tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14779444541169484502024-02-20T23:05:10.042-08:00Silma IhramAssalaam álaikum or peace to you.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-71438340814189936362016-09-28T12:07:00.002-07:002016-09-30T05:44:09.322-07:00Shariah law - A Current Affair Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week saw A Current Affair produce a piece on ‘Shariah
law’ in Australia. This is an area that has both confused and alarmed
Australians – and in fact most Westerners. ACA managed not only to increase the
alarm, but also completely misrepresent what Muslims believe and practice in
this area.<br />
<br />
There are three things that I think most worry Australians –
Shariah represents a way of life that is based on the 7th century,
Muslims aim to replace Australian law with Shariah law, Shariah law is an
inflexible and harsh system that is totally incompatible with Australian values
and the Australian way of life.<br />
<br />
All of these are totally and absolutely wrong or inaccurate.<br />
<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
Firstly, let’s look at what ‘Shariah law’ is in comparison
to ‘Australian law’. Like Australian law – which is based on the Commonwealth
of Australia Constitution Act 1900 and is a reflection of British law dating
back centuries, Islamic law has a basis in the Quran and Hadith (sayings of the
Prophets). While Islamic law or Shariah is much older and more continuous than
Australian law, no one wants to live under the same law that applied in the
year 1900 in Australia, or in the year 1850 in Britain, or in the year 750 in
Mecca. That is because <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all law changes to reflect the current
situation, the local culture, and local needs</i></b>. If we look today at the
limited application of Shariah through any court system (and mostly in the
Muslim world it is post-colonial French, British, Italian systems – not Shariah
any more) we would see a huge difference between its application in Iran,
Mecca, or Malaysia. This is the same for all applied law – it has to be
relevant to its time. And Islamic law is no different.<br />
<br />
So, let’s clarify again – Shariah law is like Australian
law, in that it is based on concepts that are quite old, but has to be applied
in context (in Islam this is part of what is called the Maqasid) and has to be
relevant to the time it is applied in. Both Australian law and Islamic law have
a long history of scholars/ judges/ lawyers who interpreted it (Islamic law had
14 centuries of scholarly interpretation). Most importantly, this same Shariah
law states a Muslim must respect the laws of the land that he or she lives in.
It is not up to the individual to change the law – only the State. So Muslims –
by reason of Shariah law – have to respect Australian law.<br />
<br />
So what is it that the Shariah actually deals with? Is it
all about chopping off hands, marrying four wives or beheading? In some countries it does include this. Our ally
Saudi Arabia, which has a particularly harsh and narrow interpretation of
Shariah law, regularly implements the death penalty through beheading – which
is something our diplomats seldom bring up, never complain about, and should be
campaigning against. Most Muslims in Australia would not want to live under
such a harsh penal code – and would never try and bring such a system to
Australia. Just as most Australians do not want the death penalty or their gun laws to be brought
in from our ally America.<br />
<br />
In reality, for most Muslims, Shariah law is more concerned
with how a Muslim prays, how they fast, what rights their
children/neighbours/parents etc have. This is not to say that even here there
is One Immutable Law as ACA tried to present by saying that Shariah was ‘God’s word’.
This is rubbish! (Only the Quran is God’s Word and that is not definitive in
how law should be applied). In the early centuries of Islam there were many,
many scholars who set about establishing laws for a just and fair society that
was based on the principles and (very few) rulings of the Quran. Their many ‘schools’ were eventually condensed into 4 schools from about the 16th century in the Sunni tradition. There are different Shariah
applications/schools again in the Shia tradition. And highly Western educated
and traditionally educated scholars today are trying to figure out how to apply
these same principles to modern issues – genetic technology, modern economics,
environmental issues, family law - to name a few. These Muslim scholars know how much they have to catch up
– traditional scholarship was decimated by the replacement of traditional law
with Western law throughout Africa, the Middle East, Asia and South East Asia.
This resulted in the loss of most of its scholars, teachers, schools and even
its books of knowledge.<br />
<br />
Now let’s deal with the last concern – Shariah law is
inflexible. Again, this is not true. If it was inflexible, then we would see
the same laws applied in Indonesia, in the Maldives, in the UAE and in Senegal. But these countries have very different applications of Islamic law. Those lawyers and judges who seek to apply the law have to take into
consideration the following key principles – protection of faith (including
churches, synagogues etc and their religious followers), life (all the people
under their jurisdiction), wealth, intellect (the freedom to think which is
akin to freedom of speech), family and honour (respect for the individual).
These are very broad concepts. Most importantly, in protecting these 6 areas,
jurists also have to respect the local culture. This is one of the main reasons
why there is so much difference in the application of Islamic law from one
country to another.<br />
<br />
Considering that the population of Muslims in Australia is
only 2% - why do we even care about ‘Shariah law’? It’s not likely that even
with massive immigration, Australia will be at any risk from this area for
a very long time. But Australia <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">can
benefit</i> from being aware of Shariah law. Why?? Because it involves areas
where Australia can gain economically. Between one fifth and one sixth of the
world’s population is Muslim. Many of our trading partners are Muslim majority
countries. <b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">In Australia we are benefitting hugely by being aware of and catering
for the needs of those billions of Muslim people – through economics, food and
fashion</i></b>. Australia has begun to implement Islamic finance for some of
our wealthy trading partners. Interest – or Usury as it was described for
hundreds of years amongst Christians – is condemned because it makes the rich
richer, and the poor poorer. Our global economy demonstrates this every day –
most countries allocate most of their income into paying off accumulated
interest loans, and in some cases it has caused the potential bankruptcy of
whole nations. Islamic finance shares both the risk and the profit – and
eliminates this unfair system of interest or usury.<br />
<br />
In the area of food, Muslims must take the life of an
animal only while remembering its Creator and following similar practices to
those of the Jewish community. This has resulted in a huge halal trade – some
of which has indeed been controversial. In fact, any deliberate or negligent mistreatment
of an animal renders its slaughter not halal. Which actually means that
educated Muslims in Australia also condemn much of what is currently happening
in our halal export of animals. The next step in our halal industry is to focus
on animal welfare – at all stages of their lives - which would make Australia
truly a leader in the global halal industry. Lastly, Islamic fashion has really
taken off in Australia and now represents a growing source of exports to many
different parts of the world.<br />
<br />
I hope in this (probably too long winded) blog, to try and
address what I attempted to say in my half hour interview with ACA. And I’ll
summarise it below:<br />
<br />
<ul>
<li>Shariah law is far more concerned with the
personal ethics and behaviour of a practising Muslim than it is with harsh
punishment </li>
<li>Shariah law is flexible, is based on principles
that are contained in the Quran and Hadith, and must respect the local culture </li>
<li>The principles that underpin Shariah law are
largely the same as ‘Australian values’ although they are much more clearly
defined</li>
<li>Muslims in Australia do not want the type of law
that exists in a country like Saudi Arabia to be implemented here </li>
<li>Part of the principles of Shariah law require
that Muslims must respect the law of the land – they cannot take the law into
their own hands -especially where it permits Muslims to fulfil their religious
obligations of praying, fasting etc. </li>
<li>There are only 2% of Muslims in Australia –
there is no threat to Australia from such a tiny minority </li>
<li>Australia has already and could increase its significant
financial benefit from being aware of Islamic law in engaging in trade with its
global trading partners. </li>
<li>Australian Muslims do not want to implement 7th century legal practices in the 21st century</li>
</ul>
Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-11063463945998818352016-07-07T02:57:00.002-07:002016-07-07T02:58:29.798-07:00Thank you Chilcot<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Finally the Chilcot Inquiry has confirmed what many of us have been saying for years. That the global problems that we face today are the result of the decisions of our Western governments to invade, and to destabilise countries, destroying the infrastructure of so many societies.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The history of Western involvement in regime change is legendary. Beginning with the <br />
<a name='more'></a>rewriting of borders throughout the Middle East after World War II, and the betrayal of Arab allies by establishing Israel in Palestine, the West continued to interfere with the 1953 28 Mordad coup when the US and its ally Britain engineered the overthrow of the democratically elected Iranian government because they would not agree to the harsh terms of American oil interests. The replacement of Mordad with the Shah, inevitably led to the rise of Shia fundamentalism and the 1979 Iranian revolution which brought hard-line Islamic political theory into mainstream politics. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Using Afghanistan as a pawn in the Cold War back-fired when Osama bin Laden took his American military training and turned against his mentors. Osama had the same callous attitude towards Western civilisation that he had learned from the callous treatment of Afghanistan by the US. Saddam Hussein was the next puppet who eventually stopped playing the game and had to be removed by his former Western allies. Perhaps we will never know what finally triggered our Western democracies to turn against him. The excuses of WMD have never been convincing, while his brutal treatment of opponents was no different to the treatment of Palestinians in Israel, Zimbabweans under Mugabe, or countless other brutal leaders that our Western governments do business with. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There has been a distinct lack of accountability by any of our Western governments in their constant covert or overt interference in the political life of poorer countries, particularly Middle Eastern countries. Commercial interests have been at the core of our political decision making for decades, without any long term consideration of the results of a consumer based, unsustainable way of life. But the concept of 'karma' - or reaping what you sow, is also present in our own monotheistic religions. The results of selfish, callous behaviour will and eventually has yielded a bitter harvest. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Terrorism is now rampant in almost every country - originating in the countries that were most affected by Western ME policy - Afghanistan and Iraq. This cancer of destabilisation has spread not only to other Middle Eastern countries, but to most countries in the West - particularly those who have been contributors to the destruction of the Muslim world. The leaders of DAESH were schooled in Iraqi detention camps, the leaders of Al Qaida were trained by the CIA and now educated children born in the West have learned the same callous indifference to life that accompanies ongoing US drone strikes. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The flight of millions of refugees from their destroyed homes throughout so many countries in Africa, the Middle East and accompanied soon by climate refugees, will permanently change both the demographic and economic future of our world. We cannot go back to society as we knew it. All of this was preventable. It was our greedy pursuit of wealth, of our own interests above the interests of others, that have led us inevitably down this path. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Have we learned from any of this? No. As climate change continues unabated, the Extreme Right grows in response to DAESH and belligerency increases with Trump in the US. We are still concerned more with maintaining our wealth than with our ethics. Wealth does not bring happiness - bringing good to the world through living ethically does. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Yes it is true that our Muslim world must have a long hard look at the terrible monster that is lurking within our community. And we need to work hard to root it out, and inoculate our community against its brutal ideology which is anathema to the teachings of the Prophet and the Quran. But so also should our Western world (and I include myself as a Westerner) have a long hard look at our hypocritical ethics - which values the life of our own citizens very differently to the lives of others.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thank you Chilcot for speaking the truth about the cause of our present crises. </div>
Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-1892454477210385632016-01-30T17:55:00.000-08:002016-01-30T17:55:43.732-08:00Welcoming Internal Criticism <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This week saw the arrival of Majeed Nawaz to Sydney. A former Hizb Tahrir member, Majeed has been campaigning against extremism - particularly Islamism and jihadist Islamism - for many years. While his audience and supporters within his home country of the UK and internationally has increased substantially, support within the Muslim community has been considerably lacking. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Invitations to the Muslim community here were met with almost universal avoidance, bar a few courageous individuals who met with him privately. When I expressed an interest in attending his talk, colleagues attempted to disabuse me of the idea based on articles and allegations that related less to his ideas and statements and more to his alleged government support and personal attributes.<br />
<br />
Despite the disincentives, I attended his talk in the Seymour Centre, and found that what he argued was logical and rational, understanding of the Muslim community but also challenging. There was little that I could disagree with. My audience question related to whether his continual reference to democracy - a system that is as flawed as all others if not implemented with appropriate accountability mechanisms and by people who are just - was more about the freedom of choice rather than the system itself. I cited Malaysia, South Africa, Mugabe and various other claimed 'democracies' - even our own corrupt Auburn Council which is currently facing the sack. He agreed wholeheartedly and did not dispute my statement.<br />
<br />
The evening was a pleasant one and I had the opportunity to chat with many of those who attended, being one of the few Muslim community 'representatives' who could respond to queries and concerns of my fellow audience members, even being approached as I walked the streets to the station.<br />
<br />
This highlights to me a huge problem that we have within our community. It's so difficult for many of our community to engage with realistic criticism of how Islam appears. So quick to be judgemental and call out Islamophobia - which does exist and I also am the target of trolls - we are less available to engage with discussing the <i>ideas</i> that underpin fear of Islam, of Shariah and those who claim Islam as their own while committing unconscionable violence to others. Many of us are so focussed on defence that we don't actually understand that theocracy is not something that historically Muslim civilisations have practiced. We haven't engaged at a grassroots level about the practicalities of when and how we should go to war, on what principles, what really <i>is</i> justice and what a 21st century system of governance in a Muslim majority country should look like.<br />
<br />
As a community we pine for a romantic notion of a Caliphate where a Muslim ruler will enact laws based on the Shariah. The fact that historically most rulers were Sultans and or hereditary monarchies is conveniently ignored. The fact that the most successful Islamic civilisations had the ruler, and therefore holder of power, separated from the systems of justice developed by Islamic scholars (our modern day separation of powers) is also seldom discussed. It seems that we have combined the governance of the very last and most noble Prophet of God (may Allah grant him abundant blessings and peace) with the foretold Mahdi who will lead an army against gross injustice, without considering the mundane and practical aspects of a just system of statehood in the modern world that does not deny 'modern' human rights and led by a capable Muslim (and team) who is neither Prophet nor Mahdi, but is accountable to all of the State's citizens - of all persuasions.<br />
<br />
We have a new generation of Western Muslims who understand their neighbours aspirations and desires for freedom of choice and for accountability of governance. We are quick to claim those same aspirations when it relates to our own needs. Many of this new generation have the education and intelligence to respond to the challenges of the likes of Maajid Nawaz. We have public debates on important issues. Discussions and challenges are rife in Social Media. As Muslims we all adhere to the belief that our religion has the answers - <i>all</i> the answers. If this is not going to be just blind faith, then we need to call on our scholars to articulate this truth more clearly, and develop meaningful responses to our critics whether internal or external. With their critical probing, perhaps we can finally begin to develop a realistic and practical vision of a just future based on Islam that is more than a mythical Caliphate, and cannot be hijacked for violent political ends.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com16tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-6278164300366733832015-10-10T19:43:00.004-07:002015-10-11T04:29:36.254-07:00Solutions not Apologies is Leadership<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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The Muslim community is once again under scrutiny and the sense of fear within the Australian community at large and the Muslim community in particular is palpable following the tragic and senseless shooting of Curtis Cheng outside his workplace in Parramatta by a vulnerable, disillusioned, ill informed 15 year old boy. While it is convenience politically to call this an act of terror, as an educator, I recognise that<br />
