Sunday 24 March 2019 | Issue 0750
CCN - a sometimes self-deprecating and occasional tongue-in-cheek look at ourselves and the world around us ....
We find the week's news, so that you don't have to
In this week's CCN...
Front page of the NZ newspaper The CCN's "We'll take that as a comment" Column Self-Care and Clarity of Mind...a weekly column
Friday prayer across Al Noor Mosque CCNTube The CCN Chuckle
Local vigils in response to Christchurch Massacre Back to the Future with CCN The CCN Food for Thought
Round up of Christchurch aftermath Births, Marriages, New Migrants and Condolences
An Ayaat-a-Week
Funding for Community Safety
Jumma (Friday) Khutbas (Lectures)
Zaky visits Brisbane
The CCN Inbox: Letters to the Editor
PROGRAMMES & WORKSHOPS
National Year 12 Achievement Awards Roundup
The CCN Classifieds COMMUNITY & EDUCATION SERVICES
I knew I had to quit my job at Sky News
Around the Muslim World & Muslims Around the World
Working with Muslim clients in mental health
CCN Readers' Book Club
Entrepreneur Attiya
KB's Culinary Corner
CCN on Facebook
AFIC: "Big Thank you to Humanity"
Keeping Fit with Kareema
Community Meeting with QPS Donations & Appeals Disclaimer
Latest Local Newsletters
SERIALIZATIONS
The Muslim News Awards for Excellence 2019 shortlist
THE HISTORY OF ISLAM IN AUSTRALIA
Click a link above to go directly to the article.
Return to this section by clicking at the bottom, left of the article.
Front page of the NZ newspaper
The front page of the newspaper on Friday morning in Christchurch, New Zealand.
This is the Arabic word for peace, and the greeting of Muslims.
The names and ages of each of the victims have been printed under the word Salaam.
Post comment here
Friday prayer across Al Noor Mosque
Thousands attended the Friday prayer service at Hagley Park, just across from Al Noor Mosque. The Mosque was the first of two mosques attacked by a gunman in Christchurch, New Zealand killing 50 people.
Transcript of the lecture
Local vigils in response to Christchurch Massacre
Brisbane (Islamic College of Brisbane)
Thousands of Queenslanders gathered at the Islamic College of Brisbane, Karawatha on Sunday 17th March 2019 to mourn the victims of the Christchurch Mosque incident.
The event was put together by the Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) at short notice
In excess of 3000 attendees consisting of families, community leaders, politicians and supporters stood strong in solidarity with the local Muslim community. There was hardly standing room in the hall with people of all shades spilling all around the perimeter of the building and into the prayer hall below.
Speakers expressing their sympathy and calling for unity included Brisbane Lord Mayor, Graham Quirk, Queensland Premier, Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Police Commissioner Ian Stewart, Imam Uzair Akbar, ICQ president, Habib Jamal and ICQ spokesperson, Ali Kadri.
Former student of the College, Nadia Saeed, ably held the, at times, emotional proceedings together as Master of Ceremonies.
In his Vote of Thanks, Ali Kadri called representatives of all the faith groups present to come onto the stage of the hall in a show of unity, brotherhood, peace and solidarity.
Acting Senior Sergeant Jim Bellos said �Regardless of our belief, faith and religion - all of our prayers are with those suffering through this incredibly challenging time."
�While our hearts were broken, we can be uplifted by the love, compassion and hope from the voice of all the good people in the world.
A stirring and heart-rending hakka had the entire crowd stand up and applaud as one.
Brisbane (The Gabba)
Last night (Saturday), Multicultural Queensland (MDA) and the Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) joined with the Brisbane Lions at their season kick-off at the Gabba to welcome and support Queensland�s Muslim community and "to stand together in solidarity against the racism, hate and loss the community is facing." More than 450 tickets were distributed at 10 Brisbane Mosques.
The welcoming sign on the Gabba screen
ICQ president, Habib Jamal and wife Dr Jamal being welcomed at the Gabba
Brisbane (King George Square)
On Friday night, Graham Quirk, the Lord Mayor of Brisbane, hosted a vigil at King George square (outside the City Hall). Brisbane's key landmarks were lit up in white in tribute and a condolences book was set up in the City Hall foyer.
Brisbane (Australian International Islamic College)
Yesterday afternoon (Saturday), the Australian International Islamic College hosted a vigil at its Durack campus. More than 500 people attended the event and heard speeches from Aunty Delmae Barton (Aboriginal Elder), Graham Quirk (Lord Mayor of Brisbane), Ian Stewart (QLD Police Commissioner), Scott McDougall (Anti-Discrimination Commissioner of QLD), Gary Hardgrave (Ex. Minister Multicultural Affairs), Brad Taylor (Representative from New Zealand High Commission), Emman Chapman (Lead Pastor Place of Peace Church of Nazarene), David Paratz (Life Governor of the QLD Jewish Board of Deputies), Mr. Ramanathan (Indian Cultural Association of Qld), Imam Abdul Quddoos Azhari (Founder of AIIC).
A haka was performed by a local group from New Zealand and Imam Yusuf Peer closed the ceremony with a dua (supplication).
Brisbane (Rev Fr David Pascoe and the Community of the Caboolture Catholic Parish)
the complete list of signatures
On Wednesday 20 March, the Logan Community stood together to honour the victims and lives lost during the Christchurch Mosque Terror Attack, and come together in harmony, love, humanity and peace.
Hosted at the Logan Entertainment Centre, the event featured a range of speakers including Imams from local mosques, Father Dave Batey from the Catholic Church, Geoff Hoyte from St Mark�s Anglican, Nadia Saeed (pictured left), a local young Muslim woman and others. The Maori Community of Logan performed a traditional Haka.
This event was initiated by a collaboration of local organisations in response to the recent events in Christchurch.
Imam Azhari at Logan Vigil #LoganStandsTogether
IF THE criminal responsible for the attacks on two Mosques in Christchurch yesterday sought to divide, he has done the opposite, Professor Shahjahan Khan said as he spoke to hundreds of people at a special vigil at the Garden City Mosque last Saturday afternoon.
Muslims, Christians, people of no faith - a cross section of the Toowoomba community turned out to the Garden City mosque in defiance of terror and hatred, and in solidarity with the victims of the atrocity.
"What has happened in Christchurch is an act of terror - a pure act of terror - and this person doesn't represent anybody other than himself," Prof Khan told the assembled.
"If he wanted to divide, he should see that he has actually united. So this person is a loser. This person has not only united the Muslims but also the community at large."
Prof Khan said the slaughter of 49 Muslims as they worshipped yesterday did not come as a shock to him, pointing to the current political climate
"Some people might think that this is shocking news but to me it's not shocking. It was only way to come because of the political environment that we live in," he said.
"Unfortunately some political leaders do support the ideas that would lead to this kind of activities. It has happened in Canada, it has happened in New Zealand, it has happened in the UK.
"We don't know whether it will happen in Australia or not but looking at one of the senator's (Senator Fraser Anning) statement with the Australian Government logo in it it... He wanted to blame the Muslims and say the Muslims brought this distress on them. This politics should be resented."
Bishop Cameron Venables, Bishop Robert McGukin, Mayor Paul Antonio, Groom MP Dr John McVeigh, University of Southern Queensland vice chancellor Geraldine McKenzie, Dr Mark Copland and Sgt Tony Rehn all spoke at the ceremony, paying respect to the dead and condemning the attack.
Round up of Christchurch aftermath
New Zealand Parliament paid tribute to
Christchurch victims
Sister Husna Ahmed remembered
Ambreen Naeem lost her husband and son
ANIC message to New Zealand victims and families
Muslim policewoman gives emotional speech during vigil
Naila Hassan, the superintendent of the New Zealand Police force, who is Muslim, gave a tearful speech at a vigil for victims of the Christchurch shooting on Saturday and said she was �horrified� by the attack.
Women in New Zealand are donning headscarves
to remember mosque shooting victims
Kiwi broadcasting stars wear headscarves in solidarity with Muslim community
Many women around the country today are wearing headscarves to show solidarity for the women in the Muslim community and honour the victims of the Christchurch attack.
Broadcasters Toni Street, Laura McGoldrick, Brodie Kane and others from The Hits team all wore headscarves this morning to show their support.
"The Hits ladies all standing strong with our Muslim community today," Toni and Laura shared alongside a photo with producers Heidi and Juliet and news reader, Ash.
"Our Muslim friends shouldn't feel unsafe wearing their headscarves," Toni wrote on her own Instagram, using the hashtag, #scarvesinsolidarity.
Brodie also shared a photo of her wearing a leopard print headscarf.
Earlier, Brodie and Fitzy - the breakfast team in Christchurch - shared a video by Jessie Guru, who explained how women who want to take part in Scarves In Solidarity and Headscarf For Harmony events can wear a hijab.
'This attack does not define us'
Cherie Hailwood, 24: "These people are New Zealanders, just like I am. I understand that one day is very different to wearing it all the time, but I am honored to be given the permission of the Muslim community to walk in their shoes. Even just for a day. ... One bad egg doesn't represent Australia, one bad egg doesn't represent New Zealand. This terrible attack does not define us."
'We value and respect their courage'
Kate Mills Workman, 19: "To me a headscarf represents the strength, dignity and courage of the millions of Muslim women who choose to wear it knowing that such a visible marker of faith may place them in danger. I am in awe of their strength and commitment to their faith and I hope that seeing thousands of New Zealanders wearing headscarves will show them how deeply we value and respect their courage."
