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OPINION www.alwasat.com.au ¿ info@alwasat.com.au
¿ ALWASAT ¿ Issue 38 ¿ Safar 1435 ¿ December 2013
Religious Vilification (Part 2) It is not long since your terrifying experience with the racist, drunken man. Since coming across the verbal and physical abuse and his crazed attempt to remove your headscarf, you no longer feel safe outside of your home. You look in the fridge and realise that you must face your fear today. You have to buy some food for your daughter. You take your young daughter with you and drive to another shopping centre to where the incident had occurred. Afraid, yet hopeful, you lock the car and head towards the Coles. Suddenly, your daughter tugs at your hand in fear. She points towards a man standing a few metres away. There he is the same man! He stands leaning against his car smirking at you. Your heart begins to pound against your chest, you look right and left. Last time, neither the security guard nor any of the onlookers stepped in to save you. You pick up your daughter, run back to your car and lock the door. Safe in the car, speeding past the man’s car towards the exit, you notice his car’s registration number and memorise it. Safe at home, you write it down and call the police straight away. Anxious and worried, you tell them everything that happened, give them the number plate and describe the man. A few days later you receive a call from the police. They had actually caught the man. The police tell you that some other Muslim women had reported similar incidents but they couldn’t identify him until they received information about his car registration number. A happy ending to a sad story, but it is not always this way. The reality is, many Muslim women face discrimination due to their head scarf, and very few take the matter to the police. Remember that if it happens to you, it probably happened to others like you.
Hijab pic from salamstock Report it immediately to the police. Ignoring such incidents does is an injustice to yourself and others like you. If you have any concerns in contacting the police or would like someone else to put the information forward, please contact the Muslim Legal Network (anonymously if you wish). The Muslim Legal Network has a free consultation service. You can reach the MLN at contact@muslimlegalnetwork.com for any assistance in making such a complaint. The MLN also maintains a record of such incidents occurring in Victoria and aims to work with law enforcement and government to reduce such incidences. Let us all take positive action towards making Australia a safer place for everyone.
authors: Jazeer Nijamudeen, President, Muslim Legal Network & Aseel Sammak, Legal Referral Services Manager, Muslim Legal Network.
World Hijab Day The World Hijab Day will be celebrated on February 1, 2012 across the world. The awareness campaign aims to encourage one million participants from around the world - “Better awareness. Greater understanding. Peaceful world.” The campaign encourages both Muslim (non-hijabi) and Non-Muslim women to participate in the worldwide event by embracing a hijab on the day.
To register to the campaign’s mailing listhttps: //docs.google.com/forms/ d/1KQMidpf5x0oEMmrb7HLyeQ-LqE_ hg_JKG7iLNDYGIaY/viewform To find out more, visit the campaign’s Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ WorldHijabDay
9/15 Nathan Drive CampbellfiledVic - 3061
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Humanities and Education َ ¿ 38 ¿ الوسط ¿ العدد م2013 هـ ¿ كانون األول1435 صفر
History Column
Australia shamed by its Past and its Present In this very year, eight years after the Cronulla riots, while we are members of the UN Security Council and we seek to take a leading role in developing a major role for our nation in international affairs, we have been shamed before the whole world. As the death of Nelson Mandela focused attention upon racism and demise of the evil apartheid regime in South Bilal Cleland Africa, an Australian living in the UK, married to a woman ilal42@bigpond.com of Indian background, was able to successfully appeal against his removal to Australia. He argued “because of racism in Australia, his wife and child would not go with him if he was deported and that would be ‘devastating’ to their family.” This plea was taken seriously by the magistrate. That in itself is a condemnation of our nation. Our history of racism means that we must seriously struggle to change our national attitudes if we are to take a respected place in the world community of nations. Our Asian neighbours remember too well our White Australia Policy, which saw them as unsuitable to live in this country. The Racist 1901 Immigration Restriction Act, the first major legislation of the new Commonwealth of Australia, was intensified by the 1902 Roads Act. The 1904 petition against this Act, addressed to the Legislative Assembly of Western Australia, signed by Muslim cameleer M.H. Musakhan and 2,500 camel men, indicates that they did not really understand the poisonous ideology behind the law. The intent of the legislation was very clear. It placed a registration fee on each camel to which was added the license fee of ten shillings a year on all camels used in transport. It also prevented “any camel from being driven along any part of a road or track or within 20 yards of the centre thereof”. Obviously dismayed, the petitioners complained that it was meant to favour horse teamsters, who were white men. There is a