Group A - Bafana, Capalaba, Tiger 11, Young Guns
Group B - Darra, Dawah Squad, Dynamos, Vergado
Group C - Bosnia, Match Fixers, Iraq, Brothers
Group D - Zamalek, Chiefs, Bafana B, Walk Overs

source: SMH

A thriving financial sector sounds like an oxymoron these days. Even Australia's banks - among the most profitable in the world - kept a fifth of this week's interest rate cut to cushion their margins. But there is one sector that has tongues wagging in the hubs of commerce: Islamic finance.

While the Western world's financial system has been imploding, this small but rapidly growing share of world capital has weathered the storm.

Sharemarkets in London and New York are a third off their peaks. Dow Jones's Islamic financials index, in contrast, rose 4.75 per cent in the most recent September quarter and lost a modest 7 per cent in the previous year.

Not only has the industry been resilient; it's also on the cusp of serious expansion. It is growing faster than any other subset of world banking, at 15 to 20 per cent a year. The Economist estimates Islamic assets under management are worth $US700 billion ($1000 billion). This figure could hit $US1 trillion - about the Australian sharemarket's current value - by 2010.

What's more, all this growth has come from a model of lending that rejects interest payments and shuns speculation and heavy borrowing.

In short, Islamic finance bans some of the excess that has brought the West's financial system to its knees, and is looking wise indeed, or at least lucky.

Islamic finance takes its guidance from sharia.

The biggest markets are in the Middle East and Muslim countries, but global banks have opened sharia-compliant branches. Locally, the Muslim Community Co-operative is one of a few lenders offering the service.

Justice, partnership and opposition to excessive risk are the main principles guiding Islamic banks. Outright speculation and dealing with any party that has a balance sheet more than a third of which is debt are forbidden, as are investments deemed unethical by Islamic scholars, such as casinos.

But if these rules sound tough, the biggest difference is a ban on interest.

Charging interest is immoral because it does not take into account how changes in the value of the loan's security can affect the borrower, sharia says. Home owners who bought near the peak are now experiencing this harsh reality: interest gives banks a steady payment from the borrower, regardless of the property market's state.

However, profit is fine, and Islamic banks have devised ways to make money from lending. Instead of demanding interest, they buy the asset outright on behalf of the borrower. The borrower pays off the loan (the principle) and a fee for using the asset (rent, for example) until the amount is repaid and ownership transfers to the borrower.

Just like mortgage-backed securities, the rights to loan repayments can be sold as an Islamic bond, or sukuk. But instead of a yield, the bondholder receives repayments on the loan, and some rent. As a result, Islamic lenders have not had to venture into money markets that have recently blown up.

For depositors, putting your money with an Islamic bank is more like being a shareholder. Rather than interest, depositors get a cut of any profits.

Understandably, Western governments are casting around for ideas on how to run a more robust financial system. But what could they possibly learn from such a different approach?

Islamic finance's more prudent rules on debt look attractive in hindsight. But more fundamentally, proponents say it provides a better way to link the financial system to the "real" economy.

Because Islamic banks keep ownership of the asset until the loan is repaid, they have a greater incentive to make sure borrowers do not bite off more than they can chew. The bank shares in the risks of the entrepreneur but also its failures, the argument goes.

I am not suggesting we switch to a lending system without interest payments. But a big gripe emerging in recent weeks is that finance has become out of whack with the needs of the rest of the economy.

In the most extreme cases, it seems investment bankers devoted themselves to developing inventive ways to get higher bonuses rather than facilitating productive investment. Islamic finance shows one way of ensuring savings are put to more useful ends.

Some even say banning short selling of shares reflects sharia thinking, because it stops traders dealing with assets they don't own. "Banning short selling is one of the decisive elements in Islamic finance, so it seems almost that the conventional markets are looking at the Islamic techniques, which so far did not play any role in conventional markets," a financial journalist from Dubai, Gerard Al-Fil, told ABC radio last month.

Sceptics say Islamic finance just dresses up Western finance with different titles. It is also worth noting that the system is not immune from creating bubbles, although the method of lending makes it harder for investors to pile in through debt. A conflict between its religious goals and the goal of turning a profit is another tension, The Economist notes.

Nevertheless, it is booming. High oil prices have filled the coffers of Gulf states, and the region is crammed with capital works projects in need of funding. Muslims account for 20 per cent of the world's population, but Islamic finance makes up less than 1 per cent of world capital, suggesting huge room for growth.

