favourite. “I have a soft spot for my debut single ‘Rasulillah.’ I love songs that praise the Prophet Muhammad (s).” Billal plans to release more nasheeds and video clips in the near future, inshallah. He has recently recorded a nasheed in Arabic called ‘Woulidal Houda’ by the famous Egyptian poet, Ahmed Shawqi.
Transformation through Tawakkul Little Designer & Kathryn Jones at the top of Mt Lofty in August 2020.
Big Lion: A winning combination Muhamed Saeed
Kathryn Jones Have you ever felt overwhelmed, stressed, anxious or worried? I guess almost everyone reading this will have at some stage. It is in fact normal to experience these emotions, as well as the rest of the spectrum of emotions that comes through the human experience. What isn’t normal is to be caught up in these feelings for a prolonged amount of time and finding yourself reaching a point of demotivation or even panic attacks. I have found that the solution is Tawakkul, turning towards Allah. In fact, Allah tells us in chapter 13, verse 28 of the Qur’an that verily in the remembrance of Allah do hearts find rest. He has given us the answer we need. Yet we often find it hard to find that peace, even though we know this. There was a time when I had reached a point of being physically unwell from the level of stress I was experiencing. It is a known medical fact that stress can be the trigger for physical ailments. In my case I was gaining weight, losing mobility in my knees and unable to pray in Sujud. My body was on high alert constantly so the levels of cortisol and adrenaline in my body were causing an in balance in other hormones in my body and in turn I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis in my knees before turning 50. MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
After a bleak conversation with my doctor about how this was going to be my life from now on, I was determined to recover, one way or another. I didn’t start at the gym, the doctors, the health coach or the naturopath. I started on the prayer mat. In January 2020, I started making Dua to Allah that I could pray in Sujud that Ramadan. I put my trust in Allah, and I started taking action. I started following an online diet that reduced the inflammation in my joints. Three weeks before Ramadan I was able to do all 5 prayers in Sujud and not in a chair. Alhumdolillah. In Ramadan, I decided to step it up a level. I started asking Allah to give me the health to be able to climb Mt Lofty, the highest local mountain in Adelaide. I continued to take action by seeing a naturopath, cleaning up my diet and walking to get fit. By August 2020, I climbed Mt Lofty for the first time. It took 1 hour and 52 minutes. I have since climbed it many times and decreased my time to 1 hour 18 minutes. The point of this story is that the answers always came from Tawakkul. By turning to Allah, making Dua to Him, then taking action myself, my health transformed. Never underestimate the power of sincere, passionate Dua to Allah. Remember, whatever the issue is, in the remembrance to Allah do hearts find rest. You won’t find it anywhere else! Alhumdolillah. Kathryn Jones is the CEO and Founder of Back To The Fitrah Mentoring Academy (BackToTheFitrah.com), building emotional and spiritual resilience in the Ummah.
Eight year old Moazzam Siddiqui has won the Unity Grammar Design our Mascot competition, where he overcame strong competition form students in older year levels to reach the finalist position, and ultimately win the competition by achieving first prize. The decision was based voting from the school Executive, members of staff and the student body. I recently met with this young designer to get an insight into the thoughts and inspiration of this design, which will represent the school’s #UGProud focus. What was your design and what inspired you to choose it? Moazzam: My name is Moazzam Siddiqui, I am in Year 3 and I am the winner of the Unity Grammar Design our Mascot Competition. My design was a lion, and what inspired me to choose it was because I love lions. Lions are fierce, very respected, trustworthy and very knowledgeable. I think a lion represents my school because like lions we are strong, proud and work hard. How did you find out about the competition and why did you apply? Moazzam: At first it was just for fun. My mum found out and told my older sister to enter the competition. My sister told me to also enter, so I did and wanted to have a chance to share my thoughts. As the winner of the design the mascot competition, what would you like to see the Unity Lion do when he arrives? Moazzam: One thing that I would like to see the Unity Lion do when he arrives is to play my favourite sport which is Cricket. I
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Moazzam Siddiqui with his mascot design.
also would like to see the mascot help students and high five them on the playground. What is your favourite thing about the Unity Lion? Moazzam: I love that he is friendly and jumps in the air. I can’t wait to see him jumping in the air in the playground. In preparation for the Unity Lion’s arrival how would you like to help so other students share in being proud of the Unity Lion? Moazzam: I would love to be a part in putting posters of the lion around the school because the Unity Lion was my idea and I want other students to feel proud of the Unity Lion and love him like I do. I want students to be excited for him to come to our school and represent Unity Grammar. Mr Muhamed Saeed is the Business Development Manger at Unity Grammar, one of Sydney’s leading Islamic Schools located in Austral, NSW. He is a trained and qualified teacher with a strong and proven background in Sales, Business Consulting and Islamic Finance.
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Guide to staying fit and healthy in Ramadan 3. Add More Recovery Days I often workout 5-6 days per week but sometimes it’s every other day to ensure I get a day to recover properly from each workout, particularly if partaking in multiple forms of exercise. On off days, do yoga, take an ice bath and/or foam roll your muscles to assist recovery.
Moodi Dennaoui & Jane Jeffes “Fasting all day and over-eating at night can easily take a toll on our physical health and our weight if we’re not sensible about what we eat and when we eat,” says Sydney-based nutritional consultant and celebrity ‘Diet Doctor’, Moodi Dennaoui. “From lack of hydration to nightly food comas post-iftar, a lack of disciple and planning can end up presenting real challenges.” Well-known and well-regarded in the fitness and diet industry, Dennaoui has helped numerous A-list actors, athletes and sports people put on weight and lose it healthily and has a reputable international following. He was a finalist in the 2020 Australian Muslim Achievement Awards. Here are his tips, eating and exercise plans for taking good care of your body during Ramadan: • Plan a nutritious suhoor to ensure good levels of hydration and to sustain energy levels across the day.“What we do in the morning is crucial not just for how we feel throughout the day, but also our ability to maximise the absorption of nutrients from the food we eat and to avoid bloating and gastrointestinal distress.” • “If you are on a strict fitness regime, the ideal time to train to maximise fat burning is in the final hour of fasting. The body is so depleted of glycogen that you will be tapping into fat as your fuel source far more effectively. If this isn’t possible, train two hours after eating one of the suggested meals below. • If you are training after breaking fast in the evening, wait 1.5-2 hours. • Dilute BCAA’s and Electrolytes in the wa-
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Read Moodi’s eating and training plan
4. Eat and Drink Natural Anti-inflammatories A potent natural anti-inflammatory is turmeric. Fruits high in antioxidants & flavonoids like blueberries are also great natural anti-inflammatories. All fruits (& vegetables) offer more pros than cons. 5. Consider Adding Supplements There are many supplements with high bioavailability that may help improve circulation and metabolism and reduce inflammation. As cellular functions naturally decline supplements play an important role in extending functionality. An integrative physician, nutritionist or naturopath will ensure you choose what’s right for you.
ter you SIP (not skull) between Maghreb and Fajr. • Don’t overdo it. Avoid extreme fatigue. Exercise should energise and uplift you, even when you feel unmotivated. • Recover Naturally from exercise. Below are 6 ways to do it: 1. Reduce Exercise Time Instead of a long gym session, start with 20 minutes resistance training, followed by 20 minutes cardio and that’s it. (If you need to cut exercise time for religious
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commitments, you will need a personalised strategic plan to maintain your fitness levels) 2. Focus on Macronutrients Eat to replenish. Ensure you’re getting the right ratio of carbs to protein to fat for your fitness goals. As we age, nutrition plays an even greater role in our metabolism and recovery. Carefully selecting carbs in a controlled and supervised way is important for those with insulin resistance or metabolic disorder.
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6. Plenty of Rest is Essential. Engage in relaxation via meditation, yoga & mindfulness. Going to bed early to get more sleep and drinking plenty of water to stay hydrated aids faster recovery and optimal health. • Fitness tracking apps can help monitor progress. • Finally, remember that people with diabetes, illness, pregnancy or breastfeeding should not fast. Moodi Dennaoui, also known within the industry as the ‘Diet Doctor’ has extensive professional experience, an unconventional approach to nutrition, and has earned a reputable following across the globe.
