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Ramadhan & Eid-ul-Fitr Programmes The CCN Inbox: Letters to the Editor The CCN Food for Thought
Kuraby Masjid Update The CCN Classifieds An Ayaat-a-Week
COM NEWS: New Muslim Care - Brisbane || Iftar 1436/2015 What is/was happening in other necks of the woods Events and Functions
Iftar For Peace | Holland Park Mosque Around the Muslim World with CCN Islamic Programmes, Education & Services
Australian International Islamic College Iftaar
CCN Readers' Book Club
MAA Ramadan Update - 20 Days of Helping
At the Movies with CCN: Only The Dead (Documentary)
Mosque Renovations underway
It's more than just a dollar!
QPS Ifthaar
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Algester Mosque Ladies' Pakistan Ifthaar program
Toowoomba Mosque Ifthaar
The Kadri Column: Muslim, Christian and infinite universe
The Engagement Illusion
Greens Leader Richard di Natalie
Scapegoating minorities may reap a bitter harvest
Bolt Trashes Muslims, And His Own Arguments
Say no to racism: How to intervene
Life for British Muslims since 7/7
10 Pakistani Scientists who Made a Difference
Jumma Lecture Recordings
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Ramadhan & Eid-ul-Fitr Programmes
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Kuraby Masjid Update
By Imraan Nathie, Kuraby Mosque Trustee
As a representative and on behalf of the Kuraby Masjid it is my hope that the benefits of this Holy Month have enriched the lives of all thus far. Throughout this month and the months leading up to Ramadan, people will have noticed that many changes have been taking place within our beloved Masjid.
It is an understatement to say that these additions and alterations have been a long time coming. Throughout the years the masses attending the Kuraby Masjid on a daily basis have grown exponentially and the usual approximation of 500 musallee movements a day is now deemed a conservative number. In fact, it is our estimate that this number has inflated to ranging between 5�000 to 7�000 movements on site a week. These attendees include five time Salah musallees, children regularly attending madrasah classes, women coming for taaleem and an abundance of visitors Muslim and non-Muslim who request tours of the Masjid and seek enlightenment on Islam.
As a result of the evident inflation in numbers and in addition to the need for updated facilities and more practical Salah and wudhu areas, other areas of the masjid are also targets for improvement.
Bathroom facilities: - The bathroom facilities were redesigned for both men and women, incorporating external access to provide a cleaner floor area inside of the Masjid and a flat toilet was installed in response to many requests.
Wudhu Areas: - Both men and women�s wudhu areas were also revamped and updated to improve practicality and comfort.
Access: -The second staircase will be opened, providing another exit point for men to leave from which in turn makes it easier to enter and leave the Masjid and reduces crowding.
Covered area for children: - An additional covered area was built, enabling children to move safely between madrasah classes and also providing a safe and controlled congregation point for them. The use of the covered area is multifaceted. In addition to serving as a safety zone for children, it will also serve as an overflow Salah area and will soon also function as a recreational area with a cafeteria and seating facilities.
Facilities for women: - Women suffer the most from incomplete planning or inconvenient Salah areas. During this renovation we have taken special care to address some of their needs. Larger prayer areas will be created for women, to accommodate the crowds and allow them to move around comfortably and freely in their own space. We will also be building a new ladies wudhu facility.
Imam�s House: - The trustees have managed to purchase a house across from the Masjid. This house was significantly renovated and updated and will be home to our resident Imam.
Aged lift: - It is our intention Insha�Allah to install a lift for those brothers who find it hard to climb the stairs.
Contributions and Donations
Alhamdulillah, we have achieved much in our aims to improve our Masjid. Yet there is still more to do and complete. We still have a long way to go and unfortunately our financial resources need some bolstering. The finances needed to successfully run a Masjid is often underemphasised and we are hoping that our Musallees will assist in making all of these changes a reality.
The food group contribute a substantial portion of the Masjid�s revenue. Alhamdulillah, many thanks to them. Other than that, generally, bucket collections on a Friday Jummah are fairly small. Apart from a few benefactors who regularly deposit monies into the Masjid bank account and the contribution of the food group, we do not raise sufficient revenue for the mosques account.
We acknowledge the inconvenience of having to hand money over physically every Friday. Hence we propose the idea of direct debiting.
We are asking Musallees for conservative amounts of $20 or even $10 to be transferred to the Masjid account regularly.
This automatic transaction can be set weekly or even fortnightly and will be greatly beneficial to the upkeep of our beloved Kuraby Masjid. If this means of Sadaqah towards your Masjid is of interest to you, then please see our account info below.
We have managed to secure a visa and Insha�Allah the Imam will be arriving within the next 2 weeks.
Please join us in recognizing the Musallees who selflessly contribute their time and effort towards the successful functioning of the Masjid. We hope and pray that the Almighty grants them maximum rewards for all their efforts.
We would also like to take this opportunity to thank Qari Fidaurahman and Hafiz Imran for leading the taraweeh this year. Alhumdulillah they have recited beautifully and long may they remain attached to our Masjid, Insha�Allah.
