The Ansaar Project Launches Sydney's Halal Foodbank

The Ansaar Project, an initiative of Al-Ghazzali Centre, is launching Sydney's first HALAL Foodbank, and soon to be offered in Melbourne as well.

The Halal Foodbank is asking Sydneysiders to Share Their Bounties and earn Frequent Spiritual Rewards!

Whilst the Foodbank will focus on Halal non-perishable food items to be provided to low income and needy Muslim individuals and families, the Foodbank operated from Ashfield, will be non-discriminatory and provide such help to anyone needing regardless of culture or religion. Everyone in Sydney is encouraged to participate in donating even just a can of non-perishable food item, once a week. If you are really keen, speak to us and we will provide you with guidelines for prepaing a full box of food items suitable for a family of 2-4.

If you are busy and do not often shop for your groceries, then become a monthly donor to The Ansaar Project's newly established Halal Foodbank or the Feeding the Homeless Project now in its ninth year of successfully providing Halal, warm, healthy and fresh food for some 300-400 individuals a month.

Bookmark our Facebook Page ( The Ansaar Project ) or AGC's website www.alghazzali.org for further information on how you can donate and make a difference in people's lives, one can at a time!

the unveiling hijab book - my review

The Unveiling Hijab is a book written by imam Afroz Ali in "hopes to alleviate the confusion for those who are seeking facts on the matter, as well as to offer proof against sophistic arguments on the subject."

My thoughts on it

- Thorough in explaining the significance and proof of the hijab from the Primary Sources for Islamic Jurisprudence, mainly Qur’an, the saying’s of prophet Muhammad peace be upon him, and the practices of female companions of his time

-Thorough in refuting everyone who said anything against it from self-professed-know-it-alls who literally got no clue as to what they’re talking about when it comes to anything to do with islam, to media and ‘academics’ - through using the above mentioned sources– imam Afroz for lawyer!

-Flows extremely well so one doesn’t feel lost while reading it no matter the level of knowledge of Islam one might or might not possess

For those who haven’t read the book, just something to share that might intrigue you =)
“…….Firstly, the likes of Adonis and Taheri wrote in support of the French ban of the hijāb, claiming that Hijāb had “nothing to do with Islamic religious injunctions”. But, the French Government banned the hijāb on religious grounds!
Secondly, because the academia holds much prestige and credibility, concocted ideas of the academics can very quickly obscure the truth of a matter, as has become the case regarding the hijāb……”

And if you’re still not intrigued
“…As one of the foremost Islamic Scholars- al-Ghazzali articulated, physical veiling “is a mandatory preservation of honour of the women….”

Available on Amazon Kindle soon. Check back here for details soon!

Fiqh of Funeral

Based on the Hanafi and Shafi'i Methodologies

A 6-week Course When: Commencing Sunday 11th September, 2011 Time: Sundays 12:30pm- 3:00pm Where: Al-Ghazzali Centre Academy, 1021A Canterbury Road (Cnr. Willeroo Street), Lakemba. Entry via Willeroo Street. Cost: $150/person Platinum members attend this course for FREE Notes and practical exercises are included. Enquiries: Tel: (02) 9708 1539 Email:academydirector@alghazzali.org

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER The workshop will cover: What to do upon someone's death Washing the deceased Shrouding the deceased Australian laws to adhere to. The workshop will also include a full practical exercise in: how to wash a deceased person how to shroud a deceased person A comprehensive set of notes will be provided. Upon completeion of the workshop, you will know your obligations in relation to deaths and funerals (it is obligatory for every Muslim must know), and be able to confidently undertake all responsibilities if there was a death within your family. NOTE: This course is the 2nd module of Certificate 3 of the Foundations Diploma in Islamic Sciences Program. It is also open to the public to give those, who wish to attend only particular modules of the diploma, the opportunity to register and attend particular classes. You do not have to be part of the Diploma program to undertake this course. CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Zakaat Program Australia

Al-Ghazzali Centre has an established Humanitarian and Charitable program, through its Ansaar Project activities. The Ansaar Project’s “Feeding the Homeless” project provides assistance to anyone in Australia, particularly the homeless, regardless of gender, race or religion.

Al-Ghazzali Centre has extended this program of work to also provide continuing assistance to those in need in the Muslim Australian community who are eligible recipients of Zakaat.

The established Islamic Principle in distributing Zakaat requires the collected funds through Zakaat to be spent locally. For us, it is Australia. Zakaat funds over and above the amount needed to help Muslim Australians, can then be allocated internationally, which also has very specific conditions for a valid transfer of wealth from the Zakaat payer to the recipient.

Al-Ghazzali Centre is committed to upholding this Islamic principle without compromise.

The number of people to receive Zakaat in Australia is increasing and Al-Ghazzali is seeking to meet this need with your continued assistance.