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Upside Down in the Land Downunder Omar Al-Jamal with Jane Jeffes Feeding people and sharing food is a form of charity in the Islamic faith. In a Prophetic narration, the Prophet Muhammad is reported as saying: “The best of you are those who feed others.” (Ahmad) Just like any other child, I did not have the best of relationships with vegetables; in particular eggplants. Maqlooba was a dish I used to always turn away from due to the fact that the core ingredient was either eggplants or cauliflower. That all changed when I travelled to Jordan during one of my school summer holidays to visit family. I stepped into my grandmother’s kitchen and saw her magic at work from frying the eggplants to flipping the pot upside down. Once it was all plated & I had a bite, I knew I had a new favourite. My connection to this dish strengthened when my grandmother told me that the first dish she taught my father was Maqlooba. My father would later on go to study a Telecommunication Engineering degree in Moscow during the Soviet Union era. He has always been a social person so we he would gather all his Arab & North African colleagues in small university dorm room and cook Maqlooba for them. He became so good at it that decades later when he would go on charitable trips in the field, he would gather all the people in
a village where they were distributing aid and start cooking Maqlooba for them in extra-large cauldrons. When he could not find white rice, he would substitute it with basmati but nonetheless, everyone enjoyed it. He even has the video footage in Indonesia to prove it! All that said, there is no doubt that my mother is the cook in the family. Amongst her countless tasty dishes, I would consider Maqlooba as one of her specials. My cousins always eagerly anticipate Ramadan waiting for the Iftar invite over to our place as the main dish for the night has always been Maqlooba, and they love it. No matter how bad a day I have, if I go home and find that she’s cooked one of my favourite three dishes: Mansaf (Jordanian style), Makhshi Koosah (Stuffed Zucchinis) or Maqlooba, she manages to turn my frown upside down. Omar Al-Jamal is the Digital Marketing Co-ordinator at Human Appeal Australia. His mother taught him how to cook Maqlooba for the first time for Recipes For Ramadan. Human Appeal runs an annual campaign to support the world’s poorest during Ramadan #feedthefasting. The Al-Jamal’s family recipe for Maqlooba can be and a demonstration of how to cook it can be found at www.RecipesForRamadan.com. Follow Recipes for Ramadan on Instagram @recipesforramadan and Facebook @ recipesforamadanau
‘It’s All Greek to Me’ The Lady’s Not For Turning Jane Jeffes
Sara Youssef with Jane Jeffes ‘It’s All Greek to Me!’ is an English expression that means how far beyond our understanding some ideas are. Originally it referred to the Greek language as typifying foreign communication that used a script Europeans were unable to understand. For Sara Youssef and her family, it’s starting to mean something else! Until a couple of weeks ago, Sara thought of herself and her family as Lebanese-Australian. That was until Lina Jebeile aka @ thelebaneseplate suggested she get involved in Recipes for Ramadan and she started to look into her grand-parents Greek heritage. Sara knew her maternal grandparents were of Greek heritage but she didn’t know much if anything at all about their history nor had she ever tried cooking her grandparents favourite Greek recipes. She literally has her teeth into both now, discovering her great-great-grandparents’ story. “Last night my grandparents were over and the stories they told were so mesmerising! We confirmed their families fled from the Greek island of Crete during the Greco-Turkish war of 1897, a war fought between the Kingdom of Greece and the Ottoman Empire over control of Crete. My great grandmother on my mother’s side was just a baby. I researched all night about this particular war and how it affected the ‘Muslim Cretens’. My mother knew of another family who also fled to Lebanon and have a descendant who wrote a book in memory of his late father about the war and his family’s journey afterwards. This book outlines that period MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
in history and according to my parents and grandparents describes their ancestors’ experiences very well. I’m now in the process of having the book translated into English so that it doesn’t remain lost to future generations. In regards to ‘Creten Foods’, my grandmother mentioned three particular recipes which are favourites of hers and my grandfathers and their parents and grandparents. I had completely forgotten how much I absolutely loved one of those dishes as I grew up. It’s called ‘Fava’. The other two are desserts called ‘Borichi’ and ‘Catumerja’. My grandparents both love these desserts very much as they remind them of their grandparents. Now here’s the strange thing, both of the desserts are absolutely nowhere to be found on the internet. I’ve tried so hard to find them by name and even changing the spelling, they cannot be found. I’m fascinated to think that these two recipes seem to have been lost in time but my grandparents remember them very well as dishes cooked by both their grandparents and parents. I’m thinking it could be possible that the names of these dishes may have changed over time – so now I’m making time to dig deep into Greek recipe books to find similar ones to compare to my family’s. Sorry for the lengthy text, just so excited with how much I’ve learnt in such a short period of time. Thank you for encouraging me!” Sara’s unfolding family story and three Greek recipes honouring her grandparents will be published on www.RecipesForRamadan.com over the next few weeks. Follow Sara at @Sar_why and Recipes For Ramadan at @recipesforramadan.
A phrase most commonly associated with Margaret Thatcher – also dubbed by a Soviet journalist ‘the Iron Lady’ for her uncompromising politics and leadership style and political and economic policies that became known as Thatcherism. I would say one of my close friends is a Thatcherite. I’ve wondered whether to share this story but partners in the project think it’s important – so here goes and I hope it shows admiration for my friend not disloyalty. My friend in her words is politically and socially diametrically opposed to me or at least many of the things I believe in and care about. She would say she is anti-immigration including being wary of Muslims she has never met. That said I honestly couldn’t ask for a more loyal friend who has been there for me and my family in a range of challenging times. This friend started following Recipes for Ramadan this year and is suddenly engaged in a way I probably only dreamt of, asking
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if she can sign up to do cooking classes with Fatimah Omran and the Shahrouk Sisters. My friend asked me this the same day that I read about a podcast called ‘Tell Them, I Am’ that Michelle and Barack Obama are supporting through their company Higher Ground Productions. It aims to amplify Muslim voices. “The goal is for people to feel something for them and to fall in love with the people they are listening to,” says presenter Pakistani-American Misha Euceph. That’s the goal of Recipes for Ramadan too. To share food and to invite others to hear Muslim stories and to fall in love. I’m inviting my friend to an iftar that an asylum seeker friend and I have been planning and Yes – we’ll be booking into Fatimah’s next cooking class and another with the Shahrouks. Good stories have happy endings! Follow @fatimahomran_ , @shahrouksters and @recipesforramadan on Instagram and view more recipes and stories at www.recipesforramadan.com Jane Jeffes is a producer and director and former head of ABC Religion & Ethics. A UK-Australian dual national she is based in Sydney, Australia.
Fatimah’s Mahmoul cooking class. AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
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Tired of the typecast: charity tackles cinematic stereotypes Faseeha Hashmi Frequently pigeonholed within the mainstream media, the portrayal of Muslim characters on-screen has been weary viewed and well-documented from television shows like the British thriller series ‘Bodyguard’ to the US CIA drama ‘Homeland’. In these depictions, men are generally typecasted as culturally backward figures linked with misogyny, anger and violence. Whereas, women are often depicted as oppressed victims with little to no agency. Tired of these stereotypes, UK Muslim Film a new charity launched at a British Film Institute (BFI) event on 7 April 2021 and aims to “integrate the Muslim experience into the heart of British culture” through film and television. They seek to “change the script” on representation in the entertainment industry and end the common use of anti-Muslim tropes. Backed by the British Film Institute (BFI), the charity will also advise productions on how to better represent diverse communities on screen and avoid perpetuating harmful cliché which alienates young British Muslims and other minorities. Envisaged as a year-round experience, it will host screenings and nurture emerging storytellers for aspiring filmmakers of all backgrounds and boost their presence in the industry. Sajid Varda, the charity’s founder and CEO, explained the necessity for diversity and more inclusive storytelling within entertainment.