<a name='more'></a> this was the intent of those who manipulated this kid into such an act, but I don't want to give them the credit for achieving their purpose - I would rather call it straight - senseless murder.<br />
<br />
Once again the Muslim community struggles to address a growing problem - one that is growing globally and shows no sign of reduction. As Muslims we turn to our religious scholars for wisdom and guidance, but unfortunately they are seldom seen in the media, and if they are, it is often in Arabic and therefore maligned. This is not good enough for me, and for most Australians.<br />
<br />
I wish I was a scholar, but I am not - despite holding three Masters degrees. I am still studying and hope one day to achieve the lowest ranks of Islamic scholarship, but it will be many years of study before I achieve such a status. At a minimum I need to be fluent in classical Arabic, have memorised large sections of the Quran along with its deep, historical, contextual interpretation from at least 3 scholars, and have memorised a large number of the Prophet's sayings and again, their relevant, historical, contextual interpretations from various scholars. Yet, I feel compelled to answer questions that are put to me through social media, Facebook, in person and through the media. Because those who do have such knowledge don't have my real world experience as an Australian born here, or the skills of standing in front of a camera and relating to our wider community. The risks are enormous because if I make a mistake, it has huge consequences. You only need to reflect on the statements made by Sheikh Taj ud Din Hilaly - one of the most educated Islamic scholars to live in this country - who just didn't get how to understand Australian culture and apply the wisdom of Islam for the benefit of his Australian community when he spoke to the media.<br />
<br />
Like a growing number of other Muslim women who have the courage to speak out, we despair at times that many of the 'religious leaders' in our community are still in denial about the extent of the difficulties that we face and fail to recognise the need to have strong moral, ethical, guidance from the top of our Muslim community all the way down to Muslim homes and families.<br />
<br />
However, there are hopeful signs. The National Imams Consultative Forum have produced a publications of ethical positions that they adopted after several meetings this year called "<a href="http://imamsonline.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/AustralianImamsStatements.pdf" target="_blank">An Australian Muslim perspective on some key contemporary concerns</a>". This is real leadership - it should be referred to endlessly by people such as myself. It should be something every Muslim community demands that their local Imam has read, and accepts, before listening to their Khutbah or Friday sermon. And it should be something that every school or University Prayer group around the country is given before their chosen Imam (who could be one of the kids themselves or a volunteer) is allowed to speak at Friday prayer.<br />
<br />
There are more initiatives that we need. Training is needed for the Mentors of our Muslim community - whether they are Imams, or sports coaches, or religious teachers in our Islamic or public schools. This training has to include counselling skills, understanding Australian institutions and culture, recognising domestic abuse and the needs of Muslim women and so on and so on. Once we have sufficient trained workers we need a hotline for the young in our community who are confused by the endless propaganda on the internet, the media and their peer groups, to pick up the phone and find someone who can clarify their concerns. We need more counter narratives on Facebook, on the internet and in video. We need more research about what has worked and has not worked in other countries as we are so behind in building our social infrastructure. We need moral, ethical leadership from every Imam in the country - and the end to angry ranting, blaming and victimhood.<br />
<br />
But all of this requires that our Muslim organisations stop putting their money into yet another mosque and into social infrastructure instead. They must be willing to work together and show mutual respect to each other (which unfortunately doesn't happen all of the time) and recognise that it's not the government's problem to solve this - ITS OURS.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-44884802597502883912014-11-03T18:31:00.000-08:002014-11-03T18:32:55.849-08:00QandA Bankstown with Attorney General Brandis<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx9vwlMFYXnDnE_U9zAFKIwSwh6UGUXTOHY-Y_UHoGUE4ylFz2Zb70Bh03kBySdykAWLROtSXEbJJViWeDLJmQYzPgZYn_ipmqEVYwFmSGm0RASYn1G640fVptNWzOUMh4_-oWOkm-TPw/s1600/Brandis+QandA.png" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUx9vwlMFYXnDnE_U9zAFKIwSwh6UGUXTOHY-Y_UHoGUE4ylFz2Zb70Bh03kBySdykAWLROtSXEbJJViWeDLJmQYzPgZYn_ipmqEVYwFmSGm0RASYn1G640fVptNWzOUMh4_-oWOkm-TPw/s1600/Brandis+QandA.png" height="192" width="320" /></a><span lang="EN-US">Last night I was one of the few Muslims in
Bankstown who attended the QandA session. It was boycotted by many of the
Muslim community, led by a few agitators who had tried to convince the ABC
QandA crew from changing the format of the show. I agreed with them, but always
believe it is better to engage where engagement is offered, rather than simply
boycott, and thereby have no engagement at all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">The format of the show particularly suited
the Attorney General and his paternalistic manner. </span></div>
<a name='more'></a>Seated alone on the dais,
our active and senior members of the Muslim community were required to stand to
ask questions or engage with the Attorney General. This meant that there was an
immediate imbalance in the way that the show was conducted – the Muslim
community and the ‘problem’ areas like Bankstown, were being ‘told’. In effect,
Muslim community leaders were being humiliated – albeit at a low level - it
clearly showed the AGs intolerance for mutual respect. This is something that
continues to happen in all of the ‘negotiations’ that are being held around the
country. They are an effort to show engagement but are in reality held to
simply enforce the view that the government has. <o:p></o:p><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US">From the Muslim community’s perspective the
government’s view is that it knows what is good for us. It understands better
than anyone what Australia represents, what its morals and attitudes should be,
and will tolerate those with different attitudes and behavior to a limited
extent. Step out of line and you will be hit with the legal hammer. The vast
media presence and terrifying images of 800 policemen breaking down doors in
the early morning, with helicopters drumming overhead, have filled the
Australian wider community with fear. The most fearful are of course innocent
Muslims who could be ‘dobbed’ in by a local teacher, and who are monitored day
and night. Despite only two arrests, this pre-emptive strike, where one person who
had been encouraged to mount ‘a’ terrorist attack was apparently caught, has
been used to convince everyone not to stand in the way of the government. This
was truly ‘shock and awe’. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In our ‘consultations’ with various
government members (and so far the Premier’s meeting seems to have been the
most productive) we are given the privilege of meeting with the PM, the AG and
various other Ministers. But there is no wicket for us to throw our balls at, we
speak to a wall of indifference where a small army of ministerial staff take
notes but give no feedback, listen to our suggestions but discard them (all but
a few token minor ones to show they are listening). They then lecture us about
how we have responsibility for ‘our community’, but are also victims and need
to be cared for by the government. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-US"><br /></span></div>
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Brandis on QandA reminded me so much of being in the Principal's sights (even though I'm a former Principal lol!), and not a friendly one either. He sees his government as 'protecting' the community that community leaders are 'nurturing' that is being 'preyed upon' by 'very wicked' people. This is such a passive understanding of a very dynamic community. It completely ignores that there is growing anger about the government's policies overseas as well as the lack of resources to tackle employment and social issues in places like Bankstown. It especially ignores the complete freedom that exists to vilify Muslims and the lack of cultural competency exhibited by this government and most of its ministries. </div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">Australia appears now to have the most draconian
laws to protect against terror compared to its Allies. And yet there have been
only 3 deaths to terrorism related events since the Hilton bombing in 1978, yet
tens of people killed in low level gang related violence and thousands killed
in domestic disputes. The government will argue that their very strong
anti-terror policing has protected Australians. I would argue instead, that the
risk of a terror attack is still incredibly low, compared to death by domestic abuse,
neglect by government with asbestos, suicide from depression, but by
highlighting the bogey man of the crazy terrorist (and who is more crazy than a
religious fundamentalist who only thinks of ‘virgins in paradise’) the
Government is able to severely limit civil liberties. It has obtained the right
to proscribe organisations, places that people can visit, and spy to such a
level that the data gathered can be edited in order to ensure a conviction. Any
report on their actions can result in jail time for a journalist in this
Orwellian society.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">In this paternalistic society, Tony Abbott
is a great mate and the Attorney General is a great father figure who decides
who will leave this country, who will live in this country, who can come to the
country and under what conditions they can live. The potential for these laws
to abused is incredible, and as the genuinely independent media are shut down
(QandA will be given its marching orders for sure in the near future) there
will be more airtime for commercial entities encouraging us to relax, spoil
ourselves and allow the wealthy to increase their share of the market, and
their control of our lives. In the meantime, Muslims will have to toe the line,
be interesting items to view in our enclaves and will be encouraged by all
legitimate and funded means possible to keep our religion to ourselves while
the Muslim world is gradually decimated to the benefit of the allies of Israel.
<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span lang="EN-US">I did enjoy QandA last night, but perhaps
came away a little pessimistic. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-11728226303583895452014-10-25T16:48:00.002-07:002014-11-03T18:33:34.133-08:00Schools to Report Students at risk of Radicalisation<div style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(130, 98, 83, 0.0980392); color: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.701961); font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody; font-size: 17px; text-decoration: -webkit-letterpress;">
The <span id="goog_1134412907"></span><a href="http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/teachers-told-to-be-on-student-terror-watch-and-dob-in-radical-junior-jihadis/story-fnpn118l-1227102290828">news</a><span id="goog_1134412908"></span> that the NSW government has approached schools requiring them to report students who are at risk of being radicalised to the police is indeed retrograde news. This comes only weeks after Numan Haider, a teenager in Melbourne who knew he was under surveillance and was already under a radical influence, reacted in such an extreme manner to the involvement of police that he was shot dead.</div>
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Law enforcement is not the first authority to turn to when kids are in trouble. Counsellors, advisors, specialists in the area of concern are the right people to involve and provide intervention - whether it be learning difficulties, antisocial behaviour, involvement with crime and so on. </div>
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With so little correct information currently available about Islam to schools, and so much fear of Islam and what it stands for, it is reasonable to consider that the police will be overwhelmed with information. They need to be able to refer the concerns about such young people to specialist services that are capable of dealing with this situation.</div>
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The kind of support services that are needed would be Muslim counsellors who recognise the root causes of disaffection, have sufficient scholarship in Islam to be able to refute the radical teachings of groups such as IS and programs to support young people in addressing the deeper issues that may be causing their initial disaffection.</div>
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The Muslim community is already under huge pressure - through the media, through the increase in Islamophobia, not to mention a tranche of new anti-terror legislation which apparently caused the family of Abdullah Elmir to call off the rescue of their son before he reached the clutches of IS.</div>
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There has never been a time in this country where Muslims have been under such extreme pressure and accountability, even after September 11 with so little support to deal with the emerging crises. And this can only assist to drive young Muslims into the influence of the more radical. </div>
Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-56171734366639190172014-07-20T21:33:00.001-07:002014-07-20T21:33:38.059-07:00My Letter to Liberal PoliticiansTo the Hon. Tony Abbott, MP<br />
<br />
Over the past few days there have been two terrible tragedies occurring on our television screens. The one is a continuation of illegal occupation, rejection of United Nations Resolutions and now outright invasion, all stemming from inhumane treatment of a whole society, some of whose citizens are SUSPECTED of the kidnap and murder of 3 Israeli teenagers. The other tragedy of course is the terrible loss of life from the shooting down of the Malaysian Airlines Flight MH17.<br />
<br />
Both involved terrible loss of innocent life. Both involved the death of women, children and those who should never be included in warfare.<br />
<br />
However, the language of my government in regard to the two of them, is completely different.<br />
<br />
On the one hand, puny rockets that killed one person and are easily defended, are provided as justification for the massacre of hundreds. Australian representatives are fully aware of the number of homes illegally seized or demolished, with elderly residents and families forced to relocate, of land and crops being stolen, of harassment, intimidation, and summary arrest, along with the deliberate targeting of essential facilities for civilian life including water and sewerage facilities, and hospitals. We know this, but my government turns a blind eye to it.<br />
<br />
While Israel claims that Hamas is using civilians as shields, the overcrowded situation of Gaza means that there is no civilian free place for Hamas (the elected government) to operate. Every claim that Israel makes that they are not targeting civilians cannot be justified in the reality of the civilian toll and the homes that they are bombing.<br />
<br />
I have rewritten below the statement from our Prime Minister in regard to the Malaysian Airlines tragedy, and referred instead to what any humane and fair minded person would say - and in fact what the United Nations is saying - in regard to Palestine.<br />
<br />
As a citizen of Australia, please consider the welfare of the living over the dead. Please act to stop the ongoing massacres of Palestinian families through both your words and deeds. Please use the same language of Justice, of Humanity – for all.<br />
<br />
“Today our thoughts are with the families of the Palestinians in Gaza, as they struggle to come to terms with their grief and their loss. Yesterday we saw the wreckage of their houses on our screens, today we’ve seen some of the faces of the wounded and dead. I don’t believe that any Australian, any human being, could fail to be moved by what we’ve seen. I have to say that as a nation we need to prepare ourselves for difficult and painful weeks ahead as we strive to find out what has happened and who is responsible. Right now, our priority does need to be gaining access to Gaza where Israeli bombs continue to rain down.<br />
<br />
Right now for all we know, because this site is controlled by the Israeli military, bodies remain strewn in the destroyed houses of the borderlands of Gaza, and armed units are tramping their streets.<br />
<br />
So its absolutely vital that an independent international investigation begin as soon as possible, so that we can identify and recover the wounded and the remains of all the Palestinian women and children affected.<br />
<br />
I want to stress that Australia will do whatever we humanly can to ensure that his matter is absolutely thoroughly investigated, to find out what we can, and to bring the perpetrators to justice. Our objective is to ensure, for the dead and for the living, dignity, respect and justice”<br />
<br />
Yours sincerely,<br />
<br />
Silma IhramSilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-2014813057298920722014-06-24T16:04:00.000-07:002014-06-24T16:06:45.089-07:00Pride and Arrogance amongst MuslimsAs ignorance increases amongst the Muslim community, so does pride and arrogance, representing the character of Satan in refusing to recognize the position of mankind’s father – Adam. Family pride and honour, tribal loyalty, anger and its follow-up revenge at perceived insults – all of these attitudes and behaviors that the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w moved against in his own community.<br />
<br />
Muhammad s.a.w., as with all God’s messengers, was sent to bring justice. “We sent aforetime our messengers with clear Signs and sent down with them the Book and the Balance, that men may stand forth in Justice.” (Al Hadeed 57:25)<br />
<br />
Honour killings are part of this same trend – that a family, group or tribe has not been rejected by a decision made by one of them. There have been many great scholars and leaders who went against the desires of their community – and made great contributions as a result.<br />
<br />
There is no justification in Islam, in Christianity, in Judaism, or in any of the revealed religions for tribal, family
or group ‘honour’ against the rights of the individual. The law is as revealed
and is just, and must be maintained with justice.<br />
<br />
Unfortunately those who are ignorant about their religion like to use their religion to justify injustice – to their own
disgrace.
Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-21230888105509638822014-01-29T18:07:00.000-08:002014-01-29T18:07:29.263-08:00Investment in Islamic Schools<br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33oD-MEcfas04Njn-Nq48BlrG79ob7Iyyc8raXyJdazukQEMcnQB5pmpoBimKDK2JdJ5p0RK0ZpW9Dvy2IQnIr-R3mbpiIkNTcLwMScUbe5OxeD_xXHSuL7S1N8kr9fc8BukHEVvJR3hk/s1600/Investment+slide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj33oD-MEcfas04Njn-Nq48BlrG79ob7Iyyc8raXyJdazukQEMcnQB5pmpoBimKDK2JdJ5p0RK0ZpW9Dvy2IQnIr-R3mbpiIkNTcLwMScUbe5OxeD_xXHSuL7S1N8kr9fc8BukHEVvJR3hk/s1600/Investment+slide.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This was part of a talk given at Curtin University Dec 13</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
As Muslims living in the West we do well to look at our
colleagues to see how they have progressed. Christian and Jewish schools have
developed their schools by investing in them – often through leaving
substantial inheritance in shares, property or what we would call Waqf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course </div>
<a name='more'></a>we can only leave up to one third
of our will towards beneficial causes and not our family, but this one third
could provide <i>sadaqa jaariah</i> – provision in the grave, for every student who
studies in the school we would obtain a benefit. <o:p></o:p><br />
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<br /></div>
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<i>Sadaqa Jariah</i> is one of the wonderful aspects of Islam. We
all know the hadith from Sahih Muslim:<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: no;">“If a human
dies, then his good deeds stop except for three: a Sadaqa Jariah (continuous
charity), a beneficial knowledge, or a righteous child who prays for him.”</span></i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: no;"> <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<i><span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: no;"><br /></span></i></div>
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<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: no;"><i>Sadaqa Jariah</i>
could be a tree that you plant to give fruit to travellers. Under the Ottoman
Empire public water spouts were made available by the Sultan – many are still
in use today. If the intention was for <i>Sadaqa Jariah</i>, the Sultan would receive
benefit in his grave for every person who drinks from the free water, just as
each traveller who benefits from the fruit of the tree planted provides benefit
to the original planter in the grave.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN-US" style="font-size: 13.0pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-font-family: "MS 明朝"; mso-fareast-language: JA; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-fareast; mso-no-proof: no;">Of course
investment should come initially from the parents of a school – through paying
the actual cost of delivering the kind of education that we need for our<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>children. Private schools that are well to
do, have magnificent grounds, swimming pool, sporting facilities and extensive
libraries charge well over $25,000 annually. Our Muslim schools currently have
difficulty obtaining a few thousand annually in school fees – not much more
than the cost of registering a car. Education is free in public schools, but is
only subsidized in private schools – on average only up to 60% of the cost of a
public school student (in 2010 this was $9800-$10,000). To equal at least the
standard of a public school, this means that parents must pay the difference –
or help in fundraising to pay the difference. Buildings and infrastructure are
an additional cost again. Unfortunately many Muslim parents complain when asked
to pay fees, pay their fees sporadically, claim hardship (even when there is no
real hardship) or pay late, putting the financial viability of the school at
risk.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
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<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">The
second thing we really need to do is invest in our teachers. They are the people
who deliver the kind of education that will inspire our children, or turn them
against learning and with low self-esteem. School boards must invest in quality
training, right from the time the teacher is employed by inducting them,
training them in what we want, what our vision is and then continuing with that
training. Sister Aminah – who has been doing research on comparing public and
private schools - had a brilliant idea that teachers from our Muslim schools
should work in other quality schools for 6 months or a year as an arrangement
between schools systems. In this way, new and better ideas can be brought in
and incorporated. I have found that many Australian schools are really willing
to support us, really willing to help us lift our game. In the Catholic
education system, I have always been impressed with Mary Mackillop – how she
went out and established the first Catholic school systems and fought for
Catholic education at the beginning of the 20<sup>th</sup> century. In speaking
with some of the leaders from the Catholic university they said ‘look, the best
way for you to go is set up a teachers institute and go from there into
university now that you’ve got your schools - and we can help you. We’re
prepared to help you’. Why are we not taking up the offer? Everybody is willing
to help us, but often we are not willing to help ourselves.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="line-height: 115%; mso-bidi-font-size: 12.0pt;">Support
for teachers begins with the School Board. Unfortunately not all School Boards
really appreciate or even are aware of the enormous effort made by many of
their staff. I have seen where there was a kindergarten teacher who had 45 kids
in her class and 80% of them couldn’t speak English because they came from
overseas. She wanted an assistant to help her and some members of the School
Board did not support her. They even called their staff ‘rubbish’. This woman was
not a Muslim, she was a regular Australian but she loved those kids, and just
wanted to look after them doing the right thing. She was working many hours
more than an average teacher would. I was very surprised that she was prepared
to put up with the treatment and throught to myself “Why is she still here?” I
believe it was because she had a vision which the Board didn’t have even though
they didn’t give her a pay rise, and they didn’t recognise the value of her
work. When the class was split in two and two teacher assistants were provided
because they couldn’t speak English, the School Board reversed the decision and
provided only one assistant to the combined class. Is this the best way to run
our schools? Do these decisions show that the best interests of the students
are behind decisions by such School Boards? Unfortunately, in many cases, the
answer is no.</span></div>
Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-42535891320266801262013-05-30T07:02:00.002-07:002013-05-30T07:22:04.414-07:00When did defending innocents become radical?Every night I listen to the increasing death toll of children and civilians in a brutal, now sectarian civil war. I think of my friends who are desperately trying to get their families out of Syria, and of Bob Carr's comment about the unusual aspect of 33% of Syrian homes being razed by the government forces.<br />
<br />
I know how far I will go in order to protect my children - and I am not a radical. I feel the pain of my friends whose extended families flee for their lives or are callously butchered.<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a><br />
<br />
The conflict is complex, the solutions are not easy. But how can a government assume that having the courage to protect dying innocents is somehow a 'radical' religious idea?<br />
<br />
In 1996 when the Israeli army invaded Lebanon, I was Principal of a Muslim school. Then also I shared the pain of some of my senior students who came to me in tears with the latest news of the death of a grandmother or loved uncle. At the time we conducted interfaith activities with senior students from Jewish and Christian schools. Some of the graduate students from the Jewish school had enlisted in the invading army - one of them being killed. At the same time, warnings arrived to our grieving students that if they attempted to return home to defend their grandmother's or uncle's home, they could be charged under anti-terrorism laws.<br />
<br />
We celebrate the heroism of our Aussie, US or ANZAC soldiers, but war exacts a mental toll that is not easily healed - and each of these men struggle with their demonic memories in different ways, often with little support. They often return unsure of the ethics in what they engaged in - more recently because they were part of an invading force that inflicted untold suffering on a civilian population and as a result they suffer extremely high levels of mental illness.<br />
<br />
Whatever the war or the cause, we should have mechanisms to support the men involved. Such support might have prevented the US massacres committed by returning veterans, and should be given equally to young men arriving from war torn countries - whether Somalia, Burma, the Congo or Syria.<br />
<br />
Today is seems that whatever is deemed good for Australia is somehow ethical - even if it is clearly not. And anything that supports or protects innocents that is not directly beneficial to Australia's interests is somehow threatening.<br />
<br />
Forcing young men to accept the heroism of invaders and the demonisation of defenders is an impossible expectation. This is what drives young men to radicalisation. Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-67641592529457493912013-05-02T17:00:00.000-07:002013-05-02T17:01:48.158-07:00The Rohingya tragedy<br />
Here is some information that was sent to me by Kuranda Seyit from Fair <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpk19EL5s4-oOAQGP7gJmSs5ZWBj2PlzTjbkL5zMvZvGROOgJ-j9Nuex9UCqfwjSFI7SWkkrHKjjYIJk7dBHpOpSpxrKU_7xWyXBfPv0BqQuR0m9iMM040of59xnn8z9mSy47YAWF6NGl/s1600/Rohingya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwpk19EL5s4-oOAQGP7gJmSs5ZWBj2PlzTjbkL5zMvZvGROOgJ-j9Nuex9UCqfwjSFI7SWkkrHKjjYIJk7dBHpOpSpxrKU_7xWyXBfPv0BqQuR0m9iMM040of59xnn8z9mSy47YAWF6NGl/s1600/Rohingya.jpg" /></a></div>
- truly an appalling situation that needs our immediate attention, internationally.<br />
No-where to go….<br />
By Kuranda Seyit<br />
<br />
The Rohingyas are an Indo-Arayan people based in Arakan (today referred to as Rakhine state in Myanmar) and their history dates back to the 8th century CE. Over the centuries Persian, Arab and Turkish sea traders came to the area, bringing with them Islam. This land was given the name Arakan, which is a Persian word. Likewise the Rakhine people have been in the region since the 8th century, however they are a Sino-Tibetan people and follow Buddhism.<br />
The Rakhine and Rohingya lived side by side in peace. It was not until the Burmese invaded in 1789,<br />
<br />
<a name='more'></a>that thousands of Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims fled to the safety of British occupied India. These people never returned and today many Rakhine Buddhists and Rohingya Muslims still reside in Bangladesh. Then in 1824, after the British invasion, the Rohingyas and Buddhists were pitted against each other.<br />
<div class="im">
<br />
In modern day Myanmar, it is a very different story. Since independence from British rule in 1948, Burma has been on a bumpy road to nationhood. Rocked with instabilities on its north-eastern border in Shan state, a protracted conflict with the ethnic Karen in the eastern state and more problems with Kachin in north-western state of Chin. The Rohingya were actually recognized as one of the ethnicities that make up the various nationalities of Burma by the founding father General Aung San.<br />
<br />
But today, after 50 years of junta rule, Myanmar has moved into new direction which has enticed many affluent nations to take interest, besides opening the door to foreign investment, it held elections in 2010 and a non-military person was elected as president of the Union of Myanmar, Thein Sein.</div>
Yet, within two years an intense ethnic conflict erupted in Arakan state and machete wielding mobs led by monks (a part of the terrorist group called 969), rampaged through Rohingya villages and neighbourhoods in the capital Sittwe, burning houses and killing many Rohingyas.<br />
<div class="im">
<br />
A most telling report by Human Rights Watch released last month confirmed Rohingya eye-witness accounts that police shot and killed Rohingyas to stop them putting out the fires. Human Rights Watch describes the situation in Arakan state as ethnic cleansing. It is clear, according to the report, that Buddhist Arakanese are systematically working towards eliminating all Muslim Rohingyas from key cities and townships in the state.<br />
<br />
I visited the region in April 2013 and witnessed appalling conditions in the camps with many sick and malnourished Rohingyas, living in a state of fear. After the initial attacks in June 2012, where thousands of Rohingyas were hacked down, their houses burnt and looted and their shops and mosques destroyed, over 115000 people were herded like sheep into one corner of the small peninsula of Sittwe, what has now become the largest open air prison in the world! In the Rohingya refugee camps, they are not allowed out and if they do they will be cut down, like lambs in a slaughterhouse. In fact, on June 9, 10 and 11 the blood flowed freely in Sittwe and men, women and children were massacred, their bodies taken away by authorities and their homes bulldozed.</div>
My experience in the Muslim refugee camps was very depressing. I spoke to many people and they told me their stories of woe, many complained that they did not have enough food and about illnesses such as dysentery and malaria. One mother said she lost her baby to malaria. Others were distraught with their situation and complained about the conditions; no schools, no clinics and no work or a future. No-one could go outside of the camp area as they feared for their lives.<br />
<div class="im">
<br />
Time is running out for these people. In the camps, there is little food, NGOs are hampered in getting their relief aid to the camps, there is only one clinic and two schools for 100000 people. Many people are forced to sell their rations to buy important non-food items like soap, clothing, shoes and blankets. There are over 30000 children who cannot read, write or understand basic math or science, creating a generation of illiterate Rohingyas, a deliberate ploy by the government to prevent Rohingyas resisting or moving socially upwards into more affluent positions.</div>
<div class="im">
The situation in Myanmar is quite complex and extremely difficult to resolve. The greatest obstacle to a solution is the military government itself. They, in collusion with the ultra-nationalist Buddhist groups, particularly the Rakhine Buddhists, are determined to eradicate Muslims from Rakhine. Although the Rohingyans have been in the area as long as the Rakhine themselves, they are being portrayed as illegal immigrants from Bangladesh.</div>
The key issue for the Rohingya is identity and inclusion in the national group of 88 ethnicities in Myanmar. They have been excluded under the Citizenship Act of 1982, which denies Rohingyas their Burmese nationality. This renders them stateless and very few nations are willing to bat for them. The Yangon government has made it clear that Rohingyas who were forced from their villages and their homes looted and burnt, will not be allowed to rebuild or move back. They are now being permanently settled into a new area, with virtually no resources or infrastructure and with nowhere to go except the sea, something the Rakhine are keen for. In fact, many have already taken that option, some taking small fishing boats to Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Thailand and Malaysia, many dying in rough seas and others making it and being locked up in detention centres. Currently, it estimated that over 300000 Rohnigya Muslims are living in refugee camps outside of Myanmar.<br />
<div class="im">
<br />
The most shocking aspect to all of this is that foreign investments have meant that countries are willing to turn a blind eye to the ‘ethnic cleansing’ as HRW has called it, in a hope to grab a piece of the pie. Myanmar is not only rich in natural gas in the Arakan state, it has thousands of acres of forests, rich in teak, diamonds, jade and rubies as well as the potential for a fast growing tourism industry. The USA was the first to lift sanctions only weeks after the June massacres. Then Australia partially lifted sanctions and set up a trade commission based in Yangon. Only a few days ago, the European Union also lifted sanctions. So, the military backed government of Thein Sein has been rewarded by the West for killing Muslims. </div>
<div class="im">
These people are a stateless people, with no identity and nowhere to go. Without an identity, they are rendered as unwanted garbage, no country is willing to take them and although they have lived in the Arakan state for over 1200 years, they are denied their own history and labeled as “kalars” or “invaders”; a derogatory term used by the Buddhists when referring to Rohingyas.</div>
The 2015 elections have some very sad predictions in store. The Rakhine are pushing Yangon to exclude the Rohingyas from their right to vote and if the Rohingya try to vote they will surely be attacked. Even as recently as April 20, the Deputy Immigration Minister visited the camps, summoned the Rohingya community leaders and gave them an ultimatum and a threat; to sign new identity papers declaring that they are illegal workers from Bangladesh or he will unleash the Buddhist 969 terrorist group onto the camps.<br />
<br />
