RE E

F
Monthly - Independent N 8 June 2009 www.crescenttimes.com.au
Crescent Times goes National:

Coast to
Coast -
the first
National
Muslim
Community
Newspaper

HIJRAH
Above: Auburn Gallipoli Mosque. Photo:Crescent Times, 2009

AUSTRALIAN B efore you arrive in the crowded

suburbs of western Sydney you
have undoubtedly developed
stereotyped ideas about Lakemba. I
MUSLIM imagined the place as “dodgy” as the
popular markets of Marrakesh in Morocco,
LIFE STYLE the Hamedia market of Damascus or even
the Queen Victoria Market in Melbourne.
MAGAZINE Indeed the main street in Lakemba was a
pleasant surprise in it’s small size, seasonable
in English which you do not usually find in
Chinatowns or Vietnamese business quarters
in Australian metropolitan cities - so why all
the fuss about the “ghetto” of Lakemba?
Certainly Australia is a real multicultural
society, with a real equal opportunity for every
single culture and language to get on board –
perhaps with the notable exception of the native
Aboriginal cultures and languages. During my
visit to Sydney I met the NSW community

coming soon!! action and Lebanese presence. The Arabic

signs for shops and businesses were obvious,
dominant and confident. Most of the signs
in Arabic are accompanied with writing
minister, who is of indigenous background and
she explained to me that her grandmother lost

continued page 14

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Page 2
LETTERS TO THE EDITOR
I
refer to the exchange between the Crescent
Times and the DAWA Association in the
issue of 7th May, your newspaper.
I would, at the outset, like to say that I have
the utmost respect for the Brothers at the DAWA
Association and know some of them personally.
They are doing a wonderful job!
I consider myself to be a pious Muslim and
have scoured through the entire four Volumes
of Sahih Muslim to find any refences to music
being specifically forbidden. I am well on the way
through Sahih Bukhari too – still to no avail! In
all my readings of the Qur’an, I have not come
across single verse which informs me that music
forbidden. I know many Imams have told us in
Khutbas that music is not permissible in Islam.
To this end they inevitably quote Verse 3 of Surah
Mu’minuun, which reads,” And those who shun
vain talk”. In some translations the “word “vain” is
replaced by the word “idle” talk. Since I neither am
Arabic speaking, nor do I pretend to be a scholar,
I have to depend upon the translations of which I
have at least three different versions.
I find it hard to reconcile the words “vain and
“idle” with music. Idle talk is surely gossip and vain
talk, boasting. Both practices are reprehensible. I
have found a hadith in which Aisha (ra), prophet’s
(pbuh) wife was standing at her door and saw
another of his (saw) wives in the distance, and
remarked how small in stature she was. Rasullah
Ruling about music in Islam:
Question about music in Islam:
As-Salamu `alaykum! In his fatwa “ Does Islam
Go against Laughter? “, Sheikh Yusuf `Abdullah Al-
Qaradawi stated that when Abu Bakr As-Siddeeq
(may Allah be pleased with him) tried to stop two
young girls from singing in the Prophet’s house, the
Prophet (peace and blessings be upon him) told
him: ‘Let it be, for we are now in the feast.’
However, Imam Qaradawi did not refer to the
following hadiths: Ibn Mas`ud (may Allah be
pleased with him) used to swear by Allah that the
verse: “And of mankind is he who purchases idle
talk to mislead (men) from the Path of Allah . . .”
(Luqman: 6) referred to singing. Abu ‘Amir and Abu
Malik al-Ash`ari (may Allah be pleased with them)
reported that the Prophet (peace and blessings of
Allah be upon him) said: “Among my Ummah will be
those who make permissible al-hira (adultery), silk,
khamr and musical instruments . . .” (Reported by
al-Bukhari; see al-Fath, 10/51). Anas (may Allah be
pleased with him) reported that the Prophet (peace
and blessings of Allah be upon him) said: “In this
Ummah there will be punishments of earthquakes,
showers of stones and deformity (transformation
into animals); that will be when the people drink
alcohol, listen to female singers and play musical
instruments.” (See al-Silsilah as-Saheehah, 2203;
attributed to Ibn Abid-Dunya, Dhamm al-Malahi;
the hadith was narrated by at-Tirmidhi, no. 2212).
Also, Sheikh Qaradawi did not mention the
following facts: It is reported in a Sahih hadith that
the Prophet’s laughter was never more than a smile.
(Reported by Ahmad) According to another hadith,
he (peace and blessings be upon him) used to remain
silent for long periods, and laugh little. (Reported
by Ahmad) ‘A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her)
said: “I never saw the Messenger of Allah (peace and
blessings be upon him) laughing so heartily that his
back teeth showed; he would only smile.” (Reported
by Abu Dawud)
Now, don’t the readers have the right to know the
other side of the coin too? But then again, perhaps
I am wrong about it. I would however, appreciate
it, if the fatwa issuer could reply to my objections.
Wassalam .
Answer by a Group of Islamic
researchers- Islam online.net
All praise and thanks are due to Allah, and peace
and blessings be upon His Messenger.
First of all, we would like to thank you for the
great confidence you have in us. We hope our efforts
meet your expectations.
Bismi’ Allah
(saw) responded by asking her if she knew the
enormity of what she had just said. Therefore we
know that gossip is one of the enormities, and to be
avoided.
In my many readings I have come across two
other hadiths concerning music. In the first one was
when Rasullulah (saw) and Abu-Bakr Siddique (ra)
were entering Madina. The locals were so ecstatic
with happiness and welcomed them amid songs
and the beating of drums. In the other, Aisha (ra)
went to a wedding of the Ansars. When she returned
home, Rasullulah asked whether they had music,
and added that he knew how much the Ansars loved
music. Since the Sunnah not only includes those
matters which Rasullulah recommended we do, and
things which he, himself did, but also those actions
which he saw we do and did not object to, one has
to wonder on what scriptural proof the prohibition
of music is based.
To this end we should remember that Rasullah
choose Bilal (ra) as the muezzin because he had a
beautiful melodious voice. When our qaris recite the
qur’an their proficiency is gauged on their intricate
intonations, rhythms and the different octaves in
which they recite.
Whatever harm there is in music, lies not in the
music itself, I believe, but in the manner in which it is
produced. This is not a unique situation. Computers,
Mobile phones and any number of other implements
suffer the same fate. When my children were babies,
Given that your objection revolves mainly
around music and why it is permissible, here is the
clarification for that in the light of fatwa issued by
Sheikh Yusuf Al-Qaradawi:
The whole issue of singing is controversial,
whether it is with musical accompaniment or not.
Some issues succeeded to gain the Muslim scholars’
agreement, while others failed. All scholars have
unanimous view on the prohibition of all forms
of singing and music that incites debauchery,
indecency, or sin. As for musical instruments,
given the weakness of the evidence indicating that
they are forbidden, the rule to be applied here is
the one states that all things are originally deemed
permissible as long as there is no Shari`ah text that
prohibits them.
Singing is no more than melodious words; if these
are good, singing is considered good; but if they are
bad, such singing is deemed bad. Talk that contains
forbidden content is prohibited. What if that talk is
accompanied with rhythm and melody?
Scholars agree on the permissibility of singing
without instrumental accompaniment and where
the content is not prohibited. This sort of singing is
allowed only in certain occasions such as: weddings,
feasts, welcoming a traveler, and the like. This is based
on the hadith of the Prophet (peace and blessing be
upon him) that states: “He (peace and blessings be
upon him) asked, ‘Have you given the girl (i.e., the
bride) anything as a present?’ They (the attendants)
replied, ‘Yes.’ He asked, ‘Did you send a singer along
with her?’ ‘No’, said `A’ishah. The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) then said, ‘The Ansar
are a people who love poetry. You should have sent
along someone who would sing: Here we come, to
you we come, greet us as we greet you.’” In this case,
we can say that a woman can sing only in front of
women and her non-marriageable male kin.
In the subject of musical instruments, scholars
disagree on the matter. Some of them permit
all sorts of singing, be it accompanied with
musical instruments or not, and even consider it
recommended. A second group of scholars permit
singing only when is not accompanied with a
musical instrument. A third group declare it to
be prohibited whether it be accompanied with a
musical instrument or not; they even consider it
as a major sin. In supporting their view, they cite
the hadith narrated by Imam Al-Bukhari on the
authority of Abu Malik or Abu `Amir Al-Ash`ari
(doubt from the sub-narrator) that the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) said, ‘From
among my followers there will be some people
who will consider illegal sexual intercourse, the
I used to pace the floor with them cuddled in my
arms, singing to them. The lyrics may have been that
of the salawaat on the Nabie (saw), or some thikr or
other – or sometimes it just was “Rock a bye baby
on the treetop”. Inevitably they fell asleep in my arms
and I laid them down in their cots with a light kiss to
their foreheads.
Thinking of music makes me remember the ripple
of a brook, the whisper of the breeze, the wailing of
the wind, the roar of thunder, the crashing of the
surf against rocks, the sound of a bell – and the song
of a bird! It is all around in nature.
Finally Allah Subhanahu wa ta ‘ala has told us
that He has perfected our faith and completed His
favour to us. He has expressly prohibited things like
alcohol and swine and a number of other things. My
reasoning suggests to me, that music was very much
present at the time when the Qur’an was revealed to
us. Surely He would have made it expressly clear and
included music if it was not permissible. Surely it is
not a matter for Ijtihaad, for Ijtihaad is reserved for
those matters which were not known at that time,
such as cloning, surrogacy, invitro fertilization, etc.
My hope is that the good sheikhs at the DAWA
Centre will help me, as well as all the readers of the
Crescent Times by teaching us exactly what is wrong
with music.
Then the dreams of Editor, and owners of the
“Times” will be realized because their newspaper
would be fulfilling it’s purpose.! That is, after all, why
we need this newspaper!
Jazakallah
Adam Parker, Perth, WA
wearing of silk (clothes), the drinking of alcoholic
drinks and the use of musical instruments, as lawful.’
Although this hadith is in Sahih Al-Bukhari, its
chain of transmission is not connected to Prophet
Muhammad (peace and blessings be upon him) and
this invalidates its authenticity. Ibn Hazm rejects
it for that very reason. Moreover, the sub-narrator,
Hisham Ibn `Ammar is declared ‘weak’ by many
scholars of the Science of Hadith Methodology.
Besides, this hadith does not clearly prohibit the
use of musical instruments, for the phrase ‘consider
as lawful,’ according to Ibn Al-`Arabi, has two
distinct meanings:
First: Such people think all these (the things
mentioned) are lawful.
Second: They exceed the proper limits that
should be observed in using these instruments. If
the first meaning is intended, such people would be
thus disbelievers.
In fact, the hadith in hand dispraises the manners
of a group of people who indulge themselves in
luxuries, drinking alcohol and listening to music.
Therefore, Ibn Majah narrates this hadith from Abu
Malik Al-Ash`ari in the following wording: “From
among my followers there will be some people who
will drink wine, giving it other names while they
listen to musical instruments and the singing of
female singers; Allah the Almighty will make the
earth swallow them and will turn them into monkeys
and pigs.” (Reported by Ibn Hibban in his Sahih)
Conclusion on Permissibility of Musical
Instruments:
In the light of the above, it is clear that the
religious texts that stand as a basis for those who
maintain that singing is haram are either ambiguous
or inauthentic. None of the hadiths attributed
to Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings be
upon him) is valid as evidence on the judgment of
prohibition. Moreover, all these hadiths are declared
‘weak’ by the followers of Ibn Hazm, Malik, Ibn
Hanbal, and Ash-Shafi`i.
In his book, Al-Ahkam, Al-Qadi Abu Bakr Ibn Al-
`Arabi says, “None of the hadiths maintaining that
singing is prohibited are considered authentic (by
the scholars of the Science of Hadith Methodology).”
The same view is maintained by Al-Ghazali and Ibn
An-Nahwi in Al-`Umdah. Ibn Tahir says, “Not even
a single letter from all these Hadiths was proved to
be authentic.”
Ibn Hazm says, “All the hadiths narrated in this
respect were invented and falsified.”
Proofs of Those Who Maintain that Singing is
Halal:
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
A Little Bird
Told me..
Our Little Bird has taken to the
nest with ill health over the last
few weeks but is hoping to fly into
action again next month. If you
have any birdy news, unofficial
statements or stories to tell,
please send it in to us on: news@
crescenttimes.com.au or SMS on:
0414 155 366
The editor:
O ur editorial policy is to work
with the diversity of Islamic
thoughts and beliefs. We prefer to
stay on the middle way, considering
all Islamic opinions and scholar’s
writings as part of the richness of
Islamic jurisprudence. Scholars
agree that some elements of fiqh are
uncertain and that we worship Allah
using these uncertain elements and
opinions. The only facts are those
which are mentioned clearly in the
Quraan and Sunnah or those related
to Aqeedah (Tawheed). We appeal
to members of our community to
exercise some tolerance towards
fellow Muslims when it comes to
such uncertain elements of Islamic
law.
First: The Textual Proofs:
They base their argument on some authentic
hadiths of Prophet Muhammad (peace and
blessings be upon him). One of these hadiths is the
following:
`A’ishah (may Allah be pleased with her) narrated:
“Allah’s Messenger (peace and blessings be upon
him, came to my house while two girls were singing
beside me the songs of Bu`ath (a story about the
pre-Islamic war between the two tribes of the Ansar,
the Khazraj and the Awus). The Prophet (peace
and blessings be upon him) laid down and turned
his face to the other side. Then Abu Bakr came and
spoke to me harshly saying, ‘Musical instruments
of Satan near the Prophet (peace and blessings be
upon him)?’ Thereupon, Allah’s Messenger (peace
and blessings be upon him) turned his face towards
him and said, ‘Leave them.’ When Abu Bakr became
inattentive, I signaled to those girls to go out and
they left.” (Reported by Al-Bukhari)
This indicates that these two girls were not so
young as claimed by some scholars. If they were,
Abu Bakr would not have been angry with them in
such manner. In addition, in this hadith, the Prophet
(peace and blessings be upon him) wanted to teach
the Jews that Islam has room for merriment and that
he himself was sent with a moderate and flexible
legislation. There is also another important lesson
to learn here. It draws our attention to the fact that
one needs to introduce Islam to others in a good
fashion, along with displaying its moderateness and
magnanimity.
Moreover, we can also cite as corroborating this
Allah’s words that read, “But when they spy some
merchandise or pastime they break away to it and
leave thee standing. Say: That which Allah hath
is better than pastime and than merchandise, and
Allah is the best of providers.” (Al-Jumu`ah: 11)
In this verse, Allah Almighty joins pastime with
merchandise. He does not dispraise any of them, He
just only rebuked the Companions who left Prophet
Muhammad (pbuh) alone giving the khutbah
(Friday Sermon), when they all rushed to attend to
the caravan and beating of the drums celebrating its
arrival.
Second: In Respect of Islam’s Spirit and Basics:
It is a fact that Allah had prohibited for the
Children of Israel some of the good things of this
worldly life as a punishment for their misdeeds.
Before sending Prophet Muhammad, He
continued page 19
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
Swine Flu may affect Hajj
season for Australian
Muslims
Tamara Swann*
T
his year’s prospective Hajji’s may
have to postpone their pilgrimage if
the H1N1 virus, better known as swine flu,
continues to spread.
There is increasing concern among the
Muslim clerical and medical bodies, that
the gathering of millions from around the
globe would provide an ideal venue for the
transmission of the virus.
In May Sheikh Ali Jumua, the Grand
Mufti of Egypt, and Muhammad Tantawi,
the Grand Iman of Al-Azhar Mosque called
for Hajj to be postponed, if the World
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Perth Interfaith Con-
ference UWA 10-12th
July 2009
T he Perth Interfaith Conference will
bring together people from different
religious traditions for discussion and critical
reflection on current global issues with the
aim of building more enriching relationships
between people of faith.
The conference has been organised by the
Perth Muslim Youth Forum, in conjunction
with the Muslim Students Association of
Western Australia and the Perth Convention
Bureau.
Organiser Br Gerard, said this was a great
opportunity for Perth Muslims to lead the
way in interfaith dialogue and to gain further
insight into their own spirituality.
Program of Events:
Friday 10th – Interfaith Conference Opening
Dinner - Rivervale Community Hall
Beginning at 7pm, tickets are $30 per
person with food and drinks included, plus
entertainment and motivational speakers.
A s Crescent Times reaches out to become the first National Muslim Australian Newspaper, we
welcome profiles of: mosques, Islamic organisations and Imams across the country. Please
send us your suggested profile with relevant photography for publication.
Local news and events are an integral part of our media message. Without contributions from
readers in the form of email, letter or even SMS we won’t be able to cover all your news.
Your contribution is most appreciated by your community.
Community
Health Organization raised their level five
pandemic alert to the maximum level six.
Separately, Sheikh Abdel Aziz Haddad,
Mufti of the United Arab Emirates, has
called on Muslims to delay any pilgrimage
to Mecca for the next few weeks because of
the H1N1 outbreak.
On the 3rd of June, Saudi Arabia and
Egypt reported their first cases of the
deadly virus, joining 66 other affected
countries battling the pandemic including
other Middle-eastern nations, Kuwait,
Israel, Lebanon and Bahrain.
*Tamara Swann is a Perth based freelance
journalist and writer
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This is a special session for adults seeking
to enrich and deepen their faith. Running
from 10.30am to 3.30pm, the cost is $10 per
person and bookings are essential.
Saturday night – Keynote Address by Dr.
Anwar Ibrahim - UWA 7-9pm + 1 hr Q&A
Sunday 12th – Sidi Afrooz Ali and Dr
Mohammed Abdullah - UWA
A free event beginning at 6.30pm featuring
two discussion topics; A Just Balance – The
Spirit of Service and Muslim Unity – Solution
to All Problems. Open to all, however, must
be over 13 years of age.
For more information visit:
www.interfaithconferenceperth.com
Victorian Muslim body
slams police “inaction”
on Indian student attacks
Nasya Bahfen
Victoria Bureau
S everal hundred Indian students and
their supporters have protested against a
spate of violent attacks on Indian students in
Melbourne.
Many of the attacks took place in the western
suburbs, which have higher rates of crime
than in other parts of Melbourne, but Indian
students were targeted in other parts of the city
as well.
Following the Victorian government’s
announcement that a walk would be held on
12 July to celebrate the city’s multiculturalism,
a 21 year old Indian student from a TAFE in
the outer southeastern suburb of Dandenong
was knifed across the chest when he refused to
hand over cash to a group of men.
The police have set up a helpline staffed by
Hindi speakers for Indian students who are
attacked.
A Victorian officer also went to India in late
May to brief students planning to come to
Australia on ways to stay safe.
That drew the ire of the Islamic Council
of Victoria, who condemned what it called
an “unsatisfactory” response from Victoria
Police.
CURRENT SITUATION
H1N1 Influenza 09 (Human Swine Flu)
On 3 June 2009, Victoria moved to a
modified Sustain Phase of its influenza plan.
We are now focusing our treatment on
members of the community most vulnerable
to influenza, such as the elderly, students at
special development schools, hospital patients
and people with a chronic illness.
The decision to move Victoria to a modified
Sustain Phase was made on advice from the
Australian Health Protection Committee and
the Commonwealth’s Chief Medical Officer.
Other states and territories will remain in the
Contain Phase at this stage.
Please go to www.health.vic.gov.au for
details of the modified Sustain Phase and what
it means to you.
The number of confirmed human swine flu
cases in Victoria had increased to 521.
Schools will no longer be closed
Students who are ill should be kept at home.
Schools and early childhood providers that
are currently closed due to H1N1 Influenza
can re-open.
For all information on schools go to www.
education.vic.gov.au.
Businesses
Page 3
Council executive member Nazeem Hussain
said the attacks proved there was a serious
problem of racism in Melbourne.
The Indian press also covered the tactics used
by the Victorian police to break up the student
protests, including accounts by the protestors
that the force used was excessive and that
police had physically attacked the students.
It’s estimated that international students
pumped more than four billion dollars into the
state’s economy last year.
As India’s long established media gave
extensive coverage to the attacks, the protests,
and the responses by the Victorian and Federal
governments and police, parents reconsidered
sending their children to study in Melbourne.
The Indian Society in Darwin, where there
are only 250 Indian students, told the ABC its
past president Dr Shaik Hakem was heading
home to tell people the Northern Territory
capital was a safer option.
Meanwhile, Premier Brumby says all
Victorians should participate in the public walk
in support of multiculturalism.
He told Parliament that “whatever their
background, whatever their walk of life,
whatever their origins” Victorians should “join
us on Sunday 12th July, as we reinforce that
Victoria is a great place, it is a multicultural
society and it is also a safe society.”
All organisations should encourage staff
who are ill not to come to work and to seek
appropriate medical care if necessary.
Good hygiene remains vital.
Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue
when you cough or sneeze.
Throw the tissue in a plastic-lined rubbish
bin after you use it.
Wash your hands often with soap and water,
especially after you cough or sneeze. Alcohol-
based hands cleaners are also effective.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose or mouth as
germs spread that way.
For the most up-to-date information :
Visit www.health.vic.gov.au
Call the Influenza Hotline on 180 2007 or
Call Nurse-on-Call on 1300 606 024 – for
expert health information and advice (24
hours, 7 days) Please call your GP if you have a
flu-like illness (fever and cough and fatigue).
Please call your local hospital ONLY if you
are seriously unwell with flu like symptoms.
DR ROSEMARY LESTER
Acting Chief Health Officer
Victoria
Want to be a
writer? have writing
experience? please
contact the editor on:
editor@crescenttimes.
com.au
Page 4
My Imam
Taj Aldin Alhilali
Above: Imam Taj Aldin Alhilali reading Crescent Times Newspaper.
His Eminence, Sh. Taj Aldin Alhilali:
1. Egyptian born Azhar graduate with a PhD
equivalent in Islamic Studies.
2. Worked as an Imam, Judge and teacher
prior to coming to Australia (Egypt, Lybia and
Lebanon).
3. Appointed Mufti of Australia in 1989, a
position he lost in 2007 as a result of political
and media pressure on the Muslim community.
At the time. one researcher wrote a 50+ page
thesis referring to the treatment of the Imam as
“Lynching by the Media”.
4. Migrated to Australia in 1982 and has been
the head of the Lakemba Mosque ever since.
Perth, WA: Little
Lebanon Cafe under
attack
Little Lebanon Café in Wanneroo Road,
Joondana is facing closure on 16th of June
2009 following a decision by the City
of Stirling. The decision found that the
current use of the premises is unauthorised
and went on to refuse permission for the
use to continue, stating that the use does
not conform with the relevant provisions
of the City’s District Planning Scheme No.
2.
The unauthorised use of the site as a
restaurant was first brought to the City’s
Compliance Department attention via a
complaint from a local resident. This led to
an investigation being conducted by City
Officers and subsequent lodgment of a
retrospective development application to
the City on 18 February 2009.
Little Lebanon Café lodged the
development application for a restaurant
after a major renovation took place on the
premises in winter 2008. The previous
use of fast food outlet (Baba’s Kebab
and Bell’s Kitchen) was classified as a
‘D’ (discretionary) use under the City’s
Planning Scheme.
The owner of the restaurant, Ghassen
Beydoun, is unhappy with the City’s
decision to stop him operating a restaurant
WA news
Lakemba Mosque
Imam:
Photo: Crescent Times 2009
5. Over the years, Imam Hilali has protected
the Lakemba mosque from being taken over by
rigid elements within the Muslim community,
including two notable large scale efforts that
he confronted head-on and managed to avert,
preserving the moderate nature of the mosque.
6. Imam Hilali courageously risked his life to
rescue Australian Hostage in Iraq Douglas Wood
in 2005.
7. Imam Hilali’s three daughters are married and
all hold tertiary qualifications and professional
jobs , his son is presently working as in the IT
field.
Above: Front of Little Lebanon Cafe, Joondana, WA.
Photo: Crescent Times 2008
on the premises as he believed he had complied
with all the relevant local planning laws. His
development has provided a valuable cultural
hub where all Muslims, Druze, and Christians can
meet and enjoy middle eastern Arab culture and
company.
“It was obviously a racist, discriminatory
decision” Mr Beydoun said. Further he stated
that one of the council members told friends to
stay away from the café because “it is full of drugs
and hashish”. It seems that the availability of
the traditional Arab shisha - which uses scented
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
Wyndham, North West Western Australia:
Afghan Camels silhouette:
a new tribute for Afghan
Muslim cameleers
Left: Plaque at the
Wyndham Memorial
Below: Afghan cameleers
silhouette: camels with
their Afghan handler
Photos:Courtesy of:
Natika Hawes-Wright
Crescent Times has previously reported Indigenous people of this area, Chinese traders,
that the Afghan cemetry in Wyndham needs
updating regarding the misconption that camels
were “buried with their Afghan masters.”
grocers and farmers, Afghan cameleers and
the European settlement of the East Kimberly
region - sparked firstly by the gold rush in
Wyndham Shire has just launched Australia’s
most recent recognition of the contributions of
the mid 1880’s and subsequently the pastoral
industry - all contributed to build Wyndham’s
Muslims to Australian life, in the form of the rich history.
“Afghan Camels Silhouette”. The camels and their Afghan handlers form
Wyndham’s story is one of true an important part of Wyndham’s history and
multiculturalism and pioneer spirit. The the heritage of the East Kimberly region.
molasses - has confused certain
members of society!
In considering the application for
use of the site as a restaurant, the
City noted security problems at the
site and complaints that were received
from neighbours that there had been
violent incidents at the premises.
A police contact has confirmed to
Crescent Times newspaper that “there
is no such report in the police records
regarding this particular business.” Mr
Beydoun said that the shire security
came once and issued a fine regarding
sound speakers that were installed
in the back of the premises that
apparently disturbed some back fence
neighbours but this matter was cleared
up in December 2008.
Mr Beydoun told Crescent Times
that it was believed that the use of
the property as a restaurant had
been approved because he received over $200,000 in renovations, furniture, shop fitout
Council approval to convert the two and ornaments. Somewhat confusingly, it seems that
shops, previously Baba’s Kebabs and this approval was to build a restaurant and a separate
Bell’s Kitchen, into a restaurant. Since application was required to actually operate a restaurant
this approval Mr Beydoun has spent on the premises.
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009 Community Page 5