“UK Muslim Film was created as a response to my many years of working within the industry both in front of and behind the camera and realising that Muslims need to be represented at all levels, in writer’s rooms and as commissioners,” said Varda. Varda is not the first to voice concern over
the way Muslims are presented on-screen, Oscar-nominated British actor Riz Ahmed famously stated in his 2017 speech to the UK Parliament, of the historical and widespread failure to champion diversity on screen. Ahmed, the first Muslim to be nominat-
ed for Best Actor by the Academy Awards this year for his performance in the Sound of Metal, explained that the audience would “switch off” from mainstream society if they did not see themselves being authentically represented. “People are looking for the message that they belong, that they are part of something, that they are seen and heard and that despite, or perhaps because of their experience, they are valued,” said Ahmed. Whilst, in Australia these challenges also extend to Culturally Linguistically Diverse (CLAD) communities alongside Indigenous talent seeking to gain a foothold within screenplay. Presenting three-dimensional representation only enriches an audience experience by enhancing cultural awareness.Indeed, greater exposure to diverse narratives of underrepresented communities can create opportunities within the creative arts. Seeking to establish a more inclusive entertainment industry, the UK Muslim Film seeks to facilitate connections between decision-makers, creatives and crew members; ensuring that fair hiring practices pave the way for under-represented groups. Jen Smith, the BFI’s Head of Inclusion expressed her delight to host the event and her encouragement to support budding talent. “What we do in the screen industry matters. Imagery is persuasive…By expanding our industry to be more inclusive to Muslims and exploring intersectionality within Muslim communities we get to tap into more audience growth and global markets as well as a richness of creativity.”
Islamic Help Australia Empowering people in Need
Wishing you, your family & the community.
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How to trust again Princess R. Lakshman Take a few moments and reflect on what trust means to you. Often, after a string of naming different emotions and experiences that revolve around the practice of trust, we come to two words that pretty much sum up what trust means to almost all of us – safety and security. Learning to trust again requires you to firstly identify, acknowledge and understand two things: • Where do you feel safe and secure? • With whom do you feel safe and secure? The process of identifying, acknowledging and understanding these two aspects of your life requires you to be completely honest with yourself. Remember not to confuse love with trust. Sometimes we may love people, however, we may not be comfortable trusting them. Trust gets damaged when your sense of safety and security is attacked. It may happen in your marriage, at work, in your other relationships with friends and siblings. It may happen with your doctor, dentist, tenant, landlord. Once trust is damaged, it becomes difficult to trust again. Try these strategies to help you to accept, forgive and allow yourself to trust again. 1. Know that first and foremost, you need to trust Allah. And place your trust in Allah. Often, we acknowledge this on a conceptual level, but we fail to really place our trust in Allah when life requires us to. If you feel uneasy, unsafe or insecure, ask Allah to give you the strength to let go of your fears and move on in life fearlessly. Place your trust in Allah and steadfastly believe that only Allah knows you and
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Mindfulness Practice Amira Ahmed
therefore will carry you to and through every ebb and flow of life that He has preordained for you. 2. Know that trust happens gradually and respectfully. Building a wall around you and shunning people out in the fear that they may hurt you is NOT the answer. Let go and let in…gradually and respectfully. Do not feel compelled to share intimate details about your life with a new friend. Wait for when you feel totally comfortable, safe and secure. 3. Make choices with confidence, knowing that only Allah is your protector, not people. 4. Be kind to yourself and acknowledge that your past choices are in the past. Right now, in your present moment, mindfully choose your thoughts, words and deeds with utmost faith in Allah. 5. Listen attentively to the small, calm
voice inside you and follow it fearlessly. Your intuition will never lie to you. Recognising intuition requires constant and consistent faith in Allah and total abandonment of fear of people’s judgements. Your judge is Allah, not people. Trust your intuition, that still, small voice. 6. Observe people without judging. Observe how they treat other people. Trusting people who practise kindness is important. People who display kindness will not gossip about others or use unkind words. 7. Learn to respect confidentiality. For you to trust others, you must also display trustworthiness.. Princess R. Lakshman is a writer, speaker, qualified clinical nutritionist, life coach and a counsellor. She is based in Sydney, Australia.
Mindfulness Do wudu Stay in a quiet room Start with Auzobillahiminah Shaitanirrajeem Bismillah Arahman Arrahim. Read Fatiha Make 3 salawat upon prophet Make 11 Astagfirullah Then contemplate on hereafter Have your prayer beads with you and recite 99 times La Allah il Allah loudly with your tongue, mind and soul. Recite 99 times Allahu loudly Recite 99 times Ya Hayy Then think about past and appreciate with your good deeds. Feel sorry for the wrongs. At end Say Alhamdolillah, make salawat upon the Prophet Then a short dua. Whatever comes from your heart. It will take 15 minutes. Do this for a week. Amira Ahmed has experience working for the Muslim Cultural Youth Association (MCYA) in Sydney. She is currently studying Islamic studies at ISRA.
The one who acts unjustly to you, repel it with kindness and good character Janelle Di Falco In society, many of us individuals tend to not want to let people walk all over us. If someone does wrong by us whether it be a negative comment or action made towards us, we are quick to react with our dignity otherwise we let people take advantage of us. In western society, this is a common concept that lies within most individuals. However, through an Islamic lens, it is the actual opposite of thinking that people are taking advantage of us and instead when someone does evil or oppresses us, Islam says to forget our dignity and be of a good personality. This is in fact acting in a pious manner rather than acting with our dignity and lowering ourselves to a level that is the opposite of piety. Abu Hurayrah narrated from the Messenger of Allah (s) who said: “Charity will never reduce the wealth, and Allah will not grant a slave a sense of pardon except that He will increase him in
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honour. None will humble himself except that Allah will raise him in status.” When someone wrongs us, Islam tells us to have an honourable character and act good rather than thinking that people cannot take advantage of us and it actually starting to then turn into prejudiced acts. There will be a constant battle then between love and hate. However, when we act with good mannerisms no matter how someone treats us and with the intention of pleasing Allah, the one who created us and upon where we will all return back to him, there will always be love. Notice how when we feel the need to take revenge o n someone because of the way they may have treated us, deep down our soul is the one that is burning and does not feel clean. This is because acting in a way where we need to retaliate
back to the wrong that has been afflicted upon us leaves us with more pain than the wrong that was thrown at us. Our soul needs to be forgiving no matter what and the heart needs to attach itself to Allah only. Allah states: “The good deed and the evil deed cannot be equal. Repel the evil with one which is better. (ie, Allah ordered the faithful believers to be patient at the time of anger, and to excuse those who treat them badly), then verily! He between whom and you there was enmity, (will become) as though he was a close friend” (Fussilat: 34). The holy month of Ramadan and moving beyond it is a perfect time to do good deeds such as improving our character especially when pain has been inflicted upon us. Prophet Muhammad (s) was insulted with the most horrendous comments and
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physical acts done to him. By viewing the seerah (The Prophet’s (s) life) of Prophet Muhammad (s) we as humans can find a way to rise above every form of evil that we may face in our lives particularly at the hands of those who show us hostility. So, I leave you with a beautiful Quranic verse to ponder upon: “Warn your nearest kinfolk and lower your wing tenderly over the believers who follow you. If they disobey you, say, ‘I bear no responsibility for your actions.’ Put your trust in the Almighty, the merciful, who sees you when you stand up (for prayer) and sees your movements among the worshippers: He is all Hearing, the All-knowing” (Quran, Ash-Shu’ara: 26). Janelle Di Falco is a Bachelor/Honors Degree Graduate of Islamic Studies at CSU. She is also a Graduate in Psychology. She is in her second final year of completing her Masters in Counselling as well as a qualified and trained Behavioural Therapist. Janelle is additionally an Academic writer on Contempo- rary Islamic issues. She is based in Melbourne, Australia.
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Distressed Clothing: Offensive and contrived Christine Osbourne Prime Minister Imran Khan of Pakistan recently caused outrage on social media by implying that the spate of sexual attacks were incited by the way local women dress — a case of victim blaming. It was an odd comment in the Islamic republic where the majority of women observe the Quranic directive for modest dress. While not to the seclusion of purdah, but out at least a hijab worn over traditional shalwar kameeze when in public. Several passages in the bible also make clear that Christian women should dress with decency and propriety although social pressures in secular nations make this challenging. Here in Australia, until the mid-twentieth century, most people took pride in smartly tailored clothes. Those possessing a sartorial sense, men as well as women, were to be admired. If you lived on the north shore of Sydney harbour, stockings, gloves and a hat were de rigeur when ‘going to town’— as the CBD was then known.
