MUSLIM
AUSTRALASIAN
Multimedia News & Views
ISSN: 1039-2300
Print Post Publication No. 100021354
Print edition published Monthly on first Friday with Website updates
Illegality of Iraq War
Launch of ICSOA
BOOMERANG PAGE 7
COMMUNITY PAGE 9
Issue # 129
S
TIME
AMUST
www.amust.com.au
Phone: (02) 8006 2063 Email: info@amust.com.au
August 2016; Dhul Qa’dah 1437
Sydney Celebrates Eid (Pictures)
AUSTRALIA PAGE 11
$1.00
Rallies in Support for Kashmir UMMAH PAGE 21
Failed Coup divides Call on PM to publicly condemn Islamophobia opinion on Turkey Abu Anees
Zia Ahmad While there has been almost a unanimous condemnation of the coup attempt, in Turkey itself as well as outside Turkey, the fallout has polarised opinions for and against the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Personal accusations by President Erdogan against the founder of the Hizmet movement, Imam Fethullah Gulen soon after the coup attempt has created bitter animosity between the followers of the two great icons of Turkey. A number of Turkish organisations, charities, schools and intercultural and interfaith organisations in Australia as well as in other countries are inspired by the thoughts and teachings of Gulen, so are millions of Muslims globally. Erdogan is himself a product of the Islamic political movement in Turkey which is largely inspired by Gulen. Over the years, in partnership with Gulen’s movement, he has been able to curb the political power of the military. The government led by Erdogan for more than a decade has made tremendous progress in economic development and Islamisation of the Turkish society. He has also played a role as an international statesman, concerned about the welfare of Muslims on
Recep Erdogan.
Fethullah Gulen.
the globe. However in recent years, Erdogan has been accused of grabbing more power and decimating the opposition in the country. Using the attempted coup incident, it seems that he will be consolidating more power within the presidency. During the last three years he has become increasingly intolerant of the Hizmet movement that initiated Islamic reforms in the Turkish society and build Islamic institutions including universities, schools, hospitals, aid agencies in Turkey as well as in many other countries including Australia. They have been highly successful in managing them most competently, transparently and in accordance with local laws and regulations. continued on page 3
Muslim leaders have called upon key politicians to raise their voices against hate speech by the Senator-elect Pauline Hanson. The media focus on Ms Hanson and her constant vilification of Islam and demonisation of Muslims seems to be having a detrimental effect on community harmony in Australian. Support for her call for banning of Muslims entering Australia by Nine Network celebrity Sonia Kruger has started an ugly debate in various sections of the community. According to the Islamophobia register, there has been an increase in verbal and physical attacks on Muslims particularly women while a number of mosques have been vandalised. Professor Shahjahan Khan, Founding President of Islamic Society of Toowoomba has written an open letter dated 1 August 2016 to the Prime Minister calling on him to publicly condemn Ms Hanson’s extremist views. “The community requests that you and your colleagues publicly reject the politics of division, hate and attacks on a section of the peaceful people of Australia. This is a normal expectation of any leader who is committed to do good to all citizens, not just working for any selected group of them”,
Senator-elect Pauline Hanson. Prof Khan has written. Reminding the PM of the last time Ms Hanson espoused racist attacks against Asians that were rejected too little too late by the then prime minister Mr John Howard, that resulted in racial tensions and riots 20 years ago. “In the past, the rise of Ms Hanson was at the expense of the conservative politics in Australia. The initial neglect of Prime Minister John Howard, and not speaking against her on time gave her a free go to divide the nation. I am afraid it will be the same this time if her poisonous views are not challenged now to stop the damage”, Prof Khan writes. continued on page 3
AMUST wins Premier’s Multicultural Media Award AMUST Media The Australasian Muslim Times AMUST has won the Premier’s Multicultural Media Award 2016 in the Best Editorial/ Commentary Category. The Award was received by Zia Ahmad, Managing Editor of AMUST during the award ceremony held on 21 July. AMUST was finalists in a total of four categories namely Emerging Journalist (under 30) nomination for Mobinah Ahmad, AMUST Multimedia Journalist; Best Image for Mobinah’s People of Persia series; Best Print Publication nomination for Rubinah Ahmad, AMUST Graphic designer/Webmaster and Best Editorial/Commentary nomination for Zia Ahmad, Managing Editor AMUST for his editorial titled “Loyalty to One’s nation a universal, Islamic and Australian value. NSW Premier Mike Baird and Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka announced the winners of the 2016 Premier’s Multicul-
tural Media Awards in various categories at the award presentation dinner held at Dalton House, Sydney on Thursday 21 July 2016. “The quality of this year’s nominations shows the strength of the state’s multicultural media sector and I congratulate all of tonight’s winners and finalists,” Mr Baird said. “Our multicultural communities are better informed; thanks to the work of our multicultural media outlets and I commend all of the winners, finalists and representatives of more than 100 media outlets here tonight,” Mr Ajaka said. Australian Jewish news won the awards in five categories while SBS received awards in three categories. The Lifetime Achievement Award was won by Armando Tornari, an accomplished photographer and community leader from the Italian Community. The entertainment at the event was provided by The Sydney World Chamber Music Orchestra, composed of a unique combination of artists from diverse cultures, faiths and traditions.
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Minister for Multiculturalism John Ajaka with Australasian Muslim Times Managing Editor Zia Ahmad at the Premier’s Multicultural Media Awards. Dispose of this paper thoughtfully - PLEASE RECYCLE