Sydney Muslim Think Tank:

Muslim and Christian leaders stress the
importance of raising children with love and
CT, NSW bureau
compassion
Sydney, 22 May 2009, The Islamic Friendship
Association of Australia Inc. as part of
its “think tank” events brought together a
number of prominent Australians for an
evening of discussion with The Honourable
Linda Burney MP, Minister for Community
Services. The only indigenous Australian
to gain a ministerial portfolio in the present
NSW Labor government, Ms. Burney
previously worked in Education and has had
a solid association with the South West of
Sydney for many years.
In his now customary style, Keysar Trad
the founder of Islamic Friendship introduced Above from left: Keysar Trad introducing the minister, to his right are: Minister Linda Burney MP, Bishop
the 32 guests to the minister as he stressed Australian Institute of Islamic Culture, Dr. Kevin Manning and Magistrate Jim Coombs, Middle: Minister Linda Burney receiving flowers from Keysar
the importance of her portfolio and our Nahla Al Ghazzawy, the chair of the Australian Trad (Right) Photos: Crescent Times 2009
responsibility as leaders to ensure that everyone Council for Women’s Affairs, His Grace Br. Keysar pressed the issue of society’s need young people have been discriminated against,
in Australia appreciates the need to show love Bishop Kevin Manning, the Catholic Bishop to ensure that Muslims are protected from vilified and harassed because of inadequate
and compassion to children. of Parramatta. The rest of the guests then vilification because of our religious identity. legal protection in NSW. He pleaded with
Minister Burney addressed the challenges engaged in the discussion each contributing He said: “This is not to say that people the minister to make representation to her
facing children in Australia and the work of valuable insight into issues facing families and cannot robustly debate religious teachings, governing Labor party so that NSW can catch
her department to protect children and the the community. religious teachings should always be open up with the other Eastern States and protect
department’s work with parents, schools and The meeting raised a number of points with for discussion, what we need is to protect its citizens from vilification on the grounds of
communities. the minister, including the need to maintain people who identify with a particular religion religion.
The gathering also heard from Sh. Taj Aldin and enhance the foster-carer program that from vilification because of their association Br. Keysar thanked Hajj Mohamed El
Alhilali, the former Mufti of Australia, Sh. Dr. keeps children with families of their own faith with that religion.” Mr. Trad cited numerous Mouelhi and Halal Helpline for sponsoring the
Ibrahim Abu Mohammad, the chair of the tradition. incidents where Muslim women, men and dinner.