“How do
The winds of change began blowing in the sixties when the bikini challenged the conventional one-piece swimming costume on local beaches. Young Australian globetrotters (myself included) wearing the bold two-piece risked arrest by the Guardia Civile in Spain. Its successor, the thong, originating on Copacabana Beach in Brazil, has morphed into the vulgar micro-string of which the less said the better. ‘Grunge mania’ based on the acid-washed jeans of surfers and rock bands became fashionable in the nineties while lowering the bar still further, the American singer Lady Gaga insulted animals and just about everyone else by appearing at the 2010 MTV Music Awards in Los Angeles wearing nothing but slabs of raw beef. The 21st century’s celebrity culture sees young western women copying the crass fashions favoured by Instagrammers and TV reality stars. Perhaps PM Khan had seen a video of poor Qandeel Baluch who styled herself as the ‘Kim Kardashian of Pakistan’ and paid the ultimate price when she was killed by her brother for the family honour. But of all the bawdry and bizarre creations of couturiers in countries lacking a national dress, nothing is as offensive as the vogue for manufacturing deliberately damaged
you explain ‘distressed denim’ to a 13 year old African boy who would sell his soul for a pristine pair of jeans?
Deliberately ripped jeans sell for hundreds of dollars.
garments – artfully slashed jeans, scuffed sneakers and T-shirts full of holes. Known in the trade as “distressed clothing” such items, made by poor women machinists in Bangladesh, is fashion fakery on a grand scale with amounts of $450 paid for a deliberately dirtied skirt, or $500 for made-to-look-old boots, make a mockery of poverty in the developing world. How do you explain ‘distressed denim’ to a 13 year old African boy who would sell his soul for a pristine pair of jeans? Somewhere along the way, western entrepreneurs spruiking these insulting garments have lost all sense of decency and decorum in a colourless attempt to be “cool”. Christine Osborne is the author of many books on Islamic countries including The Gulf States and Oman. She is also the CEO of www. worldreligions.co.uk a multi faith library specialising in the mainstream faiths. She has visited more than 30 Muslim majority countries.
T-shirt with holes made by poor women machinists in Bangladesh
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Wishing you and your family a happy and blessed Eid Al-Fitr Eid Mubarak
Shaoquett Moselmane MLC The Hon.
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Reflections on Islamic concepts of purification Dr Vacy Vlazna Allow me to share an amazing true story expressing, in a new poetic way the Islamic terminologies of Fitr, Zakat and Eidiyah, of purification through charity of wealth, time and skills, that I hope, as a non-Muslim, honours the spirit of Eid al-Fitr. Fitr: The fast of freedom ends On 17 October 2016 Mohamedou Ould Salahi’s 14-year forced freedom fast ended. This was a blessed day for Salahi when he gave thanks to Allah for the strength to endure the great injustice against his innocence with its daily psychological and physical torture at the hands the US government. Salahi, born in 1970 in Mauritania, was taken captive on 20 November 2001 by US military authorities based on their fantasy profile of Salahi as the mastermind recruiter of three of the 9/11 hijackers concocted by a false joining of the dots between his 1990 Afghanistan mujahideen episode (armed by the US government) and association with his cousin Mahfouz Ould al-Walid, a spiritual advisor to Osama bin Laden. Renditioned to and tortured in Jordan, Afghanistan and the notorious Guantanamo prison where, as Number 760, he suffered barbaric torture ordered by Rumsfeld; beatings, sleep deprivation, stress positions, water boarding – all set out in his book, Guantanamo Diaries. Understandably, he capitated and made a false confession when he was (falsely) told his mother was detained in Guantanamo and
under threat of sexual assaults. Salahi never saw his mother again, on news of her death, as a Hafiz, he sang the whole Quran. His legal team won his habeas corpus trial which ruled no probable cause to charge him, but he remained imprisoned for 7 more years. On release, Salahi emerged from a 5170day hunger for freedom with the great blessing of righteous Karam; with an open heart he obeyed Allah’s command, “And let them pardon and overlook. Would you not like that Allah should forgive you? And Allah is Forgiving and Merciful.”(Quran 24:22) and generously forgave the perpetrators of his suffering. Zakat: The giving of principles of justice Nancy Hollander, payed her zakat of justice to free Salahi. Hollander, an American criminal defense lawyer is renowned for defending cases lawyers refused to take on especially Salahi’s with “alleged connections to 9/11”. Since Salahi she defended Chelsea Manning and “In 2019 she was jailed for refusing to testify against WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange and was given a fine of $256,000.” Hollander steadfastly believes everyone has the right to a fair trial and her belief was tested in Salahi case when she steadfastly weathered death threats and abuse placing Salahi’s legal rights above her own safety. She doggedly stood up for Salahi as his lawyer, and in time as his friend, against the stonewalling of the US government that withheld crucial documents and against Obama’s 2009 appeal against the habeas corpus ruling that kept Salahi in Guantana-
mo for another 7 years. The military prosecutor, Lt Col Stuart also offered his zakat of justice to Salahi’ case. A personal friend of Michael Horrocks, the pilot of the second hijacked plane, he had a personal and professional motivation to secure Salahi’s guilt and death penalty. On finding proof that Salahi’s ‘confession’ was made under the duress of torture he resigned as prosecutor. Because of his belief in a fair trial compounded by the Christian demand to defend human dignity, he stood firm, like Hollander, for justice even though he was publicly slurred as a traitor. Crouch later contributed to the freeing of Australian Mamdouh Habib. Muslims understand the spiritual call to stand firm for human dignity, “I breathed into him (Adam) of My Spirit” (Quran 38:72) and the call to justice, “O you who believe, be upright for God, and be bearers of witness with justice!” [Quran, 5:8]. When Zakat is understood as inner wealth where it’s purification is holy. As the Sufis say, “Alms fall first into God’s hands” thereby generosity of self and talents is purified into love and justice for the poor and oppressed. Eidiyah: The gift of a double conversion The unexpected eidiyah in the Salahi sto-
Christians and Muslims: Witnesses of Hope Miguel Angel Cardinal Ayuso Guixot, Vatican Dear Muslim brothers and sisters, We at the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue are glad to offer you our fraternal good wishes for a month rich in divine blessings and spiritual advancement. Fasting, along with prayer, almsgiving and other pious practices, brings us closer to God our Creator and to all those with whom we live and work, and helps us to continue walking together on the path of fraternity. During these long months of suffering, anguish and sorrow, especially during the lockdown periods, we sensed our need for divine assistance, but also for expressions and gestures of fraternal solidarity: a telephone call, a message of support and comfort, a prayer, help in buying medicines or food, advice, and, to put it simply, the security of knowing that someone is always there for us in times of necessity. The divine assistance that we need and seek, especially in circumstances like those of the current pandemic, is manifold: God’s mercy, pardon, providence and other spiritual and material gifts. Yet, what we need most in these times, is hope. At this time, then, we think it fitting to share with you some reflections on this virtue. As we are aware, hope, while certainly including optimism, goes beyond it. While optimism is a human attitude, hope has its basis in something religious: God loves us, and therefore cares for us through his provMAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
idence. He does this in his own mysterious ways, which are not always comprehensible to us. In these situations, we are like children who are certain of the loving care of their parents, but are not yet able to comprehend its full extent. Hope arises from our belief that all our problems and trials have a meaning, a value and a purpose, however difficult or impossible it may be for us to understand the reason for them or to find a way out of them. Hope also carries with it belief in the goodness present in the heart of every person. Many times, in situations of difficulty and despair, help, and the hope it brings, can come from those whom we least expect. Human fraternity, in its numerous manifestations, thus becomes a source of hope for all, especially for those in any kind of need. Thanks be to God our Creator, and to our fellow men and women, for the quick response and generous solidarity shown by believers and also persons of good will with no religious affiliation in times of disaster, whether natural or man-made, like conflicts and wars. All these persons and their goodness remind us believers that the spirit of fraternity is universal, and that it transcends all boundaries: ethnic, religious, social and economic. In adopting this spirit, we imitate God, who looks benevolently upon the humanity he created, upon all other creatures and upon the entire universe. This is why the growing care and concern for the planet, our “common
home”, is, according to Pope Francis, yet another sign of hope. We are also aware that hope has its enemies: lack of faith in God’s love and care; loss of trust in our brothers and sisters; pessimism; despair and its opposite, unfounded presumption; unfair generalizations based on one’s own negative experiences, and so forth. These harmful thoughts, attitudes and reactions must be effectively countered, so as to strengthen hope in God and trust in all our brothers and sisters. In his recent Encyclical Letter Fratelli tutti, Pope Francis speaks frequently of hope. There he tells us: “I invite everyone to renewed hope, ‘for hope speaks to us of something deeply rooted in every human heart, independently of our circumstances and historical conditioning. Hope speaks to us of a thirst, an aspiration, a longing for a life of fulfilment, a desire to achieve great things, things that fill our heart and lift our spirit to lofty realities like truth, goodness and beauty, justice and love… and it can open us up to grand ideals that make life more beautiful and worthwhile’ (cf. Gaudium et spes, 1). Let us continue, then, to advance along the paths of hope” (No. 55). We, Christians and Muslims, are called to be bearers of hope, for the present life and for the life to come, and to be witnesses, restorers and builders of this hope, especially for those experiencing difficulties and despair. As a sign of our spiritual fraternity, we assure you of our prayer, and we send best wishes for a peaceful and fruitful Ramadan, and for a joyful ‘Id al-Fitr.