How to make your Zakaat Payment
Transfer funds electronically or in person to the following account:

Bank: Westpac Banking Corporation
Account name: Al-Ghazzali Centre
BSB: 032024
Account: 401251
Ref: ZakaatProgramAust


For other payment options, please contact the Al-Ghazzali Centre

Email: info@alghazzali.org
Telephone: +61 2 9708 1539
Fax: +61 2 9708 0293

Myth:
There are no poor Muslims in Sydney or other location around Australia.
Fact:
Al-Ghazzali Centre receives genuine requests for financial assistance from about 10 families or individuals within Australia per month for urgent assistance.

Myth:
Poor people are poor because they are lazy don't want to work.
Fact:
Up to 80% of Al-Ghazzal Centre's assistance through the Zakaat program is received by those who were in a financially stable relationship or work prior to seeking the urgent assistance.

Myth:
All poor families are on some type of government assistance and that is enough for them.
Fact:
There are many complicated reasons why a person would need assistance through Zakaat. Government assistance is often never enough, particularly for families who have existing health, financial or settlement problems. There are others who are victims of foul play by their own families.

Myth:
Most people who ask for money are charlatans.
Fact:
Whilst al-Ghazzali Centre’s Zakaat Program is only in its second year the vast experience and knowledge of those operating the program confirm that no more than 1-2 persons in over a decade has ever taken advantage of Zakaat assistance. The genuine assistance requests far outweighs any potential exploitation within Australia.

Myth:
There are no homeless Muslims in Australia.
Fact:
Al-Ghazzali Centre meets homeless Muslims and it is a rare occasion. But, they do exist, who end up on the streets for many unfortunate reasons. Within Sydney, Auburn has a comparatively high frequency of homeless Muslims.

Investing Right for Right Returns

By Afroz Ali

In any kind of investment, amongst the first things you will learn is that investment for profit requires a tried and tested step-by-step process. For example, property investment has a 6-step process for successful returns. And, in each of these portfolios for investment, accurate knowledge is number one priority on the list of steps.

Spiritual investment – investment for the Hereafter – is no different. There are tried and tested sequences for the journey to the Hereafter wherein one meets their Lord, and learning and practising upon the Sacred Knowledge is priority number one. This Knowledge is the basis for personal transformation in order to make the right investment for the right returns. This tried and tested method was exemplified as well as exhorted by the Beloved Messenger of Allah The All-Knowing, upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah, and its principle revealed by Allah the Exalted Himself. In The Qur’an Allah lets it be known:

Indeed, Allah will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.
[Qur’an 13:11]

And:
There are these limits of Allah, which He makes plain for the people who have knowledge.
[Qur’an 2:230]

[The Condition for Change]

The condition we ought to change to get things right can only occur through appropriate knowledge; otherwise one’s effort in investing will be futile and no return will eventuate. Similarly, Allah has placed limits which the servant of Allah must be aware of, otherwise one’s investment will only lead to ruin.

The Messenger of Allah, upon whom be peace and blessings of Allah, said, “Allah will not seize Sacred Knowledge by removing it from people, but will seize it by removing the People of Knowledge until there remains no person of Knowledge and people will appoint ignorant people as their leaders. When asked, they will give rulings without knowledge. Thus, they will be misguided themselves and will misguide others.” [Bukhari and Muslim]

In another Prophetic Tradition he said, “Soon will come a time upon people when nothing of Islam will remain but its name and nothing of the Qur’an will remain but its script (in both cases, in other words, there will be no knowledge remaining). These people’s Mosques will be in fine decoration and also full but it will be empty of true guidance. Their preachers will be the worst of people beneath the sky: from them corruption will emerge and into them it will return.” [Bayhaqi]

[Two Things Needed]

Two things arise from these Divine and Prophetic Guidance: firstly the access, preservation, learning and practice of the Sacred Knowledge is paramount and the first step towards right investment. And secondly, if social institutions are built where there is a lack of Sacred Knowledge, the investment in their glitter will amount to nothing.

No amount of investment into social institutions will ever be successful, unless there is at least the equal investment into institutions that provide access to learning the Sacred Knowledge.

It may be popular and exciting to look at investing and developing Islamic art galleries, museums, libraries, youth social activity centres, etc, but none will find ultimate success until and unless there is an educated sector of society that knows the Sacred Knowledge.

Social institutions are a result, not the impetus (nor a replacement for Sacred Knowledge institutions) to a society of safety, wellbeing and benefit.

If the equation for such development was reversed in Muslim communities around the world, you will find the social institutions to then be successful and sustainable, otherwise all the social institutions will do is turn into a commercial venture that thinks it educates, but really does nothing more than be a speck in the landscape of buildings.

To invest right, one must prioritise investing in Centres of Learning which nurture the seekers of such knowledge to act on such Knowledge. Only then will there be right returns to the investment, manifested in the goodness in this world, and realised in the closeness to one’s Lord in the Hereafter.

To support SeekersHub, please contact Dr. Bano Murtuja (Managing Director, SeekersHub, bano@SeekersHub.org)



Imam Afroz Ali is the director of Al-Ghazzali Centre (Australia) and managing director & instructor at SeekersGuidance.