Qari Fidaurahman has also over these many months taken the role as principal leader of Salah and for that we are eternally grateful. Please keep him and his family in your duas
COM NEWS: New Muslim Care - Brisbane || Iftar 1436/2015
Iftar For Peace | Holland Park Mosque
The Islamic Society of Holland Park (Holland Park Mosque) opened its door's to all the neighbourhood to Break Fast for Peace on the 5 July.
Around a 100 non-muslims attended the Iftar program. The program started with the recitation of the Holy Quran with translation, welcome speech by the president Ali Kadri and some religious insight on the month of Ramadan by Imam Uzair Akbar. After a sumptuous meal, the floor was opened for any type of Q&As and the night ended with a tour of the oldest mosque on the Eastern Coast.
"The Management would like to thank all the volunteers and donors who helped to make this evening a success," a Mosque spokesperson told CCN.
On the 25th and the 27th of June, The Australian International Islamic College held its annual community Iftaar Dinner at the Gold Coast and Durack campuses respectively. Many community representatives from both government and non-government organizations attended the special events.
Families from the college community helped to arrange a vast array of food ranging from salads and meats to pastries and desserts. There were special prayers and speeches, notably by Peter Russo MP, representing Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk and by Councilor Tracey Gilmore from Division 5.
A heartfelt dua was made by Imam Walliyullah Yusuf and Imam Mohammed emphasizing on the importance of appreciating God�s Blessings during the month of Ramadan and using our blessings to contribute productively to our Australian society.
It was a great opportunity to meet and greet with community members and welcome our new parents and staff to the AIIC family. Community representatives expressed their remarks and appreciation to the Australian International Islamic College for organizing such events that brings different communities together. P&C representatives expressed that the evening was a great night for the whole College community.
Furthermore, the College and the P&C would like to thank all of the community members who have contributed to this event. It is such a special time for our families and our children, as they feel so excited that they can be at College to share this special family event. We would like to especially thank all the AIIC staff and the operations team for their hard work in preparing for this evening.
http://www.muslimaid.org.au/#Ramadan
Brisbane's Michael Ware, the only war correspondent to survive being kidnapped by Al Qaeda in Iraq, has opened up to Lateline's Tony Jones about his time there and his documentary Only the Dead. Michael Ware appears on Monday's Q and A programme on ABC.
Renovations begins in earnest at the newly occupied Slacks Creek Mosque with the construction of the mehrab and mimbar
by Jasmin Ghandour, Digital Marketing Coordinator | Communications at Islamic Relief Australia
Only a few days ago, I read a Facebook post by our friends at Islamic Relief Palestine that reminded me how easy it really is to forget how fortunate we are.
With some of us having so much to do in what seems like so little time, we sometimes find it difficult to take a moment to appreciate the things in our lives that we�re most thankful for like the people that make you smile, our homes, the food on our table, living in a country where we can execute our right to an education, our jobs and of course the generous supporters that make our life changing work possible.
When you help Islamic Relief deliver aid to people in dire need of assistance, your contribution means more than you think it does.
Your contribution is opportunity for the people we�re serving. It restores their hope, dignity, independence (to name a few) and helps to give them the very things that we sometimes forget to appreciate.
So how significant is the difference that your contribution helps us to achieve?
The 2015 Queensland Police Service Iftaar Dinner was held on Thursday 9 July at the Greek Community Centre, South Brisbane. This was the 2nd annual ifthaar hosted by the QPS with the Muslim Community and other guests.
"...great atmosphere, fantastic food and good company," MP for Waterford, Minister for Communities, Women and Youth, Minister for Child Safety and Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Ms Shannon Fenttiman MP posted on her Facebook wall.
Amongst the speakers, Dr Nora Rane spoke of compassion in our multicultural community.
�The Queensland Police Service Iftaar Dinner is a unique event as it allows police and members of Queensland�s Muslim community the chance to sit down together and share a meal,� said Commissioner Ian Stewart.
The Islamic Society of Algester has thanked all who contributed to the Ramadaan Iftaar program in Peshawar, Pakistan, in response to the appeal made by Julu.
All monies received before the 5th of June were transferred on the 5th and have been received in Pesahwar.
From the amount that was sent over, 250 packages were distributed to the needy before the start of Ramadaan.
Each package consisted of:
20kg flour; 5 kg oil; 1 pack of milk cartons; 5kg sugar; 3kg kidney beans;
5kg rice; 2kg Dahl; 1/2 kg black tea; 2kg dates; 1kg besan flour
Furthermore, iftar is being cooked and distributed daily under the guidance and surveillance of sister Zubaida Nur
Prices have rocketed, but, due to the substantial amount donated, the above is still possible.