There could be some very nasty flare ups leading to the elections in Arakan state. Leaders like Aung San Suu Kyi must speak out and call for peace and urge her government to protect its minorities, otherwise, the Rohingyas have no voice and no friends to speak for them. Right now, many are sitting on the shore line looking out to sea and the people smugglers are circling like vultures, ready to take their human cargo and dump them on foreign shores. Out of sight, out of mind.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0Burma21.913965 95.956223000000023-7.5785009999999993 54.647629000000023 51.406431 137.26481700000002tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-12419466792902987042012-09-20T18:11:00.003-07:002012-09-20T18:16:32.231-07:00A Silver Lining to a Tumultuous Grey Cloud<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo6nlvvb9JGWTr9iAESrVAizmci9VHP1RTizz7l_ZV8g2Zi58xMotdK-i0-W94QPs3HdHJqK9jnQXnGedMJnvwC7UsSXyQ8Bog2VgX7cecyjheQEYdA8OwPKbjeGWf_O-Y-f_dVZp_Ucr/s1600/islamic-leaders.jpg"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGo6nlvvb9JGWTr9iAESrVAizmci9VHP1RTizz7l_ZV8g2Zi58xMotdK-i0-W94QPs3HdHJqK9jnQXnGedMJnvwC7UsSXyQ8Bog2VgX7cecyjheQEYdA8OwPKbjeGWf_O-Y-f_dVZp_Ucr/s320/islamic-leaders.jpg" /></a><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: xx-small;">(Photo from The Australian 18 Sept) </span><br />
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No one could say that the Sydney or the international riots - which occurred in response to what I have called ‘the wretched film’ - that this behavior does any credit to the Muslim community, is in keeping with the example of the Prophet Muhammad s.a.w., is instrumental in improving the overall welfare of the Muslim community or will actually do anything to discredit the film itself. <br />
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Of course the opposite is true – uncontrolled anger and violence, the killing of innocents was exactly the opposite of what the Prophet s.a.w. taught and demonstrated throughout his lifetime. Such behavior <br />
<a name='more'></a>can only slander his good name and discredit Muhammad’s life and example. Through the mayhem and destruction that has occurred, there will be many valuable projects in every country that have been initiated by Muslims and non-Muslims ‘in the West’ that will be set back years, not the least in our country Australia. Overall the Muslim community will once again be poorer because of such actions. And of course by screaming and shouting about this unworthy blip in the media sphere, the ‘wretched film’ has now been elevated to a huge global audience, compliments of the ignorant in our community.<br />
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But I like to look for the silver lining in this awfully dark cloud. And the reality is that we had this coming, should face the reality and start to address its causes. <br />
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As new migrants to a wealthy country there have been winners and losers. The winners are those who set their shoulders to the education wheel, worked hard, studied hard and rose through the ranks in their professional life. We have built mosques, schools and community centres and established a multi-million (or is it multi-billion dollar?) halal industry. But as Allah s.w.t. reminds us always, it is our intention that counts. The losers are those who saw themselves as victims, isolated themselves in monocultural communities and believed that they could not succeed in a non-Muslim country, even if they really made an effort. <br />
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Mosques are intended to be places of learning and prayer – not pulpits for small politicians to beat their breasts, shout and gain followers in competition with another mosque. Many of our community organizations were established on an ethnic basis that was not entirely democratic with power struggles regularly occurring. Meeting the needs of your own ethnic community is not something to be disparaged, so long as these needs are adequately addressed. This means that there must be a place for counseling, pastoral care and planning for the future – especially for the next generation. Young people need to be listened to and not left on the streets, becoming jail fodder in the process. Women, who generally tend to pick up the pieces of family life, need to be consulted and encouraged to bring their families into the mosque. Imams need to think of the future, learn about the culture and system of Australia, speak English, and address their khutbahs to the pressing issues of their congregation but also be forward planning and look to the future. <br />
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That is leadership. And it is this leadership that our community has been sorely lacking for some time, with some notable exceptions. What has been more common unfortunately, is for each leader to shout, beat his breast, and claim that his rival is kufar – a non-Muslim. Now by saying that, according to the Prophet s.a.w. one of them must be. I learnt this lesson the hard way many years ago. Furious at the behavior of a good friend, I called her ‘kufar’, but as she was indeed still a praying, struggling believer – albeit a misguided one at times, I had made myself ‘kufar’ in alleging that she was, and needed to pay penance according to the teachings of Islam by seeking forgiveness and restating my Shahadah in front of witnesses, thereby entering Islam again. I don’t know of too many of our leaders who have restated their Shahadah. <br />
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Many of our Imams do not speak English, so their scholarship is limited to an audience familiar with another culture, difficult to apply and truly understand in Aussie English, and generally out of touch with the actual issues being faced by Muslims here. As a result, Muslim leadership is finally being to called to account, something that they will inevitably face on Judgement Day without the opportunity to go back and do it better, which is one of the reasons that deeply believing Muslims are reluctant to take on the poisoned role of being a 'leader'. <br />
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In particular, our leadership has chosen to avoid the growing community of angry young men – across the globe. They have used them to fight on behalf of just wars that have then become bogged down in fratricidal squabbling over any spoils – as our David Hicks discovered. Commentators have questioned whether this concern with the larger Ummah is at odds with real citizenship. I believe that concern for others in the world is in fact a healthy disposition that ensures Muslim Australians will help check nationalist sentiment that is unproductive. Belief in the Ummah is a part of Islamic faith, although not unique to Islam, where the hurt of one community is felt by others – likened to pain in one limb being felt by the whole body. It has been a long time coming, but young people are disturbed by the suffering of their fellow believers. Unfortunately their concern has been encouraged through speeches and sermons highlighting the injustices and invasions of Muslim lands, building a victim mentality that does not come up with solutions, or recognize the real problems behind such events or the culpability of Muslim leaders in these very countries. <br />
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For example, many of us have supported the suffering inhabitants of Palestine for generations, and will continue to do so because of its historical and sacred legacy. But we overlook the fact that Palestinian land owners originally participated in this catastrophe by selling out to incoming Israelis, that the futile but egotistical response of shooting rockets into Israel gave justification to incursions, and that Palestinian movements against Israel were largely atheistic, not religious. Our leaders both Muslim and Australian have presented complex issues in simplified black and white versions to their different constituencies, breeding distrust on either side. <br />
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In other words, we as Muslims need to stop looking at everyone else as the cause of our problems and start looking to ourselves. Allah s.w.t. has told us that He does not change the condition of a people until they change themselves. As a Muslim community we need to remember that everything that happens to us was written before we were born, is a test, and nothing could have changed our fate. Our response though is what we are judged on, what brings us success or failure in this world and the next. <br />
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So, where to from here? Firstly, I believe that we need to reassure our young men that we are not selling them out. We need to discover safer ways of helping our community to both understand the complicity of the ongoing turmoil of our brothers overseas and have a voice in encouraging Australian policy that is beneficial to all Australians including Muslim citizens. Yes, the deaths in Iraq were avoidable, and yes, the ongoing toll of Australian lives in Afghanistan is now only face saving. But we cannot denigrate the sacrifice of those Australian young men who are doing their duty, or support those who kill women and children to get the invaders to leave. The military will only add to problems there, but Mahboba’s Promise is delivering solutions. We need a think tank of the Mohammed Tabaas, the Waleed Alys and Shakira Hussains all articulate Muslim voices expressing different but equally valid views. We need to reassure the angry young men that while we support the police in keeping our streets safe, we also encourage a full investigation of their behavior on Saturday, and not apologise for holding a protest. Bringing in the dogs where there were women and children was not wise. <br />
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This is just the beginning. Our Muslim schools that have focused on producing high scores for Yr 12 need to cater for the less capable students that they have routinely and selectively rejected. They need to bring in the most capable and critical of our Muslim academics and encourage critical analysis and ideas for self-improvement then give them scholarships to research and develop change. We need to look at systems of governance where greater accountability is held of our leading Imams, as well as greater authority. We need to continue to unite as a community despite our differences, and weed out any destructive elements fairly and systematically. The credentials of our aspiring leadership needs to be checked with opportunities for ongoing training in pastoral care, Western civilization and educational practice, taking the example of the early Muslims who always studied carefully the cultures and civilisations that they engaged with, improving not simply destroying them. <br />
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Today in the Australian, David Arronovitch called the Muslim community adolescent. He’s right. It resembles today more the rabble of tribes that engaged in continual retributional wars against each other before Muhammad united and disciplined them. We need a little self discipline. We need to choose leaders who are reluctant to lead because they are not pursuing an agenda and know that they will be held accountable. Leaders who will say what needs to be said to their followers, not what will make the community blame someone else. Leaders with foresight who set a plan for 10, 15, 20 years ahead and start to build the foundations of a long term plan – developing the character of the community, not its façade. Unlike our brothers overseas who are steadily bombing their cultural legacy, we are still building fancy walls but do not yet have enough content inside. The Prophet s.a.w. began with a dirt floor and a palm leaf roof, but the content of his structure was full of integrity, purpose, discipline, faith, foresight, humility, personal strength and power direct from the Creator. In one lifetime Muhammad s.a.w. took his community from the adolescent rabble that we have reverted to, into a towering, flowering civilization that overcame the great Persian, Roman and Byzantine empires at that time. That is the adulthood that we need to rise to again. Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-7685610730798697702012-08-10T08:04:00.001-07:002012-08-10T08:04:56.506-07:00AFIC, Islamic Schools and ethics<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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It is with great sadness but with some relief that the fortress holding some of the largest assets belonging to the Muslim community in Australia is finally being challenged. Of course I am referring to the recent loss of funding and accountability demands of Malek Fahd Islamic College and its owner the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils. Unfortunately, this has not come about by legitimate leadership challenges from within the community or internal accountability processes but by the hand of outsiders to the Muslim community - the State government which has for years poured millions of dollars into this school.<br />
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For some time I have wondered about my community's willingness to turn a blind eye to the lack of ethical Islamic tenets in such organisations,<br />
<a name='more'></a>with parents risking their children's welfare by pursuing the honour of being 'one of the few' to survive Malek Fahd's often brutal system of teaching. Their overriding concern it seems is for a child who graduates with some of the highest marks in the state. Many students however do not survive this system, with a continual bleeding of forced unenrolments from those boys and girls who did not deliver to the school's high demands.<br />
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Caring for those very capable students who did not survive their system earned my school - Noor al Houda - the nickname of 'the reject school'. Such 'rejected' students - who may even have achieved a 78% mark in their year 10 or 11 - may not have had the highest marks, but we provided the support that they needed to enjoy learning and develop from adolescents into wonderful young adults - most of whom successfully transitioned to University and professional lives. I have had countless discussions with other Principals who comment on the emotional and psychological damage done to such students who have spent most of their lives in one school, struggling to meet its demands, only to be forced out for no fault of their own.<br />
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The goal of education should not be high marks, but students who have a broad understanding of their role in society, and the skills they need to pursue whatever education and future to which they aspire. These critical years of a young person's life should also be fun, full of a wide variety of creative physical and intellectual challenges, with memories that will nurture the next generation.<br />
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The Quran, the holy book of Muslims, and our Prophet s.a.w. both taught us the importance of learning. 'Seek knowledge from the cradle to the grave', 'Seek knowledge even unto China', and 'the scholars are the inheritors of the Prophets' are Hadith that we all know. But this is not just accumulation of knowledge for the sake of high marks, or for accessing entry to wealthy and high status professions. The Quran describes the acquisition of knowledge with such words as 'tafakkur', the reflexive form of the Arabic root word 'fikr' - to think, which includes concepts of reflecting, meditating and speculating. Tafakkur is mentioned 17 times in the Quran, along with the word Tawassum - referring to a greater spiritual awareness through deep understanding of God's signs in nature and life - as well as Tadabbur or wise contemplation.<br />
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These Islamic aspects of the acquisition of knowledge - aiming at a deeper spiritual connection with God, and a greater ability to contribute to the welfare and overall benefit of the humanity - represent the correct intention for study. Seeking knowledge with such pure intentions is in fact counter to the notion of pressuring students to get high marks for the purpose of prestige and ultimately wealth.<br />
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Now in any school there are four parties to the process of delivering knowledge - the students, the parents, the teachers and the school owners. There would have been many students, parents and teachers who genuinely sought to give or receive knowledge within the example of the Prophet - to improve themselves, their families and to contribute to society. Allah alone is the judge of their intentions.<br />
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However, it has been well known throughout the community for decades, that Malek Fahd's owner, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils has been less than noble in its aim to build massive schools or accountable in its handling of the substantial wealth initially earned from halal food and other business and foreign sources. As the 'peak body' representing Muslims in Australia, self-appointed in the 1970's, those sitting in the executive have sought to impose their will on the rest of their community, while providing very little in return.<br />
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In 1983, Al Noori was the first fledging school in NSW - and arguably in Australia as it established at the same time as the AFIC school in Victoria. It battled for years with local Councils, in and out of court, and endured severe financial and infrastructure difficulties in order to be established. Despite many appeals to AFIC for financial, moral, political or infrastructure support, as Principal of Al Noori I received none, but was threatened with dire consequences by a member of the AFIC executive if I continued to establish our school. They considered it a threat to the future of the proposed Malek Fahed.<br />