The Islamic bond market has tapered off in the credit crunch, but this appears to be a blip. About $US14 billion in Islamic bonds were issued in the eight months to August, down from $US23 billion in the same time last year, but Standard & Poor's expects issuance to hit $US25 billion next year.

This potential has not crept past Western banks unnoticed, and many have fast-growing sharia-compliant arms. London is vying to capture the market and has changed its laws to allow the different property transfers required for the lending. British media report growing interest even among non-Muslims because of perceptions that it is a more ethical approach to finance.

So expect to see more Islamic banks in years ahead as global banks try to cash in on this growing field. Given the present financial mess, the industry's resilience only makes it harder to ignore.

The Queensland University of Technology (QUT) Muslim community came together with family and friends to observe Ramadhan at a breaking of the fast event held Thursday 18 September.

Over 250 people from the Brisbane Muslim community, QUT staff, students and friends gathered at the QUT Refectory at sunset to break the fast, known as Iftar, and to learn about the Islamic faith, during this month of fasting.

"I am so grateful to be able to enjoy the company of my friends, meet new people and share my faith with other cultures," said QUT student Awwad Alshammary.

Graeme Baguley, Head of QUT's International Student Services, said the event was a great opportunity to encourage interaction between international and local students and staff, while allowing the Muslim Students Association to educate others about the Islamic faith.

"This event is a great example where intercultural understanding and friendship is promoted under the banner of the East West Centre. Staff and students are committed to ensuring we all benefit from our culturally diverse community at QUT," he said.

Muslims observe Ramadhan during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, believed to be the month in which the Qur'an (the book of guidance) was revealed to Angel Gabriel, to deliver it to Prophet Muhammad.

The most prominent event of this month is the fasting (sawm) which should be practiced by all Muslims and is a time to fast from the basic human needs, for the sake of God, and to offer more prayer than usual.

The fast begins just before dawn when Muslims eat a light meal (suhoor) and confirm their intention to fast for the day. Muslims offer five daily prayers throughout Ramadhan, and are encouraged to read the entire Qur'an. The fast ends at sunset following the Magrib prayers, and Ramadhan ending at the sighting of the moon of the 30th day.

During the event, Muslim community representative Aslam Hussain spoke to participants about Ramadhan's significance, explaining the purpose of fasting to develop self-control from temptations out of a sense of duty to God.

"A Muslim with piety and self control developed during the day, along with its inspiration and guidance from the Quran during the night prayers, are the fruits of fasting the month of Ramadhan," said Aslam.

QUT student and Muslim Student Association member Sabrina Amir said that being able to host others with food for Iftar is an important part of Ramadhan, and supports the Muslim values of kindness and solace.

"Being a Muslim gives me a purpose in life, goals to work for, and the happiness and satisfaction from having achieved them," she said

"I am always contented the do good deeds in this life as such behaviours will lead to happiness on earth."

The event was sponsored by QUT International, in conjunction with the East West Program. Iftar and Tarawikh Prayers occur at the Gardens Point and Kelvin Grove Campuses every weekday, with more information available from the East West Centre.

Alhamdulilah this year we intend on providing the following services for Ramadaan

Ramadan fasting Timetables for major Queensland Cities
Brisbane
Bundaberg
Cairns
Gold Coast
Ipswich
Mackay
Mount Isa
Noosa (Sunshine coast)
Toowoomba
Townsville

QUEENSLAND ASSOCIATION OF FIJI MUSLIMS (QAFM) will be hosting iftar on behalf of our local Muslim brothers and sisters at the following mosques INSHALLAH,
LOGAN MOSQUE on 1st saturday of ramadhan september the 6th
HOLLAND PARK MOSQUE on 2nd saturday of ramadhan september the 13th
DARA MOSQUE on 3rd saturday of ramadhan september the 20th
ROCHEADALE MOSQUE on 3rd sunday of ramadhan september the 21st
These iftars are alhamdulillah put together by QAFM through any contribution from the local muslim ummah .QAFM extends invititation to all brothers and sisters in
BRISBANE to all these mosques on the dates above to take part in iftars with all of us and to make dua for all brothers and sisters who contributed towards the iftars. QAFM will inshallah accept your contribution for iftar and use it for iftars only at the above mosques.
For the last seven years QAFM , on behalf of the muslim ummah of brisbane has been collecting ZAKAAT ,LILLAH, FITRANA and sending it to the following :-
FITRANA to DAROOL YATAMA in Lautoka FIJI where children are given islamic education and this centre is a feeder centre for higher level overseas islamic studies.
ZAKAAT Collection is used to provide BUS FARE ,UNIFORM, SHOES ,AND BOOKS for the poor and needy children in FIJI.
QAFM INVITES ANYONE WHO WISHES TO INSPECT OUR SYSTEM OF MONEY DISTRIBUTION TO CONTACT br ANWAR NOOR on 0422355185 and you will be shown the full procedure used by QAFM Inshallah.
Please call 0422355185 for donations so that qafm could issue a receipt for records inshallah.
You could also make all ZAKAAT AND LILLAH donations direct to this dedicated bank account which is purely for poor childrens funds.

