Tuesday, August 16, 2011


Qur'an Reading for Beginners - Level 1

A 12-week course that takes students from learning the Arabic Alphabet to the ability to read short verses in the Qur'an


When: Sundays, commencing 11th September, 2011

Time: 10.00am - 12.00pm

Where: Al-Ghazzali Centre Academy

1021A Canterbury Road (Cnr. Willeroo Street), Lakemba.

Entry via Willeroo Street

Cost: FREE, by donation (excluding costs for purchasing book if required).

This course is part of the Knowledge Without Barriers initiative.

Enquiries: Tel: (02) 9708 1539

Email: academydirector@alghazzali.org


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER


This course is designed for beginners with no ability in reading the Qur'an. By the end of the course, students will be able to read short verses in the Qur'an.


The course will teach students to:

- Learn to read and write the Arabic letters in the different shapes.

- Get basic understanding of the articulation points of letters to be able to pronounce them more correctly

- Be able to read, write and pronounce words that contain the five Arabic diacritics (Fatha, Kasra, Dhamma, Sukun, Shadda), long vowels, nunnation (tanween) and elided letters

- Be able to read Arabic words and short verses from the Qur'an


CLICK HERE TO REGISTER

Seekers Guidance & Al Ghazzali Centre Partnership

Shaykh Faraz Rabbani and imam Afroz Ali tell us more about the partnership


May a lot of good come out of it, for the pleasure of Allah!

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Review - "The Camel’s Gratitude” by imam Afroz Ali

THEM CAMELS GOT IT ALL

It was an Arabic class I was in when imam Afroz let us in on the secret that much of Arabic is hidden in the camel. Lol ok he didn’t say it in those words but you get the point.
If you don’t then you will get it after you read “The Camel’s Gratitude” article by imam Afroz Ali.

The piece was written on gratitude (shukr and hamd) as one of the highest virtues, however half of it talks about some camel. There is of course a connection to it.

When I read the first third of the article I was amazed at the camel’s … amazing-ness if I may call it that. This got me thinking how little I know about so much and how little I know simply about milk. Cows milk in this case because I ain’t drinking no camel’s milk… because I don’t own one ofcourse. FYI I don’t own a cow either…ANYWHO moving on

The rest of the article talks about the difference between shukr and hamd… tying it in with the camel =)
I knew that thanking Allah couldn’t simply be a tongue service by saying 'alhamdulillah' and not showing it in our deeds. However the article shed more light on the depth of gratitude.
What I took out of it is someone who is grateful is totally, absolutely humbled by the Magnificence of his Creator and sees Him as the one who TRULY knows it all. Like, He just knows EVERYTHING better than you and I; therefore knows what He’s doing.
When one understands this nothing else matters. One is in complete submission, by dealing with what’s in front of him in ways most pleasing to his Creator.

“In hamd one recognises the gifter regardless of when, how and what was given!” – Now THIS is what you call love. May Allah bless us all with it!!

Click me - to read the article

Wednesday, July 27, 2011

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!

Tuesday, July 26, 2011

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!

Thursday, July 14, 2011

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.