'They are our family'
Izzy Ford, 45: "We wanted to show our children that just because we may not belong to the same religions, or we may look different, we are all equal. I know days, weeks, months will go by and we will remove our scarves and be back to our lives, and for our Muslim community they will continue, but for this moment in time we want to show them we are them, we love them, and they are our family."
'I don't think anyone should be afraid'
Mal Turner, 28: "I've heard of Muslim women who are scared to go out wearing their hijab after the shooting and I don't think anyone should be afraid to be themselves or practice their culture or beliefs in New Zealand."
A father and his 15-year-old son are laid to rest.
Archbishop of Canterbury: "Hatred of Muslims is blasphemy"
In the wake of the shooting in New Zealand, the Archbishop of Canterbury spoke at an interfaith gathering at Regent�s Park Mosque in London.
Much of what I was going to say has already been said. The killings in New Zealand are monstrous. The response of New Zealand, all its people, with Muslims in the forefront, is beautiful and inspiring. What they say to each other we say to you. Those who attack Muslims in THIS country or elsewhere attack every human being. You are not �the other�, you are us. Those who act out of hate for Muslims act out of hate for all here. Those who acted or supported the actions in New Zealand attack all of us.
For British Muslims who are feeling under threat, we are with you. Hatred of Muslims denies and blasphemes Christ. Those who co-opt Christian language and history for hatred commit blasphemy.
We will work with Bishops in the Church of England to see how we can be more effective in visible signs of togetherness.
We educate one million children in Church of England schools and have 8000 clergy. We will renew what we do in our Near Neighbours scheme. We will work with bishops to see how we can be more effective in dioceses.
I commit myself to listening more and putting this higher up the agenda in my own actions and words.
The event in New Zealand is a wake-up call to renew civilised discourse in public life and on social media. I know that my good friend Cardinal Vincent Nichols, who is unfortunately unable to be with us today, is one with me when I say that faith and obedience to God are part of the solution to the challenges of extremism and it is working with faith communities that we will tackle this problem. It�s shown by the fact that people from so many faiths are standing together here in solidarity. The attacker wanted to create a war against Islam; he generated human unity.
Jesus taught his followers to be peacemakers, �for they will be called children of God.� Making peace is an action, it doesn�t just happen. It requires us to be curious, to listen, to move across differences of culture, ethnicity, religion and politics in love. Hate crimes against those who are different have no place before God.
We stand together for you are us, and we are you, together in the hands of the creator and judge of every person. May God protect and strengthen you.
The DRUM ABC
Host: Ellen Fanning
Panel: Sara Saleh, Lydia Shelly, Hanan Dover, Randa Abdel-Fattah and Diana Sayed
In a special episode of The Drum a panel of all Muslim women discuss the social, cultural and political influences leading up to the Christchurch terror attack
Thank you to New Zealand
OnePath Network
Thanks�but no thanks!
On behalf of the Muslim community, we would like to say thank you.
Your messages of solidarity, the memorials and the emotional tributes that have been pouring in, have done so much to console us in this time of grief.
Thank you to the Prime Minister of New Zealand, Jacinda Ardern for your sincere empathy.
Thank you, Will Connolly, also known as egg boy for taking a stance.
Thank you to the countless New Zealanders who have come out in support of the Muslim Community. And thank you to the non-Muslims around the world pouring into Mosques to express your sympathy. Thank you.
But there are a few people who however don�t deserve our thanks, despite their messages of condolence.
To Prime Minister Scott Morrison, who proposed in 2011 to politicise anti-Muslim sentiment to bolster his party�s support.
To Pauline Hanson, who claimed Islam was a disease that we needed to vaccinate ourselves from.
To Peter Dutton, who argued accepting Lebanese Muslim migrants was a mistake.
To Donald Trump, who famously claimed: �Islam hates us�.
To Rupert Murdoch, who argued every Muslim was responsible for extremist terrorism.
To those Australian Newspapers who published almost 3000 articles tarnishing Islam and Muslims in a single year.
And to all those who have weaponized Islamophobia for political or financial gain, and are now coming out with words of support� Thanks, but no thanks.
We don�t want your sympathy, we want your accountability.
We want you to take account for emboldening the Islamophobic views of the Christchurch terrorist. We want you to take account for normalising the anti-Muslim sentiments he thrived off of and listed in his manifesto. We are in no way saying you are responsible for what happened, but you are most definitely complicit in fuelling this atmosphere of hate. Own up to your actions.
We want you to stop the Islamophobia and hate you�ve helped foster for years on end. Until then, please do us a favour and spare us your thoughts and prayers.
Explaining Terrorism to Children
Playground Politics, Sammy J answers a letter from a young viewer...
Monsters - Sammy J S2 (ep7)
Australian Muslim leader Sheikh Shady
refused entry to New Zealand following mosque massacre
One of Australia's most senior Muslim clerics, Sheikh Shady Alsuleiman, was refused entry to New Zealand following the Christchurch massacre - but the ban was overturned following a complaint to the Australian government.
The revelation will raise questions about why the sheikh was on a New Zealand no-fly list, particularly in light of accusations that Australian security agencies and their international partners are too focused on Islamic extremism compared to right-wing terrorism.
As president of the Australian National Imams Council, Sheikh Shady advises governments on key Islamic issues. He has been placed on an Islamic State hit list calling for his murder.
He was due to fly to Christchurch on Monday to assist Islamic communities as they prepare for the grim task of burying the 50 victims of Friday's mass shooting..
Statement by Imam Jasmin Bekric,
Mufti of the Bosniak Islamic Community in Australia and New Zealand
On behalf of the entire Bosnian Islamic community in Australia and New Zealand, as its mufti (religious community representative), I would like to express my deep condolences to families, friends and loved ones of all those innocent worshipers who were murdered in cold blood yesterday.
They were murdered indiscriminately during the Friday (Jum�a) prayer at the time when they were most defenseless while they devoted their prayers, their bodies and their souls to their Creator, the Almighty Allah (SWTA).
Our sympathy, our thoughts and our prayers go to all the Muslim community members of Christchurch, this tranquil city in New Zealand. As we are finding out perpetrator of this terrorist act was an Australian citizen and his accomplices, white supremacists, who did not show any remorse for their heinous acts of murder and who did not accept what they did was wrong and unacceptable.
It is simply impossible to find the right word to adequately describe the seriousness and gravity of this horrendous crime against defenseless innocent human beings - our fellow Muslims, whose only crime was because they profess the religion of Islam and who answered the call of Allah (SWTA) to offer their regular weekly prayers in their two mosques.
It is with a great sadness, dismay and utter disbelief that we are trying to comprehend the depth of evil that occurred yesterday. We are all appalled to learn of these murderous attacks on Masjid Al Noor and Linwood. We pray to God the Almighty that those who survived the massacre and were injured have fast recovery from their wounds. We cannot comprehend the loss their families suffered. We are with them in their sorrow and mourning. May Allah ease their pain and suffering..
Friday Azan at Trafalgar Square, London
Letter of support to Muslim leaders
from Anti-Discrimination Commissioner
Dear Muslim community leaders,
We at the Anti-Discrimination Commission are deeply saddened by the events that took place in Christchurch last Friday. This kind of violence, which is motivated by prejudice, ignorance and hatred of racial and religious groups, has no place in the inclusive society we seek to build in our communities, be it Queensland, Australia, or New Zealand. We offer our full support to the Muslim communities of Queensland at this time as we work together to combat racial and religious vilification, discrimination and violence. We have been heartened by the displays of support we have witnessed from so many people across the world community, including Queensland since the tragic event. We hope this generosity of spirit provides some comfort in these challenging times.
The Commission is committed to strengthening the legal protections against racial and religious vilification in the Queensland law. To this end, we are seeking an urgent meeting with the Attorney-General to once again pursue amendments to bolster the criminal vilification provisions which are currently contained in the Anti-Discrimination Act 1991. We are also working with local partners and other human rights agencies across Australia to take firm action to call out racism and hate speech that divides our community and foments violence and terrorism.
We will continue to keep you updated on our progress with this, but also encourage you to contact us directly to report any acts of vilification or discrimination experienced by members of your community.
Scott McDougall
Anti-Discrimination Commissioner
www.adcq.qld.gov.au
Scott Morrison has heated interview with TV host Waleed Aly
Jamal Rifi and his friendship with Prime Minister Scott Morrison
The DRUM ABC 22 March 2019
Discussion starts at 37.15
Panel: Robyn Parker, Peter FitzSimons, Christopher Brown, Reem Sweid and Tony Windsor
Guest: Dr Jamal Rifi
The panel discusses the the Prime Minister�s relationship with the Muslim community
Volunteers fly in to wash the dead in NZ
Volunteers from Australia and cities across New Zealand have gathered in Christchurch to prepare an overwhelming number of bodies for burial.
Kamran Nasir was in a finance lecture in Australia when a gunman slaughtered 50 people during Friday prayers at two mosques in the New Zealand city of Christchurch.
Within hours he had joined a band of about 60 volunteers on their way to wash the dead victims, in the sombre aftermath of New Zealand's worst modern mass shooting spree.
"We got this text - they need volunteers," Nasir, 35, told Reuters.
"It literally unfolded in an hour and half and we were running to the airport to catch a flight," he said, sitting with four friends who had also dropped everything to offer help.
