Issue 157 December 2018

LIFESTYLE 27 - 30

AMUST

UMMAH 31 - 34

EDUCATION 35 - 36

BUSINESS 37

SOCIAL 38 - 39

AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES

www.amust.com.au ISSUE # 157

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Multicultural News & Views

DECEMBER 2018; RABI’UL AWWAL 1440

P-Plated Prime Minister

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PH: 02 9158 3020

Mosaic of Muslim Women

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Digital Newspaper Available

EMAIL: INFO@AMUST.COM.AU

Human Rights Forum

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Unity Grammar Robotics Win LIFESTYLE PAGE 27

Israeli spyware linked to Khashoggi’s murder Jamal Khashoggi.

Abu Anees

AMAA 2018: Muslim Community celebrates high achievements Zia Ahmad Celebrations showcasing community icons at the 12th annual Australian Muslim Achievement Awards were held in Sydney on Saturday 18 November at Grand Royale, Granville recognising a number of individuals and organi-

sations as finalists and winners.

Winners of awards included Dr Mehmet Ozalp, Tony Burke, Jihad Dib, Nada Kalam, Sayed Rahmatullah Hussainzada and many more while AMUST won the award for ‘Media Outlet of the Year’.

The annual event founded and hosted by Mission of Hope led by Ms Hanan Dover, recognises the out-

standing contributions made by Australian Muslim men, women, businesses and organisations towards the community celebrating their success performance, and achievements of Australian Muslims.

Continued on page 20 - 21 with more photos.

A spying software Pegasus sold by an Israeli secretive company to Saudi Arabia at a cost of $55 million was used to spy on mobile communication between Jamal Khashoggi and his friend, a Saudi dissident based in Canada, Omar Abdul Aziz.

Khashoggi during his WhatsApp messaging was very critical of Crown Prince Mohammad bin Sulman calling him “beast” and Pac-man” who would “devour” all in his path.

It is thought that this infuriated MBS so much that he authorised Khashoggi’s brutal murder in the Saudi Embassy in Istanbul by his death squad.

The CIA has finally concluded that Khashoggi’s killing must have been authorised by MBS. The Israeli company NSO has been under the spotlight for months as dissidents, journalists and other opposition figures have claimed the company’s technology has been used by repressive governments to spy on them.

AMUST wins Premier’s Multicultural Communications Award 2018 Zia Ahmad

The Australasian Muslim Times AMUST team has been recognised at the Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards held on Monday 5 November 2018 at Waterview, Sydney Olympic Park.

AMUST Multimedia journalist, Yusra Hadi won the Photo of the Year award while AMUST Managing Editor Mobinah Ahmad was recognised as a finalist in Young Journalist of the Year category.

Yusra’s winning photo depicts a Muslim woman holding up a Walk for #Respect, Keep 18C sign during a march by thousands of people from Haldon Street to Perry Park, Lakemba on Friday 31 March 2017 in a show of respect for all and community harmony against hate speech and bigotry.

Later in that week, Multicultural Australia celebrated the rejection of proposed changes to Section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act by the Senate. continued on page 23

From left: Mr Ray Williams, Minister for Multiculturalism, Ms Rubinah Ahmad, AMUST Technology Manager, Ms Gladys Berejiklian,NSW Premier, Mrs Mehar Ahmad, President Seena Inc, Publishers of AMUST, Ms Yusra Hadi, AMUST Multimedia Journalist and Mr Zia Ahmad, AMUST Editor-in-Chief. Photo by Salty Dingo 2018.

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PM Imran Khan offers an olive branch to India, again AMUST

Mohamed Ainullah While inaugurating a new visa-free corridor between the Sikh gurdwara at Kartarpur in Pakistan and the Indian town of Dera Baba Nanak, on Wednesday 28 November, the Pakistani Prime Minister Imran Khan has offered to normalise relations with India.

A new road and bridge is being constructed that would link the two sites making it much easier for people of the Sikh faith to

visit their holy site in Pakistan from India where the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak spent the last 18 years of his life.

Sikhs will be able to travel freely between the two landmarks without visas for the first time since the united India was divided in 1947 gaining independence from Britain.

At the ground breaking ceremony being attended by Indian federal ministers Harsimrat Kaur Badal and Hardeep Singh Puri, and provincial Punjab minister Navjot Singh Sidhu, Imran said, “There have been

mistakes on both sides [in the past], but we will not be able to move forward until we break the chains of the past.” “The past is there only to teach us, not for us to live in.”

Imran further added.

Guru Nanak died in 1539 at Kartarpur and the gurdwara, the Sikh place of worship, was built over his final resting place that now lies in Pakistan, a few kilometers away from the Indian border.

With the opening of the corridor, a wish of the Sikh community and one which Pa-

kistan proposed to be followed through with earlier this year, the Pakistani government says it is showing that it is prepared to take concrete steps to ease tensions.

For Sikhs in the area, the opening of the corridor is the culmination of a long-held dream.

The Indian government, led by Hindu Nationalist party BJP Prime Minister Narendra Modi, was pressured into opening the corridor due to domestic political pressures and could not afford to offend the people of Sikh faith.

Muslim Lawn KEMPS CREEK CEMETERY

Kemps Creek Cemetery now has a dedicated Muslim Lawn, offering a peaceful rural cemetery to the Muslim community.

Located only 25 minutes’ drive from Blacktown and 35 minutes from Auburn. › Single and double burial graves available › 3 year interest free payment plans available

Part of the local community For further information please contact:

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AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES

Kemps Creek Cemetery on 02 9826 2273 from 8.30am-4pm 230-260 Western Rd, Kemps Creek NSW 2178 www.kempscreekcemetery.com.au

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EDUCATION 35 - 36

DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

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PM Morrison’s attack on Islam condemned Prime Minister Scott Morrison.

Mohamed Ainullah

communities and pointing fingers at radical Islam.”

The national president of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Greg Barns said that the comments from Dutton and Morrison were “scapegoating, racist and simplistic” since attackers rarely interacted with Islamic leaders nor regularly attended mosques.

Professor Gillian Triggs, the former president of the Human Rights Commission has criticised the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison, for his response to the Bourke Street attack and his dismissive attitude to mental illness calling him “foolish”

and “unhelpful.”

Terrorism expert Professor Greg Barton said that many older Islamic leaders were unlikely to spot extremism in young community members. Rather, communities needed more youth workers who were “street smart, savvy and hip” and who troubled youngsters might confide in and who might pick up signs of dangerous behaviour.

Australia’s Grand Mufti, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed has rejected government calls that Muslim leaders needed to do more to combat radicalism in the community following the Bourke Street at-

“... the comments from Dutton and Morrison were “scapegoating, racist and simplistic”...

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Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s attack on Islam and blaming the Muslim community for violence and killing on Friday 9 November in Bourke Street, Melbourne has been widely condemned as politically motivated, racist, discriminatory and simplistic by experts, politicians and community leaders.

A Somalia-born man Hassan Khalif Shire Ali, 30, reportedly radicalised but delusional and mentally unstable, fatally stabbed restaurateur Sisto Malaspina and injured few others before he was killed by Police.

Mr Morrison has blamed the attack on “radical, violent, extremist Islam” saying “here in Australia, we would be kidding ourselves if we did not call out the fact that the greatest threat of religious extremism in this country is the radical and dangerous ideology of extremist Islam.”

He has called on the Muslim community to do more and was supported by his Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton saying, “let’s be real, we need people to do more and certainly that’s what we would expect from the Islamic community.”

Terrorism experts and lawyers have dismissed claims by the prime minister that Muslim community leaders need to do more to intervene in such events and have criticised politicians for their punitive response to such incidents.

Counter-terrorism expert and now a Labor MP, Dr Anne Aly said the PM’s response to the events in Melbourne was ignorant and “politically desperate.”

She said that Mr Morrison needed to do “a little bit of terrorism 101 and know what he’s talking about before he starts dividing

Muslim leaders boycott meeting with PM while Morrison and Dutton announce moves to strip citizenships Mohamed Ainullah Almost 10 top leaders of the Muslim Community boycotted a meeting convened by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Thursday 22 November.

The meeting still went ahead attended by a number of others claiming to represent the Muslim community.

In a joint statement yesterday, community leaders from Victoria, NSW, South Australia and Queensland and Grand Mufti Ibrahim Abu Mohamed condemned what they described as the Prime Minister’s “divisive’’ rhetoric on Islam and violence.

In their statement issued a few days before the meeting it read: “Many in the Muslim community including the undersigned are deeply concerned and disappointed with statements made by senior government ministers and the Prime Minister in the recent past which infer that the community is collectively culpable for the criminal actions of individuals,” the joint statement reads. “These statements have achieved nothing to address underlying issues, but rather, have alienated large segments of the Muslim community.”

The PM was due to meet with Muslim

leaders this week for a round-table discussion in light of the Melbourne incident on 9 November, in which two people died.

In the days after that incident, Mr Morrison described “radical, violent, extremist Islam” as the greatest threat to Australia’s national security.

Meanwhile in a joint media release on the same day of the meeting, the PM Scott Morrison and Mr Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs said that the Government was taking strong action to keep Australians safe by seeking to change the Australian Citizenship Act so dual citizens convicted of a terrorism offence in Australia could lose Australian citizenship irrespective of the sentence they receive.

Similar to the United Kingdom, the Government will develop a new Temporary Exclusion Orders scheme so Australians involved in terrorism overseas would be legally unable to return to Australia for up to two years.

“We’ll do everything we can to stay ahead of the evolving threat of terrorism to keep Australians safe,” the Prime Minister said.

“The terrorist attack on Bourke Street in Melbourne on 9 November, and the recent arrests which thwarted an alleged terrorist attack, highlight once again the importance of robust measures to protect our commu-

tack.

He believed that the comments by Prime Minister Scott Morrison and Home Affairs Minister Peter Dutton following the Bourke Street attack constituted “serious discrimination” against Australia’s Muslim community.

Dr Abu Mohamed pointed the finger of blame for the attack at security agencies for “failing to evaluate the threat level”.

“We do not need Dutton’s plea to remember our duties. I’d like to remind him that security agencies failed to do their job; the offender’s passport had been cancelled and he was being monitored,” he said.

“Linking crime to religion is what frustrates us the most and the duty of politicians is to defuse conflicts rather than inflame them,” Dr Abu Mohamed said.

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils president Dr Rateb Jneid said he had written to Mr Morrison saying it was “insulting and offensive” to suggest any Islamic leaders were withholding information that was vital to national security.

The Australian National Imams Council called the Bourke St attack a national tragedy but said it was “outraged” by the Prime Minister’s recent comments linking Islam to a radical and dangerous ideology.

“It is extremely disappointing in such difficult times and during a national tragedy, when all Australians of all faiths and backgrounds should be called upon to unite and stand together against any form of extremism and violence, to see our nation’s leader politicising this incident and using it for political gain,” the ANIC statement said.

Mohamed Ainullah is an honorary Sub-Editor responsible for mediascan section of AMUST.

Grand Mufti Ibrahim Abu Mohamed.

“Mr Morrison

described “radical, violent, extremist Islam” as the greatest threat to Australia’s national security.

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nity.

“Our changes will make it easier to strip terrorists of their Australian citizenship. Terrorists forfeit their rights to be Australians when they carry out their evil acts.”

Mr Dutton said while three more dual citizens had lost Australian citizenship under the existing legislation because of their involvement with terrorist organisations offshore, taking the total to nine, more needed to be done.

“We now need to focus attention on strengthening the citizenship loss provisions which commenced in 2015 as they relate to terrorists within Australia, in order to protect our community.”

The proposed changes would enable the Minister to cease the citizenship of anyone who is convicted of a terrorism offence in

WWW.AMUST.COM.AU

Australia, irrespective of the sentence they receive. This removes the current requirement that a terrorist offender must be sentenced to at least six years’ imprisonment.

The Government will also change the threshold for determining dual citizenship.

This change aims to improve the Minister’s scope to determine a person’s foreign citizenship status.

“We assess there are around 50 Australian dual citizens who may be eligible to lose citizenship under the current provisions, and even more with the changes we are announcing today,” Mr Dutton said.

The new Temporary Exclusion Orders scheme would enable authorities to delay, and then monitor and control, the return and re-entry to our community of Australian foreign fighters.

ISSUE 157 / DECEMBER 2018

LIFESTYLE 27 - 30

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EDUCATION 35 - 36

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Divisive politics backfired for Libs at Victorian elections As acknowledged by a number of commentators, the 2018 Victorian state election has shown that you cannot fool the electorate all the time, where the voters demonstrated their intelligence by not being swayed by divisive politics and voted based on performance by political parties.

The first-term incumbent Labor government, led by Premier Daniel Andrews, won a second four-year term, defeating the Liberal/NationalCoalition opposition by Victorian Premier an overwhelming majority.

Daniel Andrews Labor won 55 seats in the 88-seat Legislative Assembly, enough to comfortably secure majority government status. The lions in the process.

Liberal/National Coalition could only Muslims in the west of China are facing scrap to get 37 seats. one of the worst examples of oppression The negative campaigning by the Lib- and ethnic cleansing in the world today. eral party especially by the federal leadEast Turkestan, that Chinese call Xinjiang, ership of using racial and divisive slogans the home of the Muslim minority known as backfired absolutely. the Uyghurs, has seen the mass-internDemonising minorities is an ment of two million civilians who age-old tactic followed by face physical and mental torture unscrupulous leaders to until they renounce their faith. gain popularity among the The Chinese government majority. calls these camps “re-eduIn recent history, this cation camps” that amount Zia Ahmad very tactic was used by to mass prison camps. the Nazis targeting their These tactics have not Assalamu Jewish minority subjectonly been used by dictators Alaikum ing millions to the Holoand authoritarian regimes, caust and starting a world but also in democratic sociGreetings war rousing racial hatred eties. of Peace that resulted in the killing of President Trump managed to tens of millions of people. get elected by inciting the majority The communist regime in the Soviet community by demonising minorities and Union treated minorities very badly, kill- creating fear in the electorate. ing millions and displacing tens of milThe Hindu Nationalist party BJP led by

EDITORIAL

Readers comments

AMUST ISSUE # 157 FRIDAY 7 DECEMBER 2018 28 RABI’UL AWWAL 1440 News

Shahjahan Khan

I congratulate all of you and be proud of you. Your dedication and hard work should have been recognized and it happened. It is a pleasure to see you with an award you have deserved. I hope you will continue enlightening the path of our multicultural community as you have been doing for many years.

Keep going to write the truth.

Serkan Iner

Re: Hijabi in US Congress

Israel has hidden behind anti semitism for far too long. When they are criticised for human rights violations they pull out “anti semitism” They know fully well while Christendom throughout Europe persecuted them, it was Muslim countries that gave them refuge and protection. The Jews lived in peace and flourished in Muslim lands.

As a Jew myself I do not agree with the double standards from my own people.

Salko

- PM attack on Islam condemned - Divisive politics backfired in VIC - The Moderate Muslim Message - ICSOA Interfaith gathering - House of Sakinah achievements - Excellence award at MCC event

Centrefold Prime Minister Modi has been using the same tactics by inciting Hindus against the Muslim minority, increasingly now preparing for national elections early next year in India.

Far Right parties in Europe have gained a substantial foothold amongst the majority population based on incitement to hatred against their minorities.

The Liberal party has used these tactics in the past during John Howard’s era as it seems that the current federal leadership of the party is employing the same strategy.

However the results of the Victorian state elections should be a warning to the Liberal machinery that negative politics by creating an atmosphere of blame and hate does not bear fruits and Australians will be voting on the basis of sound policies and for parties who are willing to tackle important issues facing the country in a positive way. life together and with our friends. Now, a strange mixture of happiness and sadness.

With warm good wishes to you and all your family, Johanna Blows

The intellectual giants on the front bench and the supporters of the Dutton faction in both houses probably think you are making a serious statement.

Bilal Cleland

Re: AMUST wins “Media Outlet of the Year” at AMAA 2018 Congratulations to AMUST. Houssam Bizri

Congratulations well deserved and we are all proud of you all.

Hanif Bismi

Congratulations AMUST team for winning the excellent achievement award. Undoubtedly, AMUST deserved that. This is not only the award but also the pride for the community who have been updated by AMUST and it’s excellent team for the current affairs. May Allah give many more awards to the AMUST team for their excellent work.

Khursheed Anwar

Re: P-Plated Prime Minister’s Anti-Muslim Vituperation

Re: Interfaith gathering calls for understanding against divisiveness and fear mongering

Reading this article just adds to my pride, as a non-Muslim Victorian, THAT TOGETHER THE PEOPLE OF AUSTRALIA rejected the divisive dog whistling of some of our politicians and sections of the media.

YES we are better than that so keep up the good work.

Patricia Greenway DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

Re: Late Mark Blows: Reflections at the funeral service

Thank you, Zia, it is very nice to see this again and be reminded of Mark’s and my

9 - 19

Community

Re: Unity Grammar celebrates Congrats from North Carolina. Appreciate a decade of great achieve- being kept informed of happenings in Aus. ments Keep up the great work!

Do whatever it takes to win an election, never mind the national consequences. Such politicians whether it is a Wentworth inspired ‘brilliance’, a Tampa confrontation or subtle Muslim bashing they handle it like a photo opportunity hoping to garner populist votes. However playing the American deputy role to eye-ball China might not turn out to be a photogenic shoot. In our globalised world today the intricacies of politics and economics requires a nuanced approach from intelligent leaders for the general benefit of their people. A big ask, I suppose from ‘P’ plater politicians!

Mal

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Boomerang

A big congratulations to all the team at AMUST, a well deserved award. Alhamdulillah!

InshaAllah there are many more years of great service to the community to come.

Ismail Aydogan

Great article. May Allah give you the strength and make you successful.

Sabir

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- Muslim community awards 2018 - AMUST wins Premiers Award 2018 - Israeli spyware linked to Khashoggi

Re: AMUST wins Premier’s Thanks Patricia :) People like you make Multicultural Communications us a very proud nation.

Re: The Moderate Muslim MesAward 2018 Romana Waseem sage (Triple-M) Salam and Heartiest Congratulations to Zia bhai and the team.

Well done.

AMUST

Mazhar Ali Sahib

3 women! That’s superb.

Jaz McMurtry

HAVE YOUR SAY Send us your thoughts about news or current events to be published in the next issue of AMUST

Email us at info@amust.com.au

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In Pictures: Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2018

Australia

22 - 26

- Forum highlights rights abuse - Albanian Muslims contribution - Conference on gambling harm

Lifestyle

27 - 30

- Sydney to gong ride - Unity Grammar robotics win - Over-50s cricket world cup

Ummah

31 - 34

- Rohingya Genocide and Australia - Parliament of World religions - Hijabi in US Congress

Education

35 - 36

- Christian author accepts Covenants - Mt Sinai: The lighthouse - Al Amanah College 20th Anniversary

Business

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- Down turn in Australian property prices

Social

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- Top 7 Muslim Memes - Top 8 Tweets

Disclaimer

The views and opinions expressed in articles, and Letters to the Editor, Website Comments are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of The Australasian Muslim Times.

