AMUST
AUSTRALASIAN MUSLIM TIMES
www.amust.com.au ISSUE # 187
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Multicultural News & Views
JUNE 2021; SHAWWAL 1442
Mainstream media perpetuating Islamophobia
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PH: (02) 9158 3020
Laws against vilification and hate crimes AUSTRALIA PAGE 12
NEWS PAGE 4
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Digital Newspaper Available
EMAIL: INFO@AMUST.COM.AU
We all have a second brain EDUCATION PAGE 20
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NSW Government grab for cemeteries BUSINESS PAGE 21
Global outcry against Israel’s brutal attacks Zia Ahmad
Sydney rally for Palestine on Saturday 22 May. Photo: Tom Toby Photographer.
The storming of the al-Aqsa Mosque, on Saturday 8 May coinciding with 27 Ramadan Lailatul Qadr, by Israeli forces and then the brutal aerial bombardment of Gaza for 11 days with dramatic images of demolition of multi storey buildings resulting in the death of more than 250 Palestinians including 66 children shook the conscience of the world with rallies in support of Palestine. There were a number of rallies in support of Palestinians in all major cities of Australia with calls for a stop to Israel’s illegal acquisition of Palestinian lands, oppression in the occupied territories and total blockade of Gaza, considered as an open prison with people living in a miserable condition. The ceasefire finally came into effect on Friday 21 May and while it is life as usual for Israelis now, it is time for the people in Gaza to take stock of the dead and high number of injured and start cleaning up the rubble and try rebuilding their houses and life from scratch again. Israel flaunts UN resolutions on a regular basis and its occupation and confiscation of Palestinian land is unacceptable under International law and according to Human Rights Watch and B’Tselem, Israel is guilty of crime of apartheid with discriminatory policies against the Palestinians.
Countering Hate
Webinar on local and global action
Self-care retreat empowers women Princess R Lakshman
Manarul Islam Due to the uncertainty caused by COVID-19, the annual Multicultural Eid Festival & Fair (MEFF) scheduled at Fairfield Showground was cancelled this year. In order to compensate for a themed MEFF reception, an online webinar was conducted instead on Sunday 30 May 2021, the date when the festival was scheduled at 3 pm with the support of IFEW and AMUST. The webinar, titled Countering Hate & Extremism: Thinking globally; Acting locally, was facilitated by Zia Ahmad, Trustee of MEFF and Editor-in-Chief of AMUST. Speakers included: Professor Greg Burton Dr Haroon Kasim Dr Adil Hassan Khan continued on page 9
More than 50 women from diverse background and ages attended a unique self care Mind Body & Soul Women’s Retreat on Sunday 30 May 2021 organised by Seena Incorporated at the newly renovated Dar-ul-Islam community centre in Bonnyrigg, Western Sydney. The spectacular event enabled the participants to gather, relax, foster friendships and feel empowered and included self care tips, pampering activities, three course lunch, henna art while immersing themselves in this unique, blissful experience of self care and mind wellness. Initially catered for a crowd of 30, however, the soaring demand for extra tickets for 50 people was a clear indication to the event organisers that there is a desperate need for women in the community to gather and enjoy a few hours where they give themselves the same love and care that they bestow upon their family members, often at the expense of putting themselves last. Princess R Lakshman, an experienced workshop facilitator, a regular AMUST columnist, clinical nutritionist, life coach, and counsellor, facilitated the Self Care and Mind Wellness segment. The 2-hour interactive segment was a re-
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sounding success of enthusiasm and eager participation where Princess held a sacred space for the women to be vulnerable and share their stories. It was a space that encouraged self-care,
self-love, self-awareness, and self-forgiveness, and many beautiful moments of shared laughter and some tears. continued on page 9
Mind, Body & Soul - Women’s Retreat at Dar-ul-Islam. Dispose of this paper thoughtfully - PLEASE RECYCLE