Young
Filmmakers
Inspired
A l-Hidayah students from years six
and seven recently participated
in the Panasonic Kids Witness News
(KWN) Inspiration Session held at
the Subiaco Arts Centre., Perth WA.
Twenty students from Al-Hidayah
attended the special training
workshops to learn from industry
professionals how to produce a Above: Al-Hidayah teachers and students getting tips on how to take
winning short-film entry for 2009. the perfect film shot. Photo: Courtesy Al Hidayah School
Jack McCoy, one of Australia’s best
known surf film-makers, provided where attendees went away with invaluable tips on how
creative advice for students. Shane to make a great short film.”
McLachlan, a Director and Editor The KWN is a national short film program which
with 30 years experience offered encourages students to think more deeply, explore their
students technical advice, while creativity and develop communication skills through
Producer, Sarah Garnett gave some the use of technology. The program integrates subjects
project management tips. such as English, Computer Studies, and Social Science
The Inspiration Sessions helped ensuring the program satisfies education requirements.
develop skills required to create a Students all around Australia will direct, shoot and star
well-produced film and introduced in a five minute video, involving all aspects of filmmaking
students to new ideas and including determining the subject matter, scriptwriting,
technologies. filming and editing.
School Principal, Abdullah Al-Hidayah was the “WA Primary School Winner” for
Khan said that “This was a fantastic 2008 in the prestigious New Vision Awards. The school’s
opportunity for our students to attend short film entry was titled, “A Day in the Life of a Muslim
a workshop sponsored by Panasonic, Student”. Click the link below to watch the video.

Feel free to send medical or health questions to Crescent Health

Dr. Aisha
Crescent Times’ doctor. Questions can be emailed
to: doctor@crescenttimes.com.au or posted to:
P.O.Box: 628 Mirrabooka, 6941 WA
Page 6 International Crescent Times No 8 June 2009

AFIC, Australian Uighurs Obama speech in “Reel Bad Arabs”

Cairo:
urge acceptance for Uighur Remarks on a T his documentary by Jack
Shaheen aired on ABC1 and
ABC2 in the first week of June
Guantanamo detainees New Beginning and presented Professor Shaheen’s
work on the stereotyping of Arabs

T he Australian Federation of Islamic Councils

says the federal government should say yes
to the request by the United States to resettle
seventeen Uighur detainees currently being held
in Guantanamo Bay.
China has publicly denounced the request,
calling the detainees terrorists and saying it wants
them returned to be dealt with by Chinese law.
The United States and China are two of
Australia’s most important trading partners, and
the Federal government is in the difficult position
of trying to avoid disrupting either bilateral
relationship.
This is the third time the US has asked
Australia to take the men, who have been
cleared by American authorities of being “enemy
combatants”.
The detainees have been held without trial for
seven years.
They were reportedly living in Afghanistan
when Pakistani authorities caught them and
handed them to the US military.
While the federal opposition has urged the
government to reject outright the US request,
foreign minister Stephen Smith says each detainee’s
case would be examined individually.
AFIC President Ikbal Patel says Australia’s well
established Uighur community of around two
thousand people would help the detainees settle
into the country.
The Australian Uighur Association and the
East Turkestan Association of Australia say the
community would welcome the men.
Rights groups warn the detainees would almost
certainly be tortured, if they were to be sent back
to China.
The Uighurs are a Muslim ethnic minority of
Turkic descent, whose homeland is China’s resource
rich north-western province of Xinjiang.
Alleging discrimination and oppression by
the Chinese government, the East Turkestan
Independence movement opposes Beijing’s rule
over the nine million Uighurs in China.
But the Chinese government classifies Uighur
separatists as terrorists, and despite ethnic, religious
and cultural differences insists that Xinjiang is a part
of China.
P resident Barack Hussein Obama took
to the stage in Cairo and made a speech
that has the potential to change the future
of the Muslim and non Muslim worlds. He
managed to deliver a speech that contained
the traditional Muslim greeting, quoted verses
from the Qur’an, referred to the creation of
a Palestinian state and mentioned Hamas
without calling it a terrorist organisation. Even
one year ago, such a speech by an American
President would have been unthinkable.
The President’s speech covered the situation
in Iraq and Afghanistan, the Israeli-Palestinian
conflict, nuclear weapons, democracy and
transparency of government, religious
freedom, women’s rights - including the right
to wear hijab – and economic development
and opportunity.
Only time will tell whether these brave words
will be translated into action but the speech
represented the first real acknowledgement
of the Muslim world’s concerns and desires.
and Muslims in American film and
television.
In his research of about a
thousand films from 1896 to
the present that included Arab
characters or references, Shaheen
found that around 12 gave positive
depictions, 52 were neutral, and
some 900 were negative. The
documentary gave viewers the
opportunity to see some of these
negative portrayals first hand and
described how, in many cases,
these portrayals reflected US
government foreign policy of the
time. In addition, Islamophobia
and stereotyped images of
Muslims - and Muslim women in
particular - in film and television
were revealed. Professor Shaheen
noted: “It seems to me that the
more Arab women advance, the
more Hollywood keeps them in
the past.”

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EDITORIAL TEAM: Contributors in this issue: Nasya Bahfen - Zabrina

Australian Muslim Newspaper
PUBLISHER:
Crescent Press Pty Ltd
MONTHLY - MODERATE -
INDEPENDENT
EDITOR IN CHIEF: Tarek Chamkhi: editor@crescenttimes.com.au
PRODUCTION EDITOR: Joanne McKeown: editor2@crescenttimes.com.au
MELBOURNE EDITOR: Nasya Bahfen nasya.bahfen@crescenttimes.com.au
SYDNEY EDITOR: Keysar Trad: nsw@crescenttimes.com.au
OPINION EDITOR: Irfan Yusuf: opinion@crescenttimes.com.au
A. Bakar - Tarek Chamkhi - Jamal Daoud - Linda Delgado
- Hanan Dover - Mohamed El Mouelhy - Eugenia Flynn -
Hyder Gulam - Joanne McKeown - Debora McNichol - Adam
Parker - Yvonne Ridley - Tamara Swann - Keysar Trad - Irfan
Yusuf
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009 Page 7

A
Du’aa from Sunnah:
PHONE SHEREE (in Perth) on “O Allah, lord of Jibraa’eel, dvertise in Crescent Times & Promote
0425 312 477 Meekaa’eel and Israafeel (great
angels) creator of the heavens and
your business
* NOW DOING COLOUR-WORK! * the earth, knower of the seen and Support your community
the unseen. You are the arbitrator Let your brothers & sisters get a copy FREE

B
e between your servants in that which
5 fre on Foi ls they have disputed. Guide me to the e Crescent Times newspaper sponsor &
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guide whom you will to a straight

Aussie Muslim Invention:

path.
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F Roman
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D r.Ehab Ibrahim
Mo hamad en ,
t h eTec h n i c a l
Officer at Victorian
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La Trobe University,
Victoria, is one of many
Muslims contributing
to the development of
technology and industry
in Australia bthrough
their inventions and
Gas Installations
research.

Most current irrigation

systems depend on a timer system for
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The amount of water that plants consume
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The internal factors include the physiology
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The external factors include surrounding
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Page 8
Editorial:
Media outlets to reduce racism
I trust my wife’s expertise in Anglo Australian
name calling as she derives from an Anglo
Irish Australian family whose elders arrived in
this country against their will in 1788. I tease
my wife sometimes that I am a more authentic
Australian than she is as I arrived of my own
free will, with a permit and even permanent
residence to live in this continent months
before I got here. I have another advantage as
well - a printed citizenship certificate while she
doesn’t have anything!
Well, when it comes to serious matters such
as racism and hatred I trust her interpretation
when she tells me that some people believe
that the racist term “wog” originally meant:
“wealthy oriental gentleman”.
Following my first visit to the Emirate of
Bankstown in West Sydney, where you could
without doubt find lots of wealthy oriental
men and women - well I mean lots of my fellow
wogs - I started to realise that racism is mostly
to do with social jealousy between different
races, rather than with skin or eye colours,
religions or where they came from.
When I hear racism from Arab Lebanese,
Asians, Greeks or Italians I hear hurtful name
calling and vilification against Anglo Australian.
Racism is a two way social, economic and ethnic
jealousy. Irfan in his article has got it right:
many of us commit the sin of discrimination
either by action or reaction.
I may agree that word such as wog either
applied to a skinny wog or fat wog, has become
more a form of social teasing between the
different racial elements of society, than really
a racist insult. But what if it is accompanied
by swearing, or other racial or religious slurs?
Certainly then we will need to stand up and
take action.
Crescent Times newspaper was born last
November as a dream to serve our Muslim
community following the racism against
Muslims experienced in the media under the
Howard government.
While as an editorial team, we are doing
fantastic harmonious work together, our
Muslim businesses, have to do their part too,
through advertising or even donation. We are
committed to distribute the newspaper free to
our readers.The fact is that we all have a role to
play in ensuring the success of this newspaper
as a voice for our Muslim community.
We are launching another two projects for
the benefit of our community insha Allah.
Firstly, The Muslim Pages, the first national
Muslim business directory, which may help
to finance the newspaper in the long term.
Secondly, the first Australian Muslim life style
magazine: Hijrah which we hope to launch in
January 2010 insha Allah.
Again, we must work together to make these
much needed publications as success.
Our editorial team appreciates all your
suggestions and contributions regarding these
proposals above. Wasalamu alaykom.
Tarek Chamkhi
Editor in Chief
Opinion
The illusionist of the White House
Yvonne Ridley*
I wonder how many of you have woken up
to the fact that America’s latest leader is
really a political Houdini ... an illusionist on a
presidential scale.
In front of our very eyes he has morphed
from a gentle intellectual and strong defender
of human rights into a war-mongering bully
who sponsors targeted assassinations and
orders pre-emptive strikes with casual ease.
It took George W. Bush years before he dared
to unveil his true intentions and invade Iraq,
displacing three million people in a war which
cost the lives of thousands of US soldiers and
the slaughter of countless civilians.
Whereas the smooth-talking Obama has
achieved the same in just a few months since
he arrived in The White House by launching
an illegal war on Pakistan ... but he’s using
someone else’s army instead of his own.
He is twice as clever as the previous White
House incumbent and far, far more deadly.
Obama is quite possibly one of the world’s most
skilful manipulators and his greatest illusion so
far is fooling the public as well as the media.
While blatantly using Pakistan’s army as a
cheap source of military labour he holds the
country’s leader Asif Ali Zadari in suspended
animation, trapped helplessly in an almost
hypnotic state, induced by the promise of
millions of dollars and the support of the
world’s biggest military machine.
Of course we must lay some blame at
Zadari’s feet for allowing himself to be used
like a magician’s assistant instead of acting with
the dignity and honour his office, country and
people demand.
Obama is far more lethal than his predecessor
- and yet his transformation from Mr Nice Guy
to something more sinister seems to have gone
largely unnoticed by the world’s watching
media which appears to be intoxicated by the
powerful charisma emanating from his rich,
but smooth seductive tones.
LEBANON: March 14 Marches Ahead
Mona Alami - Beirut - IPS
T he June 7 election in Lebanon has provided
another dramatic turn of events in the
country’s tumultuous political arena. While early
opinion polls had pointed to a landslide sweep
for the March 8 opposition that prominently
includes Hizbullah, the Western and Arab
backed March 14 coalition won the majority of
parliamentary seats in a surprise victory.
Since the last parliamentary election in
2005, Lebanon has been torn between the two
movements March 14 and March 8. The March
8 pro-Iranian and pro-Syrian coalition includes
the Shia Hizbullah and Amal parties, the Syrian
Social National Party (SSNP) and the Christian
Free Patriotic Movement (FPM). Lebanon’s
anti-Syrian March 14 movement is comprised
of the Christian Phalange party and Lebanese
Forces (LF) as well as the Druze Progressive
Socialist Party (PSP) and the Sunni Future
Movement.
The Jdeidani family, who came from Sweden
to vote, mirrors the internal rift that divides
Lebanon. “We are eleven brothers; some of
us support General Michel Aoun (who leads
the FPM), while the rest are with the LF,” Jean
Jdeidani told IPS.
People waited hours under the scorching
He has already reneged on promises over
closing down Guantanamo, ending military
tribunals and releasing to the public the entire
archive of shame which captured the torture
and abuse of the previous administration’s
War on Terror in video and film from 2001
onwards.
Moazzam Begg, an ex-Guantanamo detainee
remarked recently over one of his u-turns:
“President Obama has recently granted
immunity to CIA agents ... if the desire to get
at what went wrong is so blatantly covered up
under cover of “national security concerns”,
there will be no end to this. And once again,
the warmongers will get away with another
odious and criminal cover-up”.
He has the power to make Guantanamo’s
vile prison disappear and for a few glorious
weeks human rights activists across the world
waited with baited breath for the cages of Cuba,
Bagram and elsewhere to fly open.
Just how difficult is it for the media to dip
into their own archives and remind Obama
about the pledges he made on the campaign
trail and hold him to account? His first promise
on the White House website was that his
administration would be the most transparent
in US history. Sadly these grand statements
have not been followed through.
But this journalistic amnesia is all
too convenient - what happened to his
determination to bring home all combat troops
from Iraq within 18 months?
Is there no journalist from the White
House lobby prepared to remind him of how
he said during televised presidential debates
that getting Osama bin Laden was “our
biggest national security priority”? Perhaps
the hypnotic Obama Effect has wiped their
computer hard-drives and their memories but
if you listen to his very first TV interview as
the Commander-in-Chief of America he said
Osama was more than a symbol.
His actual words were: “He’s also the
operational leader of an organization that is
planning attacks against U.S. targets,” adding
sun on Sunday to cast their ballot. “I have been
waiting since seven in the morning,” Alia, a
Future Movement supporter who was queuing
to vote in the eastern village Saadnayel said late
in the day. “I am here to show the world I want
an independent Lebanon.”
As the polls closed at 7pm, the ministry of
the interior reported an unprecedented turnout.
It surpassed 54 percent, according to interior
minister Ziad Baroud, way ahead of the 2005
turnout of 45.8 percent.
“Some Beirutis waited hours to vote in the
Beirut 3 district, an area traditionally known to be
a March 14 bastion,” said Future MP Mohamad
Kabani. He said this year’s 40 percent turnout in
the district was a massive improvement on the
25 percent witnessed in 2005.
Kabani said the significant improvement
in turnout was in part a reaction to a speech
by Hizbullah leader Sayyed Hassan Nasrallah
where he said “May 7 was a glorious day in
the Resistance’s history.” More than 70 people
died in clashes between pro-government and
opposition gunmen in Beirut and around in
May of last year.
The turnout now showed that the Lebanese
want “a strong and independent state,” Kabani
said.
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
that “capturing or killing bin Laden is a critical
aspect of stamping out al-Qaida.”
Having secured the votes from red neck
territory by saying Obama will get Osama, he
now says that killing or capturing the al-Qaida
chief is no longer necessary to “meet our goal
of protecting America.”
However, American Armenians are not
so gullible and quite a few were shocked out
of their trance following the US President’s
recent visit to Turkey when he executed with
the greatest of ease yet another presidential flip
flop.
“As President, I will recognise the Armenian
genocide,” he declared loud and proud during
his campaign, but when he arrived in Turkey he
sort of muttered, when asked about the hugely
sensitive subject: “My views are on the record,
and everyone knows my views.” And then he
refused to elaborate and state them!
“Sunlight is the best disinfectant” said
Obama before he took the keys to the White
House - may be that’s why, when I watch the
US President perform under the glare of
the spotlights on the world stage, I can see
something of the night lurking around his
presidential shadows.
There are a few of us who are immune to the
charms of the new president. Like me, they
believe that the sheep’s clothing has vanished
and what we now have is a dangerous wolf
stalking the corridors of power on Capitol
Hill.
Yes, there’s a new act in the White House
these days but while Harry Houdini built his
reputation performing death-defying escapes
and magic tricks his political Doppelganger
is certainly the master of dark arts and mass
illusion.
This president has gone from charming to
harming and few have noticed.
*Journalist Yvonne Ridley is a patron of the
human rights organisation Cage Prisoners at
www.cageprisoners.com and a member of the
RESPECT political party as well as being a
presenter of the weekly political show The Agenda
on Press TV
But statistician Abdo Saad, director of the
Beirut Centre for Research and Information,
described the election as the most disgraceful in
the history of Lebanon.
“I have been saying for days that any
government that would emerge from the current
elections - whether opposition or majority led -
would be an illegitimate one due to the massive
vote buying that has been taking place in recent
weeks,” he said.
Saad said the turnout of 70 percent seen in the
Keserwan region was due to expats bribed into
coming back to vote.
He said it was finally the vote in Zahleh
in the east of Lebanon that shaped the new
Lebanese parliament. A Christian area, the city
is represented in parliament by seven MPs, and
the March 14 coalition won all of the seats.
In the end, March 14 retained its parliamentary
majority with 71 deputies (including two
independents) while the opposition March 8
group won 57 of the 128 seats.
“The smear campaign used by March 14
against Hizbullah, which was accused of being
Syrian and a threat to Lebanon, seems to have
worked,” said FPM MP Alain Aoun.
But the elections alone will not decide the fate
of Lebanon. In the next few days, the composition
of the next government, and whether or not it
includes the opposition, will weigh heavily on
the country’s stability and peace.
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009 Opinion Page 9