AMUST Team Editor-in-Chief: Zia Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mobinah Ahmad Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Mehar Ahmad (NSW) Columnist: Dr Ameer Ali (WA) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Dr Daud Batchelor (QLD) Columnist: Zahid Jamil (NSW) Columnist: Shahjahan Khan (QLD) Columnist: Imam Malik Mujahid (USA) Promotion: Dr Wali Bokhari Web Developer: Shadow Approved Multimedia: iMoby Productions Printers: Spotpress Pty Ltd Distributers: Abul Fateh Siddiqui, Shujaat Siddiqui, Usaid Khalil, Aamir Ahmad, Ibrahim Khalil, Usman Siddiqui, Zahid Alam, Shahab Siddiqui, Mahmoud Jaame, Mateen Abbas, Rashid Idris, Sakinah Ahmad, Anjum Rafiqi, Hasan Fazeel, Dr Quasim, Ismail Hossain, Hanif Bismi, Zohair Ahmad, Luqman Landy.

AMUST Contacts PO Box 111, Bonnyrigg (Sydney), NSW 2177 Australia.

Email: info@amust.com.au Ph:(02) 9158 3020

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The Moderate Muslim Message (Triple-M) Irfan Yusuf Dear Prime Minister, Sky News Australia (at night, at least) and Newscorp columnists. My name is Muslim. I am the leader of the Muslim community. Welcome to this event.

Before I start, I want to reassure you all that we Muslims are opposed to all forms of terrorism. We wish to apologise for any terrorism done in the name of Islam. When a Muslim commits terrorism, it is always inspired by Islam. We are so lucky that we do not have mental illness in our community. This is what makes us so moderate.

I have had my children undergo a deradicalization program. As I live in Sydney and my daughter is doing her Higher School Certificate, I have insisted that apart from Physics and Chemistry, she must also do 4-Unit Western Civilisation. I have forbidden her to study Ancient History in case she is exposed to the Egyptian goddess Isis.

I have ordered the Somali people in my community, especially those living in Melbourne, not to join any gangs. Turkish kebab shop owners have been complaining to me that they are losing customers who are too scared to gobble down halal snack packs in case they are accosted by gangs. I have also ordered all Somali elders to stop eating sweets and drinking coffee at their favourite

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Italian coffee shops even if these places remind them of life in Mogadishu before the civil war started.

Also, I have ordered ophthalmologists to install extra eyes around the heads our imams, like those little spiders you see on David Attenborough documentaries. Imams must watch each and every part of their mosque congregation for signs of terrorism, extremism, fundamentalism, radicalism, Islamism, Islamofascism and Irfanyusufism.

Our resident token Muslim comedian Nazeem Hussain has been ordered by me to cease and desist from making jokes about white people in case this offends the wife of his lookalike Waleed Aly, not to mention Ed Husic. As your colleagues in the Senate recently made clear, it is perfectly acceptable, indeed desirable, to be white.

I have also issued a fatwa (no, not a death sentence on this occasion) that no Muslim woman in this country is to wear a burka.

Unless, of course, if she has fiery red hair and sits in the Senate. I have received assurances from Dr Mehreen Faruqi that she won’t be applying henna to her hair anytime soon.

As leader of the most moderate Muslim community in the universe, I assure you Muslims are all in favour of Australian values. These values include equality for women.

For that reason, on behalf of all Muslim men, I have chastised Dr Anne Aly for daring to claim that female domestic violence victims need protection as much as terrorist

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victims do. All victims of violence are equal but some are more equal than others.

We are one united monolithic community at your service. Your ComCar is waiting to transport you to the Saudi embassy. God bless oil and other fossil fuels!

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Irfan Yusuf is a lawyer and an award-winning writer and reviewer. He is a PhD Candidate at Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship & Globalisation, Deakin University.

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Extremism: Not a one way street Bilal Cleland The past few days have once again witnessed the Muslim community being lectured upon its responsibility for Muslims who commit terrorist crimes, by both the recently appointed Prime Minister and the Minister for Home Affairs, Peter Dutton.

Melbourne has had a murder in its main street and two stabbings, one victim a Muslim. It also witnessed the sentencing of a terror planner associated with the trial of several terror suspects.

Indeed it is a terrible fact that people who claim allegiance to Islam are involved in such atrocious activities.

As the Australian National Imams Council stated in its press release: “This incident is a national tragedy impacting all Austral-

ians of all faiths and belief systems. These are the times where all Australians should be standing side by side in solidarity, countering all forms of extremism and violence.”

[ANIC 11 November] Islam is clear but so, unfortunately, is the attitude of our political leaders.

“The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) and the Muslim community are also outraged by the recent comments by the Prime Minister Scott Morrison connecting Islam to a “radical and dangerous ideology.” It is extremely disappointing in such difficult times and during a national tragedy, when all Australians of all faiths and backgrounds should be called upon to unite and stand together against any form of extremism and violence, to see our nation’s leader politicising this incident and using it for political gain.”

The self-righteous indignation of the Liberal Party leadership on the issue of extremism and terrorism is mildly amusing to those of us who have followed their history over

the years.

In just recent weeks we have watched the slithering around by the National Party, coalition partner of the Liberals, over the exposure of their neo-Nazi recruits by the ABC Background Briefing.

Barnaby Joyce quickly backtracked on his original cynicism about the claims.

It was as recently as 2014 that Craig Kelly, a prominent Liberal MP, representing PM Abbott, attended a celebration of the Ustasha Victory in Croatia April 10 1941, which ushered in the genocide of all Croatian Jews and the massacre or forced conversion of hundreds of thousands of Serbs.

In April 2007, John Howard’s Communications Minister Helen Coonan, Liberal Senator Concetta Fierravanti-Wells and NSW Upper House Liberal MP David Clark also attended a commemoration of April 10. [IA April 23 2014] For many years the Liberal Party offered a safe haven for Nazis and Nazi collaborators, one of the most shocking examples was the

Peter Dutton, Minister for Home Affairs.

Scott Morrison, Prime Minister of Australia.

AMUST

NSW Liberal Party Migrant Advisory Committee.

Its leadership included Constanin Untaru, the treasurer in the Nazi Iron Guard’s Romanian National Government, Fabijan Lovokovic of the Croatian Ustasha and Mikhas Zuy, a senior official in the Belorussian quisling regime.

It also included Dr L. Megay, former Mayor of Ungvar in Nazi occupied Hungary, responsible for organising the Jews in that ghetto for deportation to Auchwitz.

This organisation was very active in promoting “Captive Nations” as a respectable organisation.

As Aarons pointed out, “The phalanx of “Captive Nations” organisations which arose in the early 1950’s were largely under the captive leadership of former Nazis who owed their “respectability” to the silence of AS.I.O. and “understanding” anti-Communist politicians and senior public servants.”

Fascist organisations even went so far as to carry on military training. “The extent of such complicity, even duplicity, can be gauged by the open military training undertaken by the Croatian fascist front, the Ustashi near Wodonga in 1963.

Not only did the Ustashi members have the use of Citizens Military Forces armoured cars but also sported Army issue Owen sub-machine guns. Their political leaders, Srecko Rover and Ljenko Urbancic found support at the highest levels of government to carry out such training displays.” [www.labourhistory.org.au/hummer/no-29/ nazi-refugees/] Those interested in the history of our friendly attitude to Nazis and their minions should refer to “Sanctuary” by Mark Aarons and “Traitors” by Frank Walker.

Thus, the claims of Morrison, Dutton and Abbott to be advocates and protectors of “Western Civilisation” and “Australian values” rings hollow with me, and I am sure, millions of other Australians.

Bilal Cleland is a keen reader, a prolific writer and a regular columnist of AMUST based in Melbourne.

P-Plated Prime Minister’s Anti-Muslim Vituperation Dr Ameer Ali Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s choice of words to describe a madman’s knife wielding rampage in the heart of Melbourne, which killed one wonderful Australian and injured two other fellow countrymen, as “radical, violent and extremist Islam” demonstrates his leadership immaturity and cheap vote catching tactics at a time when his political party is losing its appeal with Australian voters. This is not the first time that he has done this.

Before that, Melbourne’s horror over the weekend deserves the utmost and unreserved condemnation from every citizen and peace-loving person in this country and elsewhere. No believing men and women anywhere in the world has ever justified the acts of a lunatic who dares to use religion to justify his or her dastardly act.

No leader should therefore tarnish a religion when a miscreant from that religion commits a crime. Our prime minister appears to have not learnt anything from this country’s previous leaders. In spite of some controversial policies those leaders did their best to isolate such criminals and nuanced their expression when identifying them.

DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

“Morrison Sees Votes in anti-Muslim Strategy”, reported Sydney Morning Herald on 17 February 2011. He spelt out his immigration policy by colouring it with an anti-Muslim brush. He was later forced to withdraw his statement as “inappropriate” and “insensitive”, because of protest from other members of his party such as Julie Bishop and even Tony Abbot.

Morrison has shown the same immaturity when he rushed to declare that our embassy in Israel should be shifted from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. He thought he could win over the Jewish voters in that electorate without realising at the same time that he was jeopardising Australia’s trade deal with neighbouring Indonesia. Malcolm Turnbull had to do some damage control.

There is no way we can stop a lone wolf appearing from dark corners to create death and destruction. When such a lone wolf who happens to be a Muslim causes havoc it is irrational to expect every Muslim or imam in the country to come out and condemn it.

This applies to every religion.

There is a limit for security officers however skillful and equipped they are now up to date in gathering information to prevent every violent incident occurring in society.

Yet, if they can incapacitate these criminals without killing them all together we should be able to get more information from them about the extensiveness of their following and depth of their ideology in our midst.

True ISIS has claimed responsibility to the Melbourne tragedy just as it has claimed responsibility to several other such acts in other parts of the world. This is one their tactics to show that they are spread worldwide. To what extent its ideology is spreading in our midst should be studied methodically. Prime Minister Morrison may well be advised to allocate resources to our universities to undertake such an important study.

Australia is a shining example of a successful plural society. There is not only freedom of religion but also freedom from religion in this country. It is our duty to preserve this success at all cost. The anti-Muslim predatory sentiments that one hears widely in Europe, UK and US are remarkably absent in this country. This is a tremendous achievement of our previous leaders.

Australia is delicately placed close to the largest Muslim nation in the world, which is also a proud multicultural country. Let us match their multiculturalism with ours.

Prime Minister! Please help us.

Dr Ameer Ali is a Sri Lankan born Australian citizen. He is a retired academic and research fellow. He was a former president of AFIC and Head of Muslim Advisory Group under Howard Government. Ameer has authored more than fifty journal articles and is a regular contributor to newspapers and periodicals on Muslim affairs.

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Where the pyramid tents are hued in purple and gold Fazlul Huq Where the pyramid tents placed on the grassed land are hued in purple and gold, While the body of the mountain would rise from the hillock as it remains dressed in snow white, As the flock of cows and bulls, sheep and buffaloes would keep grazing close to the edge of the foreground, While the pair of mighty birds would wing their flight in the heaven’s vault.

Associate Professor Fazlul Huq is based in Sydney and leads the Biomedical Science Cancer Research Group in the School of Medical Sciences, Sydney Medical School.

He is also an accomplished poet with over 12,000 compositions in Bengali and English and has also been involved in various community projects.

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ICSOA: Interfaith gathering calls for understanding against divisiveness Zia Ahmad An interfaith gathering held at the NSW Parliament on Tuesday 27 November organised by the Indian Crescent Society of Australia and hosted by Mr Jihad Dib MP and Dr Geoff Lee MP has called for interfaith education and dialogue in schools.

“When mixed with fear, ignorance can quickly lead to hatred and to violence. Religious ignorance in Australia is not limited to ignorance of Islam but the media and others habitually ignore the diverse cultural and religious backgrounds of Australian Muslims”: Professor Michael Quinlan.

The ICSOA program on “Interfaith Perspective on Education” brought together local and state politicians, academics and interfaith leaders, many of them addressing the gathering from their faith perspective in an effort to develop understanding amongst all Australians.

The program was started off by Mr Fasihuddin Khan, ICSOA secretary welcoming the guests and invited Mr Michael West from Metropolitan Local Aboriginal Land Council for Welcome to the country and Maulana Amjad Hussain from Imam Ali Centre for the recitation of Quran.

Mr Khan thanked the parliamentary hosts Mr Jihad Dib, Shadow Minister for Education and Dr Geoff Lee, Parliamentary Secretary to the Premier for Western Sydney and Multiculturism, for providing the venue in the people’s house.

ICSOA President, Mr Abbas Raza Alvi during his presidential address pointed out that Institute of Economics and Peace in their latest report indicated that the Global Peace Index of 2018 shows the world is less peaceful today than at any time in the last decade.

While talking about the Australian landscape, he said, “the situation has deteriorated since 9/11. These days Islamophobia is on the rise and it is affecting our life pattern.

When there is an incidence, many times, media projects comments of unthoughtful politicians and religious authorities which further fuel the situation.”

Mr Alvi further added, “interfaith dialogue is essential for cooperative, constructive, and positive interaction between people of different religious traditions, faiths or spiritual beliefs at both the individual and institutional levels.”

Father Russell Davies, an ordained Christian Minister said, “many of the problems and misunderstandings which plague our society would be avoided, or at least minimised by the teaching of the history and tenets of the major world religions, so that we can understand where the other person comes from, can learn from the many things we have in common, can discuss the real differences between the religions, not some twisted or unrepresentative misrepresentation designed to win a debating point.

Supporting interfaith education at schools, he further added, “how much more respectful and nuanced would our discussions be if from primary, through secondary to tertiary levels, we had been exposed to the wisdom Professor Michael Quinlan.

and diverse practices followed by our neighbours, workmates and leaders from religious traditions different from our own.”

Representing the Jewish faith, Ms Donna Jacobs Sife, School Programs Director, Together for Humanity organisation talked of their award winning interfaith understanding programs in the schools that has been running for a number of years in public, private and religious schools.

Ms Madenia Abdur Rahman, an outstanding Muslim leader, educationist and currently a Director of Together for Humanity further highlighted its long track record and success story but at the same time criticised politicians, specifically the Prime Minister for using the unfortunate Bourke St Melbourne incident for politicising and creating division in the community in order to gain votes during the Victorian elections.

Pandit Jatin Bhat, a Hindu Priest from Sri Mandir related stories from his religious tradition for understanding between people of various faiths on the basis of their common humanity.

Professor Michael Quinlan from The University of Notre Dame Australia said that the Catholic Catechism recognises religious

freedom as “a natural right of the human person to civil liberty, i.e. immunity, within just limits from external constraint in religious matters by political authorities.”

Talking about the Church’s relationship with Muslims, he said, “the place of salvation also includes those who acknowledge the Creator, in the first place amongst whom are the Muslims: these profess to hold the faith of Abraham, and together with us they adore the one, merciful God, mankind’s judge on the last day.”

Councilor for Blacktown Council Dr Moninder Singh talked about key teachings of Sikhism being love, charity and hard work for the benefit of the human society.

Ms Lucia Johns, President, NSW Federation of community Language School talked about the importance of imparting language skills amongst the younger generation to enrich their parental heritage and culture in Multicultural Australia.

Mr Jihad Dib during his address talked on his educational experience and his road to becoming a politician. Commenting on the recently held Victorian elections, he said that Australian voters were intelligent enough to see through fear-mongering and

Jihad Dib MP.

Zia Ahmad is the Editor-in-Chief of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST. Donna Jacobs Sife.

Father Russell Davies.

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divisiveness and demonisation of a particular community and vote on the performance of political parties based on their track record.

“There are ways you can display leadership without resorting to dog whistling to appear tough on an issue. I feel there were better ways our Prime Minister could have responded to both, the Bourke Street incident and to the decision by some to boycott an invitation to a round table discussion, because very little is achieved when we make sweeping, generalised statements.”

“There is no doubt the attack in Bourke Street was a reprehensible act with tragic outcomes. But when you have legal experts, mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies saying simplistic comments on the matter haven’t actually stopped violence in Australia, then it’s very important we start listening to them.”

“People have a range of reasons for not attending the meeting, and whilst I may not necessarily agree in their approach, I recognise that rather than draw a line in the sand, this was another opportunity for the Prime Minister to show leadership, to rise above the rhetoric and to bring people together.”

Dr Geoff Lee talked of his paternal Chinese heritage and the difficulties his grandfather had to face during the White Australia policy where it took 40 years before he could get Australian citizenship.

Dr Lee distanced himself and the NSW Liberal Party from the Prime Minister’s recent comments regarding the Muslim Community and reassured that he would be working with all faith and multicultural community groups on Western Sydney.

The gathering was also addressed by the Consul General of India in Sydney, Mr B Vanlalvawna and the vote of thanks were given by Mr Abbas Chelat of ICSOA. Certificates of appreciation were presented from Indian Crescent Society of Australia to Mr Jihad Dib and Dr Geoff Lee for their support and for hosting a most successful event at the Parliament of NSW.

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Dr Moninder Singh.

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CAMO youth camp: Diversity in action Siddiq Buckley CAMO, the Collaboration of Australian Muslim Organisations, held its first-ever youth camp from Friday 30 November to Sunday 2 December at the Outdoor Adventure Camp’s Castle Mountain campsite at Webbs Creek, near Wisemans Ferry.

About ninety high school and university students enjoyed both extreme challenges and pure excitement with the high ropes course, abseiling 25m cliffs and the ‘AquaParkRock-It’ activities led by a combination of certified OAC staff and Mr Siddiq Soeker, also a qualified outdoor education instructor.

The messiest and most hilarious activity was undoubtedly the Mud Pit Challenge, where campers competed in crawling, sliding, climbing and swinging their way over and through a mud and clay-strewn obstacle course. Even their own mothers would not have recognised them by the end of that escapade!

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Other highlights included ‘The Amazing Race’ contest with its $100 prize money, the fiercely competitive Islamic Trivia Quiz and recreational swimming in the refreshing tidal waters of Webbs Creek.

Without a doubt, one of the most important aspects of camping is the food, and the voracious appetites of the campers were well satisfied by the caterers, ‘Abu Aisha & Sons’. No stomach was left unfilled.

The camp was structured to be run mostly by the young university men, the aptly named Ansar(Helpers). They did a tremendous job of managing the boys, overseeing their activities, encouraging and praising their involvement and role modeling good manners all at the same time.

As this was the inaugural camp organised

by CAMO, comprising the Australian Islamic Mission (AIM), Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC), Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) and IQRO Australia New Zealand, the emphasis was on having fun and getting to know each other.

The boys did, however, enjoy a couple of short inspirational talks delivered by Sheikh Abu Hurairah, Imam of St Marys mosque.

Everyone involved was happy to receive a Certification of Appreciation for their ef-

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forts at the end of proceedings.

The only real complaint from the boys was.....the lack of mobile reception! Funnily enough, the organisers thought this was one of the better aspects of the camp.

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Siddiq Buckley is the former Principal of Al Noori School and the former President of Australian Islamic Mission (AIM).

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House of Sakinah celebrates five years of achievements Mehar Ahmad House of Sakinah, Women Support Centre organised a fundraising luncheon on Sunday 25 November at the Parra Villa Function Lounge, Parramatta, Western Sydney to mark its achievements during the last five years.

The event with the theme ” Moving Forward: One Step at a Time” was organised to share stories of help and support the organisation provides for vulnerable women in the community in Sydney.

A large number of people both women and men attended a well organised program addressed by politicians, diplomats, community leaders and the keynote speaker Ms Dalya Ayoub.

