Issue 133 December 2016

MUSLIM

AUSTRALASIAN

Multimedia News & Views

ISSN: 1039-2300

AMUST

Print Post Publication No. 100021354

Print edition published Monthly on first Friday with Website updates

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Issue # 133

Chair in Islamic Studies

COMMUNITY PAGE 9

December 2016; Rabi’ul Awwal 1438

Coffee with Sherene at Islamic Museum

AUSTRALIA PAGE 11

$1.00

Euthanasia’s silent inroads EDUCATION PAGE 20

Orphans perform at HAIA 25th anniversary Zia Ahmad Human Appeal International Australia marked its 25th anniversary by organising a Family Day Out for community members followed by a Gala Dinner for invited guests on Sunday 27 November at Waterview Bicentennial Park within the Sydney Olympic Park.

International performers, comedians and nasheed singers entertained more than 2000 members of the public that also included surprise performances by Australian sponsored orphans from Sudan and Jordan.

Overseas guests included public speaker Yusuf Estes from USA, English nasheed singer Khaled Siddiq from UK, Arabic nasheed singer Abdulfattah Owainat from Jordan and stand-up comedian Mo Amer from USA. The highlight of the evening was the introduction and performance by Asoar Adam from Khartoum, Sudan who was sponsored under the Human Appeal orphan sponsorship program at the age of 6. Now a young woman pursuing her studies as a medical student in Sudan, Asour met her sponsors on stage, exchanged gifts and read a moving poem (Qaseeda) that brought tears to the audience.

Another two sponsored orphans flown in from Jordan, Mohammad, 14 and Ibrahim 9 performed a nasheed together on stage and said how happy they were to visit Australia, the country of their sponsors.

Bashar Al-Jamal, the Director of Human Appeal International Australia, during his welcome speech highlighted the great achievements of HAIA since its foundation in 1991 and raising of 126 million during the last 25 years from Australian donors to help the needy in all parts of the world. continues on page 3

Human Appeal International - Australia sponsored orphan brothers from Jordan, Mohammad and Ibrahim Owaimer perform a song about having a father figure in their lives on Sunday 27 November 2016 at Sydney Olympic Park.

Dutton under heavy criticism Abu Anees

Khawaja shines in the Australian Team

The Minster for Immigration, Peter Dutton has been heavily criticised for his comments that it was a mistake to admit Muslim Lebanese during the early seventies from war-torn Lebanon.

The state member for Lakemba and Shadow Minister of Education Jihad Dib commented ‘I am part of the so-called mistakes’.

Mr Dib arrived in Australia as a young child during the early 1970’s from war-torn Lebanon.

Mr Dutton’s exact words during an interview by Andrew Bolt, a right-wing columnist on Sky News were “Well clearly, Andrew, if there is a particular problem that people can point to within a certain community, if we’re talking about a significant number of people within that community who are doing the wrong thing, then clearly mistakes have been made in the past. And the reality

Usman Khawaja has cemented his position in the Australian cricket team as the top batsman, playing in position 3 in the batting line up, by being the top run scorer during the recently completed three test series against South Africa.

He top scored a total of 314 runs with an average of 52.33 with a superb match winning knock of 145 as an opening batsman for Australia earning him the Player of the Match award.

South Africa won the series 2-1 where the last match played in Adelaide was won by Australia breaking a losing streak of five matches.

Khawaja admitted that it was a tough series with good balance between bat and ball and praised South Africa for putting up a great performance in the series.

Zia Ahmad

is that Malcolm Fraser did make mistakes in bringing some people in the 1970s and we’re seeing that today. And we need to be honest in having that discussion.”

In effect he said that it was a mistake to bring in Lebanese Muslims in the 1970s, because over the course of three generations, 22 of them were charged with terrorist related offences. continues on page 3

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Khawaja is considered as one of the hottest batsmen in world cricket in all formats of the game where he has reinvented himself from being a test cricketer to a flexible batman who can adjust to one day as well as to the compressed format of game, T20. continues on page 3

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EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

NEWS

SOCIAL 23

Orphans perform at HAIA 25th anniversary Continued from page 1 The 25th anniversary program was managed by the Master of Ceremony duo, Ms Tasnim Saeid and Mr Omar Al-Jamal and commenced with the recitation of Quran by Sheikh Khaled Zreika.

The acknowledgement of traditional owners of the land was given by Mr Graham Davis King together with a performance on Didgeridoo, an indigenous Australian musical instrument, followed by the national anthem.

There were a number of video presentations with a time line of 25 years that highlighting the great achievements of HAIA as well as testimonials by a variety of community leaders from all over Australia and all

walks of life regarding their appreciation of services rendered by Human Appeal.

Local speakers included Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohammed, the Grand Mufti of Australia as well as Mr Jihad Dib, the state member of Parliament for Lakemba and Shadow Minster for Education.

Mr Dib who arrived as a young child with his parents in Australia during the early seventies, highly commended HAIA as a success story in building Muslim service institutions in Australia. He gave his example that Muslims in Australia have the potential to be high achievers in serving our nation as well as helping out to the unfortunate ones overseas.

Maghreb prayer in congregation led by

the Mufti was offered in between the program on the outside lawn area followed by a well catered dinner.

An exhibition of images was organised for the guests highlighting the services rendered by HAIA globally with sustained aid projects helping all humanity irrespective of their faith, colour or geographical location.

In addition to being an aid organisation, HAI has initiated a number of unique projects including Sounds of Light festivals on an yearly basis, HSC high achievers awards, Aspiring Leaders Umrah Program, bushfire relief efforts and the Human Appeal Living & Giving store. .

AMUST

AMUST Issue # 133 Friday 2 December 2016; 1 Rabi’ul-Awwal 1438 News

1-4

- HAIA 25th Anniversary - Khawaja Shines in Australian Team - Dutton Under Heavy Criticism

Boomerang

5-7

- Fearmongering to Win Elections - The Quran Walking Under Attack - Weakaning Race-Hate Laws

8 - 10

Community

- Risalah Symposium and Awards - Chair in Islamic Studies - Spirituality Through Art

Australia

11 - 12

- Coffee With Sherene - JCMA Friendship Walk - Multicultural Peace Cup

Lifestyle

13 - 15

- Great Cycle Challenge Raises $3 Million for Cancer Research - Muslim Rights in Islam

Ummah

16 - 18

- FECCA Calls for Restraint - Muslim Radio Award - Mosque Hate Letter

Education

19 - 21

- Euthanasia Making Silent Inroads - Forgiveness: A Gift We Can Afford - The Divine Attributes of Allah

Business

22

- Halal Tourism worth US$238 Billion - AMUST Classifieds

Social

Bashar Al-Jamal, Director of Human Appeal International - Australia (centre) with Issam Chaouk (centre-left) and Mostapha Omari (centre-right) together with other team members at the HAIA 25th Anniversary celebrations.

23

- #SackDutton - Islam and Domestic Violence

Khawaja shines in the Australian Team AMUST Team Continued from page 1 Khawaja is an Aussie of Pakistani origin, born in Islamabad, Pakistan and emigrated with his family when he was a child. His typical batting technique represents his sub-continental heritage, full or wristy flicks of the bat that has added another dimension to Australia’s batting line-up.

The first Aussie Muslim cricketer to represent Australian national side when he debuted against England in a much-heated Ashes series of 2010-11 when Michael Slater said, “This is the first century for Australia by a Muslim.”

This Muslim has gone on to make many more centuries for Australia since then and made a permanent spot in position 3 batting line up in the Australian cricket team.

Khawaja has displayed faith as an integral

part of himself, and has been comfortable and not shy in talking about it.

Besides being a cricketer, Khawaja is a qualified commercial and instrument rated

pilot, completing a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation before making his test debut and attaining his basic pilot licence before getting his driving licence.

Dutton under heavy criticism Continued from page 1 Mr Dib further added “I was bitterly disappointed by the Minister’s comments, but I was even more disappointed by the Prime Minister’s lack of leadership in not condemning what was said. Really it seemed he was quite supportive of what was being said.”

The Prime Minister, showing his utter weakness, although declined to endorse the comments, said that Dutton was “entitled” to reflect “on policies many years ago”.

The Lebanese Muslim Association released a statement condemning his remarks as racist and accusing him towards an immigration policy based on racial and religious profiling.

Many prominent second and third generation Lebanese Australians have condemned the blatantly racist remarks by Mr Peter Dutton.

Mr Dutton has failed to understand that

December 2016

Managing Editor: Zia Ahmad Graphic Designer: Rubinah Ahmad Chief Adviser: Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad Multimedia Journalist: Mobinah Ahmad Columnist: Dr Abul Jalaluddin (Finance) Columnist: Bilal Cleland (Victoria) Columnist: Manarul Islam (ACT) Columnist: Dr Daud Batchelor (Brisbane) Columnist: Anne Fairbairn (Sydney) Promotion: Dr Wali Bokhari Web Developer: Shadow Approved Multimedia: iMoby Productions Printers: Spotpress Pty Ltd Distributers: Wrapaway Transport 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, Kamrul Zaman, Sakinah Ahmad, Anjum Rafiqi, Hasan Fazeel, Dr Quasim, Ismail Hossain, Hanif Bismi, Zohair Ahmad, Luqman Landy.

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

Email: info@amust.com.au Ph:(02) 8006 2063; Fax: 9823 3626

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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.

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UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

BOOMERANG

SOCIAL 23

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Fearmongering, a sure way to win elections Weakening race-hate laws Political opportunists are increasingly Party keep on exploiting Islamophobia and winning elections in democratically gov- vilify Islam and demonise Muslims from erned countries using tactics of fearmon- time to time taking their cues from conflicts in the Middle East, issue of foreign fighters gering at the expense of minorities.

Historically, the Nazis gained popularity or few random acts of so called terrorism in amongst German masses by demonising Australia.

In the largest democracy, India, Narendra Jews earlier last century with Hitler coming to power resulting in World War II and Modi came to power and remains in power by exploiting the religious prejudices of the Holocaust.

In contemporary times, more and more the Hindu majority by demonising Indian politicians are using divisive politics to Muslims and projecting Pakistan as an arch gain votes by demonising minority groups enemy.

With the backdrop of terrorism and in the society. war on terror in the Middle East John Howard, a recycled Liberal Party leader got lucky and won EDITORIAL and now the constant waves of refugees from war-torn countries the federal election in 1996, not Assalamu seeking safe havens in Europe, on his own merits but as a reAlaikum the far right parties in UK and sult of overconfidence and arroGreetings Europe are playing on the fear gance of Paul Keating. of the electorate and gaining inIn 1998, with all polls indicatof Peace creasing number of votes during ing a sure win by the Labor Party elections. led by Kim Beazly, John Howard Brexit or withdrawal of UK from the employed the divisive political tactics and using his “children overboard” slogan European Union spearheaded by right wing demonised the refugees, thereby creating populism is yet another example of this fear in the electorate and not only won the fearmongering. The latest example from election that year but also the subsequent Europe of the success of far-right parties is elections in 2001 and 2004, thanks to the the emergence of Francois Fillon who won events of 9/11 and wars in Afghanistan and the nomination for the Republican’s presidential runoff held on 27 November 2016.

Iraq.

George W Bush who won the PresidenOne Nation Party led by Pauline Hanson gained political significance during the 90s cy of US in January 2001 in a close and claiming that Australia was being swamped controversial election against Al Gore was

by Asians. In the last federal election, this re-elected again in 2004 against John Keryear, One Nation won several senate seats ry, thanks to the climate of fear due to war recycling itself for saving Australia from a on terror.

The most significant result of divisive takeover by Muslims.

Several politicians in the Federal Liberal politics has been the surprise election of

Readers comments

One of them was a Palestinian Christian Re: Sydney man blessed with who I met in Baghdad when I was a guest cancer…

A grand salute to Ali for what he is doing.

Hope he reaches his funding goal on time and is able to achieve what he set out for.

I’ll share this article with my friends.

Thanks Yusra for taking the time to cover the story of Ali Banat.

Jenny Ortiz

Re: Coffee with Sherene at Islamic Museum

It was a wonderful initiative. The sad thing is that this reached a mere fraction of the hundreds of thousands if not millions who were influenced by the fear-mongering of Sonia Kruger and others. We could excuse Sonia for being ignorant but there are others who deliberately spread this poisonous fear and hate. While these have control of the media megaphone of hate we have to fight these battles a few people and one event like this at a time. That makes it a very uphill battle indeed.

Gary Dargan

at the Annual Poetry festival which used to be held annually in Baghdad and to which I was always invited. His name was Jabra Ibrahim Jabra.

He translated many English works into Arabic, He produced about seventy books including his own work and translated novels and poetry - his own work has been translated into more than twelve languages.

Once I asked him “what is your definition of a truly civilized person?”

Lydia Shelly

Donald Trump as President of the United States of America this year.

Trump has been very open in his views as a racist, Islamophobic, anti-Hispanic, anti-women and anti-minorities, but he very successfully created fear in the electorate in middle America in order to just get enough votes to become the President of the most powerful and wealthy nation on earth.

It seems that Canada has been the only country that has resisted the fearmongering by opportunistic politicians where the electorate has shown great intelligence and maturity and elected Justin Trudeau as the Prime Minister who together with his Liberal Party successfully contested the elections on inclusive politics, multiculturalism and a united, peaceful and compassionate world.

ZI Ahmad He answered “The one who makes the leap to the other’s mind - The one who is aware of the other.”

This is particularly important if the other is angry. So Western leaders should ask the people in the Middle East ‘Why are you angry?”. There are so many reasons for their anger.

Anne Fairbairn AM Sydney 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

Tragedy of Palestine- The loss of Eden

A new lawsuit notes that the State Department approved the export of more than 47 million rounds of ammunition to Israel between 2007 and 2009. That was enough to “injure or kill every Palestinian living under occupation 10 times over,” according to the lawsuit.

Filed in a district court in Washington, DC, the complaint argues that by sending military aid and approving weapons sales to Israel, the US is violating its own legislation.

I am afraid that with the election of Donald Trump as US President, Palestinians will get even more marginalised. David Friedman, an American Jew, is Trump’s senior advisor about Israel, who does not believe that annexing the West Bank will compromise Israel’s democratic character, nor does he believe that Jewish settlements on further Palestinian lands are an obstacle to peace.

This causes grave concern among many people particularly in the Arab world.

I have personally known a number of Palestinians who I admire.

December 2016

Have your say

The Racial Discrimination Act 1975 makes it against the law for people to treat you unfairly because of your race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status.

The Australian Government under the leadership of Malcolm Turnbull, are attempting to water-down section 18C of the Act which would further expose minority communities to discrimination and hate speech. This would include the Australian Muslim community.

The Keating Government in 1995 introduced Section 18C of the Act, making it unlawful to “offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate” a person based on their race or ethnicity.

Former Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, also supported the push to repeal section 18C. Instead of championing the rights of those who are regularly exposed to discrimination and racism, our Government supports the notion espoused by the Attorney-General George Brandis; that is that “people do have a right to be bigots”.

Many supporters who wish to water down or repeal section 18C mischievously assert that the Act is an obstacle to free speech.

This is baseless and without any merit whatsoever.

Section 18D of the Act says that the following things are not against the law if they are “done reasonably and in good faith” in: • an artistic work or performance – for example, a play in which racially offensive attitudes are expressed by a character.