Bank : ANZ
Branch : MT GRAVATT
A/C Name: QUEENSLAND ASSOCIATION OF FIJI MUSLIMS
Bsb :014 254
Account number: 3510 20361

EDUCATE POOR CHILDREN TODAY AND THESE CHILDREN WILL PULL THE WHOLE FAMILY OUT OF POVERTY INSHALLAH.

Hi
My name is Mark Byrne and I am looking for your advice and assistance.

We are homestay providers for QUT international program and we are expecting students from Oman to visit QUT next year for 3-6 weeks.
They are a study tour group.
We are in the process of making enquiries regarding families for the students.
Being Irish/Australian it is difficult to find families who can facilitate the needs of the students.
We wish to be respectful of the students beliefs and practices and therefore would feel it better that the may benefit from being with a Muslim families.
What are your thoughts?

The students will need to be in close proximity to QUT Kelvin Grove (The Gap red Hill , New farm etc ) would be fine.
They would also need to be in a family environment ( not a room share situation.)
Do you have any contacts regarding families in these areas.

I would be more than happy to meet or if you wish you could phone me to discuss this.

I look forward to talking with you.

If you would like to view our web site it is as follows.

www.bluearrow.com.au
My mobile number is :
0421 061 436


Kind regards



Mark and Cora Byrne

Source: Courier Mail
THE women in Roqaya Al Ghasara's home town in Bahrain are so proud of their pioneering Olympic sprinter that some of them got together to design and sew a set of tailor-made aerodynamic veils for her to run in. undefined

Egyptian fencer Shaimaa El Gammal, a third-timer at the Olympics, will don Islamic headgear in Beijing for the first time. She says it is a sign she is come of age and she feels more empowered than ever.

This year's Games will see a sizable sprinkling of veiled athletes who are determined to avoid offending devout Muslims back home while showing skimpily dressed rivals there is nothing constricting about wearing "hijab".

Bahrain's Olympic sprinter Rogaya Al Ghasara is set to become the first athlete to compete in the "hijood", a combination of the words "hijab" or veil and "hood", on Tuesday in Beijing.

Designed by Aheda Zanetti, managing director of Australian firm Ahiida, the hijood is breathable, fits snuggly like a hood and covers the hair and neck in accordance with Islamic custom.

"I'm excited that an athlete has gone to the Olympics and there is a possibility that she will achieve gold, with a tiny bit of help from me," Zanetti told Reuters.

Two of them, Bahrain's Roqaya Al Ghasara and veiled Iranian rower Homa Hosseini, won the honour of being flag bearers for their countries at the opening ceremony's parade of athletes.

"The hijab has never been a problem for me. In Bahrain you grow up with it," said Al Ghasara, wearing a white baseball cap over a black veil that covers her hair and neck. Her baggy running gear exposes only her face and hands.

"There are more women in sport all the time from countries like Qatar and Kuwait. You can choose to wear the hijab or not. For me it's liberating," added Al Ghasara, whose close-fitting running veils come in red or white, the Bahraini colours.

Since they first started appearing a few decades ago, veils at the Olympics have always drawn stares.

At this year's Beijing Olympics an unprecedented half a dozen Egyptian athletes, three Iranians, an Afghan and a Yemeni will compete with covered heads like Al Ghasara. They say they want to inspire other women in their countries to break away from Muslim stereotypes.

"People see us wearing the scarf and think we ride camels. But Muslim women can do anything they want," said El Gammal, a bubbly 28-year-old whose sister will compete in the same event, also wearing Islamic headgear.

"When I fence I'm proud that I'm a Muslim. It's very symbolic for women in my country."