The program was started by the MC Ms Hala Aziz who welcomed the guests and started off with acknowledgement of country before recitation of Quran.

Ms Sumera Tariq in her most dignified and melodious voice recited verses of the Quran which were translated by Ms Aziz.

The guests were addressed by Dr Iram Hanif and Dr Samreen Kassam from Australian Pakistani Medical Association as well as by Mr Anwar Alsouly from the Saudi Embassy who highly commended the organisation for its services to women in need.

Ms Firdousi Obediullah, the Managing Director of House of Sakinah (HoS) during her address shared HoS story, it foundation and long track record of providing essential services to vulnerable women and families

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Firdousi Obeidullah with Counselor Julie Griffith.

with limited resources at their disposal.

Affectionately referred to as Aunty Firdousi with great respect, she has guided the organisation and mentored its team of volunteers to help women who have suffered from domestic violence, family hardships seeking refuge and help in various ways.

Aunty Firdousi talked of her emotional experiences with women and children victims amongst refugees, reverts and new migrants providing counseling, recreational as well as educational services.

She acknowledged the help of Mr Wajahat Rana and Mr Rab Nawaz as well as other community leaders and thanked her team members and volunteers including Ms Sumera Tariq and Najia Khalil in working closely with her in serving the community.

HoS established under the patronage of Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) works closely with Charity Australia as well as in partnership with police, counselors, professionals and community leaders fostering safe and healthy family relationships.

The fundraising lunch program incorporated a break for Azan by Hafiz Dr Waliullah Bokhari and Zuhr prayer in congregation led by Mr Usaid Khalil, Secretary General of IFAM. Ms Aisha Amjad, a highly accomplished community leader, activist and Labor politician described herself as a proud Pakistani woman praised HoS for its great achievements during the last five years that she had witnessed herself.

She said that our community is doing a lot of good work and this needs to be recognised by all rather than demonising our community and creating divisions.

Guest speaker Michelle Rowland MP, Labor member for the seat of Greenway thanked HoS led by Aunty Firdousi for their untiring work. She said that she has been concentrating on domestic violence and dowry abuse and will be seeking representation in these areas by community members.

The keynote speaker Ms Dalya Ayoub, CEO of Life Matters Academy talked on the topic “Healing through giving and doing good.”

She acknowledged that all those people present here are special by being part of this event doing good works. Doing good at these challenging times has a positive effect on our mental health and is part of the healing process.

“We are wearing a mask. We are trying to be everything that we are not. We need to understand why we are here. Allah gives two main purposes for our being here. One is to worship Him and the other one is to do good on earth,” Ms Ayoub said.

She concluded, “You measure your success and happiness in life based on the two purposes stated.”

Counselor Julie Griffith representing the Mayor of Blacktown and Blacktown chair of the Women’s Advisory Council said that they have been awarded 35,000 to run the program in DV and she would welcome HoS to apply for funding.

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“I applaud your work and take everything today to Women’s Advisory Council and see how we can support you. I am proud that men are here to support you and it is important to educate people, both women and men on issues facing our community.”

Ms Julia Finn, MP, state member for Granville, during her address, acknowledged the great work being done by HoS and said that she has attended a number of events organised by the organisation.

“Services like those provided by HoS are very important. I really want to commend you for the work you do. I thank everyone for the support and generosity. Especially the support you are giving and the wonderful work Aunty Firdousi is doing,” she said.

In order to conclude Aunty Firdousi laid out the master plan for the future of HoS and growth in its services and called for funding from government bodies and donors, both individuals and businesses so that HoS can further expand its work.

Funds were raised with the sale of items available for bidding as well as pledges of support from as little as $50 from members of the audience who came forward in their support for HoS. Major funding was pledged by Qartaba Homes, Charity Australia, Western Grammar School, APMA and other sponsors including a van at a cost of $30,000 for transportation of HoS volunteers and clients.

The program concluded with an upmarket generous lunch provided by the Parra Villa Function Lounge, Parramatta, that was highly appreciated both for its quality as well as quantity by a number of guests.

Mehar Ahmad based in Sydney is a Public School Teacher and President of Seena Inc, Publishers of AMUST.

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Sydney Muslims raise $200,000 for Toowoomba mosque AMUST

Dr Mohammed Khan.

Zia Ahmad The Muslim community in Sydney raised more than $200,000 for the burnt Toowoomba mosque during a fundraising dinner held on Saturday 24 November 2018 at The Highline in Bankstown.

The event sponsored by Islamic Co-operative Finance Australia Ltd (ICFAL) and organised by the Islamic Society of Toowoomba supported by Dr Mohammae Khan, the indomitable event organiser Sr Rahaf Ahmed and Professor Shahjahan Khan.

The lunchtime event was attended by a number of people, family and friends from Toowoomba including Imam Abdul Kader as well as Muslim leaders and community representatives from all over Sydney.

The programme was started by MC, Mazen Fahme, Strategic Director, White Flame Strategy inviting Sheikh Samir Salloum for the recitation of Quran.

Dr Mohammed Khan during his welcome address thanked the sponsors of the fundraising event and greeted more than 27 organisations being represented at the occasion, evidence of great support by Sydney’s Muslim Community for the project.

He announced that a day before $29,000 was raised at Quakers Hill Mosque while the Afghan community raised more than 3,000 at the Blacktown mosque.

Professor Shahjahan Khan founder president of the Islamic Society of Toowoomba did an audio-visual presentation titled “Our Story” describing the historical development of the Muslim community of Toowoomba from the 1880s culminating in the

Professor Shahjahan Khan. establishment of its first Islamic Society in 1994 and its first mosque in 2014 that was destroyed soon in April 2015 by Arson attack.

A documentary on the attack and its aftermath that included how people of Toowoomba came together in support of the Muslim community and provided temporary facilities for prayers and encouragement to rebuild the mosque.

An emotional moment during the presentation was a photo of a disabled white Australian lady, not a Muslim in her wheelchair who was lending support for the mosque with hammer and nails to rebuild the mosque.

Invited keynote speaker Sheikh Shadi Alsuleiman, President of ANIC addressed the audience for generous support for the project for the Garden City Mosque of Toowoomba that would serve the Muslim community of that entire region.

Towards the end of the program, Sheikh Tarek Bikai and Sheikh Youssef carried out a Pledge Run for fundraising for the mosque by the enthusiastic supporters and also helped by Zayad Zerika auctioned a number of items donated for the purpose that was most competitively snapped up by the bidders.

By the end of the program, more than 200,000 was raised during the event and days preceding the event with an ongoing

appeal to donate more to cover the shortfall for the construction of the mosque.

The Toowoomba Masjid was established in 2014 after purchasing an old church property. Tragically the only Masjid in the city/ region was severely burned beyond repairs in April 2015 in a mid-night arson attack.

Two days after the attack, a pre-planned Open Day of the Mosque attracted over 5000 local residents to show solidarity with the Muslims in this harmonious city.

After receiving an unconditional approval from the Toowoomba Regional Council to rebuild and expand the burned building to make it a proper Masjid with all facilities the construction work has already commenced The project with the estimated total cost of $890,000 needs an additional $570,000 being raised with the generous help of the Muslims community.

Donations are still needed for the project: Bank Account Details: Commonwealth Bank of Australia, Toowoomba Plaza Branch. A/C Name: Toowoomba Islamic Charitable Organisation BSB 064459, A/C No 1034 1586.

Swift Code: CTBAAU25XXX Contacts: Prof Shahjahan Khan Ph +61421081048, Email: Shahjahan.Khan@usq.edu.au Dr Mainul Islam Ph +61432533550, and Mr Shahbaz Rafiq Ph 0402398608.

Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman (left) with Imam Abdul Kader

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Unity Grammar celebrates a decade of great achievements

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Osman Karolia conducting the auction with Hazem El-Masri. Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

Unity Grammar Chairman, Khalil Hafza.

Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

Unity Grammar Choir. Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

Mehar Ahmad Unity Grammar, an Islamic School in South West Sydney celebrated its ‘Reach for the Stars Gala Evening’ on Saturday 10 November with red carpet reception for invited guests, staff, alumni, students and their families showcasing the institution’s academic excellence and community service.

During its 10 years of existence the school boasts of an amazing variety of achievements including 900+ students, 137 HSC graduates, 3 world robotics finals, 88 orphans sponsored, 30 water wells built, 8 regional Grand Final titles, 2 Umrah trips, public speaking and art finals, feed the homeless program and an alumni Cambodia humanitarian trip with Aus Relief.

The theme of the gala evening embodied not only the beautiful setting of the event but the significance of the occasion as a celebration of the stars of the past, the present and the future who have made the Unity Grammar journey possible.

The Reach for the Stars Gala Evening brought together sheikhs, Imams, school leaders, community leaders, staff, alumni, parents, family and friends in a giant marquee equipped with a big screen on College grounds with fairy lights, mocktails and canapes served under the stars on a warm, clear evening in Austral.

The program for the night started with the welcome and an address by the Hon Anne Stanley, Federal Member for Werriwa who congratulated the school for such high achievements in a very short time after its foundation.

Unity Grammar Chairman, Khalil Hafza during his address said “As we come together tonight, we celebrate the incredible accomplishments that we, as a family made up of Parents, College Executive, Middle Leaders, staff, students and the local community have achieved. Tonight we share our immense gratitude for the belief and commitment this family has shown throughout the journey.”

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Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

Hazem El Masri with Unity Grammar Chairman, Khalil Hafza.

Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar.

“And tonight, we celebrate the coming together of the Unity community, who has achieved the kind of success we never thought possible. For us here at Unity, to-

night highlights the completion of the first chapter of the Unity Grammar journey. It has been a brilliant decade of fun, learning and growth and has created the perfect foun-

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Ahmed Bassal, MC of the event. Photo courtesy of Unity Grammar. dation to embark on the next 10 years,” he said.

A video message was delivered by Mr Jihad Dib, state member for Lakemba and Shadow Minister of Education congratulating the school for being a great success story.

Unity Grammer CEO Mr Aaron Boyd highlighted the innovative programs and facilities developed by the school and layed out the next 10 years strategic plan for further expansion and excellence at the institution.

Awards were presented for 10 Year Service Recognition to M Khodr, E Badaui, N Sultan and S Mestu followed by the school song by Unity Grammar Choir led by Mr Muhamed Khodr.

A heartwarming reflection was delivered

by Mr Wally Ayad from Aus Relief describing their humanitarian support trip to Cambodia together with Unity Grammar alumni and staff followed by a video documentary on the Cambodia relief program.

Mr Osman Karolia, now the Community Engagement Officer for Unity Grammar called on well known footballer and record holder Hazem El Masri, thanking him for accepting the invitation and started off with the auction of a number of memorabilia and artwork going towards Aus Relief humanitarian programs.

Hazem El Masri Bulldogs memorabilia with his photos and awards as well as his signed t-shirt and hats were promptly snapped up for $5000 each while a 10 kg Cadbury chocolate pack fetched $1000.

An original artwork by one of Unity Grammar Year 12 student Zara Khan that had been displayed for a few months at Casula Powerhouse Museum was auctioned for $3000.

Moved by the poverty and relief work by Aus Relief shown by the Cambodia documentary Hazem El Masri pledged for support making an intention to join the relief team to Cambodia next year.

The program ended with spectacular fireworks on the school ground and mingling of guests for networking.

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Excellence awards at Sydney’s multicultural night at MCC NSW AMUST

Mehar Ahmad The Multicultural Council of NSW (MCC NSW) in conjunction with The Bayside Chamber of Commerce presented excellence awards for business and community services at a gala dinner held in on Friday 23 November at Red Rose Function Centre at Rockdale.

The awards were presented to individual and organizations who have contributed to Multiculturalism and harmony in our society and in recognition of those who work hard to bring people together from diverse backgrounds fostering multiculturalism.

Mr Aziz Akbar OAM from Ethnic Communities Council and a past President of Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair (MEFF) received an excellence award for his longtime services rendered to the multicultural community.

Mr Zia Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST and a trustee of MEFF and Islamic Foundation for Education & Welfare (IFEW) was presented with the excellence award for his services to the multicultural community in various capacities.

Ms Annie Rogers, Executive Director of Sydney Pacifica received the award for providing excellent services in helping with education and employment for young people.

From left: Ms Annie Rogers, Mr Majed Hawatt, Mr Zia Ahmad, Mr Turk. Dr Anthony Pun, Dr Peter Ha and Ms Najla Turk.

Other award recipients included to Paul Huy Nguyen, William Luong, James Leung, Steven Liang who were recipients of the Community Service Awards and Zhijun Feng, a recipient of the Emerging Business Award.

The fundraising dinner was attended by a large number of guests from diverse backgrounds who were entertained by various multicultural performances on the night together with speeches and messages of support from politicians, business leaders and Aziz Akbar with his award.

Zia Ahmad receiving his award.

Annie Rogers with her award.

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community representatives.

The event was attended by a number of politicians from local and state levels including Mr Chris Minns, Member for Kogarah, Mr Steve Kamper, Member for Rockdale and Mr Marke Coure, Member for Oatley.

Special invited guests included Dr Peter Manning, a veteran journalist and currently Adjunct Professor, UTS, Mr Majed Hawatt, Managing Director, Global Projects Engineers, Mrs Mehar Ahmad, President, Seena Inc and co-founder of MEFF, Mr D Zafar Ahmed, Metro Strata Management, Dr Rohitas Batta, Gandhi Peace Centre, , Loc Trinh & Jessica Billimoria from Melbourne’s CulturalVerse and Leck Keong Koon & Angela, guests from Malaysia.

Leaders of the Community present were Vietnamese community leaders Paul Huy Nguyen and Dr Peter, Korean community leaders William Seung and Agnes Shim, Annie Rogers representing South Pacific Islander community, Najla Turk & Steve Kassem representing the Lebanese community, Mark Franklin representing the Anglo-Celtic community, Zia Ahmad from the Australasian Muslim Times AMUST), and the Chinese community leaders William Luong (formerly CASS), Mark Yuan (ICEAAI), Zehua Yuan, Dickson Mak, Maria Chan, Anita Yeung, Maggie Wu, Kingsley Liu and Daphne Lowe Kelly (all from CCCA).

The lively program was started by MCs Peter Ha and Najla Turk and included addresses by hosts and guest speakers as well as a number of performances by a diverse group of multicultural song and dance groups.

The Chair of MCC NSW and National President of CCCA, Dr Anthony Pun OAM during his address emphasised the role of MCC NSW as the advocate for the interests of NSW multicultural communities and urged the community to give their votes to those politicians who are empathetic to the needs of Multicultural Australia.

Mr David Dawson, Chair of Bayside Chamber recounted the migrant story and told of his long association with the diverse Australian community living in harmony and with an appreciation of each other’s cultures.

Vice-President of CCCA Maria Chan sent a message of congratulations to the winners of Community Services and Business Awards recipients and added: “Keep up the good work”.

The vote of thanks was given to the organisers and hosts to a most successful program including Mr Farid Ahmed, Secretary MCCNSW/Bayside Chamber, Annie Rogers and Dickson Mark for stage managing the event.

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Mosaic of Muslim Women in Australia Zia Ahmad

The Muslim Women Association (MWA) celebrated its 35th anniversary since its establishment by recognising the value and diverse contributions of Muslim women around Australia through a snapshot of some defining moments and achievements in their lives on Wednesday 7 November 2018 at Novotel, Parramatta.

The event celebrating 35 years of empowerment through faith at MWA was attended by a large number of high achievers amongst Australian Muslim women from a diverse background, ages, professions and areas of excellence.

The MWA 35th Anniversary Dinner brought together community members and stakeholders with invited guests including ministers, politicians, sheikhs, government officials, community and interfaith leaders.

The Mosaic of Muslim Women in Australia Series was launched at the event with the unveiling of a large collage/poster by MWA President, Shaza Rifi and CEO Maha Krayem Abdo together with a display/exhibition of photos, profiles, achievements and statements by Australian Muslim icons.

The Mosaic initiative aims to continue to recognise the amazing work of Muslim women all around Australia thus demonstrating that Muslim women have been and will continue to make a difference in a variety of ways and just like the mosaic, make up part of the Australian story.

This initiative also aims to develop and strengthen partnerships with individuals and stakeholders who value diversity and true community collaboration within the Australian society.

The event was started with a melodious recitation of Quran by Sheikh Ahmad Abdo followed by a welcome address by Shaza Rifi explaining the aims of MWA, its history, present activities and services it provides.

A number of politicians, both state and federal addressed the gathering acknowledging the great achievements of MWA and the critical role it played in the community at large and highly appreciated the dedication of the MWA team under the most competent leadership of its CEO Maha Krayem Abdo.

The highlight of the evening was a passionate and inspiring talk by the keynote speaker Saara Sabbagh from Benevolence Australia who spoke straight to the hearts of every single person present in the room, acknowledging 35 years of MWA and the unique value and contribution of Muslim Women in Australia.

Awards were presented to the women listed in the Mosaic as well as to a number of speakers and presenters at the event.

A special award was presented by the MWA management committee to Maha Abdo in appreciation of her dedicated and sustained leadership for the organisation for long years.

A documentary depicting the 35 years history and current services provided by MWA was shown during a break in the formal program.

The event concluded with the launch of MWA vision 2025 by Maria Dimopoulos, Chairperson of Harmony Alliance.

The MWA currently registered as United Muslim Women Association Incorporated was established in 1983 catalysed by the arrival of Sheikh Taj el-Din al Hilaly who used to give lectures exclusively to women at Lakemba mosque and encouraged them to organise themselves by forming an exclusive women’s association.

Currently, MWA provides a range of community services including settlement, refuge, education, mentoring to women and their families.

MWA 2018 35th Annual report boasts a budget of almost 3 million dollars supporting a clientage of a thousand members of all ages, majority of them born in Australia and amongst them 66% females and 34% males.

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Diversity & inclusion AMUST

Sir Syed Day 2018 celebrations Mehar Ahmad The AMU Alumni of Australia (AMUAA) celebrated its 26th Sir Syed Day in Sydney on Saturday 3 November 2018 at Auburn Town Hall marking the 201st birth anniversary of the founder of the iconic Aligarh Muslim University in India.

AMU Alumni of Australia was founded during the nineties and in addition to organising social events for its members, it runs a scholarship program in India funded from Australia for students with poor background giving them access to higher education.

The event marked more than a quarter century of dedicated services to education by the Alumni since its formation in 1992 and was attended by a large number of Aligarians, supporters, and their families mainly from the South Asian community.

The Chief Guest, Mr S K Verma, Consul, Indian consulate, Sydney during his address elaborated on the life and achievements Sir Syed Ahmad Khan and his Aligarh movement in the promotion of modern education amongst Indians.

The keynote speaker, Professor Eileen Baldry’s address was preceded by a documentary on the University of New South Wales showcasing it as a university with a great emphasis on diversity and inclusion.

Professor Baldry is a professor of Criminology in the School of Social Sciences and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Inclusion and Diversity at UNSW. During her address, she acknowledged being familiar with daal bhaat having spent some time in India.

Professor Baldry gave a history of UNSW that was established in 1949 with 46 students initially as a technical institution and later as a university with the intake of overseas students from its very beginning.

She described her passion for promoting diversity and inclusion as well as efforts to maintain gender balance, equity and provide an opportunity to disadvantaged sections of

the society.