• a statement, publication, discussion or debate made for genuine academic or scientific purposes – for example, discussing and debating public policy such as immigration, multiculturalism or special measures for particular groups.

• making a fair and accurate report on a matter of public interest – for example, a fair report in a newspaper about racially offensive conduct.

• making a fair comment, if the comment is an expression of a person’s genuine belief.

The Act and arguments pushing for 18C protections to be watered down is nothing more than a “culture war” and if the amendments being pushed by the Australian Government are successful, will leave minority communities in Australia further at risk of being discriminated against on the basis of their race, colour, descent, national or ethnic origin or immigrant status being.

This is an abhorrent concept far removed from our collective Australian values and in the words of Labor Senator Pat Dodson, is a “creep back to bigotry and racism”. The Australian Government’s obsession with weakening “race-hate” laws is occurring within the context of their own Ministers racially vilifying fellow Australians based on their descent, national or ethnic origin.

Minister for Immigration, Peter Dutton has recently made comments attacking the great grandchildren of Lebanese refugees which came to Australia in the 1970’s and implied terrorists have a specific ethnic/racial profile (that is, Lebanese).

Of course, it is befitting of the Australian Government in their attempt to water down the laws that offer Australians a slither of protection against racist hate speech, to call for submissions without any public consultation, advertising and in a very limited amount of time in the lead up to Christmas.

Submissions to the enquiry regarding the Act need to be submitted by 9 December 2016, yet the Australian Government have not run any advertisements or publicised the submission deadline or the process.

Lydia Shelly is a the Principal Solicitor of Shelly Legal law firm and a community advocate.

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EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

BOOMERANG

SOCIAL 23

AMUST

The Quran Walking still under attack Bilal Cleland All Muslims must be aware of the life and example of Prophet Muhammad as we enter into the post-Trump, postOne Nation era.

We are in a period in which Islam is coming under a sustained attack from the forces of white supremacy and neo-Nazism which are battling to influence the attitudes of the community. It seems incredible that millions of American citizens should have voted for an anti-Mexican, anti-Muslim, anti-immigrant, reality TV personality without a coherent political platform.

Here in Australia only 4% voted for the One Nation Party but it has its supporters in the governing party of the Commonwealth and is determined to make inroads in state elections.

The rise of these monocultural supremacists makes the formerly relatively subdued racists in the community feel empowered.

They feel more confident about verbal and physical assaults and are sufficiently emboldened to call for terrorist actions on social media, with apparently few consequences.

Already we hear that the situation for Muslims in the Trump USA is worse than after the 9/11 atrocity. The case of a Muslim being firebombed in his car on a freeway is one of the outrageous crimes which has

been widely reported.

Wherever some mentally disturbed person with a Muslim name carries out some criminal act, it is widely reported in the media as a Muslim crime, for which all Muslims are in some way held responsible.

In this atmosphere it is very important that Muslims become informed about their religion beyond their searches on Google and what they have been told by “someone.”

The attack upon the faith, when it is mounted by the Islamophobic professionals, now being treated as credible sources of information about Islam by some of the newly appointed coterie around Trump, is usually aimed at half baked propaganda about “shariah law” and the personality of Prophet Muhammad (s).

It is our responsibility as Muslims to be informed of the exemplary character of the Prophet, of his life and his example to the ummah. There has been sustained denigration of the Quran walking from the earliest days of Islam and this twisting of truth is still going on today. The assaults upon him are vicious and merciless. Unless we are informed of the reality of his life, lived in historical time, unlike previous prophets, we are letting down our way of life.

We should understand and be able to explain how his example of patience, his respect for all people, his opposition to racism and notions of tribal superiority, his willingness to engage in consultation in decision making, his humbleness and forbearance in the face of personal tragedy, are the characteristics which won him mass support 1400

years ago and why he is still loved.

His leniency was also another of his outstanding characteristics. As was recorded in a hadith “He, who does not get enraged and demonstrates lenience and patience, will be the recipient of the love of Allah.” Muhammad (s) also stated: “Allah is gentle and soft, and likes gentleness and softness in every deed.” His example makes him a model of behavior for the people of God conscious-

More ‘Freedom of Speech’ to harass minorities Dr Daud Batchelor

The Attorney-General George Brandis while proposing to water-down the Racial Discrimination Act (RDA) 1975 in 2014, famously said, “People do have the right to be bigots” – what for many seemed a shocking statement.

A “bigot” is intolerant towards those holding different opinions, often regards members of certain racial, ethnic or religious groups with hatred and intolerance; while that person’s own beliefs are often unreasonable or excessively narrow-minded. The Qur’an however teaches, “Let not hatred of a people swerve you from justice (5:8) “even against yourselves” (4:135).

Surely, in a sane society, people need to be tolerant and understand each other while still being forthright to criticise shortcomings. The RDA permits this, except as stated in Article 18C where a public act is reasonably likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate another person or group and is done because of their race, colour, national or ethnic origin. It is mitigated by exemptions in 18D such as any genuine academic, artistic, scientific or other genuine purpose in the public interest.

After the Federal Elections, big journalist ‘guns’ in the powerful elite Murdoch media group, which controls 70% of Australian capital city newspapers and sizeable interests in national broadcasting, have repeatedly hammered 18C claiming it hinders free speech. However, what are at stake are harmonious relations between all Australians and protection for vulnerable groups, such as Aborigines, Muslims and Jews.

Media power can be seen in the last elections where the LNP government was elected by a bare 0.75% margin of the popular vote. The ALP would probably have won Government if not for heavy criticism of

December 2016

ness, the people of Taqwa, today.

One useful reference on his life is by Martin Lings “Muhammad; his life based on the earliest sources” published by the Islamic Texts Society, George Allen and Unwin, London 1983.

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

As the two strings wrap around Fazlul Huq

Labour by the Murdoch media before polling day, which itself provided an estimated 2% swing against Labour. It is dangerous if greater power through 18C amendments is given for certain elites to conduct unreasonable, unbalanced attacks against vulnerable minorities.

Human Rights Commission President, Gillian Triggs should have advised the Aboriginal litigant in the QUT case earlier that there was no merit in her case. Negative consequences led Malcolm Turnbull to announce recently a parliamentary enquiry

Muslims and other mi“norities should stand vig-

ilant to ensure protection remains with Article 18C

”

to recommend whether the law should be changed.

Many defend Bill Leak’s right in The Australian cartoons to stereotype outback Aboriginal men, especially the one where a drinking Aboriginal father asks a policeman what his own son’s name is. Although the message contains some truth, it is unbalanced as it does not consider the historical negative role mainstream society itself provided in weakening traditional Aboriginal

society, culture and religion, including respected institutions of the family and tribal leadership - through warfare, eviction, and forcibly removing children from parents.

This weakening, as well as promotion by some mainstream politicians and businessmen to introduce alcohol and gaming into isolated Aboriginal communities was often fatal for well-being. Such cartoons will likely have more negative consequences than positives for rural Aboriginal identity. The Australian rarely publishes opponents’ criticism. Reasonably, should Australia permit such unbalanced cartoons; or alternatively, ensure meaningful redress for offended parties to publish widely their rebuttals?

Muslims and other minorities should stand vigilant to ensure protection remains with Article 18C to safeguard against vilification. Professor Triggs rightly suggested the words “insult” and “offend” be replaced with “vilify” so as to strengthen the Act. Judge Ron Sackville’s idea to proscribe language that degrades, intimidates or incites hatred or contempt, also holds merit.

Dr Daud Batchelor, holds an MA in Islamic and Other Civilisations and a Diploma in Islamic Studies from the International Islamic University Malaysia, PhD from University of Malaya, MSc from the University of London.

www.amust.com.au

As the two strings wrap around the common axis formed in the tapestry of the mind, They pair through the bonds made in love and affection, But as the heat from the prose of life Constantly keeps it in motion in terms of the oscillation or even the translate, The love can turn into dislike or hate!

So it is on the walk of life but disown not the goodness, Lest you trap into bottomless quicksand, Without any escape or the way out!

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 1400 compositions in Bengali and English and has also been involved in various community projects.

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Sydney Risalah Symposium and awards Mehar Ahmad The Islamic Sciences & Research Academy (ISRA) organised its annual Risala Symposium titled “Reclaiming our Humanity” on Saturday 5 November 2016 at Bryan Brown Theatre, Bankstown.

The symposium event also included the award night for the competition on “‘Everyone’s Talking about Him’, highlighting various aspects of Prophet Mohammad’s (s) personality and teachings.

Two guest speakers, Dr Suleyman Sertkaya, lecturer at ISRA Melbourne and Hajjah Maha Abdo, CEO of the Muslim Women’s Association spoke on the topic “Mohammad, an advocate of Human Rights & Freedoms”.

The event, attended by more than 300 guests, with MC Muhammad Cengic started with the recitation of Quran by Suhail Noor.

The finalists in the competition in each category were called to the stage one group at a time and winners were announced to-

Dr Suleyman Sertkaya, lecturer at ISRA Melbourne.

Hajjah Maha Abdo, CEO of the Muslim Women’s Association. gether with the presentation of awards as advocate of human rights even before his tion of the Prophet’s teachings in the high well as a brief talk, presentation or video of prophethood and his words, life and teach- school category were won by Samira Din the various entries from winners. ings hold us to the highest standards in prac- & students (1st $800), Musfirah Khalil During his lecture, Dr Sertkaya stated that ticing human rights. and Beyza Yaman (2nd $400) and Sohayb Prophet Mohammad (s) was a passionate He pointed out that his establishment of Badaui (3rd $200). the Constitution of Madinah and his FareThe awards for poetry about the Prophet well Sermon embody the charter of human in adult category were won by Kristi-Lee rights, many centuries prior to the Universal Constantine (1st), Semra Avciogullari (2nd) Declaration of Human Rights. and Nadia Mahmutovic (3rd).

Hajjah Maha Abdo highlighted the posiThe awards for video regarding promotion of Prophet Mohammad (s) as “Mercy tion of the Prophet’s teachings in the adult to Worlds” and his practice of kindness and category were won by Fatima Dudu & compassion for humanity throughout his en- Deepa Alam (1st), and Mayday Elkheir & tire life. friends (2nd).

She said that we can reclaim our humanThe program concluded with presentation ity by studying the life of the Prophet and of gifts to speakers and vote of thanks by A/ practicing his teachings in our contempo- Prof Mehmet Ozalp and a dua by Dr Salih rary world.

Yucel.

The monetary awards for letters to the Prophet in the primary school category Mehar Ahmad is a school teacher based in were won by Zara Banoori (1st $250), Sal- Sydney and the President of Seena Incorpoiha Yildiz (2nd $250) and Yunus Jamil (3rd rated, publishers of the Australasian Mus$100). lim Times.

The awards for poetry about the Prophet in the primary school category were won by Amna Khan (1st $250), Omar Serhan (2nd $250) and Salem Ipek (3rd $100).

The awards for poetry about the Proph$20 for 12 issues et in the high school category were won

by Rawan Abdel-Salam (1st $400), Manal Visit Khan (2nd $250) and Zehra Nezvat (3rd amust.com.au $150). /subscribers The awards for video regarding promoBeyza Yaman and Musfirah Khalil receiving a certificate for their video.

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‘Reclaiming our Humanity’ symposium and awards: Melbourne

Omer A Ergi

ISRA Melbourne hosted the awards ceremony for ‘Everyone’s Talking about Him’ competition held in Melbourne for the second year On Saturday 19 November 2016.

The program was coupled with a symposium that focused on Prophet Muhammad’s (s) role in reclaiming our humanity.

The competition is an initiative aimed at remembering Prophet Muhammad’s (s) contributions to humanity and encouraging people of all ages to study his luminous life.

It includes categories such as writing a letter, poem or preparing a video about Prophet Muhammad’s (s) life and teachings.

ISRA organises the competition on an annual basis and there is an overwhelmingly enthusiastic participation from Muslim communities all over Australia. The Melbourne competition alone had over 800 submissions.

The program attended by more than 200 guests and hosted by Kauthar Abdulalim, commenced with Sheikh Abdurrahman

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Malas’s recitation from the holy Qur’an and continued with the distribution of a single red rose to all guests as some scholars claim that the red rose represents the noble Prophet.

The program then continued with Dr Suleyman Sertkaya’s keynote speech ‘Reclaiming our humanity.’ who talked about Prophet’s contribution to human rights asserting that the Madinah Charter, the first written constitution in history, along with other social reforms introduced by Prophet Muhammad allowed humanity to establish the foundations of modern civilisation.

Dr Sertkaya also emphasised the historical evidence that the Prophet’s human rights reforms existed long before declaration of human rights in modern times.

Following the keynote speech, the distinguished judges for the competition, Sheikh Riad Galil, Sheikh Muhsin Canbolat, Dr Hakan Coruh and Mr Weaze Osman were introduced to the audience.

The winners in each category were announced one by one and invited to the stage to receive their awards and prizes.

Zarif Karim, winner of the high school poem category, pointed out that he travelled all the way from Shepparton with his family to receive his award. The family explained how much they enjoyed being at the event

Australasian Muslim Times

and stressed that they would happily drive down from the country town to participate at such ISRA events any time they were invited.

The awards ceremony continued with the announcement of the third, second and first place winners. The winners included Tarik Ayvaz, winner of the primary school poem category, Aliya Neama, winner of the primary school letter to Prophet Muhammad (s) category, Samira Abdi, winner of the high school video category, Hena Kalam, winner of adult category poem and Tahir Yildirim, winner of adult category, video about Prophet Muhammad’s (s) life.

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It was an emotional evening where a number of people in the audience had tears running down from their cheeks as they listened to stories about Prophet Muhammad (s).

The program concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by the author (Omer A Ergi) who also presented a gift of appreciation to Sheikh Malas and Dr Sertkaya.

Omer A Ergi is the General Manager of ISRA Melbourne and is a lecturer at Charles Sturt University. He has a Master’s in Islamic Studies, PhD thesis in theology and is the author of six books.

December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

COMMUNITY

SOCIAL 23

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Launch of Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue at Deakin University Zia Ahmad The Melbourne based Deakin University launched its inaugural Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue with a ceremony held on Tuesday 22 November at its Melbourne Corporate Centre (MCC).

Professor Jane Den Hollander, President and Vice-Chancellor of Deakin University officially launched the Chair following a speech by Professor Ihsan Yilmaz who was appointed to the inaugural Chair.

Professor Yilmaz was a research scholar at University of Oxford, lecturer in law at University of London and a professor of political science at Istanbul Fatih University prior to his appointment at Deakin University.

The Chair located within the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation (ADI), reflects the growing strategic partnership between Deakin University, the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS), and the Selimiye Foundation.

Professor Yilmaz was welcomed by a number of academics, including Prof David De Kretser, Former Governor of Victoria, Emeritus Professor Gary Bouma from Monash Monash University, Professor Fethi Mansuri, Director of ADI and Professor Greg Barton, Chair in Global Islamic Politics.

ADI Director Professor Fethi Mansouri said the new Chair will have a unique focus.

“It will play an important role in affirming the importance of difference in ways that go far beyond tolerance,” Prof Mansouri said.

He further added “the Chair will work to-

From left: Prof Fethi Mansouri, Prof Jane Den Hollander, Prof Gary Bouma, Prof Ihsan Yilmaz, Prof Ori Soltes and Mr Ahmet Keskin at the launch of Fethullah Gulen Chair in Islamic Studies and intercultural dialogue. wards developing the foundations of true di- ademic research is the solution to the prob- sorial Lecturer in Theology and Fine Arts, alogue where people of different traditions lems of the Muslim world.