President Obama’s
FOCUS:
ground breaking speech
The president acknowledged the suspicions that
exist of America amongst Muslims and he pleaded,
It’s Not Free For Me
that as he promised to combat unfair stereotyping
Keysar Trad* of Muslims, that Muslims also combat the unfair Linda Delgado*
stereotyping of Americans.
Whilst acknowledging the right of Israel to exist

U rgent invitations went out to so many last week
to attend a momentous event:
President Obama’s speech from Cairo.
The host, in Sydney, was the US Consulate and most
of the guests were from the Muslim community.
The speech covered many issues including
Afghanistan, Iraq, corrupt despotic regimes who use
democracy to get to power and then become repressive,
it covered the right of Muslim women to wear the scarf
and the president also made sure to mention those
Muslim countries that had elected a woman to the
top job and these certainly outnumbered their liberal
Western counterparts.
The president also offered programs to improve
education in the Muslim world and business
contacts between both. President Obama stressed
the importance of peace and dialogue, drawing on
the civil rights struggle of African Americans which
empowered African Americans and enabled them to
achieve their aspirations.
To be honest, even before becoming president, I
found Obama to be a very inspiring orator, I watched
many of his speeches on the net, the slogans, the well
timed deliveries, the well chosen words, the clever
concepts and the ability to address the needs of the
audience concisely.
within secure borders, President Obama unlike some
of his predecessors showed much courage in refusing
to simply hand over Jerusalem to Israel but insisted
that this city should be open to Jews, Christians
and Muslims. He also acknowledged the rights of
Palestinians to a homeland and he may well have
been the first president in recent history not to refer
to Hamas as a terrorist organisation in his speech,
notwithstanding that he failed to acknowledge that
it was the democratically elected representative of
the People and insisted on the PA as the partner in
negotiations. Whilst the president criticised the
rockets and bombings that had struck women and
children, he did not give the same treatment to the
intentional bombardment of women and children
by the Israeli military.
Whilst acknowledging, albeit in an indirect way
that the US should not have invaded Iraq, President
Obama disappointingly insisted on the Afghan
invasion and occupation.
Yes, president Obama’s speech signals a move to
greater balance, however, some areas clearly indicate
that there is a need for greater understanding, in the
forefront of these are the Palestinian issue and Iraq,
Afghanistan and much of Africa.
As a first step, the positives in this speech were
numerous and certainly pave the way for greater
mutual understanding and appreciation.
* Keysar Trad is the president of Islamic Friendship
Association of Australia Inc, and NSW editor of
Crescent Times.
A
friend of mine owns a Muslim
marketplace. She imports many
items to provide a wide selection
of products in her store. Recently she
added a discount to all items for sale. A
Muslim husband-wife couple came to
shop. At the checkout the husband argued
about the bill offering her less money
than what was owed. When the owner
said each item was already discounted,
the wife then demanded a free gift. Why
did this couple demand something free?
The owner didn’t get the products free.
She had to pay for them in order to be
able to sell them. She has a family to help
support. When Muslims go to a secular
store they don’t demand or expect to
receive something free or demand a high
discount.
I publish books and sell them. Muslims
write to me saying they don’t have money
for books and ask for free books. When I
tell them I can’t afford to give free books
they act insulted and generally send me
emails quoting the benefits of me giving
charity.
Many of these same people own a
computer and pay for Internet service,
have at least one television in their home,
and pay for cable service. They rent
movies and buy computer games for
their children without expectation
that these items are free or discounted.
When their Islamic school sponsors
a book fair and promotes only books
from secular book publishers instead
of Muslim publishers/retailers, they
buy these books without complaint or
demand for free books.
Why do these Muslims pay for all
these secular services and “things”
but when asked to pay a fair price for
Muslim books or products, they expect
a high discount or ask for it to be given
free? It costs me thousands of dollars
to publish a book. It costs money to
buy mailing supplies and mail books.
These expenses are not free for me or
the authors. Islam teaches that a worker
should be paid a fair price for his/her
work. Why don’t all Muslims practice
this?
*Linda Delgado - AKA Widad is a revert,
mother of three and has 8 grandchildren.
Widad is the author of the award winning
Islamic Rose Books series, and owner-
publisher of the Muslim Writers Publishing
business: www.MuslimWritersPublishing.
com.

Australian foreign policy:

Jamal Daoud* one step forward, two steps backwards!
government, for example, did not depart from to increase Australian participation in the war The parties that shared the marginalised
the policy of participating in the so-called “war in Afghanistan, regardless of the clear failure communities’ votes (especially the Labor