Monies received after the 5th will be transferred next week and will be added to daily feeds
The Kadri Column: A Muslim, a Christian and an infinite universe
By Ali Kadri
400 years ago in 1600s a theologian named Giordano Bruno proposed a theory of infinite universe with nothing at the centre, refuting Aristotle and the belief of most Christians at the time. For this he was persecuted for 8 years and finally On 17 February 1600, he was burned at the stake with his books destroyed for heresy.
Between 1149 to 1209 AD, roughly 400 years before Bruno and 800 years from today. A Persian Muslim theologian called Fakhr ad-Din ar-Razi, wrote this in his book called MATALIB AL ALIYA:
alimkadri blog
A Courier Mail reader's response to Ali Kadri's recent article in the newspaper.
During Ramadan, and in response to the bombing of Gaza, US President Barack Obama spoke at the annual White House Iftar. He called for both sides to come back to the negotiation table. Unsurprisingly, he went on to staunchly defend Israel�s right to defend its borders, claiming, �No country can accept rockets fired indiscriminately at citizens.�
Obama welcomed a crowd of important, invited and chosen dignitaries amongst American-Muslim leaders to an iftar had beneath a stunning golden chandelier. Reflective of the elitism and power of the occasion � miles away from the rubble of Gaza � he gave the typical, sentimental gesture of claiming commitment to peace, which was as similarly ornamental as the occasion of the iftar itself.
In Australia, it�s not so different. Many of our politicians and local community leaders appeal to the decorative ideal of two sides coming together to solve the problem, bringing about peace through strong, uncompromising, dialogue. The image is alluring: the noble chiefs of two tribes come together to engage in vigorous diplomacy. However, it encapsulates what is often the counter-argument towards those calling for boycott and threatening to sever relations.
This enduring image of dialogue is like an elastic band that is stretched by two sides who are committed to debating without ever breaking the bonds that tie their communications. Such ornamental gestures of talking the-problem through, discovering friendships and exchanging respect through acknowledging differences ignore the reality that power, in fact, lays in the tensility of the language we use.
Sajjeling
Mariam Veiszadeh & Lydia Shelly
Earlier this week we attended a federal government "consultation" over planned legislative changes that would remove Australian citizenship for dual citizens found guilty of terrorist activities. We attended despite our "engagement fatigue" since many local Muslims are urging no further engagement with the Abbott government on the issue of national security.
We were disappointed but not surprised that key Muslim groups seemed to have been excluded from these face-to-face "consultations". In fact, we were only invited on the recommendation of a colleague. When we asked the organisers about this we were told that face-to-face consultations were "not a primary method of consultation" and that the citizenship paper had been emailed to various organisations. That has been the extent of the rather limited "consultation" process regarding citizenship.
"We cannot afford polite pussyfooting, with our country's character, international reputation, security and, frankly, lives, on the line."
As lawyers, mothers and Australian Muslims we are committed to the rule of law, civil liberties and social cohesion. We do not believe the proposed amendments to the Citizenship Act are necessary, proportionate or productive. Existing legislation gives the government many ways to tackle terrorism.
We are concerned the changes will result in "ex citizens" becoming stateless, permit the indefinite detention within Australia of affected persons, breach international legal obligations, contribute to global insecurity and allow a minister to effectively play judge and jury. If our political leaders continue to politicise national security, Australia risks reinforcing terrorist propaganda � the same propaganda that Muslims are being asked, unfairly, to develop strategies to counter.
Lydia Shelly
Mariam Veiszadeh
Andrew Bolt Trashes Muslims, And His Own Arguments For Trashing Muslims
By Michael Brull
The best kind of debate is the one you have with yourself. Alone. At night. When you're Andrew Bolt. Michael Brull explains.
On the subject of Andrew Bolt, I can be a bit of a broken record. When a Muslim person somewhere in the world does something bad, I turn to Bolt�s blog to find the kind of anti-Muslim animus that I figure it�ll be useful to critique.
There hasn�t been much variation in this routine going back six years. Conveniently, when trashing Muslims and Islam this time, Bolt seems to have supplied his own counter-arguments.
So, on 27 June, it wasn�t much of a surprise to find Bolt writing about Muslims again. He began:
�Muslim apologists here and abroad like to explain each outrage as a reflection of some crime by the West - oppression, imperialism, marginalisation, demonisation.�
Note how Bolt doesn�t even say Islam apologist. Bolt doesn�t say Islamist terrorist apologist. Bolt doesn�t say terrorism apologist. Bolt simply says Muslim apologist.
I just want to pause on this point. Bolt doesn�t set up as the dangerously na�ve and foolish those who would defend this or that interpretation of Islam. Bolt regards with suspicion those who would defend Muslims. I can think of a word for this, but let�s just conduct a thought experiment. Suppose someone were to write of �Jew apologists here and abroad who like to explain each outrage committed by Israel as a reflection of some crime by the West � oppression, persecution, genocide.� What kind of reaction might we expect for someone who wrote those words? And what kind of career might we predict for them?