The program was started with the recitation of Quran by Master Rihan Akhtar and translation by Safiy Rehman followed by welcome address by Mr Khursheed Anwar, President of AMUAA. The Scholarship report 2017-2018 was presented by Mr Riyaz Akhtar and printed copies were distributed to those present at the event.

The entertainment at the event included a children’s dress parade, songs and dances by Alumni kids with awards to all performers.

A trivia quiz using the Kahoot app on smartphones was conducted by Mr Osama Ansari. A large number of the audience participated in the quiz most enthusiastically, a new initiative that may become a regular feature of Sir Syed Day in future by popular demand.

The formal program ended with the usual tradition of Tarana recited from the stage by a team of the Alumni members joined in by the audience.

Dinner was served by the popular Himalayan restaurant based in Granville. The event was sponsored Low Cost Housing and Human Appeal Australia.

Victoria celebrates Sir Syed Day Mohammad Faisal Siddiqi The AMU Alumni Association of Victoria celebrated ‘Sir Syed Day’ on the occasion of the 201st birth Anniversary of Sir Syed Ahmad Khan on 20 October 2018, at Lynbrook Community Centre in Melbourne.

The Alumni paid tribute to the founder, Sir Syed Ahmad Khan, who established Mohamedan Anglo-Oriental College (MAO) in Aligarh, India in 1875, which became Aligarh Muslim University in 1920.

It was a memorable event attended by nearly 200 members and their families.

Association President Mr Faisal Siddiqi greeted the guests and members of the AMU fraternity.

Prof Akhtar Kalam from Victoria University graced this occasion as the chief guest.

Professor Parveen Rukhsana and Mr Rashid Sultan were the keynote speakers.

The programme commenced with the recitation of verses from the Holy Quran by two kids, Master Rayyan Ansari and Master Hamza Javed.

Mr Faisal Siddiqi said that he was fascinated by Sir Syed’s life and work especially his focus on Islam, Science and Modern

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Education.

“The mixing of the east with the best of the west to see if there could be a new identity, culture and vision. It was not just about the future of India and Muslims but the future of humanity, Mr Siddiqui said.

Prof Parveen Rukhsana, a retired professor of history from Gulbarga University, Karnataka, mentioned Sir Syed’s famous

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quote – “India is a beautiful bride, whose one eye is Hindu and the other Muslim.”

This is the hope of humanity and Sir Syed’s thinking.

Mr Rashid Sultan shared his thoughts to promote the importance of Urdu as a true reflection of great Indian culture and tradition.

He appreciated the contribution of AMU Alumni and reiterated the need to foster

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bonds between AMU and Victoria.

Chief Guest Prof Akhtar Kalam related his life as a student at AMU and touched some of his affectionate memories. He emphasised the importance of ‘Ganga-Jumani’ a culture, which, he said, the AMU stood for.

The speakers were unanimous about Sir Syed Ahmad Khan’s extraordinary contribution to Indian society and education.

The academic session ended with a vote of thanks from Dr Sharjeel Ansari. He captured the main points from all speakers and thanked all of the organisers including, Mr Faisal Siddiqi, Mr Mohammad Tarique, Dr Mohammad Ayubi, Mr Javed Hadi and Dr Abidur Rahman.

The programme was followed by Traditional Sir Syed Dinner.

The function ended with AMU’s melodious Tarana. The audience were captivated and many went nostalgic and joined the singing of Aligarh Anthem.

Mr Rashid Sultan led the Ghazal session.

The singers captured the audience with their melodious voices.

Mohammad Faisal Siddiqi is the team leader in Davey water products, a manufacturing company in Melbourne. He migrated to Australia in 1996 from India. He is the President of Aligarh Muslim University Alumni Association of Victoria.

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Islamic School of Canberra hosts open day, seeks new principal Manarul Islam The Islamic School of Canberra hosted their annual Open Day on Saturday 3 November on what turned out be a fine day and saw a huge turnout from the Canberra community for the event.

The day was the culmination of a great year for the school which saw its enrollments increase, stability in its ownership and governance, improved academic results, acceptance by the broader Muslim community, continued Territory and Commonwealth funding and an in-principle agreement with the ACT Government to extend the school to Year 8 from 2019.

The day included activities for kids, fairy floss, performances by the school students and speeches by dignitaries, school officials and the Parents & Friends Association (PFA), with the PFA looking after the BBQ and food serving for the day.

It was also a few days before the ISC Principal, David Johns, sadly announced his resignation, effective at the end of the year.

“I have decided to step down from my role to provide an increased level of care to my family, especially my parents,” said Mr Johns, quoting from the Qur’an, Surah Al

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ISC students perform at the open day.

Isra, verse 23.

“The level of support and kindness that has been directed to me through this community has been very humbling. To work with the teachers to support the spiritual and academic lives of our students has been for me, incredibly rewarding and life changing,” he added.

Dr Rafiqul Islam conveyed his shock at the resignation but said that the ISC Board understands his decision.

“David has not made this decision lightly and is conscious of the destabilisation that his departure may cause. His main reason was to provide increased support for his parents and own family and this has weighed heavily on him,” he said.

“David will conclude his duties as Principal at the end of this year and the Board will give serious consideration to how we may acknowledge the work he has done for us while at our school.”

Dr Rafiqul Islam said that work has begun, with Mr Johns’ assistance, to find a replacement.

“This school would be very attractive to candidates as the potential growth and opportunity at the Islamic school of Canberra is boundless.”

Manarul Islam is an IT professional, community worker and AMUST correspondent based in Canberra.

Principal David Johns (right) with (L-R) Nic Manikis, Burhan Ahmed and Dr Rafiqul Islam, ISC Board Chair.

IFAM elects central team for 2018-2021

AMUST Media

The Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM) held its 25th Annual General Meeting on Saturday 27 October 2018 at Bonnyrigg Community Centre in Sydney.

IFAM is an Australia-wide grass root registered non-profit organisation with branches in most states of Australia. It advocates Muslims to live in accordance with the teachings of Islam and peaceful citizens of this country.

Starting as a humble youth movement during the early nineties, it now has a well organised and highly motivated cadre of members and supporters with a large number of study circles in various suburbs as well as operating mosques and musallahs.

Regular family camps, training sessions and talks are organised by IFAM for members as well as for general public on various Islamic themes. One of its most successful programs is the annual Children’s Islamic Quiz competition.

IFAM works hand in hand with Charity Australia, an aid organisation and Saarban Islamic Trust managing its mosque and other properties as well as House of Sakinah, Women’s support Centre. IFAM is also a constituent of CAMO, Collaboration of Muslim Organisations.

The AGM 2018 was attended by 57 MGMs (Member of General Meeting) and 2 guests with special invitation. There were 9 female MGMs attending IFAM AGM for the first time, a move to involve women in the Central operations of IFAM. A series of elections were conducted by Br Siddiq Buckley (AIM), Br Mohemed Fazli (ALMA) and Dr Abdur Rahman Haider (IPDC). Br Siddiq Buckley was nominated as the Chief Election Officer.

The first election was held to elect IFAM DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

Dr Kashif Aziz, IFAM Vice President.

Rais Khan, IFAM President.

Central President where Br Rais Ahmed Khan was elected as President for the session of 2018-2021.

The second election was conducted where the following 9 IFAM Central Shura (Consultative Body) Members were successful: 1. Br Muhammad Anees Qureshi 2. Dr Chaudhary Kashif Aziz 3. Br Usaid Khalil 4. Br Wajahat Ali Khan Rana 5. Br Syed Zain ul Abdin 6. Br Chaudhary Rab Nawaz 7. Br Irshad Ahmed 8. Br Muhammad Hamid Abbasi 9. Br Muhammad Khurram Jawaid The third election chose the following Shura members to represent their states in the Central Shura: 10. Br Javed Akhtar, New South Wales 11. Br Mohsin Fasi, Victoria 12. Br Abdul Gaffar Khan, Australian Capital Territory The fourth and final election was held

Usaid Khalil, IFAM Secretary General. for Vice President and Secretary General among the Shura members by the Shura members and the President:

Dr Chaudhary Kashif Aziz, Vice President Br Usaid Khalil, Secretary General.

Oath taking ceremony of all 12 Shura Members by the President. From right Br Abdul Ghaffar Khan (ACT), Br Rais Ahmed Khan (President), Br Irshad Ahmed, Br Syed Zain ul Abdin, Br Muhammad Anees Qureshi, Br Wajahat Ali Khan Rana, Br Muhammad Hamid Abbasi, Br Usaid Khalil (Secretary General), Br Javed Akhtar (NSW), Br Chaudhary Rab Nawaz, Br Khurram Jawaid and Dr Chaudhary Kashif Aziz (Vice President).

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Highlighting disability services and support to women and elderly Zia Ahmad The 14th IFEW Presentation dinner was held on Sunday 18 November at Dar-ulIslam, Bonnyrigg joined by representatives from three Muslim sister organisations in addition to members of the IFEW, MEFF and Seena Incorporated.

The presentation dinners are held in a family atmosphere during Australian Integrated Family’s (AIF) Usrah sessions that have continued for more than 36 years.

Held twice a year, short presentations are given by IFEW, MEFF and Seena Inc/ AMUST followed by presentations from invitees to relate about their organisations and personal history, and then finish off with dinner in a casual family atmosphere.

The program started with an audio-visual presentation by Sakinah Ahmad, the current President of IFEW who gave a detail introduction of Australian Integrated family’s background, its history covering almost five decades, the establishment of IFEW and its various offshoots and the pioneering services that it rendered to the community during half a century.

Ms Robina Yasmin talked about her role in working and volunteering to provide disability services, assisting the elderly and women in domestic violence.

She is currently on a number of organisational boards namely Multicultural Disability Advocacy Association of NSW (MDAA), NSW council member for National Ethnic Disability Alliance (NEDA), Advisory Council member for Settlement Services International (SSI) as well as other community organisations such as SAMAA.

“My current focus is on a project that I am very passionate about and that is ‘Australian Humanities Organisation’. It is a Not-ForProfit organisation providing assistance to women in domestic violence by providing counselling and referral services to assist women in understanding and navigating their way in the Australian System,” Ms Yasmin said.

Mr Aamir Ahmad, Vice President of MEFF presented a detailed track record of successfully holding the Multicultural festival for almost 35 years and elaborated on the planning for MEFF 2018.

Mr Zahid Jamil from South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) explained the mission statement of the organisation being “demonstration of Islamic spirit of love, compassion and charity in Zahid Jamil.

SAMAA organisation prepared for Jashne-Buzurg 2018 by Mr Abbas Zaheer was shown at the event.

Mr Zia Ahmad in his capacity as Incharge of Media Committee of Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA) talked about the need of Muslims of Indian origin in Australia to be organised on one platform and render community services as well as to be concerned regarding the issues the Muslim Robina Yasmin.

providing a range of services to the aged of minority is facing in their home country.

Mrs Mehar Ahmad, President of Seena South Asian Muslims in NSW that best meet Incorporated, publishers the physical, spiritual, of AMUST showcasing cultural and emotional AMUST website talked needs of the individuals, The presentation of its prime activity of their families and the dinners are publishing the newspaMuslim community.” per on multimedia plat• SAMAA has nearly held in a family forms and announced 180 registered elders various awards AMUST and 140 volunteers . atmosphere team has received in • Many elders are ben2018. eficiaries of regular during Australian Mrs Ahmad said that volunteering services Integrated Family’s Seena will be diversifyfrom SAMAA. ing its activities in oth• Nearly 400 seniors (AIF) Usrah er areas as well includhad attended SAMAA-Care Connect sessions that have ing disability services, women empowerment workshops in various continued for more and training in technolareas of Sydney. ogy.

SAMAA is a Public than 36 years.

Dr Qazi Ashfaq AhBenevolent Institution mad concluded the prowith Tax Concession Charity and Deductible Gift. Donations to gram with advice and dua before the dinner was served. The program ended after MaghSAMAA are tax deductible.

A video showcasing the representation of reb prayers.

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Children’s Islamic Quiz 2019 launched

AMUST

SEENA

I N C O R P O R AT E D

Publishers of AMUST

Abdur Rahman Mukaddam The highly successful IFAM’s annual Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019 will take place on Sunday 24 February 2019.

The annual Children’s Islamic Quiz program was first initiated in Canberra by the Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims and has been running successfully there for the last 12 years.

The same Quiz program was first hosted in Sydney two years ago and was an instant success with over 160 participants. IFAM aims to enlarge the quiz further for the third year in 2019 with the help of the sponsors.

The launch for the Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019 was held on 6 October 2018 from 12 pm to 2pm at the Bankstown emporium featuring guest speakers Mr Khal Asfour, Mayor of Canterbury Bankstown Council, Clr Bilal El-Hayek from the City of Canterbury-Bankstown, Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, President of ANIC and a multitude of representatives from other Islamic organisations.

The aim of the event was to encourage sponsors to pledge funds to the cause, with notable speakers emphasizing the importance of children studying their religion and hopefully implementing it into their daily lives.

The tagline for the Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019 is that “everyone is a winner, no one will go home empty-handed”. What better way to earn prizes and learn about your religion at the same time.

The event started off with the recitation of the Quran, followed by a short introduction of IFAM and its goals of helping Muslims streamline their daily life in accordance with the teachings of Islam.

That was followed by a short speech by the chief guest Mr Khal Asfour. Being one of the foremost supporters of the Children’s Quiz initiative, he emphasized the importance of knowing and understanding your

religion, especially among young schoolage children.

“Children’s beliefs are shaped when they are still very young, which they carry with themselves throughout their life. This is why it is so important to teach young children the correct teachings of Islam, so they can understand and implement that knowledge in their life until adulthood. Initiatives such as the Islamic Quiz are an essential part of their early childhood learning,” he said.

Sheikh Shady gave a rousing speech on the importance of knowledge, especially among the young Muslim youth. He reiterated the importance of always doing your best to support the religion of Islam and always striving to make it grow and flourish.

He stressed the importance of this to make sure that Islam is understood, not only amongst the Muslim community but to the wider society of Australia.

“Whether it be learning Islam, or supporting those who do, either financially or through your time and effort, we must complement each other to ensure that our message is passed onto our children, with the rewards of your efforts continuing on until generations to come,” Sheikh Shady said.

The program finished with pledges of donations by the attendees at the event, and a vote of thanks by the Secretary-General of IFAM, Mr Usaid Khalil, followed by a delicious lunch.

IFAM is aiming to raise $20,000 to run the Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019 and sponsors and supporters are urged to help raise this amount for a good cause.

For sponsorship enquiries and for enrolment information for the Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019 program email ifamnswquiz@gmail.com or contact Mr Fajar Akhlaque on mobile 0432152604.

In order to register children for the Children’s Islamic Quiz for 2019, please complete the online form at https://goo.gl/forms/ bvL5zPnVaJvZznv62 Abdur Rahman is a student of Al-Faisal college and is an active writer for AMUST.

3 DECEMBER

Saturday 22 December 2018 www.idpwd.com.au

/idpwd

#idpwd

at 6:30pm at 206 Humphries Rd Bonnyrigg, NSW 2177.

RSVP by Thursday 20 December 2018 by emailing info@seena.com.au DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

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Muslim Community celeb AMUST

Continued from page 1 The 2018 lunchtime program attracted some of Australia’s most creative members of the community, their families, communi-

ty leaders and supporters.

The diverse range of nominees, finalists and winners were selected through a strict criterion in each category by panels of judg-

es from across Australia.

Ms Hanan Dover during her welcome address pointed out the high level of nominations for this years awards acknowledging

the great contributions that Muslim individuals and organisations make towards our Australian multicultural community.

On behalf of the award committee she thanked

Woman of t Ye

(Left Arwa A Jihad

Community Organisation of the Year Brothers in Need NSW.

Event of the Year Mercy Mission Twins of Faith VIC.

Creative Artist of the Year Amani Haydar NSW & Sara Saleh NSW.

Volunteer of the Year Eman Rahim SA.

Peoples Choice of the Year Dalya Ayoub NSW. Arwa Abousamra is an active member of the Australian Muslim community and is an Arabic Interpreter and has gained a Masters in this field. She has used her platform to engage, support and be a visible member of the Australian Muslim community. She has taken up opportunities to raise awareness about important social issues, empowering women and dispelling many misconceptions about Islam.

Arwa played a pivotal role in bridging many gaps in that regards and was regarded positively within the football community.

In 2011 Arwa shared her Australian story in her Autobiography, Tea with Arwa, which has sold almost 30, 000 copies in Australia and Abroad. Being Palestinian and familiar with being displaced, Arwa’s story takes you on a journey of resilience, overcoming struggle, migration, injustice towards the Palestinian people, and developing a sense of belonging. Her book has also been turned into a resource to generate conversations around identity and belonging in schools with young people Australia wide.

Abyssinian of the Year Tony Burke MP

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Best New Community Project Gallipoli Home NSW ISSUE 157 / DECEMBER 2018

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brates high achievements the event sponsors, committee members, volunteers, judges, nominees, finalists and supporters for making this event a great success.

The President of Mission of Hope, Ms Nasreen

n & Man the ear

Hanifi gave a brief history of the awards and a long consistent track record in holding this event year after year in order to encourage and recognise community’s high achievers.

The keynote address was given by Mr Osman Karolia, winner of the People’s Choice of the Year award last year. During his address, he emphasised the need for members

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of the community to celebrate their diversity and cooperate with each other in achieving excellence in community work.

Photos courtesy of AMAA.

Media Outlet of the year AMUST.

to Right) Abousamra d Dib MP

Business of the Year Moroccan Soup Bar VIC. Lifetime Achievement Award Dr Mehmet Ozalp NSW.

Jihad Dib is an Australian politician who was elected at the 2015 New South Wales State election to the Legislative Assembly as the member for Lakemba representing the Labor Party. He is the first Muslim to represent the Lakemba seat - which has the highest proportion of Muslims in NSW and the first Muslim MP in the NSW lower house. His teaching career began at Ulladulla High School and was Principal of Punchbowl Boys High School from 2007 to 2014. Jihad has been acknowledged for changing a tough school into a respected community facility. He has previously served on the Australia Day Council of NSW, the NSW Police Commissioner’s Advisory Panel and the SBS Community Advisory Committee, and was awarded a Pride of Australia award in 2013.

Jihad has played a pivotal role in shaping the way Muslim youth have been viewed particularly within the education settings. His reputation at Punchbowl Boys High School is beyond exceptional and has been widely recognised and applauded by the Education Department.

Professional of the Year Nada Kalam VIC DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

Sportsperson of the Year Meriem Daoui TAS

Youth of the Year Sayed Rahmatullah Hussainzada NSW. WWW.AMUST.COM.AU

Role Model of the Year Dr Sara Hasan VIC. AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES

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HAI delivers aid to Australian farmers Alsu Kurlow

HAA team and Coucillor Bilal El-Hayek distributing hay to farmers in Warren NSW.

On Tuesday 27 November, the Human Appeal team including the Chairman Mr Riyad Qasim and the City of Canterbury Bankstown Councillor Bilal El-Hayek, headed out to Cobar, NSW and Warren Shire to supervise the aid distribution to farmers stricken by drought.

Human Appeal Australia launched its “Farmers Drought Appeal” to help drought-stricken Australian farmers on Saturday 18 August.

HAI with the help of the community has been able to raise and allocate an amazing amount of $90,000 to help alleviate the hardships faced by farmers.