Beijing's athletes' village has laid on halal food for the hundreds of Muslims staying there, but it only has a mosque for men, despite scores of Muslim women, mostly bare-headed, from countries such as Tunisia, Iran and Pakistan.

While Saudi Arabia and Brunei do not allow women to formally practise sport, the Gulf nations of United Arab Emirates and Oman have sent women athletes to the 2008 Olympics for the first time.

Iranian women still battle restrictions but three, in headscarves, will compete in rowing, taekwondo and archery. Afghanistan, where the burka used to be compulsory under Taliban rule, has veiled sprinter Robina Muqimyar running the 100 metres.

Al Ghasara, 25, was the first Bahrain-born athlete to strike gold on the international circuit and won the first female medal at the West Asian Games when it opened up to women in 2005.

With a volley of wins, she broke down barriers to women in sport in Bahrain, where many still wear head-to-toe hijab.

At the Olympics, she hopes to help quash the perception among many in the West that the veil is akin to repression.

"We have women who are ambassadors, doctors, pilots," said the runner, who prays daily in her athletes' village bedroom but has a weakness for red nail varnish and shopping.

"I haven't been criticised at home, and at the Olympics race or religion is irrelevant, we're all just here to do sport."

Source: Islam Online
China is set to establish more than 2000 outlets for halal food across the capital to meet the spiritual needs of Muslim athletes and spectators of the Beijing Olympics.

Some 32m yuan ($4.7m) have been allocated to create 2,053 halal food outlets, Wu Shixiong, deputy director of the capital's municipal people's congress was quoted as saying by Xinhua news agency.

Up to 10,000 Muslim athletes, coaches and officials from around the world are expected to visit Beijing during the 17-day Summer Olympics Games that is to be launched next month.

Many more are expected to flock to China to enjoy the games.

In a report to the legislature, Wu said the Muslim visitors will find halal food within easy reach anywhere in Beijing.

The outlets, including restaurants and food shops, will be opened in transport hubs, such as the Capital Airport and the Beijing West Railway Station.

The allocations will also be used to upgrade food processing facilities in major Muslim catering businesses.

The Games Village will provide halal food for Muslim athletes and officials.

The supply of lamb and beef to all halal food outlets could be traced to origin through the supply chain, asserted Wu, who is also the city legislator in charge of supervising food hygiene law enforcement.

Muslims should only eat meat from livestock slaughtered by a sharp knife from their necks, and the name of Allah, the Arabic word for God, must be mentioned.

The former Texan Christian Music Minister and preacher now turned Da'ee (caller to Islam) , Sheik Yusuf Estes landed in Brisbane courtesy of Discover Islam Australia (DIA). His schedule lasted a total of 7 days, in which he delivered 6 lectures at various masaajid, 2 speeches on Radio, 1 live interview on ABC, a day and half daʼwah workshop for aspiring daʼees, a brief visit to an Islamic School and 4 lectures to non-Muslims including talks at major university campuses, a school and the iconic Brisbane City Hall.

Riding a wave of soaring popularity, his talks drew record crowds at each of the masaajid. Unfortunately due to health problems, Estes could not climb stairs at two masaajid and this led to audio problems as he had to be accommodated downstairs. He also was not able to meet many people personally for this reason as well. On the brighter side, 4 people have accepted Islam in Brisbane.

Out of the public scene, the Shiek had a complete tour of Brisbane and visited a Koala Sanctuary before paying a brief visit to Gold Coast.

In his live interview on Radio ABC, the sheikh emphasised that he was from a deeply religious family before he accepted Islam. However, it was not only him but also his father (a church minister), step-mother, wife, and family friend (an ordained priest) who all accepted Islam within a very short time of each other.

The President of Islamic Society of Queensland, Shaibaan Ali, stated that "it was a unique opportunity for the people of Brisbane to listen to the sheikh especially the talk at the City Hall."

His main lecture which was at the Brisbane City Hall drew a crowd of close to 1000 people.

The Sheikhs visit has sparked a great interest in Islam. Discover Islam Australia has been inundated with requests for Islamic literature from all parts of Australia including the Northern Territory and numerous questions are being emailed to it from individuals who desire to broaden their knowledge of Islam.

The organisation feels that although Yusuf Estes has left Brisbane, not only has his visit opened a new chapter in spreading the message about Islam to the wider Australian community but it has filled many Muslims with a lot of zeal and enthusiasm to study and share the meaning and message of Islam with Australians.