But let us return to Bolt�s blog. He wrote: �But whatever the excuse, each fresh massacre - so many and now so florid with cruelty - gives the world reason to associate Islam with hatred and violence:� By �the world�, Bolt presumably means himself and other right-wingers, as opposed to �Muslim apologists� who just blame the West for everything.
Say no to racism: How to intervene when witnessing a racial attack
You are on the train when you overhear a commuter being verbally attacked because of their race. What do you do?
While videos of Australians taking a stand against offensive behaviour have gone viral in recent years, a survey of Victorians shows less than a third of bystanders would say or do something if they witnessed racism.
There are many reasons people do not intervene.
"The most important one is the fear of violence, being targeted yourself as a result of speaking up," said researcher Jacqueline Nelson, who is conducting a study of responses to racism at the University of Technology Sydney.
"Another obstacle is the idea that doing something would not be effective."
Lack of knowledge about how to safely intervene or help the individual targeted also stops witnesses acting.
'Say no to racism'
Bystander intervention training is emerging as a way to equip people with strategies to challenge apparent racism when they come across it on public transport, in the workplace or among family and friends.
Councils in three distinctly multicultural areas of Melbourne are offering the training.
"We want to encourage people to try and engage the person as another good human being and appeal to their better instincts," said Ananth Gopal from the training organisation Polykala.
"Try not to approach people as the enemy, but find some point of connection."
Bystanders are encouraged to ask questions to cool the conversation, or rally other witnesses to demonstrate that racist behaviour is not broadly accepted.
The sessions are being offered in the the cities of Darebin, Moreland and Wynham.
Emily Paddon-Brown is one participant who has witnessed ugly behaviour on trains and hopes bystander training will empower her to act.
"I certainly do feel as a female alone that there is only so much I can do to help, because I need to assess my own safety as well," she said.
The impact of inaction
A victim of racism is more likely to experience psychological or physical harm if no-one helps them.
While bystanders who do nothing can walk away feeling frustrated and helpless, running over and over in their mind what they might have done.
There is also a cost to the community.
"Silence can send the message that bigotry and prejudice are acceptable in our public life," said Race Discrimination Commissioner Tim Soutphommasane.
"By speaking out against racism you are making a major difference to changing attitudes and challenging behaviours. It doesn't have to be a big intervention."
The Mayor of Moreland, Meghan Hopper, agreed that bystander intervention training will help get the message out that racism is not acceptable.
"Over a third or our community was born overseas. And 40 per cent of our community speaks a language other than English at home," she said.
"So it is really important that we address some of the problems that might arise."
What action could I take?
� Comfort the person targeted
� Confront or disagree with the perpetrator
� Seek the help of other bystanders
� Express upset feelings
� Interrupt or distract the perpetrator
� Use humour
� Report the incident to police and give a witness statement
� Gather evidence - film or take photos of the incident
Source: SBS
Life for British Muslims since 7/7 � abuse, suspicion and constant apologies
By Mehdi Hasan
The London bombings shocked us all. But in the decade since, our community has been unfairly demonised
�Have you ever paused to consider how a young Muslim schoolboy might react to polls suggesting his fellow Brits think he �creates problems�?�
It could have been me. King�s Cross was my station. But 10 years ago, on the morning of 7 July, 2005, I happened to be on a day off, sitting at home in front of the television, glued to the news channels. Fifty-two of my fellow Londoners lay dead.
Within days, the four young men behind the worst terror attack in British history had been identified, and a knot tightened at the pit of my stomach. The London bombings had already been dubbed �7/7�, a deliberate attempt to depict the attacks as our �9/11�. Yet this was a more disturbing crime, with far greater domestic consequences, than 9/11. None of the 19 suicide-hijackers on those four planes had been US citizens. In contrast, all four of the suicide bombers on the London transport system were UK citizens.
�We�re screwed,� I told a Muslim friend. These terrorists were British like us, looked like us, had names similar to our own and, as the official report into 7/7 would later confirm, were �apparently well integrated into British society� with �largely unexceptional� backgrounds. Over the next decade, British Muslims would be subjected to unprecedented scrutiny; tagged as a suspect community, the enemy within, a �fifth column� (to quote Nigel Farage).
We can�t say we weren�t warned. Less than a month after 7/7, the then prime minister, Tony Blair, himself announced that �the rules of the game are changing�. And, a year later, the country�s most famous living novelist, Martin Amis, blithely referred to �a definite urge � don�t you have it? � to say, �The Muslim community will have to suffer until it gets its house in order� � Discriminatory stuff, until it hurts the whole community.�
According to the charity ChildLine, Islamophobic bullying is now rife in our schools
Well, Martin, we�re hurting. And yes, Tony, the rules have indeed changed. British Muslims have been spied on, stopped and searched, stripped of citizenship, and subjected to control orders and detention without trial. Many were not guilty of any crime. Remember Mohammed Abdul Kahar, shot in the shoulder during a dawn raid on his home in Forest Gate, east London, in 2006, before being released without charge a week later? Or Rizwaan Sabir, the university student held for seven days without charge as a terror suspect in 2008, on the basis of police evidence later described as �made up�?