poignancy in their spirited defence of their industry, indicating a failure to comprehend the nature of the new federation with its emphasis upon racial purity. It was hard for these men to understand why an industry which had been so valuable to the nation would be deliberately sabotaged. Doubly hard for people from a culture which abhorred racism and could not imagine it forming the basis for national policy. The Petition “IT has been said that the history of the goldfields is the history of the State and if that be so, the camel industry is as indissolubly bound up in that history as are the miners themselves, and it may be truly claimed that it has been one of the principal aids, if not the foremost one, in changing an obscure and barren corner of the Empire into one of its richest and most important territories. Nor is the utility of the camel confined to the gold miner. In survey, in telegraph work, in the Police, in water carriage, in exploration, camels are a most valuable auxiliary. They are an absolute necessity to life in the dry districts. They are now being utilised by the State in the work of fencing out that deadly foe to agriculture, the rabbit pest. They are essential to the wool industry to carry wool to the seaports. They will shortly be required in large numbers in the survey of the transcontinental railway and thereafter, in still greater numbers in the construction of the railway itself. YOUR Petitioners would submit therefore, that, apart from all other considerations, it is a shortsighted policy to discourage an industry that has been so useful to the state in the past and that, in the immediate future will again become a crying need. Not until the whole area of Australia is brought into use, not until the wastes of the interior are covered with a network of railways, not, that is, for many generations will the camels cease to be a necessity of existence in many parts of the state, and your Petitioners would submit that encouragement and not obstruction, should be the policy of the state regarding them.” Perhaps they understood more than it would appear as the collection of documents Musakhan put into his book have this petition under the heading “An Unpresented Petition - 1904”. They may have known it was a waste of time to present it. So strict was the implementation of the Immigration Restriction Act that Afghan cameleers were not permitted, even during the severe drought of 1901-1902, to cross the border between South Australia and NSW without going through procedures similar to those required of racially unwelcome visitors to Australia. A reliable person had to act as guarantor for them, paying a bond of 100 pounds for each person. The Afghans admitted to NSW in April 1902, although still under the 100 pounds bond, were permitted to remain until the drought had eased. However handprints were now included on file for proof of identity, presumably to ensure that the same men who entered from South Australia eventually returned. Not only was interstate trade impeded, but international business links as well. There were several requests by Muslims with business interests in both India and Australia for a general pass, to allow unhindered travel. Then the 1903 Naturalization Act provided that applicants for naturalization could not be natives of Asia, Africa or the Pacific Islands (except for New Zealand). Men who had worked in Australia for over a decade were not acceptable as citizens. Jan Mahomet, a 35 year old Afghan storekeeper and camel-driver, who had worked in South Australia for nearly four years, Coolgardie for over a year and then in Murchison, near Geraldton WA, for eleven years, received his rejection of naturalisation from the Department of External Affairs in Melbourne in October 1906 about three weeks after submitting his papers. The only sign in the archives of his response is a curt telegram to the Department on 25 October asking for the return of all his papers. It was not until 1972 that every vestige of this apartheid-like policy was abandoned by the Whitlam Labor Government. Unfortunately, this major step did not bring about a revolution in attitudes. As late as August 2009 the UN special rapporteur on indigenous human rights after a tour a Australia, said that the Aboriginal minority still suffers from ‘entrenched racism’. They die on average 17 years younger than the rest of the population. If there is nothing else that the Muslim community can contribute to Australia, it is the Islamic teaching on racism, but then that would assume the Muslim community has imbibed that teaching. I have yet to be convinced that has happened, even after 1400 years. O humanity! We created you from a single (pair) of a male and a female and made you into nations and tribes that you may know each other (not that you may despise each other). Truly the most honoured of you in the sight of Allah is (the one who is) the most righteous of you. And Allah has full knowledge and is well acquainted (with all things). Surah 49 Hujuraath Ayah 13
The author is a prominent Australian Muslim scholar and activist
¿ ALWASAT ¿ Issue 38 ¿ Safar 1435 ¿ December 2013
Human Appeal Australia Sends Aid to The Philippines Typhoon Victims HAI