Source: IslamOnline
Zainab al-Khatib commanders the attention of the women national soccer team fans not just with her unmistaken talents, dribbling skills and spectacular goals but also her colorful hijab.

"I'm so glad that I set a precedent in Denmark," 15-year-old Khatib, the star of the national team for girls under 16, told IslamOnline.net.

She was recently chosen to join the team after receiving permission from the Danish Football Association (DBU) to be the first ever hijab-clad girl to play for a national team, not only in Denmark but across Europe.

Khatib, who only started her professional football career two years ago, is now the striker for the national team.

She has led her team to an impressive victory in their latest match against Sweden, scoring a wonderful goal.

"Zainab has a strong personality and her attitude is always positive and inspirational in and outside the court," her coach Troels Mansa told IOL.

"She is one of my best players and I am so glad to be her coach."

Denmark has a Muslim minority of nearly 200,000 out of its 5.4 million population.

Islam is the country's second largest religion after the Lutheran Protestant Church.

Practical Hijab

"She has always been an observant Muslim, and we had to support her fulfilling her sport dream," Zainab's father, Ibrahim al-Khatib, told IOL as he happily watches her training.

Source: Islam Online
The issue of polygamy is stirring a heated debate in Australia with the government insisting that polygamy shall remain forbidden and Muslim leaders arguing that polygamous marriages exist and should be recognized to accommodate people and protect their rights.

"There is absolutely no way that the Government will be recognizing polygamist relationships," federal Attorney-General Robert McLelland said on Wednesday, June 25, reported the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC).

"They are unlawful and they will remain as such."

The affirmation came after calls from senior figures in Australia's Muslim community for the government to change the laws and allow polygamous marriages.

Keysar Trad, president of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, said it is time Australia recognize polygamy if that is the will of the woman.

"We, as a society, should say okay well if this woman has willfully chosen to enter into this relationship, make a lifelong commitment to this person, to be married. It shouldn't matter," Trad told ABC.

"If it was a business and the business had four partners, we'd recognize that. But why don't we recognize it when it comes to consensual relationships among adults?"

Sheikh Khalil Chami, of the Islamic Welfare Centre in the Sydney suburb of Lakemba, also called for legalizing polygamous marriages.

"Why not change the law?" he asked.

Islam sees polygamy as a realistic answer to some social woes like adulterous affairs and lamentable living conditions of a widow or a divorced woman.

A Muslim man who seeks a second or a third wife should, however, make sure that he would treat them all on an equal footing, even in terms of compassion.

The Noble Qur'an says that though polygamy is lawful it is very hard for a man to guarantee such fairness.

Source: Islam Online
The Adelaide mosque, Australia's oldest mosque, is getting a major facelift with a government grant that will fund repairs to two of its ancient minarets."This money allocated will restore the fourth minaret of the mosque to its former glory," Michael Harbison, Lord Mayor of the southern city of Adelaide, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) on Tuesday, June 17.

The Adelaide Mosque is to undergo a major refurbishment after being awarded funding under the City Council’s Heritage Incentive Scheme. It has approved a $65,000 grant for the conservation project, which will include the rebuilding of the partially demolished north-west minaret and the entire south-west minaret.

The mosque was built in 1888, becoming the first ever in Australia. Its four towering minarets were added later in 1903.

Did you know.....
• that Muslims worship ONE God only
• that Islam is the fastest growing religion in the world
• that Prophet Muhammad performed miracles
• similar to those of Moses and Jesus (peace be upon them)
• that the Qur'aan is the only of the revealed scriptures that remains in its original unchanged form
• that more than half of all Muslims in Australia were born here
• that Muslims have been present in Australia prior to Captain Cook's arrival
• that Muslims have made significant contributions to Science and Technology
• that more women than men accept Islam

The message and meaning of Islam is sometimes distorted and fabricated so much so that very strong negative images prevail amongst many individuals.Our public lecture on Sunday 22nd June hopes to present the truth about the religion of Islam firsthand in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere,from none other than an ex-Christian preacher.

Assalamu Alaikum

Please forward to colleagues, teachers, lecturers, neighbours, friends and so on. Please feel free to put in your own personal message.

We thank you for promoting this much needed lecture in Brisbane and wish to remind you that the lecture at the City Hall is intended for non Muslims. InshaAllah you will have an opportunity to meet the Sheikh when he gives lectures at Lutwyche, Kuraby and Gold Coast Mosques.

