Issue: *re-edited Friday

20 April, 2007

2 Rabi Al-

Akhar,1428

M U S L I M S T U D E N T S A S S O C I A T I O N ( M U S A )

O T A G O M U S L I M A S S O C I A T I O N ( O M A )

AlHudaAlHudaAlHudaAlHuda

Inside this issue

South Island Brother-

hood Camp

Muslims’ Modern-

Age Role Model :

Dr Zakir Naik

Out and About :

South Island Broth-

erhood Camp 2007

Sisters : The Muslim

Woman and Her

Wellbeing

A letter from Tania

Siwatibau

South Island Brotherhood Camp

Announcement:

Lost Item:

A small dark green

sleeping bag which be-

longs to Mustafa Amer.

It is believed it has been

misplaced after the

Camp. Please check

mosque notice board or

refer to him for further

information.

Any critics/opinions/

suggestions related to

the publication of Al-

Huda Newsletter can be

forwarded to “The Edi-

tor” at:

rolling_rolie @hotmail.com

Despite the challenging chilliness and inevitable changes of plan,

South Island Brotherhood Camp 2007 was held successfully in

Green Park Scout Park, Balclutha that lasted for two days and one

night. Participation was astonishing; this year more Christchurch

brothers joined this annual gathering even though Balclutha is fur-

ther away than Dunedin. Such spirit and bonding are reputable.

The campsite proved to be what it had been advertised. Unmistaka-

bly, it is a secluded place of nature’s beauty with a small stream

running around and flashes from a fish’s scales caught one’s eyes

every now and then. And our brotherhood blossomed there. .

A diary by a brother.

6th April 2007

About 8.00 pm, Kasri and I arrive at the campsite after taking the key. It

isn't a bad journey after all. The scenes around Clutha river are really de-

lightful. We need to settle down a bit before the other two cars arrive.

Approximately one hour later they arrived. It’s good to know they are still

in a good shape. Our tummies rumble. Hamed makes us a good hearty

dinner; rice with hot curry. Foods, drinks, and other equipment need to be

unloaded as soon as possible, it’d be good to get in bed early, we need

energy for tomorrow.

7th April 2007

It is an hour after we did Subu prayer that we go out to endure the coldness just to check the surrounding of the campsite.

Very nice indeed,. We can’t be long though, because we are expecting the brothers from Dunedin to arrive at around

11.00 am.

Around 11 o'clock, they arrive in a bus. Soon, the rest coming by cars, arrive one by one. We prepare the lunch for the

Dunedin brothers first because we know Christchurch brothers will be a little late due to the long distance. The first

batch arrive in a van at around 2pm, while those waiting are playing volleyball and soccer. Hours past by, still the rest of

the Christchurch have not arrived yet. Driving to a new place can be really trivial. They eventually arrive safe and sound

at around 4pm. Without further ado, the arranged activities kick start with an ice-breaking. We have BBQ for dinner,

enough to make us alert for the tazkira and some group activities.

8th April 2007

Yesterday was pretty tiring, especially for the Christchurch brothers due to the long journey. It is freezing out there, but

we still move on with the day. Why would we want to stop and hide in the warmth of our sleeping bags? It’s the last day

of the camp! The fun continues with indoor and outdoor activities and finally, the day concludes with a prize-giving

ceremony and a group photo. Major cleaning-up is another highlight of the day. Brother Mahmoud handles this crucial

event very well. Soon, it is time to leave. It is really melancholic since we do not meet the Christchurch brothers every-

day. The tired faces are then swept away by the chilly Balclutha breeze leaving a sweet memory for all of us to cherish

and to ponder. Yes, our bond is tightened up again, the bond of brothers in Islam.

Muslims’ Modern-Age Role Model

• He is also the founder and chairman of Islamic Re-

search Foundation.

• The Islamic Research Foundation (IRF), Mumbai,

India, is a registered non-profit public charitable trust.

• It promotes Islamic Da’wah - the proper presentation,

understanding and appreciation of Islam, as well as

removing misconceptions about Islam - amongst less

aware Muslims and non-Muslims.

• With his beard and Islamic skullcap, Dr. Naik did not

escape notice at Los Angeles airport and so was im-

mediately hauled in for questioning.

• He proved that the concept of true “JIHAD” is not

only Islamic but universal.

• Custom officers became curious and started putting

more and more question, he continued to reply with

his wisdom, knowledge and logic.

• An hour passed, a long line of people were waiting for

questioning ,so he was allowed to go and when he got

up and left room about 70 officers from the airport

surrounded him started following him to know about

their own religion and Islam.

DR ZAKIR NAIK

• He was born on 18th of October in 1965, in

Mumbai, India.

• Dr. Zakir Naik is renowned as a dynamic interna-

tional orator on Islam and Comparative Religion.

• He has not only learned Quran and Hadith by

heart but has also learned several Bibles, the Tal-

mud and the Torah (the Jewish scriptures), the

Mahabharata and the Bhagwat Gita (the Hindu

holy books), and other scriptures.