T
on terrorism”. of this invasion to achieve any of its declared and the Greens) think that we (marginalised
here is no doubt that Australians
The government resisted uncovering objectives. people) do not have any other options. They
had hoped for a lot of change at
any document about the manufactured What concerns us too is that there is no real clearly believe that we would not dare not to
the last Federal election. The fact
conspiracies in this area. On the contrary. The alternative political force in Parliament House. vote for them, as the other option is to bring
that John Howard lost his own seat in the last
new Labor government refused to abandon or We did not see any MP or senator standing up back the medieval devil. They clearly did not
election is clear evidence that Australians had
to fundamentally “reform” the “Anti-Terrorism” to demand a reverse of the Howard’s destructive get the message from the last few elections.
voted for total change in that election. This
laws. The government also has not taken any measures and laws. The war on Afghanistan, In the last few elections, marginalised voters
includes change in foreign policy.
serious steps to improve the transparency of Islamophobia including participating in the sent a clear message that there are a lot of
The Rudd promise throughout the election
trials of terrorist suspects. “war on terrorism” campaign and listing of options. These options include:
campaign to withdraw the troops from Iraq
We also remember that during the latest national resistance forces is not facing any 1. There is always room for new political forces
was an early promising indication that there
Israeli barbaric invasion of Gaza, the Rudd serious opposition from any federal politician. 2. We also can boycott voting (voting informally
would be a fundamental difference between
government did not take a fundamentally It is very clear that without any strong or not voting at all)
the incoming government and the outgoing
different stance on this issue. Maybe the Rudd Muslim Federal politician in Canberra, these We believe that marginalised communities
regressive one. But what happened later left
government urged “all parties” to stop “the cycle policies and practices will continue unabated. should be more strict in holding these parties
everyone with deep disappointment.
of violence immediately”, unlike the Howard’s It is unexpected that a privileged Anglo-Saxon (the Labor and the Greens) accountable
Yes, the new Rudd Labor government took
government support for Israel to continue its politician would even understand the suffering to their promises. They were the ones that
a decision to end the combat mission of the
invasion. But the Rudd government did blame of Muslims in the ghettos of Bankstown, succeeded in being elected to the parliament
Australian troops in Iraq. But apart from this
Hamas for staging the war. Auburn and Lakemba. The same is true in and the government by claiming that they are
superficial change, there is not much that
Then we saw how the government had regard to the issues of the other marginalised progressive and are fighting for our rights.
has changed. We should remember that the
decided recently to resort to the same Liberal communities. But at the same time we should always
Australian participation in the Iraq war with less
regressive politics of branding Muslims as Of course the new Labor government has remember that the cause of the problem will
than 800 soldiers (out of more than 150,000
Terrorists. The government decided recently made slight progressive changes in all issues never be part of any solution to that problem.
combat foreign troops) was never more than a
to re-list Hizboulah as a terrorist organisation. and whatever the new Labor government is
symbolic one.
There is no indication that the new government doing that is unsavoury, it is incomparable to *Jamal Daoud is a community worker and human
The new Rudd government did not make
is taking any step to reassess the situation and what we went through under the medieval rights activist. He writes regular articles in Arabic
any fundamental changes to other policies
lift national resistance organisations, like Howard government. And maybe this is newspapers about multiculturalism, Islamophobia,
important for our community and other
Hamas, Islamic Jihad and Lashker el Taybeh what the Labor government is counting on in human rights and other social justice issues. He is
Non-Anglo communities. The government
from the list of terrorist organisations. refusing to go further to reverse the devastating co-founder of the Social Justice Network.
did not depart from the close association
We also note that the government decided policies introduced by its predecessor.
with aggressive American policies. The Rudd
Page 10
After latest racist incidents across the country:
PLANET
IRF: Racism is two way
misunderstanding
and disrespect
Irfan Yusuf*
W e often get told that Australia
is a terribly racist country. The
evidence? Well, we have race
riots on our beaches where people draped in
Australian flags assault those who resemble
Jesus too much. Our suburbs often won’t allow
Muslims to establish schools. Our criminals
enjoy assaulting Indian overseas students. And
our fat wogs can’t help but address the skinnier
ones with “Chk chk – boom!!”.
Should we believe that our nation really is
racist? Or is it just a loud minority? After the
recent Land & Environment Court decision
over the Camden Muslim school, I felt
tempted to point the finger at Camden locals
who cheered at the court’s decision and who
left comments on the Camden Advertiser like
this one:
“Camden will now not look like Lakemba
in just a few years from now and our cultural
heritage has been preserved...for a while longer
at least. Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” ( John 14:6) Not the pirate and
false prophet Mohammad, or his moon-god
Allah, but Jesus. And it is because of Him that
Life Storyteller
Zabrina A. Bakar*
O ne day I went to visit my uncle who
had just came back from a long
pilgrimage trip. The whole time I
was there, he excitedly related his experiences
of the wonderful and glorious journey he had,
Alhamdulillah.
What is amazing about my uncle is that just
about a year ago, in the middle of the night, he
suffered a major heart attack and as a result of
that, had a pretty severe stroke which paralyzed
the whole right side of his body.
I remembered visiting him many times and
saw his tears. He looked so helpless then. He
couldn’t even get the words to come out right.
My aunt had to interpret what he said and
then convey it to others. He became totally
dependent and powerless - a state which I
had never seen him in before as he is a man of
Society
we can enjoy the life we have today. Despite the
spin from Council, ‘religion’ had everything to
do with it, to ensure we didn’t end up with an
ideological regime that seeks to destroy the
West, all cloaked and veiled in ‘religion. ”
But just as my finger was about to be raised,
I realised that three fingers were pointing right
back at me. Hopefully that doesn’t mean I’m
three times as racist as every other Australian.
What it does mean is that I should be prepared
to recognise my own ability to discriminate
against and mistreat people on the basis of
factors beyond their control. It also means
I have to recognise how my racism and the
racism within those who share my layers of
identity actually contribute to the sum total of
racism in Australia.
In my own religious community, I tolerate
racism. I happily pray at mosques whose
management committees deny membership to
other Muslims on the basis of their ethnicity. I
am largely silent over the racism exhibited by
imams and committee members toward Anglo-
Australians, Muslim or non-Muslim, as well as
toward Muslims whose origins aren’t from the
same part of planet earth.
I have also been guilty of tolerating imbecilic
comments made about other races, especially
Jews. I know that one of the Mothers of the
Believers, one of our Prophet Muhammad’s
wives, was of Jewish heritage. I know that
Madina’s most senior rabbi became a follower
of the Prophet without ever having to face
slurs about his heritage. But I also know that
some Muslims in Australia prefer to take their
cue from tyrannical governments of Muslim
Are you Benny?
power and authority.
Then, just about a week after the stroke, he
decided that he wanted to go for the pilgrimage
the very next year. He knew that he needed
to pass the minimum medical and physical
examination. However, with his current state,
it was next to impossible to do so.
But, I guess he decided not to make his
condition a hurdle for him - as Robert Fulgham
once said,
“If you break your neck, if you have nothing
to eat, if your house is on fire, then you got a
problem. Everything else is inconvenience. “
Yup, for him, his condition was just an
inconvenience. And he knew that inconvenience
could be overcome.
So, once the doctor allowed it, he started
his physiotherapy exercises. He was asked to
perform a few exercises for the duration that he
could endure. By that, the therapist meant like
15 minutes. But my uncle went on for hours.
He pushed himself to the edge. He would
sweat just by lifting his right paralyzed arm. He
didn’t allow anyone to help him. If he was on
the bed, he would do some leg exercises. He
would also try to walk very slowly, push hard,
pull something heavy just to make sure his
muscles were always moving. Sometimes his
Retail and seconds outlet shop
majority states where anti-Semitism is
used in official newspapers and media to
divert people’s attention from corruption
and the absence of liberty.
Indeed some Muslims, including
religious leaders, use events overseas
as an excuse to spread hatred not just
of Jews but also of members of other
religious congregations and even of
Monday to Friday 7.00am - 3.00pm
other Muslim sects.
And then there are our double
standards when it comes to fighting
racism. It seems many Muslims are
interested in racism when it affects them
personally or when it affects a group
overseas they feel some affinity to. But
what about joining in solidarity with
victims of racism with whom we have
no affinity with other than our basic
humanity?
For instance, when was the last
time you saw or heard non-Indigenous
Muslims in Australia showing solidarity
with Indigenous people? When was the
last time you saw a major Muslim group
involve itself in a meaningful fashion in
issues facing Indigenous Australians?
The insularity of many Muslim
religious institutions is in itself a kind of
racism. At the very least, it ensures that
those claiming to represent Muslims
are seen as only publicly worrying
about racism when it affects their “own”,
however defined.
* Irfan Yusuf is a Sydney based lawyer,
writer and columnist. He is the opinion
editor of Crescent Times.
leg gave way and he fell. But he didn’t care. He
was determined.
I remembered that Our Lord has promised
us in His own Glorious words,
Indeed those who say, ‘Our Lord is Allah,’
and, further, stand straight and steadfast, the
angels descend on them (from time to time):
‘Fear you not! (they suggest), Nor grieve! But
receive the Glad Tidings of the Garden (of
Bliss), that which you were promised!’ We are
your protectors in this life and in the Hereafter:
therein shall you have all that your souls shall
desire; therein shall you have all that you ask
for!’ A hospitable gift from One Oft-Forgiving,
Most Merciful! (Surah Fussilat 41: 30-32)
I read and re-read these Holy Verses over and
over again. Don’t you feel like His very Words
alone could make us charge the unknown
territory with full confidence?
His Instruction was simple, you agree? Stand
still and be focused in whatever that we do. Be
steadfast and stay positive. Always think of
good things. And with that, we shall have what
our hearts desire and all that we asked for!
SubhanAllah! Amazing, you agree?
Let me share with you a story about a farmer
and his donkey named Benny. Once, a man
accidentally drove his car into a deep ditch
on the side of a road. Luckily a farmer passed
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by with his big old donkey named Benny. The
man asked for help and the farmer said Benny
could pull his car out. So he backed Benny up
and hitched him to the man’s car bumper. Then
he yelled: “Pull, Nellie, pull!” But Benny didn’t
move. Then he yelled “ Come on, Pull Ranger!”.
Still Benny didn’t move. Then he yelled really
loud: “Now pull, Fred.... pull hard!” But,Benny
just stood there. Then the farmer nonchalantly
said, “Ok, Benny... now pull!” And Benny
pulled the car out of the ditch.
The man was very appreciative but curious.
He asked the farmer, ‘Why did you call your
donkey by the wrong name three times?’
The farmer replied ‘Old Benny is blind. If he
thought that he was the only one pulling, he
wouldn’t even try!’
Ya Allah! A classic case of mind over matter,
right? Let us reflect and ask ourselves one
simple question my friends - Have we ever
been, or are we still, behaving like Benny?
Think about it.
* Sis Zabrina also known as Zabrina A. Bakar, is
a Life Storyteller, motivational and inspirational
writer and speaker; and author and creator
of Islamic motivational book Life Open Secret
book series http://www.LifeOpenSecret.com.
She maintains an active blog at http://www.
WisdomThruWords.blogspot.com. and social
networking platform a Web 2.0 at http://www.
LifeStoryteller.ning.com
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Page 12
Debora McNichol*
T he older I get, the more I appreciate
my sisters. Neither Denise nor Diana
are Muslim, but we love each other
and enjoy our occasional reunions. It’s funny,
though, how our values have diverged as we’ve
gotten older. Or perhaps our values are similar
enough, but our perspectives have changed.
A couple of years ago, Denise and I were
watching the news at our favorite gathering
spot, Chez Mom. One of the pieces concerned
an internet video showing footage of the
cheerleaders at a high school football game. The
game itself was ignored. The camera focused on
the girls’ rear ends and legs, watching them - in
voyeur fashion - adjusting their uniforms and
underwear. The camera panned in and out,
looking for everything that made those young
girls human, vulnerable, victims, meat.
The parents and Denise were outraged that
a depraved man had the audacity to shoot the
video and then circulate it on the net. I was not
outraged. I was stumped.
How, I argued with my sister, could
these parents be outraged without taking
responsibility for having exposed the girls to
such a creep in the first place? Certainly, no
one would argue that taking the video for soft-
porn purposes is not despicable. But when
parents ignorantly pimp out their own girls,
providing the material and opportunity, don’t
they lose their right to be indignant?
Freedom of Religion versus
Religious Vilification Laws
H aset Sali an Australian Muslim who
born in Shepparton in Victoria.
His parents migrated to Australia
prior to World War II from Albania. Haset
is a Monash University Law Faculty pioneer,
with a Bachelor of Laws Degree and a
Bachelor of Jurisprudence Degree including
studies in history, international law, political
philosophy economics and accounting. Haset
is a foundation Member of the Australian
Federation of Islamic Councils and served as a
president and for many years, acted as Senior
Honorary Legal Advisor of AFIC. He recently
co-established with other religious leaders, the
Ambrose Centre for Religious Liberty, mainly
to fight against the religious vilification laws
introduced in VIC and to lobby the federal
Government toprevent introduction of similar
laws nationally.
Crescent Times approached Haset Sali to
clarify the motivation of his action against
vilification laws when many other Muslims
see such laws as a necessity to defend
ourselves as a minority. He replied “Muslims
in the time of our Messenger Muhammad
[peace be upon him] were advised by him
to leave Mecca to avoid persecution by
the disbelievers and move to Abyssinia
[Ethiopia] a Christian country. We live in a
Christian country like them and we have the
freedom to work with other believers in God
to ensure religious freedom is maintained.
Hence I am happy to do this”. He added that
the Holy Quran actually outlines guidelines
National
Overexposed
I was reminded of the cheerleaders recently
while reading about the prevalence of high
school “sexting.” Naïve teens, in love for
the first time, send pictures of themselves in
various states of undress to their boyfriends via
cell phone. Boyfriends forward the pictures
to their friends for any number of reasons: for
bragging rights, upon break-up, or out of sheer
stupidity. The girl is devastated and loses her
reputation in her school and in the community.
The damage happens in a second.
Jessica Logan, an American high school
student, committed suicide over sexted
pictures that made their way around her
hometown. She was berated and humiliated for
her indiscretion. And though she understood
that she was herself responsible for her picture
being published, the pressure proved too much
for her to bear, and she took her own life last
July. To her credit, before her death, Jessica
used her misfortune to make others aware of
the dangers of sexting.
Unfortunately, Jessica probably will not be
the only self-made victim of sexting before
the world wises up. A recent American study
of one thousand teenagers showed that a full
one fifth of them had sent less-than-modest
pictures of themselves either via cell phone or
online.
Australia is not immune to sexting, and
incidents are increasingly common. We’re
for our conduct. He explained that there are
three such important guidelines: Firstly “Let
there be no compulsion in religion. Good
stands out from evil; whoever rejects evil and
believes in God has grasped the trustworthy
handhold He [God] will never break; for God
hears and knows all things ” 2/256.
Secondly, regarding the interaction with the
People of The Book [ Jews and Christians]:
“ Neither your desires [Muslims] nor the
desires of the People of The Book [ Jews
and Christians] can prevail over God’s Will.
Whoever does evil will be punished and they
will not find any protecting friend or helper
against God. Whoever does good works
whilst believing and having Faith in God such
will enter Heaven and not the least injustice
will be done to them. Who is better in religion
than those who commit their purpose to God
whilst doing good for mankind and follow the
tradition of Abraham the true in Faith? For
God did choose Abraham as a friend.” 4/123-
125.
Thirdly: ”they [all people] are asked to do no
more than this: Worship only God; be sincere
in their [Faith and] devotion to Him; be true
[honest, genuine and loyal] establish regular
prayer and practice regular charity. This is true
religion”. 98/5.
CT asked ”As Muslims in Australia are
under threat daily from racial and religious
vilification, a set of laws to protect them
should surely be recommended? As a lawyer
what do you think is the best protection
against Islamophobia and racism? He replied:
finding out that sexting is not limited to still
pictures. Adelaide Now recently reported
that a small group of teens, two of them
only thirteen-years-old, were recently
caught filming a sex act on a cell phone and
sending it out to friends.
Cell phones, the internet, and other
technologies being relatively new inventions
for us, we cannot imagine all the ways they
can be used for harm. Our kids can.
Our kids may not understand, however,
that sexting is not only morally corrupt and
prohibited by Islam, but also illegal. This
is pornography, after all, even if it is sent
willingly by the teenager’s own hand.
Alhamdulillah, Muslims are probably
more aware of the dangers to our children
than anyone can be and probably do more
to protect our children than most. Yet we
cannot hold a false sense of security that
tells us that our kids are safe because they’re
our kids and they attend Islamic schools.
Cell phones do not become dysfunctional
on school grounds, and even innocent
children can receive unsolicited porn. We
must be vigilant and thoughtful to protect
our children, insha Allah.
*Deb McNichol is an American Muslim,
mother, wife, writer, lawyer, and editor in
North Carolina and Virginia, USA. Visit her
editing business website www.SawaLad.com.
“Muslims can be under threat anywhere in the
world even in Australia and the best response
is to live by the three guidelines set out above.
If persecution is practised against any Muslim
there are many laws that combat such conduct
including Commonwealth and State Anti
Discrimination Laws. In the meantime we
need to concentrate on setting a good example
inside and outside Australia”.
He added that: ““No legislation can eliminate
discrimination if people are determined to
practice it.”
CT asked, as a human rights activist what
solution would you propose to protect your
fellow Muslims from red neck xenophobic
racist events such as the Cronulla riots, redneck
journalists and politicians?
Mr Sale replied: “In Australia we have
freedom of religion and freedom from religion.
Extremists will ultimately bring themselves
undone. All we need to do is respect the law,
other people’s rights and be calm”.
With regard to the discriminatory decision
regarding the proposed Camden Islamic
School, Mr Sali noted: “Camden Muslims are
not Members of AFIC and they have not asked
me to help them. The first thing they need to
do is spell out that they follow the Holy Quran
and especially the 3 above guidelines. Patience
and respecting the rights of others is a must. If
discrimination is practiced against them they
can assert their rights before the Land Court
or other appropriate Courts.”
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
Shariah compliant mortgage
M
lender MCCA gets AFSL
uslim Community Co-operative Australia
(MCCA) has been granted an Australian
Financial Services Licence (AFSL), marking its
first steps towards building a wealth management
practice that offers financial planning services.
MCCA, which until now has been limited to
home finance and various forms of investment,
is now licensed to deal in “shariah compliant”
mortgage funds and property trust schemes –
meaning they will be run in accordance with
Islamic law.
According to managing director Chaaban
Omran, the shariah compliant funds are set to
eventually become the key investment mandate
for Australia’s first shariah-compliant Islamic
superannuation fund.
In addition, the wealth management practice
will in due course apply for a dealer’s licence and
offer financial planning services to the Australian
community “as an alternative to conventional
products”, repackaged to offer a “more
sophisticated version of ethical investment”,
Omran said.
He added that under the supervision of
the Australian Securities and Investments
Commission (ASIC), MCCA has a new mix of
staff to prepare for a stricter compliance regime.
“The unlisted public company together
with the AFSL is certainly on the right track to
corporatisation.”
Omran said the AFSL will not only allow
MCCA to embark on a wealth management
path, but also assist them in the establishment of
Australia’s first Islamic bank.
He noted that local and international banks
have approached MCCA as interest in Islamic
finance and banking is increasing.
Source: Amal Awad - Money Management and MCCA.
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Sakeenah
Hanan Dover:*
T he Australian Muslim Community
lacks the provision of drug and alcohol
(D&A) awareness and prevention
campaign, and related services, for the Muslim
community. A culturally-appropriate response
from the Muslim community is needed where
identifying, recognising, and responding
to the needs of the community should be
made a priority. Often struggling parents of
children with D&A related issues are left to
fend for themselves in desperation looking
for support as most mosque and community
centres do not have the facility to cater to such
individuals. Shame, is also a common concern
amongst Muslim D&A users and their family
members whereby they believe that accessing
help from their local community would tarnish
the reputation of the family.
There is no current research on the number
of Australian Muslims experiencing drug
dependency, but most of the awareness of
this concern comes from Muslim mosque,
community, and youth groups that frequently
express their concerns about the rising problem
within their community and families that they
support. There is an increasing situation where
families are calling upon Muslim youth groups
Australia wide community events:
NSW:
Advanced Islamic Studies
Women Only
Date: Saturday 13th of June
Time: 10.00am to 12:00pm
Location: Conference Room, Auburn
Mosque, Gelibolu Pde, Auburn
Cost: Free
Duration: Once a week for ten weeks
Auburn Gallipoli Mosque is pleased to offer this
popular course, which will give you a thorough
introduction to classical Islamic sciences. This
course covers spiritual development based on
core Islamic teachings, theology & knowledge
of God, to theological and legal interpretations
of Islam & Shariah to the character of the
Prophet Muhammad (p), science of Hadith
and much more.
Daar Aisha Short Course -
Children for Allah
Date: Sun 14 June 2009
Time: 2pm - 830pm
Location: 74-76 Haldon Street Lakemba
Children for Allah: Rights of parents, rights
of children, techniques from Sirah, Islamic
Upbringing from birth, toddler, school, teenage
years and adulthood. Registration Essential
- Women only. Call on Tuesday, Thursday
or Saturday to register 02 9759 6222 : info@
daaraisha.org
Ladies ONLY Talent Night
Date: Saturday 13th June
Time: 6pm – 11pm
Location: Lidcombe Community Centre 3
Bridge Street, Lidcombe
Cost: $12 to participate OR $15 to just sit
there and enjoy yourself.
Organised by Affinity Intercultural
Foundation.
To participate: Send sister Jo your music, song
National
Drug Addiction:
How are we responding
as a community?
and Muslim community leaders and imams to
respond to the call of educating the community
about the dangers of drugs and alcohol because
there were increasing stories of youth drug
dependency.
Furthermore, Muslim community youth
workers try to implementing prevention and
early intervention strategies, through education,
information, and spiritual mentoring, in order
to assist the individuals. Most of these youth
workers are not trained or educated in youth
work but are forced to address the issues that are
becoming increasingly prominent. Most of the
youth workers or mentors are volunteers and
are learning during their roles about the effects
of drugs and alcohol. They lack the health
understanding and knowledge of biochemical
functions of drug and alcohol dependency.
The D&A dilemma is seemingly seen as a
“male” problem, but more cases of Muslim
females experiencing drug and alcohol issues
are also emerging.
Even when Muslims enter jail because of
drug related offences, there are no culturally
appropriate service within the jail and
or whatever it is you are planning on doing.
You might consider poetry, recitation, singing
a nasheed, dancing a traditional dance - the
choices are limitless. For further info contact
Jo Hassan - jhassan@affinity.org.au
Mizaan Living – Indoor Rock
Climbing
Date: Sun 14 June 2009
Time: 815am
Location: Climb Fit, Unit 4/12 Frederick
St, St Leonard’s
Cost: $25 (includes entry, climbing harness
and climbing shoes)
What to bring: Water, snacks, comfortable
exercise wear and sneakers if you prefer not
to hire climbing shoes
Additional Information: Children welcome
under adult supervision (Parents/adults
have to belay children under the age of 12,
cost $10 + harness hire)
Web link: http://www.climbfit.com.au/
Enquiries: Email: farah@alghazzali.org Tel:
0410104616
Registration is essential
Mizaan is an initiative of al-Ghazzali Centre
for Islamic Sciences & Human Development-
working towards bringing “balance” back
into our lives. As part of its “learn & practise”
health & well being program, Mizaan invites
you to join our next adventure, indoor rock
climbing.
Sounds Of Light: Australia’s Largest
Islamic Concert
Date: 12 July 2009
Time: 330pm-8pm
Location: Acer Arena
Tickets Ticketek
correctional services that can cater to the
unique needs of Muslim inmates.
Despite the best efforts of new
generation type youth organisations and
groups, the reality is that they are under-
resourced, inexperienced in the areas of
drug health education and addiction,
yet they must take responsibility for
supporting troubled youth and those who
are on drugs or drink alcohol to abstain
from this destructive behaviour, based on
both religious and human values.
What we need is a culturally appropriate
project that has religion and spirituality as
an aid of intervention and prevention. To
achieve this, we need to accept that we
have these growing concerns and then
have the courage to address and implement
programs of support to those struggling
with D&A related use and dependency.
*Hanan Dover is a forensic psychologist and
regular contributor to Crescent Times. You can
reach her on
hanan.dover@crescenttimes.com.au
Website www.soundsoflight.com.au
MSA Unigoal
Date: Sunday 12th July 2009
Time: 0730am for an 0800am start
Location: Condell Park Sports Centre,
Third Avenue, Condell Park
The fourth annual UniGoal Indoor Soccer
tournament for past and present Muslim
University students as well as local High
School students. This one day indoor soccer
competition will consist of past and present
students and their friends and family,
of diverse backgrounds, emerging from
universities all throughout NSW.
For more information and to register teams:
contact Muhammad on: 0401 158 149 or
email: msa_unigoal@yahoo.com
VIC:
Sounds Of Light
Australia’s Largest Islamic Concert
Date: 11 July 2009
Time: 6pm-10pm
Location: Dallas Brooks Centre
Tickets Ticketek
Website www.soundsoflight.com.au
P
lease send your
community events,
news and announcements to
Crescent Times to publish
for FREE. Email: news@
crescenttimes.com.au
Page 13
Halal help line
Mohamed El-Mouelhy*
Gelatine, to eat or
not to eat,
that is the question!
L
ately Muslims in Australia have been
confused about the information they are
getting about gelatine. Some say gelatine is
Halal if it is derived from Halal slaughtered beef
hides and/or bones, others say it doesn’t matter
if the animals were slaughtered by Muslims or
not. To top it all there is a movement now that
says gelatine made from pork hides and bones is
Halal for consumption by Muslims! The reason
they say is because the gelatine is the result of
transformation.
Gelatine is not a naturally occurring protein,
but is derived from the collagen found in animal
skin, bone, sinews and connective tissue.
Raw materials intended for medicinal use and
food production are generally from skins and
bones of pigs or beef. In Australia off cuts are used
i.e. ears, tails, face hides etc. They are washed in a
lime solution and chemicals are added to dissolve
the hair. Traces of meat are then removed before
the hides are split. The top layer is leather and
bottom layer is used in gelatine production.
Animal hides are then soaked in a caustic soda
solution for about three weeks to break down the
protein so it can be easily extracted. The hides are
then washed and acid is added before washing to
remove salts etc.
Hot water is added to the washed hide pieces to
break them down to form gelatine before fresh hot
water is added to make further extractions.
The gelatine solution is drained and purified
then it is evaporated, dried and sterilised.
In Australia, gelatine is available mostly in
powder form or with sugar and flavour added.
Gelatine is used in the preparation of medicine,
throat lozenges, pessaries and rectal suppositories.
Gelatine is the main ingredient in all hard and
flexible capsules. Many older tablet formulations
still contain gelatine as a binding agent. Gelatine is
easily digested and is used in cases of malnutrition
and ulcers.
In the food industry, gelatine is used in
confectionery, ice-creams, jellies, chocolates,
sweets, cold pastries, desserts, thickened cream
and some meat products.
A group of, in my view, misguided people regard
pork derived gelatine as Halal because they claim
it changes state. Gelatine is an extract and does
not change state. In Islam every part of the pig is
forbidden also the sale and purchase of Haram
substances is also forbidden.
If the source of gelatine is Halal then its usage
is permissible, the skin is hydrolysed, washed,
melted and extracted, purified, evaporated,
sterilised, chilled and dried. Alkaline treatment
removes certain characteristics which is an
alteration not a transformation. The gelatine
retains most of the characteristics of collagen
therefore transformation does not take place.
Muslims should avoid choosing Haram and
doubtful ingredients if a comparable medication is
available in tablet or liquid form. In food, gelatine
can be substituted with vegetable gum which
many Muslims call vegetable gelatine! It can be
mixed in cold water and sets within minutes.
Mohamed El-Mouelhy is the founder of Halal
Helpline. He can be reached at: info@halalhelpline.
org
Page 14
continued from front page
The ups and downs of Lakemba
Tarek Chamkhi
her native language because she was forbidden
to speak it, even here in her ancestral country.
The English language domination of
Australia and the dark period of the “White
Australia” policy obviously did not work with
the later new comers such as the Italians,
Europeans, Turkish, Lebanese and other Arabs
and Asians.
In Lakemba it seems that the shopkeepers
are able to analyse your skin, race and language
in a few seconds and switch to the relevant
language to communicate with you. All smooth
and multi coloured as the coral reef, friendly
and warm. The Lebanese Australian businesses
are dominant in Lakemba but not the end of
the story. You also find some Greek, Turkish,
Egyptian, Syrian and Palestinians amongst
the shopkeepers. I can tell readers that there
is nothing unusual or bizarre in Lakemba to
justify labelling it as a “ghetto”. Indeed I found
Sydney Road in Coburg, Melbourne much
more crowded and Arab culture dominant
than Lakemba. I have to say that the area
surrounding Lakemba is vast and full of similar
streets, including the suburbs of Greenacre,
Punchbowl, Bankstown, and even further
towards Auburn which is a Turkish dominant
suburb. As an Arab Australian you feel the
warmth and familiarity of all these suburbs.
The urban myths about teenage hoons with
National
Above: Lakemba Street, where most shops have signs in Arabic along with English.
Photo: Crescent Times 2009
their sports cars spinning their wheels and
burning rubber to disturb your calmness in
the middle of the night appeared to be proven
correct. There are some maniac irresponsible
drivers. However, I understand that such
driving behaviour is common in most crowded
suburbs in both Melbourne and Sydney and has
less to do with a particular race or background
than it has to do with the common disease of
“showing off ” which has invaded most modern
societies.
The other trend I observed following the
last few years of social change in the Western
suburbs of Sydney, especially after the Cronulla
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
I would see in a similar market in Tunisia
or Lebanon. I saw a funny huge flaming fire
prepared for a barbecue next to the lake in the
Olympic Park that I would not see anywhere in
Lebanese parks. Well, there is no frightening,
unknown “kangawallafox” lurking in Lakemba
or in white Australian or European dominant
suburbs for that matter.
At the airport in my way back home, I joked
with the Anglo Australian who handled my
oversized bag: “Is safe today mate! No TNT
or Kalashnikov inside at all! All safe goods”
He found it a hilarious joke to be making at the
start of his shift on a fresh wintry day. “Have a
good day mate!” he replied in a very friendly
way.
Visiting Sydney for the first time after
visiting most of the rest of Australia was a good
experience. But I have to say that my home is
nicer! For all Sydney residents I advise that
Australia is a continent full of wonders and
riots, is the relocation of many Asian Muslims,
stunning views from the North to the South,
of Malaysian, Indonesian, Indian and Pakistani
the East to the west. Advice for all Australians:
background to live with their brothers and
please get out of your cocoon and experience
sisters of faith in this area. For wise observers
the real taste of Australia. I am certain that
it is obvious that none of the races will be in
stereotypes will be decreased significantly
a position to take over Sydney. Sydney is for
when the wider community sees hijabi ladies
all, a real multicultural city, which makes it an
everywhere they go for their weekends, annual
impossible
trips or post superannuation getaways. I
target for any plans of future dominance OR
remember a friendly guy in Kings Canyon in
ethnic cleansing. for that matter.
central Australia asked me if my wife (who was
When I visited the Sydney Sunday markets
likely one of very few hijabi ladies who visited
and the next door Olympic Village area, it was
the area in its history - if not the only one),
clear for me that we are in a real multicultural
was the same Muslim lady he saw on TV! We
country. I saw more hijabi ladies there than
should definitely get out more!
Crescent Times No 8 June 2009 Advertising Page 15