Experienced in Islamic funeral rites, the men from Brisbane who are connected to charity group Brothers in Need are part of a contingent drawn from Australia and New Zealand to help a community overwhelmed by the number of bodies that must be dealt with according to ritual.
They also epitomise a spirit of generosity that has pulsed across a grieving city this week.
"The first thing that went through my head was: They need us," Nasir said.
The majority of victims were migrants or refugees from countries such as Pakistan, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Turkey, Somalia, Afghanistan and Bangladesh. The youngest was a three year old boy, born in New Zealand to Somali refugee parents.
The victims, after their bodies were removed from the crime scenes, had to be examined by investigators before they can be prepared for burial.
"It is a spiritual process, preparing the body to go into the next life," said 38-year-old Taufan Mawardi, one of Nasir's fellow volunteers.
"I've never personally done anything that's got to do with violent crime, particularly bodies that have been riddled with bullet holes or knife wounds or whatever that may be. So it is a bit confronting as well, anticipating what it's going to be like in there," he said.
Eight teams of six people will carry out the work of cleansing the bodies before burial.
"You start from the head, working down from the right to the left side, to the feet. The mouth and the nose have to be washed," Nasir said.
Officials say they have released one body and that they hope to complete their examinations of the other 49 killed as soon as possible.
"As much as it is emotional, we've got a very good support network," Nasir said.
"For me it is an honour. It is an honour to be washing these bodies."
EDITOR: Amongst the volunteers from Brisbane who flew over to Christchurch to help were AK Surtie, of Brisbane's Muslim Funeral Services, and Hoosein and Yasmin Sabdia (pictured below).
Speaking from Christchurch, Mr Surtie told CCN: "We are on a standby list for doing ghusl upon the deceased and assisting in burials. Presently the Christchurch burial supporting team have many registered volunteers in place and are awaiting for the release of the deceased."
(l to r) Mogammad Ganief Mollagee, Mohammed Munir Yusuf,
Hoosein Sabdia, Ziyaad Chothia and Abdel Kader Surtie
Christchurch Media Double Standards
Flowers re-gifted to Gold Coast hospitals
The Gold Coast Mosque received well over 400 flowers from the general public in a gesture to show sympathy with the Muslim community.
The flowers were re-gifted them to hospitals in the Gold Coast.
Imam Mohamed Ali, the Imam of the Gold Coast Mosque said that it was wonderful to see the smiles on the faces of all of the staff.
"We ask God to strengthen the link between the Muslim community, the masjid and the wider community. On behalf of the Muslim community of the Gold Coast, I would like to thank everybody in this beautiful city for their outstanding support and for standing with us in these though times and I shouldn't forget to thank Terry Ayling for his efforts."
Sonny Bill Williams
ANIC meet with Prime Minister Scott Morrison soon after Christchurch massacre
Ant-racism rally Brisbane CBD (Saturday 23 March)
This week the Hurricane Stars Club was excited to organise the One4Kids Islamic cartoon character Zaky came to Brisbane to do his live show in Brisbane. He had special school shows at the two Islamic schools, the Islamic College of Brisbane in Karawatha and the Australian International Islamic College in the Durack campus and in the Gold Coast campus.
The children from grades Prep to Year Three in these two schools had so much fun watching the Zaky and Friends live show and didnt want it to end. After the show had finished, Zaky played a game with the kids and many lucky children won Zaky toys as prizes and all children who attended got to take a fidget spinner or hand ball home. The children enjoyed the meet and greet with Zaky and Kazwa after the show even more and it took twice as long as the show, as all the kids wanted to hug Zaky and Kazwa and take a photo with him.
His first visit on arriving in Brisbane was to the our Little Stars Playgroup. Where the kids were so excited to see Zaky that they did not want him to go and the cried when he left. During the week in the afternoons, Zaky went around Brisbane visiting the students in the various madrassahs to say hello and promote their live show on Sunday March the 24th at the Islamic College of Brisbane. First, Zaky went to Slacks Creek Mosque, where all the Imams and madrassah students gathered in the main prayer area of the Masjid and they had lots of fun meeting Zaky. Zaky played a game with the kids to see who could sing a Zaky song and the winners won a ticket to Sunday�s show.
Over the next two days, Zaky went to visit Logan Mosque madrassah, Kuraby Mosque Madrassah and Shajarah Madrassahs and said hello to all the madrassah students. The final madrassah that Zaky visited was Holland Park Mosque in which Zaky was very honoured to be sung a song by the madrassah students and they presented Zaky with a fruit platter.
Sadly due to the rain on Friday, planned visits to Kuraby State School, Logan Roos Football Club, Rochedale and Algester Mosques had to be cancelled. The Zaky team was amazed by how many children of all ages loved Zaky and his films and how excited they all were to see Zaky.
Zaky and Friends will be performing their live show this Sunday March the 24th at the Islamic College of Brisbane. It will be a fun day out for children and parents alike, and various yummy Halal food will be on sale. To buy tickets, please go to www.one4kids.net or you can buy them at the door.
See you there !
Community Meeting with QPS
By Angela Ishaq
The Sisters Support Services and Queensland Police Service worked in collaboration to facilitate a Community Safety Meeting at Garden City Library.
This was an informative, interactive and much needed event. Detective Inspector, Karen Ballantyne organised a great team of Police women who engaged extremely well with the Muslim women.
There was a lot of good open discussions between the attendees and the QPS.
After the traumatic incident in Christchurch last week a lot of Muslim women have been feeling quite vulnerable and scared, this meeting provided them the opportunity to share their feelings, views and ask important questions.
Sisters Support Services will continue providing opportunities for Muslim women and youth to engage freely with QPS in a comfortable and safe environment.
Sisters Support Services is currently providing free counselling with Angela Ishaq and free journaling sessions with Iqra Princess Lakshman. The first counselling session on Friday the 22nd was booked out and benefitted the Sisters tremendously.
For further information regarding Sisters Support Services events & services and how to donate to our organisation please call Aliyah Berger on ‭0404 921 620‬.
Jazakum Allahu khairun for your ongoing support and donations. We are a volunteer run organisation that rely on community support to allow us to continue providing much needed services to our Muslim sisters, youth and families. #StandTogether
Lady in Red, Attiya Batty
Program Manager of Fiftysix Creations, Attiya Batty, spoke at the Brisbane City Council Chambers at the Brisbane City Hall.
Attiya said: �It was such an exciting and nerve racking experience but in the best way. I�m honoured that I was provided with the opportunity to pitch to such an amazing inspirational group of people and couldn�t be more excited to see Create Brisbane become a reality!�
Fiftysix Creations is an Entrepreneurship School Workshop Provider. They run workshops in schools and during school holidays teaching both young people and teachers about the world of business and entrepreneurship.
They have educated over 40,000 Australian school students since 2014 and their goal is to educate 100,000 by 2020.
Melbourne recipients
Human Appeal Australia hosted its 12th Annual Year 12 Muslim Achievement Awards in Perth, Brisbane, Sydney, Adelaide and Melbourne over the previous two weekends.
Year 12 students who achieved an ATAR score or equivalent of 90% or more in 2018 were invited to register for the awards.
Various respected members of the community, politicians, school principals, businesses and family members attended ceremonies in the five cities.
An incredible two hundred and fifty-seven students were honoured for their hard work and awarded certificates of recognition and valuable gifts.
By Rashna Farrukh
Rashna Farrukh worked at Sky News in Parliament House until last week.
In the aftermath of the Christchurch terror attack, my social media feeds have filled with people expressing their shock and disbelief that something like this could happen in our part of the world.
But like Waleed Aly, I wasn't shocked and couldn't understand why anyone else would be either.
This is because for the past three years, I've worked at Sky News. More specifically, Sky News "after dark" � when the rolling coverage of the day's news makes way for conservative commentators to share the "opinions you can't ignore".
As a young Muslim woman, I had many crises of conscience working here, but the events of Friday snapped me out of the endless cycle of justifying my job to myself. On Saturday, I finally sent in my letter of resignation.
I was a liaison for the channel based in their Canberra studio, a junior role helping with studio guests and the running of the office as a casual a few times a week.
When I started, I did not know what I was getting myself into. I was 19, and though I'd heard about Sky News, I had never watched it before. I was excited that I would get to work in Parliament House, and there could be a full-time job when I graduated. I didn't do as much research as I should have.
I realised pretty quickly though that the Sky News I worked on wasn't focused on reporting facts and informing the public. Rather, conservative media commentators came together with current and former right-wing politicians, disseminating misinformation which bordered on conspiracies.
I stood by as the fear and hate grew
I compromised my values and beliefs to stand idly by as I watched commentators and pundits instil more and more fear into their viewers.
I stood on the other side of the studio doors while they slammed every minority group in the country � mine included � increasing polarisation and paranoia among their viewers.
I'd walk commentators to the studio where after some very polite chit chat � "how are you?", "how's uni going?"� they'd go on air and talk about my community.
I was there when Cory Bernardi advocated for banning the burqa, and when he called on the government to remove "offend" and "insult" from 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act under the guise of free speech.
I was there when Pauline Hanson proudly talked about how she would, the following day, put forward the "It's OK to Be White" motion to counter the rise of so-called anti-white racism.
I watched as Bronwyn Bishop, following the "terror raids" in Sydney, insisting that "war" had been declared against western culture.
I answered calls from viewers who yelled about immigrants and Muslims ruining Australia. They did not realise that the person on the other end of the phone was both of those things.
And in the aftermath of Friday's terror attack, Sky's coverage was among Australian media outlets who played parts of the gunman's live stream.