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ry are the gifts of joyous conversions from Steve Wood. Woods, became an MP (military police) after 9/11. At 23, in 2004 he was deployed to Guantanamo as the night guard of the “United States military’s highest-value detainee”- Salahi. Prior to Guantanamo, his unthinking political attitude reflected most Americans, “He recalled his political views as being “whatever Fox News told us.” He didn’t know the difference between a Hindu, a Sikh, and a Muslim—he had never met one.” Drawn into Salahi’s open friendliness which is profoundly inspired by Islam and also Salahi’s encouragement that he research political truth, Woods embarked on his conversion paths to becoming a Muslim and a political activist to close Guantanamo. Wood reflecting on his Guantanamo experience, stated, “I wanted to be proud of what I did” but “he left Guantanamo with no pride and wanted get his pride back.” Initially, because of the public patriotic fervour around 9/11, he kept his Muslim conversion a secret and after he revealed it, he lost his marriage and many family and friends. Salafi, Hollander, Crouch, Woods are not extraordinary people. They are ordinary people who hold fast to faith and live true to the extraordinary sacredness of Love, Justice, Truth. FYI: I came across Salahi in the film The Mauritanian on Prime Amazon. It is hoped film will renew pressure to give due process of law to the remaining 40 detainees of the original 780 detainees of whom, to date, only 3 were convicted. The documentary My Brother’s Keeper shares with us Salahi and Wood’s friendship.
Our House Dr Reginald Naulty Our house, painted in two-tone yellow obscured by shrubs and vines in mellow autumn reds and rusts, is the outer clothing of a pair seeking the inklings the years bring, and they are there. Inside, are the usual comforts, soft colours, gentleness, and patience that the inner life will yield more from our guide and companion, to see him more clearly, here, now, in what is sometimes called a world of shadows, falsely, for it tells true tales, charmingly. Dr Reginald Naulty, originally from Adelaide, has taught at Charles Sturt University and has been a prolific writer since 1972.
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Maulana Wahiduddin Khan
A positive thinker Dr Aslam Abdullah Maulana Wahiduddin Khan, an Indian Islamic scholar and peace activist known for having written a commentary on the Quran and having translated it into contemporary English passed away on Friday 21 April 2021 at the age of 95. The last time I saw him was January 2020. When I was in India and attended his lecture in the basement of his home, he delivered via intercom. Later, his son, Sanihasnain, invited me to meet Maulana Wahiduddin Khan in his private room. A Kashmiri pundit family was already there explaining their understanding of his writing. He was almost 93, but he recognised me, mentioned my late father’s name, and asked a few questions about President Trump and his popularity in America. Whenever I visited India, I always visited his residence to listen to his lectures. He never missed the interaction with young men and women who attended his session like a religious ritual. He was a soft-spoken humble man whose memory was sharp until his last days. He was cordial to everyone. Even in his disagreement, he kept Islamic ethics above all other things. His concern was the peaceful coexistence of religions, and he advocated Hindu-Muslim unity and harmony. He believed in salvation through Marifah and not through actions only. In Sufism and Alevism, Marifah (Arabic: ‘knowledge’) describes the mystical intuitive knowledge of spiritual truth reached through ecstatic experiences, rather than revealed or rationally acquired. A seeker
He wrote extensively on multiple issues. Some of his titles are: The Prophet of Peace The Quran: A New Translation A Treasury of the Quran Tazkirul Quran Indian Muslims: The Need for a Positive Outlook Introducing Islam: A Simple Introduction to Islam Islam Rediscovered: Discovering Islam From its Original Sources Islam and Peace
of Marifah is called ‘Arif, “the one who knows.” He was a philosopher, a journalist, a scholar, and above all, a positive thinker and edited Al-Jamiat, an Urdu daily published by Jamiat ul Ulama of India. He produced his magazine Ar Risala and authored over 200 books translated into English, Arabic, Hindi, and many other languages. The former ruler of Libya, Muammar Qaddafi, whose Green Book he translated into Urdu, admired him for his positive thinking and even financed many of his projects. Maulana was once a member of Jamaat Islami and a fan of Syed Abul Ala Maududi. Later, he regretted his association with Syed Maududi in his book Tabeer ki Ghalti (Mistaken Interpretation), a critique of Jamaat Islami. The Maulana was born in a north Indian village of Bhadaria in Azamgarh on 1 January 1925. He died on 21 April 2021 in the
Nizamuddin area of Delhi, not far from the shrine of Khwaja Nizamuddin and the headquarters of Tableeghi Jamat. A peace activist known for having written a commentary on the Quran and translated it into contemporary English, he was in the 500 Most Influential Muslims of the world. Maulana Wahiduddin Khan received the Demiurgus Peace International Award, under the patronage of the former Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev; India’s third-highest civilian honor, the Padma Bhushan, in January 2000; the National Citizens’ Award, presented by Mother Teresa and the Rajiv Gandhi National Sadbhavana Award (2009); Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award, for his contribution to spiritualism. He started The Ar-Risala (The Message) Urdu magazine in 1976, consisting of almost entirely his articles and writing. An English edition of the magazine began in
Islam: Creator of the Modern Age Words of the Prophet Muhammad The Issue of Blasphemy February 1984, and a Hindi version started in December 1990. His major writings included Hijacking — A Crime, Rights of Women in Islam, The Concept of Charity in Islam, and The Concept of Jihad. Dr Aslam Abdullah is a resident scholar at Islamicity.org. He is also the editor of the Muslim Observer published from Detroit, MI, USA. He is based in the USA and is a trustee of the American Federation of Muslims of Indian Origin. He has taught at several colleges and universities in India, England, and the USA.
Jinnah: the true story of Pakistan Hena Jawaid It is indeed a heartening experience to watch a first of its kind experimental film about the life and history of Muhammad Ali Jinnah. This film is unique in many aspects as it debunks various myths associated with the story of the British Raj, the genesis of the Commonwealth and the life of the man best known as the founder of Pakistan but whom this film shows to be much more than that. The writer and director of this film is Khurram Ali Shafique, a historian and the only person to have won the prestigious Presidential Iqbal Award three times for his groundbreaking research about the life and times of Dr Sir Muhammad Iqbal. The film loosely follows the format of a gigantic vlog but incorporates elements from feature films and documentaries – employing some of the leading voice artists of the Pakistani media industry, pieces of Western classical music that were popular in the period it is portraying and some heartwarming montages to punctuate the narrative. Relying completely on hard evidence for its narrative, it succeeds in showing the efforts Jinnah made at local, national and international levels to interpret the existence of the Muslims of British India, while at the same time participating in the genesis of the Commonwealth.