Fundraiser for Islamic Museum Australia By Mariam Mukaty The Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA), the first of its kind in Australia will Inshallah be opening its doors to the public early in 2014. Its mission is to “create a culture of awareness and understanding” by showcasing Islamic artworks and artefacts. Islamic art dating back to the 7th century will be displayed alongside contemporary pieces to inspire and educate the community about Islam’s rich artistic heritage with the aim to “foster community harmony and facilitate an understanding of the values and contributions of Muslims to Australian society.” The IMA is a not-for-profit organisation that is dependent on contributions from the community. Donations large and small will go a long way in helping the museum sustain its operations. Contributions will not only assist in the collection and preservation of the art, but also the promotion of knowledge and ideas and the strengthening of relationships between various communities within the Muslim Ummah and between Muslims and wider society. Details on how to donate are available on the IMA website: http://www.islamicmuseum.org.au/support-us
Alhamdulillah, Human Appeal Australia has been able to reach the typhoon affected areas and commenced aid distribution. On Monday 18th November 2013, Brother Riyad Qasim, chariman of HAI-Australia and Brother Bashar Al-Jamal the Regional Director of HAIAustralia, arrived in Manila in the morning. They departed again on Tuesday for Cebu City, capital of Visayas Island and from there they left by car to Bogo City, a 3 hour drive from Cebu City. There they purchased aid items including blankets, food parcels, hygiene kits and drinking water. This was distributed to 220 families who either lost their homes or remain badly affected by the disaster. On Wednesday morning the team left Cebu by ferry to go to Ormoc City, the 2nd hardest hit area, in Leyte province, and inspected the damage. The team purchased more aid items which were distributed to an additional 180 families. On Thursday 21st November, aid was distributed amongst 130 families in Kalibo city, in the province of Aklan. At the time of the field mission, the city of Tacloban, the hardest hit city in Leyte province, could not be reached because of many obstacles including security issues, looting, disease and inaccessible roads. It is expected that by now the roads have been cleared to pave the way for the supply of aid on the ground. The demand for aid in this region is unprecedented and dire. We urge you to provide more support so we can reach more victims and provide aid to them. Please donate by calling 1300 760 15 or visiting www.hai.org.au The HAI-Australia team.
َ ¿ 38 ¿ الوسط ¿ العدد م2013 هـ ¿ كانون األول1435 صفر
www.alwasat.com.au ¿ info@alwasat.com.au
All donations over $2 are tax deductible. A group of Pakistani-Australians is organising a fundraising event to support the IMA. All proceeds from this event will be given to this commendable and worthwhile organisation. The theme for the event is how different Muslim communities connect with the Divine, spotlighting that there is an incredible amount of diversity within the Muslim community itself. Dinner guests can expect a lavish sub-continent inspired meal and an entertaining evening with performing artists from various cultural backgrounds. There will also be raffles and auctions to help raise more funds. Event details: Date: Saturday February 1, 2014 Venue: GT Road, 419 Spencer Street, West Melbourne. More details to come. Check out the event’s Facebook page for more information: https://www.facebook.com/events/662894507065342/
HAI Regional Director Bashar al Jamal
BURC COLLEGE END OF YEAR CONCERTS
Event organiser and Honorary Investment Consul for Pakistan Ayesha Bux said, “The Islamic Museum is a fantastic opportunity to learn about the many cultures that constitute the Australian Ummah. Islamic art and architecture have been of great interest to art historians around the world. The IMA is a unique project giving Australian Muslims the opportunity to become a part of this rich and diverse history. By donating to the IMA, we’re actually contributing to the ongoing education of people for generations to come. It’s a form of Sadqa-e-Jaria, in that we’re contributing to the future of Australian Muslims and the wider community.” Anyone keen to contribute items for auction or raffle prizes should contact Ayesha Bux at 0423 085 422.
Help the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre keep its door of hope open The ASRC is being forced to move at a time when asylum seekers face the worst situation in 30 years.
Adelaide To celebrate the end of 2013 as usual, Burc College held its annual End of Year Concerts. This year, Mr Lee Oldenwalder, Member of Parliament for Little Para and Mr Mithat Demir, first principal of Burc College were the guest of honour. Burc College students and teachers had worked very hard to practice their items and make costumes and props. The concerts proved to be a huge success with a wide variety of performances. The acts included things such
as, dances, singing, plays, science experiments and there was also educational plays that had informative information about recycling and the solar system. Guests were also treated to a Turkish poem and song by Maryam Mehio and Mutia Nur Hafsa who recently represented Burc College in the International Language and Cultural Festival in Melbourne. Lastly the evening was a very special evening for the Year 6s as they graduated from primary school. The students looked very elegant in their graduation gown and sash, congratulations. Both concerts were very much enjoyed by all.
Donate now and support our Home of Hope Appeal.
Donate by calling (03) 9326 6066 or online at asrc.org.au