Georgetown University. and beliefs get the opportunity to know one Mr Ahmet Keskin, Executive Director of Mr Celik read a message sent by Mr another and work together towards the ideal the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS) Fethullah Gulen, after whom the Chair is of living in peace.” introduced Professor Yilmaz and delivered named. Gulen is a renowned Islamic scholDuring his speech, Professor Yilmaz a brief vote of thanks to everyone who con- ar, writer and the founder of the widely repointed out the three elements that have tributed towards the establishment of the spected Hizmet Movement. weighed down the Muslim world in the last Chair. two or three centuries; ignorance, poverty Mr Emre Celik, President of Rumi Forum Zia Ahmad is the Managing Editor of the and disunity. He stressed that education, in Washington DC also attended the launch Australasian Muslim Times and is based in knowledge and seeking the truth through ac- together with Professor Ori Soltes, Profes- Sydney.

Message from Mr Fethullah Gulen at the launch of the Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz.

December 2016

Mr Emre Celik, Rumi Foundation.

Last December, I was humbled by the announcement by the leadership of Deakin University and Alfred Deakin Institute For Citizenship And Globalisation about the establishment of the Fethullah Gulen chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue.

The establishment of this chair comes at a critical time when ignorance-based fear and failure to engage in self-reflection and criticism are contributing to hostility and violent conflicts around the world.

The university’s decision to establish this chair is significant in multiple ways.

First, it recognizes and honors the work of the participants of the Hizmet movement who devoted themselves to serving fellow humans without expecting anything in return. Teachers serving girls in Afghanistan and Nigeria; doctors, nurses and humanitarian relief workers serving those in need in Sub-Saharan Africa, and those seeking dialogue among members of the world’s diverse faiths, ethnicities and cultures. The establishment of this chair recognizes the work of these devotees of love who come from different nations, religions, and ethnic backgrounds.

Secondly, it is a statement of commitment

by Deakin University to freedom of thought and expression. I was informed that the University faced pressures to back away from the establishment of this chair by third parties out of political concerns.

By going forward with their decision, the leadership of Deakin University reminded their counterparts that universities are places of research and learning and every subject can be studied within the guidelines of scientific inquiry and that trying to suppress freedom of thought and expression is both unethical and futile.

Finally, the establishment of this chair

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comes at a critical time in our history as humanity. Much fear, anger and violent conflicts driven in part by ignorance occupy the news day in and day out.

The progress achieved by humanity in science and technology within the last few centuries is awe-inspiring. But some of our attitudes and practices toward our fellow humans resemble those of thousands of years ago. While knowledge alone cannot solve humanity’s problems, knowledge is a key instrument in the fight against bigotry. By establishing this chair in the study of Islamic Studies and Intercultural Dialogue, Deakin University has expressed its commitment to nurture open and inclusive minds through knowledge.

Due to my poor health I am not able to join you for this meaningful inauguration ceremony. But for spirits united around shared values and ideals, physical proximity is never a requirement for a conversation. I thank the leaders of the Deakin University and Alfred Deakin Institute For Citizenship And Globalisation for their contribution to the advancement of knowledge in the service of humanity.

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COMMUNITY

NEWS 1-4

BOOMERANG 5-7

COMMUNITY 8 - 10

AUSTRALIA 11 - 12

LIFESTYLE 13 - 15

Events Affinity Lecture Series: Spirituality Calendar through Art in the modern world

Growing up as a Muslim What should I do?

A course for 13-18yrs Muslim women

Saturday 3 Dec, 2016 3 Carew Street, Mt Druitt, NSW Ph: 0435 069 161 Ph: 0413 341 494

Bearer of Good Tidings: SMC 2016 Sunday 4 Dec, 2016 10:00 AM - 4:00 PM Rosehill Gardens James Ruse Dr Rosehill, NSW www.facebook.com/ events/1597343840570905/

Annual SAMAA Picnic for Elders Sunday 11 Dec, 2016 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM Kiama Blowhole and scenic drive through the beaches, NSW Mob: 0468 409 786 Mob: 0432 284 530

Mobinah Ahmad Affinity Intercultural Foundation held its final lecture the year titled ‘Finding spirituality through art in the modern world: According to Jewish, Christian, and Islamic perspectives’ by Goldman Professorial Lecturer in Theology and Fine Arts, Professor Ori Z. Soltes from Georgetown University on 24 September at the Affinity Office in Sydney CBD. The event was a remarkable success with the room filled with people of a wide variety of religious backgrounds (Muslim, Christian, Jewish, Baha’i, Sikh and Atheists). The lecture was facilitated by John Cleary, a veteran ABC broadcaster and one of Australia’s best-known commentators on religion.

Attendees were captivated with Professor Soltes’s extensive knowledge and passion for religious and interfaith art. Professor Soltes used specific examples of work.

He spoke about the ‘Tikkun ha-Olam’ (Finding Home) artwork by Siona Benjamin. Benjamin shows a self-portrait as a seven-branch Menorah, no doubt a Jewish play on the multi-armed Hindu gods. The candle-holders are hamsas, and the figure dances beside a snake and a sphinx blowing a horn. Benjamin’s Jewish Shiva blends the imagery of the menorah’s arms with the symbolism of Shiva’s arms.

“The opportunities as we move deeper in the 21st century: to think simultaneously in

Australian Muslim Achievement Awards 2016

Professor Ori Z. Soltes. Photo by Samet Erkut

John Clearly, ABC broadcaster.

Photo by Samet Erkut

the specific of our specific traditions and subsets of those traditions and of universal principles that recognise how much more we have from wherever we are and however we are in common, than are the things that

separate and divide us. That the opportunities are present in art as they are in present in thought and our present in our world regardless where political directions might seem at the moment to be taking us.”

Privacy commissioner Dr Coombs with Prof Ori Z. Soltes. Photo: Samet Erkut

Sunday 11 Dec, 2016 5:30 PM - 10:30 PM Grand Royale 51-61 South St, Granville, NSW www.facebook.com/ events/1641597232805095/

Perth: “LAST CHANCE” Short Film Saturday 17 Dec, 2016 Reading Cinemas, Belmont, Western Australia lastchance.onepathnetwork. com

‘Tikkun ha-Olam’ (Finding Home) artwork by Siona Benjamin.

SBS Radio Services Review Public Consultation now open AMUST Media

Road to Redemption Sunday 18 Dec, 2016 7:00 PM - 10:00 PM Whitlam Leisure Centre 90 Memorial Avenue, Liverpool, NSW www.redemption. onepathnetwork.com

View more events online or add your own at www.amust.com.au/ calendar

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Mr Ahmet Polat with Prof Ori Z. Soltes and Affinity staff. Photo: Samet Erkut

SBS Radio has launched a public consultation on the criteria it is proposing for an SBS Radio Services Review, calling on audiences, communities and stakeholders to provide feedback by Sunday 11 December.

SBS has committed to regularly reviewing and updating the schedule every five years in conjunction with new Census data to ensure it continues to reflect the needs of communities in Australia today. Regularly updating the schedule enables SBS to better service the largest communities with culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and offer services to emerging high-needs communities.

The criteria will be used, in conjunction with the 2016 Census data, to determine which languages are provided by SBS Radio

Australasian Muslim Times

services. The way in which those services will be delivered will be determined in 2017

by SBS, taking into account changes in audience listening habits, the need to support audience demands for anytime, anywhere news and information via digital platforms and the changing demographics of Australia’s diverse communities.

SBS Director of Audio and Language Content, Mandi Wicks said: “SBS has developed clear and logical draft criteria for reviewing and updating SBS Radio’s services. All feedback will be taken into account before the criteria is finalised. This will ensure an objective and transparent process is applied, and that SBS delivers on its Charter commitments.”

SBS will run both English and translated recorded notifications to inform audiences of the SBS Radio Services Review and the public consultation process.

The last review of SBS Radio’s service

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was conducted over 2012-2013, which was the first major review in 18 years. At the time, SBS committed to reviewing the schedule in line with the release of each Census.

The Selection Criteria is due to be finalised in March 2017 with the new schedule to launch before the end of 2017.

To view the draft Selection Criteria and submit feedback, go to: sbs.com.au/consultation

December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

AUSTRALIA

SOCIAL 23

2016 JCMA Friendship Walk David Schutz On Sunday afternoon, 6 November at 2pm, more than 200 people from Jewish, Christian and Muslim communities – plus many other faith groups and community organisations and members of the public walked together in order to display community friendship.

This Friendship Walk was organised

by Jewish Christian Muslim Association (JCMA) that was founded in 2004 as a safe meeting place for Jews, Christians and Muslims.

The original vision of JCMA was to hold annual live-in conferences for members of the three faiths, but today the Association has increased its outreach to include a Schools Program, Women’s committee, Text Reading Groups and Seminars.

A major focus of JCMA in the current climate is social inclusion and harm-minimisation.

Last year, in the context of growing tensions in the community, JCMA held its initial “Friendship Walk”: a visible demonstration of friendship open to the whole community. The program for the walk was to gather at a Christian venue (St Peter’s Anglican Church, East Melbourne), then move to a Jewish venue (East Melbourne Synagogue) and to conclude at a Muslim venue

(the Albanian Mosque in Carlton).

At each venue the host priest, rabbi and imam welcome us with prayer and some experience of their culture and community. In 2015 the event attracted just over 100 people from all three communities.

This year at East Melbourne, we gathered in St Peter’s Church Hall where we registered and received name tags (to make conversation easier). Fr Hugh Kempster prayed the Peace Prayer of St Francis, and invited us all into the church to light a candle for peace.

We then crossed Albert Street to the Synagogue where Rabbi Dovid Gutnick welcomed us by blowing the shofar (ram’s horn). A musician and singer from the Jewish Sephardic tradition introduced us to some liturgical music before striking up the song “Salaam” (peace). Spontaneously women and men rose up from the pews and began dancing together!

We then set off for the Albanian Mosque in Drummond Street, North Carlton. The distance is 5kms, through the parks and pleasant streets and highrise housing tenements. (A minibus supplied by Jewish Care took those who were unable to cover the distance). This gave plenty of time and space and opportunity for the participants to walk alongside one another and to engage in conversation on the way.

We arrived at the mosque where they had plenty of bottles of cold water available. We crowded inside, filling every spare space on the carpet, as we were welcomed by the President of the Albanian Society, Vahid

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Gathering at St. Peter’s Church Hall, Melbourne.

Goga, and Imam Bekim Hasani. For many come an annual event. It is a demonstration on the walk, this was the first time they had of fact that far from creating division in our ever been in a mosque. The Albanian Soci- Australian society, faith communities play ety had prepared a table overflowing with an important role in promoting openness, goodies for afternoon tea, and it was after embrace and friendship.

If you would like to learn more about 6pm that the last of crowd exchanged hugs and handshakes and email addresses and JCMA or become a member, visit our website at: www.jcma.org.au or follow our waved good bye.

SBS TV were present to report on the facebook page https://www.facebook.com/ event – which is very pleasing as often such jcmaonline/ “good news” stories fail to register among all the drama and violence on the evening David Schutz is the Executive Officer of the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of news.

If you missed out this time, you can be the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and assured that JCMA Friendship Walk will be- part of the JCMA Membership Committee.

Coffee with Sherene at Islamic Museum

Sherene Hassan

Feeling a sense of utter frustration and helplessness on hearing media personality, Sonya Kruger’s plea to ban Muslims from coming to Australia, I felt compelled to write this letter to the Age newspaper: “I would like to express my utmost gratitude to all those who have chosen the path of understanding over fear after Sonia Kruger’s comments.

As a Muslim woman wearing a headscarf I have never experienced such a hostile atmosphere towards Muslims and these individuals make life a little more bearable. I would love to invite you all for coffee at the Islamic Museum. My shout!”

(The Age, 25/7/16) I am not quite sure what I was expecting.

A few phone calls perhaps. Maybe a couple of emails. I was not at all prepared for the avalanche of support that ensued.

Coffee with Sherene guests.

December 2016

Guests with Sherene at the Islamic Museum of Australia, Melbourne.

This was due to an amazing writer and art- felt so moved by the letter that she created ist by the name of Fiona Scott-Norman. She a Facebook event encouraging her network of friends to visit the Islamic Museum and have a ‘coffee with Sherene.’

The day finally arrived. Seeing the hordes of people bustling through the doors of the museum, I and the other volunteers at the Islamic Museum and members of the Muslim community immediately felt buoyed. Fiona presented us with a beautiful orchid and I hugged her warmly. I was struck by her indomitable spirit.

Everyone gathered for their promised free coffee and were treated to a guided tour of the museum, marvelling at the exquisite art and architecture on display in the galleries.

The day was a resounding success. It was so cathartic to meet like-minded individuals exuding warmth and filled with determination to engender change; no longer willing to stand by and allow the rhetoric of an intolerant minority continue to divide the nation into an “us and them” dichotomy.

Some comments from those who attended: “I was lucky enough yesterday to ex-

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perience the ‘coffee with Sherene’ event.

Brilliant. I came away invigorated and informed. I highly recommend this event and the museum as well. Thanks to everyone who was there. What a fantastic bunch of people.”

“I was so impressed by the warmth and enthusiasm of the facilitators of the event.

They were so encouraged by the large turn out. Another step in the much needed bridge-building in our community.”

Since the first event, two other very successful ‘coffee with Sherene’ events have been held at the Islamic Museum of Australia with others planned for the new year. I hope readers take heart by the genuine good will that is so prevalent in the wider community.

I certainly have, and will not allow the fear mongering minority to distract me from the mammoth task at hand; to continue to promote a more peaceful inclusive Australia.

Sherene Hassan is a Director of the Islamic Museum of Australia based in Melbourne.

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AUSTRALIA

NEWS 1-4

BOOMERANG 5-7

COMMUNITY 8 - 10

AUSTRALIA 11 - 12

LIFESTYLE 13 - 15

Iraqi Team wins Multicultural Peace Cup Hanif Bismi Iraqi Renaissance has won the Third Multicultural Peace Cup in indoor soccer tournament held on 6 November 2016 at Ultimate Indoor Sports Centre, Silverwater.

There were 12 soccer teams that participated in the tournament this year compared to eight teams last year and four teams year before that shows the increasing interest in participation by various community soccer teams.

In a spirit of friendly competition, the teams competed in knock-out rounds, with the ultimate victors being the Iraqi Renaissance while Auburn United were runners up.

The competing team members were a composition of various migrant groups from Nepal, Turkey, Sri Lanka, Burma, China, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and Sudan representing multicultural Australia.

Ali Rezai from Auburn United received the best player trophy while Nicky from the Burmese team received the sportsmanship trophy.

Rodrigo Leon received award certificate for being the referee for the entire tournament, presented by Jebin Dhoj Shahi, CEO, Sydney Friendship Group.

Soon Teck Lim, Director of Universal Peace Foundation and Ghassan Alassadi presented the trophies to winner and runner up teams.

The tournament was organised by Catrine Von Dinklage, UPF Events Coordinator and her team of volunteers from Oceania Leadership Team.