• Dr. Zakir is popular for his critical analysis and

convincing answers to challenging questions posed

by audiences specially non-muslims, after his public

lecture.

Page 2

Page 3

South Island Brotherhood Camp

2007

OUT AND ABOUT

My introduction to Islam My introduction to Islam My introduction to Islam My introduction to Islam The intrigue and interest to know more about Is-lam developed with my interactions with a wonderful group of Saudi Arabian,Omani and Indonesian class-mates,mashallah. In this day and age,the simplicities of life are quick becoming rare and all to easily, we try to fill our lives with complexities as if to say that life is not life without them. How quick we are to lose touch with these simplicites as we busy ourselves with the rigmaroles of day to day societal living. These simple,special quali-ties of wholesomeness,pure intentions and genuineness were my introduction to Islam through these special indi-viduals,mashallah. For me,they represented Islam and the more time I spent with them, the more I was drawn to Islam. I also saw in them, compassion, discipline and strength of con-viction. Such honourable qualities at such tender ages, how was I not to be inspired. Thank you my brothers and sisters and Alhumdillah that these qualities have not been lost and forgotten and for being,in my eyes, won-derful ambassadors of Islam. May you continue to be so and may the rest of us that are still budding into and discovering Islam, aspire to be so. For me,the journey of Islam is not only in the practise of prayers,study of the holy scriptures,attendance of Juma and the practise of Islam in our daily living but also the experiences that we have with our fellow Muslims. Jazakum Allah Khair

Tania Siwatibau

Tania Siwatibau is one of

the new sisters who be-

came a Muslim last year.

The Muslim Woman and her Wellbeing A Healthy Life “The Muslim woman does not forget to maintain her physical fitness and energy by following

the healthy practices recommended by Islam. But she is not content only with the natural, healthy diet referred to above: she also follows an organized exercise program, appropriate to

her physical condition, weight, age and social status. These exercises give her body agility,

beauty, good health, strength and immunity to disease; this will make her more able to carry out her duties, and more fit to fulfil her role in life, whether it be as a wife or mother, young

girl or old woman.”

Beautification

“She does not go to extremes of beautification or make a wanton display of herself Paying attention to one's appearance should not make a Muslim woman fall into the trap of wanton

display (tabarruj) and showing her beauty to anyone other than her husband and mahram relatives. She should not upset the balance which is the basis of all Islamic teaching, for the

Muslim woman always aims at moderation in all things, and is on the alert to prevent any one aspect of her life from taking over at the expense of another.”

Body, Mind, and Soul “The smart Muslim woman is one who strikes a balance between her external appearance and

internal nature. She understands that she is composed of a body, a mind and a soul, and gives

each the attention it deserves, without exaggerating in one aspect to the detriment of others. In seeking to strike the right balance, she is following the wise guidance of Islam which en-

courages her to do so.”

Excerpts from The Ideal Muslimah by

Muslim Students Association (MUSA)

C/O OUSA,P.O. Box 1436, Dunedin Phone: 477 1838 Fax: 477 1840 E-mail: gen_id@hotmail.com

OTAGO MUSLIM ASSOCIATION (OMA)

P.O.Box 6288, Dunedin Al-Huda Mosque, 21 Clyde St, Dunedin. Phone: 477 1838 Fax: 477 1840

SISTERS

Al-Huda Sisters’ Page Dear sisters, This page of Al-Huda is dedi-cated to you. If you have any articles/ poems/ stories/ or anything else that you think would be interesting for the sisters to read, please let us know. You can either email Sister Sumayyah on: lafsu423@student.otago.ac.nz OR Txt/call 027 333 4310 Also use the above contacts if you are interested in having poetry or creative writing competitions. There will be prizes!

Reminders

Please check your email regu-larly to be updated about the sisters events. If we don't have your email, you can either use the above contacts to let us know or you can write your details on the sheet on the sisters notice board. (located by the sisters entrance) Swimming starts again this week on Sunday 3:00 - 4.30pm in Phisyo Pool. Please bring $2.50 with you to help cover the cost of organising it. Our mosque needs your do-nations. Please donate what-ever you can afford. The do-nation box is placed on the table in the main entrance. Useful sites suggested by some sisters are: * jannah.org/sisters * sisters.islamway.com If you know of any sites please let us know.

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Every din has an

innate character. The character of Islam is

modesty."

Imam Malik

The Prophet (SAW) said, "Modesty and in-

ability to speak are two branches of faith,

but obscenity and eloquence are two

branches of hypocrisy.”

Tirmidhi

"Purity is half of faith. alhamdu-lillah fills the scales, and subhana-Allah and alhamdu-lillah fill that which is between heaven and earth. Prayer is light; charity is a proof; patience is illumination; and the Quran is an argument for or against you. Everyone starts his day and is a vendor of his soul, either freeing it or bringing about its ruin."

Muslim (and Nawawi’s forty hadith)