This is not a journalist's job
Some nights I felt physically sick, others I even shed tears in my car on the way home.
Still, I continued to compromise my values. Not only my values as a member of a religious group who was continuously being blamed and alienated by the rhetoric on these shows, but also as an aspiring journalist.
I know other emerging and aspiring journalists who continue to compromise their values just for a foot in the door in the hyper-competitive media industry.
This weekend, though, I realised that where we get our start matters too. Over the past few years, I was playing a role � no matter how small � in a network whose tone I knew would help legitimise radical views present in the fringes of our society.
Now, I am done being a part of something I do not stand for, and I urge other young journalists to do the same.
We're all responsible for 'the media'
In the media industry, who we work for matters, as we are responsible in some way for the information being disseminated. What we distribute has consequences.
Of course, we all still need jobs. Of course, we could not be held responsible for the hatred and division spread by the commentators on the network. Of course, no media organisation is going to be perfect.
But I felt like I compromised the very reason I went into journalism � a search for truth � for a foot in the door.
When I reflected on who I work for and whether I could justify going into work this weekend, I knew what I had to do. Even as young journalists, we should act on our morals now rather than at some point in the future where we assume that we will have more of a say.
This isn't limited to journalists � it applies to all Australians. The news we read, the way we talk about minorities in our community � every decision we make matters and it all adds up.
As we saw in Christchurch, what happens in our media can have real life consequences.
Rashna Farrukh is a former Sky News employee.
Muslim News UK readers nominated the following illustrious men, women, children and projects deemed worthy of short-listing for a Muslim News Award for Excellence. These exemplars of good practice, excellence � future role models � will be treated to a Gala Evening in the presence of their peers and other renowned guests in April, when the finalists are announced for the 15 coveted Awards for Excellence
CONTINUED FROM LAST WEEK'S CCN.......
Al Biruni Award for Excellence in COMMUNITY RELATIONS
Fatima Khasimi (pictured right in photo) was awarded by the Mayor of London in 2017 for the Long Service to Volunteering, serving for unity and humanity over 30 years. In 2017, she also won the Sister of the Year award by Waltham Forest Council of Mosque for her dedication and commitment for serving others. A role model for many, Fatima sits on many trusts and boards in London and is an inspiring mentor and coach. She is a volunteer chaplain at Barts Health NHS Trust and Haven House Hospice. Her colleagues attest to Fatima�s great passion to make a difference in building bridges, connecting faiths and people and bringing back hope and comforting the broken hearts through her pastoral, religious and spiritual care. She is also a governor for the North East London NHS Foundation Trust.
Officials at Muslim Association of Croydon set up a soup kitchen five years ago to assist a high number of those who are homeless and asylum seekers. Now in its sixth year, Muslim Association of Croydon have served over 32,000 hot meal to those in need, costing over �96,000 � funded entirely by communities in Croydon. The group also provides halal turkeys to hostels and food banks at Christmas and has also inspired other faith groups to support the project.
Muslim Aid is best known for the initiative it took one year after the tragic Finsbury Park terrorist attack in June 2017, when one man died and eight people were injured after a van drove into pedestrians. Along with Muslim Welfare House and the Finsbury Park Mosque, Muslim Aid took the lead in organising a Street Iftar cum British Summer Street Party. The purpose was to pay tribute to those affected and to honour the public spirit of intense cross-community, cross-faith support which emerged after the attack.
TO BE CONTINUED IN NEXT WEEK'S CCN
Salih Yucel and Abu Bakr Sirajuddin Cook, editors Australian Journal of Islamic Studies
Editors' Introduction (Vol 3 No 3 2018): The history of Islam within Australia is an important, yet often overlooked, part of Australian history. Muslim presence in Australia has helped shape multicultural experience facilitating intercultural dialogue as well as contributing significantly to the development of the Australian nation. However, to date, it has received minimal scholarly attention. There have been significant studies on the engagements of the Maccasans, Muslim fishermen from Indonesia, with the Indigenous peoples of northern Australia. These studies have detailed the cultural interactions and trade between them and the lasting impacts of the inclusion of language foreign to Australian soil. There is also an increasing awareness of Australia�s cameleers, many of whom were Muslims, and the contribution they made to maintaining trade routes and assisting early Australian explorers. Despite the growing interest in the field, the history of Islam in Australia remains an understudied area of research. This rich history dates back further than we thought and has possibly had a greater impact than what is recognised. Given the current political and social climate surrounding Islam globally, it is timely that this volume of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies is published. This volume brings to light the depth and richness of Australia�s Islamic heritage, challenging some of the prevalent assumptions on the topic, and calls for further studies in this field. Australia has proclaimed itself as being a successful example of a multicultural society. It is a society that has been shaped, and continues to be shaped, by a diverse range of cultural inputs. With this being the case, it is justifiable to ask how and why the contributions of Muslims to Australia have been largely overlooked.
Over the weeks, CCN highlights extracts from the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies which is an open access, double-blind peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the scholarly study of Islam.
THE EARLY HISTORY OF MICRO AND MESO DIALOGUE BETWEEN MUSLIMS AND NON-MUSLIMS IN AUSTRALIA.
Despite segregation in Ghantowns and other areas where Muslims initially settled, the rural Victorian town of Shepparton appears to have been an early success story for Islam in Australia. It also marks a clear shift towards greater community or meso dialogue, in what would be a protracted series of interactions. Shepparton has a long history of engagement with Islam.
As early as 1914, stories have emerged linking Islam to this country town, a couple of hours north of Melbourne. During the festival of eid al-adha in 1914,over a �dozen of Shepparton�s Moslems gathered on the banks of the Goulburn River to celebrate.�
The service was led by Said Jeelani Shah from Melbourne, who explained the proceedings to the bemused locals who had gathered to watch. At the conclusion of the ceremony, he led prayers (in English) for all in attendance, Muslim and non-Muslim alike, in appreciation of �King George and the Royal family, and for the victory of the Allied forces over the Austro-German troops.�
This inclusive gathering shows an understanding of the country the Muslims were inhabiting, as well as some clear meso level dialogue supporting �King and country� and the burning issue of the day, World War I. During the 1920s,a number of Albanian Muslims migrated to Australia and eventually settled in Shepparton, once again to fulfil a labour shortfall.
By 1933,they had established the town�s first social club,98which by 1934 was contributing financially to the local community through donations to the hospital. Like many previous (and subsequent) migrants, the Albanians were subject to discriminatory hazing in the media, often in a manner disproportionate to the alleged crimes.
In 1938, during the centenary celebrations of Shepparton, the Muslim and Jewish communities were not included in the official program of events. Despite this, the 500 strong Muslim community �felt compelled to take part in the celebrations to show their appreciation of the freedom of their life in Australia,� as did the 200 or so Jews.
Over time, the Albanian Muslims and others created three social clubs and, in the 1960s, a mosque.Examples of developing meso level dialogue include support from the local Shepparton Council. When the mosque was constructed, it was just out of town on a dirt, often muddy, road. The local council trucked in gravel for the opening ceremony to ensure accessibility for the Albanian Muslims and visiting dignitaries.103This ceremony was reported on and broadcast by ABC television and included speeches by local non-Muslim dignitaries.
The coverage also showed a large number of local non-Muslim residents in attendance, indicating that, after 40 years of co-habitation, dialogue had successfully moved to the meso level in Shepparton. In 2017,when deliberations became problematic around the founding of a mosque in Bendigo, less than a few hundred kilometres away, Shepparton was put forward as a model demonstrating how Islam can integrate into Australian rural society.
This could not have happened without increasing levels of dialogue, demonstrating how, following the initial contact, dialogue moved from the micro through to the meso levels.
MORE IN NEXT WEEK'S CCN....
The CCN's "We'll take that as a comment" Column
Op-Eds; Commentaries & Blogs
"Dear Prime Minister �": An Open Letter to Jacinda Ardern
By Summer Joyan
Dear Prime Minister Ardern,
I am a 13-year-old Muslim girl from Australia and I would like to publicly share my appreciation with you. I belong to the generation that was born after 11 September 2001. I have never really contemplated how dark the anti-Muslim and anti-immigrant language is that permeates Australian society, because it is all I have ever known. I guess I've become used to hearing political leaders use that same language.
But then, after seeing the way you have responded to the terrorist attack in Christchurch, I realised that I now know what the role of a leader truly is. So I want to thank you on behalf of the Muslim community in this country for all that you've done since Friday. The way you have expressed support and genuine empathy for the Muslim community, and your care for the people of New Zealand as a whole, have been magnificent to see. And I wanted you to know how much it means to me.
Today I watched a video of you talking to the students at Cashmere High School regarding the terrorist attack. You showed such strength and kindness, and it made me wish I could experience the same thing in Australia.
In my high school, not a single teacher or figure of authority even mentioned the attacks. They didn't acknowledge that a white supremacist murdered 50 innocent Muslim men, women and children in a usually peaceful place of worship. They didn't offer support or reach out to the Muslim girls in my school or even provide counselling services for grief and support.
In a country that is so similar to New Zealand, and yet also so different, can you imagine the comfort that my Muslim friends and I felt, knowing there was one leader in a neighbouring country that was on our side? My friends and I are Muslim; we were all born in Australian and it is the only place we have ever known. But this has been the first time we have ever felt like we were part of the fabric of a community, and it breaks my heart that this feeling of belonging has come at the cost of 50 lives. If only more politicians had the courage to stand up to injustices and knew when to stop playing political games with the lives of people who depend on them.