Iraqi Renaissance proudly hold the perpetual Multicultural Peace Cup as the winners for 2016. The cup was presented on behalf of the sponsoring organizations UPF, Iraqi Renaissance and Sydney Friendship Group Inc.

Hanif Bismi is a Sydney based historian, political analyst, community activist and an Advisor to ARO.

Ali Rezai from Auburn United FC won the “Best Player” trophy. It was presented by UPF director Soon Teck Lim.

Referee Rodrigo Leon receiving a certificate of thanks for his participation and a job well done. It was presented by Sydney Friendship Group Inc CEO Jebin Dhoj Shahi.

Nicky from Myanmar Youth FC was awarded the “Sportsmanship” trophy which was presented by Ghassan Alassadi, President of Iraqi Renaissance.

Auburn United FC were the runners up in the 3rd MPC for 2016. Each player was presented with a silver medallion.

ART-ASTIC exhibition brings the community together Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas The annual Art-Astic Art Exhibition held

by Al Siraat on Friday 18 November truly captured the essence of community engagement.

Hundreds of families attended the event,

local community groups were invited and special appearances were made by key partners, including Cr May Lalios from City of Whittlesea Council and Ms Anne Smith from Independent Schools Victoria.

In celebration of the artistic achievements of the students, the opening ceremony was adorned with wonderful Qur’an recitation

by Ustaz Ahmed Hachem and nasheeds by Grade 5 and 6 girls.

Awards were given out for best performing student from each class.

Inside, vast display walls, lined with framed vibrant artworks left viewers in awe of the refined artistic talent present within the school.

One student Hajar Chamra from year 9A proudly displayed her artwork with her parents by her side.

Families were engaged in the various creative stalls and stations, immersed in henna art, calligraphy and the Recycled Goods Hub promoting environmentally sustainable creative practices.

The event was organised by Al Siraat Col-

lege and their school community together with the local community, their strategic partners, businesses, City of Whittlesea Council and Independent Schools Victoria.

2017 is destined to be an exciting year for Al Siraat College. With the anticipated completion of the TEAMS Building (Technology, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics & Science) they are able to offer even greater choices to their students to further enhance their learning experience.

Gulhan Eryegit Yoldas has a background in marketing and has been involved in organising many intercultural events including the first Telstra Iftar Dinner in Melbourne.

Hajar Chamra from 9A with her artwork.

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Australasian Muslim Times

www.amust.com.au

December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

LIFESTYLE

SOCIAL 23

GCC raises $3 million for Cancer research

Tanya Kubitza

The 2016 Great Cycle Challenge (GCC) officially concluded on 30 November, with the final fundraising figure now being revealed.

The GCC is a national Children’s Medical Research Institute (CMRI) fundraising initiative held throughout the month of October every year since the inaugural event in 2013. While our legs can now recover from our participating, we, the seven members of Team Al Siraat, are still in awe of what has been achieved this year.

We would like to celebrate the extraordinary efforts to fight childhood cancer and wholeheartedly thank our school and wider community for their ongoing fabulous support.

Now in its fourth years, the 2016 Great Cycle Challenge has raised a record-breaking $2,934,257 to fight childhood cancer.

That is almost $3 million raised for the CMRI to continue and extend their scientific research work on trying to find a cure for childhood cancer(s). As in previous years, all funds raised will support research into the prevention, diagnosis, treatment and cure of childhood cancer.

Nationwide, nearly 11,000 riders took to their bikes, with more than half of them having been personally affected by cancer. In total, the participating cyclists rode a total of 2,733,738 km, meaning we collectively lapped earth (along the equator) more than 62.3 times during October. Besides our very own team member, 9-year-old Mariam Moeladawilah, 266 inspiring kids took on the challenge on behalf of children fighting cancer.

At the other end of the spectrum, one of the oldest riders who participated was 81 years young and the gentleman still clocking in an amazing 500km. Another cyclist completed his 302km challenge on a unicycle.

In total,rides were recorded in 22 countries,

including Brazil, Malaysia, China, India, Germany, the United Kingdom, Canada and the United States. Team Al Siraat would like to thank everyone who participated so much for their determination to give kids fighting cancer the brighter futures they deserve.

As a real team effort, Al Siraat’s cyclists raised the fabulous amount of $8,404.68 for this worthy cause, with the ongoing help and support from family members, friends, colleagues, parents and the greater community, both within Australia and overseas.

On behalf of my fellow team members I would like to thank all our donors for their amazing support. It was YOU who kept us pedaling throughout the month of October and helped us reach and exceed our overall riding goal of 800 km. Besides, the CMRI’s fundraising team shared countless messages received from the families affected by cancer who wanted to thank riders for our incredible efforts.

In this spirit, team member Nazreen Keown who had joined the challenge for the first time and raised the amazing amount of almost $3800, stated that participating had helped her in many ways on a personal level as well, “(…) not just by getting exercise, but it has helped me feel empowered.” It is something anyone being able to ride a bike could do, giving much needed support to gravely ill children and their families who are battling childhood cancer day in day out.

Our combined fundraising efforts saw Team Al Siraat in First Position of the Leader board within the School’s Category. What a fantastic achievement in its own for our Muslim community, mashaAllah! On a national level, our cycling team ranks on 13th position out of 465 teams. We are deeply humbled by this amazing result and celebrated our successful conclusion of the 2016 Great Cycle Challenge with a beautifully decorated, handmade cake.

Tanya Kubitza is the Chair of the JCMA Membership Committee, Registrar and Marketing Manager of Melbourne based Al Siraat College. She is the captain of the cycling team Al Siraat.

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Team Al Siraat achieved the first position of fundraising within the School’s Category.

Tanya Kubitza with her daughter, Mariam from Team Al Siraat.

ISC celebrates with vibrant Open Day Manarul Islam The Islamic School of Canberra put on a vibrant and exciting Open Day on Saturday 5 November.

The day was to celebrate the school’s survival after a tumultuous year and also to send the message to the

community that its vision was to be fulfilled and its future was strong.

The day was organised by the School Board with the assistance of the Parents & Friends Association and was attended by Gai Brodtman, Federal Member for Canberra.

Since news of the resumption of funding broke there has been a spike of interest in the school with new enrolments flowing in.

“We are in a healthy position with en-

Chair of the School Board, Azra Khan (centre-left), & Federal Member for Canberra, Gai Brodtman (centre-right), with members of the school community.

December 2016

rolments and as they continue to come in we are in a better position to resource our school for 2017,” said the ISC Principal, David Johns.

The additional enrolments will ensure that there will be no combined classes. In fact most years will have multiple classes.

The school is planning to have its formal end of year assembly at the Canberra Islamic School on Wednesday 14 December followed by an event in Civic on Friday 16 De-

cember that Mr Johns said will be to thank the Canberra community for their support throughout the year.

“I feel it is important that we as a school continue to have a community presence and are open to sharing with others what a wonderful inclusive community we are,” he said.

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

The ISC Parents & Friends Association laid out a feast for the attendees.

Photo by: Ayman Hemasa

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LIFESTYLE

NEWS 1-4

BOOMERANG 5-7

COMMUNITY 8 - 10

AUSTRALIA 11 - 12

LIFESTYLE 13 - 15

Do Muslims know their rights in Islam?

MOBYDAYZE Mobinah Ahmad Whether its cultural tradition or ignorance, most women and men don’t know what rights and responsibilities they have in Islam. Nor do they understand the wisdom behind God’s decree in placing specific roles of men and women. I had a very vague idea of what the rights were for women in Islam actually were. The idea of female empowerment isn’t really something that’s taught from a young age. Why? You always hear about the bad stuff, like how a woman’s testimony is less than that of a man because they are ‘emotional’, that we get less inheritance or a woman has to obey her husband completely. That is pretty much what we’re fed with when we grow up. Do gender roles have to be completely equal is order to be just? Justice in Islam means treating men and women equally by recognising their differences and having roles that reflect that, equity.

It’s a concept I think the Western world haven’t quite grasped or perhaps reject, where if men and women are to be treated equally, they should have the exact same role opportunities leaving aside their gen-

der. Reconciling the gender roles in Islam when living in a western country is difficult because equality and equity can be conflicting.

The Prophet Muhammad (s) knew a patriarchal society dominated by men would forget about the rights of women. Unfortunately, that’s what has happened, we have forgotten the empowerment of women in Islam, and because of culture, a good woman became one who had no voice or agency.

The restrictive gender roles that are by culture and tradition is what gives Islam a bad name, especially the roles that under the guise on treating both sexes ‘equal’ that put women at a disadvantage.

As a role model to how a Muslim man should act, the Prophet Muhammad’s (s) stance of the role women played in Islam was very clear through his character. He sought counsel on important matters, as the women in his life were instrumental in helping him establish and spread Islam.

The sermon emphasises the importance of domestic justice however, it was not just his wives and daughters that the Prophet had a strong relationship with. He was a community leader, a confidant - a man where women could come to, to seek advice and assistance. The Prophet would sit and listen to women, respect them with his time and

company.

Women have the right to: be treated obtain an education, be financially and emotionally supported, own independent property, earn her own income, express her opinion and negotiate marital terms. And if a man does not take care of his wife, then there are dire consequences - they will be questioned on the day of judgement, whether they fulfilled their responsibility about that which was entrusted to them.

Women have the right to expect that their husbands groom themselves and keep clean.

It is said that

men who do not groom themselves but expect their wives too are compared to oppressors who deserve to be punished.

As women are the partners and committed helpers of men, so therefore they should be consulted and respected with big decisions made within the family. This excerpt from the last sermon demonstrates the equal value of men and women as essential contributors to the private and public life of their society. If there is a shared role in earning income, there should also be shared responsibility in managing the household.

One of the biggest sins in Islam, is to slander a chaste woman, it is worse than slandering a chaste man. It is an elevated privilege that God has given to a Muslim women in order to preserve and maintain her honour. Even with this decree, in culture, women are under constant scrutiny and suspicion about their chastity and are further restricted more so than men.

As considered the earliest declaration of human rights, the last sermon by the Prophet Muhammad (s) covered core values of anti-discrimination to women. We just need to make sure that women are empowered by the rights given to them in Islam and for men to be aware of their responsibilities.

Mobinah Ahmad is a professional social media analyst and AMUST Multimedia Journalist based in Sydney.

MPCC wins cricket grand final in Sydney Hanif Bismi Sydney Cricket League marked its entry into club cricket culture of Australia by conducting its first cricket tournament for the Ria Money Transfer Trophy.

There were sixteen teams who participated in the match series that began on 18 September 2016 ending with the grand final on 20 November at Cox Park Cricket Ground, Carlingford.

The winning team of the tournament was Marsden Park Cricket Club (MPCC) while the runners up were Stars XI. The grand final program started with the Australian national anthem by Ms Mehreen Javed. Followed by welcome by Mr Ammar Sibtain, CEO of Sydney Cricket League.

Mr Sibtain expressed his passion for sports in general and cricket in particular that contributes towards Australia’s multiculturalism in a most positive way.

Mr Nick, marketing manager of Ria Money Transfer, the main sponsor of the tournament series presented the trophy to the winning team, MPCC representative Mr Anees.

Mr Nick thanked Sydney Cricket League for giving an opportunity to Ria Money Transfer to sponsor the wonderful tournament where he himself enjoyed the exciting final match.

The runner up prize was received by Mr Jabran Cheema on behalf of his team, Stars XI presented by the Mr Abdul Majid Yousfani, Pakistan Consul General in Sydney.

Mr Yousfani highlighted how cricket became the passion and way of life for people of the Indian subcontinent. He thanked the organisers for conducting such an excellent program which will go towards enhancing Australia’s multiculturalism and bring closer various communities in order to make Australia a cohesive society.

The Ria Medal for the man of the match was awarded to Mr Najeeb Ahmed for his outstanding performance during the tournament, by Mr Nick.

Mr Usman Butt was awarded Man of the Series and best batsman presented by Mr Rana Abbas, President of Pakistan Australia Association.

The Best Bowler Award was presented to Mr Jabran Amjad by Mr Ammar Sibtain.

Special Award were presented to Ms Mehreen Javed for her melodious contribution to the finals ceremony and Syed Abbas

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Marsden Park Cricket Club (MPCC) champions. Photo by SA NAQVI Photography.

Naqvi of Photographic Illusion for his photographic contribution to the entire tournament.

The special awards were presented by Mr Abdu Rahman, Managing Director of Taj Groups from the Sultanate of Muscat, a VIP guest for the event and well known for philanthropy in Oman, and a poet and singer.

A special award was presented to another sponsor of the event, King Own’s Institute presented by Mr Arshad Naseem Butt.

Mr Raja Taseer, Chief Editor of HumWatan newspaper and Mr Muhammad Asif of Easylink Finance and Travel and Tours were also presented as VIP guests for the program.

The event was covered by Castle Media and photography for all matches by Photographic Illusion.

Talib Bismi was the MC for the occasion and the Grand Finale program was concluded by a cake cutting ceremony followed by BBQ.

Australasian Muslim Times

Runners up Stars XI team members. Photo by SA NAQVI Photography.

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December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

LIFESTYLE

SOCIAL 23

AMUST

What should we feed our kids? Marriage Bureau

Saltanat Bora

Today I want to talk about what we feed our children.

We are facing an epidemic on a scale never seen before.

Our children are becoming increasingly obese. In Australia alone, “the number of overweight children in Australia has doubled in recent years, with a quarter of children considered overweight or obese.”

(From betterhealth.vic.gov.au).

We asked Iman Salam, who has three grown children of her own, from Afiya Live Well to answer a few questions about the importance of eating nutritious food and instilling good eating habits in our children.

What impact does eating junk food have on children’s physical, mental and spiritual well-being?

Junk food has a highly addictive nature for children. Although it can look appealing and of course taste great, children simply do not realise the ill effects it has on their health, as well as on their growing bodies.

The physical and spiritual complications are many; obesity, diabetes, chronic illness, low self esteem, and even depression.

What are some of the problematic eating habits amongst families that you have seen?

Not eating as a family. I’ve heard of families grabbing food and everyone eating in their own corner, on their phone, or in front of the tv. This not only causes a breakdown in family relations but eating in front of an electronic device creates an unhealthy relationship with food as well as a habit of mindless eating.

Second, the emphasis put on finishing your plate, food as reward, etc creates a long-lasting negative relationship with food.

Often times being forced to clean our plates as children develops into emotional eating, overeating, and eating disorders. A healthy way to start each meal is to remember to praise God, make the intention to get the most benefit out of the meal and start with a small serving. Just as important is listening to your body and knowing when to stop be-

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An initiative by the Islamic Foundation for Education and Welfare (IFEW)

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fore you get full.

How can parents instil positive eating habits in their children?

Children learn from seeing so therefore setting an example is the best way to teach our children. Teaching children the value of food and where it comes from is important.

It helps to reconnect the child to the earth and have a deeper appreciation for nature as well as the food that is put into their bodies.

Don’t be afraid to get your kids to help in the kitchen and give them small tasks that they can do to help prepare dinner. This will give them a sense of ownership and pride and make them more likely to eat what they’ve helped in preparing.

What types of food should children not be eating?

SUGAR!!!!! (artificial). You would be surprised to learn that it’s in everything, even toothpaste. Be aware of the different names for sugar. I know what you’re thinking, “it’s hard to avoid.” If you focus on what is in your control, your own home, then when kids are at their grandparent’s house or at a birthday party, you won’t feel so bad that

they are most probably going to eat sugar.