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For decades AFIC continued to pour its funds and its support into the schools it established around the country as a secure and prestigious investment for its entrenched executive, treating in a hostile fashion the many other Muslim schools not under its control. In 1991 many of these schools decided to support each other through the establishment of the Australian Council for Islamic Education in Schools - AFIC would not join without a controlling vote and ultimately did not participate.<br />
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By appealing to the aspirational goals of a recently migrated community, AFIC/Malek Fahd encouraged mass enrolment of the very young, gradually excluding through various means any students who did not fit their aim of graduating a small proportion with the highest marks in the state. For years the local papers have reported on the less than ethical methods used by Malek Fahd to ensure its students rank amongst the highest. Pastoral care, gifted and talented programs, the deeper spiritual pursuits of knowledge, and the ultimate care of the student have been borne by those dedicated teachers who were able to carry through often despite the Board.<br />
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It is time now for all members of the community to demand an 'Arab Spring' rejection of dominant and apparently corrupt institutions in our community like AFIC. Our schools should be for all our children, for the welfare and hopes of them all - the very smart, the not so smart, the just average, even the disabled. As parents, let us stop this competitive drive for high marks at any cost, and revise our goals in seeking knowledge and an education. We should also demand that school owners and boards be more open - with active parent bodies, published finances and accountable to the parents for school funds and the policies they set. No child should be discriminated against by school policy. Above all, AFIC should cease empire building, break down the fortress and start using its wealth for the genuine benefit of all Australian Muslims.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-24236902911159378052011-11-30T14:55:00.000-08:002012-08-10T08:06:05.449-07:00Hold of terrorism is weakeningThe Muslim community has been subjected to a combination of debilitating mind games for most of the last century. Still struggling from the after-effects of colonialism, they have been oppressed by dictators installed by the retreating colonialists, and disempowered by their sweet talk of nationalism. Conspiracy theories have added to their impotency, leading to a mindless, hopeless and mutually destructive tendency to violent revenge. With their scholars imprisoned and replaced by Western educated bureaucrats, their religious schools filled with the least capable of learners and funded by bedouin theology, the ignorant have become leaders, contributing through unaccountable underground networks and the harsh yelling of Friday sermons to a combined sense of emasculation. Hence the easy recourse to terrorism.<br />
But the hold of terrorism is weakening.<br />
There has been no benefit to any group from the mindless terror of suicide bombs, market bombs and the eradication of alternative views. Over the past few decades millions of families - mostly Muslim - have suffered devastating injury, crippling fear, and the irreparable loss of loved ones. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Poor communities are left in shambles from the damage of wanton destruction. For no benefit.<br />
Today I received an email from a peace activist in Pakistan. I would like to reprint it here. I pray that his words are spread, recounted, celebrated and begin a new movement across the Muslim world. To bring the purveyors of terrorism to account and to stop their activities once and for all.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
An Open Letter to the Taliban</div>
Do you know what degree of shame, abomination, misery and wretchedness is being heaped on the innocent and peace-following Muslims all over the world because of this so-called and self styled Jihad of yours?<br />
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Do you know how many innocent, unsullied people are being daily butchered as result of this professed Jihad of yours? How many children are being orphaned and women being widowed precisely for the same reason.<br />
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And do you know, killing one faultless human being is like killing the entire humanity. You must definitely be knowing that you will surely be held accountable for this all bloodshed. Will you, then, be able to face your God? I challenge, no!<br />
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Then, why have you become agents of some hidden hands. Why are you taking the responsibility of the murder of entire humanity to yourselves on their behest. Why are you dragging the Muslims down? Why are you demeaning Islam by presenting it as a terrorist religion? Acting like this, which religion are you rendering a great service to? Are you raising the standard of Islam high or you (if you reflect on it) are causing the heads of the followers of the path of the righteous to bow down with shame in-front of the entire humanity.<br />
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Today most of the Muslims believe that you are not true Muslims but planted by the enemies to destroy the image of Islam.<br />
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For God's sake, take recourse to sense, and announce a CEASEFIRE at-once so the inhabitants of the world may be introduced to that divine aspect of the Muslims at whose hands no soul suffer, whose words and actions bear no tinge of dichotomy, whose speech when uttered, conveys to others the message of love and protection, whose thoughts, when thought, are devoted to the well being of others. Herein lies the true success, and herein lies the victory of the true religion of Allah.<br />
S.A.Rehman<br />
(Peace Activist)<br />
PAKISTANSilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-49600233632056746112011-11-16T00:16:00.000-08:002011-11-16T00:16:24.869-08:00Arab Spring neutralises conspiracy theoriesThere is a lighter, higher step as my Muslim companion enters the mosque. He used to look over his should as he walked in, concerned that he was being watched..unfairly. There is a greater confidence in the way the sisters walk in the streets - their heads are held higher, multicoloured hijabs twisting in creative displays on their heads. They smile more. The Arab Spring is like disinfectant to a persistent sore.<br />
<a name='more'></a>For more years than I can count, every major event in the world was triggered with murmurs of a conspiracy. Nothing was as it seemed. Pessimism always greeted my attempts to begin something, change something, stand up for something. A profound lack of faith stuck at the foundation of any great effort for community change. 'The authorities' would not allow it, or 'they' would undermine it. I was always faced with great scepticism that any project or cause that I espoused would be permitted or capable of success.<br />
Dumbfounded I wondered how such people who believed in an Almighty God, and an immutable Book of Revelation that they could read and understand far better than myself, could have such a defeatist point of view. I would pursue them with questions - 'Who exactly was against this? and why?' There were never any specifics, only a knowing look at my naivety. It was the Jews, the Mormans, or the Christians, ASIO, MOSSAD... there was always one bogey that could not be pinned down, that instilled a deep and often unreasonable fear into my companions minds.<br />
This is the fear that I now see lifting. I hear far less of hopeless scenarios, where the only alternative is the mindless violence of the suicide bomber - a complete act of hopeless social destruction. I have not heard of a conspiracy theory or a defeatist response to a cause for weeks now. We have the flotilla to Gaza, the Freedom bus ride, the thousands of brave souls bracing for a new onslaught of oppressor violence - and each of these show courage and faith.<br />
The Arab spring is infectious, like a new dawn stealing rays of light and hope into every community - we do not need to be afraid. We can stand strong, control our mindless anger, have courage and walk strong with dreams in our minds again - has faith at long last begun to return?Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-43767090823224663172011-04-23T21:22:00.000-07:002011-11-15T00:33:11.677-08:00Easter Sunday - A Time to Take StockThe weather could not be more beautiful - not too hot, occasionally sunny, occasionally cloudy, ready to water the garden for me for free. I am sitting in my favorite cafe (<a href="http://flower%20power.com/enfield2">Flower Power</a> in Enfield) listening to the steady but seductively inspiring strumming of Jack Johnson. <br />
<a name='more'></a>Flowers, birds and tall palm trees dominate the space in front of me. It's time to take stock once again of where we are in the real world of life as it is lived not imagined or stressed about. <br />
Ideally I'd be in a holiday house, on the verandah, watching my children play with their grandchildren on the beach, walking meditatively amongst the luxuriant bush untouched by recent fire or flood, or driving through the country with a non-urgent mission of discovery. Life cannot be more privileged for those of us who live free from poliical or community fear, or from the effect of a disaster. As I sip my coffee - affordable even though I am almost penniless - millions struggle to find shelter, grieve for lost opportunities and nurse heart aches for tragic separation from loved ones. But for me, despite the long hours I currently put in to establishing a business, learning new skills, keeping a house and family fed and educated, I can still dream as I close my fifth decade of life. I can still dream, plan, pursue goals - certainly with more confidence that my fellow humans in much of the world. I still have a house, a business, and I have opportunity. <br />
That is not to say that I have not had challenges which have at times robbed me of things I loved whether personal plans, family, wealth or health. But that's okay, because life is all about challenges. <br />
The Pope was asked over Easter by a 7 year old Japanese girl, still traumatized by the earthquake and tsunami "Why do children have to suffer such sadness?" He did not have an answer.<br />
But I have an answer, because as a child, for reasons that were inexplicable to me but not to those around me, I woke each day to fear of failure and unfathomable heartache. Sleep beckoned only with a black eternity, spinning away into infinity. Relationships begun in hope were tainted by fears of rejection and although outwardly happy, inwardly I lurched from desperation to self-loathing. But I'm not sorry for it, even though I wish I could reach out to that child that was me and reassure her that such tough times would pass, that she would discover hope and belief and personal success. <br />
This is life - and you'd better not forget it before it's all over. It's easy to be seduced by these delicious luxuries - the warm poppyseed friand covered in syrup and cream that I am deliciously rolling around my mouth. These are privileges - the ups. But life is not lived without the downs, classically sketched by the simple poetic image of a field of beautiful waving grass, inevitably replaced with dead stalks ready to be dug into the earth for a new crop.(Quran 87:4,5)<br />
Loss and suffering are the root of life's challenges (We have certainly created man into hardship Quran 90:4) - how do you measure up, who do you care for, who are your real friends, what unknown resources do you find - the source of poetry, art, real love and real appreciation. <br />
I feel sorry for the leader of the church who cannot adequately explain these matters which are the heart of the 'why?' in man's search for meaning, and so happy that I can turn to the words of the Creator for a deep and satisfying understanding of the choppy waves of my existence. <br />
Yep, the hard work over the past six months means I can thank God for the exquisiteness of sitting detached in this comfortable, luxurious, busy environment. And return refreshed to the challenges that have been set for me in the remaining days of my life.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-37236129176707024392011-01-07T03:50:00.000-08:002011-01-07T03:50:04.788-08:00The Propaganda BattlegroundLooking at the SBS coverage of the Coptic celebration of Christmas tonight, I am struck by the clever way in which they have <a href="http://www.sbs.com.au/news/article/1461267/Security-tight-as-Copts-mark-Christmas">handled the media</a>. Very effectively they focus on presenting a peaceful, compassionate image, through engaging in those public rituals that resonate with the Australian public – releasing doves,<br />
<a name='more'></a>holding pictures of those killed, speaking about each victim individually, releasing balloons and so on. They include a quick explanation of some of their religion, showing how similar it is to mainstream Christianity. I am thinking, surely there are ways that we can learn from this example and incorporate similar strategies in our own public grieving of disaster and untimely or unjust death. <br />
For example, although releasing balloons is environmentally a disastrous thing to do, and doves that are released are probably killed by the local birdlife, could we not rent a hall, invite local dignatories, read out the names of those killed, call on the government for justice, and maybe pledge funds for a well or other charitable cause in the name of each person lost? I am sure there are many more ideas that could be collected and enacted if we actually think and organise for such an event. <br />
Regrettably however, we tend to react as out of control victims. When there is a catastrophe, there is first the grief, then the conspiracy theory, then the anger which leads to street protests and placards. At each of these events we tend to have a small group of totally out of control “Akbar heads” as I’d like to call them – the young men who get fired up, like Massai tribesmen, jumping up and down yelling “Allahu Akbar! La illaha illah!” pushing people out of the way, rudely shoving others aside, and drowning out intelligent talks and supporters from Muslim and non-Muslim sources. Even though I recognize some of these angry young me - and they scare me - I have on occasion stood in their way as they advance steadily through the crowd. Because I’m one of those ‘untouchable’ women, they have to work their way around me because they won’t talk to me, and they won’t dare get so close as to touch me. Its a very handy way to use my feminism to stop them taking over a sensible meeting, just by continually stepping in the way. Once they got so frustrated that they brought the loud speaker to just a few centimeters from my face, angrily – almost violently – shouting their slogans and telling me to get out of the way. Unfortunately, I’m just as stubborn and stare them right back, despite the spit, red faces and deafening, virulent anger.<br />
Even as I watch SBS now I see a documentary on the Second World War, and listen to readings of surviving Polish Jews as they describe how their Polish community was gradually walled into ghettoes, brick by brick, and the progressive, personal, humiliation. I can only think though about what is being done to the Palestinians in exactly the same fashion today. It reminds me of a child who witnesses the brutality of a violent father, only to turn on his own wife and child in similar fashion – is this what has happened to the now powerful Jewish community? Are they recreating their own violent past? Do they only understand such brutality as being part of being in power? And yet, despite the self-evident and clear oppression that is happening in Palestine, our Muslim community is incapable of seizing on it, or acting on it in any way to our own advantage. <br />
Today I had my carpets cleaned. The steam cleaning guy walked in, and in a friendly manner pointed to my ipad and told me “the government keeps track of you with things like that. Your iphone too!” Before even beginning to look at my carpets, here I was engaged in a feisty discussion about conspiracy theories regarding the Masons, the Jewish community and of course, the media. It wasn’t until half way through this discussion that I discovered that he was a Lebanese Christian! I told him – they can track me all they want, but I have nothing to hide. (I forgot to mention that all phones can be very easily tracked these days!) <br />
Today is a propaganda battleground. The tools of war are image, fact, spin and above all, seizing every opportunity to invest money in quick, timely responses. It is through propaganda that business (the real force behind most of the wars today) can be brought on side and that populations can be encouraged to support policy for or against a nation and its peoples. The skills of this type of battle require enormous confidence, quick thinking, and a keen understanding of the mental strategies of the players. It is like playing chess – predicting responses, attitudes and the next move of the media, or these days, the vast web of social networks. Conspiracy theories on the other hand sap strength and confidence. They make victims instead of conquerors; encourage fatalistic attitudes of “they’re all against us anyway” thereby justifying futile anger, stupid comments and ultimately stupid actions. <br />