Your leadership has brought the world together. By supporting the New Zealand community, no matter what their religion, you have shown what a great leader you are ― not just in the good times, but when the times are as dark as can be. I cannot imagine any other political leader doing what you have done. I think that you deserve the Nobel Peace Prize! Many world leaders could learn a lot from the way you have held your nation together and comforted those who are grieving.
I'm sure you will remain Prime Minister of New Zealand for a long time. But if not, do you think maybe you could move to Australia and become our Prime Minister? That would be a dream come true.
Thank you again for all that you have done.
From, an Australian-Muslim girl who now knows what real leadership looks like,
Summer Joyan
Don�t Just Blame the Terrorist. The key issue is the word �Terrorism�
By Mohammed Shaheed, Brisbane-based Accounting Professional
Firstly, my heart goes out to the people of Christchurch and the families who have lost their loved ones in this murderous act of violence.
There has been outstanding support from the Australian community, politicians, churches and individuals who have united to stand in solidarity and offer any help to the Muslim community. This kind of support is what builds a great community and country.
As a Muslim and a professional, I have benefited from this country immensely in terms of my religious belief and professional development. In my opinion, Australia and New Zealand are still one of the safest countries to live in.
Now coming to the real issue, I have always had a huge concern how the word �Terrorism�, �Terrorist�, �Islamist Terrorist�, �White racist supremacists� are used by politician and media outlets. This is the real issue how easily and blatantly these remarks are referred to individuals who out of their narrow, sociopathic and Schizophrenic mind; attack innocent people in their house, streets and places of worship.
I was watching Sunrise � Channel 7 the other day and was appalled by the fact that David Koch and Darren Hinch accused Pauline Hanson of empowering �white supremacists�. Even If she admits, what good will it do now. What will change? Pauline Hanson for many years now you have lot of misconceptions about Muslims and openly blaming Islam for lot of issues around the world. This morning you mentioned �FGM� Female Genital Mutilation, please get your facts right for once and all. FGM is practised within both Muslim and Christian communities, as well as by followers of some indigenous religions. Although neither Islam nor Christianity endorse it, religious doctrine is often used to justify it. (Reference)
Pauline Hanson, you have been dodging a debate the Muslim Community for a very long time. I highly encourage you to meet our community leaders and scholars to discuss the issues you have with Muslims. Trust me, you have a lot of misconceptions about Islam and Muslim people. You need to educate yourself in these matters as a politician before you speak. I see some goodness in you, but you are misinformed and take things out of context most of the times.
"Even a fool, when he holds his peace, is counted wise: and he that shuts his lips is esteemed a man of understanding." Proverbs 17:28 American King James Bible.
Senator Fraser Anning you are an alien (with 19 votes in parliament) and will be alienated soon from politics. Nothing much to say to a fool like yourself.
The Qualities of a Good Politician in a Democratic Society.
With must respect to my community, please don�t see any success in this issue just because few politicians have visited and supported us in this very tough time. Sooner or later a sociopathic and Schizophrenic individual from our community will do something stupid and yes, he or she will be a labelled an �Islamist Terrorist� straightway by politicians and mainstream media outlets. How will you than defend yourself?
I highly encourage our Muslim community leaders to have a dialogue with the politicians, Government and media outlets regarding this issue and why such blatant remarks and words are used to poison the mind of young men and women around the globe to cause conflict, hate and racism amongst us all.
Focus on the key issue here, not just an isolated event as events happen and are forgotten unfortunately. We need to deal with �Real Issues�.
Read about Human Rights in The Qur�an.
An Open Letter To The Canterbury Crusaders
It is with great respect I write to you, as I acknowledge you are the most successful professional club rugby team in the world and in 23 years of Super Rugby you have won 9 titles, been finalists 14 times, semi finalists 18 times - and the only Super Rugby team to complete a whole season undefeated.
I note with great interest that, in the light of the recent �Crusade�, that resulted in the slaughter of 50 defenceless Muslims in Christchurch, as a Christchurch team, you are considering renouncing your name as the �Crusaders�.
If you were to do so, this would be a decision, that be gladly welcomed, not only by Muslims in Christchurch, but also Muslims all around the world � and people like myself, who are working for peace between the Christian and Muslim communities.
While the word �Crusader� has a heroic ring in Christian ears, our Muslim brothers and sisters hear the word �Crusader� and fear it represents a bloody harbinger of mass slaughter.
In 1095 Pope Urban II called for a �Crusade�, or �Holy War�, to be led by �Christian Knights�, who would take up arms and sally forth to fight against the �enemies of Christ�. �Cursed be the man who holds back his sword from shedding blood!� was the blood-curdling cry of Pope Gregory VII ringing in the ears of the dedicated �Soldier of Christ�. So, away they went. And, the Crusaders threw themselves, body and soul, into the task of killing so called �heretics� and �heathens� � mainly Muslims.
In 1096 the People�s Crusade sacked Belgrade, which next to Constantinople, was the greatest non-Catholic Orthodox City in the world. And, in 1204, the Crusaders attacked Constantinople itself - raping, pillaging and plundering this great Christian City, in the name of Christ, without mercy.
In the meantime, the Crusaders also managed to assault the Holy City of Jerusalem, and slaughter its Jewish and Muslim inhabitants. It was a massacre. Nicetas Choniates, a Byzantine historian, wrote at the time, with evident distress, that �even the Saracens are merciful ...compared these men who bear the Cross of Christ on their shoulders�.
But Raymond of Aguilers enthusiastically eulogized the massacre as �a just and marvelous judgment of God�: �Wonderful things were to be seen. Numbers of Saracens were beheaded .... Others were shot with arrows, or forced to jump from towers; others were tortured for several days, then burned with flames. In the streets were seen piles of heads and hands and feet. One rode about everywhere amid the corpses of men and horses. In the Temple of Solomon, the horses waded in blood up to their knees, nay, up to their bridle. It was a just and marvelous judgment of God, that this place should be filled with the blood of unbelievers. �
Over the course of two centuries, thousands, if not hundreds of thousands, of Muslims were slaughtered in the Crusades. And Muslims have not forgotten these Crusades. In fact many Muslims refer to the invasion of Iraq, in which more than a hundred thousand innocent civilians have been slaughtered, as the Tenth Crusade.
For you to renounce the name �Crusader�, because of its association, for our Muslim brothers and sisters, with the slaughter that they have been subjected to once again, would be a courageous act of reconciliation worthy of the world�s leading rugby club.
Your sincerely, Dave Andrews
Angela Davis Addresses the Whitewashing of Feminism and Islamophobia
"I want to argue for a feminist perspective that understands that we cannot simply reform
Davis, who has been widely considered a global justice leader, militant Communist, civil rights warrior, and feminist icon since the late 1960s, didn't address the Institute's decision (which was later reversed to reinstate the award) at her recent appearance at the Apollo Theater. She focused instead on her unwavering support for marginalized communities.
"To integrate Black people, or Latinx people, or Indigenous people, or Asian-American people into a society that remains the same [won't work]. And, obviously, recognizing how Islamophobia has transformed racism as it's experienced by all racialized groups is so important," Davis said to the audience, saying she believes homogenizing approaches to activism have failed Muslims on the basis of race and religion.
"The violent domestic racism that has been produced by Islamophobia means that we all have to stand up passionately against Islamophobia," Davis said on Sunday.
Right-wing extremism has a long history in Australia, and support is surging
By Kristy Campion
The first step in coming to terms with the attack in Christchurch is to understand that it has been produced by right-wing extremism, both in Australia and internationally.
The problem does not lie with immigration policies. The problem does not lie with the so-called outsiders, such as Muslim communities, who are so often the targets of right-wing rage.
In this country, the problem lies with the broader Australian community that ignores or accepts the presence of right wing extremists in its midst, and tolerates the increasingly Islamophobic and anti-immigrant discourse in Australia.
Right-wing extremism generally starts with perception (or construction) of a threat that imperils the extremist's way of life.
Groups promoting this idea, like the Antipodean Resistance and the Lads Society, have dominated headlines in Australia in recent years. But they are far from the sum of the extreme right in Australia.
Instead, they are a recent manifestation of a recurring problem that can be traced back decades. Here's a primer on the history of right wing extremism in Australia.
What right-wing extremism is and what drives it
Right wing extremism is an umbrella term used to describe a complex array of ideologies. The core components are authoritarianism, anti-democracy and exclusionary nationalism.
Fascist, national socialist, white supremacist ideologies � especially those that advocate ethno-states and monocultures � sit firmly within the remit of right wing extremism.
Racism, xenophobia, homophobia, and intolerance are fellow travellers: they are characteristics of the ideologies, without actually defining them.
In Australia, right-wing extremists tend to position themselves in response to an imagined or constructed threat.
Sympathisers believe that society is degenerating, or is at risk of degenerating. Then they externalise this to attribute blame to a target group, such as an ethnic or ideological community.
Right wing extremists foster feelings of peril, and exploit crises to drive narratives that society's problems are entirely the fault of a target group of outsiders.
They believe the only way to safeguard their society is to remove the threat � often through violence.
The roots of Australian right-wing extremism
Historians of the radical right have documented reactionary and radical groups, collectively referred to as the Old Guard, operating in Australia in the 1920s. These groups were concerned about the communist threat, and were driven by the Bolshevik-led Russian revolution in 1917.
Although they stockpiled arms, they did not appear to proactively engage in violence.