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The farmers expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the generous donors who contributed to this great cause.

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With the help of Cobar Council (a sister Council to Canterbury Bankstown Council), the aid was distributed among farmers in Cobar. The following day, in conjunction with Fletcher International (Human Appeal’s Qurban project partner for the last 27 years), bales of hay were distributed in Warren Shire.

Mr Riyad Qasim handed out hay vouchers to farmers affected the most in Cobar and Warren. The vouchers enabled them to collect their bales of hay instantly.

The farmers expressed their gratitude and appreciation to the generous donors who contributed to this great cause.

Mr Rusty Mitchel, a farmer of Cobar NSW, thanked Human Appeal’s donors for standing with farmers not only financially but also for emotional support during the prolonged drought and rural hardship.

He appreciated the fact that hundreds of kilometres away someone cared and stood beside him during these tough times.

HAA chairman Riyad Qasim and farmers during hay distribution in Warren NSW.

Farmer Rusty Mitchell and HAA community care manager Amin El-Bureeny in Cobar NSW.

Alsu Kurlow is the Community Events and Children & Youth Coordinator of Human Appeal Australia.

Pakistani Qawwali night in Canberra Mohammed Ali Famous Pakistani Qawwal Ustad Farid Ayaz and Hamnawa (Fellow Singers) performed at Pakistan High Commission in Canberra on Monday 5 November 2018.

It was a fantastic night where Sufi poetry of Amir Khusro and Baba Bhullay Shah was presented in a classical qawwali setting, reviving hundreds of years of the Sub-Continental tradition.

Ustad Farid Ayaz and Abu Mohammed, the duo, and their hamnawa also presented other devotional poetry including Hamd, poetry in praise of God Almighty and Naat, poetry in praise of Prophet Muhammad (s).

It was a night which showed the real image of Pakistan, the soft image. A night showing South Asian culture where qawwali is an essential part of offerings on the shrines of saints like Nizamuddin Awlia in Dehli and Lal Shahbaz Qalandar in Pakistan.

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The audience at the High Commission included ambassadors of different countries including India and Morocco, Representatives of Australian Department of Foreign Affairs, Canberra residents of Turkish and Indian Origin, and Pakistani Australians from Melbourne and Canberra.

The main hall of the High Commission

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was tastefully decorated. The evening started with a welcome note by the High Commissioner Hon. Babar Amin who also offered an insight into the origin of Qawwali in the Sub-Continent.

With tea and coffee on offer, Qawwali evening was a perfect representation of spiritualism. The music using harmonium

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and tabla takes listeners to ecstatic peaks, only to be reinforced by strong classical singing and rhythmic group clapping. It is this reason qawwali is termed as ‘path of the heart’.

Farid Ayaz group has done similar spiritual concerts in Sydney and Melbourne as well, hosted by SalamFest. They came to Canberra on special request of the Pakistan High Commission.

Ustad Farid Ayaz group is on a world mission to display real, peaceful image of Islam. The group has mesmerised international audience in many countries including USA. Qawwali night reminded the great saints who migrated centuries ago and made the Sub-Continent as their permanent abode, spreading the peaceful religion of Islam.

Mr Mohammed Ali has a long track record of volunteering for a large number of diverse organisations rendering social, welfare and literary services to the community.

He has been instrumental in a large number of fund raising campaigns for various causes beneficial to the community.

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AMUST wins Premier’s Multicultural Communications Award 2018 Continued from page 1 Mobinah Ahmad, finalist as Young Journalist of the Year has been actively involved in multicultural and interfaith communities across Australia for the past 15 years.

As AMUST Multimedia Journalist, Mobinah is responsible for the Lifestyle, Social and Community News sections of the news platform.

Sayed Hussainizada won the Best TV Audio Visual Report for his short autobiographical film ‘Sheltered’ that depicts the high school life of a young Australian Afghan refugee.

The film depicts Sayed Hussainizada as school captain in Year 12 on the verge of following his dreams, and is framed around and the everyday struggles he faced in adapting to a new country and culture, including bullying, harassment, and racism.

SBS Arabic24 won the Best News Report that covered the story of Sami, an asylum seeker who was detained for five years in Nauru. SBS Arabic24 had exclusive insight

Yusra Hadi with The Hon Ray Williams, Minister for Multiculturalism. Photo by Salty Dingo 2018.

• Best TV/Audio-Visual Report: Sayed Hussainizada

• Photo of the Year: Yusra Hadi – AMUST • Best Use of Digital or Social Media: Why Documentaries into the conditions of the detention centre through video and pictures sent from Sami.

Over 400 attend campaign dinner to re-elect Jihad Dib

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• Best Radio/Audio Report: Xiao Han – 2ac Australian Chinese Radio

• Young Journalist of the Year: Sofia Dmitrieva – RusTalk TV

The SBS Arabic24 Team.

Photo by Salty Dingo 2018.

More than 400 people turned up to attend an NSW Labor Party campaign dinner to Re-Elect Jihad Dib, state member for Lakemba and Shadow Minister of Education on Thursday 15 November at Villa Blanca Reception in Bankstown.

Considering Mr Dib’s popularity, the $120 each dinner event was enthusiastically attended by a large number of community groups and people from diverse background.

A large number of community and business leaders, as well as politicians, attended the event including Mr Tony Burke MP, Mr Jihad Dib

2018 Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards Winners

• Best News Report: Iman Riman and Maram Ismail – SBS Arabic24

Sayed Hussainizada with NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Mr Ray Williams, Minister for Multiculturalism. Photo by Salty Dingo 2018.

Zia Ahmad

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MP, Ms Courtney Houssos, MLC, Mr Stephen Kamper MP, Ms Julia Finn MP,Mr Kayee Griffin, former Deputy President of the NSW Upper House, Councillors Rachelle Harika and Clare Raffan from Canterbury Bankstown Council and Councillor Ola Hamed from Cumberland Council.

The Punchbowl Boys’ school band, ‘320’ performed as the entertainment for the night. This is the School from where Mr Dib left as Principal to join politics.

The MC for the night was Courtney Houssos while speeches were made

by Mr Jihad Dib and Mr Tony Burke MP, Federal member for Watson and Shadow Minister for Citizenship & Multicultural Australia.

SBS Arabic24 followed Sami’s journey from Nauru to Port Moresby in PNG, then back to his country of origin Iraq.

NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and Minister for Multiculturalism Ray Williams announced the winners of the Premier’s Multicultural Communications Awards as Champion Multicultural Communicators.

Reports on powerful personal journeys of refugees and a comprehensive marketing campaign for multicultural carers were among the winning entries.

“I congratulate tonight’s nominees and winners for demonstrating excellence in multicultural communications across media and marketing,” Ms Berejiklian said.

“Multicultural communicators ensure everyone has access to information about services and opportunities to participate fully in our society.”

“Communicating the successes of our multicultural society and identity is core to the success of our harmonious and socially cohesive State.”

Mr Williams said the winners and finalists demonstrated the importance of a thriving multicultural communications sector.

“Multicultural communications is an essential component of any brand and business today,” Mr Williams said.

“These awards set the benchmark of excellence for media and marketing professionals not only in NSW, but across the country.”

Mr Eduardo González – Cristóbal received the Lifetime Achievement Award for more than 40 years of service to the Australian Spanish community as the founder of 24-hour 7-day-a-week Spanish radio station, Radio Austral, and the first weekly national Spanish newspaper, Extra Informativo.

• Public Interest Award: Natalia Godoy and Soraya Caicedo – SBS Spanish • Alan Knight Student Award: Ella Tang • Publication of the Year: Indian Link • Lifetime Achievement Award: Eduardo González – Cristóbal • Agency Campaign of the Year: The Monkeys for IAG/ CGU • AFL NSW/ACT Community Campaign of the Year: Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (MCCI) • CBA Business Campaign of the Year: Havas Melbourne & SBS

Eduardo Gonzalez-Cristobal. Photo

by Salty Dingo 2018.

Mr Jihad Dib MP with Mr Tony Burke MP. Photo by Amer Sari.

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Events organisers from the NSW Department of Justice and Amity College.

Community leaders join together to address domestic violence Dr Mehmet Aslan Around 60 community and religious leaders from diverse background representing 20 organisations from Illawarra region gathered on Wednesday 24 October 2018 to address domestic and family violence in the community, in a seminar hosted by NSW Department of Justice and Amity College, Illawarra Campus.

This event titled “Resourcing leaders to help troubled families seminar responding to domestic and family violence in our community” aimed to provide religious and community leaders with:

1. Guidance regarding referral pathways for both victims and offenders.

2. Information relating to the legal process after a DFV report is made.

3. An opportunity to up-skill leaders with legal and service information and provide access to DFV resources.

The domestic violence case study was discussed in a panel which consisted of three representatives from the Illawarra Police Command, Legal Aid and Victims Services.

After the panel discussion, community leaders had the opportunity to ask questions.

Yasmin Hunter, the Manager of the Diversity Services Team, NSW Department of Justice, during her welcome address said, “the NSW Department of Justice acknowledges that religious and community leaders are regarded as trusted members of the community and will often be in a position where they are the first ones to hear about

or recognise the presence of violence in relationships.”

“We are hoping to hold these seminars with religious and community leaders across NSW to give them more information about the legal system and how they can assist people in their communities who are affected by domestic and family violence,” she further added.

Lord Mayor, Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM also addressed the audience as a keynote speaker on the night.

“It is only once we start to treat our partners as an equal that we can start to tackle this heinous crime of DFV that is a disease within all communities,” he said.

The MC at the event, a local businessman, Hussein Salem said, “Thank you for the opportunity to be part of an amazing event.

Congratulations on the diverse turnout and the feedback locally has been exceptional. I

look forward to supporting this great cause into the future.”

Dr Mehmet Aslan, Principal of Amity College, Illawarra Campus and the host of the event, said, “We thank NSW Department of Justice for the opportunity to be part of an amazing event. It was a great turnout.

As Amity College, we will always support such programs and initiatives and we look forward to collaborating more with other NGOs and NSW Department of Justice in the future.”

The program concluded with a Domestic Violence Round Table Discussion and then guests had a light dinner/refreshments socialising and interacting with each other.

He explained that “Victorians currently lose over $8.6 millions dollars every single day to the pokies and there is now a direct correlation between gambling harm and family violence, crime and substance abuse… You can’t play the machines regularly and win. Nowhere in the world is there a gambling harm epidemic like what we see here in Australia” “The Social Cost of Gambling Harm: A Faith Response” workshop also included a panel of representatives from faith communities including Rabbi Yaakov Glasman, Senior Rabbi of St Kilda Hebrew Congregation, Venerable Phuoc Tan Thich – Abbot of Quang Minh Temple in Braybrook, Gulhan Yoldas from Whittlesea Interfaith Network and Al Siraat College, and Lyn Dundon from Ethnic Communities Council Victoria.

Each member of the panel discussed how their faiths view gambling, the issues and concerns facing faith communities around gambling harm and what can be done collectively to tackle the ravaging impact of gambling on our society.

Gambling Harm is now being addressed as a national public health issue and the accountability is now shifting from the individual to “gamble responsibly”. Instead, there is a growing focus on the predatory nature of the gambling industry, particularly pokies machines.

Faith builds resilience against many of today’s epidemics and faith communities play a primary preventative role in combating gambling harm by reconnecting families

with their faith communities in a way that’s sustainable.

Having an abundance of “harm-free”, affordable, welcoming, recreational options at places of worship offers a positive alternative to predatory gambling venues.

The opposite of addiction is the connection and greater support and funding must be available for faith communities particularly in “at-risk” regions to establish these platforms.

All groups represented agreed that the first thing we need is reform of the gambling industry.

Many Interfaith organisations and local councils across Victoria have now joined the Alliance for Gambling Reform and are demanding better outcomes for their communities.

This event was proudly supported by Faith Communities Council Victoria, Ethnic Communities Council Victoria, Victoria Police, VMC, DPC, Brimbank & Maribyrnong Interfaith Network, Brimbank City Council and Maribyrnong City Council.

Photo courtesy of Petr Svoboda.

Dr Mehmet Aslan is the Principal of Amity College Illawarra.

Interfaith conference highlights gambling harm

Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas “Victorians currently lose over $8.6 millions dollars every single day to the pokies and there is now a direct correlation between gambling harm and family violence, crime and substance abuse…,” claimed Rev Tim Costello, at the annual Victorian Interfaith Networks Conference held on Sunday 18 November in Melbourne.

Hundreds of people from all faiths attended the conference held at the St Albans Community Centre in Melbourne’s west that aims to help build the capacity and sustainability of existing interfaith networks, provides a valuable platform for networking between Interfaith groups and highlights the latest issues affecting the Interfaith community.

The four main workshops presented on the day included “The Social Cost of Gambling Harm:A Faith Response”, “Freedom of Religion vs Freedom of Artistic Expression”, “Living the Change and Child Safe Standards” and “The Reportable Conduct Scheme”.

Reverend Tim Costello, chief advocate for World Vision Australia and director of Alliance for Gambling Reform, gave his keynote speech on the Social Cost of Gambling Harm.

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Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas is on the advisory board for ECCV Gambling Harm project.

She’s an active member of Whittlesea Interfaith Network and currently works as the Community Engagement Facilitator for Al Siraat College. Gulhan has a robust history of advocacy for Interfaith dialogue & building resilient, compassionate communities.

She is passionate about empowering and developing Muslim youth as spokespeople for their communities.

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Fowler Human Rights Forum highlights concerns for rights abuse Mehar Ahmad Concerns for gross human rights abuses in Myanmar, China, Cambodia, Vietnam and the Middle East were raised during a large gathering of community leaders addressed by front line experts followed by a lively Q&A session at the Fowler Human Rights Forum hosted by Mr Chris Hayes, MP held on Wednesday 21 November at the Mounties Club in Mount Pritchard, South Western Sydney.

Mr Chris Hayes, Federal member for Fowler and Chief Opposition Whip was delighted to see such an overwhelming response from the community in raising concerns for human right abuses across the globe in general and in our region in particular.

During his welcome address, Mr Hayes said that as Australians enjoying benefits of human rights and freedoms, we ought to promote these rights for all on the globe and raise concerns in areas where abuse is taking place.

He introduced the guest speakers at the forum and welcomed community leaders and activists who made representations with him in raising concerns on human rights abuses in their home countries, in particular, the Rohingyas and the Uyghur people present at the forum.

The first speaker at the forum was Mr Wayne Gum, East Asia Regional Manager of OXFAM said that human rights included economic rights and labor rights and we should be concerned if these rights are abused.

He drew attention to the human rights abuses in the Middle East in the wake of wars and internal conflicts especially highlighting the plight of Yemeni people who are now facing famine with 60% cases of malnutrition.

He said that in addition to providing aid

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in helping the victims of war, we need to call upon political leaders to work towards ending conflicts in the region and stop the supplying of arms to those inflicting misery on the civilian population in Yemen.

He also talked on representation with multinational businesses who were exploiting workers in third world countries benefiting from cheap labour while not upholding standards in workers rights and safe working conditions and urging them to take responsibility in disasters such as that in Bangladesh with the collapse of a factory in 2015 where more than 2000 workers were killed.

Ms Emma Bull, Advocacy & External Affairs Manager, Amnesty International Australia gave details of atrocities committed against Rohingyas in Myanmar that amounted to crimes against humanity, ethnic cleansing and now called genocide by UN. She described eyewitness accounts compiled by Amnesty of killings, rapes and murders by Burma’s military and vigilantes against the Rohingya people.

She said that all freedoms have been taken away from Rohingyas in Rakhine state that included freedom to move, freedom to education, freedom to get involved in the business activity and therefore it was not safe for the Rohingya refugees to go back to their homes without any safeguards to their security and guarantees for rights and freedoms.

Ms Dinh Tran, Registrar at the Family Court of Australia said that although the human rights abuses in Vietnam were not as intense as in Myanmar and Yemen, nonetheless there were abuses as a result of one party authoritarian regime neglecting upholding of laws, accountability by police and others in authority and neglecting responsibility for the protection of the environment.

Ms Holly Miller, Head of Global Engagement at ActionAid, that specialises in addressing human rights for women in particular. She said that women suffered most from human rights violations since they were marginalised because of lack of empowerment in refugee communities.

Ms Miller said that ActionAid advocacy included women’s empowerment in speaking up, identifying issues affecting them, developing leadership capabilities and identifying problems facing them and proactively finding solutions.

During the Q&A session, a number of the audience made comments and asked questions from the floor.

Mr Zia Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of AMUST said that while living in democracies such as ours, we need to make representations to our politicians to ensure top priority is given in upholding human rights in authoritarian countries we deal with rather than narrowly safeguarding our own national interests in trade and arms sales.

He gave an example of President Trump while knowing and acknowledging the role of top Saudi leadership in the brutal murder of journalist Jamal Khashoggi, was not willing to take any action against the country because it would jeopardise more than 100 billion arms sale deal between the US and Saudi Arabia.

Wayne Gum, East Asia Regional Manager of OXFAM.

Emma Bull, Advocacy & External Affairs Manager, Amnesty International Australia.

Dinh Tran, Registrar at the Family Court of Australia.

Holly Miller, Head of Global Engagement at ActionAid.

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Muslim appeal to collect food for Canberra’s homeless AMUST

Manarul Islam

An appeal to collect food for Canberra’s homeless has started to gear up for the demand during the coming holiday period.

Spokesman for HelpingACT, Mohammed Ali, said it is reaching out to Canberra’s Muslim community and beyond for help in collecting non-perishable food for packing and distribution to the homeless.

“It doesn’t take much effort but its impact is enormous,” said Mr Ali, who was named Outstanding Volunteer of the Year in the 2015 ACT Multicultural Awards and is engaged in several public service projects, including serving as a current Board Member of Companion House, which assists survivors of torture and trauma.

A typical food pack will contain • Cup of noodles 70g • Small tin of tuna 95g • Pack of Sultanas 40g • Can of baked beans 300g • tea bags, coffee and sugar satches • Small pack of cereal 30g • Small UHT milk 250ml • Fruit drink 250ml • Single serve fruit cup 125g • Muesli bar 31g • Sugar free chewing gum • Cup of soup 40g

Mr Ali stressed that the these items are indicative and approximate only and appealed to donors to collect/buy any quantities of items similar to this for drop-off or collection. HelpingACT volunteers will arrange for packing and distribution.

The deadline for the drop-off is 8pm Friday 14 December 2018.

The drop-off points in Canberra are: 14 Daniels Street, Franklin 66 Burkitt St, Page 24 Lindsay Pryor Street, Wright 29 Balsillie Crescent, Monash Mr Ali also added that if donors are unable to drop-off the goods, they can contact HelpingACT by 10 December via info@helpingACT or his mobile 0404 947 260 and they will arrange to pick it up anywhere in Canberra.

For those, especially interstate, who want donate cash instead: Bank: Service One Credit Union BSB: 801009 Ac: 001130258 Email receipt to: info@helpingACT.org For any enquiries, please contact Mohammed Ali 0404 947 260 If you would like to help with the packing and distribution, please email us at info@helpingACT.org More information can be found on their website: www.helpingACT.org

Albanian Muslims’ contribution to Australia Vahid Goga The ongoing contribution by financial members, as well as the self-sacrifice of many volunteers over the years has played a pivotal role in the advancement of member services, educational programs and social activities provided by the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) today.