Here in Australia and across the Western world, we have highly educated and intelligent Muslim women, men and youth. I feel that they are steadily preparing to cross the squares of the propaganda chess board, developing their skills to graduate from mere pawns to powerful castles and noble knights. The one chess piece however which should be leading this development, but which sadly is sacrificing the chess pieces in front of it, is the Muslim equivalent of the bishop – our Imams. Terribly out of touch, and unable to lead at all, they surrender their pawns and more skilled pieces beside them while they crouch in fear on the back line, unable to move and stymieing every successful move on their side. Perhaps we need a revolution on our own backline, one that roots out the backward influence of our narrow minded Imams, replacing them with the spiritual leadership, ethics and foresight shown by the greatest of our Muslim leaders in this subtle, but equally dangerous battleground. Eventually, the Copts may look to us for inspiration.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-71812078827590125422010-10-26T06:17:00.000-07:002010-10-26T06:17:51.081-07:00Pass me a Shoe Please!Forget about brickbats and bouquets at the ABC, it's shoes and shmaltz! <br />
Last night I was privileged to witness evidence of Australia's famed freedom of speech and truly egalitarian nature. The live episode of Q & A gave me renewed pride in being a resident of this wonderful country. I watched as John Howard, former Prime Minister, was challenged by David Hicks <br />
<a name='more'></a>- a man he had accused of terrorism, and questioned by ordinary people on many of his controversial decisions. His answers invariably confirmed to his detractors just how bigoted and arrogant those decisions were and are, as he avowedly still supported every one of them. In comparison his nemesis - Kevin Rudd - appeared morally whiter than white and certainly more humble.<br />
While Howard was able to dodge the flying shoes of an angry audience member as deftly as his hero George Bush, the assailant was not brutally beaten or locked up, but left the set in a controlled and orderly fashion. Howard continued to happily justify each of his decisions to the numerous questioners - from the invasion of Iraq, the locking up of David Hicks (without even considering a response to David's question as to whether such treatment was humane), the invasion of Afghanistan, children overboard, Tampa, to the refusal to utter the word "I'm Sorry" for the generation of indigenous children stolen from their mothers. In fact, he even went so far as to say that for a section of these children it was actually good for them. <br />
The tweets running across the screen seemed fairly even divided, just as the audience was, between Howard's diehard supporters who missed his uncompromising leadership, and those who hoped time had taught him just how disgusted and ashamed they were of the direction of his leadership.<br />
There are many lessons to be learnt from this amazing display of free speech. The first thing that struck me was the restrained passion of the participants. Apart from the shoe throwing, followed by a civilised walkout of the shoeless assailant, each side ventured its passion through clapping support at the appropriate occasion. Having not long returned from Europe and a short visit to Morocco, such civility is truly awesome. There I was more accustomed to angry shouting and spectator crowds over issues as minor as the changing of a bus seat, or unwillingess to pay the bus fare. Even Jenny Brockie, who has bravely sailed into such dangerous waters by inviting our less civilised community members to debate sensitive issues, struggles to allow audience members even to be heard in the melee of shouting that has regularly erupted in recent shows.<br />
There is in fact a growing demand from within the Australian born members of the community - and here I am referring specifically to my own Muslim community - to shed the first generation's tendency to frequent outbursts of anger and defensive argument when challenged on matters of ethics or justice. It has been a hard lesson to learn, with some of our most inspiring leaders working with the best of intentions, but avoiding the type of scrutiny dished up on Q & A. As a result, working without that regular accountability, the ends have sometimes justified the means, and now some of these highly regarded leaders are serving time behind bars to the wholesale shock of their followers. <br />
Some of our best intentions can be misguided, and let's face it, power has nearly always successfully corrupted. Both John Howard and Kevin Rudd as Prime Ministers considered themselves to be working for the greater good, and both did not bow to populist sentiment. They made tough decisions on occasions that were not always well received. Both suffered the consequences - Howard losing his seat and the election, Rudd being rolled in his first term of office. Although I believe Rudd has a far greater moral status, both distanced themselves too far from their voters.<br />
The ABC's Q & A has managed to deliver arguably one of the highest levels of accountability of its leaders, of any country in the world, while generally maintaining an atmosphere of passionate but controlled civility. This is the kind of moral value that Australians can rightfully claim as their own - the kind of moral value that we should all aspire to. Historically it used to exist throughout the Muslim community - before kings, sultans and dictators stepped in. Here in Australia we Muslims can learn to reclaim this moral virtue.<br />
In fact, I can already imagine in front of me a panel of community leaders who have lorded over our organisations for the past generation or two - with little or no accountability. I will restrain myself to clapping during the appropriate questions, and hopefully not ask "Pass me a shoe please!!"Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-74426359931584971512010-05-25T18:18:00.000-07:002010-05-25T18:18:31.392-07:00The Ethics of Public School Ethics classesLast night I watched the Insight program on whether there is still a place for God in the classroom. It centred on the introduction of ‘Ethics’ classes for those students who do not attend Scripture – the one hour a week slotted religious instruction by community religious representatives for those students whose parents permit them to study their nominated religion. The audience - <br />
<a name='more'></a>which included many young children who had little ability to understand the complexities of the topic and were excruciating in their detailed reports of basic classroom activities – raised more confusion about the teaching of morals in society than it answered. Interestingly, in our ensuing family discussion, ethical issues were played out in how to handle disagreement! <br />
Of course, I am a strong advocate for the message of Prophet Muhammad – and consequently for the messages of Jesus, Moses and the prophets before them. I have also attended an intensive live-in four day ethics course with St James Ethics Centre. (St. James??? I thought ethics was not related to religion?!) St James Ethics Centre designed the course now being rolled out on a trial basis through public schools in NSW. Although I benefitted from the analytical tools and philosophy that were presented through the course, I came away strongly feeling that some of their own methods of presentation were in fact unethical. Why? They put a lot of unnecessary and harsh pressure on participants as part of role plays, and refused to accept comments or criticism on their own biases and shortcomings. Would they have accepted that their behavior was unethical? Probably not – the definition of ethics is hard to pin down. This was clearly demonstrated in our family discussion last night. Is ethics related to the discovery of right and wrong? Yes. Is ethics related to morals? Yes. On what basis does it decide on what is right and wrong, or what are suitable morals? Here is the dilemma – while espousing that ethics assists in discovering right and wrong, and assists in moral decision making, it has no basis other than philosophy which is free of morals. Take for example one of the most pressing social needs of our time – care of elderly parents. In the teachings of all the Judeo, Christian and Islamic religions, respect and care of the elderly – as well as the poor, the infirm and the disabled – is a social responsibility that is born collectively. That means that if no-one in the family takes on the care of the parents in old age, all are found to be morally irresponsible. There is a moral duty to respect and to care for elders in the community as well as the family. The ethics in this situation however are more complicated. Family members may be busy, may have their own problems to sort out, their own finances to secure, and caring for an elderly family member may put undue pressure on husbands, wives or children. Their priority then is their immediate family’s needs as well as their own personal priorities. As a result, in today’s Australian society nursing homes are full of sad, old people who are maintained by state taxes and forgotten by their children. The social norms of society also don’t recognize this - generally religiously based - moral duty. As a result, Government funds for family carers of the disabled, the elderly, and the mentally ill are limited or non-existent.<br />
Personally I have huge respect for those members of my former teaching staff who left their comfortable lives in Australia, and returned with their families to lower wages and a less certain existence, in order to care for their elderly parents. This obligation was not just an ‘ethical’ one, it was a moral responsibility for them laid down in their beliefs and their religious Scriptures. I have little confidence though, that these new ethics classes in our public schools would deliver such an outcome for the next generation in comparison to Scripture classes - depending of course on the quality of the Scripture classes. As far as I am concerned, religion wins out on a moral basis every time, because it looks not just at the immediate benefit to individuals, but the long term social benefits to a society – many of which may not be immediately apparent.<br />
In the end we managed to resolve most of our ethical dilemmas during our discussion last night. I am sure I could and should have behaved better, but I become agitated and irritated at what I perceive as inappropriate or unethical behavior , even during - and perhaps because it was – a discussion of ethics. We worked through the issues and agreed to disagree on various points, but returned to the harmony of a family following Muslim norms of care and respect for each other.<br />
Looking at the confusion on the faces of these kids, I am convinced that it is unethical to teach morality without a religious framework in which to discover morality. And once again, I am confirmed in celebrating the wisdom passed down to us by religious scholars, the revelations of the Prophets and the enduring depth and beauty of the Qur’an. Alhamdu lillahi rabbil ‘alamin – All praise be to the God of all of Creation.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-45683068268573183842010-05-07T07:01:00.000-07:002010-05-07T07:02:22.652-07:00Banning the Burqa - Here we Go AgainToday Channel 9 gave me the opportunity to respond to Senator Cory Bernadi's comments on Burqa wearing crime. Of course, of my seven great 6 second grabs, they took just two - and neither contained much information. Newstainment. Here is the fuller version of what I wanted to say.<br />
The common Australian attitude is – why would anyone want to wear a burkha? <br />
<a name='more'></a>Muslim women are only wearing it because they must have been forced, as no one in their right mind would voluntarily wear such a thing. Combined with a general fear of the unknown, and the exotic, fearful, terrifying aspect of Islam, Australian politicians see it as their duty to remove such an affront to personal dignity by following the European example and banning the burkha. <br />
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The burqa is confronting. Facing a female who deliberately hides almost all aspects of their personality, their features and their identity can be quite threatening. As social beings, we have so many subtle ways of communicating with each other – the clenched jaw, the relaxed smile, the awkward pose. So much of our character is displayed and our message is communicated unwittingly through tell-tale traces on our face and in the positioning of our body. The burqa conceals all of this, which makes it very difficult to respond – it’s a one way conversation. Defenders of the burka liken it to talking to someone on the telephone. In reality though, you are talking TO the telephone – an inanimate object, without the benefit of focussing all one’s attention on the nuances of a voice. Instead, talking to a burqa dressed woman is like talking to a large telephone with a distant slightly muffled sound. <br />
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I remember once at a festival where a friend of mine was greeting a burqa clad woman, who turned to me and said my name. I had no idea who she was – and peered a little confused at her eyes trying to find anything that would help me recall this person. After introducing herself, I realised that she was an old friend, a former student that I had known from the time she was a little girl. It made me wonder how children coming out of school could know who their mothers were in places where the burqa was common. Did they tune in to the voice, or did they size up the overall shape and run hopefully in that direction?<br />
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It is generally assumed that most women who wear the burqa are either extremist, or under the oppressive command of extremist interpretations of Islam. Enlightened study of the Quran and Hadith does not provide any evidence that the burqa was ever a religious requirement, unlike the hijab or head cover which is generally worn in a similar fashion to early Christian teaching. It is interesting to note that the SBS interviews tonight, of women wearing the burqa, clearly indicated that it was mostly worn by Muslim converts. Although they wear it by choice, many of them are extremely vulnerable – forming a type of 'ethnic' minority within a minority religion and culture. They are often distant from their Australian families and former friends, and are frequently given limited information about Islam by their husbands who exercise considerable control over them. Banning the burqa would almost certainly result in their husbands further limiting their access to moving outside of the house, and deny them any opportunity to discover the limited support services that are available. <br />
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Australian politicians are talented at falling straight into extremist traps. When short of publicity and out of the limelight – making a comment on either the hijab, migrants or – better still – asylum seekers – is sure to gain an immediate audience! As soon as they open their mouths about the burkha, they colour themselves in Islamophobia, thereby legitimising extremist claims that Australia is an Islamophobic society. Fortunately there is no impending election and politicians from all sectors clearly disagreed with Senator Bernadi’s poor attempt at publicity today. <br />
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I must agree with him thoguh, that the issue of covering the face when entering a post office or bank is an issue. Helmets and balaclavas are forbidden, but the burqa is still allowed. This is obviously not consistent. Although it is not the only area where the law seems to be duplicitous, it would be beneficial to discuss this disparity in a more constructive and less aggressive environment than simply forcing different clothing on adult citizens.<br />
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In my opinion, Australian Muslim women fall into a number of different categories. Those who arrived here earliest still carry their comfortable cultural habits from home. Like the old Italian ladies of yesteryear, they wander the streets of Lakemba and Auburn with floral scarves tied under their chins, clutching their shopping bags. There is no rhyme or reason in changing their fashion sense – it will die out with this passing generation, just as the old ladies with blue and purple rinsed hair no longer walk the streets as they did in my youth. The second and more particularly the third generation of Australian Muslim women have looser ties to their homeland, are far more educated and definitely more opinionated than their elders. They tend to dominate their menfolk more than vice versa which is why so many men try and find their wives from overseas. No one tells these Aussie Muslim girls what to wear. They usually wear the hijab as both a statement of their personal beliefs as well as a strong fashion statement. If they choose to wear the burqa, it is out of sincere religious conviction and no one should stand in their way and tell them not to - any more than Goths and Emos should be prohibited (even if they do frighten children). <br />
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My final comment on this topic is this – if Aussie men do not want Muslim women to be oppressed and have their husbands tell them what to wear – why are they doing exactly the same thing?? Leave us alone and let Muslim women wear their fabrics as they creatively desire.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-21940973602136686592010-03-30T23:25:00.000-07:002010-03-30T23:25:51.630-07:00Comment - 'Accountability' - what a beautiful but impossible wordI love the word ‘accountability’! It is heard everywhere in the 21st century - whether in economics, politics or social relations. Is it really though, a modern concept? In reality was yesterday’s autocrat, dictator or rich noble less accountable than today’s politician, senior bureaucrat or billionaire? We are certainly <br />
<a name='more'></a>told so. Our systems of ‘democracy’ which underpin the ‘free world’ give us the belief that the unaccountable rulers of the past are forever gone. Through this little word, we are led to believe that the small person, living alone in a tiny flat, is not just a victim of authority’s decisions but a warrior with a weapon to fight back - the weapon of ‘government accountablity’. But is this belief an illusion? In reality, how practical is this concept of accountability?<br />