Dismantling supremacist ideologies after the Christchurch massacre
By Adis Duderija
Two weeks ago, I was in Christchurch as part of a lecture tour of New Zealand, speaking about issues pertaining to the theory of interfaith dialogue with special reference to the Islamic tradition, Islamic hermeneutics and Western Muslim identity construction. I was there at the invitation of, among others, the Imam of the Lynwood Mosque. Lynwood was one of the mosques attacked last Friday, where 10 innocent people lost their lives.
When I first learned of the terrorist attacks in Christchurch, I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Immediately I thought about the people that I had met during my lecturers, most of whom were Muslims, and was gravely concerned for their safety. On Saturday, I found out that the Imam was not harmed during the attack, but that his spouse was shot in the arm. I was also very saddened ― even angered ― that a city that is still recovering from the devastating 2011 earthquake was chosen as the location of this heinous crime.
What I want to focus on here is the importance of a multifaceted critique when confronting the ideologies that inspire terrorist incidents, regardless of their ideological pedigree.
As evident in their manifestos, white supremacist groups want us to believe that: Islam is an inherently violent ideology bent on world domination; that Muslims in the West all subscribe to this ideology; that Muslim immigrants, many of whom (like me) are refuges and have fled horrific conflicts in their own countries, are single-mindedly focused, not on rebuilding their lives and living in peace with their fellow citizens, but on transforming the West into an ISIS utopia.
White supremacist groups use major episodes from premodern Islam-West relations ― such as the conquering of Constantinople by the Ottomans ― as evidence of the perpetual threat all Muslims pose to Western civilisation.
CCNTube
Nissa Sabyan - Deen Assalam : Song
The Frant: Why newsrooms need more diversity
As Jan Fran�s found, free speech isn�t free. Somebody always pays for it.
...And it�s often the fact that most Australian journos don�t wear the consequences of their reporting.
Where's the condemnation???
Who's to blame?
TRTWorld
Pauline Hanson & Kochie on Sunrise
ANIC spokesperson, Bilal Rauf on TODAY
It is the usual policy of CCN to include notices of events, video links and articles that some readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are often posted as received. Including such messages/links or providing the details of such events does not necessarily imply endorsement or agreement by CCN of the contents therein.
Back to the Future with CCN
To know the future just look to the past
MASJID AL FAROOQ/KURABY MOSQUE
Listen live with the TuneIn app at http://tun.in/sfw8Z
Friday lecture (sermon)
TOPIC: "Reaction to Christchurch"
IMAM: Sheikh Zohair Rahman
HOLLAND PARK MOSQUE
IMAM: Uzair Akbar
SORRY NO RECORDING THIS WEEK
SLACKS CREEK MOSQUE
TOPIC: ""
IMAM: ??
MASJID TAQWA/BALD HILLS MOSQUE
TOPIC: "Aftermath of Christchurch"
IMAM: Mufti Junaid Akbar
Lecture Recording
TOPIC: �The importance of Rajab�
IMAM: Moulana Ismail (visiting Moulana from South Africa)
Five Birmingham mosques targeted in horror SLEDGEHAMMER attack
A STRING of Birmingham mosques have been attacked using sledgehammer.
UK 21/03/2019): A sledgehammer was used on four mosques, police said, before officers confirmed that a fifth had been attacked.
It comes just days after 50 people were killed when a gunman opened fire at mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Police said it was working with mosques since then, but said the motive for this morning's attacks was not clear.
West Midlands Police chief constable, Dave Thompson, said: "Since the tragic events in Christchurch, New Zealand, officers and staff from West Midlands Police have been working closely with our faith partners across the region to offer reassurance and support at mosques, churches and places of prayer.
THE DAILY STAR UK
Fox News pulls Jeanine Pirro show after her Islamophobic remarks
US: Jeanine Pirro, the Fox News host who made Islamophobic comments about a Muslim Congress member, has been unexpectedly yanked off the air. And now one of her most powerful defenders � the president of the United States � is railing against the network.
Justice With Judge Jeanine was missing from its usual Saturday time slot at 9 pm on Fox News, coming just one week after Pirro questioned whether Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was loyal to the United States because she wears a hijab.
In response, Fox News took the rare move of publicly condemning one of its own anchors. But Pirro has refused to apologize, saying that she never explicitly called Omar �un-American.�
And now President Donald Trump is injecting himself into the controversy in defense of Pirro. �Fox ... must stay strong and fight back with vigor. Stop working soooo hard on being politically correct, which will only bring you down, and continue to fight for our Country,� he tweeted on Sunday.
Swedish right-wing MP proposes� building mosque & Muslim centre to draw immigrants
SWEDEN: A local council member shocked his populist, anti-immigration party by suggesting the town build a mosque and cultural center to attract �enterprising� immigrants to save itself from decline.
Mark Collins, a 63-year-old member of the Sweden Democrats (SD), said that drawing immigrants to Kramfors, a small coastal municipality in the north, could help revive it.
�My idea is that if you have a mosque and a cultural center, then you empower the Muslims to be responsible for our town and the area up here,� he told the Local.
Kramfors, a town of 6,000 people, has been losing around 100 residents a year, and the newcomers would breathe new life into the area, Collins said. �Hopefully we will get a lot of them to come up and stay,� he said, defying what his right-wing, anti-immigration party typically stands for.
Adding insult to injury, he complained that there are no incentives to stay even for immigrants who settled there amid the 2015 refugee crisis. �They left as well, and I don�t blame them,� Collins stated, adding that �very cosmopolitan� immigrants �don�t want to sit in a cabin watching snowflakes fall.�
CCN Readers' Book Club: You are what you read!
The CCN
Signs on the Earth:
Islam, Modernity and the Climate Crisis
Fazlun Khalid
A major study of environmentalism and Islam in practice and theory, with an historical overview that sets out future challenges, including reformulating the fiqh or Islamic legal tradition to take the ecological dimension seriously.
In addressing this book to the one billion Muslims in the world it has the potential to reinvigorate the desire for environmental change in a community that is ignored at the planets peril. In arguing that modernity, consumerism and industrialisation need to be rethought, alongside an appeal to reconnect man and woman with creation in the divine order, this book has the potential to transform a generation.
In the same way that Naomi Klein's This Changes Everything presented the argument for environmental action in a Capitalist framework, Fazlun Khalid has written a book that demands action from those whose primary orientation is towards the Islamic faith.
Fazlun Khalid is of Sri Lankan origin. He traces his ancestry to the Hadramut in Yemen and is a descendent of the intrepid sailors who pioneered the spice routes to the Far East in times gone by. Accompanied by a colleague of what was then known as the Ceylon Air Academy, he landed in New Haven on the south coast of England in 1953, from Dieppe in France. Fazlun Khalid has a worldwide reputation as an advocate of environmental protection rooted in religious traditions and is now recognised as one of fifteen leading eco-theologians in the world. He appeared on the Independent on Sunday list of the top 100 environmentalists in the UK in 2008 and is also listed amongst the �500 Most Influential Muslims in the World� by the Royal Islamic Strategic Studies Centre of Jordan. He founded the Islamic Foundation for Ecology and Environmental Sciences (IFEES) which is now established as the world�s leading Islamic environmental NGO.
Then simply email the title and author to admin@ccnonline.com.au
CCN's Bookshelf
CCN's favourite books �
Share book reviews and ratings with CCN, and even join a book club on Goodreads.
KB says: Chicken and pasta are two versatile ingredients that combined, make a variety of delicious, quick and easy meals for all the family. It�s a go to for me especially during weekends or school holidays.
Chicken and Pasta Casserole
INGREDIENTS & METHOD
1 cup chicken fillets cut into cubes.
1 tsp Chili Garlic paste (� tsp red ground chillies + � tsp ground garlic)
1 tsp Lemon Pepper
3 Tbsp. Tomato Puree
125 ml Fresh/Pouring Cream
Bell Pepper (Red and Green)
� packet of Pasta
Cheese to sprinkle
1. Marinate Chicken in all ingredients with the exception of the Butter and Cream for 1 hour.
2. Boil � packet of pasta, I used the spiral ones because the sauce sticks to it.
3. Heat Butter in a non-stick pan and cook chicken until done.
4. Add Red and Green Peppers (Julienne)
5. Marinade should reduce slightly and must not dry out completely.
6. Add Cream and toss in the Pasta.
7. Transfer to a Casserole Dish.
8. Grate some cheese over.
9. Bake in a pre-heated oven of 180degrees for 5 mins or until the cheese melts.
10. Serve Immediately
Send in your favourite recipe to me at admin@ccnonline.com.au and be my "guest chef" for the week.
Q: Dear Kareema, I�m a social exerciser (I go every now and then) and I know this is not the best for me. What can I do to at least pick it up a notch?
A: Weight training will definitely kick your fitness up a gear.
Do resistance training a few times a week � I�d suggest using lighter weights over high reps (15-20 per set) engaging multiple muscle-groups so you get that cardio feel as well.
Tackle your motivation slump by enlisting a workout buddy and get each other moving more.
N-JOY!
TOGETHER, LET�S FIGHT GLOBESITY
@Kareema_Benjamin
Need an answer to a fitness related matter?
Send your question to Kareema at admin@ccnonline.com.au
Self-Care and Clarity of Mind...a weekly column by Princess Lakshman (Sister Iqra )
Princess Lakshman
Writer, Clarity Coach, Founder and Facilitator of Healing Words Therapy - Writing for Wellbeing
Welcome to my weekly column on Self-Care and Clarity of Mind. If you�re taking time out to read this, pat yourself on the back because you have shown commitment to taking care of your mind and body.