How about the Muslim residents of the three areas in Birmingham that in 2010 were to be surrounded by a �ring of steel� of 218 �spy cameras� as part of a counter-terrorism operation?
Blair may have changed the rules but he didn�t win the game. A decade ago four British suicide bombers, aligned with al-Qaida, shocked us all. Today, up to 600 Britons are reported to have left the UK to battle and behead on behalf of the al-Qaida offshoot, so-called Islamic State (Isis). These include the youngest ever UK suicide bomber, 17-year-old Talha Asmal, who blew himself up while fighting for Isis in Iraq in June.
10 Pakistani Scientists who Made a Difference in the World
Mostly, Muslim students are taught about inventions and discoveries of Muslims and they list hundreds and thousands year old inventions by Muslims.
But one important fact needs to be highlighted that Pakistani scientists, too, have a great contribution in where the world is standing today.
There are hundreds of capable scientists which have worked on prestigious scientific missions and many of them even have invented numerous things in their disciplines.
This list of greatest Pakistani scientists prove that Pakistan is not far behind anyone in development of today and has a contribution in the modern world.
Even though resources in the country are minimal, yet these brilliant minds were stronger enough to take over the circumstances.
7) Sohail Khan
Professor Sohail Khan, a Pakistani researcher at Loughborough University designed a clever lavatory that transforms human waste into biological charcoal and minerals. These can then be used as fuel or a form of conditioner for soil. It also produces clean water. His invention was appreciated by Bill Gates.
NEXT WEEK: Mahbub ul Haq
Source: WonderfulPoint
MASJID AL FAROOQ/KURABY MOSQUE
Qari Patel's Short Bio
Friday khutbah (sermon)
TOPIC: "The Essence of Ramadan"
IMAM: Sheikh Sulaiman Moola
MASJID TAQWA/BALD HILLS MOSQUE
TOPIC: �Respect for the respect�
IMAM: Mufti Junaid Akbar
AUDIO (MP3) LINK: http://www.masjidtaqwa.org.au/index.php/downloads/kuthba
TOPIC: "Ramadan - Be United"
IMAM: Muhammad Uzair Akbar
Play the recording
Salaams CCN readers,
On behalf of everyone at Amanah Institute, our thoughts and well wishes are with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander brothers and sisters during NAIDOC week celebrations.
As Australian Muslim's, we remain committed to our longstanding relationship with the First Nation peoples of this land we now call home and acknowledge their enduring custodianship and contribution.
May we walk lightly on this earth together as honourable people.
Wasalaam
Dylan Chown
Principal: Amanah Institute
Editor: NAIDOC Week celebrations are held across Australia each July to celebrate the history, culture and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples. NAIDOC is celebrated not only in Indigenous communities, but by Australians from all walks of life.
King Abdul Aziz Road (West Gate)
SAUDI ARABIA: The King Abdul Aziz Road Project is a mega-project measuring 3.5Km from the outskirts of Makkah to the Grand Holy Mosque.]The project includes 209 plots along a central pedestrian spine that will alleviate the chaotic pilgrim activity currently experienced during Hajj. Over a year period Glass Canvas has created a five minute movie and in excess of 40 CGI's to help promote and explain the project to a wide audience in Saudi Arabia and the region.
Spanish-led joint venture named preferred bidder for Mecca Metro
the newly-opened Holy Sites metro light rail in Mecca
The Spanish contractor Isolux Corsan has been named as the preferred bidder for a �2.3 billion (Dh9.27bn) contract to build two lines of the new Mecca Metro in Saudi Arabia.
The company said that its joint venture, which includes the Turkish contracting company Kolin and Saudi Arabia�s Haif Company, is expected to sign a contract for the project in the coming months.
The consortium will build Lines B and C of the project. Line B will comprise 11.9 kilometres of tunnels and three stations. Line C will be 13km long and contain six stations � two of which will be major interchanges.
It will also be responsible for demolishing existing structures and facilities, diverting roads and utilities, and other enabling works.
The Mecca Metro will include four new lines and will connect to the existing Al Mashaaer Al Mugaddassah line, which was built in 2010 to carry pilgrims between the sites of Mina, Muzdallah and Arafat, close to the Grand Mosque.
Only the two lines awarded to the Isolux Corsan venture are being built during the first phase, work on which is scheduled to start next year. It is due to be up and running by 2019.
The Malaysian consultancy Prasarana Group is responsible for creating detailed designs and developing specifications for the operations and maintenance firm that will run the network. It won the $2.4 million deal announced in November last year.
.View from the new UMRAH Gate at the Makkah Haram
Islam in Brazil
Saudi TV show becomes a hit by mocking Islamic State group
SAUDI ARABIA: A new TV satire program has become a hit in the Arab world by mocking some of the region's most serious issues, from the intractable Sunni-Shiite divide and religious extremism to the brutality of militants like the Islamic State group.