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The narrative of this film rests on a ground rule: it presents the story of Jinnah from his own perspective. This means that it relies almost exclusively on the evidence he himself presented to the public in his lifetime. It also means that the film does not try to ignore his bold claim that Gandhi and his associates were trying to prolong the British rule in India, so that they themselves could dominate the minorities – something they found easier to do with the help of the British bayonets rather than on their own. The claims of Gandhi and his associates that they wanted the independence of India were nothing more than blackmail, according to Jinnah and some of the old guard of the Indian National Congress. The fact that Jinnah made this allega-
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tion against Gandhi has been brushed under the carpet by almost every writer who wrote about him after his death – including Stanley Wolpert and Ayesha Jalal – and this film brings it back with the full force of the breathtaking argument Jinnah presented to support this allegation. Thereby, it also succeeds in restoring the prestige of many non-Muslim thinkers and leaders who were household names in their lifetimes but have been ignored by historians long since – perhaps because the contributions of these personalities were incompatible with the worldview of Gandhi. They include the Parsi merchant Dadabhai Naoroji, the Bengali visionaries Surendranath Banerjee and C R Das, and the American social scientist Mary Parker
Follett. Perhaps the greatest of all contributions this film endeavours to make is its attempt to restore the ideal of the Commonwealth the potency which it once had. Jinnah as seen here – and as he wanted to be seen – was a man who kept a close eye at the international politics. He wanted India to become independent but also to retain the same bond of love and fellow-feeling with Great Britain which nations like Canada, Australia and New Zealand had (and still have). What he succeeded in doing was nothing less than laying down a solid foundation for this. This is the broader context in which the birth of Pakistan – the country founded by Jinnah – is placed by this film. The film presents Jinnah not only as a leader but also a political thinker. In 1945, he promised his followers that he would win independence for India if they followed him unanimously for two years, and also that the Hindu leaders (deadly opposed to the partition of India) would agree to the partition within three months after the British agreed. Both predictions came true exactly as he had said, and according to the timeline he had given. Hena Jawaid is a mental health professional having trained in Pakistan and US completing 5 years of medicine and then 4 years training in psychiatry. She has contributed to international and national newspapers, magazines and scientific journals on professional and community issues and spends many hours volunteering for various NGOs.
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Have you planned for NAPLAN 2021? 1. Before sitting the NAPLAN test, go through the past tests papers to get familiar with the content and style of the question paper. Help them to use pencil to shade the circle in for the right answer. 2. Time management is crucial, please teach your kids to complete a paper within the time frame and if some questions are taking too much time then move on to the next question. Specific time is allowed for each domain; you may check this from past papers. 3. Ask your child’s teacher to give you some feedback for any writing task done by your child at the school. Focus on those areas which need improvement like planning, paragraphing, closing, grammar or just simply a hand writing.
Amber Kamran What’s so special happening and expecting! An unexpected lockdown, Ramadan, Eid and NAPLAN for the kids studying in the grades 3, 5, 7 and 9. Yes, NAPLAN is falling just during Ramadan and Eid this year. Thankfully, the education department has allowed some relaxations for our kids and our kids can sit for a test on the another day instead of the Eid Day. However, two tests will be done during the last week of Ramadan. Please don’t be captious as these dates are preselected every year around the second week of May. Are you still wondering what NAPLAN is, or seem confused with the unanswered questions? This overview will help you with the information on, what is assessed, how the information is used, and how to help prepare your child for the tests. National assessment platform: NAPLAN is a national exam introduced in 2008 by Julia Gillard (Education Minister at that time). ACCARA is managing the tests from 2010. Each May, over one million students take the NAPLAN tests. NAPLAN is stands for ‘National Assessment Program of Literacy and Numeracy. This program is actually a tool for the government to check the right balance and education performance at the national level and to plan future policies. Online or paper base: NAPLAN will move online over the next two years. Schools are in the preparation phase and have started the BYOD (Bring your own device) program. These devices can be used with restricted software to limit student access to the sites of information or spell check. However, in 2021 your child will be sitting the paper-based NAPLAN tests, unless you have received a different
information from your child’s school. Testing criteria and results: Your child will be tested for the five NAPLAN domains: • Reading • Writing • Spelling, Grammar and Punctuation • Numeracy After assessments, the results will be mapped in different bands in graphical representation to inform students of the outcome. The bands relevant for the year level are as follows: • Year 3 – results will be reported in Band 1 to Band 6 • Year 5 – results will be reported in Band 3 to Band 8 • Year 7 – results will be reported in Band 4 to Band 9 • Year 9 – results will be reported in Band 5 to Band 10 Compare with class results: You will receive an individual report of
the results in Term 3, which will provide information on how your child/children have performed compared to the national average. You might not be convinced with the one point of time testing process, where students can fall if they cannot perform on the specific time of the day. So the best way to compare results is to check the class academic performance as well. Use NAPLAN to compare only for numeracy and literacy as science, IT or any other subjects are not part of NAPLAN grading. How to prepare for the test: Please keep in mind, NAPLAN isn’t a test that your child usually prepares for, like science or humanities, etc. It checks the skills that have improved over time, and that have been developed with practice throughout the year. You can help your child to improve but you cannot achieve high levels with just a few days of practice. I have a listed few things which I am using for my own children to make them familiar with the exam and format.
NAPLAN tests schedule – 2021 Please refer this schedule for our kids if studying in ICB. ACCARA has issued a special statement for schools and if your child is attending state school, you may request from school to organise an alternate day for tests. Schools will also help your child to start NAPLAN tests first thing in the morning to ensure fasting students’ energy levels are at their highest 11 May Tuesday: Language Conventions and Writing 12 May, Wednesday: Reading 17 May Monday: Numeracy If your child needs some special adjustments, the school will help you to get the approval to use any type of special aid in this exam. If you are interested in knowing more about NAPLAN and special adjustments, it would be useful if you contact your child’s teacher. Amber Kamran has a background in the Technical Industry and is based in Brisbane. She has spent time to understand the education system to help her kids. Now, her new project is to help and support the immigrant women with overseas experience and skills to find their career path.
Living with religious pluralism and inclusivity Rida Ansary Inclusivity. Why are we still trying to bring it into our society when it has existed for over 1000 years? Many religions enjoin peace: • Islam encourages good behaviour towards neighbours, family, and friends; a peaceful coexistence with the community around us. • Christianity encourages living with hope and peace at its centre. • Buddhism promotes a peaceful existence, in order to be free from the roots of suffering. • Judaism entails grasping peace as the source of security for the people. • Hinduism prescribes meditation to bring about inner peace. All religions share at least one thing; the central idea that should describe us as the custodians of this planet, the cultivators and protectors of peace. And yet, ironically, this very notion is compromised with our scrutiny of differing values. Peace is dismissed and we often prefer to focus on the instances where peace was not carried out. This makes us forget that all religions should be allowed to coexist and acknowledge the collective ideas that they spread to adherents. Evidence that this is imperative for maintaining a peaceful society is the Madinah Charter signed by the Prophet Muhammad (s), the first of his kind who was known to have done so. The Madinah charter was a document outlining the rights and responsibilities of all the people of Madinah. These rights ensured MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
that the adherents that contributed to the plethora of religious traditions that existed during that time could practice their religious duties freely. Allow me to present to you a picture of the religious landscape of Arabia. Before the revelation of the Quran and the arrival of Islam; other faiths existed in Arabia. These included monotheistic faiths such as Zoroastrianism, Judaism, Christianity, and those who were simply followers of the doctrine of Ibrahim (as). There existed also pagan faiths and those specific to each tribe. Arabia was more of a stratified Capitalist state before the unification into a socialist state by the Prophet Muhammad (s). This meant that pre-Islamic Arabia was very divided and religious beliefs greatly varied between individuals, groups, and social classes. Idolatry was prevalent among the tribal leaders who had designated idols to which offerings and salutations were made. Seeing as Islam was to be received in a land of such religious diversity, Prophet Muhammad (s) needed this document to ensure peaceful coexistence and cooperation between the many faiths while he taught more people about Islam. He declared that each tribe with their different set of customs and beliefs from pre-Islamic times could continue with their practices. For instance, any blood money (money due to the family of a person who was murdered) that was due could be paid as per tribal customs.