Today, In Shaa ALLAH, we will explore the topic: Relevance Of Religious Pluralism In Modern Society Through The Lens Of A Revert Muslim
Today, I deviate from my usual self-care topics and open my heart to you about the relevance of religious pluralism in the modern society through my own lens.
Religious pluralism in modern society may be a group thought, a collective paradigm adhering to the notion that there is a harmonious co-existence between religions and that there is not one consistent means of approaching truths about God but rather many.
As a collective paradigm, it is ideal and even seems possible.
But, when it comes to a person�s individual perception of another individual�s spiritual journey, religious pluralism seems to lose its relevance. The individual�s judgement of another individual�s spiritual journey overshadows all else.
I embraced Islam seven years and was immediately ostracised by my modern, educated family. Religious pluralism in modern society should not have to be so challenging to practise. And yet it is, despite the fact that we modern people have progressed intellectually quite rapidly over the last 100 years. So, why is it so hard for a modern parent of today to accept that their adult child needs to explore her own spiritual path?
Is it because the modern society we live in is fear-rich and faith-poor? Is it because it�s gadget-rich and heart-poor? Is it because it�s tolerance-rich and understanding- and acceptance-poor? Is it because it�s hate-rich and love-poor? Is it because it�s population-rich and humanity-poor? Or is it because it�s religion-rich and right-minded-perception-poor?
In my own experience, I feel the most dangerous ideology is that of loyalty. One individual gangs up against another individual or group and demands loyalty from others to support her or his selfish agenda. Loyalty isn�t always righteous. And loyalty is never inclusive. The need of the hour is to recognise the individual and respect the individual. Live and let live.
Download the above article.
If you wish to know about a specific topic with regards to Self-Care and Clarity of Mind, please email me on info@healingwordstherapy.com. If you wish to have a FREE one hour Clarity Coaching phone session, contact me on 0451977786
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DOWNLOAD Muslimah Reflections - my new ebook of poetry and affirmations
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DOWNLOAD Muslimah Meditation Moments - audio files for self-awareness meditation.
If you wish to know about a specific topic with regards to Self-Care and Clarity of Mind, please text or email me or visit www.muslimahmindmatters.com. If you wish to have a FREE one hour Finding Clarity telephone session, contact me on 0451977786.
Divorce court judge; "Mr Mula Nasruddin, I have reviewed this case very carefully and I have decided to give your wife $800 a week."
Mula Nasruddin: "That's very fair, your honour. And every now and then I will try to send her a few dollar myself."
If anyone withdraws himself from remembrance of (Allah) Most Gracious, We appoint for him an evil one, to be an intimate companion to him. Such (evil ones) really hinder them from the Path, but they think that they are being guided aright!
~ Surah Az-Zukhruf 43:36-37
"Terrorism is one of the only areas where
white people do most of the work
and get none of the credit."
~ Mehdi Hasan
I searched for God and found only myself. I searched for myself and found only God.
One 4 Kids productions is a Sydney based Islamic production company that has been producing animation films with the famous cartoon character Zaky since 2006 alhamdulillah. Director and founder of One 4 Kids, Mr. Subhi Alshaik is a former musician who was living the lifestyle and caught up in the hype of the entertainment industry. After meeting Yusuf Islam in London several years ago he decided to turn his life around. He combined his production skills with his newfound enthusiasm for Islam and in 2004 came up with the idea of creating a children�s character.
Mr Alshaik created the animated characters Zaky and Friends with the intention of filling the gap for ethical and educational family entertainment and media with an Islamic ethos that existed in this market. One 4 Kids diversified its business structure and is now made up of four segments; animated film production, consumer products, events, appearances and school packages and interactive media. One 4 Kids is committed to producing films, merchandise, games and events that promote positive messages to children. It seeks to win the hearts and minds of children by providing quality Islamic entertainment to a global audience.
Since the first cartoon produced Zaky loves teaching children about Allah, the Prophet (SAW) and encouraging good character and manners. One 4 Kids have introduced many new characters over the years that can be seen on the new TV show, Zaky's Learning Club on the One 4 Kids TV channel www.one4kids.tv. One 4 Kids online TV channel was launched mid-2016. The channel features hours of entertainment for your children on demand. The channel can be viewed on iPhones, iPads, Apple TV, Android devices, Roku, Airplay and Chromecast.
Every single day children and young adults spend an inordinate amount of time consuming various forms of media. One 4 Kids mission is to promote positive behaviour in young children by providing them with high quality fun and educational experiences. It does this with the help of its educational role models and animated characters, Zaky and Friends. Zaky and Friends were created to fill a void that existed for quality educational entertainment for Muslim children in a mainstream environment.
Zaky performs live shows at various festivals, events and schools as well as visits sick children in hospitals. He has travelled to the USA, UK, Malaysia, South Africa and Canada. One 4 Kids have produced over 20 animated films, 100�s of educational videos, over 20 Apps, plenty of merchandise and over 35 songs. Zaky has a YouTube channel with nearly 300,000 subscribers and over 200 Million views, with over 5 million views per month. His Facebook page has over 415,000 likes and growing walhamdulillaah.
Directly support One 4 kids and help them provide your children with more content by sponsoring their films or subscribing to One 4 Kids TV which is available on the Apple App store, Google Play store or online here www.one4kids.tv
Apple Store: https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/one4kids-tv/id1291443677?mt=8
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.one4kids&hl=en
Zaky and Friends are coming to Brisbane next week. For their first and only Brisbane show.
Please mark your calendars for Sisters Support Services Multicultural Fete on Sunday the 31st of March ! There will be a selection of exquisite multicultural food stalls, exotic homewares, Islamic bookstall, Henna, Islamic Art workshops and a tremendous selection of FREE kids activities including animal farm, jumping castle, face painting and exciting prizes for best dressed multicultural outfits !
Our event is supported by Queensland Government and our generous sponsors for the event are Acro Accounting & Financial Planning, Mabrouk & Sons Halal Meat, National Zakat Foundation and Sha Sha Fashion.
We look forward to seeing you there in sha Allah !
Assalaamu Alaykum!
After the tragic events last week, we are following the Queensland Muslim community response so far and what we can do for the future. This workshop is intended to bring people together to reflect on the events and responses, and develop action plans for our community that are civil, sustainable and strategic.
Date: Wednesday 27 March 2019,
Time: 7-9pm.
Venue details provided after registration.
REGISTER FOR FREE: https://goo.gl/8eU2yt
CRAFTING THE FUTURE: A DAY FOR WOMEN Thursday 28 March, 10:00-2:50 pm IWAA Hall (Islamic Women�s Association of Australia) 11 Watland Street, Springwood QLD 4127 Come along for a relaxed day of conversations and activities. Together we will hear from women from all walks of life working in Brisbane southside to create lasting changes in attitudes. Enjoy crafting activities, a delicious light lunch, a bit of light exercise and the pleasure of one another�s company! Bookings essential for this half-day activity at IWAA on Thursday 28 March, 10:00-2:50 pm. Please note that this event is open to women only. People of all backgrounds and ages encouraged to attend! Tickets: $5 concession / $10 waged. https://www.facebook.com/events/309787929691763/?ti=icl
IWAA Community Action for Multicultural Society (CAMS) Coordinators are pleased to invite you to a Community Connections Day Expo at IWAA Hall, 11 Watland St, SPRINGWOOD, on Wednesday 3rd April 2019 from 10am - 1pm
The idea behind this expo is to promote the range of services that service providers/ organisations provide to you as a consumer in order to enhance access of Muslim women to mainstream agencies, while also assisting mainstream agencies identify strategies to effectively engage Muslim women.
Come along to the Expo and meet service providers and agencies (such as Centrelink, TAFE, Australian Taxation Office, Office of Fair Trade, etc) who can give you support and advice.
This is a free event, so come along and bring your family and friends.
We look forward to seeing you there.
CAMS Coordinators
Muna Ibrahim & Nora Amath
COMMUNITY & EDUCATION SERVICES
SALAM RESPITE CENTRE CURRENTLY HAS VACANCIES
FEEL FREE TO CALL THE COORDINATOR
FOR MORE INFORMATION ON:
JOIN THE LOGAN ROOS
Logan Roos Football Club is in the heart of Logan City.
As 2019 season preparation has already started. All interested players from 5 years old to senior level are welcome to join. Limited spaces available.
For further information please contact via email: admin@loganroosfc.org.au
Or you can call the secretary Abdul Samim Khan on 0413669987.
Click on the image to sign up
On 31 December 2017 the only Islamic childcare centre in the whole of Brisbane had to unfortunately close its doors due to the Department of Transport requiring it for their future expansion. To date they are still in the process of securing new premises to continue serving this very important need of the community and the wait continues�.
In the interim the need is still there. The question most Muslims would be asking themselves is �Where do I send my child so that he/she can learn, grow and develop in an Islamic environment, and establish a sound Islamic foundation?�
Msasa Montessori is a private home based learning centre for 3-5 year olds. The focus is an Islamic based learning environment alongside the Montessori method of teaching. Children will be taught their basic duas, surahs, tasbeehs, stories of the Prophets will be read and enacted, and Inshallah their love for Allah and His Noble Prophet Muhammed S.A.W will develop. Supported by the Montessori method of teaching they will develop their independence and will utilise equipment which will enable them to develop and grow.