Another equally important aspect of the Society is that it has always provided financial members with the opportunity to complete their religious obligations in the form of collecting and distributing Fiter, Kurban and Zakat (Charity) to people who are less fortunate in the world.

More locally, the AAIS was one of the very first (since 1971) Islamic Societies to mobilise its community to donate towards the Royal Children’s Hospital (RCH) appeal.

The annual RCH collection and donation, which has become a tradition at our Society, is still conducted to the present day and it is strongly supported by financial members and their families.

Additionally, over the last twenty years or more, the AAIS’s Executive Committee and Women’s Committee have greatly expanded the Society’s ‘Broader Community Engagement’ portfolio by initiating and actively getting involved in a number of social programs that have had a direct and positive impact on the lives of many people in the broader Australian community.

Such initiatives have provided a lot more opportunities for the Society’s financial members and their families to physically participate in extra charitable and public-spirited programs – something that many may not possibly have found time to perform on their own in the past.

Some of the local initiatives include: the biannual Group Blood Drives, annual Cars & Coffee (RCH), Australia’s Biggest Morning Tea (Cancer Council), as well as the purchase and distribution of Back-Pack Beds

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for Melbourne’s Homeless community.

Since September 2017, the AAIS Executive Committee started working together with Community Care Network (CCN) to support their weekly Feeding Melbourne’s Homeless program.

Through the arrangement of volunteer teams and the active participation of members from our Society, the AAIS has continued to support the program on a regular basis.

Recently, the AAIS organised three (3) more teams of volunteers that took part in three separate sessions of the corresponding program (14 July 2018, 4 August 2018 and 15 September 2018).

What is really pleasing to see is that there are always new faces from the AAIS community joining our volunteer teams, as well as the fact that everyone who takes part in the program thoroughly enjoys the whole experience – actually, many have expressed

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their interest in joining the AAIS volunteer team again to participate in the program.

Acts of charity are deeply ingrained in Islam and Muslims are encouraged to be charitable throughout the Holy Qur’an: “Worship none but Allah (God). Treat with kindness your parents and kindred, and orphans and those in need; speak fair to the people; be steadfast in prayer; and practice regular charity” (Qur’an 2:83).

With so many references to charity in the Holy Qur’an, Islamic communities understand the importance of being charitable – hence why Muslims are naturally always ready to give something towards charitable causes.

This being the case, I strongly believe that Islamic Societies in Australia are perfectly positioned to form volunteer teams within their respective communities to regularly support local social programs.

Organisations like CCN, who feed Mel-

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bourne’s homeless on a weekly basis, are always seeking volunteers to assist with their work and I have no doubt that there are many brothers and sisters from Australia’s Muslim community that would gladly join volunteer teams to participate in such programs.

AAIS continues to directly engage in charitable programs, such as Feeding Melbourne’s Homeless and Blood Donations, so that more avenues are presented to its members and their families to collectively participate in good works in the local community.

Doing so, not only provides Muslims with extra opportunities to fulfil their social responsibilities, but also earn the pleasure of God. Vahid Goga is the former President of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS).

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Unity Grammar robotics teams to compete at national championships AMUST Media

SXCZ Group.

All three of Unity Grammar’s Robotics teams have successfully qualified for the 2018 FIRST® LEGO® League National Championships to be held at Macquarie University on 8 – 9 December 2018.

The Regional qualifying round for the Senior Girls team, STEM Cells X, took place at Unity Grammar in mid-November where the girls won not only the Robot Performance Award but the overall Champion’s Award, securing them a place in the NSW State Competition.

The following week the Senior Boys Team, STEM Cells Y, won the same two awards at their Regional competition at Cranebrook and the brand-new Junior Team, STEM Cells Z, won the Project Award for the most innovative and creative Project Presentation at Bossley Park.

STEM Cells X, Y and Z went on to compete at the NSW Tournament in Wollongong on 24 November. STEM Cells Y were awarded a trophy for Gracious Professionalism while STEM Cells X were awarded a trophy for Research and all three teams qualified for the National Tournament to be held at Macquarie University in December.

Unity Grammar CEO, Mr Aaron Boyd, said “We are so proud of all three teams who have shown great dedication and a generous amount of grace in the competitions so far.

I have no doubt that they will put in their absolute best at Nationals and I look forward to seeing the result.”

Unity Grammar run a world-class Robotics program with tremendous success achieved to date. Both former Senior teams were thrilled to compete at the International level earlier in 2018.

The boys’ team competed in the FIRST® Lego League Championship in Houston, Texas, a prestigious event where 108 teams from around the world competed on the world stage.

The girls’ team competed at the FIRST

LEGO League Estonian Open International where they were the first all-girls, all Muslim team to represent Australia on an International scale. While neither team won an award at the International events, they gained invaluable experience and developed friendships that will last a lifetime.

“All students were wonderful ambassadors for our College and our Country, maintaining professionalism and respect at all

SCX Group.

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times,” Mr Boyd said. “We are privileged to be involved in the FIRST® Lego Leagueprogram as it provides our students with the opportunity to have tremendous amounts of fun while applying science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to solve real-world problems.”

FIRST® Lego Leagueisa powerful program that engages children in playful and meaningful learning while helping them

SCZ Group.

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discover the fun in science and technology.

Guided by adult Coaches, FIRST LEGO League teams research a problem such as food safety or recycling and are challenged to develop a solution.

They must also design, build and program a robot using LEGO MINDSTORMS® technology to compete on a table-top playing field.

SCY Group.

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Bismillah: paper Holiday season cutting artwork at fun in Brisbane Islamic Museum AMUST

Artwork from Tusif Ahmad’s papercutting exhibition, Bismillah, at the Islamic Museum of Australia, Melbourne, Victoria.

The Museum is open 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

The Compassionate, The Merciful Dr Reginald Naulty The Compassionate, The Merciful I believe in God the merciful, the compassionate, the ninety-nine named, the elaborate, the farsighted, the inner whisperer.

Computers, at His knowledge, despair, wires and circuits can never compare with Him who spread the stars across the night and the mountains far.

God, the creator, the magnificent, whose secrets are glimpsed by the mathematically diligent, knows his earth garden well, His plans for it extends and excels.

When, in the next world, we perceive it, we shall wonder at how love and justice are interknit like a bracelet of gold and pearl, interwoven around the world.

Dr Reginald Naulty, originally from Adelaide, has taught at Charles Sturt University and has been a prolific writer since 1972.

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Mei Nee Cheong-Green Intricate, beautiful works by Perth based papercutting artist Tusif Ahmad are on display in a new exhibition from Tuesday 15 November at the Islamic Museum of Australia.

Through his Bismillah series, Tusif Ahmad employs his signature devotional papercutting to create intricate, dreamlike worlds laden with spiritual symbology.

Islamic Museum of Australia General Manager Ali Fahour said the Museum welcomes the opportunity to highlight more of Ahmad’s work.

“Tusif Ahmad’s piece, The Doors of Heaven, is one of the most-loved works in the Museum. Our visitors are constantly in awe of both the beauty and the detail, so we’re very excited to showcase more of his work,” said Mr Fahour.

One of the features of papercutting is that each section of the work is cut from a single sheet of paper, which remains intact while the artist works within a binary of removing either positive or negative space.

IMA Head Curator Jake Carter said papercutting is a traditional folk art employed around the globe.

“The investigative urge to manipulate the page beyond the surface is common to a diverse range of countries including China, Germany, Poland and Mexico,” said Mr Carter.

While the artist has exhibited in Western Australia, Pakistan and throughout the Middle East, he said Bismillahis his first solo exhibition at the Museum.

“I’m pleased to be exhibiting at the Islamic Museum of Australia. I add Islamic traditions including Arabic calligraphy to my works, so it is fitting they should be displayed at the Islamic Museum,” said Mr Ahmad.

Bismillah is on display from 15 November 2018 to 16 February 2019 and selected works are available for purchase.

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 10am – 4pm, Tuesday to Saturday.

Mei Nee Cheong is the Media and Marketing Manager at the Islamic Museum of Australia and is based in Melbourne, Australia.

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Suraya Daly It has been very much a blink-and-you’ll-miss-it year with the months and seasons passing by as fast as lightning.

We are already at the end of 2018 and that means the silly season is upon us. Whether you and your family celebrate Christmas or not, it is the time of the year for reflection on a number of things.

We tend to look back on the year that has been; if we have achieved the goals we set out at the start of the year, how many of our new year’s resolutions we have stood by,

The Enchanted Garden (7-19 December) Roma Street Parklands

Putting on display an impressive adornment of lighting, The Enchanted Garden is back again this Christmas time, where you can walk through and experience Roma Street Parklands in glittering lights, like no other time of the year. I experienced this light show last year and I can confirm it will delight and amaze!

Christmas Cinema (14-23 December), River Quay, Southbank

Much like the recent Open Air cinemas also in Southbank and the nearby New Farm’s Moonlight cinemas, it’s clear the Brisbane folk love watching a movie in the open air. This Christmas time, you can do just that while enjoying Christmas classics such as Elf and Home Alone.

South Bank Christmas Village Markets (mid-December onwards), Southbank

Christmas markets are a tradition in Europe, and you can enjoy it too right on the home soil as Southbank brings you the official seasonal market of the city. Over nine days, enjoy handicraft stalls Christmas gifts,

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and best of all, how will we spend the holiday/festive season when we’re briefly putting on hold thoughts about study or work?

If you’ll be ‘round these parts this December in Brisbane, here are some happenings worth checking out this month.

Suraya Daly is a graduate of the Queensland University of Technology in the qualifications of the Graduate Certificate in Creative Industries and a Bachelor of Journalism. She works in technology sales and has a passion for writing, where she would often hone her creativity by contributing articles which can be found on her blog on www.surayaspeaks.wordpress.com. For enquiries, please reach out to suraya.daly@gmail.com keepsakes, and delicious fare accompanied by live music and carolers at Southbank’s Christmas Village.

Brisbane Twilight Markets (1 December from 4pm), King George Square, Brisbane City

Brisbane locals just can’t get enough of markets so why not add another big market event to the list? An initiative of Brisbane City Council, The Christmas Brisbane Twilight markets is the only Brisbane-based marketplace selling 100% locally handmade products. You can shop unique, handmade items straight from the makers themselves.

Local food vendors, live music and a free Craft Workshop will offer something for everyone in this great local market.

QAGOMA Store Christmas Design Market (Dates TBC), South Brisbane

Well-known with the Brisbane lovers of the art scene, the Queensland Art Gallery will exhibit high quality artistic wares in its annual Christmas Design Market. As a creative myself in writing, naturally, I’m excited about this event where you can check out 40 stalls selling ceramics, textiles and paper products.

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Sydney to the Gong ride to fight MS Sakinah (right) with May Fahmi at the finish line in WA Lang Park, Wollongong.

Sabrina Allam with her medal.

Sakinah Bokhari More than 10,000 cyclists participated in the MS Sydney to Wollongong charity ride to raise more than 5 million dollars for people suffering from Multiple Sclerosis.

It has been an annual event for the last 37 years with cyclists enjoying the spectacular ride from Sydney to Wollongong of either a distance of 58km or 82km.

Randa Ghazi with her medal.

Both the long and the short courses take you through spectacular scenery as you make your way through the Royal National Park, enjoy incredible views from Stanwell Tops, pedal over the breathtaking Sea Cliff Bridge and cross the finish line in Wollongong amongst a backdrop of sun, sand and surf.

Finishing the course was not an easy feat.

There were numerous hills to climb and fast downhills. It was a beautiful sunny day with some wind. Although there were a few

accidents, it didn’t dampen the strong determination of the cyclists who were there to cycle to the finish line and make a positive contribution to those in need by raising awareness and much-needed funds.

A strong contingent of six Muslim women including myself participated from the Sydney Cycling Sisters as well as many more Muslims from other groups.

At the rest stations, it was very pleasing to be greeted by Unity Grammar staff and students who had volunteered for this event and were handing out fruits to all cyclists.

It was a great sense of euphoria and accomplishment to finish the course among our fellow Australians who share the same passion for cycling and making a difference to those suffering from MS. Cyclists received their medals at the finish line and enjoyed the festival atmosphere at WA Lang Park, Wollongong with fellow cyclists, family and friends.

To join Sydney Cycling Sisters or Swim Sisters, visit their facebook page www.fb.com/sydneycyclingsisters www.fb.com/swimsistersquad Sakinah Bokhari is a teacher based in Sydney.

COURSE PROFILE AND ELEVATIONS

Turkish communities celebrate migration to Australia

Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas

This year the Australian Turkish community celebrates 50 years since migrating to Australia. The Australian Cypriot-Turkish community is celebrating 70 years since migration. Both these communities are predominantly Muslim arriving by sea and air in search of better life opportunities for their young families.

On Saturday 27 October Australian Turkish migrants that had made the journey to Australian shores fifty years ago were recognised in an award ceremony hosted by the Presidency For Turks Abroad And Related Communities (YTB) at Melbourne’s iconic Sofitel building.

The ceremony was attended by Victorian MP Nazlı Süleyman, Canberra’s Ambassador for Turkey Ahmet Vakur Gökdenizler, the Deputy Consul General of Melbourne, Osman İlhan Şener, YTB Vice President Sayit Yusuf, Ankara University of Fine Arts Professor Erol Parlak, and many representatives from community groups, organisations and community members.

Emotional stories were shared by attending elderly who had arrived here as children or in their early 20s and faced many challenges as they settled into these new lands that’s been home now for half a century.

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Turkish Ottoman Mehter group.

One interesting story that was shared in the lead up to the 50 Year Celebrations was captured in an article written over 45 years ago involving Kemal Atmaca, a respected member of the Australian Turkish community and one of the founding board members of Thomastown mosque in Victoria.

After slaughtering an adaq sheep at his home Kemal Atmaca was taken to court, received a fine and was in the news.

This month, Kemal Atmaca was interviewed to reflect on this incident: “I remember it like it was yesterday… As is our Islamic tradition we wanted to slaughter our meat in the halal way. There were no local halal butchers at the time. Sheep cost

$2 each and with a weekly wage of $50 we could buy 25 sheep if we wanted.

We didn’t think anything of slaughtering our sheep in our backyard as we would back in the village. It didn’t ever occur to me that it would be illegal. Just as we packed all the meat into the freezers two men knocked on our door. We invited them in for tea. One of them was from the health department and he went straight to the freezer.

I would dare say it was after incidents like these that the halal meat industry started in Victoria, out of necessity. It’s now a multi million dollar industry. Of course, we never did any more sheep slaughtering at home after that.

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I had to hire a lawyer and my good friend Dr Abdul Khalik Kazi helped to explain my side of the story in court.

Dr Kazi and Sheikh Fehmi were very helpful to the first migrant Muslims. They were our leaders, may Allah be pleased with them.”

This story has been the vessel by which Mr Atmaca is reuniting with his old friend Dr Kazi.

Today the Australian Turkish community are well represented across all professions and in the business community and are proud of their 50-year history of outstanding contributions to the Australian community.

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Inaugural Over-50s Cricket World Cup in Sydney Zia Ahmad Eight national teams from Australia, England, New Zealand, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Pakistan, Wales and Canada have been competing for Over-50s Cricket World Cup at cricket grounds across Sydney that concludes this week.

The Over-50s Cricket World Cup started on Wednesday 21 November and concludes on Wednesday 5 December with the grand final at Drummoyne Oval between finalists Australia and Pakistan.

Each team have played seven matches over the two week period to reach the semi-finals and the finals.

The Australian team has benefited from a number of first-grade players including captain Tony Clarke, who has played 36 years of grade cricket, and Rowan Hayes, who plays in the Sydney Masters Cricket Association.

Pakistan, one of the stronger teams, has a number of former Test cricket players including captain Ijaz Ahmed, who played 60 Tests and 250 ODIs at the peak of his career during the 1990s.

The tournament is the culmination of 18 months of the organisation by Stirling Hamman, a former barrister and stalwart member of the veterans cricket community.

The next Over-50s Cricket World Cup

will take place in Cape Town in 18 months time and is already being planned.

Over-50s Cricket World Cup 2018, Sydney December Schedule: Sunday, 2 December – ROUND 7 England vs. Pakistan (Coogee Oval) New Zealand vs. South Africa (Joe McAleer Oval, Glendinning) Australia vs. Sri Lanka (Old Kings Oval, Parramatta) Wales vs. Canada (Raby No. 1 Oval, Campbelltown) Monday, 3 December – SEMI-FINALS/ PLAYOFFS Cup: 1st vs. 4th (Hurstville Oval, Hurstville) Cup: 2nd vs. 3rd (Rosedale Oval, Warwick Farm) Plate: 5th vs. 8th (Old Kings Oval, Parramatta) Plate: 6th vs. 7th (Merrylands Oval) – TBC Tuesday, 4 December – PLATE FINAL: Canada vs South Africa Plate Winner 5th/8th vs. Plate Winner 6th/7th (Memorial Oval, Bankstown) Wednesday, 5 December – Grand Final (11 a.m. start): Australia vs Pakistan 11 a.m. start - Drummoyne Oval

Prize distribution at Sydney’s Punjabi School Tarlochan Singh The Guru Nanak Punjabi School in Sydney celebrated annual awards prize distribution function on Saturday 1 December 2018 attended by students, teachers, parents, guests and the media representatives.

The teachers of Punjabi language in HSC classes in mainstream schools were specifically invited to the function.

Waiting for you Frazia Ali I have been waiting for you Now moon, stars and galaxies have been standing with their glorious light in the way of you I have a wish to collect some memories from this world before leaving this world I have planted some flowers as identification of my love I have some prayers on my lips I have some dreams in my eyes

Mr Kevin Connolly MP and Dr Maninder Singh councilor at Blacktown Council gave away the prizes to students who had performed exceptionally well.

The students were given trophies, appreciation certificates and specially certificated for NSW language board.

The prize distribution event led by Mrs Gurpreet Kaur with the help of her volunteer team was highly appreciated by the attendees.

Dr Surinder Singh, Education Director of Australian Sikh Association (ASA) updated the parents and guests on its current projects: • Guru Nanak Punjabi Language School • Australian Sikh Association SRE program • Bhai Gurdas Jee library upgrade and follow-up Dr Surinder Singh highly appreciated the work done by ASA management, school teachers, parents and all the volunteers involved and thanked everyone for their ongoing support and contribution for these projects.

Teacher representative Ravinder Kaur and parent representatives Tarlochan and Norin also thanked the parents for their ongoing support.

Giani Santokh Singh Ji applauded the work done by the ASA management.

Pizza and drinks were served at the end of the program to all those present at the event.

The work done by the ASA management for the Punjabi language is highly admired by the community at large.

Frazia Ali is a Pakistani American Muslim single mother. She has two children and lives in San Ramon California, USA. She started writing poetry to spread peace and love through her writing.

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Mr Kevin Connolly MP at the event.

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Abdul Malik Mujahid Rev Bob Roberts Seventy years ago, in the wake of the unprecedented crimes of World War Two, a shaken but resolute international coalition founded the United Nations.

Its charter was conceived as an explicitly international response to the unimaginable state-organized campaigns of genocide that defined that war. The key phrase of the newly-formed international body was: “never again.” Never again, it was thought at the time, would the dark events of the Holocaust be allowed to repeat themselves.