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Page 16 Melbourne news Crescent Times No 8 June 2009

First Victorian Muslim police Cherry Blossom

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officer Maha Sukkar

Nasya Bahfen: 658 Sydney Rd,
CT Victoria bureau Brunswick VIC 3056
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V ictorian police officer Maha Sukkar has urged

more members of ethnic communities to
consider a career in the police force, especially
Muslim women.
Senior Constable Sukkar emigrated to Melbourne
nine years ago and has been a police officer for four
years.
“It’s the best thing I ever did,” she told a group of
around fifty representatives of the state’s multicultural
media.
Senior Constable Sukkar, along with Victorian
Police Commissioner Simon Overland and other
members of the state police force’s multicultural
liaision and media units spoke to journalists and
editors from ethnic press and broadcasting outlets,
at a morning tea in Melbourne on June 9.
She’s the first (and currently the only) serving
officer to wear the hijab or headscarf.
Senior Constable Sukkar was granted permission
to amend the standard Victorian police officers’
uniform when she graduated from the Police
Academy as a thirty year old, in 2004.
She told the Crescent Times that officers with
second language abilities were actively sought by
Victorian police.
“They might be needed in translation, or in liaising
with communities,” she explained.
Above: Senior Constable Maha Sukkar,Fatima Dennaoui and Nasya
Bahfen Photo courtesy of Victorian Police.
C rescent Times was invited to
meet the Victoria Police Chief
Commissioner Simon Overland
amongst Melbourne’s multilingual
media today to further strengthen
police ties with culturally diverse
communities. Dr. Nasya Bahfen,
the Crescent Times Victorian
editor represented our readers
there, on Tuesday 9th June 2009.
More than 50 members of
Melbourne’s multilingual media
attended the informal meet and
greet with Mr Overland which was
another in a long line of Victoria
Police initiatives to develop
strong ties with culturally diverse
communities.
“There is a shared responsibility
between police and the media to
provide important messages to
the public and to have an open
dialogue to understand where
the other is coming from, and
finding suitable solutions to
problems,” Mr Overland said.
“So it was crucial to network
with multilingual media today
to ensure that we foster an
ongoing relationship.
“At times Victoria Police
investigators need to
communicate messages directly
to people for whom English can
be a barrier to receiving clear
and concise information.”
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Crescent Times No 8 June 2009 National Page 17

Native Of Oppressors DONATE to SUPPORT YOUR

Matters and Oppressed NEWSPAPER

similarities between Indigenous Australians

and the native Sudanese people like Nazer
and her tribe the Nuba.
Funnily enough, when you look hard at
the world you see that these similarities are
everywhere.
Like at the Eighth Session of the United
Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous
Eugenia Flynn* Issues. I attended this Session just after
reading Nazer’s life story and was constantly
C rescent Times was established to support and serve
the Muslim community. The journey is long and the
financial hardship of the start is hard to overcome despite
the huge success of our editorial content and on readership
level.To secure the printing cost of the newspaper, and
to deliver a free copy for you we need your financial
support.
Donation details:
* Send cheques to “Crescent Times” P. O. Box: 628
Mirrabooka, 6941 WA