The document also classified that the people of Madinah who are adherents of varying religious traditions with similar beliefs and doctrine as ‘believers’ collectively. This was not exclusive to Muslims or Jews or to any one group of adherents. All inhabitants of Madinah regardless of religious affiliation were bound together under one umbrella of security. The umbrella of security meant that any threat to the people would be received with a collective re-
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sponse and that matters of security would be faced by the community as a whole; ‘Conditions of peace and war and the accompanying ease or hardships must be fair and equitable to all citizens alike’ (Constitution.org: Full Text of the Madina Charter). If a citizen’s life was at risk, it did not matter what tribe they belonged to, or with what name they called to God; they would have to be defended as a fellow inhabitant of the city of Madinah. So, why is this necessary? Because Allah has said in the Quran: “O humanity! Indeed, We created you from a male and a female, and made you into peoples and tribes so that you may ˹get to˺ know one another. Surely the most noble of you in the sight of Allah is the most righteous among you. Allah is truly All-Knowing, All-Aware.” (Quran: Al-Hujurat 13) This reveals that humanity overall has but one duty, to work and enjoin righteousness. To maintain peace in the world. This is something common to all and what the Prophet Muhammed (s) wanted to protect when he signed the Madina charter. So shouldn’t we pick up where he left off and enjoin unity between religions, wearing the mantel of the vanguard of peace? Rida Ansary is a high school student in Sydney planning to study in the International Relations field. She is interested in matters relating to politics and how to improve the world.
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Don’t let politics or COVID-19 pessimism and depression increase your dementia risk Rabbi Allen Maller Individuals who do not have psychiatric problems but score very high on a personality test pessimism scale have a 30 percent increased risk of developing dementia 2-3 decades later. The same is true of individuals who score very high on the test’s depression scale. The risk is even higher, 40 percent more, for individuals who score very high on both anxiety and pessimism scales. Dementia is a neurological disorder that affects the ability to think, speak, reason, remember and move. The most common form of dementia is Alzheimer’s disease. Although it’s common to see personality changes such as pessimism, depression, agitation or withdrawal once a person develops dementia, Mayo Clinic investigators believe that pessimism and depression are more likely to be risk factors for dementia rather than early manifestations of the disease. The best way to offset pessimism and depression is trust in God. The Quran teaches: “My sons (said Prophet Jacob) go and en-
quire about Yusuf (Joseph) and his brother (Benjamin), and never give up hope of Allah’s Mercy. Certainly no one despairs of Allah’s Mercy, except people who disbelieve.” [12:87] To despair of God’s mercy is to abandon hope and become a negative thinker. People who do that will not be open to new opportunities. All Christians, Jews and Muslims would agree that a truly religious person is someone who trusts in God; strives to persevere in spite of adversity, and waits patiently for times to get better; without turning bitter or becoming filled with despair. In the Jewish tradition this psychology is best embodied by those Orthodox Jews who call themselves Hassidism. For many people, Hassidic Jews are noticeable because of their Amish like dress and ultra orthodox behavior. But it is their unique stress on trusting God and elevating one’s soul through joyful religious activities that makes them distinctive. Many of their teachings reflect a trust in God taught by the Quran: “Put your trust in Allah. Allah loves those that trust [in Him].” [Quran 3: 159] Notice that the actual text does not end [to Him]. If we take the text literally, it states “Allah loves those who trust.” which means
Continuing the legacy of Malik Badri Dr Mutiu Salami As a student of Professor Malik Badri, his distinguished personality, academic prowess, spirituality, fatherhood, and humanity cannot be expressed in words. He made me and numerous other students across the globe to understand that the field of psychology is not limited to the secular worldviews in terms of theory and practise. He pointed out the existence and essence of the spiritual element of man and how it plays a major role in our optimal functioning. One of his major publications; The Dilemma of Muslim Psychologists, alerted us how and why we need to liberate our understanding and practices of psychology so as not to fall into the lizards’ hole. During one of his discussions, Malik Badri narrated how works of Mohammad Qutb’s “Islam: The Misunderstood Religion greatly influenced his dedication towards Islamisation of modern psychology. It is worthy to note one of his Western inspirational books tilted The Road Less Travelled written by Scott Peck, on how human suffering can draw solutions from both psychological and spiritual means. Being a distinguished behaviorist, Malik Badri expressed his discontent towards the dehumanization of man as a result of the experimental approach of Ivan Pavlov. He once mentioned how he modified one of the most pronounced behavior therapeutic approaches, systematic desensitization, and used it in treating a Moroccan patient. Professor Malik Badri for example, taught us how this approach can be applied to a Muslim suffering from Obsessive Compulsive problems with hand-washing as a result of repetitive states in ablution. Personally, I see this as a knowledge that will serve as sadaqatul jariyyah for his blessed soul as such cannot be found in any psychology test across the globe. Through his efforts in organising the re-
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surging Muslim psychologists across the globe, the emergence of the International Association of Muslim Psychologists (Majorly among experts in South-East Asia and Australia) and the International Association of Islamic Psychology (Majorly among experts in Turkey and Western countries) remain a part of formidable efforts through which Muslim psychologists can further collaborate and contribute to both psychological and spiritual need of humanity considering the ongoing pandemic ravaging the entire globe In a recent webinar organised to commemorate Professor Malik Badri, a group of his students shared research and clinical practise issues learnt during their undergraduate and postgraduate studies. One notable area of interest that needs greater attention is the mind/body interaction from Islamic perspective. This is an area that calls for a collaborative research among medical and psychological experts in unravelling how the mind can actually influence physical and psychological functioning.
that believers themselves have a duty to learn to persevere; and never abandon optimism and hope for the future. “And give good news to those who persevere, those who say, when a misfortune strikes them, Surely to Allah we belong, and surely to Him we will return, these are the ones on whom blessings from their Lord descend, and mercy, and these are the ones who are rightly guided”. [Quran 2: 155-157] The following sayings give a taste of the inner spiritual life of Hassidic Jews. One of the most important teachings of Hassidic Rabbis was not to worry about the future or sacrifice present joy because you fear it will not last very long. After all, most things people worry about never occur. As Rabbi Mordecai of Lekhovitz taught, “We must not worry. Only one worry is OK. We should worry about (always) being worried.” because worrying by itself does not take away tomorrow’s troubles, it only takes away today’s joys and contentment. Rabbi Moshe of KobrIn taught, “When people suffer they should not say – That’s bad, that’s bad! Nothing that Mother Nature imposes on us is bad. But it is all right to say- That’s bitter! For there are some medicines that are made with bitter herbs.” Some people are embittered by adversity while others are strengthened by it. How we react depends in large measure on our attitude. Making oneself a victim leads to self-pity, hopelessness and despair. But you do not have to entirely ignore or deny your pain. It is OK to say it’s bitter as long as you also think, I can make something positive from this. Rabbi Simcha Bunam taught, “Everyone should have two pockets, so you can reach into one or the other according to your needs. In the right pocket should be the words. For my sake was the world created. And in the left pocket the words, I am dust and ashes.” When we are defeated, depressed, discouraged or down on ourselves we need to
remind ourselves that we are created in the image of God. When we are self-centered, insensitive, self-righteous or conceited we need to remind ourselves that we are only one of eight billion human beings on Planet Earth. As the Quran states; “My servants, you who have transgressed against yourselves, do not despair of the mercy of Allah. Truly Allah forgives all wrong actions. He is the Ever-Forgiving, the Most Merciful.” [Quran 39:53] As Rabbi Simcha Bunam taught, “The many sins most people commit are not great crimes. The great crime is that every day we are all capable of repentance/change/reform, and we do not do it.” So Rabbi Shelomo of Karlin taught, “What is the worst thing that Satan can accomplish? To make a person forget that he or she is a child of God.” Rabbi Nakhman of Bratzlav said: “The whole world is one long narrow bridge, so it is essential not to be afraid.” And a 20th century German Reform Rabbi said: “Judaism is a religion of ethical optimism.” Where did Rabbi Leo Baeck teach this? When he was in a Nazi concentration camp, with the number 187984 tattooed on his arm. As the Qur’an states: “Do not lose heart nor fall into despair! You shall triumph if you are believers.” [Quran 3:139] 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 website 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’ (31 articles previously published by Islamic web sites) is for sale ($15) on Amazon.