The show, 'Selfie,' has also brought a backlash. Islamic State group sympathizers have made death threats against its Saudi star and top writer on social media. One mainstream Saudi cleric denounced the show of heresy for mocking the country's ultraconservative religious establishment. That has made it the buzz of the current Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which is the peak television viewing season in the Middle East.
Naser al-Qasabi, the series' star, and its writer Khalaf al-Harbi told The Associated Press in their first interview with foreign media that they expected the backlash, but were not prepared for the popularity. It is one of the top shows on MBC, the privately owned Saudi network that airs it, and has been the talk of the Gulf press.
Al-Qasabi says the series' dark humor reveals just how tragic the situation across the Middle East has become.
"What's coming is darker," he said. "Maybe I am a bit pessimistic, and I hope that I am wrong, but I don't think I am."
Saudi comedian Naser Al-Qasabi, rear, and writer Khalaf Al-Harbi .
In one of the show's episodes, al-Qasabi plays a would-be "caliph" starting his own Islamic State group-style militia, but he's surrounded by buffoons and hypocrites.
His "mufti," or top cleric, never finished school. He struggles to find ways to differentiate his group � his group's flag is the same as IS's notorious banner but with the black and white colours flipped. When one of his cronies boasts of plans for a mass beheading, the "caliph" complains that he wants a new form of execution.
"Behead, behead, behead. That's all you got?" he groans, before suggesting the captives be put in a freezer. It's particularly bitter humor, given the increasingly grisly ways IS has used to kill its captives.
In the show's most popular skit, al-Qasabi plays a Saudi father whose son has run off to join IS. He smuggles himself into Syria, pretends to be a jihadi joining IS and tries to convince his son to return home. It's a more serious episode, showing his horror at IS "perversions" of Islam and at the group's atrocities � and his torment as he tries to avoid committing atrocities himself in his disguise. But it has comic moments as well, as he fumbles his way through militant training and is chased around the bed by a militant bride who is forced on him by the group and who has dedicated her life to pleasing jihadis as a means of going to heaven.
Other, lower-budget Iraqi and Syrian TV shows have mocked IS and other militants. But "Selfie" stands out with its high production values � and the fact that it's a show with Saudi actors on a Saudi network at times mocking attitudes on religion in the kingdom, where there is little tolerance for discussing the many taboos.
In one episode, two Saudi men meet at an airport in Europe and bond over their love of women, alcohol and hard partying. But, though neither is religious, their budding friendship takes a nosedive when they discover that one is Sunni and the other Shiite. They argue until airport security detains them. When police discover they are fighting over a split that happened 1,400 years ago, they send the two a mental hospital.
Another skit lampooned Saudi Arabia's powerful ultraconservative religious establishment and its stance against music. That was the show that prompted cleric Saeed bin Mohammed bin Farwa to accuse al-Qasabi and MBC of heresy.
Columnist Hamad al-Majed also criticised the show in the Asharq al-Awsat newspaper, saying that in its attempt to ridicule extremism the series also disrespected Islamic traditions and made generalizations, especially about Saudi Arabia.
Al-Qasabi told the AP he views his acting career as his own form of "jihad" � which in Islam literally means any struggle in the path to God.
"Offering something positive that raises awareness of issues, I see this as jihad," he said. "Jihad is that you raise your children well. Jihad is that you work and are on a path to doing things well. Jihad is that you are good at your work ... Life is one great jihad."
Al-Qasabi and al-Harbi are no strangers to controversy. They both worked on "Tash ma Tash", a long-running comedy that ruffled feathers for its handling of sensitive issues in Saudi society.
Muslims raise $48,000 to rebuild burned black churches
US: Several black churches across the South have burned in recent weeks, some due to what is believed to be arson, while others fell victim to natural disasters such as lightning.
The destruction of these black churches inspired a group of young Muslims from different parts of the country to put together a crowdfunding campaign to raise money to help rebuild them.
Faatimah Knight, a 23-year-old studying theology, started a campaign on LaunchGood with a group of friends to raise $50,000 during the month of Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims during which they fast and give alms.
The initial goal for the campaign was only $10,000, but the group surpassed that mark in just 12 hours after they launched. "Nearly broke the LaunchGood servers!" The website's Facebook page posted.
On the campaign's page, Knight writes, "All houses of worship are sanctuaries... let's unite to help our sisters and brothers in faith."
But there was more than just religion that compelled Knight to start the fundraiser with her four other friends. She felt a personal connection to the recent tragedies.
"Supporting these churches hit me most as a black person," the Brooklyn resident said. "It has been a challenging time to be black in America."
On June 17, Dylann Roof allegedly killed nine members of Charleston's Emanuel African Methodist Episcopal Church. Four days later, black churches began burning across the South.
The NAACP, which acknowledged that only three of the recent church fires are thought to be arson-related, said the blazes require "our collective attention."
Regardless of why or how these churches were burned down, the campaign has seen an overwhelming support since it launched in early July. It has already raised more than $48,000, and with a few days left, Knight is confident they will reach their goal.