We also remind you that we are still short of funds for the Sheikhs tour. To donate please call 1300 788 526. You can pay by cheque, money order, transfer or we can pick up from you.

You can view a video of how Yusuf Estes, a former Preacher converted to Islam here
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yg54VKmMFXw&feature=related

Thanks

Was Salaam

Sent on behalf of
http://www.discoverislamaustralia.com/

Inna lillahi wa inna ilayi raiun - Janaza Salaat for Haje Ebrahim Patel will be held today at 1:15pm Inshaalah at Kuraby Mosque then to Mt. Gravatt cemetary


Haje Ebrahim Patel was a pioneer for Islam in Brisbane and will be sadly missed.


Please remember Haje Ebrahim in your prayers


Was Salaam

The Bosniak Islamic Society of Queensland still needs funds to build the new masjid

source: IslamOnline.net

 JAKARTA — Sonya Chaterina loved swimming as a child, but like many other Muslim women had to give it up as a teenager because her faith requires a modest wearing in public.

"A bathing suit was from then on no longer an option," Chaterina, 29, told Deutsche Presse-Agentur (DPA) on Monday, April 7.

For years she had to settle for watching while her husband and two kids enjoyed swimming.

"I was very disappointed," she recalled.

That continued to be the case until she met Ait Djajaleksana, another mother who also was unable to join her daughters in the swimming pool.

Djajaleksana created SAMIRA, a head-to-ankle swimsuit allowing her to go to the beach while wearing modestly.

The one-piece suit comes with a hood that covers up the head and the neck.

It also has a loose shirt that comes in a variety of prints over it so it is not revealing when wet.

The swimsuit is enabling Chaterina to reconcile her faith and her passion for swimming.

"Now, I can also play with my kids in the water, and be healthy."

Popular

Anom, Djajaleksana's husband, says that when his wife came out with the swimsuit idea it was initially for "personal purposes."

"I didn't want to be the one who always has to take our kids to the swimming pool," he said laughingly.

"I want my wife to do the chore also."

But what began as a solution for their family's pool problem became a hit across Indonesia, the world's most populous Muslim nation.

The swimsuit became so popular among friends that Anom quit his banking job to run his wife's design which they named after their daughters, Sabitha, 11, and Amira, 7.

"We sew between 150 and 200 pieces in a month."

The suit, which sells for 225,000 rupiah (25 dollars), is available online as well as in stores nationwide.

Chaterina, the mother of two who was among the first to use it, also joined the business as a model and spokesperson.

The swimsuit is now popular even among non-Muslims in the Southeast Asian nation.

"Some women in general, regardless of their religion, sometimes have the self-confidence issue regarding their body shapes," said Siti Aisyah, a 38-year-old engineer.

"So many of us are not comfortable wearing just regular swimsuits available in the market," she added.

It is not the first time Muslims have come up with creative ideas for modest sportswear items.

Inspired by her hijab-clad niece who was playing netball, Aheda Zanetti, an Australian mother-of-four, created last year a light-weight two-piece bathing suit called Burqini.

Californian microbiologist Shereen Sabet, 36, also came up with a body-covering Splashgear suit after searching in vain for Islam-appropriate scuba gear.

Bald Hills Maddrassah’s inaugural event was held on Sunday, the 16th of March. Parents, friends and ulama gathered at the Bald Hills Masjid in support of the students of the maddrassah.

Moulana Akram Buksh of Kuraby Masjid, conducted the event admirably as the master of ceremonies. The performances by students ranged across various categories, including qiraat (Quran recitation), nasheeds (Islamic songs), speeches and even a play, which was an adaptation of Little Red Riding Hood – all of which was extremely well received by the audience.

Guest performances included a wonderful nasheed by the students of Kuraby Maddrassah, and two eloquent speeches, which were delivered by Dr Mohammad Abdullah and Moulana Uzair of Griffith University and Holland Park Masjid respectively.

Other highlights of the day included an unique menu which was undoubtedly a crowd favourite, and children’s entertainment. The main meal included a delectable Malaysian lamb curry, served on a bed of rice with fried chicken as a side. Free fairy floss, a jumping castle, merry-go-round and a gigantic inflatable slide ensured that the children enjoyed their day too.