Cut back on the amount of meat and milk as tons of hormones are injected into these animals and this is causing life-long damage on their growing bodies How important is it to eat organic foods?

Eating organic foods is important in this day and age. No doubt, it can get expensive.

Decide what you can and cannot afford for your family’s needs and work accordingly within those boundaries. Being educated on the ill-effects of consuming non-organic meat is important. If that means cutting back on meat, then do what you think is best for your family. As Muslims we are held accountable for the food we eat and that includes the care of animals. When it comes to whether something is deemed “halal”, we often forget that it includes more than just the way the animal is slaughtered but how it was raised and the conditions it was in before being slaughtered.

Saltanat Bora is the editor of The Modest Bride. This article was originally published in themodestlife.co.

IFEW’s tenth presentation dinner AMUST Media The 10th IFEW Presentation dinner was held on Sunday 19 November at Dar-ulIslam, Bonnyrigg joined by representatives from local area Muslim leaders in addition to members of the Islamic Foundation for Education & Welfare (IFEW).

The invitees included families of IFEW members as well as Mr Ismail Davids, National Manager, National Zakat Foundation and Mrs Davids, Mrs Firdousi Obeidullah, Coordinator, House of Sakinah and Dr Obeidullah.

After introductions, Mr Aamir Ahmad, President of IFEW gave a detail introduction of IFEW history and activities for almost four decades with an audio-visual presentation.

Mr Ismail Davids during his presentation explained the how and why of Zakat and where National Zakat Foundation helped in the calculation, collection and distribution of Zakat funds nationally.

Mrs Firdousi Obeidullah highlighted the development and services provided by the House of Sakinah for women seeking help in Sydney. It was realised that NZF and House of Sakinah were complementary organisations where NZF had funds that could be used by House of Sakinah to provide services to those in need.

Mr Shujaat Siddiqui, Trustee of MEFF, during his presentation related the development of MEFF and its successful track record during the last 33 years and highlighted the plans for MEFF 2017.

December 2016

Mr Zia Ahmad talked about the Australasian Muslim Times, its history and performance and using the website demonstrated all info re AMUST news and views.

Dr Qazi Ashfaq Ahmad concluded the program with advice and dua before the dinner was served followed by Maghreb prayer.

The presentation dinners are held in a family atmosphere during Australian Integrated Family’s (AIF) Usrah sessions that have continued for more than 30 years.

Held twice a year, short presentations are given by IFEW, MEFF and AMUST followed by presentations from invitees to re-

late about their organisations and personal history, and then finish off with dinner in a casual family atmosphere.

IFEW has been one of the pioneers in establishing daawah, education and welfare activities for more than 35 years in Sydney.

A number of IFEW members, parts of a large extended family have been associated with Islamic activities in Australia in general and Sydney in particular for more than 45 years having founded many community organisations and working in fields of education, daawah, publications, family organisations, students, youth and women’s activities.

F1515: Female, 58, Bangladeshi Muslimah, Divorced. I have 3 son’s. One of them living in Australia. I take Islam seriously and try to practice my best.

Currently I am living with my son.

I am looking for a practising Muslim who is an Australian citizen, open-minded with good manners.

F1510: Female, 58, Fijian Australian widow from Indian background, Administrative officer. I like to Travel watch soccer, cook, socialise and help people.

I am looking for a down to earth, loving and caring person. Someone to be my life partner and is willing to accept my son (19 years) who also lives with me.

F159: Female, 27 medical doctor, Indian residing in Saudi Arabia.

I apply Islam in my day-to-day life. I have performed Hajj twice and Umrah numerous times. I am soft spoken, humble and well cultured. I respect elders and very adjusting by nature. I am seeking for a life partner who is an educated and practicing Muslim.

M1514: Male, 21, Bangladeshi, Hafiz of Quran. Currently doing Bachelor in Accounting. I have received 6 points in IELTS. I come from a very educated and well practising Muslim family.

My sister is an Australian citizen and is a doctor. Looking for a Muslim girl who lives in Australia.

M1513: Male, 30, Pakistani, Currently doing PhD research at Tohoku University, Japan. I enjoy travelling.

I am seeking a practising Muslimah.

M1512: Male, 57, divorced, Australian citizen from Arabic background.

I have been in Australia for 35 years and work as a painter. I like playing and watching sports. I like travelling as well. I am seeking for a Muslimah from any nationality.

M1511: Male, 37, divorced, Bangladeshi Australian, Masters in professional accounting. I am a practicing Muslim, interested in attending Islamic and Educational seminars and socialising with friends.

I am seeking a practising Bangladeshi Muslimah who resides in Australia.

M156: Male 58 divorced Pakistani Australian. I have been in Australia for 30 years and worked in IT and now I am retired. I am seeking for a Sunni muslimah widow or divorced from any culture.

See More at amust.com.au/ listing_types/seekers/

Placing/Responding to a notice If you would like to place or respond to a notice, fill out the matrimonial form at: Mrs Firdousi Obeidullah, Coordinator of House of Sakinah.

Mr Shujaat Siddiqui, Trustee of MEFF.

www.amust.com.au

www.amust.com.au/marriage-bureau All information is held in strict confidence

Australasian Muslim Times

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AMUST

UMMAH

NEWS 1-4

BOOMERANG 5-7

COMMUNITY 8 - 10

AUSTRALIA 11 - 12

LIFESTYLE 13 - 15

Early history of Muslims in New Zealand Abdullah Drury has completed a history thesis at Waikato University, New Zealand, that examines the historic spread of Muslims and Islam in New Zealand.

Hajji Abdullah Drury Entitled “Once Were Mahometans: Muslims in the South Island of New Zealand, mid-19th to late 20th century, with special reference to Canterbury”, this research argues that Muslims arrived with the early waves of British colonisation and were intimately involved in the settlement and economic development processes.

Over a hundred year period the Muslim presence changed from that of a handful of individuals conducting their affairs on the margins of a British colony in the South Pacific, into a fully fledged religious community – represented by a formal Muslim Association and the second oldest purpose-built mosque in the whole country.

In particular, this thesis undermines the traditional view of New Zealand history being thoroughly monocultural and Anglo-Celtic, and explores a number of Muslim migrant experiences that have not been studied in mainstream historical accounts.

This reveals a more complex and ongoing social interaction between Muslims and non-Muslims, Asian and European settlers (including intermarriage and), than hitherto understood. These relationships demonstrate that ethnic and religious relationships were both complex and dynamic acts of engagement and interaction.

Basically the history of Muslims of the South Island is the story of a plethora of individuals and, usually, their families. Perhaps alone in Pacific-Islamic history (compared to China for instance) we have quite a corpus of documentary resources on the arrival, presence and cumulative interactions of these early Muslim forerunners, settlers and pioneers.

The specific names and dates of those who immigrated to this country, and ulti-

mately brought Islam to these shores, is reasonably documented in various government and non-government papers.

The real difficulty has been in determining some sort of coherence from all the data and establishing where (if any) continuity existed and in what form. The majority of early Muslim migrants and visitors to New Zealand – particularly the hawkers, sailors and labourers – were essentially sojourners with no long term plans of settling here.

Most lived, worked and shared the strenuous, challenging lives of British colonists and Pakeha (New Zealand-born Anglo-Europeans).

Evidently most of these Muslim migrants aimed to return home once they had accumulated enough money. Of these, and the minority who opted to settle down, few have left any physical mark upon the countryside besides a few exotic gravestones (no mosques or Islamic buildings were constructed, books printed or localised verbal legends established during these first few decades).

None appear to have left personal accounts, documents, letters or diaries that would help historians and students of religion, although it appears safe to conclude that their Islam was not entirely quiescent.

Modern researchers can often only guess at the religious reassurances they made of or sought in their spiritual life, based on scant scraps of indirect information.

The first Muslim family arrived in 1854.

Wuzerah, his wife and sons, came to the Canterbury plains in the employ of Sir John Cracroft Wilson, an Anglo-Indian civil servant and colonist. Cracroft Wilson named his property “Cashmere” after the “Kashmir” province of British India, and Wuzerah and his family lived their entire lives there.

In the 1870s Chinese “Mahometan” gold-miners were reported in Otago, in the government census records. In the 1890s Ahad Baksh Malik, an Indian hawker, became an important economic lifeline for farmers in remote sheep stations in the

mountains of Otago.

Saleh Mahomet from Turkmenistan settled in Christchurch in 1905, married a Pakeha wife, and became a popular ice-cream salesman in Cathedral Square. He was known popularly as “Ice-cream Charlie”.

In 1951 the IRO ship MS Goya brought thousands of refugees from eastern Europe and dozens of Muslim men from Yugoslavia and Albania entered New Zealand thus. Several of these men settled in Christchurch.

Around the same time many international students from Asia arrived to attend tertiary institutions and they too made a contribution to the growth of the Muslim community.

In 1977 the number of Muslims in Canterbury reached a point where a formal Association could be registered and set up. Three years later the Muslim Association of Canterbury bought a house for use as an Islamic Centre – the first place of Muslim prayer in the South Island – and in August 1985 the construction of the first purpose-built mosque was completed.

One of the most curious points of interest in this study has been the profound elasticity

of identity markers. British settlers and Pakeha frequently mislabelled Muslim immigrants, both in terms of ethnicity and faith.

(For example, European Muslims from Bosnia arriving in Auckland were tagged ‘Armenians’ by a customs officer reviewing the ship passenger list in the 1900s.)

Equally, however, it should be noted that many Muslims re-defined themselves in New Zealand. Sultan and Sali Mahomet from Turkmenistan for example were described – and described themselves – as Assyrians, Indian and Ceylonese (Sri Lankan).

The Slavic Muslim Akif Keskin from Macedonia informed people in Dunedin that he was Turkish (contemporary Albanian immigrants believed he was really Albanian).

Hajji Abdullah Drury is a Pakeha convert to Islam and author of “Islam in New Zealand: A Short History of the New Zealand Muslim Association”. He resides in Hamilton, New Zealand, where he is studying towards a DPhil at Waikato University. He is a research member of the Waikato University Islamic Studies Group.

Response to AMUST Editorial and food for thought Dr Q Ashfaq Ahmad I refer to AMUST issue 132 November 2016 editorial “Muslims suffering from internal division and external aggression”.

Editorial of a high quality newspaper must not always be the frank and straight personal opinion of the editor to be published for the readers to digest as an ‘oracle’.

Editorials should be bold enough to express harsh criticism upon one’s own community in order to gauge the opinions of the readers

to the extent that they express their feeling or true opinions in favour or in opposition to the ‘gospel’ of the editorial.

This particular editorial was to get the readers of AMUST to ponder over matters of governance in the Muslim countries.

This editorial was a bold confession of one’s own community getting indulged in naked blunders and failures in governance.

It declares apparently how Muslims have failed in their administration of governance of their countries due to quarrels and conflicts amongst their own selves.

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Generally, Muslims may get upset that instead of condemning others for external aggression upon Muslims, the editor has exposed our own blunders to encourage Islamophobia amongst non-Muslims.

But Muslims who ponder should think about the charges against themselves without worrying about washing their own linen in the public.

I present the following for genuine considerations: 1. Islam is not just a religion to know and a set of do’s and don’ts according to the faith based dogmas only. Just like the liberal world view, Islam is also a divinely-ordained world view to think, believe and act upon what a person interprets as the right thing to do.

2. Islam clearly directs the relations between the self and other creatures and the supreme One God. All humans have a free will.

They can individually and socially think for themselves to decide how best to perform with full conviction and with honest dealings.

3. Islam does not differentiate between secular and religious. All affairs may become secular or religious depending upon their practice in the society.

4. The Muslim countries mentioned in the editorial are not more than 25% of the total Muslim population living in other areas of the world.

5. All the political governance of the those mentioned Muslim countries, in the editorial, are influenced by Western hegemony 6. The whole world is controlled by the Western governance which also dominates the contemporary Muslim societies. Muslims

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are generally influenced by the political governance of the West. Same tactics and strategies are copied and followed by the Muslim countries as well.

7. The political governance of Ideal Islam was hardly for the first 39 years during the four rightly guided companions of the Prophet as the four Caliphs. After this period the socio-political atmosphere of the Muslim countries changed for the worse except some exceptions.

8. Muslims can be divided into two distinct types: Muslims by birth, born in a Muslim family and Muslims who embraced by Islam through their own thinking and full conviction. So naturally the products of these two big groups of Muslims must be different specially in their contribution to social-political governance.

AMUST columnists and readers should analyse the current state of affairs of the Muslim world and present solutions to problems in the present tragic situation.

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UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

SOCIAL 23

Council for AustralianArab Relations On 24 Nov, Minister Bishop has announced the appointment of three new Board Members to the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR): Today I announce the appointment of three new Board Members to the Council for Australian-Arab Relations (CAAR): Ms Amna Karra-Hassan, Mr Soufiane Rboub and Ms Widyan Fares.

The Board Members will contribute to CAAR’s efforts to strengthen ties and create greater understanding between Australia and the Arab world. This includes through administering a grants program which supports projects aimed at further developing economic, cultural and social links to underpin Australia-Arab relations.

The new Members will bring a wealth of skills, networks and life experience to CAAR. Ms Karra-Hassan is a community liaison officer with the Australian Federal Police and a strong advocate for Muslim women and young people. In 2011, Ms Karra-Hassan co-founded a new women’s AFL team, the Auburn Tigers.

Mr Rboub has 15 years of experience in the international education industry and is the Chair of the Australia Arab Chamber of Commerce and Industry in South Australia.

Ms Fares is a senior writer for the Point Magazine at Multicultural NSW and is fo-

cussed on improving the relationship between Australian mainstream media and the Australia Muslim community.

Thank you to all those who messaged and sent their well wishes regarding my appointment to the board of The Council for Australian-Arab Relations. I’m looking forward to my time there along with the amazing Amna K-Hassan. Insh’Allah this brings about many positives and improvements. Make sure you LIKE us on Facebook for all the updates.

- Widyan Fares CAAR Board Member Councillor Houssam Abiad has agreed to take on the role of Deputy Chair.

“Very humbling to be appointed as Deputy Chairperson of The Council for Australian-Arab Relations - CAAR by our Foreign Minister the Hon Julie Bishop MP, i look forward to serving alongside our Chair Sue Ismiel, Board Members Yassmin Abdel-Magied, Joumanah El Matrah, and our newly appointed members Soufiane Rboub, Widyan Fares & Amna K-Hassan. A big thank you to our exiting members Dr Glen Simpson, Debra Counsell, and the Hon Mark Vaile AO, who have made significant contributions to the Council.”

- Houssam Abiad All appointments will commence in January 2017.

UMMAH

AMUST

US mosques receive hate letter Three California mosques received a letter calling Muslims “vile and filthy,” praising President-elect Donald Trump and saying he plans to “cleanse” America, an association of Muslim-Americans said Sunday.

The same short, anti-Muslim letter -- addressed to “Children of Satan” -- was sent in recent days to mosques in San Jose in northern California and Long Beach and Claremont

in the Los Angeles area, said the Council on American-Islamic Relations, or CAIR. The letter dismissed Muslims as a “vile and filthy people” and called on them to “pack your bags and get out of Dodge,” the council said.

Trump, the letter added, is “going to cleanse America and make it shine again. And, he’s going to start with you Muslims.”