S
lave is the memoir of Mende Nazer
narrating the circumstances of her
life before, during and after her
enslavement as a black Nuba (a tribe in
Sudan) by Arab Muslims. I read this memoir
a few weeks ago and was struck by Nazer’s
sense of humanity. I never once felt that
Nazer moved toward racism or Islamophobia
despite her enslavement by Arab Muslims.
Always in the memoir, Nazer dealt with the
humanity, or lack thereof, of the individuals
reminded that Muslims continue to be
involved in the ongoing oppression and
* On line transfer to Crescent Times bank account: BSB:
even slavery of Muslim and non-Muslim
Indigenous Peoples right around the world.
016498 A/N: 481145891
Indigenes from Niger and Algeria spoke
of the oppression they faced from Muslim
Your support is essential in our journey
oppressors and I felt and continue to feel a to establish authentic Australian Islamic
sense of obligation to these people. I do so
media.
as a Muslim who wishes to see the Oneness
of Allah recognised around the world and
refuses to allow oppression and slavery to
(‘NU’), with a combined membership of 70+
perpetuate shirk. I do so in recognition that
million. Indonesia is also one of Australia’s Belinda El Kadrami

Australian Snappy Immigration Services

in her life – she never saw them as just their
race or religion. Therefore, Nazer never saw
her oppressors’ actions as a result of their
Arabness or Islamic faith. Contrastingly, her
enslavers were more than happy to consign
Nazer to her race and perceived lack of Islam
(even though she actually was a Muslim).
Talking with a friend I was reminded that
this kind of slavery and oppression at its
core is purely and simply shirk – forcing the
oppressed to worship other than Allah; that
is to worship, in either a literal or less tangible
sense, the oppressor. And whilst not exactly
the same circumstances, I am drawn to the
every other Muslim should also fight against
oppression and slavery.
Join me in the fray?
* Eugenia Flynn is an Aboriginal (Tiwi and
Larrakia) and Chinese (Teo Chew) woman.
She reverted to Islam in 2002 and in 2007
founded the Indigenous Muslim Support
Network, which she continues to run. Eugenia
aims to see Indigenous Australians healthy,
strong and free and is the Deputy Chair of
the National Indigenous Youth Movement
of Australia. She can be contacted via email:
genie_fly@yahoo.com.au.
closest neighbours, and is the location of
the largest Australian Embassy in the world.
El Azizi
Indonesia is important not only for trade, but registered migration agent
from an Islamic perspective, is an example of
tolerant Islam. Those familiar with Professor
Abdullah Saeed and Bilal Cleland respective Factory 1/126
texts on Islam in Australia, would know that
Canterbury Rd
the Indonesian fishermen have had extensive
trade links with the Australian Aboriginal Kilsyth 3137 VIC
People since the 12th-16th Century, long
before colonisation.
Phone: 03 9761 5259
The 2009 Australian MEP to Indonesia
reflected the broad cultural diversity of OR 03 9761 5365
Australia’s Muslim community, comprising Email:

Young Australian Muslim

of three male and two female participants exclusivestyle@bigpond.com.au
from Melbourne, Sydney and Perth with
ethnic backgrounds from Egypt, Lebanon,
Malaysia, Singapore, Pakistan and South

Leaders Explore Islam in Indonesia

Africa. As a minority religion in Australia,
the MEP were very keen to see how Islam
co-existed with other religions, when it was
clearly the majority faith.
Although I was born in Singapore to the religion itself. I was impressed by the real
Pakistani parents, and had visited Bali emphasis on education amongst all Indonesians,
previously, this was my first visit to the main and the promotion of education and leadership
Hyder Gulam* island of Indonesia, Java. Coupled with my
previous opportunity to have worked in the
for females. Quite a number of the Principals of
the peseantrans I visited were female, and were
Middle East (Saudi Arabia) as a lawyer, I was highly qualified - with a minimum of a Masters