"The response has been overwhelmingly supportive. There have been a few people who were confused about why Muslims would rebuild a church, but for the most part people are totally on board," she said.
The campaign is not about being an activist, it's about helping people, Knight said. "I think everyone can be active about something."
�Eating halal can turn you into a Muslim� says nationalist Swedish party
SWEDEN: A Swedish politician has caused outrage by saying that halal meat has magical powers and can turn you into a Muslim. The nationalist Sweden Democrat, which has around 20 percent support amongst the population, also wants to ban halal meat in schools.
Michael Ohman, the head of the nationalist party�s Heby wing told the Sala Allehanda newspaper that, �You become a Muslim if you eat halal meat,� the Local cited him as saying.
When asked by a reporter if he meant to say that halal meat had magical powers, Ohman responded by saying, �Yes. This is precisely what we have warned of. They sneak halal in everywhere.�
Ohman, who is a member of the Swedish Democrats from the small town of Heby, which is 115 kilometers northwest of the capital Stockholm, also mentioned he wants to see halal meat outlawed in local schools because he believes it is against the country�s animal welfare laws.
Traditional methods of producing halal meat involve slitting an animal�s throat to ensure the spinal cord isn�t damaged.
However, a Swedish political scientist told RT that the move to condemn halal practices is unlikely to garner widespread support, as the majority of the population �generally support plurality,� and there is a widespread acceptance of Muslim values.
Despite this, Adrian Groglopo, who is a professor of Social Science at the University of Gothenburg, says the Sweden Democrats are gaining support and would be able to get �around 20 percent of the vote if an election was held today,� and �there is a very widespread Islamophobia among [three or four] political parties in Sweden.�
�This is a very light way of saying that we do not want Muslims in this country, which is of course widespread Islamophobia,� Groglopo told RT.
�This is ridiculous saying that halal meat is a kind of magic and you will become a Muslim if you eat it. It is just ridiculous. There is no other word for that. They are starting to terrorize Muslim�s politically,� he added.
Ohman�s comments have been widely mocked on social media. One user wrote on the platform, saying, �What happens if you mix halal and kosher meat? Which magic is the strongest?�
Source: DOA Muslims
Opinion: Coverage of Qatar�s World Cup mirrors some foreign prejudices
QATAR: Qatar has found itself under immense media scrutiny since it won the right to host the 2022 World Cup. Much of that coverage has been critical and, some argue, harsher than that leveled at other countries hosting World Cups or Olympics.
In this guest post originally published by Al-Fanar, Justin D. Martin, an assistant professor of journalism at Northwestern University in Qatar, takes a closer look at how international journalists have covered the Gulf state in recent years.
Qataris are �as bent as an Arab�s dagger,� a BBC radio guest said in a discussion of the 2022 World Cup in November.
The BBC host didn�t challenge the racist comment. When my turn came to speak, I denounced the statement, though I was soon interrupted � the BBC host didn�t want to address the slur and said only that the man�s microphone had been cut off.
Such a scabrous comment about both Arabs and Qataris on a major news broadcast is rare, but it plays to the belief many Qataris have about news coverage of both their nationality and Arabs in general.
Doha News
Bangladeshi Buddhist monks feed fasting Muslims over Ramadan
Abrar Shahin, named best dressed among Clifton High School seniors, talking with friends before Friday's graduation
BANGLADESH: A Buddhist monastery in Bangladesh is serving food to hundreds of poor Muslims during Ramadan, in a rare example of social harmony between the religions in the South Asian nation.
Dharmarajika, in the capital Dhaka, has become a hit on social media since it started distributing daily food packs for Muslims who break their fast during the Islamic month at sunset, known as Iftar.
�Buddhism taught us that serving humanity is the ultimate religion. We are feeding the poor Muslims who cannot afford to buy proper meals to break their fast,� Suddhananda Mahathero, the head monk of the monastery, told AFP.
When AFP visited on Monday evening, more than 300 Muslims were waiting at the gate of the monastery in Dhaka�s Basabo neighbourhood to receive some Iftar delicacies.
�I can eat some good food served with love and care,� said 70-year-old Amena Khatun, who added that she had walked several kilometres to get there.
As a young monk distributed tickets to hungry Muslims, police were on hand to ensure the process remained orderly.
�This is such a wonderful example of religious harmony: showing respect and affection to the fasting neighbours without thinking of the difference of religions,� said policeman Asad Uzzaman.
Muslims make up around 90 percent of Bangladesh�s 160 million population, with a tiny community of Buddhists residing mostly in the country�s southeastern districts bordering Myanmar.
In September 2012, tens of thousands of Muslims vandalised and torched nearly a dozen Buddhist temples in the south of the country following allegations that a Buddhist man had desecrated the Koran.
Many Muslims took to social media to thank the Dharmarajika monastery for their food distribution, posting photos on Facebook of the yellow-clad monks handing out supplies. Others praised the monks on Twitter.