FECCA calls for restraint

The Federation of Ethnic Communities’ Councils of Australia (FECCA) urges all political parties to resist inflammatory statements when discussing immigration and to ensure that debate is balanced, reasonable and informed and does not marginalise any particular group.

FECCA Chairperson, Joe Caputo expressed concerns over the recent comments by the Minister for Immigration and Border Protection, the Hon Peter Dutton MP who criticised former Liberal Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser’s policy of welcoming refugees and migrants, referred to refugees “delivering their troubles onto our shores,” and linked specific communities to broader law and order challenges.

Mr Caputo said: “While public discussion on immigration is important, any debate must take place within the bounds of respectful discourse. I caution against inflammatory statements that may divide Australians along racial, cultural, linguistic or religious lines.”

“Australia has a proud history of immigration, which has brought many benefits to the nation. We must defend Australia’s harmoni-

ous and vibrant multicultural society that has contributed to Australia’s economic, intellectual and cultural success” Mr Caputo added.

FECCA encourages all Australians to combat stereotypes and prejudice which underpin racism in our community.

Mr Caputo urged leaders to facilitate constructive dialogue and cross cultural understanding and to harness the goodwill and participation of all Australians in building a national movement for positive change.

FECCA is the peak national body representing Australians from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. FECCA’s role is to advocate and promote issues on behalf of its constituency to government, business and the broader community.

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Muslim Community Radio volunteer receives award Last month, community broadcasters from across Australia gathered in Melbourne for the 2016 CBAA Community Radio Awards.

These national awards are a celebration of community broadcasting excellence and recognise the accomplishments of community radio services and the people behind them across more than 20 categories. Amongst those recognised is young volunteer Zeina Tebbo for her outstanding contribution to her local station, Muslim Community Radio (2MFM).

This award recognises a young person who has contributed to their station or the sector in an outstanding way. Entries may be for any person aged under 26 years who has shown strong commitment to the values of community broadcasting in a number of areas.

Zeina commenced as a 2MFM Radio volunteer in 2012, while also studying engineering at the University of New South Wales. Today, Zeina volunteers in a variety of departments including marketing, programming, research and governance. She has evolved into a prominent leader committed to supporting staff and

December 2016

volunteers.

The annual CBAA Awards are designed to promote and recognise excellence in community broadcasting. They acknowledge the accomplishments of stations and their programs, initiatives or practices that increase their capability and improve the services offered to that station’s community. Winners were announced at a special gala dinner held in Melbourne on Saturday, 12 November 2016.

CBAA Chief Executive Officer Jon Bisset had this to say of the Awards: “There was an incredibly high quality of entries in this year’s CBAA Community Radio Awards. Congratulations to all the winning stations, programs, initiatives and individuals for 2016. The work recognised tonight is a testament to the value that those in the sector and our growing number of listeners place on vibrant community media and it’s critical role in upholding local content, access, diversity, inclusiveness, and independence in our communities across Australia. Thank you again to everyone who entered the awards this year.”

Aleppo residents continue to suffer due to fighting

The recent Syrian government gains in Aleppo have prompted an exodus of thousands of desperate civilians, some fleeing to districts held by the government or Kurdish forces, others heading south into areas still under opposition control.

The opposition has steadily lost territory since Russia intervened to bolster President Bashar al-Assad in September 2015.

Syria’s White Helmets warned that they had no more fuel reserves for rescue vehicles.

In a video statement, the group urged “all humanitarian, aid, and medical organisations to immediately intervene to put an end to the humanitarian disaster” facing civilians in besieged Aleppo.

Nearly 10,000 civilians have fled the east, the Observatory said late Sunday, with about 6,000 moving to the Kurdish-held Sheikh Maqsoud neighbourhood and 4,000 to government-held west Aleppo.

Kurdish officials published a video they said showed civilians crossing a field to Sheikh Maqsoud, where local forces helped people cross a makeshift barrier.

The United Nations said it was “deeply concerned” about civilians in the east, where international aid is exhausted and food stocks are desperately low.

The UN has appealed for access to the east many times, but has failed to secure the necessary guarantees to enable aid deliveries.

“In terms of east Aleppo, we just need the green light from the people who control the roads going in because, as you know, the east of Aleppo is besieged,” said Ramesh Rajasingham, the UN’s deputy regional humanitarian coordinator for the Syria crisis.

The government advances mean the regime

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now controls at least a third of eastern Aleppo, just under two weeks into its renewed bid to recapture the city.

Regime bombardment of eastern districts killed 18 civilians, Abdel Rahman said.

The government assault of heavy air strikes, barrel bomb attacks and artillery fire has killed at least 247 civilians in east Aleppo, according to the Observatory.

Rebel fire into the government-held west has also killed at least 27 civilians, among them 11 children, since November 15, it says.

British Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson called for an immediate ceasefire in Aleppo, saying the assault “is threatening a humanitarian catastrophe”.

More than 400,000 people have been killed and millions displaced since the conflict began with anti-government protests in March 2011.

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BOOMERANG 5-7

COMMUNITY 8 - 10

AUSTRALIA 11 - 12

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The Arba’een Walk from Najaf to Karbala Fousiya Bismi A record 22 million pilgrims visited the burial shrine of Imam Hussein (r) in Karbala, Iraq on 21 November 2016 setting a new record for the annual pilgrimage known as Arba’een Walk, the world’s largest peaceful gathering.

Arba’een commemorates the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussein (r), son of Imam Ali (r) and the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (s). which falls on the 20th day of the month of Safar.

Imam Hussein (r) together with 72 companions were killed by Yazid’s army in the Battle of Karbala in 61 AH (680 CE).

In the words of the English historian Edward Gibbon: “In a distant age and climate, the tragic scene of the death of Hussein will awaken the sympathy of the coldest reader.”

In commemorating Imam Hussain’s (r) martyrdom, millions walk every year from the city of Najaf to Karbala a distance of 85 km for three days from all over Iraq and neighbouring countries as well as from all over the globe.

Millions of pilgrims dressed in black come in buses, on foot, on crutches, in wheelchairs, the handicapped, hobbling or crawling, the young and the old, stream into Karbala chanting “Here I am O Hussein” having travelled hundreds of km to be present there on the day of Arba’een.

Arba’een is unique because it takes place against the setting of chaotic geopolitical environment. Even though it is a distinctively a Shia spiritual exercise, many Sunnis, even Christians, Yazidis, Zoroastrians, and Sabians take part in both the pilgrimage as well as serving the pilgrims. Some Iraqi Christian religious leaders also joined the delegation from the Vatican.

This can only mean one thing: people re-

gardless of color or creed see Hussein (r) as a universal and borderless symbol of freedom and compassion.

The astonishing welcome that the Iraqi people give the pilgrims is unparalleled.

The pilgrims do not need to carry anything on their journey except the clothes they wear.

They are offered fresh meals to eat and a space to rest, free international phone calls to assure concerned relatives, baby diapers and practically every other amenity totally free of charge.

No one asks about one’s religion or sect, every pilgrim is considered honorable and

gets treated like royalty. Even the dirt from under the feet of the pilgrims is considered a cure for disease.

The Iraqi people treat the pilgrims with utmost reverence simply because they are visitors of Imam Hussain (r).

Arba’een needs to be listed in the Guinness Book of World Records in several categories: biggest annual gathering, longest continuous dining table, largest number of people fed for free, largest group of volunteers serving a single event, all under the imminent threat of violence sweeping Middle East in general and Iraq in particular.

What motivates these pilgrims and their

hosts to such love is something that requires an understanding of the character and status of Imam Hussein (r) and the spiritual relationship that those who have come to know him have developed with this living legend.

Imam Hussain’s (r) tragic story encourages, inspires, and instigates change for the better and this ardent love keeps increasing as can be seen from the increasing millions of pilgrims every year commemorating his martyrdom for justice and peace.

Fousiya Bismi, based in Sydney is a family law advisor, student of comparative religions and a community activist.

Arba’een 2016 gathering at Karbala, Iraq.

Democracy failing the contemporary multicultural world Zahid Jamil Election of Donald Trump raises many questions on suitability of much admired democratic institutions in the modern world.

Democracy prides itself in electing the leaders chosen by the majority.

In a democratic election, the vote of every person has equal value irrespective of personal credentials.

Unfortunately, votes of the people who have voted for loosing candidates eventually have no value.

Democracy can elect the most unqualified leaders like Trump, least intelligent people

like Bush (junior), criminals like Modi, corrupts like Zardari and many more.

These leaders are no better than the totalitarian rulers such as Saddam Hussein, Hosni Mubarak or royals of the gulf countries.

The political leaders have the art of creating and exploiting emotions of masses in democracies.

They seek opportunity from the events at the time of election or very often create events to suit their agenda.

Whenever such events offer an opportunity to incite masses to suit political ideology of their party, they are able to take full advantage of it.

They twist issues, misrepresent facts and figures, create divisions to ensure that masses are convinced to vote for them in large numbers.

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Of course, they have their financial backers who support them for promise of adequate favours and returns if elected to power.

It enables them to spend a fortune to get their message across to masses through media and all other means available.

The election of Donald Trump is considered to be the most bizarre event of US political history. He fell out of favour from his own political party as most of the leading republicans found him not conforming to the political ethics of the grand old party.

His language was most rude at times, his expressions of hate particularly towards Muslims were alarming, his discomfort towards Maxicans, Latinos and blacks was confronting, his remarks about women showed that he was a brattish character.

Yet, Americans, largely the white working class related to him more as he spoke their language.

They did not relate to Hillary and her ideological gesture of being kind to immigrants or Muslims and typical talk and actions to conform to US political establishment.

A few issues such as leaked emails caused Hillary’s campaign huge damage.

Middle America has been angry not only because immigrants have taken their jobs but also because unfair trade deals, in their opinion, have shut down hundreds of manufacturing factories in US. The hysteria created against Muslims by American media over past couple of decades made this segment of American society (and they are the majority) very intolerant towards Muslims.

Perhaps the biggest trump card, Trump played and repeated during his speeches countrywide was that he was not a politician. It shows how fed up voters have become from the political establishment, perhaps not only in US but also in many more democratic nations

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around the world.

If George Bush junior, leaning towards extreme right, could create unnecessary wars and do so much damage on a global level, Donald Trump, having full support of extreme right could even be more damaging.

The nationalist movements are gaining strength around the world which are generally seeking hatred towards minorities and immigrants.

White Supremacist movements in many Western countries are threatening the multicultural societies, these countries had built since world war II and under the new global village.

The extreme right Hindu movements are bent upon harming the multi-religious secular character of India. Extremist Muslim groups are repeatedly attacking Christian and other minorities in several Muslim countries.

Obama, eight years back was seen as Messiah by many in the Middle East. However, the real powerbrokers in Washington DC did not allow him to do what he may have wished.

During his Presidency, democratically elected Muslim Brotherhood Government in Egypt was crushed, Gaddafi was dethroned, Syrian war killed hundreds of thousands of people, situation in Iraq worsened. Obama could only give lectures but failed miserably when it came to action.

With the election of Trump, surely there are more uncertain times to come and we can only pray and wish for a peaceful world.

Zahid Jamil is an engineering post graduate and runs a financial planning practice based in Sydney. He heads South Asian Muslim Association of Australia, SAMAA: http://samaa.org.au ), a benevolent institution offering wide range of services to the community elders.

December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

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AMUST

The 99 Divine attributes of Allah Part 28 - Attribute 90

BEYOND THE BOX Dr Q Ashfaq Ahmad

This issue continues the series exclusive to AMUST on the 99 divine attributes of Allah.

Read previous parts at www.goo.gl/L1wvP2 90. Al-Mani - The Preventer Say, ‘whether you give me willingly or unwillingly, your offering shall not be accepted by Allah, for you are indeed a disobedient people.’ 1 The only reason their contributions are not accepted is that they have denied Allah and His Messenger, they come to the prayer half-heartedly, and they offer contributions unwillingly. 2 Do not let their wealth and children impress you. For Allah seeks to punish them through these things in the life of this world so that their souls shall depart while they are still denying the truth. 3 They swear by Allah that they are believers like you but they are not. They are afraid (to appear in their true colours) 4 If they could find a place of refuge, or a cave or any hiding place, they would run there with frantic haste.5 (At-Tawbah, 9:53-57) 1. Some hypocrites were not willing to indulge themselves in the danger but they did not wish to lose their whole prestige among the believers by becoming totally aloof from Jihad and its involvement and then openly express their hypocrisy.

So they sought to be excused at this time from a martial service in return for providing some of their wealth.

2. Captivated with the love of wealth and siblings, they should be defiantly dishonoured and all their pomp and show, as demonstrated by the honour, prestige, chiefhood and patronage in the past jahali Arab society, be totally banished in the Islamic social order. Then petty slaves and their siblings, the ordinary farmers and shepherds who proved their sincere belief shall be honoured in this new sys-

tem whilst the families of the prestigious chiefs and their kind become dishonoured because of their worldliness.

A very interesting incident once occurred in the assembly of Umar, Amirul-Muminoon (ra). The chief lords of Quraysh Suhail Bin Amru and Haris Bin Hisham had gone to visit Umar.

There any ordinary person of Ansar and Muhajereen were courteously welcomed near the vicinity of Umar. Umar directed these two chiefs to vacate the place to sit the new comers. After a while the situation arose that these two chiefs had to shift gradually to the rear of the assembly. Coming outside Haris Bin Hisham told his companion: ‘Did you observe what insult was given to us?’ Suhail Bin Amru responded ‘It is not the fault of Umar. We are at fault that when we were invited to accept the deen of Islam, we returned back and these persons came anxiously toward this invitation’. Then these two persons came to Umar and commented : ‘Today we observed your behaviour with them. We realised that it is all because of our negligence of Islam at that time. So is there any substitute for this misconduct?’.

Umar did not give any response for it verbally but he pointed towards the territory of Rome. It meant that the only remedy is to spend your life and wealth in Jihad. ‘You may achieve that position back which you have already lost’.

3. The disgrace and torture that they had to tolerate more than the present humiliation and insult is that because of their hypocritical trait and character they shall never possess the grace of truthful loyalty in the world up to death. Hence by ruining their worldly living they shall depart from the world such that the life in the hereafter shall be extremely worse.

4. These Madinite hypocrites were mostly wealthy and aged ones. In the list given

by Ibn Katheer: ‘Al Badayah wan Nahayah’, we have only one youth who was poor. These persons used to deal with the properties and other related business in Madinah and their engagements had

trained them to become opportunists.

When Islam approached Madinah and the majority embraced Islam with sincerity and faith-passion, they found themselves caught in strange dilemma. They observed that, on one hand, the majority of their clan members and their own sons and daughters had been empowered with the belief in Islam. If they maintained the disbelief and denial of Islam, their prestige, honour and fame all are going to be destroyed to the extent that in their own houses chances are that mutiny may be raised up against them. But on the other hand if they support Islam then they had to be prepared to have conflicts and battles with the grievances and enmity and clashes. The continuation of selfish and self-esteemed practice and mentality took away the insight and the appreciation of justice, truthfulness and honest outlook for which may undertake the sacrifice of lives, wealth and properties.

Hence they dealt with the issues and problems only under the influence of their interests and business. Therefore the best alternative open for the safety of selfishness was that they declare the belief in Islam in order to maintain their apparent prestige and their business

without putting their wealth at risk. This mental background and attitude has been narrated here that in reality these people have only tied themselves with the believers out of compulsion and by the fear of losses.