Bald Hills Maddrassah would like to thank everyone for their attendance, as well as those who gave generous donations, during the planning stages, to make this event possible. Particular mention must be made of the parents of our students, and our sponsors: Bracken Ridge Halal Meats, Nando’s Mt Gravatt, ABD Chicken and Everyday Tree Lopping – thank you for your support

As Salaam Alaikum

The Bosniak Islamic Society of Queensland (2674 Logan Road, Eight Mile Plains, Brisbane) is well in the process of building its new Masjid. The shell of the new Masjid is now almost complete and funds are urgently needed to continue to finish the Masjid.

Not everyone is given this rewarding opportunity to contribute to building of a new masjid. The Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) said that whoever builds a mosque for the sake of Allah, Allah will build a similar place for him in Paradise.

Donations can be made at the commonwealth bank

Name: Islamic Society of Eight Mile Plains Inc

BSB:064 170

Account number:1023 3602

Or money orders can be sent to Islamic Society of Eight Mile Plains Inc, PO Box 279 Sunnybank Qld 4109.

Alternatively if you like to donate items towards the masjid (eg doors, air-conditioning etc) you can by contacting the board on 3841 2504 or the imam via email

e-mail is sifet@optusnet.com.au



Was Salaam,

Sifet Omerovic

IslamOnline.net
DAMASCUS — The Palestinian resistance movement Hamas has thanked Egypt for its "wise" handling of the influx of Gazans into the Sinai peninsula over the past few days to resupply in the face of a crippling Israeli blockade, while accepted an Egyptian initiative to renew talks with Fatah.

"We thank Egypt and urge it to continue to deal with wisdom with this emergency, brought about by the harsh siege," Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal told Reuters in an interview.

Egypt has been critical of an Israeli blockade against the Hamas-controlled Gaza strip that resulted in fuel and food shortages and prompted Palestinian fighters to blow up last week a section of an Israeli wall separating the territory from Egypt.

Israel, whose attacks have killed and wounded scores of Palestinians in Gaza and the West bank over the past few weeks, refused to lift the deadly blockade until Palestinian fighters stop rocket fire.

Meshaal played down any potential for conflict with Egypt and said Hamas would be willing to share control of the main Rafah crossing point with Fatah and the Egyptian authorities.

"The security concerns of Egyptian officials are understandable and we have said that we are ready to share management of the Rafah crossing," Meshaal said.

After Hamas seized control of the territory to face what it termed a coup by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas's Fatah movement, Israel sealed Gaza and isolated it.

The Rafah crossing, Gaza's only border post that bypasses Israel, has been closed almost continuously.

Thousands of Palestinians poured Saturday, January 26, for a fourth day into Egypt from Gaza to re-supply.

Egypt started to close the border on Friday but Palestinians bulldozed open a new passage, while Egyptian troops kept watching from distance at strict orders from President Hosni Mubarak not to deal forcibly with Palestinians.

Mubarak reiterated on Thursday that Egypt would not let the Palestinians starve.

For the first time, hundreds of vehicles crossed Saturday into Egyptian territory overnight.

The United Nations said at least 700,000 Gazans have poured into Egypt to stock up on desperately needed supplies since the heavy steel wall was blasted open on Tuesday — nearly half the territory's population of 1.5 million.

The Palestinians and human rights groups like Amnesty International say the Israeli blockade amounts to collective punishment.

The UN Security Council on Friday again failed to reach a compromise deal that would call for an end to Israel's blockade of Gaza over Arab rejection of US amendments to the non-binding statement.

Fatah Dialogue

Meshaal also said Hamas accepted an invitation by Egypt to hold talks with President Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah faction to solve the Palestinian schism.

"I and all the brothers in the Hamas leadership welcome participating and will seek to make the dialogue a success," Meshaal.

Mubarak, in an interview published on Saturday, January 26, invited the two sides to meet for talks in Egypt.

Egyptian state-run media said Mubarak was seeking to hold what it described as a summit between Meshaal and Abbas in Cairo.

Meshaal, who lives in Syria, said Hamas has not been informed about when the meeting could be held. There was no immediate response from Fatah.

"We are responding to the Egyptian invitation as we heard about it. The details and any follow-up are up to them," Meshaal said.

The rift between Hamas and Fatah widened after Abbas had sacked a national unity government headed by Hamas leader Ismail Haniyeh after Hamas seized control of the Gaza Strip.

Abbas set up a parallel government in the West Bank led by respectable economist Salam Fayyad.

Abbas has demanded that Hamas relinquish its hold on Gaza and agree to early presidential and parliamentary elections before resuming a dialogue with Hamas, which insists on unconditional talks.