Yet in 2018, liberal democratic societies are once again facing the same question.

State-sponsored terror is again ascendant.

Innocent people find themselves facing extermination in Burma, where in the “clearance operations” of August 2018 over 725,000 Rohingya were devastated and driven out by an all-out military assault.

A conservative estimate by the United Nations Fact Finding Mission lists the number of Rohingya civilians at 10,000, but the real number is almost certainly higher. At least 392 Rohingya villages were destroyed.

Myanmar security forces regularly targeted children and pregnant women, indiscriminately using sexual violence as a weapon of war.

Sadly, as in the period between the World Wars, democratic governments again appear unable or unwilling to act, even as the situation escalates to new, shocking extremes.

Echoes of the failed policy of “appeasement” toward the Third Reich are unmistakable.

The world sorely needs bold, globally-minded, responsible leadership. Should it want to, Australia can be such a leader.

Australia has a unique role to play in today’s crisis of democracy. As a signatory to the International Convention on Genocide and one of the regional leaders of the South Pacific, Australia could offer a powerful example of what a foreign policy with real moral integrity looks like in 2018.

Yet to date, Australia has had a consistent record of turning refugees and genocide survivors away. In the midst of the largest refu-

gee crisis in history, the country’s sprawling shores have remained mostly closed to those seeking asylum from the gales of war, disaster, and death.

Compare this record with that of Bangladesh, a country barely half the size of the province of New South Wales while six times the population of Australia. The government and people of Bangladesh have opened their hearts and minds to almost a million Rohingya refugees fleeing Myanmar. There is no reason Australia could not lend a hand as well.

As the United States State Department’s own extensive, scientifically rigorous report has concluded, “The recent violence in northern Rakhine State was extreme, largescale, widespread, and seemingly geared toward both terrorizing the population and driving out the Rohingya residents. The scope and scale of the military’s operations indicate they were well-planned and coordinated.”

It is simply undeniable that the Rohingya crisis and the actions of the Myanmar military constitute one of the worst atrocities in modern history.

As a key partner of the ASEAN and a

leading country in Southeast Asia and the South Pacific, Australia is in a position to assume a more responsible posture of international leadership on this key flash-point for the broader region. It can start by formally recognizing the Rohingya crisis as the most thoroughly-documented, objectively-proven genocide since the Second World War. The world’s failure to act so far has only further emboldened Myanmar to carry out its genocidal program with impunity and without fear of any consequences. It has also prompted them to expand their extermination program to the country’s Kachin people, who are 90% Christian.

With every passing day, the number of innocent victims of state terror in Myanmar grows larger. Indirectly, inaction has also opened the door for China to persecute millions of Uyghur Muslims and throw them into internment camps. Likewise, India, following suit, recently stripped four million Muslims of their citizenship.

Unless a powerful, unequivocal message is sent making it clear that such actions will not be tolerated, the dominoes will continue to fall, as, one-by-one, authoritarian, oppressive regimes will realize there are no

consequences for the most heinous crimes.

Perhaps Australian leaders could even convene a special summit for ASEAN and its partners, in which these growing challenges can be honestly and openly discussed.

Such a major move would catch international attention, putting the world on notice that Australia is ready to rally the defenders of democracy, peace, and human rights.

Australia has a major opportunity to take a stand. As a signatory to the International Convention on Genocide, it is morally obligated to act on the main dictum of that Convention: genocide must never be allowed to happen again.

Yet in 2018, “Never Again” is happening again. It is up to Australia, and other morally courageous nations of the ASEAN organization, to decide whether or not they will stand on the right side of history.

of God! To ask for help is go into debt, which means that only those who are willing to recognize that debt, and who also have faith that full repayment can be made, will risk incurring it. Our faith that all debts will ultimately be satisfied comes from the Quranic verse Allah is the Rich, and ye are the poor.

Our Patron is generous and possessed of vast resources, and if our very existence, even to the actual number of our breaths, are a free gift from Him, then He will certainly pay all our lesser debts—if, that is, we are willing to recognize our intrinsic poverty and our nothingness without Him. Christians of good will, we need your help; we need it badly, and we need it now.

There are many ways of protesting Islamophobia, but it is our considered opinion that the single most powerful witness in defense of Muslims is a firm commitment by both Christians and Muslims to spread the word of the heroic defense of persecuted Christians by Muslims in Iraq, in Syria, and elsewhere in the world, and of the rediscovery of

the Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad, in the spirit though not always in the knowledge of which, such actions are taken. We request—we implore—we challenge every Christian of good will to make these documents and these actions known to everyone, from the local anti-Muslim agitator all the way up to the heads of his or her state and every state, the authorities of his or her religion, and the members of his or her faith community. As for our fellow Muslims, we invite you to sign the Covenants Initiative at www.covenantsoftheprophet.com.

Imam Abdul Malik Mujahid and Rev Bob Roberts are co-chairs of the Faith Coalition to Stop Genocide in Burma which includes US based faith leaders from Christians, Muslim, Jewish and Buddhist communities.

Parliament of World’s Religions calls for understanding Dr John Andrew Morrow The seventh Parliament of the World’s Religions, the oldest, largest, most diverse and inclusive global interfaith event, was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada, between 1 November and 7 November, 2018.

The conference, which was themed, “The Promise of Inclusion, the Power of Love: Pursuing Global Understanding, Reconciliation, and Change,” was attended by over 10,000 people of faith and conscience from 80 different nations, and featured over 500 programs and events.

One particular panel, titled “An Offering of the Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad in the 21st Century,” featured Charles Upton, the Muslim American scholar, activist, and intellectual, who issued the following appeal to Christians and Muslims: Islamophobia is on the rise. The Council for American-Islamic relations recorded a 17 percent increase in incidents of anti-Muslim bias in the US in 2017 over 2016, much of it undoubtedly due to the climate of fear DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

created by the Trump administration.

This was accompanied by a 15 percent increase in hate crimes targeting U.S. Muslims, including children, youth, and families, over the same period. As for 2018, CAIR’s quarterly report indicates that anti-Muslim bias incidents and hate crimes in the second quarter were up 83 and 21 percent respectively over the first quarter of this year. Internationally as well, the persecution of Muslims is increasing, as witness the attacks against the Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar, as well as the massacre of Muslims

by Christian militias in the Central African Republic.

For an individual or group in dire need to ask for help from another is humbling; it wounds our pride, even our legitimate pride.

Those willing to risk the wounds of battle may still be reluctant to receive this wound, no matter how necessary it may finally prove to be—especially if we are of the unfortunate opinion that our pride is all we have.

Those who know Allah, however, know that as pride weakens, faith and courage grow stronger—and also that to move beyond our pride is not to abandon that pride, but simply to transfer it to a greater and more worthy Object. As a Sufi poet once wrote: “Everyone is proud of someone, and we are proud

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John Andrew Morrow received his PhD from the University of Toronto, where he studied Hispanic, Native, and Islamic Studies. He worked as a university professor for two decades. After reaching the rank of Full Professor, he retired from academia to devote himself entirely to scholarship and service. Along with Charles Upton, he directs the Covenants Initiative, lectures around the world, and acts as a religious and political advisor to world leaders.

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Founder of US far-right Ethiopia PM promises group denied Australian visa free election as he meets

opposition parties

The Australian Home Affairs Department has blocked the visa application of Gavin McInnes, the founder of the US far-right group the Proud Boys after he failed the character test required to enter Australia.

The denial followed an online petition, which called on the Immigration Minister David Coleman to ban Gavin McInnes from visiting the country in February 2019 for a speaking tour.

The petition, which was signed by more than 81,000 people, was founded by Nyadol Nyuon, a lawyer.

Along with other activists and Labour MPs, Nyuon delivered the petition to Parliament House in the capital of Canberra.

Media Scan Ainullah

Mark Latham settles defamation case over ‘antiwhite racism’ comments

Ethiopia’s Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed has met members of opposition parties to discuss ways of reforming the country’s electoral system, the latest move in a campaign to open up a political arena dominated by his ruling coalition.

The meeting with 81 opposition

groups on Tuesday discussed ways of ensuring elections in 2020 were “free and fair”, the Ethiopian leader’s office said on Twitter.

Abiy has turned Ethiopian politics on its head since coming to power in April by welcoming back exiled opposition and separatist groups, releasing prisoners and appointing a formerly jailed dissident as head of the election board as well as making peace with neighbouring Eritrea.

Nine killed as Kashmir reels from its deadliest year since 2009

Armistice Day memorial service, Hamilton, 11 November 2018 Hajji Abdullah Drury

Lawyers for Osman Faruqi, an ABC journalist and former political editor of pop culture website Junkee, said Mr Latham – now the NSW leader of Pauline Hanson’s One Nation – had agreed to pay damages and legal costs to settle the case over claims Faruqi supported “anti-white racism”.

Faruqi kicked off defamation proceedings against Mr Latham in October last year over comments made by the Labor heavyweight turned NSW One Nation leader on his OutsidersYouTube program.

He alleged Mr Latham defamed him in an August 2 episode of the program last year, titled “The Rise of Anti-White Racism and Terrorist Plots in Australia”, by suggesting he “knowingly assists terrorist fanatics who want to kill innocent people in Australia”, “condones the murder of innocent people by Islamic terrorists”, and “encourages and facilitates terrorism”.

Mr Latham’s old legal team, including Brisbane-based firm Londy Lawyers, had drafted a lengthy and unusual written defence to the claim that led to a scathing and widely shared judgment in August by presiding judge Michael Wigney, who described the 76-page document as “extraordinary” and labelled parts of it “frivolous and vexatious”.

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My son Ismail (grandson of Molvi Mohammed Ismail of Ba, Fiji), in Air Force Cadets uniform, holding the Belgian flag on Armistice Day memorial service, Hamilton, New Zealand, 11 November 2018.

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At least nine people have been killed in violence in Kashmir, capping off one of this year’s deadliest weeks in the state already suffering its worst bloodshed in a decade.

At least six militants were killed in an early morning gun battle with security forces on Sunday in Kapran village of Shopian district in southern Kashmir. The fighting later sparked clashes in the volatile district between locals and police, during which a 15-year-old civilian was killed by security forces, according to residents.

Authorities said the operation was launched after receiving information on Saturday night about the presence of rebels in the house of a farmer in Kapran village.

“Multiple cordons were laid. The five rebels were locals and one was a foreigner,” the police official said.

Residents said the house was blasted during the gun battle, which was the second such operation launched by the security forces in the past three days.

As news about the killing of rebels spread, hundreds of civilians took to the streets, raising anti-India slogans and marching towards the house, resulting in clashes with the security forces.

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My experience with Afghanistan: The country, not the war

Shafaq Farooqui

Since I was a little boy, like many immigrant children, I heard stories of the Motherland. The memoirs I listened to with rapture told of the exquisite hospitality of the people, the rugged beauty of the landscape and the overwhelming serenity which reigned.

It was three years back when I first travelled to Afghanistan with a close friend of mine. By the end of my trip, I was profoundly impressed and made a decision to return once I’d completed my degree.

Four months ago, I arrived in Afghanistan and came to live in Panjshir; the smallest province of Afghanistan. Just Northeast of Kabul, Panjshir encompasses a lush valley

flanked on both sides by soaring mountains and riddled by a roaring river.

It was here where the Soviets carried out nine major offensives. The entire valley was bombed and burned to the ground. And yet today, the villages have been rebuilt, the mud homes proudly stand tall, the fields abundant with crops and the waterways burrowed once again. War ravaged Afghanistan. But the spirit of the people did not break. Beauty is found in unexpected times and places.

A month ago I carried out research on the agriculture of Panjshir. I drove with a guide throughout the valley and sat down with farmers. In the Afghan countryside, everyone is a Farmer. Even if you are a doctor or a teacher, you are still working the ancestral fields.

I noticed a strange pattern in my conversa-

tions with the Farmers. When I asked them what they aspire for, I would get blank looks and irrelevant responses in return. One old man even snapped at me for asking silly questions. One does not have time to dream or aspire, when one is working every day to simply survive.

At nights when the moon rises from behind the peaks and shines on the mountainside villages, I see many homes as distant points of light. I know there are aspirations that live in these homes. Born and residing in the small but bold hearts of Afghanistan’s children.

I work at the Mahboba’s Promise Hope House in Panjshir, which is a home for orphan boys and girls. All these children have tragic stories, but none of their hardships have robbed them of the natural joy youth feel. Their ability to lie awake at night and

dream of the future perseveres. They do not run away from school, they run to it.

I witness many gripping moments on these early morning treks. The local schools are built of mountain rocks and perched in the most remote and far-flung places. Children hike the mountainous terrain for hours to reach their classrooms.

There is an intense yearning for education. I’ve learnt that the children do not want dolls and clothes, rather they long to have a book, a notepad and a pencil.

Learn more about Mahboba’s Promise’s Hope Houses and their work in Afghanistan by visiting their website at www.mahbobaspromise.org.

Mahdi Housaini is currently working at the Mahboba’s Promise Hope House in Panjshir Valley, Afghanistan.

Hijabi in United States Congress Mohamed Ainullah Ilhan Omar, a Muslim refugee from Somalia who came to the US at the age of 14 was elected to the US House of Representatives at the mid-Term election held on Tuesday 6 November 2018.

Ilhan, whose mother passed away when she was a child, arrived US in 1994 after fleeing war torn Somalia with her father, grandfather in 1991 and then spending the next four years in a refugee camp in Kenya.

She attended Edison High School, and then graduated from North Dakota State University with bachelor’s degrees in political science and international studies in 2011.

On 5 June 2018, Ilhan decided to run as Representative from Minnesota’s 5th congressional district after Representative Keith Ellison announced that he would not seek re-election and was endorsed by the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party and won on Tuesday 6 November 2018.

Ilhan Omar and former Michigan state representative Rashida Tlaib became the first Muslim women elected to the United States Congress.

Ilhan lives in the Cedar-Riverside a suburb Minneapolis with her husband Ahmed Hirsi and three children.

She has openly called President Trump a racist and has been very critical of him for creating a climate of fear and hate in her DECEMBER 2018 / ISSUE 157

country. She accused him of demonising people like her being a woman, Muslim, refugee and black.

Ilhan has called Israel, the apartheid state, asserting that it has “hypnotized the world” to overlook the aerial bombardment of civilians, which she characterized as “evil

doings,” recommending that the University of Minnesota divest from Israel bonds, and criticizing a law intended to prohibit the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions movement.

She has been accused of anti-semitism by supporters of Israel but has responded that

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her criticism of some of the Israeli government’s actions in no way implies hatred of Jewish people: “These accusations are without merit,” she said. “They are rooted in bigotry toward a belief about what Muslims are stereotyped to believe.”

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Appreciating the efforts of Hajj authorities

Furthermore, the medical team and volunteers were mobilized for emergency aid in the plains of Arafat and Jamarat. They were also supposed to help the disabled and elderly and one of the most daunting tasks for the forces was to deal with the stampede.

Moreover, the temperature of holy sites soared to 48 degrees centigrade during which the security staff sprayed cool water over the pilgrims to give them respite from intense heat.

The Saudi security forces risk their lives for the safety of pilgrims during Hajj, so it is the duty of Muslims who are intending to embark on the divine journey of Hajj to abide by the laws and regulations set by authorities.

Follow the instructions especially during the ritual of stoning. Use the specific path to Jammarat and abide by the assigned schedule of stoning (rami) because breaching these instructions could lead to fatal stampede and loss of life and injury

Shafaq Farooqui In 2016 I embarked on the spiritual journey of Hajj which still remains etched in my memory.

I would definitely like to praise the relentless endeavours of the Saudi government and its security staff that I witnessed during my journey.

They facilitated pilgrims with ease and comfort. It was their strenuous efforts and vigilant monitoring that the Hajj went without a hitch that year. Their diligent efforts and sleepless nights made a Hajj resounding success.

To begin with, Mina which is roughly eight kilometres away from Makkah was covered with makeshifts tents with all basic amenities and so were the plains of Arafat.

The role of security staff was to ensure safety and maintenance of huge influx of traffic flow from Mina to Arafat. The Saudi security forces assisted the guests of Allah on each step and this was evident in many

scenarios from praying at the grand mosque until the ritual of the stoning of the devil.

Saudi Arabia was under the potential

threat of terrorism in 2016 for which they took all preventive measures to safeguard the worshipers from any collateral damage.

Shafaq Farooqui is an IELTS facilitator and trainer at Yousuf’s institute of English Language in Karachi , Pakistan.

In conversation with a Pakistani politician Zia Ahmad Mr Choudhary Sajjad Ahmad, a Pakistani local government official visiting Australia on a family visit called on AMUST offices and had a conversation with Zia Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of AMUST on the current situation of Pakistan.

Choudhary Sajjad Ahmad from Lahore is the Vice-President of Lahore Cantonment Board and the top elected official in the local government. The President of the Board is a non-elected, appointed position.

His position is similar to Mayor/Deputy Mayor of a City council in Australia.

Pakistan is a federal republic with three tiers of government: national, provincial and local. Each province also has its own local-government-enabling legislation and ministries responsible for implementation.

District councils and metropolitan corporations are respectively the highest rural and urban tiers of local government in the provinces.

Mr Choudhary thanked AMUST for the opportunity to share his views based on his long experience as a local government politician in Pakistan.

Zia Ahmad with Mr Choudhary Sajjad Ahmad.

He said that he was first elected during the 2015 local elections on the Pakistan Muslim League (N) ticket, former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif’s party.

He said that although the Nawaz Sharif

government has come under heavy criticism lately, it has a number of achievements to its credit during its governance period.

One of them is in the area of provision of electricity. During the previous Muslim

or

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League (N) government there was no crisis in the provision of electricity. However, during the Musharraf era, the situation deteriorated peaking to load shedding for 18-20 hours in a day.

The Muslim League (N) government took remedial action and restored this poor situation where load shedding has been drastically reduced.

Another achievement of the Nawaz Sharif government has been great progress on CPEK, the China-Pakistan Economic corridor project to rapidly modernise Pakistani infrastructure and its economy.

The Muslim League (N) Punjab government greatly improved transportation problem in Lahore by building bus routes where the cost to commuters is barely Rs 20 for covering a distance of 27 km.

Mr Choudhary claimed that PTI won power in Pakistan because a number of people from the same old corrupt parties joined PTI, just a few months before the elections.

He wished PM Imran Khan well in reducing much-entrenched corruption but said it is going to be a big challenge for him.

Mr Choudhary said that he was very proud of the recent democratic track record of Pakistan now that there has been a change of government by democratic means for a continuous third time.

He wished the PTI government well and assured that he himself, as well as the Pakistan Muslim League (N), will work for Pakistan in cooperation with the current government.

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Christian author accepts the Covenants of the Prophet Dr John Andrew Morrow After a ritual reading of a treaty that the Prophet Mohammad (s) made with the Assyrian Christians in the seventh century, a formal offering of the Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad(s) was made at the Parliament of the World’s Religions which convened in Toronto, Canada, on Saturday 3 November 2018.

The offering was made by the Covenants Initiative, on behalf of all believing Muslims, to Jennifer Doane Upton, on behalf of all faithful Christian friends and allies.