5. That is if they openly remain as declared non-muslims while living in Madinah they may lose prestige and honour and risk their relationship with their own wives and children. On the other hand, if they leave Madinah, they will have to forego their business and properties.

Moreover they don’t have seriousness for the disbelief style of living to bear and overcome such losses for the sake of infidelity. This dilemma has entangled them so much that they by compulsion stay in Madinah, offer prayers without sincerity and are willing to pay ‘penalty’ of Zakat payment. Moreover the frequent issue of Jihad at anytime, facing barbarous enemies and the demand of the sacrifices of spending properties and lives, so much trouble them that they are restless to find any loophole, hiding place or shelter unknown by others, to escape their duties.

Continued in AMUST issue #134 January

Forgiveness: a gift in peace all can afford Mohammad Hassan Bakhtiari Forgiveness is the act of consciously deciding to let go of indignation and thoughts of revenge towards another entity who has harmed you in some way.

This attribute is a moral virtue, unconditionally expressed as an act of mercy toward those who have acted unjustly toward the forgiver.

Mercy is defined as “conscious compassion shown towards an offender in spite of the fact that forgiving person is able to retaliate.

Dr Swartz, a psychiatrist said: “You are choosing to offer compassion and empathy to the person who wronged you.”

Forgiving individuals are gentle, self-controlled, patient, peaceful, and also they are a pattern of moral worthiness. When they feel someone has acted inappropriately or offensively, they remind the human values to one who offended them with the act of forgiving.

Medical studies have found that some people are just naturally more forgiving.

Accordingly, they tend to be more satisfied with their lives and to have less dumps, anxiety, stress, anger and antagonism.

One study written in The Journal of Behavioral Medicine found forgiveness to be

December 2016

connected with lower heart rate and blood pressure as well as stress relief. Therefore, this can bring long-term health benefits for heart and overall health.

Before the evidence from social sciences and medicine, this strength had been emphasized in religious thought.

The Prophet of Islam declared over a thousand years ago: The person who forgives more, his life would be longer (A’lam ud-Din fi Sefat el-Mo’menin, p.315).

Islam encourages forgiveness between people and advises continence, restrain anger, and patience.

Following are some verses of the Holy Quran and a Hadith of Prophet (s) on the

subject of forgiveness: “Show forgiveness, enjoin what is good, and turn away from the ignorant.” (Quran 7:199) “Verily, the hour is coming (life is very short), so forgive them with gracious forgiveness.” (Quran 15:85).

“Whoever is patient and forgives - indeed, that is among the matters [requiring] steadfast determination.” (Quran 42:43) “The believers are those who spend in charity during ease and hardship and who restrain their anger and pardon the people...” (Quran 3:134) Prophet Muhammad (s) asserted: Forgive each other to make your grudges drop. (Ha-

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dith: Nahj al Fasaha 642).

The power of forgiveness is not just a solution for transforming anger, But it’s a crucial component to one’s personal development.

Forgiving others is essential for spiritual growth. When individuals forgive, they become able to rediscover positive emotions such as benignity and tenderness.

It is usually through therapy that these emotions become accessible and allows them to achieve a greater sense of empowerment.

On the other hand, thoughts of resentment, anger, and hatred represent slow, debilitating energies that will dis-empower man.

This strength is an important aspect in marriage, social relations, and all of interactions in various societies.

Feel empathy for the offenders and wish happiness on them. Forgive the person and realize that in forgiveness, you are more able to live a happier life.

Admittedly Forgiveness isn’t easy. These notes will help you move closer to concept of forgiveness and consequently peace of mind.

Ultimately, you should practice forgiveness by treating it as a peaceful gift to yourself and your offenders.

Mohammad Hassan Bakhtiari, based in Tehran has a Masters degree in international relations and is an expert in International Relations and Knowledge Management.

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Euthanasia making silent inroads

LIFESTYLE 13 - 15

Shifa L Mustapha

This past week has seen, yet again, another challenge on behalf of those fighting for Euthanasia to be legalized in Australia. As in previous cases it was rejected. However this is not the end of a story which has been presented time and again with great persistence.

Euthanasia, or “Mercy killing”, is not something new. It was prevalent in ancient times and thought to be the reason why the Hippocratic Oath expressly forbids doctors killing or assisting in the killing of their patients. Interestingly, up until 1642 the word “suicide” did not exist being described as Self murder.

Religiously, as in Christianity and Judaism, suicide has always been considered “an affront to God that demonstrated contempt for the gift of life”. For Believers nothing has changed whether they are Muslim, Christian or Jew. “Do not kill” states the Decalogue while the Qur’an states, “Do not take life that is sacred.”

Historically the movement towards euthanasia has been upheld by philosophers and public intellectuals who saw suicide as “a rationalist approach against conventional morality” [1] Voltaire and David Hume argued that people should be free to commit suicide if they perceived their lives to be too burdensome. However, as Dowbigger has noted, “the boundaries between a right to suicide and a social duty to kill oneself were never terribly clear.” [2] Today it is notable that the majority upholding euthanasia claim to be atheists.

While I, personally, am in the ranks of those who regard life as a sacred Trust from God, to be cherished until such time as I am called upon to give back that Trust, I look upon euthanasia from the perspective that once we, as Australians, enter this dimension we cannot possibly foretell the outcome. We may see this in the rosy glow of “death with dignity” or “mercy killing” but human nature being as it is, we cannot ever exclude the possibility of the “slippery slope” which will lead to involuntary euthanasia for reasons such as economics or ridding ourselves of those who do not fit into the perceived status or ideal.

Nazi Germany was probably the first country to accept voluntary or involuntary euthanasia. The first known case was that of a concerned father making a special request to Hitler that death be allowed for his baby son born blind, retarded and missing an arm and a leg. Hitler gave this case into the hands of his personal physician, Karl Brandt, and it was carried out in 1938.

From there it went on with the formation of a committee which allowed for “mercy deaths” to be granted for children who had no hope of meaningful existence.

We, of course, may scoff and remind everyone that this is Australia in the 21st century, but a statement on an Australian website in favour of euthanasia has mentioned the following with regard to involuntary euthanasia: “Non voluntary euthanasia could cover: Babies grossly mentally or physically handicapped. Children grossly mentally or physically handicapped. The severe mentally afflicted. Senile degenerates.” It goes on to say, “It does seem undesirable to keep these unfortunates alive.

Their continued existence burdens relatives, friends and the community, and often, though not always, themselves.”

Safeguards One is always told of the underpinning safeguards which will control euthanasia in Australia. Germany also had safeguards. In 1939 Hitler wrote instructions: “Reichleader Bouhler and Fr. Med Brandt are responsibly commissioned to extend the authority of physicians to be designated by name so that a mercy death may be granted to patients who, according to human judgment, are incurably ill according to the most critical evaluation of the state of their disease.”

Over time Hungerhauser (starvation houses) were set up for the elderly, which may, or may not, have been due to the economic situation of the State, and by the end of 1941 euthanasia was reported as being a normal hospital routine. Brandt later testified at his trial at Nuremburg that the underlying motive was to simply help those who could not help themselves.

Holland in recent times has accepted eu-

thanasia. In 1984 the Royal Dutch Medical Association endorsed euthanasia, issuing strict guidelines on how to govern it. The patient’s condition had to be one of unbearable suffering impossible to be relieved, and the patient must freely request to die.

When the patient asked, the doctor should not proceed but consult another independent doctor. Each case was to be reported as an “unnatural death” to local officials. Doctors not following these guidelines were told that they could face imprisonment of up to 12 years. These guidelines were approved by parliament and were meant to “protect and empower terminally ill patients.” According to one report, by 1995 a survey commissioned by the Dutch government estimated that “only” 3,600 people had died in that same year as a result of assisted suicide or euthanasia, but this only included cases where patients requested death. “There were a further 900 cases in which patient’s lives were ended without their request, and nearly 1,900 deaths in which doctors increased painkilling drugs with the explicit intention of hastening death.” Imprisonment for doctors in breach of guidelines has been virtually non-existent.

Dr. Herbert Hendin, Medical Director of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention has stated, “…The Netherlands has moved from euthanasia for the terminally ill to euthanasia for the chronically ill; from euthanasia for physical illness to euthanasia for psychological distress; and from voluntary to involuntary euthanasia.” It is also now noted that teenagers may choose to end

their lives in this manner.

We should never underestimate the importance of depression and loneliness which can be the underlying cause for seeking euthanasia by a large number of people. Youth suicide is a problem which cannot be solved by legalising euthanasia. People are hurting; we live in confronting times and souls cry out for help, but so often that help is not forthcoming.

As a community we should not neglect those in physical and emotional need. We should also, as a nation, look more closely at responsible palliative care for those in the throes of terminal illness.

Shifa Mustapha is a prolific writer and community worker based in Brisbane, QLD. References [1] “Life Unworthy of Life: A concise History of Euthanasia” Dowbigger Ian. Pub. Rowman & Littlefield.

[2] “A Concise History of Euthanasia” Smith Wesley J. Magazine article from First Things: A Monthly Journal of Religion & Public Life.

Recommended Reading: “A Merciful End – The Euthanasia Movement in Modern America” Dowbigger Ian. Oxford University Press 2003.

“Euthanasia, Ethics, and Public Policy: An Argument Against Legalisation” Keown John “Death and Medical Power: An Ethical Analysis of Dutch Euthanasia Practice” Henk A.M.J. Tenhave, Jos V.M. Welie.

Interfaith studies offered in Pakistan Follow Dr Herman Roborgh

In Australia, courses on different religions of the world are readily available in many universities and colleges. But no such opportunity has been available in Pakistan.

Minhaj University in Lahore, Pakistan now officially recognized by the Government of Pakistan has recently taken the initiative to open a School of Religions and Philosophy, the first of its kind in Pakistan.

This new program will enable students to study all the religions that are practiced in Pakistan, namely, Islam, Christianity, Hinduism, Sikhism and Buddhism. Some aspects of Judaism will be studied as well.

Graduates of this program will have an adequate knowledge of different religions

20

of Pakistan to support the work of inter-religious dialogue in this country.

The program consists of two years of full time study. During the first year, students will attend courses on the different religions of Pakistan. While in the second year of the program, each student will be able to choose a particular religion for further research.

Professors will be engaged from the Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Buddhist and Muslim communities to accompany the students in their research. In this way, students will obtain an insight into the religions of Pakistan with the help of a professor who actually practices that religion.

Although there is widespread support for this new venture, prospective students in Lahore are wondering whether a degree in Religions and Philosophy will provide them with a job in future.

Australasian Muslim Times

In a world where subjects of study are chosen according to future job opportunities, the School of Religions and Philosophy at Minhaj University has to compete with many other programs that are financially more promising for students.

The University is confident, however, that the value of a profound knowledge of the different religions in Pakistan will eventually come to be seen as a useful way of promoting understanding, peace and harmony in this country, which gives religion such an exalted and significant role.

Dr Herman Roborgh, spent many years working in Indonesia and Pakistan as a missionary. After completing his PhD in Islamic Studies from Aligarh Muslim University in India,he returned to Australia where he is engaged in various projects connected with

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interfaith dialogue. He is currently in Pakistan and can be contacted at herman.roborgh@yahoo.com

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EDUCATION Major challenges to Muslims in the age of post-truth UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

BUSINESS 22

Professor Ihsan Yilmaz We live in difficult times. For those who care about the Muslim world, Muslims or non-Muslims, the realities that we see are deeply disturbing. No one can deny that the Muslim World is presently mired in a deep crisis. For those Muslims living in western democracies the situation is very much better but nevertheless there is the depressing reality that: • on the one hand, the religion which they love for its values and message of compassion and justice for all has, in recent decades, been hijacked by the violently extremist global movement known as Jihadi Salafism, a pastiche ideology composed of terrorism, nihilism, fundamentalism, conservatism, takfirism and Islamism • and on the other hand, many face discrimination and attacks from the extremist right-wing phobia industry and its supporters (be it phobia against Muslims, Jews, blacks, or the LGTB community) who, in their ignorance, swallow simplistic rhetoric dressed-up as analysis In either case, be it Jihadi Salafist ideology or extremist right wing Islamophobia, both are predicated on emotional projection and deep rooted and self-referential prejudice, which shuns the complexity of the truth for the simplicity of misrepresentation and conflation. They are in agreement in their hatred for the independent thinking well educated.

Ironically, the Jihadi Salafists and the Islamophobes are in agreement in proclaiming that their narrow, proscriptive, essentialised interpretation of Islam is the only authentic understanding of the richly diverse faith of one quarter of humanity.

For them there is no possibility of congruence between universal humanistic values and Islamic values, no point of meeting between Western civilization and Islamic thought.

Rather, they assert together that Islam is against democracy, human rights, pluralism, equal citizenship, intercultural understanding and peaceful co-existence. And that it requires violence.

The need for Muslim auto-criticism There are clearly big problems with the international system that need to be addressed. At the same time, however, we all of us have a responsibility to examine ourselves and see how we can be a positive force for change.

This is also required by the new direction of academia which asks of its practitioners to not just be abstract armchair philosophers but to consider the social implications and impact of their work and research.

Muslims must know that they are not simply passive observers or objects of history in the making. They have agency and they have responsibility. Blaming the other for our own faults may make us feel good but does not solve our problems. It is better to spend much of our energies on problems that we can deal with and possibly solve.

There are encouraging examples of Muslim auto-criticism in Muslim intelligentsia.

Proponents of civil and progressive interpretation of Islam such as Fethullah Gulen in whose name this chair is endowed, and his intellectual predecessor Bediuzzaman

SOCIAL 23

Said Nursi, primarily focused on the faults, mistakes, deficiencies of Muslims themselves and the need to face up to challenges such as ignorance, poverty and non-cohesive Muslim societies, stemming from lack of social capital.

The question is how we popularize the practice of self-criticism to the wider masses. It is saddening to see that compared to Islamists and extremists, the impact of progressive Muslim leaders and scholars has been limited.

Tribalization of muslim polities and othering Muslim societies are full of ethnic, sectarian, cultural and ideological groups with strong bonding capital but with little to none bridging social capital, empathetic acceptance and intercultural understanding. This has paved the way for post-modern tribalization of Muslim societies and polities. In such contexts, othering or otherization becomes the norm.

Neuroscientist Kathleen Taylor explains how otherization undermines social cohesiveness: when people are not included in their tribe; the others are commonly classed as beasts or subhumans. It then becomes too easy to justify treating them with disrespect and even waging war against them.

And this is where Islamist ideology has the upper hand since it is based on binary oppositions and othering.

Many millions of Muslims all over the world are under the influence of Islamists who have for the last century kept blaming the Western hegemony, modernity, colonialism, imperialism, capitalism but never themselves for the failed Muslim World.

The “ignorance” of the Islamophobes There are -of course- no Islamist monopoly on bigotry. Their mutually constitutive others, Islamophobes also suffer from a twisted understanding of Muslim history and Islam. Of course, a differentiation should be made between ideologues and foot soldiers. In the post-truth era, ideologues knowingly produce false information about the other and their audiences do not wish to scrutinize the post-truth information as it suits their prejudices and personal and tribal expectations.

History has shown that almost all religions have been abused for socio-economic and political purposes by their fanatic and immoral adherents. There is no Islamic exceptionalism on this matter.