Montessori is a method of education based on self-directed activity, hands-on learning and collaborative play. The Montessori materials cover developmental activities designed to meet the needs of children in five curriculum areas:
Practical life skills, Sensorial activities, Mathematics, Language and Cultural Studies.
By providing such an environment, the children will develop a strong sense of wellbeing and identity as Muslims and they will become confident and involved learners with the ability to communicate effectively and with confidence.
For further information call 0434519414.
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Donations & Appeals
At Sisters Suppprt Services Inc we have qualified volunteers who help women in their darkest moments & time of need to empower them to make the right choices for better outcomes for their own lives.
Here are some examples of our cases over the past few months. ALL names have been changed to protect client identities.
1. Aisha, a victim of Domestic Violence came to us for assistance. We assisted her by giving her money to buy clothing and personal items as she left her home quickly and with very little. Aisha has also needed ongoing counselling which she has been receiving from us for the past few months. She was taken to appointments and connected with the right people who helped her start a new life in a safe environment.
�Thank you so much for your help. I am so very grateful. Thank you to Sister Services. Allah bless you all.�
2. Katie, a revert sister with young kids needed ongoing counselling and support as she had not been coping well at home and was not able to look after herself and her family. Sisters Support Services was there for her;
�I can�t tell you enough in words how grateful I am, just by listening to me when I was feeling so low. Life is not looking so dark anymore !�
3. Sarah also a revert sister recently divorced with a young child arrived in Brisbane with virtually nothing. We have helped her with everyday essentials, food supplies & assisted her to find suitable accommodation. Sarah has some health issues & needed financial support with purchasing medications & by being driven to medical appointments by our volunteers.
"So happy with the help I've received from Sisters Support Services."
Gold Coast Islamic Cultural Centre
(provisiona
"If it's not here ....it's not happening!"l)
To claim your date for your event email admin@ccnonline.com.au.
Contact Times
Zaky and Friends Show
Hurricane Stars Club
Islamic College of Brisbane,
KARAWATHA
MULTICULTURAL FAMILY FETE
Sisters Support Services & Youth Connect QLD
Boorabbin Picnic, Grounds
Wishhart
Tues (EVE)
LAILATU MI'RAAJ
(Ascension night)
27th Rajab 1440
Change for Palestine
APAN and MCF
Islamic College of Brisbane, KARAWATHA
Hejaz Financial Services
IWAA Centre, 11 Watland St, Springwood
QPS/Muslim Community reference group meeting
Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB), 45 Acacia Road, Karawatha
7PM to 8.30PM
Open Day and 6th Annual Toowoomba International Food Festival
Islamic Society of Toowoomba
217 West St., Harristown, Toowoomba
Sat (EVE)
NISF SHA'BAAN
(Lailatul Bahrat)
15th Sha'baan 1440
RAMADAAN
(start of the month of fasting)
1st Ramadaan 1440
LAILATUL-QADR
(Night of Power)
27th Ramadaan 1440
(end of the month of fasting)
1st Shawal 1440
YAWMUL ARAFAH
9th Zil-Hijjah 1440
10th Zil-Hijjah 1440
Eidfest @ Dreamworld
from 6PM
RA'S AL-SANAH AL-HIJRĪYAH
(Islamic New Year)
1st Muharram 1441
Annual Milad-un-Nabi
Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane
from 3.30PM to Maghrib
1. All Islamic Event dates given above are supplied by the Council of Imams QLD (CIQ) and are provided as a guide and are tentative and subject to the sighting of the moon.
2. The Islamic date changes to the next day starting in the evenings after maghrib. Therefore, except for Lailatul Mehraj, Lailatul Bhahraat and Lailatul Qadr � these dates refer to the commencement of the event starting in the evening of the corresponding day.
MASJID TAQWAH
Bald Hills, Brisbane
39 Bushmills Court, Hillcrest Qld 4118
Download the programme here.
SISTERS SUPPORT SERVICES
LUTWYCHE ISLAMIC ASSOCIATION
Masjid As Sunnah
Every Sunday Quran Tafsir or Islamic Lesson or Arabic Class.
After Magrib
Conducting by Imam Yahia Baej
Children Arabic/Quran Class every Tue-Wed-Thursday after Magrib
ALGESTER MOSQUE
Nuria Khataam
Date: Every last Wednesday of the month
Time: After Esha Salaat
Venue: Algester Mosque
Contact: Yahya
IPDC
Queensland Police Service/Muslim Community Consultative Group
Time: 7.00pm � 8.30pm
Date: Wednesday 10 April 2019
Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane (ICB), 45 Acacia Road, Karawatha
Email CSU@police.qld.gov.au with any agenda considerations or questions.
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HikmahWay Institute HikmahWay offers online and in-person Islamic courses to equip Muslims of today with the knowledge, understanding and wisdom to lead balanced, wholesome and beneficial lives.
Kuraby Mosque
Al-Nisa Provide young Muslim women in Queensland with support and opportunities to express themselves
MUSLIMS AUSTRALIA / Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) Islamic Schools, Halal Services and a whole lot more...
AFIC Schools
www.mfis.com.au (Malek Fahd Islamic School, Sydney, NSW)
www.icb.qld.edu.au (Islamic College of Brisbane, QLD)
www.icosa.sa.edu.au (Islamic College of South Australia, SA)
www.afic-lic.com.au (Langford Islamic College, Perth, WA)
www.islamicschoolofcanberra.act.edu.au (Islamic College of Canberra, ACT)
Karratha Muslims (Muslims in Western Australia)
Islam TV Recording of lectures and events in and around Queensland
Muslim Directory Australia
Carers Queensland Free service for multicultural clients who are carers, elderly and people with disabilities
Brisbane Muslim Burial Society (BMBS)
Muslim Charitable Foundation (MCF) Coordinated collection & distribution of: Zakaah, Lillah, Sadaqah, Fitrana, Unwanted interest
Islamic Medical Association of Queensland (IMAQ)
Network of Muslim healthcare professionals
Al-Imdaad Foundation (Australia)
Australian Muslim Youth Network (AMYN)
Find out about the latest events, outings, fun-days, soccer tournaments, BBQs organised by AMYN. Network with other young Muslims on the AMYN Forum
Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) Umbrella body representing various Mosques and Societies in Queensland
Current list of businesses certified halal by ICQ 7 August 2011
Islamic Friendship Association of Australia
Blog of the Association's activities
United Muslims of Brisbane
Crescents of Brisbane's CRESCAFE (Facebook)
Muslim Women's eNewsletter Sultana�s Dream is a not-for-profit e-magazine that aims to provide a forum for the opinions of Australian Muslim women
Islamic Solutions Articles and Audio recordings
Islamic Relief Australia
National Zakat Foundation (NZF)
MCCA Islamic Finance & Investments
Gold Coast Mosque Incorporating Islamic Society of Gold Coast Inc.
South African National Halaal Authority (SANHA)
Muslim Womens' Convert Support Group (MWCSG) Network of Muslim women converts from the Brisbane and Gold Coast areas of Queensland.
Australian International Islamic College (Durack)
Islamic Society of Algester
Jamiatul Ulama Western Australia Body of Muslim Theologians (Ulama, Religious Scholars)
Islamic Women's Association of Queensland (IWAQ)
Community based, not-for-profit organisation providing Settlement, Aged Care, disability, social activities and employment opportunities.
Federation of Australian Muslim Students & Youth (FAMSY)
Queensland Intercultural Society (QIS)
GIRU � Griffith Islamic Research Unit Qld Stories link or YouTube link
Gold Coast Halal Certification Services (GCHCS)
Muslim Aid Australia Serving Humanity
Human Appeal International Australia Always with you on the road to goodness
Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane Preserving the Past, Educating the Present to Create the Future
Islamic Shia Council of Queensland
Muslim Reverts Network
Supporting new Muslims
Muslim Funeral Services (MFS)
Funeral Directors & Funeral Fund Managers for the Brisbane and Gold Coast communities
Islamic Society of Bald Hills (ISBH) : Masjid Taqwa
Tafseers and Jumma Khubahs uploaded every week.
Muslim Community & Qld floods
How the community helped out during the 2010 QLD floods
The CCN Young Muslim Writers Award (Facebook)
The Queensland Muslim Historical Society (Facebook)
Muslim Women's National Network of Australia, Inc (MWNNA)
Peak body representing a network of Muslim women's organisations and individuals throughout Australia
Sultana's Dream
Online magazine subscribe@sultanasdream.com.au
Lockyer Valley Islamic Association
iCare QLD (formerly AYIA Foundation) - Charity
Slacks Creek Mosque Mosque and Community Centre
Al Tadhkirah Institute Madressa, Hifz and other Islamic courses
Centre for Islamic Thought & Education University of South Australia
Hurricane Stars Club Get Active & Have Fun, Confidently!
Sisters Support Services Programs and activities for women in need (contact@sisterssupportservices.org.au and 0404 921 620)
If you would like a link to your website email ccn@crescentsofbrisbane.org.
Articles and opinions appearing in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect the opinions of the CCN Team, its Editor or its Sponsors, particularly if they eventually turn out to be libellous, unfounded, objectionable, obnoxious, offensive, slanderous and/or downright distasteful.
It is the usual policy of CCN to include from time to time, notices of events that some readers may find interesting or relevant. Such notices are often posted as received. Including such messages or providing the details of such events does not necessarily imply endorsement of the contents of these events by CCN
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