Jennifer Doane Upton, the Christian author and intellectual, shared the following words with the audience: As we learn from Dr Morrow’s book, Muhammad (s) granted most of his Covenants with the Christians to monasteries, since these were often the centers of the Christian communities on the outskirts of the Byzantine Empire. And all these monasteries lie under the protection of the Theotokos, the Virgin Mary.

The Christian monasteries, as Muhammad (s) knew, accessed Eternity, but they accessed it through the darkness, the kind of darkness that in itself brings forth the Incarnation; when the Divine comes through

material and bodily form, it must come through the darkness that some spiritual paths reject. This darkness, through which the monks could see the illuminating light, is the Virgin Mary in her aspect of unknowability and inexpressibility, reminding us of the statues of the Black Virgin to be found in various places throughout western Europe.

The Black Virgin, in particular, represents the essence of Christian contemplation, especially apophatic contemplation. She is the Darkness without which we cannot discern the spiritual Light.

These monks are night watchers; their ability to see illumination in the darkness of the night sky is like the Christian ability to see the Divine incarnated in human flesh.

It is true that the Muslims reject the Incarnation, but this is because God has given them a different Way. He has willed that the religions be diverse in their outward forms, even contradictory—nonetheless, they are one in the darkness of their Essence.

Muhammad (s) had contact with Christian monks as both a caravan leader and the prophet of his community; he could not repudiate them because he saw the depth of their contemplation. And because that contemplation penetrated the whole of Christian life, Muhammad (s) was commanded to protect Christians, not persecute them; it

is the spiritual function of action to protect contemplation, not run roughshod over it.

He knew that the Christians represented an older order of contemplativity, a particular form of esoterism that only they had full access to; consequently, he was impelled to actively defend them, as we might protect an ancient language to prevent it from dying out.

To accept an offer of defense and protection from those who are not a part of one’s own community is a perilous proposition, one that requires both the harmlessness of the dove and the wisdom of the serpent. In any case, the Christians of today must wake up to the fact that Christianity, at least in some ways, is now the most persecuted religion on earth. Muslims may disagree with this statement in view of the extremely large number of the followers of the Prophet who have lost their lives in the wars following upon 9/11.

There is one form of persecution, however, that Muslims by and large have avoided, and that is persecution by those who were once their own people, but have now openly denied God. The western world has been Christian for 2000 years, but since World War II the nations of Western Europe, and increasingly those of North America, have turned against Christ, and thus against their

AMUST

Jennifer Doane Upton, American Christian Author.

own history and heritage. The Church is indeed “a voice crying in the wilderness” in these days. However, as Jesus Christ reminds us, “If the world hates you, know that it hated Me first; but be of good cheer, because I have overcome the world.” As exiles in our own lands, Christians must accept and welcome sincere offers of help and defense wherever they can find them.

The session concluded with Dr John Andrew Morrow granting Jennifer Doane Upton a copy of The Covenants of the Prophet Muhammad with the Christians of the World.

Mt Sinai: The Lighthouse for the Abrahamic Religions

Kazi Miah

The Bible stands as the historical milestone for Exodus records in that, Mt Sinai remains the most central of all.

Mt Sinai, or the Mountain of God of Burning Bush was the one that is located in Midian [Ex3:1] and this is the same mountain where Moses [a] received the Tablets from God after he delivered Israelites in complete safety from Pharaoh [Exodus 31:18, Exodus 34:32, Leviticus 26:46, Leviticus 27:34, Nehemiah 9:13]!

When the Israelites first arrived at Mt. Sinai, Moses struck a rock at Horeb to provide water for the multitude (Ex 17:6). They then spent eleven months at the holy mountain before moving on to Kadesh Barnea.

Despite Bible detects Mt Sinai at Midian, in current Eastern Saudi Arabia [Galatians 4:25] without controversy, yet following the appearance of the prophethood of Mohammed [s], a vested group in the Christianity and Judaism continuously toiled to alter the position of this historical site going against latest archaeological evidence!

The historical misnomer, Sinai Peninsula in Egypt has no trace in Biblical records; Bible calls it the wilderness of Red Sea. The new name gives an excuse that Mt Sinai could be located in a region before the historical crossing of the Red Sea in the land of Pharaoh!

Could the Golden Calf Alter, Moses’ alter, split rock, 12 pillars, Burning Bush, ten commandments – these all take place for such a long time in Pharos’ land under his intense headlong chase? The answer is always – No! The reason that some documents want to establish Mt Sinai in the wilderness of Red Sea is evident in the Maps here! Mt Paran [Faran], a place where Abraham (a) left Ismael (a) and where the miraculous spring Zamzam gushed out wondrously!

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We know from Bible that Hager later got a wife for Ismail (a) who dwelt in Paran [Gen 21:21]. It is the place where Ismail (a) and his father built the House of Lord – the today’s Kaaba in the city of Bakka that later was named Mecca!

This means the wilderness of Paran is essentially located in present Mecca centric part of Arab! Mecca is also the birthplace of Prophet Muhammad [s]! If you somehow could alter the location of Paran, then you can argue that Muhammad [s] was not the final prophet as the Deuteronomy 33:2 documents: ‘Lord came from Sinai and rose up from Seir unto them; he shined forth from mount Paran and he came with ten thousands of saints: from his right hand went a fiery law for them!’

Here two words are important – ‘Lord’ and ‘he’! ‘Lord’ is unerringly to mean GOD while ‘he’ is not GOD himself [not in capital letters, this ‘he’ is Muhammad (s)]. Now the entire italic part of the verse [Deut 33:2] is all about Prophet Muhammad [pbuh] who brought a fiery law for Mankind and with his ten thousand saints companions, he conquered Mecca in 8thof Hijra!

Habakkuk 3:3 tells –“God came from Te-man and the Holy one from Mt Paran!”

Investigations reveal that Te-manis the biblical name of the city of Yathreb currently known as Medina while Paran is Mecca!

Mt Sinai hence stands as the lighthouse in time to direct mankind towards the Divine Truth; it tells that Muhammad [s] is the promised one in Jewish and Christian scriptures; he is not the prophet for Muslims alone, for Jews and Christians equally!

Kazi Miah is a retired Major from the Bangladesh Army; He served in two UN engagements as Planner and in Key Coordinating Position in the Mission HQ; He obtained a Diploma from US Army. He did his Masters from the University of Sydney; Kazi Miah is a published author of 3 Major works; He is currently working as an Operations Manager in a Production Company based in Sydney.

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Al Amanah College celebrated its 20th anniversary

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Be good to others and Allah will be good to you Sheikh Emad Hamdy

Ayman Alwan Al Amanah College 20thAnniversary Business Dinner was held on Friday 23 November in the school’s Grand Hall at the Liverpool campus attended by Staff members, student Alumni representatives, parents and guests including members of parliament, Council representatives, local NSW Police Area Commanders, media representatives and community leaders.

As in previous years, staff and teachers were recognised for their hard work and commitment to the school beyond their normal duties.

The evening’s formal events began with a beautiful Qur’an recitation by Mohammad Hazarvi, Year 12 graduate and hafiz followed by a magnificent performance by the School choir of the school and national anthems.

The School Head and founding Principal Mr Mohamad El Dana, delivered a welcoming speech. Mr El Dana reminisced on Al

Amanah’s journey over the past 20 years.

The Chairman of Darulfatwa Islamic High Council of Australia, Dr Sheikh Salim Alwan Al-Hussainiy spoke about the importance of acquiring Islamic knowledge and remaining steadfast on the path of Prophet Muhammad (s). He thanked Al Amanah for all their hard work in supporting and educating our community.

ICPA President and Al Amanah College first Chairman, Mr Mohamad Mehio also delivered a speech thanking the community for their support in making Al Amanah a success.

Member of NSW Legislative Assembly, Mr Paul Lynch, MP for Liverpool and Ms Melanie Gibbons, MP for Holsworthy representing Minister for Education also addressed the evening’s guests.

Al Amanah College’s special guest, Sheikh Ghanem Jalloul, a linguist and a scholar in Arabic literature, composed and delivered a poem marking this special occasion.

The Business Dinner guests were enlightened with a special Video Projection showcasing Al Amanah’s growth over the past 20 years. It highlighted the college’s growth, culture and values in many different ways.

A special presentation of a Performance Poetry was also delivered by Al Amanah students. The school’s Islamic chanting band made up of a number of very enthusiastic young boys and girls led by Sheikh Chadi Alkasem Al Azhary performed wonderful chants celebrating the occasion of the birth of Prophet Muhammad (s).

The final speaker for the night was Jasmine Homaysi, a 2007 graduate and school captain. Jasmine gave a moving speech about the teachers and how they have had a positive effect on her life and her journey.

The evening continued with an Award Ceremony during which staff and community members were recognised for their hard work and commitment. In conclusion to an eventful evening, a buffet dinner was enjoyed by all staff members and guests marking 20 years of success at Al Amanah College.

Ayman Alwan JP is the Principal of Al Amanah College. He is a high-performing executive with more than 15 years of Education experience. He has in-depth knowledge of education operations at all levels.

Ayman is highly passionate about teaching, learning, teamwork and team building.

In one of the well-known traceable supplication reported by one of the companions in which Prophet Mohammad (s) said “O Allah! Grant a good end to all our matters and save us from humiliation in the world and the punishment of the hereafter. (Musnad Ahmed).

In this article, I will talk about the reasons and means that can protect Muslim from the disgrace, shame, and humiliation in the Dunya (this life).

Basically, in most of the cases, getting the answer for your supplication (dua)requires some practical steps that make you eligible for an answer.

Before asking Allah’s mercy for yourself, you have to show your mercy to Allah’s creation first. When you ask Allah to forgive your shortcomings, forgive the shortcomings of others. Before asking your Lord to give, try to give first and Allah will compensate you in return.

Likewise, to ask Allah to protect you from humiliation, loss and regret in this Dunya, you should perform good deeds and develop noble character.

In order to achieve this, you must be careful to create the qualities of six workable traits that were mentioned by Lady Khadija (r) the wife of the Prophet in her response to the prophet when he came terrified from the cave of Hira as a result of seeing the Angel of the revelation for the first time.

He (s) said to his beloved wife “ O, Khadija, what is wrong with me, I’m worried about myself”, and then he told her about what had happened to him at that night at Hira.

Inspiring with her innate faith, she did not share any of these fears. She realized that something tremendous had happened to her husband, and she was certain, knowing him as she did, that he was neither mad nor possessed.

“Do not worry,” she said to him confidently, “for, by Him who has dominion over Khadijah’s soul, I hope that you are the Prophet of this nation. Allah would never humiliate you, for you are good to your relatives, you are true to your word, you help those who are in need, you support the weak, you feed the guest and you answer the call of those who are in distress.”

“No, Allah would ever put you down, because you have the qualities of perfection and high morals,” she said.

The Prophet (s) was kind and dutiful to his relatives through giving to the one who deprived him, forgiving the one who oppressed him and behaving well to someone who behaved badly towards him.

He (s) was constantly in the help of the poor, the orphans, and those who have been unable to do the necessities of their lives.

Accordingly, if you are looking for Allah’s help and protection, and if you are seeking for the success in this life, you should adhere to these traits and hold on to them side by side with your supplication (dua) to Allah.

Sheikh Emad Hamdy is the Imam at Cabramatta Mosque, South West Sydney, operated by LMA. He has a High Degree in Islamic studies in English from Alazhar university in Egypt and has served as an Imam in the Alawkaf in Egypt for 13 years.

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Down turn in Australian property prices FINANCE Dr Abul Jalaluddin Australians love home ownership and investment in real estate. The unsustainable growth in property prices during the last decade or so has decreased affordability, adversely impacting on the level of home ownership in the country.

According to the census 2016, the rate of home ownership in Australia decreased from 67% in 2011 to 65% in 2016. Homeownership rate in Australia averaged 68.85% from 1966 until 2016, reaching an all-time high of 71.40% in 1966 and a record low of 65% in 2016.

Tasmania has the highest rate of home ownership at 70% and the Northern Territory the lowest at 46%. However, the level of Australian home ownership is still one of the highest in the World.

House and unit prices in the Australian major cities are on the decline during the last two years. In October 2018, AMP produced a forecast that house prices in Sydney and Melbourne are expected to fall up to 20%, with predicted losses of 5% per annum until 2020.

This forecast, if materialises, would take the average home prices back to the first half of 2015 levels. House prices in Sydney are expected to suffer the most as the annual price falls in Sydney have so far reached 6.3%, while Melbourne has declined by 4% in 2018.

Recently, Morgan Stanley also released a forecast that Sydney and Melbourne house prices will fall by 10% to 15%.

Price declines are not uniform across various regions of a capital city. In Sydney,

home prices have taken the biggest hit from September 2017 to September 2018 but some suburbs in various regions across the city are experiencing price rises.

In the Canterbury-Bankstown region, prices increased in Bankstown (6.6%), Milperra (3.2%) and Greenacre (3%). Growth in prices is seeing in suburbs of other regions of Sydney such as Inner West, North West, Upper North Shore, lower North Shore, Northern Beaches, city and South West.

A price crash, loosely defined as a 20%

or more decline in national average home prices, in the Australian real estate sector is unlikely. This is due to the facts that interest rates are at historically low levels, the rate of unemployment is low, the construction approvals are falling and the level of immigration is not collapsing.

A number of regulatory and market forces caused the recent downturn in home and unit prices. In December 2014, Australian Prudential Regulatory Authority (APRA) enacted a credit growth limit of 10% for loans

to investment properties, which served its purpose in reducing demand for investment loans.

This restriction was hence removed as of 30 June 2018. In March 2017, APRA imposed a limit on the flow of new interest-only loans to 30% of total new residential mortgage lending. Within this limit, APRA required strict internal controls on the volume of interest-only lending at loan-to-value ratios (LVRs) above 80% and ensured there is strong scrutiny and justification of any instances of interest-only lending at an LVR above 90%.

The legislation to the cutback in foreign demand from Chinese investors, which is down by 70% since 2015, is responsible for a dent in property prices. These policy measures have had and are currently having a profound impact in downward pressure on home prices in Australia.

Possible changes to negative gearing and capital gains tax, if Labor wins the next election, will also have a major drag on property prices.

In the current real estate lending market, there are forces driving down home prices such as fallout from the Royal Commission into banking, tightened credit conditions through serviceability matrix, supply rises from existing constructions and a negative feedback loop from falling prices. In addition, auction clearance rates are constantly declining in capital cities, which fell to just 50.7% in late October 2018.

Home price stability and affordability significantly contribute to the social well-being of Australian populace. It is a good economic condition for home buyers including first home buyers who are the future Australians to drive up productivity in this country.

Dr Abul Jalaluddin is an Islamic Finance expert, taxation advisor and a regular columnist for AMUST. He is based in Sydney.

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Suraya Daly

Reza Aslan Dr Susan Carland SBS “Child Genius” “God, A Human History”

The all-rounder, high achieving prominent figure in Australian media really needs no introduction. The media personality, academic, mother-of-two and former Australian Muslim of the Year adds to her list of credentials with her new project as host and quiz master of the new SBS series Child Genius. Child Genius follows Australia’s cleverest 7 to 12 year-olds and their extraordinary families as they compete for the title of Australia’s brightest child. Child Genius provides unique insight into the joys and challenges of parenting a gifted child.

As one half of Australia’s most recognised Muslim couples, Dr Carland is truly a role model as not only a well-known media personality who has appeared on a number of television and radio appearances as well as print publications, but she has also made a name for herself in academia. She is a sociologist and lecturer at Melbourne’s Monash University having completed a PhD in the School of Political and Social Inquiry with her thesis titled ‘Fighting Hislam’ about

how Muslim women fight sexism, which was published as a book in 2017.

Bachar Houli

“The Bachar Houli Cup and the Bachar Houli Academy”

Making waves in the Australian sporting world, Australian rules football player Bachar Houli for Richmond is the first devout Muslim to play AFL. Born on May 12 1988, Bachar is one of the official Australia Post AFL Multicultural Ambassadors. The TLA Worldwide website, a global sports marketing agency, describes Bachar’s skills as “one of Richmond’s most experienced and reliable defenders.” He can play purely defensive as well as rebound and provide attack for his team.

Bachar has played 170 games in his AFL career. It all started when Houli was drafted

by Essendon in 2006 NAB AFL Draft at selection 42 as a Vic Metro under 16 and 18 representative. 2017 was a stand-out year for Houli, playing 21 games across the year and averaging 23.6 disposals and 3.6 tackles a game. As a significant player in Richmond’s 2017 premiership and success, Bachar was recognised as one of the best performers of the Grand Final. Houli has been named an inaugural winner ofthe Award for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding from the University of South Australia’s Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding. In his ambassador role, The Bachar Houli Cup, an inter-Islamic schools football competition involving Islamic schools across Victo-

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ria, as well as the Bachar Houli Academy, were established to nurture young Islamic footballers aspiring to follow in Houli’s footsteps as a footballer and a person.

AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES

Well-respected in the American media scene, Iran-born American Reza Aslan is an internationally renowned writer, commentator, professor, producer, and scholar of religions. He is often interviewed and featured in American radio and television programmes as well as in websites and in print media, most recently for his latest book God, A Human History. The book explores humanity’s quest to make sense of the divine, and sounds a call to embrace a deeper more expansive understanding of God. He discussed his book with Houston Matters, a public affairs show, where the show’s host Craig Cohen describes the book as “attempting to accessibly narrate the human history of religion.”

Reza has also written the number one New York Times Bestseller Zealot: The Life and Times of Jesus of Nazareth. Accomplished across all media platforms, he has also been a Consulting Producer on an acclaimed HBO series entitled The Leftovers as well as being the host of two original television programmes: Rough Draft with Reza Aslan which premiered on Ovation and CNN’s documentary series Believer. Aslan’s academic achievements include a Bachelor of Arts in Religious Studies from Santa Clara University with a major focus on New Testament, a Master of Theological Studies

from Harvard University with a major focus on the History of Religions, a PhD in the Sociology of Religions from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a Master of Fine Arts from the University of Iowa. He is a tenured Professor of Creative Writing at the University of California, Riverside, and lives in Los Angeles with his wife, author and entrepreneur Jessica Jackley and their three sons.

Yalda Hakim “Impact on BBC News”

An idol of mine in the journalism field, Yalda Hakim graced our TV screens for many years on SBS, mainly known as a reporter for the program Dateline. The Afghanistan-born beauty had humble beginnings when her family fled Kabul on horseback after the Soviet Union invaded and her father faced conscription. Her family was sponsored to Australia after two years in a refugee camp in Pakistan, arriving here when Yalda was three-years-old.

Yalda has a unique approach to reporting which has set her apart from other female journalists.

She has a strategy of truly getting to know her subjects, stepping in their shoes and being approachable; seeing herself as one of them.

Yalda feels she is often underestimated because of her female appearance, but she uses this to her advantage to tell her stories.

This has earned her global television success and many fans.

Yalda has worked with BBC News since 2013, hosting a daily rolling news programme called Impact.

Her work with the BBC has seen her pro-

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duce documentaries as part of the Our World series and travel the world over in countries including South Sudan, Afghanistan, Mexico, Ghana, Sweden and Indonesia.

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@IlhanMN

A racist left graffiti in Walthamstow, London, and this is how the community responded <3

Billboard on James Ruse Dr, Sydney quoting Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) saying: “The best among you is the one who does not harm others with his tongue and hands.”

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