Rather than vainly blaming religions that have always been either used for good purposes or abused for bad purposes depending on the morality of the individuals, groups, societies and states, we need to focus on the conditions, factors, structures and agencies that turn religions into uncivilized and even fatalistic ideologies.

It is true that as it is, the Muslim World unfortunately keeps producing problems.

But, we must not fall into the trap of essentialism and argue that Islam is innately and inherently problematic.

Its longer history shows that it was able to produce a remarkable civilization, a civilization that was friendly with intellect, sought knowledge and produced, science, philosophy and arts.

Farabi, Avicenna, Ibn Rushd, Ghazzali, Kharezmi, Ibn Khaldun, Muhyaldin Al-Ara-

bi, Mevlana Jelaleddin-i Rumi and many others like them were all practicing Muslim children of Islam.

Many thousands of good Muslims with turbans, long beards and long white robs throughout Islam’s golden centuries had produced hundreds and thousands – perhaps even millions - of works on philosophy, Sufism, transcendent theosophy, ethics, metaphysics, science, engineering, alchemy, chemistry, astronomy, astrology, sociology, mathematics, medicine, ophthalmology, physics, psychology, art, calligraphy, pottery, music, poetry, literature, logic, exegesis and jurisprudence.

Today they are disregarded both by the Salafists who want to jettison Islamic tradition and history and imprison it to its first century and Islamophobes who prefer to see only the bad examples. The names that I just mentioned are not even seen as Muslims by many Salafists.

And their mirror-image counter-parts, the Islamophobes, wrongly think that these Muslim scholars were ‘secularized’ ‘non-practicing’ Muslims; that is why they were so “good”!

How to tackle double threats of Islamophobia and Salafism A brief perusal of Islamic studies, Muslim history and sociology of Islam refutes both radical Islamists and Islamophobes who want to portray a twisted, ahistorical and fabricated version of Islam and Muslim culture.

But these two ostensibly opposite ideological camps consistently, mutually and symbiotically reinforce each other at expense of Islam, Muslims, intercultural understanding and the peaceful co-existence in the World.

This is a fatalistic and even dystopian vicious cycle that has threatened not only the Muslims and the Muslim World but also the entire humanity. It will go on and on unless it begins to be creatively and pro-actively challenged and broken down.

I hope that I have been able to show that two of the main reasons of this notorious vicious cycle are a lack of knowledge in Islamic studies and a lack of intercultural understanding.

This vicious cycle could only be broken by production and dissemination of knowledge that does not only inform minds but also facilitates critical thinking, self-reflexivity, empathy, openness to others and intercultural exchange.

I am hoping that this Chair will play a humble but constructive role for this noble intellectual and scholarly endeavor.

The Chair aims to address real local, national, transnational and global challenges and contemporary burning issues affecting Australia related to Islam, Muslims and the Muslim World with an academic and research output.

With this aim, the Chair will seek to provide academic and research leadership in: • Islamic studies; • Sociology, politics and political economy of Islam and the Muslim World; • Interfaith and intercultural studies; and • Cultural diversity and immigration studies.

The chair will try to expand the limits of knowledge and inform the public debate with cutting edge scholarship and high quality mixed-method, inter and multi-discipli-

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nary research in social sciences and humanities It will also provide research training, Masters and PhD training and post-doctoral level fellowships to develop and lead a vibrant research team of critical thinkers and disseminators of knowledge in interreligious, interfaith and social inclusion agenda.

The Chair and its team will be eager contributors in public policy, advocacy and commentary in related areas, issues and concerns.

It will build cooperative strong relationships with professional groups, government and non-government organisations, overseas institutions, other academics, industry and the wider community.

Those of you who know the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalization’s vision and mission will acknowledge that the Chair is positioned perfectly in this institution. Each and every one of the research streams of the ADI that are on human rights, culture, diversity, identity and governance are directly relevant and related to the Chair in Islamic Studies and Intercultural Understanding.

This is a shortened version of the article.

Read the full article on our website at: http://wp.me/p4ICdM-2gj Professor Ihsan Yilmaz occupies the Fethullah Gulen Chair in Islamic Studies and intercultural dialogue in the Alfred Deakin Institute for Citizenship and Globalisation at Melbourne’s Deakin University.

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Halal Tourism worth US$238 billion by 2019 AMUST Media Reed Travel Exhibitions, organiser of the annual Arabian Travel Market (ATM) showcase in Dubai, which will take place at the Dubai World Trade Centre from 2427 April 2017, has announced that it will host the first ATM Global Halal Tourism Summit as part of its line-up of special focus events.

The one-day summit, scheduled to take place on Wednesday 26th April 2017 on the Global Stage, will feature three interactive seminar sessions covering the big picture, halal destination strategies and how to sell halal travel, led by leading Muslim travel industry experts including Faeez Fadhlillah, Co-Founder & CEO, Salam Standard & Tripfez; Nabeel Shariff, Founder and Director of Serendipity Tailor-made and Luxury Halal Travel.

A 2014 report by Thomson Reuters valued the global halal food and lifestyle sector at US$1.8 trillion and this is expected to reach US$2.6 trillion by 2020; That figure was supported by research commissioned by the Government of Dubai, and produced

by Thomson Reuters in partnership with DinarStandard, which found that halal tourism represents 11.6% of global tourism expenditure, estimating the sector would be worth US$238 billion by 2019.

The summit announcement follows a special roundtable session about halal tourism, organised by Reed Travel Exhibitions, which took place earlier this year in Dubai. A prominent group of hoteliers, destination management companies and tourism professionals

took part in the event, with 70% of participants agreeing that there is a need for a global convention on halal tourism.

Halal tourism is defined as the provision of services and facilities that address the specific needs of Islamic travellers, such as halal food, dry hotels and separate male/female facilities. However, it can mean different things to different people, thus creating both challenges and opportunities for the regional and global tourism sector when it comes to servicing the needs of halal tourists.

“In fact, 90% of our panelists believed that

there is a huge gap in the tourism market for halal cuisine, which is especially relevant as 80% also predicted a significant increase in the percentage of inbound halal business over the next five years. Launching this summit therefore presents a timely opportunity for the industry to come together to discuss opportunities, share success stories and create awareness,” said Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market.

Faeez Fadhlillah, Co-Founder & CEO, Salam Standard & Tripfez, an acknowledged expert on halal tourism, will chair the panel

Simon Press, Senior Exhibition Director, Arabian Travel Market.

at the opening session: Halal Tourism – The Big Picture, at which he will present his report findings. He will be joined by other key industry speakers to analyse how the Middle East benefits economically from Muslim travel as well as the sector’s true inbound and outbound potential.

“The Global Economic Impact of Muslim Tourism report by Salam Standard reveals the Muslim travel sector is a major contributor to global GDP, generating millions of jobs in the tourism, travel and hospitality industry worldwide, and the UAE is one of the top international countries leading the development and promotion of Muslim-friendly tourism infrastructure,” said. Fadhlillah.

The second session will delve further into the successful marketing strategies of some of the world’s leading halal-friendly destinations, from Halal certification, services and amenities, to online tools, apps and promotional efforts designed to raise awareness of their halal credentials.

Wrapping up the inaugural summit, the final session will address effective sales strategies to capitalise on ways to leverage the domestic and outbound boom in Muslim travel demand and what trends travel professionals are noticing in terms of booking decisions.

ATM – considered by many industry professionals as a barometer for the Middle East and North Africa tourism sector, witnessed a year-on-year visitor attendance increase of 8% to over 39,800 in 2016, with 2,520 exhibiting companies signing business deals worth more than US$ 2.5 billion over four days.

(Courtesy of AL Press)

AMUST Classifieds Services

Crescent Wealth Crescent Wealth is Australia’s leading Islamic Super and Investments firm helping to build a better world through positive, ethical investments.

Phone: 1300 926 626 Website: www.crescentwealth.com.au

Equitable Financial Solutions Our mission is to serve the Australian community by providing them financial products that are convenient, equitable and Shariah-compliant.

Phone: 1800 183 133 Website: www.efsol.com.au

iMoby Productions Female Photographer. Weddings and engagements, birthday parties, festivals, corporate events, filming and producing.

Phone: 0432 608 350 Website: www.imobyproductions.com

Henna by Kulsoom Professional henna artist that uses organically certified henna to make fresh henna paste. No chemicals added, leaving a long-lasting, dark stain. Located in NSW. Phone: 0424 147 867 Website: www.facebook.com/HennabyK

Hygienic Spray (for toilet) Shattaf Tahara Spray. Stainless steel hose.

Including free installation with diverter/ connector. Long distance charges apply Phone: 0418 204 251 Email: sasdqi@gmail.com

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Islamic Foundation for Education & Welfare Our aims are to address current issues through education, information dissemination and welfare projects.

Phone: (02) 9823 2063 Website: www.ifew.com

National Zakat Foundation (NZF) Are you a Muslim here in Australia • struggling to make ends meet or know someone who is • need help to calculate your Zakat • pay your Zakat or Sadaqah?

Contact NZF on 1300 663 729 or info@nzf.org.au today!

NZF is the premier Zakat institution for the Australian Muslim community, serving Zakat payers and receivers locally since 2013.

Shadow Approved We provide strategic design and website services that enable our clients to increase sales, build brand awareness and increase customer reliability. Contact us now and let us kick-start your business. www.facebook.com/shadowapproved Email: info@shadowapproved.com UAK Design Design and construction. Architectural & structural plans, Renovation & Extensions, Project Management, Duplex, Granny Flat.

Phone: 0411 081 624 Email: info@uakdesign.com.au

Charity Organisations

Australian Relief Organisation (ARO) Including water wells, orphanage projects, health activities, qurban and ramadan appeals; the ARO delivers sustainable development and aid projects in twenty countries.

Our local services include nursing home visits and support programs designed for refugees, homeless, people with disabilities and children with special needs.

Phone: (02) 8065 8469 Website: www.aro.org.au Email: info@aro.org.au AMU Alumni of Australia Supports the education of underprivileged students in India.

Phone: 0422 183 035 Website: www.fb.com/AMU-Alumni-ofAustralia House of Sakinah House of Sakinah is a women’s support centre that aims to assist & facilitate women in need & provide support. It is an initiative of Charity Australia International (CAI).

Phone: (02) 8809 2966 Website: www.fb.com/House-of-Sakinah

Buy/Sell/Trade

Human Appeal International Human Appeal International (HAI) works on a number of charitable causes, specialising in areas from Social and Educational Development to Health Care and Emergency Relief.

Phone: 1300 760 155 Website: www.humanappeal.org.au

Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair MEFF provides stallholders the opportunity to sell or promote to the Muslim community. Stall bookings open on Tuesday 22 March 2016.

Phone: (02) 9823 2063 Website: www.meff.com.au

Islamic Relief Australia Islamic Relief Australia promotes sustainable economic and social development by working with local communities to eradicate poverty, illiteracy and disease.

Phone: 1300 308 554 Website: www.islamic-relief.com.au

Australasian Muslim Times

www.amust.com.au

JIMS Foundation An education project that helps Indonesian children by providing schools and teachers.

Phone: 0413 662 880 Email: jimsfoundation@yahoo.com

Mahboba’s Promise: Donate To Charity Mahboba’s Promise is an Australian nonprofit organisation dedicated to the women and children of Afghanistan.

Phone: (02) 9887 1665 Website: www.mahbobaspromise.org SAMAA South Asian Muslim Association of Australia (SAMAA) aims to provide care to the elderly of South Asian Muslim Community.

Phone: (02) 9543 9769 Website: www.samaa.org.au

Education University ISRA Australia ISRA is a point of reference for Islamic education, resources and information services. ISRA conducts pioneering research on social and religious issues of relevance to the Australian society and international community.

Phone: (02) 9649 9040 Website: www.isra.org.au UCSI University Malaysia UCSI University offers more than just certificates and qualifications. We are committed to raising scholars, explorers and unique individuals who aspire to discover and actualise their talents.

Website: www.ucsiuniversity.edu.my

December 2016

UMMAH 16 - 18

EDUCATION 19 - 21

TOP 5 Muslim Memes

BUSINESS 22

#SOCIAL APP

SOCIAL 23

TOP 9

Tweets #SackDutton

VIDEOS

To Watch

AMUST

of the month

Islam & Domestic Violence’

In their wonderful and enlightening video series with Professor Mohamad Abdalla, One Path Network have produced a timely reminder on what Islam says about domestic violence.

Professor Mohamad Abdalla provides a powerful response against domestic violence in Islam, he says “The Quran sums up the relationship between husband and wife in a verse that beautifully summarises this relationship where it says “They are clothing for you and you are clothing for them”. Meaning they protect you and you protect them.

From this type of verse and many other verses, the Quranic paradigm shows marriage as a means of tranquillity, protection, encouragement, peace, kindness, comfort, justice, mercy and love.

In this context there is no room of violence against women. The Quran indicates that marriage is a sharing between two halves of society and that its objective besides increasing human life are emotional well-being and spiritual harmony.

There is an entire chapter in the Quran that is exclusively titled ‘Women’.” To live in absolute kindness with one’s spouse is a dictate directly coming from God himself in the Quran.

Video: https://goo.gl/Hf63k4

A to Z of Beni

“I’m sick of it. I’m sick of reacting, I’m sick of apologising, I’m sick of going online very day and having to define myself by what I’m not and not by what I am.”

This video marks the beginning of a movement in the making. “We’ve had enough of being constantly bombarded with negative images and people telling us who we are. The time has come for us to take control and tell our own stories.

BENI is a creative platform for anyone trying to imagine a world beyond the labels enforced upon them.

Anchored across social media, our various channels share a multitude of stories and journeys, offering a creative lens into the lived reality of an emerging global community. It’s a space where people are judged only by their passions, interests and ideas. Connecting them to others who share the same desire for creativity and expression.

BENI aims to create a world where individuals are not confined by what others think of them, but rather celebrated for how they choose to represent themselves.

In short, we produce excellent content with people we love and admire.

Video: youtu.be/tt7_YyRyyH8

December 2016

www.amust.com.au

Alim Quran and Hadith Platform

Available on iOS, Android Price: Free Saminah Ahmad Alim is a great app that combines Quran and Hadith as well as other Islamic information in a user friendly manner. It provides you with tools to help memorise the Quran.

It provides the following content: • Quran • Quran Translations • Quran Recitations • Authentic Hadith Translations • Prayer Time • Qibla Compass • Zakat Calculator • Islamic history and Islamic Guide.

It combines Quran, Prayer times, Athan and Hadith all in one App. It also gives you loads of more information on Islam.

When you click on the Islamic guide option you have a list of items to choose from: • Learn Islam • Names and meaning of the names of Allah· • Prophets in the Quran • Life of Prophet Muhammad (s) • Information on the four Khulafa Rashidoon • Information on Five Pillars of Islam • Hajj Guide • Nikah Guide • Duas for various occasions The App truly is a great learning tool for any Muslim or anyone who wants to know about different aspects of Islam.

Alim – Quran and Hadith Knowledge Software is brought to you by the Alim Foundation Inc, a non-profit organization created by the same team behind the Alim CD-ROM software for Windows.

Alim.org is the next evolution of that project, creating a new medium for Islamic knowledge enthusiasts to research, study, teach, and discuss Islam.

Australasian Muslim Times

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Australasian Muslim Times

www.amust.com.au

December 2016