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This word is beautiful because it has practical connotations - bringing to mind the bent back, thick glasses and pencil smudged hand of the clerk, entering endless columns of figures, punching them into his little machine. In today’s world it would be the computer with a single click, the same number appearing magically in spreadsheets and reports. Each figure though has to be accurate - one single digit can make the whole process a repetitive nightmare where the columns do not balance and the cash or the deposits are out! Many a night I have spent in the past, poring over bank statements and receipts, trying to find the single entry that was twisted backwards, or the decimal point wrongly placed. How significant was that little error - even though every other entry was correct. <br />
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To be ‘accountable’ then, you must have all of your initial figures correct. A single mistake, misunderstanding or missing number can bring the whole process to a grinding halt, or turn a profit into a loss. The same concept applies in social relations - whether from the desire of a cheated wife to get justice from her philandering husband or a wronged people holding their oppressors to account. It was this concept of accountability that was behind the Truth and Reconciliation Commission in South Africa, the International Court of Justice and the indigenous ‘Sorry Day’ marches that were held annually until Kevin Rudd’s famous apology on taking office. Inevitably though, most of these ‘accountability’ sessions did not achieve the magic zero error rate. Whether due to their motives, facts or depth of understanding, there was a missing element, a twisted entry, a wrongly placed decimal point. Ask most Aborigines, and their initial euphoria over Kevin Rudd’s apology, somehow seems vacuous. They are still unemployed, their houses are still in shambles and they have limited opportunity. Soweto is returning to demonstrations - their suffering under apartheid continuing despite majority black government. And in today’s news, Bosnian Muslims who sought justice in the International court for the wholesale slaughter of their men folk, have been told that the United Nations is immune from such accountability. Is accountability then an impossible task to achieve? How does a tortured prisoner manage to list every item of pain, every specific humiliation and all associated memories, to account for every suffering in seeking justice for their confinement? What kind of payment could ever balance their awful pain? How can the loss of a loved one ever be fully realised by the foolish drunk driver? Is accountability ever possible in such cases? <br />
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Economically it would seem that our whizbang computer programs, army of tax personnel and endless reams of forms and paperwork ensure that Australian citizens and Australian business are accountable. But the black market still thrives, and although corruption appears far less than many of our international neighbours, developers and police still appear too often in court on such charges. Only last year whole governments teetered on the edge of bankruptcy, as internationally the financial world suffered a near fatal collapse because of a lack of ‘accountability’ - double book-keeping, the selling of debts as assets and speculative greed leading to inflated figures. For economic accountability systems to work it still requires the honesty of that little man in the office, resisting all pressure to punch in an incorrect number. Alternatively, that his inaccuracy - deliberate or otherwise - can be quickly uncovered and rectified. <br />
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Justice is built on the principle of ‘accountability’. The decision of a judge is reliant however, on the facts that are presented, the context that it is presented in and frequently the politics that surround the case. Two recent examples of missing entries in justice were again in the paper today. In the first, China successfully prosecuted a case of ‘bribery’ and ‘breaching state security’ against an Australian national - Mr. Hu. China though is renowned for keeping its books, it’s ‘accounting systems’ in policy and policing, secret. Were all the facts presented in his secret trial? Hu was effectively dealing with the State, not just a Chinese company. So how much political pressure would have been felt by the presiding judge? The implications are that there were elements of political payback included in Hu’s case - an opportunity to make Australia count the cost of unsuccessful negotiations with BHP in a multimillion dollar mining deal. <br />
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While Australia protests the opaqueness of this case, it has been equally guilty in ‘terrorism’ cases. For my Muslim community - along with ‘liberal’ voters - there is an earnest desire for more transparency in arrests and prosecutions of alleged ‘terrorists’. However, on the flip side, the Muslim community’s willingness to provide important information has been minimal, fearing that such figures or accounts may ultimately be used against them. Many Australians have limited confidence that proceedings under the new Terror Laws will be accountable. It appears that too many important and relevant facts and contexts are dismissed, too much suspicion is heard and accepted. In the social context, these are the incorrect or inflated figures that skew the resulting calculations. <br />
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The second news item today tragically presents the results of Russia’s flawed accountability. Recently Putin had assured his Russian populace that the Chechen war was under control, that it was being managed effectively. Although it had virtually disappeared from regular news, Putin had not counted on the Chechen people entering their own figures. By encouraging two women to blow themselves up on a train, the age old system of ‘a tooth for a tooth and an eye for an eye’ was once again enacted. In reality, Chechens continue to struggle as third class citizens under oppressive rule. Their needs and grievances have still not been included in Putin’s planning - they do not count in his plans for Russian success. The two female suicide bombers were almost certainly widows or women who had lost close family and felt that the Russian government would not accept accountability for their suffering. By bombing a train, they were making someone accountable. They were in a macabre manner - evening the score, balancing the figures. <br />
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Of course the most important and most ideal of all aspects of this wonderful word is the spiritual. While non-believers try to hold God accountable for the deaths, the suffering and the terrible dilemmas of human life, God Himself holds accountable every person for what they have been given. However, sitting in my comfortable backyard I see the impossibility of ever being truly accountable. From the breath I take, to the thousands of tiny green blades of grass, or the petals of flowers in my tiny garden, to the contents of my drawers and kitchen, I could not possibly count everything for which I should be thankful. Every centimetre of my plumbing and my electricity works, every molecule of my body miraculously allows me to enjoy the myriad blessings of beauty, health, joy and love experienced daily. Put me in a darkened prison cell and I would rejoice over a single purple petal, a tiny fresh slice of fruit or solitary ray of sunshine - yet I have these in abundance every day. It is impossible to imagine, but the nature of God is that He is accountable. He knows and has always known every complicated aspect of this creation of His in every millisecond slice of each day. <br />
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As I return to balancing my cheque book I realise how important, but how futile our desire is to approach ‘accountability’ - which is in truth in the realm of the Divine. I avoid the thought of all the omissions and their terrible consequences for which I should truly be accountable. Although in this complex world accountability is a critical but impossible practice to accomplish, I celebrate the achievements of those humans who at least try.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-51978791201752057812010-03-22T18:12:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:14:41.212-07:00Fiction: "Sandy's Clinic - Part 1"It was terribly hot and Sandy tried to sleep. She could hear the whispering in the room next door. Two of her kids were asleep, the third was with Joe - tending to the beans and feeding the guinea pigs. At least it was shady out there - in here it was as hot as a sauna. <br />
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The whispering became more energetic and Sandy had an uneasy feeling that the whispers were intended not just to avoid disturbing her and the two little ones, but to conceal something afoot. <br />
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The nurses had been acting strangely lately, looking away when she walked up, talking evasively. Naively she continued to trust them, believing that they shared the same passions that she did, and were equally selfless in their intentions. <br />
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Sandy believed passionately in natural childbirth and the importance of having support for new mothers. Her work with disturbed children had convinced her that adequate support in those first early years were critical for a healthy start. For the past two years she had poured all of her energies into developing a small clinic, where women could access important pre-natal and post-natal services. In this country town such services did not exist - the closest being many hours away in the larger metropolitan city. Perhaps foolishly she had also poured in a substantial inheritance from her aunt. There were no guarantees that it would be returned - unwisely perhaps, she trusted that she would continue to influence the clinic’s direction, and her entrusted funds would eventually be returned. <br />
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Having the three children at the same time and being so heavily involved in the clinic was not easy. But being a community centre, children were welcome and easily accommodated. Most of the other volunteers worked for one or two days a week, complaining that they needed time to cook, clean and look after the house. Sandy somehow managed to fit it all in - although her house was never spotless, it was still tidy and relatively clean. From early morning till she dropped into bed at night, she organised the family meals, supervised the clinic, championed the cause politically and kept the kids occupied with activities. <br />
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Joe had initially been very supportive. But he was easily influenced. He worked in the city, and most days had coffee in the same café with the doctor’s association. Joe listened - initially protesting against their continual complaints. Soon he became silent, confused. Recognising an opportunity, the doctor’s began shouting Joe coffee, gave him tickets to the soccer and turned his head by praising him in public. He found it harder to actively defend Sandy against their angry tirades. He began to be more confused as to what she was really trying to do. <br />
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In reality the city doctor’s association were convinced that Sandy was depriving them of their social importance. The clinic‘s nurses were solving problems that previously had been dealt with by doctors alone. The number of patients making the long journey into the nearby country town had dropped, and this was affecting the doctor’s income. For the first time, local nurses were questioning the automatic requirement for all pregnant women to travel hundreds of miles to the closest city hospital, the high rate of ceasarian births at the convenience of the doctor and the lack of pre and post-natal assistance. <br />
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The provision of exercise classes and support groups at Sandy‘s clinic, along with midwifery classes and better dietary advice had increased the number of natural births. The post-natal support at the clinic also ensured that parents were given adequate support in the difficult days immediately after birth - there was less stress in these young families and consequently less illness. <br />
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The town’s doctors though were full of self-importance. They were used to being consulted, revered and never questioned - on community issues as well as politics. Elected as leaders of most of the local associations they did not realise how arrogant they had become. They certainly did not appreciate a nurse with limited education challenging their right to dictate the kind of birth their patients should have. <br />
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Sandy was unhappy that so many women - healthy and with no apparent complications - had been sent far away to the city hospital. They were absent for weeks sometimes, their other children struggled without them and the fathers had no choice but to leave them in the care of older children at times in order not to lose their jobs. It was also an unnecessarily expensive way to give birth.<br />
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Sandy had never been someone to sit on the sidelines. Her parents always told her that she was reckless. Her parents had ’normal’ jobs, jobs that did not follow them home - with all the associated stress of a community project. Her parents had never championed a cause and had little understanding of the commitment that it demanded. “Leave this type of work to someone else” they would tell her. But Sandy did not know any one else who was prepared for this type of work. It needed someone who was passionate, an entrepreneur, willing to sacrifice a lot of time and effort - and maybe a little crazy as well. <br />
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One of the children stirred and she quickly went to him and tied him into the baby pouch. She felt the afternoon breeze finally stirring and opened the window, gently moving the lace shading her son’s cot. He sighed and she paused, watching him for a few more moments. <br />
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The crowd outside was growing. Sandy had no idea what was going on. She pushed through, excusing herself as she went. Outside the clinic - a small rented brick building, gaily decorated with signs and pretty flowers, was one of the city doctors, addressing the crowd of neighbours, media and some locals gathered in front of him. He was standing on the low wall at the entrance eyeing and working on all members of the crowd. <br />
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"I’m not a gynocologist” he was saying, “but I can assure you that this clinic is not safe. It should not be run by nurses - they do not have the training, they are risking the lives of the mothers and risking the lives of the children who come in here….”he said, raising his voice and jabbing the air each time he mentioned ‘risk’. <br />
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Sandy felt panic rising in her throat. She ran back to the house and found the clinic’s committee members - who had been whispering outside of her room - looking dejected and slightly guilty. Her son was now awake, rubbing his eyes as he held on to her skirt. <br />
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“Do you know about this?” demanded Sandy of the nurses. <br />
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There was an uneasy silence. The committee looked from one to the other - Susie tried to explain, but fell silent again. There was the sound of cheering outside. <br />
“It’s hopeless..” volunteered Jane. “You can’t win - haven’t you seen the papers today?” <br />
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She held out the newspaper from this morning. In bold print across the top of the page was sprawled - “Clinic a health risk”, citing quotes from the Doctor’s association. <br />
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“Why are they doing this?!” exclaimed Sandy looking from one to the other. “You know the clinic is not a threat. You know that this clinic will make life so much easier for the women here….” her voice trailed as she realised that they were shuffling their feet. Something else was going on here. <br />
Joe came in through the back . <br />
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“What’s going on next door? When did those doctors arrive in town? They’ve decided to support you at last have they? As if…” he smiled sardonically. <br />
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There was a knock at the door, and the Chairman of the clinic - a small, squinty man who smiled a little too much, a little too falsely, appeared behind the screen. His open-necked shirt was crisp despite the humidity. <br />
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“Pardon me” he said - without really seeking permission, With a confident air he pushed open the door and came inside. <br />
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He cleared his throat. Outside thunder began to rumble, and drops began falling on the dispersing crowd. <br />