�I really appreciate the initiative and thank them,� Nur Hossain, a banker, told
Source: Aquilla
Q: Dear Kareema, I�m taking the opportunity this month to build a better diet for losing weight as I know it�s just as important as exercise. Can you give me a few pointers?
A: When it comes to slimming down or toning up, look at high-protein foods to keep you fuller for longer and build lean muscle.
Try nuts as a snack � Almonds, cashews, walnuts, etc. They consist of healthy fats and have a low GI
Eggs are a great source of protein too � try it on sandwiches with avocado, etc
Legumes and beans � look at soups etc
Enjoy red meat twice a week
Fish, chicken and other veggies
Smoothies with almond milk makes for a great filling breakfast drink
Keep your foods as pure as possible. Steer away from sugar and processed foods
The CCN Read of the Week
The Shadow of the Crescent Moon by Fatima Bhutto
Echoes From the Cave by Shaykh Sulaiman Moola
Mecca: The Sacred City by Ziauddin Sardar
http://www.shelfari.com/ccn_bkclub
KB says: Another savory to enjoy before Ramadaan ends.
Peri Peri Chicken Tartletts
(Makes 18 Tartletts)
- 4 tablespoons butter
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 small tomato cubed
- 500 g chicken fillet cubed
- salt to taste
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon lemon pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon ginger garlic masala
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon dhana/ jeeru
- 1/4 teaspoon arad
- 1 teaspoon bbq spice
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 2 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon peri peri or chilli sauce of your choice
* cook until tender but must be moist, do not dry out.
1. Cut puff pastry into discs to fit muffin pans.
2. Place 1 tablespoon of the peri peri chicken filling into each casing.
3. Top with grated cheese.
4. Pipe on some mashed potatoes
5. Place a blob of butter onto the mashed potatoe and garnish with cubed coloured peppers.
6. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180 degrees for approx 30 mins until golden around the edges
Mula Nasruddin and his old friend Jallaludin were sitting on a bench under a tree when Mula Nasruudin turns to Jallaludin and says:
'Brother Jallaludin, I'm 83 years old now and I'm just full of aches and pains. I know you're about my age. How do you feel?'
Jallaludin says, 'I feel just like a newborn baby.'
'Really!? Like a newborn baby!?'
'Yes akhi. No hair, no teeth, and I think I just wet my pants.'
Say: I seek refuge with the Lord of the Dawn, From the mischief of created things; From the mischief of Darkness as it overspreads; From the mischief of those who practice Secret Arts: And from the mischief of the jealous one as he practices jealousy.
~ Surah Al-Falaq 113:1-5
....that's the whole point of good propaganda.
You want to create a slogan that nobody's going to be against,
and everybody's going to be for.
Nobody knows what it means, because it doesn't mean anything.
~ Noam Chomsky
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9am -12pm
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Muharram 1437 � Islamic New Year 1437 (1st Muharram 1437)
1. All Islamic Event dates given above 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.
Algester Mosque
Zikrullah program every Thursday night after Esha
For more details, contact: Maulana Nawaaz: 0401576084
Brisbane Northside Muslimahs Support Group
To help sisters on the northside of Brisbane to connect with their local sisters.
We will endeavour to have regular meetings, either for a lesson/discussion on
Islam, or for social events.
Ayesha on 0409 875 137 or at
ayesha_lea@yahoo.com.au
Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/donna.lewis.564
Lutwyche Mosque
Weekly classes with Imam Yahya
Monday: Junior Class
Tuesday: Junior Arabic
Friday: Adult Quran Class
For more information call 0470 671 109
All programs are conducted by Imam Uzair Akbar
Tafseer Program
Basics of Islam
after Maghrib Salat
Taleem Programe at Kuraby Mosque
Every Thursdays 10.30-11.30am
Madina Arabic Course (Urdu)
after Isha
Joula
after Maghrib
Biyaan
The Tafseer gets recorded and uploaded on to our website end of each week, please visit our website to download these recordings at www.masjidtaqwa.org.au.
The Monday and Tuesday's Madina Arabic Course is in Urdu. These sessions too are recorded as well as webcasted live. For webcast details please contact us via our website �contact us� page. The recordings are sent via a download link, if you are interested please again contact us via our website �contact us� page.
Time: 7.00pm sharp
Date: TBA
Venue: Islamic College of Brisbane - 45 Acacia Road Karawatha
Light refreshments will be available.
Tafsir & Islamic History Classes
VENUE: Al-Mustapha Institute of Brisbane, 39 Bushmills Court, Hillcrest
Every Monday & Wednesday
All Brothers & Sisters are welcome.
For further information please contact Moulana Noor 0432 712 546.
Please feel free to click on the image on the left and......
Islamic Relief Australia
National Zakat Foundation (NZF)
Islamic Society of Bald Hills (ISBH) : Masjid Taqwa
Lockyer Valley Islamic Association
Celebrating Muslim cultures
AYIA Foundation
Mosque and Community Centre
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