D uring late May very keen to see how Islam was practised in degree. Many of these schools had more than
2009, along with Indonesia. I also wanted to see how Islam 50% females studying and teaching.
four other young was managing to maintain cultural values I view Indonesia at the forefront of Islamic
Australian Muslim leaders, for the Indonesian people and still grow and thought and discussion and Inshallah with
I travelled to Indonesia flourish in the archipelago. more English translations being made available,
to meet with Indonesian I was impressed by how NU and these thoughts can (and should) be shared with
community, education Muhammadiyah worked in their the rest of the world. Islam in Indonesia fits in
and religious leaders, communities: social work, civil society very well with the culture and the two have
civil society, academics, and human rights included. In the case of grown together over many centuries. I think
Above: from Left: Hyder Gulam, Iman Dandan, Shameema Kolia, NU, I noticed how the work extended to
government officials and Indonesia’s tolerant and gentle way will win out
Hussam Elmaghraby, Mohammad El-Leissy. disaster services and in particular educating
media representatives. The and help Indonesia to develop and grow through
Photo: Courtesy of Hyder Gulam communities that although natural disasters
purpose of the trip was to education, democracy, economic growth and by
cannot be stopped, its effects could be decreasing poverty levels.
further a bilateral exchange program aimed MEP has brought out over 60 Indonesian tackled and in many circumstances avoided
at strengthening links and understanding of Muslims to Australia, and over 30 Australian In summary, I would recommend any Australia
– for example, landslides do not always Muslim between the ages of 21 and 40 years
Islam in both Australia and Indonesia; the Muslims have visited Australia during the have to occur in nature or for that matter
he Australia-Indonesia Muslim Exchange seven years of the program. of age attend the MEP. Not only do you learn
dams bursting as well. As for the way that about Indonesia, and how Islam is practiced
Program (‘MEP’). As most would know, the Republic of Islam is practiced in Indonesia, I feel that it
The MEP is an initiative of the Australia- Indonesia is an archipelago consisting of over there, but you also learn about yourself and the
is at the forefront in many ways in terms of practice of your own faith. As I have seen from
Indonesia Institute (AII) with support from the 17,000 islands in Southeast Asia and Oceania. intellectual pursuits. Islamic schools (both
Cultural Section and AusAID at the Australian It has an estimated population of around 237 Indonesia, the practice of Islam places the onus
madrassahs and peseantrans ) do teach of the observance of faith onto one’s self. To me,
Embassy in Jakarta, the Islamic Council of million people, is the world’s fourth most Arabic, Indonesian and English but they
Victoria, the Asia Institute at the University populous country, and has the largest Muslim Indonesia, represents a viable counterpoint to
also teach the sciences including biology. the Islam that is practiced in other parts of the
of Melbourne and Paramadina University of population in the world. Indonesia is home to As well, mechanics is taught and this is an
Jakarta. MEP was established in 2002 by the two of the largest Muslim organisations in the world. Islam here is tolerant, open, progressive
example of how Islam in Indonesia is working and fair.
Australian Government through the AII. The world – Muhammadiyah and Nahdlatul Ulama together for the future of Indonesia and of * Hyder Gulam is a Melbourne based lawyer.
Page 18
Open letter to Camden Church Leaders
Adam Parker*
I
was absolutely amazed to the point of
misbelief when I read in the Sydney
Morning Herald and other newspapers last
April 2009 that Camden’s Christian Churches
had joined forces to oppose the Muslim school
at Camden.
The tipping point was the celebration of the
residents over the planning court decision to
object the school based on religious vilifications
and hatred. See letters to the editor in Camden
Advertiser, including this awful comment:
“Camden will now not look like Lakemba
in just a few years from now and our cultural
heritage has been preserved...for a while longer
at least. Jesus said: “I am the Way, the Truth
and the Life, no man cometh unto the Father,
but by me.” ( John 14:6) Not the pirate and
false prophet Mohammad, or his moon-god
Allah, but Jesus. And it is because of Him that
we can enjoy the life we have today. Despite the
spin from Council, ‘religion’ had everything to
do with it, to ensure we didn’t end up with an
ideological regime that seeks to destroy the
West, all cloaked and veiled in ‘religion. ”
In all my various relations, I have always held
a deep respect for people all races and religions.
Far too often non-religious people blame
religion for the problems of the world.
My mother was Scottish and a Presbyterian,
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I was educated at a Methodist Mission School
and my wife comes from a committed Anglican
family. Consequently, more than half of our
family is Christian and so are more than half
of our friends. We have always enjoyed a close,
loving relationship throughout our lives. I
was, in the main responsible for making the
arrangements for laying both of my parents
in-law to rest, and for that matter assisted with
many of my Christian friends in similar difficult
times.
When I read the article in the SMH, I felt
betrayed. Indeed, it reminded how Jesus (May
peace be with him) was also betrayed. Like
with Judas Iscariot, these were also supposedly
followers of Jesus (mpbh).
The reasons given stink of absolute
hypocrisy and bigotry. I wonder where these
reverend fathers get their ideas that any part
of Australia was ever western or Christian? At
least Muslims asked for permission to come in,
unlike many of those who denigrate our faith.
I was just an ankle biter when a Christian boy
in his early teens, living in our neighbourhood,
became an orphan. My mother, with no
regards for religion, and with every regard for
God; whipped off her apron, walked down the
road and came back with young Claude. He
grew up like a brother to us, within a Muslim
home, without any attempt to convert him to
our faith. Today he is in his mid eighties and we
still have contact – he still Christian; I, Muslim.
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To all intents and purposes, we still regard
ourselves as brothers.
I could go on, but sufficient to say, that the
Qur’an teaches us that there is no compulsion
in religion. After castigating the people who ill
treated Jesus (mpbh), the Qur’an goes on to
say, “and nearest amongst them in love to the
believers thou wilt find those who say,” We
are Christians”: because amongst them are
men devoted to learning and men who have
renounced the world and are not arrogant”
Chapter 5 Verse82. When will they, the
reverend fathers who so avidly took up pen and
paper against the Muslims realize is that Islam
is the only religion other than Christianity who
accepts and respects Jesus (mpbh).
We Muslims pray five times a day and just
as Jesus fell on his face when he prayed, so do
we. Jesus was circumcised, so are our men.
Jesus did not eat pork, and we do not. We even
still try to dress like he did, and our womenfolk
keep their heads covered as Mary did.
I have served on the Islamic Council of
WA, for many years as well on local Muslim
School boards. During these years, I along
with others on our Boards exchanged meetings
with Christian leaders. We attended harmony
meetings as well as inter faith gatherings. Our
schools have also been involved in exchanging
visits from different schools from different
faiths. These were all done so that we could
understand each other and live in peace and
harmony as fellow Australians.
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Crescent Times No 8 June 2009
I am now asking myself how I can trust
our Christian counterparts when these
meetings and gatherings are conducted. Their
betrayal goes to the heart of the situation.
They speak about communities such as
Bankstown and others in a negative way. Is
there no questioning, beyond religion as to
what creates the Bankstowns of this world? Is
Socio/Economics a factor which draws people
together? What about issues of background,
language, etc. And are they common only
to Muslims? Is the solution to all this to be
found in imposing more unreasonable and
discriminatory laws against Muslims? Would
they, the reverend fathers also push for an
Australia without Muslims? If not, would they
like an apartheid Australia where Muslims are
confined to certain clearly demarcated areas?
Let us have it all out in the open.
As Muslims, we do not hold Christianity
answerable for what Hitler did, nor do we
hold Christianity answerable for what the
proponents of apartheid did in South Africa,
or the Ku Klux Klan in the USA – yet their
activity was all done in the pursuit of their
Christian beliefs.
I am hoping that the leaders of Camden’s
Christian Churches will wake up to the fact
that their actions were in grave conflict with
true Christianity. That like true Christians,
they will repent, and do everything in their
power to undo the damage which they have
done. Failing which I hope they are prepared to
face the fruits of their actions in the hereafter!
God is just, after all!
* Adam Parker is one of Perth’s Muslim and
has served the Muslim community for decades,
including being involved in ICWA, school
boards and charity work.
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Prayer Schedule June 2009
Melbourne, Victoria
Date Day Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr
1 Mon 5:54 7:26 12:18
2 Tue 5:54 7:26 12:18
3 Wed 5:54 7:27 12:19
4 Thu 5:55 7:28 12:19
5 Fri 5:56 7:28 12:19
6 Sat 5:56 7:29 12:19
7 Sun 5:57 7:30 12:19
8 Mon 5:57 7:30 12:20
9 Tue 5:58 7:31 12:20
10 Wed 5:58 7:31 12:20
11 Thu 5:59 7:32 12:20
12 Fri 5:59 7:32 12:20
13 Sat 5:59 7:32 12:21
14 Sun 6:00 7:33 12:21
15 Mon 6:00 7:33 12:21
16 Tue 6:00 7:34 12:21
17 Wed 6:00 7:34 12:21
18 Thu 6:01 7:34 12:22
19 Fri 6:01 7:35 12:22
20 Sat 6:02 7:35 12:22
21 Sun 6:02 7:35 12:22
22 Mon 6:02 7:35 12:23
23 Tue 6:02 7:36 12:23
24 Wed 6:02 7:36 12:23
25 Thu 6:02 7:36 12:23
26 Fri 6:03 7:36 12:23
27 Sat 6:03 7:36 12:24
28 Sun 6:03 7:36 12:24
29 Mon 6:03 7:36 12:24
30 Tue 6:03 7:36 12:24
Prayer Schedule June 2009
Perth, Western Australia
Date Day Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr
1 Mon 5:43 7:08 12:15
2 Tue 5:43 7:09 12:15
3 Wed 5:44 7:09 12:15
4 Thu 5:44 7:10 12:15
5 Fri 5:45 7:10 12:16
6 Sat 5:45 7:11 12:16
7 Sun 5:45 7:11 12:16
8 Mon 5:46 7:12 12:16
9 Tue 5:46 7:12 12:16
10 Wed 5:47 7:13 12:17
11 Thu 5:47 7:13 12:17
12 Fri 5:47 7:13 12:17
13 Sat 5:48 7:14 12:17
14 Sun 5:48 7:14 12:17
15 Mon 5:48 7:14 12:18
16 Tue 5:49 7:15 12:18
17 Wed 5:49 7:15 12:18
18 Thu 5:49 7:15 12:18
19 Fri 5:49 7:16 12:18
20 Sat 5:50 7:16 12:19
21 Sun 5:50 7:16 12:19
22 Mon 5:50 7:16 12:19
23 Tue 5:50 7:17 12:19
24 Wed 5:50 7:17 12:20
25 Thu 5:51 7:17 12:20
26 Fri 5:51 7:17 12:20
27 Sat 5:51 7:17 12:20
28 Sun 5:51 7:17 12:20
29 Mon 5:51 7:17 12:21
30 Tue 5:51 7:17 12:21
Prayer Schedule June 2009
Sydney, NSW
Date Day Fajr Sunrise Dhuhr
1 Mon 5:24 6:51 11:53
2 Tue 5:24 6:51 11:53
3 Wed 5:24 6:52 11:54
4 Thu 5:25 6:53 11:54
5 Fri 5:26 6:53 11:54
6 Sat 5:26 6:54 11:54
7 Sun 5:27 6:54 11:54
8 Mon 5:27 6:55 11:55
9 Tue 5:27 6:55 11:55
10 Wed 5:27 6:55 11:55
11 Thu 5:28 6:56 11:55
12 Fri 5:28 6:57 11:55
13 Sat 5:29 6:57 11:56
14 Sun 5:29 6:57 11:56
15 Mon 5:29 6:58 11:56
16 Tue 5:30 6:58 11:56
17 Wed 5:30 6:58 11:56
18 Thu 5:30 6:59 11:57
19 Fri 5:31 6:59 11:57
20 Sat 5:31 6:59 11:57
21 Sun 5:31 6:59 11:57
22 Mon 5:31 7:00 11:58
23 Tue 5:31 7:00 11:58
24 Wed 5:31 7:00 11:58
25 Thu 5:32 7:00 11:58
26 Fri 5:32 7:00 11:58
27 Sat 5:32 7:00 11:59
28 Sun 5:32 7:00 11:59
29 Mon 5:32 7:01 11:59
30 Tue 5:32 7:01 11:59
Community Page 19
continued from page2 singing are extracted from the texts and rules
of Islam, and these are sufficient to clarify the
issue.
Almighty referred to him in the earlier
scriptures as, “Those who follow the In addition to this, the people of Madinah,
Asr Maghrib Isha
2:51 5:10 6:38 Messenger, the Prophet who can neither who were very pious and God-fearing, the
Zahiriyyah, who were very literal regarding Crescent Times is a monthly Muslim community
2:51 5:10 6:38 read nor write, whom they will find newspaper and as such welcomes contributions
2:51 5:09 6:37 described in the Torah and the Gospel the textual proofs, and the Sufis, who were
of letters, articles and photographs from all
2:51 5:09 6:37 very strict and rigid, were all quoted to have
2:50 5:09 6:37 (which are) with them. He will enjoin on members of the community. Contributions sent
them that which is right and forbid them declared the permissibility of singing. by email or on computer disk are appreciated;
2:50 5:08 6:37
2:50 5:08 6:37 that which is wrong. He will make lawful Imam Ash-Shawkani says in his book there is no publication charge for articles
2:50 5:08 6:37 “Nayl Al-Awtar”, “The people of Madinah submitted. The deadline for all contributions
for them all good things and prohibit for
2:50 5:08 6:37 them only the foul.” (Al-A`raf: 157) and those who agreed with them from is the 25th of the month prior to publication.
2:50 5:08 6:37 among the Zahiriyyah and the Sufis maintain All contributions and advertising may be sent
2:50 5:08 6:37 Thus, Islam left nothing good or sound to:
2:50 5:08 6:37 but declared it to be halal (lawful). This is that singing is permissible, even when it is
PO Box 628 Mirrabooka WA 6941 or by email
2:50 5:08 6:37 a sign of mercy to this Ummah, moving accompanied by a musical instrument such to:
2:50 5:08 6:37 along the line of its comprehensive and as the lute or the flute”. editor@crescenttimes.com.au
2:50 5:08 6:37 Abu Al-Fadl Ibn Tahir narrates, “The INDEMNITY AND WARRANTY
2:50 5:08 6:37 eternal message. Allah Almighty says,
“They ask you (O Muhammad) what people of Madinah never disputed over the Advertisers and/or advertising agencies upon
2:50 5:08 6:37 and by lodging material with Crescent Press
2:50 5:08 6:37 is made lawful for them. Say: (all) good permissibility of playing the lute.”
2:51 5:08 6:37 All these scholars consider singing that Pty Ltd for publication in the Crescent Times
things are made lawful for you.” (Al- or authorising or approving of the publication
2:51 5:08 6:37 Ma’idah: 4) is accompanied by musical instruments
2:51 5:09 6:38 of any material INDEMNIFY Crescent Press
If we are to delve deeply into this permissible, but as for singing that is not Pty Ltd and the Crescent Times against all
2:51 5:09 6:38
2:51 5:09 6:38 matter, we will find that love for singing accompanied by musical instruments, Al- claims, demands, proceedings, costs, expenses,
2:51 5:09 6:38 and melodic voices are almost a human Adfuwi says, “In some of his jurisprudence- damages, awards, judgements and any other
2:52 5:09 6:38 instinct. We can observe an infant lying related books, Al-Ghazali narrates the liability whatsoever wholly or partially arising
2:52 5:10 6:39 consensus of the scholars on its permissibility.” directly or indirectly in connection with the
2:53 5:10 6:39 in his cradle soothed and sleeping by the
Also, Ibn Tahir narrates the consensus of publication of the material, and without limiting
2:53 5:11 6:40 sound of a lullaby. Mothers and nannies the generality of the foregoing indemnify
2:53 5:11 6:40 are always in the habit of singing for the Prophet’s Companions and those who
Crescent Press Pty Ltd and the Crescent Times
2:54 5:12 6:41 babies and children. Moreover, birds succeeded them on this very topic. Ibn An- in relation to defamation, libel, slander of title,
and animals respond to nice voices and Nahwi states in Al-`Umdah that singing and infringement of copyright, infringement of
rhythmic melodies. listening was deemed permissible by a group trademarks or names of publication titles, unfair
Thereupon, if singing is thus a human of the Companions and the Followers. competition, breach of trade practices or fair
Conditions and Terms: trading legislation, violation of rights of privacy
instinct, it is not for Islam to defy
humankind’s instincts. Islam came to There are some conditions and terms that or confidential information or licences or royalty
rights or other intellectual property rights AND
refine and promote the human instinct. should be observed regarding listening to
Ibn Taymyiah says, “Prophets were sent singing, as follows:
WARRANT that the material complies with
all relevant laws and regulations and that its
Asr Maghrib Isha 1. Not all sorts of singing are permissible.
3:02 5:21 6:42 to polish and discipline man’s instinct publication will not give rise to any claims
3:02 5:21 6:42 and not to change or modify it.” This is Rather, the permissible song should comply against or liabilities to Crescent Press Pty Ltd
3:02 5:20 6:42 pursuant to the hadith that reads, “When with the Islamic teachings and ethics. or the Crescent Times, and without limiting the
3:01 5:20 6:42 Allah’s Messenger came to Madinah, he Therefore, the songs praising the tyrants generality of the foregoing, that nothing therein
3:01 5:20 6:42 and corrupt rulers disagree with Islamic is in breach of the Trade Practices Act 1974 or
3:01 5:20 6:42 found them (i.e., the people of Madinah) the Copyright Act 1968 or the Fair Trading Act
celebrating two days. He said, ‘What teachings. In fact, Islam stands against
3:01 5:20 6:42 1987 or the defamation, consumer protection
3:01 5:20 6:42 are these days?’ They replied, ‘We used transgressors and their allies, and those who and sale of goods legislation of the Australian
3:01 5:20 6:42 to rejoice in these days during the pre- show indifference to their transgression. So, states or territories or infringes the rights of any
3:01 5:20 6:42 Islamic era.’ He (pbuh) said, ‘Verily, Allah the same goes for those songs that imply person.
3:01 5:20 6:42 giving praises to such attitude! Crescent Press Pty Ltd and the Crescent Times
3:01 5:20 6:42 Almighty has given you two alternative
2. Also, the way the song is performed accept no responsibility or liability in relation to
3:01 5:20 6:42 days which are much better: these are any loss due to the failure of an advertisement
3:01 5:20 6:42 Al-Adha and Al-Fitr days (`Eids).’” weighs so much. The theme of the song
to appear according to instructions. The
3:01 5:20 6:42 (Reported by Ahmad, Abu Dawud and may be good, but the performance of the
3:02 5:20 6:42 positioning or placing of an advertisement is at
An-Nasa’i) singer – through intending excitement and the discretion of the editor.
3:02 5:20 6:42 arousing others’ lusts and desires along with
3:02 5:20 6:42 Moreover, if singing is to be considered COPYRIGHT
3:02 5:20 6:43 rejoicing and play, these are not haram; trying to seduce them – may move it to the Where no charge is made for the preparation
3:02 5:20 6:43 this is in pursuant to the famous idea area of prohibition, suspicion or even detest. of advertising material, Crescent Press Pty
3:03 5:21 6:43 that man needs some time to relax a bit The Glorious Qur’an addresses the wives of Ltd will remain owner of the copyright in the
3:03 5:21 6:43 Prophet Muhammad (peace and blessings advertising material. Such advertising material
3:03 5:21 6:44 and rejoice. The Prophet (peace and may be reproduced only with the consent of
3:03 5:21 6:44 blessings be upon him) said to Hanzalah be upon him) saying, “O you wives of the
Crescent Press Pty Ltd and upon payment of
3:04 5:22 6:44 who thought himself to be a hypocrite for Prophet! You are not like any other women. such fee as Crescent Press Pty Ltd may require.
3:04 5:22 6:44 his attendance to his wife and children If you keep your duty (to Allah), then be Original works are subject to copyright and
3:04 5:22 6:45 not soft of speech, lest he in whose heart is a shall not be reproduced without authority.
3:05 5:23 6:45 and the change that affected him when
disease aspire (to you), but utter customary HALAL POLICY
3:05 5:23 6:45 he was apart from Allah’s Prophet
speech.” (Al-Ahzab: 32) So, one has to show Crescent Times does not represent or endorse
3:05 5:23 6:46 (peace and blessings be upon him), “O the halal status of our advertisers products,
Hanzalah! Part of your time should be caution to music when there is softness of
neither the reliability of any of the advertisments,
devoted (to the worldly affairs) and part speech accompanied with rhyme, melody, nor the quality of any products, information
of time (should be devoted to prayer and and special effects! or other material displayed, consumed or
meditation).” (Reported by Muslim) 3. Singing should not be accompanied with
something that is prohibited such as alcohol,
purshased by any member of the public. Every
individual shall conduct their own research on
`Ali Ibn Abu Talib says, “Amuse
yourselves for some time, for if hearts nakedness, mixing of men with women that matters related to quality of product or its halal
status.
Asr Maghrib Isha are exposed to too much strain, they turn is common in pubs and nightclubs, etc.
2:36 4:55 6:18 4. Islam has declared excessiveness as
2:36 4:55 6:18 blind.”
2:36 4:54 6:18 Abu Ad-Darda’ said, “I refresh myself prohibited in everything. The same goes for
excessiveness in leisure and recreation even Allah’s Punishment is due on a certain act or saying,
2:35 4:54 6:18 with some amusement in order to make
2:35 4:54 6:17 though these things are permissible ! This and should not be based upon guessing, whims,
myself stronger on the path of right.”
2:35 4:54 6:17 Imam Al-Ghazali answered someone indicates that the emptiness of the mind and weak Hadiths, not even through an old book. It
2:35 4:54 6:17 heart has to be observed and tackled during has to be supported by a clear, well-established text
2:35 4:53 6:17 who asked him: “Isn’t singing some kind
man’s short-term life. One should know that or valid consensus. If these last two are not found,
2:35 4:53 6:17 of play and rejoice?” He said, “Yes. But, all
2:35 4:53 6:17 Allah Almighty will ask every one about his then we revert the given act or saying to the original
that exists in this present life is mere play
2:35 4:53 6:17 life and his youth in particular. rule: “permissibility governing things”. We do have
and rejoice. All that takes place between
2:35 4:53 6:17 There are some things in which one is to a good example to follow from one of our earlier
2:35 4:53 6:17 a husband and his wife is play, except
be his own judge and Mufti. If there is some pious scholars. Imam Malik (may Allah be pleased
2:35 4:53 6:18 sexual intercourse that is the direct cause
kind of singing that arouses his own lust or with him) who said: “It was not the habit of those
2:35 4:53 6:18 of reproducing children. This has been
2:35 4:53 6:18 desire, and takes him away from the real who preceded us, the early pious Muslims, who
reported from Allah’s Messenger and his
2:35 4:53 6:18 honorable Companions.” life, he should avoid it then and block that set good example for the following generations, to
2:36 4:54 6:18 very gate from which the winds of trial and say, ‘This is halal, and this is haram. But, they would
2:36 4:54 6:18 In fact, leisure time is refreshing to
seduction may come and erase his religion, say, ‘I hate such-and-such, and maintain such-and-
2:36 4:54 6:18 the heart and alleviates its tensions at
2:36 4:54 6:19 morals and heart. If he does this, he will live such, but as for halal and haram, this is what may be
the same time. Excessive strain and
2:37 4:54 6:19 in peace and tranquility. called inventing lies concerning Allah. Did not you
efforts render the heart bored and blind.
2:37 4:55 6:19 Warning against playing with the word hear Allah’s Statement that reads, ‘Say: Have you
2:37 4:55 6:19 Amusing the self refreshes and renews its
“haram” considered what provision Allah has sent down for
2:37 4:55 6:19 strength and vigor. Having leisure time
To conclude, we address the respectful you, how you have made of it lawful and unlawful?
2:38 4:56 6:20 is a form of treatment for diseases of the
2:38 4:56 6:20 scholars who tackle the word “haram” Say: Has Allah permitted you, or do you invent a
self, weariness and boredom. But, leisure
2:38 4:56 6:21 should not be excessive. This will go easily and set it free in their writings and lie concerning Allah?” (Yunus: 59) For, the halal
2:39 4:57 6:21 fatwas that they should observe that Allah is what Allah and His Messenger made lawful, and
2:39 4:57 6:21 against the whole issue of rejoicing hearts
is watching over them in all that they say or the haram is what Allah and His Messenger made
to make them able to go on.
do. They should also know that this word unlawful.
These proofs on the permissibility of
“haram” is very dangerous. It means that
Page 20 Fi amani’Allah Crescent Times No 8 June 2009

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