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“We - that is the new committee of the clinic - have decided that the clinic should be overseen by our notable doctors who will work in a full and professional manner for the benefit of the mothers in this town.” He paused, drew a deep breath as the sunlight faded and the room dimmed in the growing storm, raised his voice over the thunder and announced “Your services will no longer be needed. You have been outvoted. The previous committee met last night, and after much discussion, they resigned. A new committee of doctors has now been voted in. These good nurses will now be employed by the Doctor’s Association at appropriate salaries.“ <br />
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He paused, smiled and nodded briefly towards the nurses huddled in the living room. “We have now taken possession of the building”. <br />
<br />
Sandy was aghast. She now understood that the volunteer nurses had been offered good wages - something hard to turn down. They did not realise that the clinic as it was would no longer exist, that the services she had struggled to provide would most certainly be scrapped, and the clinic itself would become a small medical referral centre - with no input from the patients, and serving the doctor’s rather than the local women. Almost certainly there would be a few poorly trained overseas doctors brought in to run minimal services. <br />
<br />
She sank heavily on the back steps. Rain was running under the verandah, and pouring from the gutters. Through her mind ran the thought that it would be much easier to simply accept the inevitable and give up. There seemed little opportunity to fight such a co-ordinated attack. If she walked away now, she could spend more time playing with the kids, cooking their favourite foods and the house could finally be spotlessly clean. She could rest and have more time to read, grow herbs and definitely her stress levels would drop. <br />
<br />
It now seemed unlikely that she would ever recover her the inheritance from her aunt. It had been entrusted at a time of goodwill as an unsecured loan, when the clinic was still a great ideal, and such funds could not be found elsewhere. Her family would never understand that the clinic would never have begun without it, that it was necessary and was loaned in a genuine spirit of generosity. How naïve she had been! <br />
<br />
Alternatively, she could fight for her clinic - mobilise the women to reject the doctor’s takeover, and publicise some of the clinic’s success stories through more supportive media. Maybe with the help of a lawyer she might be able to fight it. Only last week a benefactor had offered to raise money for the centre - perhaps she could make a counter offer to the nurses. There were certainly plenty of other volunteers keen to assist the centre, and its loss would be keenly felt by the women and their families. She was torn in two - what should she do?Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-58112361695367936542010-03-17T20:41:00.000-07:002010-03-22T18:06:17.991-07:00Are parents too protective today?I love listening to James Valentine. Every day he seems to hit on some relatively insignificant aspect of our lives and extend it, develop it and tease it out. It’s my intention, as often as possible to try and continue his discussions, musings and wonderings on my blog. Please feel free to criticise, discuss, pull apart or even AGREE (remarkably) with my contribution. <br />
<br />
Today he was talking generally - I came in a little late - about the protectiveness we have of our kids, comparing ‘the way it was when we grew up’ with ‘today’, relatively speaking. Immediately I thought of all the little barriers I am putting up around my home for my grandchildren. <br />
<a name='more'></a>There’s one for the top of the stairs, one for the bottom. Soon I intend to replace the sticky tape holding the doors of my lower cupboards shut, with the more professional looking plastic loops and button gadgets, the ones that my grandchildren have surprisingly still not managed to penetrate in their own homes.<br />
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In their own homes my children have installed barriers between the kitchen and living areas, keeping my grandchildren in the safer living rooms with their toys and entertainment. They have sensibly locked off various areas of the house. I remember the last time I tried that was when I had the budgies to fly around in the safety of the spare room. I had carefully shut the door, keeping them away from my arrogantly voracious hunter of a cat, until my daughter (in her late teens) walked in to retrieve some washing. We found a small pile of feathers under the bed. <br />
<br />
We never had such protection in the 70’s and 80’s when my kids were little. We were living on a shoestring most of the time so could not afford such luxuries. Perhaps they were not that commonly used then (were they even available???) and besides, with four little kids running around, it would have been impossible to keep up with all of the opening and shutting that would be required. <br />
<br />
An image of the three boys - all born within 5 years, taking turns in flying down the steep driveway on their little tricycles, with their feet (and sometimes their hands) in the air hovers in front of me. Like the dropped object about to hit the floor, I would wait ready to cringe as their flight was halted by the back wall or door of the garage. Surprisingly, only the garage wall ended up with a hole in it. <br />
<br />
They also ate snails (occasionally spitting out the shell), dropped bricks on their toes, ran into fences and one had a particular knack for walking with the family and suddenly chewing on retrieved chewing gum. They were boys and I never really knew where they would be next, where they would be hiding and what latest challenge they had engineered - but they had a fabulous time. They would appear most often when ointment and bandages were required, or I needed to adjudicate in a dispute that was more complicated or long running. I learnt to tell the different kinds of yells - that one was anger, this one was frustration, that was just mucking around - “oh,oh, got a go - someone’s hurt.” My daughters also joined in, but were generally shielded and more discreet from the excesses of the boys’ ingenuity. <br />
<br />
Looking at my grandchildren now I am wondering - was I little too reckless, a little too trusting in the relative safety of our huge backyard and my ability to retrieve them before major harm occurred? Or are children and their parents today so caught up with safety and protection that children don’t have quite so much opportunity to discover and enjoy life and the great outdoors - the dirt and snail shells, the endless opportunities for invention, and discovery of the creatures great and small that live under the sunshine and rain?<br />
<br />
To be frank, the most serious crises were not the bloody toenail, the odd bruise, or even the bee sting, but a niggling awareness that something was seriously wrong. Recognising such signals and those cries is crucial when taking full responsibility as a mother, and questioning - even rejecting - a doctor’s diagnosis. With one of my sons, he had fallen - but it was not from a serious height. Then he had vomited - not a lot, but it was unexplained. He was too little to tell me what was wrong. Then he would not put weight on his leg and limped when he walked. He ran a temperature for a few hours. Each of these symptoms alone would be par for the course. But together, they were unexplained. As a mother, I don’t like the unexplained - it’s suspicious. And then there was the cry - it was a whinge, but much more than that. And consistent. My alarm bells went off and I did not care how many doctors sent me home and told me not to worry. Eventually, a clever young doctor in the Children’s hospital detected heat in his leg and ordered more tests. Three weeks of heavy doses of intravenous antibiotics saved his leg from the bone infection that had somehow appeared there, the pimple in his bone that triggered unexplained pain, fever, and abnormal behaviour. Now, no plastic gate or lock on the door would have prevented that one!Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-63422516268430412372009-10-28T06:02:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:29:47.258-07:00Cordoba mosque revisited<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0YtAI_rhP_WkaMzbHL_OxU8ak4g7CCdAFfaokpzYph6b6KBWR_vVFGDF2pbcufX4lNh9kwMklE00cVecINhH3eOjnEBqvUXCI2C29-Ta6zfpXNQzaO9PjYlWn6DsEt_CWDhOYBhyLDUT/s1600-h/arches+al+mesq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF0YtAI_rhP_WkaMzbHL_OxU8ak4g7CCdAFfaokpzYph6b6KBWR_vVFGDF2pbcufX4lNh9kwMklE00cVecINhH3eOjnEBqvUXCI2C29-Ta6zfpXNQzaO9PjYlWn6DsEt_CWDhOYBhyLDUT/s320/arches+al+mesq.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>My second day in Cordoba was less dismal – the first day being so sad at the loss of so much history and beauty with the Cordoba mosque. Walking first across the bridge to the Tower I was able to listen to an English commentary of the historical displays relating the history and more importantly the philosophy involved in the development of Cordoba and some of its scholars. It was also fascinating to learn that Al Mesquita was itself built on an existing Visigothic church, as apparently Abdur Rahman I settled in Cordoba when it was controlled by the Visigoths who agreed to lease part of their church – including Roman ruins – to him. <br />
<a name='more'></a>As his flock grew, he bought out the remainder of the church to begin establishing the beautiful Mesquita. The fact that it was now again in the hands of Christians did not seem quite so disastrous and I was able to recognise the various stages of the building’s development as I followed the maps and stories I had purchased. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuL9HAig5ee6MmWEYXNi3bvrvyiW0dbdn4cWbAzjP44zsOFCWBhbDBm_Q6ferPk9g7RC0ydlP9RKeovest2dn8Z5ahCpqlIZY0R9TaIPQR1tlcKAfRH34cVhzB8NHwd60hO88s63Vg3A3/s1600-h/gothic+addtn+al+mesq5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizuL9HAig5ee6MmWEYXNi3bvrvyiW0dbdn4cWbAzjP44zsOFCWBhbDBm_Q6ferPk9g7RC0ydlP9RKeovest2dn8Z5ahCpqlIZY0R9TaIPQR1tlcKAfRH34cVhzB8NHwd60hO88s63Vg3A3/s200/gothic+addtn+al+mesq5.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>There were many small groups of toured guides explaining both the Muslim and Christian history of this site. Joining in with some of them I was able to enter chapels richly decorated with Renaissance paintings, glass casings housing historic and fabulous gold sculptures and religious icons – including giant Crucifixes carried in earlier generations through the church that were studded with crystal, rubies and emeralds amongst others. A huge case held an intricate gold creation standing at least 2 metres tall, festooned with saints, cherubs, and various other fantastic decorations. At one point all of the rafters were covered in paintings of flying cherubs. The huge Cathedral itself housed a huge organ, ancient choir stalls and enormous decorative paintings. In each of these areas, the simple Arabesque and been replaced with elaborate floral paintings and carvings, richly colourful representations of saints, former kings and queens as well as religious stories. Returning to the remaining Muslim areas, although somewhat reduced, the beauty of the original decorations and inscriptions were evident in the decorations surrounding the mihrab, the magnificent arching columns – even the fine decorative painting of the ceiling area leading up to the mihrab. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMNpsqftNDqL3wmt1t0YovOZdTo3UVgcYLrCcnKK9FG6Xt-ajqOLuF3s0sZ99zCBbmn_uOHnjxL8SEjcjO8_o-IzdKT-CLJWacoSZ_mbmR9k2Fyeq-hheMQLKa9tEV3pyJEmco2B0BoeL/s1600-h/almesq+entr+gate.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSMNpsqftNDqL3wmt1t0YovOZdTo3UVgcYLrCcnKK9FG6Xt-ajqOLuF3s0sZ99zCBbmn_uOHnjxL8SEjcjO8_o-IzdKT-CLJWacoSZ_mbmR9k2Fyeq-hheMQLKa9tEV3pyJEmco2B0BoeL/s320/almesq+entr+gate.jpg" /></a><br />
</div>Trawling through the various markets and stalls, it was clear that the Cordobans had continued their excellent heritage in the crafting of silver, leather and precious stones. Everywhere the narrow cobbled alleys gave alluring glimpses of small courtyards, colourfully tiled, shaded but still open to the fresh sunlight. Each was a small oasis of colourful potted plants – adorning the floors and the walls, green and cool reflecting the ochre walls and bright coloured mosaics. <br />
Although most shops and businesses are not open until 10 am, lunch time goes quiet here with shops shut and streets deserted. The few stalls open alongside Al Mesquita bake in the heat, especially as each has bright lights showing off silver jewellery, decorated pottery and various artifacts which gradually heat up their display cases. The town comes to life again after 5 pm and as I sit in the square in front of my hotel I can see crowds of shoppers, families and children joining with revellers enjoying the evening although it has been dark for more than 3 hours. Restaurants and shops are still open and crowded and will probably cease at 10 when the good folk of Cordoba finally head off to sleep.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1477944454116948450.post-69650301079385496602009-10-28T05:47:00.000-07:002009-10-28T14:31:16.599-07:00Medinat Al ZahraToday I visited Medinat al Zahra – the excavated city built in the tenth century and later buried only to be discovered in the early 1900’s. This was the most well organised and pleasant tour so far with a very friendly guide who alternated effectively between English and Spanish for his customers. A large air conditioned bus took us from Cordoba city to the large parking area at the base of the excavated city. Comprising over 100 hectares of which only one tenth has been excavated, the excavating team has constructed a museum some distance from the recovered site in order to allow for continued excavation over the years. An excellent video presents an animated explanation of the history of Medinat al Zahra, with interactive displays visually highlighting the existing topography alongside <br />
<a name='more'></a>the historical progression of the city. Unfortunately there was simply not enough time to adequately see all that was on display in this thoroughly high tech and modern display, busses waiting to take groups to visit the actual site. <br />
The walk was long but well worth the effort even though the weather continued to be unseasonably hot. Entering first from the mountainside – the servant’s entrance with its militarily significant zigzag road – it was immediately apparent just how appropriate this site was for a city. With its back to the mountains, only a short distance from the existing city of Cordoba, and looking to the south over fertile fields, the city was adequately supplied by water, limestone deposits for building and minerals for mining. The city was built in an exceedingly short time despite the extensive carving and architectural decorations discovered all over the site. It was apparently built to support the claim to Caliphate of one of the last dynastic inheritors of the Umayyad rule, a rule that had been successfully challenged in other parts of the empire. Standing on the ruins of this beautiful city, overlooking the gardens and the carefully laid out quarters of the Caliph – from his throne room, administrative areas and private areas – it is hard to believe that it could have been built so quickly and destroyed again so quickly. Within 70 years rebellions throughout the caliphate and ‘fitnah’ and discord had caused the Caliphate to crumble, the whole site being pillaged for its building parts by other conquerors. Gradually landslides, natural erosion and earthquakes buried this beautiful city – with its magnificent arches, careful planning and ideal location, remaining hidden for nearly a thousand years. <br />
Returning full of thought and wonder for the rise and fall of civilisations, power and wealth, I then trekked to the Caliphate’s baths – only a short distance from Al Mesquita. Fortified by a small tortilla (potatoey omelette with red pepper garnish) and fresh bread lavishly covered with light whipped butter, I was ready for more hours of walking. The Caliph’s baths – like so many parts of Andalusia – did not represent one epoch only, but stages of history. The first baths were established as part of the Caliph’s personal cleanliness routine, with up to 500 eventually being located throughout Cordoba for public use. As the Muslims were conquered, so their Christian successors built their own baths – using some of the former baths – as the Muslims had previously by including Roman designs. Cool and shadowy, filled again with the classic palm type column and arch found in Al Mesquita, they were vaulted over with natural light streaming through star shaped holes in the arched roofs. With lavatories, disrobing areas, cool room, warm rooms and abundant flowing water, these baths once again represented an advanced civilisation which nevertheless was lost in time.<br />
From there I wandered to the Alcazar – the huge palace built by Spanish conquerors over the former fantastic Alcazar belonging to the Muslims. According to the displays, each conqueror wanted no rival from the past, so the former Alcazar had to be completely buried in order for the new Christian conqueror to built an even bigger and more elaborate palace – one which would have no existing rival. Indeed Alcazar today is replete with beautiful gardens, orange groves and citadels of power, but it is also stained with the terrible history of the inquisition. The horrific torture and deprivation of justice and humanity was palpable as I walked the corridors and climbed the stairs of towers and vaults. No such history of brutal repression, ghastly repression of thought and climate of fear and intrigue has been associated with Muslim rule. Rather the rule of Muslims is acknowledged by all parties as a time of flourishing art and culture, wisdom and respect for different faiths, and development of science and literature. Even the history of military conquests have not discoloured the acknowledged greatness of Islamic history in these parts, something I am immensely proud of.Silmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14309477462606091182noreply@blogger.com1