Mutiu Salami is a senior lecturer at the Department of Psychology and Counseling, Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris Malaysia.
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ISSUE 186 / MAY 2021
LIFESTYLE 27 - 32
UMMAH 33 - 34
EDUCATION 35 - 36
The Imbalanced Podcast Burhan and MK Featuring two friends who took extremely different perspectives on life, loads of banter, real life experiences and turned them into an exciting podcast.
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Khilafah Podcast
She Talks
Amna Karra-Hassan, Sahar Dandan & Yash Kammoun
The Beehive Podcast
Yahya Alam Podcast relating to the affairs of the Ummah and Islamic revival.
Three very different women discussing ideas, topics and community issues all with unique views.
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Samantha J Boyle Lifestyle based that discusses faith, news, marriage and family, taboo topics, finance, work and more.
Deep Discussions
Calisha Bennett and Roslyn Debono Hear about the journey of everyday Muslims in our Ummah.
Aussie
Muslim Podcasts you should check out
Boys in the Cave
The Chat Fam
Tanzim Alam, Joshua Faya and Rafael Bruzzese Boys In The Cave Podcast ethos is to 'revive Islamic Burn Your discourse’ through Passport critically engaging with various guests, Nazeem Hussain Together with fellow ranging from stand-ups from Shaykhs, Scholars, Australia, and elseAcademics, where, he’ll convince Community leaders you on this ABC and Activists Radio Comedy podcast to burn your passport and stay FairDinkum the hell at home.
addLove
Aamon Sayed Addlove is a podcast about the human experience.
Podcast
Weli, Ali Imam ‘Think progress, not perfection’ MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
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Emirza, Samara and Soraya Wacky, hilarious, and chat conversations between childCorporate hood friends. that Majlis candidly discuss and share their own Ali Memon perspectives and Chronicling the experiences being stories of go getters Australian, Indonein our Muslim comsian (so expect to munity from all walks hear some Bahasa), of life. You get to and Muslim. learn about where they started, where they are now and Kickback everything in Republic between. Ali Al-Zaidi Come kickback as we talk to some interesting people! AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
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NEWS 1-3
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COMMUNITY 9 - 19
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Social Spotlights Sydney Muslim Cyclists @sydneymuslimcyclists
Sonny Bill Williams 7AFL @jihaddib_mp - about to turn 33 - playing during Ramadan - still puts up 31 disposals, 10 marks and a W.
@sonnybillwilliams Proud of my big girl wanting to get up early for suhoor so she can do a half day fast for the first time. #Ramadan
Was a pleasure to hand over a cheque of $27,000 from the Sydney Muslim Cyclists to @sadaqcare to feed the poor and those living beneath the poverty line in Lebanon. A big thank you to everyone who donated and put a smile on the face of a poor person overseas #sydneymuslimcyclists #donation #feedingthepoor #smcclub #sadaqah #cheque #keepsmiling #sadaqcare
Bachar Houli is unreal.
Brothers In Need @brothersinneed.org
Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights
Always a pleasure having Br. Osman Karolia and the team from Unity Grammar join us on our Saturday Night Homeless Program. Thank you so much for your assistance and your continued support for all our programs
@amwchr1
Zuleyha Keskin It is a historic moment for ISRA Australia with its first PhD graduate. Congratulations to Doctor Sheikh Aref Chaker. Dr Sheikh Aref wrote his PhD on the works of Imam Maturidi, his thesis is titled, “Sunni Theological Exegesis: A Critical Study of Ilahiyyat in Al-Maturidi’s Ta’wilat”. We look forward to reading the thesis once it is available. Congratulations to the supervisory team as well; Assoc Prof Mehmet Ozalp and Dr Hakan Coruh, for your support and guidance with your PhD student.
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A big THANK YOU to all who attended and participated in our Women’s Iftar in partnership with @moroccan_soup_bar & @qvwc_melbourne last Thursday. We feel truly humbled to have been in a room with so many inspirational women who continue to contribute to our community in meaningful ways. This was our first time hosting an Iftar for Ramadan and following the feedback that we have received, it won’t be the last! Here are some highlights of the night for you to enjoy #amwchr #ramadan #iftar #womensiftar #notforprofit #formuslimwomenbymuslimwomen #muslim #muslimwomen #ramadan2021 #ramadanfundraiser #fundraiser
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Jihad Dib MP @jihaddib_mp Anzac Day Service in Lakemba #lestweforget
ISSUE 186 / MAY 2021
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UMMAH 33 - 34
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AMUST
Ramadan 300km Challenge Day 14 Osman Karolia I had the pleasure to run late yesterday between Bonnyrigg Mosque to the Ming Yue Lay Buddhist Temple, I was humbled as I was honoured to be greeted with a traditional lion dance and drumming performance with Anne Stanley MP, Federal member for Werriwa and Liverpool City councillor Nathan Hagarty also present. A big part of the 300km challenge is to bring goodwill and celebrate our incredible multi cultural community. We live in a truly diverse, inclusive community and Australia with Liverpool in particular leading this ideal better than most with 150 nationalities speaking 140 languages calling Liverpool home. To the young man and women of the Ming Yue Temple I say thank you for your kindness, support and humanity A person is either your brother in faith, or your equal in humanity. - Ali ibn Abi Talib Please make a difference to the lives of others by supporting Ghania Dib and myself help others with a contribution to https://tinyurl.com/32taynj6 Lovely 6km walk to start the day on the back of yesterday’s temple run. Sammy Rehim thanks for running with me!
Osman Karolia with Liverpool City councillor Nathan Hagarty (left) and Anne Stanley MP, Federal member for Werriwa (right). 165/300km, 135km to go. BRONZE SPONSORS: Binah, Crescent These sponsors assist locally and abroad Wealth, Rashays, Rami Ykmour and have already impacted on the lives Thank you to ALL, that’s everyone who of thousands with the 300km challenge has contributed so far, very much appreciatthrough their contribution, proud to wear ed, may the Almighty reward you infinitely their names on my official running shirt Penny Appeal Australia, thanks for the GOLD SPONSOR: Future Form opportunity. SILVER SPONSORS: The Tax Factor, MCCA Islamic Finance and Investments Follow Osman Karolia’s EPIC Race for (Australia) Ramadan here: fb.com/osman.karolia
Osman at Bonnyrigg Mosque.
Osman was greeted at the Ming Yue Lay Buddhist Temple with a traditional lion dance.
Osman stopped by AMUST HQ on his way from Bonnyrigg Mosque to the Ming Lay Buddhist Temple.
MAY 2021 / ISSUE 186
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AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
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NEWS 1-3
BOOMERANG 4-8
COMMUNITY 9 - 19
CENTREFOLD 20 - 21
AUSTRALIA 22- 26
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COUNTERING HATE
Mind, Body & Soul W O M E N ’ S R E T R E AT Facilitator: Princess R. Lakshman
& EXTREMISM THINKING GLOBALLY; ACTING LOCALLY Webinar highlighting the concerns on the effect of hate speech leading to violent behaviour in our community and review various efforts being made by activists, NGOs, legal professionals, academics and government authorities in countering this locally as well as globally.
A Self-Care event for women to gather, relax, foster friendships and feel empowered.
SUN 30 MAY
3PM-4:30PM AEST ONLINE THROUGH ZOOM
Self-Care Tips
Henna
Sunday 30 May | 11am - 3pm Venue: Dar-ul-Islam 206 Humphries Rd, Bonnyrigg NSW
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Pampering Gift Bags Activities
3 Course Lunch
Women Only Event Register: buytickets.at/seenainc info@seena.org.au www.seena.org.au
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ISSUE 186 / MAY 2021