PERDANA GLOBAL PEACE FORUM 2005

Putra World Trade Centre (PWTC) - 15 Disember 2005 - Our world in the 21st century is filled with conflict and violence. The Peace Dividend still remains elusive. Increasing tensions on the world scene, escalating terrorism, religious intolerance, relentless environmental degradation, and the systematic violation of human rights demonstrate now more than ever the need to understand the diverse roots of conflicts, as well as the links between peace and security, poverty and environmental deterioration.

The Perdana Global Peace Forum 2005 organised by Perdana Leadership Foundation at the Putra World Trade Centre, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia intends to provide an international platform for the discussion of current world problems and, through comprehensive discourse, provide ideas to make our world a better and a safer place. The Forum bring together a diverse and select group of current and former heads of state, business leaders, prominent academics, community leaders, other stakeholders and key NGO representatives to collectively brainstorm on the practical way forward to achieve global peace.

The Forum will provide the platform for dialogue, discussion and collaborative action needed to establish visible roles and build new networks to promote peace. Rhetoric and finger pointing will not be the primary focus of the forum. Local peace where this is a matter of urgent need will be highlighted. But serious attention will be paid to the lowering of tension and reduction in the use of force for the settlement of disputes and differences.

Bro. Jufitri Joha, GPTD Chairman attended this forum. Above picture: Dr. Helen Caldicott, the President of Nuclear Policy Research Institute (NPRI) USA, while was addressing the paticipants of the forum

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Kunjungan Bro. Khalid Farouk dari Sri Lanka

Anjung Rahmat - 13 Disember 2005 - Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (ABIM) telah dikunjungi Bro. Khalid Farouk dari Sri Lanka. Beliau merupakan Konsultan Hal-Ehwal Belia Islam, Perhimpunan Belia Sedunia (WAY). Belia berkunjung ke ABIM untuk berkenalan dengan Exco ABIM yang baru dan mengajak ABIM untuk membuat program belia Islam serantau bersama WAY. GPTD harus mengambil peluang keemasan ini untuk melebarkan jaringan ke negara Islam yang bersama terlibat dalam WAY. WAY boleh dikenali dengan lebih dekat di: http://www.way.org.my/

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GPTD China New Office

GPTD China now belonging their own office in GPTD secretariat sharing with Persatuan Pelajar Islam Asia Tenggara (Pepiat) or in English Southeast Asian Muslim Student Association as well as ABIM-GPM Volunteer Centre (AGVC). Pepiat is led by Bro. Suhail Ahmad who is in the same time a PKPIM President meanwhile GPTD China and AGVC currently led by Mohd Ahkmal Mohd Noor who is also in the same time a GPTD Assistant Coordinator 2.

Above is GPTD China logo.

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Lawatan ke Sekolah Kanak-Kanak Spastik

Petaling Jaya, Selangor - 27 Oktober 2005- Grup Pengkaji Tamadun Dunia (GPTD) dan Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) telah mengadakan lawatan ke Persatuan Kanak-Kanak Spastik Wilayah Persekutuan dan Selangor. Cik Fauziah Tahar selaku Pengetua sekolah tersebut telah memberikan penerangan tentang pengurusan dan aktiviti persekolahan di situ. Lawatan ini diketuai oleh saudara Mohd Akhmal Mohd Noor, Penolong Penyelaras 2 GPTD.

*Edisi berita tertangguh.

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Zain Bhikha - A Nasyidian From South Africa

Anjung Rahmat - December 9, 2005 - ABIM had organized "In Person" with an uprising Nasyidian from South Africa, Bro. Zain Bhikha. Zain Bhikha was born on the 9 August 1974 in Pretoria, South Africa to parents Rashid and Mariam Bhikha. The only son, with three sisters, Zain showed a keen interest, from a young age in entertaining his friends and family with his beautiful singing.

Zain was not aware of his full potential until 1994 when he won a singing competition on Radio 702, a local radio station. A simple song which he recorded on his home karaoke system brought him out tops among mostly professional participants. After this great accomplishment, he seriously considered recording an album. This consideration was put into action after he was approached by The Pretoria Muslim School who asked him to write and record their school anthem. Zain took it a step further and composed a full album, entitled "A Way of Life" This was a compilation of basic Acapella Islamic songs, mostly in English covering the various tenets of Faith.

During the session, he sang 2 songs excerpted from his album after delivered some remarks to members of the floor. His website: http://www.zainbhikha.com/. Above picture: Bro. Najmuddin (GPTD Turkey Leader) while interviewing Bro. Zain Bhikha at ABIM office.

*GPTD members should think a new approach by sending people to all over the world as a Nasyidian to spread dakwah like for example Bro.Yusuf Islam and Bro. Zain Bhikha as well.

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Asean Civil Society Conference

UITM, Shah Alam - December 7 - Centre for ASEAN Studies has initiated the ASEAN Civil Society Conference which was held from 7th to 9th December 2005, in conjunction with the 11th ASEAN Summit Malaysia is playing host to this year. The organiser are hopeful that the theme of the conference , 'Building A Common Future Together ' will provide a framework from where stakeholders can move forward to concretise ideas and concepts into workable solutions for the betterment of ASEAN peoples. The outcome will be presented to the leaders of ASEAN during the commencement of the ASEAN Summit. Bro. Jufitri, GPTD Chairman represented ABIM to this conference. ASEAN website: http://www.aseansec.org/.

*Note: All GPTD members have to do some homework study on international bodies such ASEAN, WTO, APEC, EU, etc.

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Kunjungan GPTD Kemboja ke Pejabat GPTD

Anjung Rahmat - 4 Disember - GPTD menerima kunjungan daripada GPTD Kemboja seramai 5 orang yang rata-rata semuanya belajar di Kolej Dar al-Hikmah, Kajang. Taklimat mengenai operasi GPTD telah disampaikan oleh saudara Mohd Khairudin Mohd Nor iaitu Penyelaras GPTD yang baru. Mereka sedang giat menjalankan persiapan untuk melakukan khidmat sosial di Kemboja susulan dari projek pertama iaitu pada bulan Mei yang lepas. GPTD Kemboja yang mendapat bimbingan langsung dari saudara Anas Jaafar, bakal berlepas ke Kemboja pada 10-20 Mac 2006.

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Kenali Al-Imam Al-Habib Abdullah bin Alawi Al-Haddad

Ampang, Kuala Lumpur - 3 Disember 2005 - Semenjak peninggalan Al-Habib Abdullah bin Alawi bin Muhammad Al-Haddad hampir tiga ratus tahun yang lalu, cahaya ilmunya terus mengalir dan menyentuh kalbu sesiapa sahaja yang diberi taufiq oleh Allah s.w.t. untuk mempelajarinya. Dengan tujuan mengingati serta mencebis sedikit pengajaran dan barakah yang sekian lama ditaburi dan dimafaati oleh sebahagian umat Islam di merata dunia, maka satu majlis hol beliau yang telah diadakan di Masjid Baitul Aman, Jalan Damai off Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur pada hari Sabtu 3 Disember 2005 bersamaan dengan 1 Zulqaedah 1426 mulai jam 6:00 petang. Turut hadir ke majlis ini adalah Presiden ABIM, Pengerusi dan Penyelaras GPTD.

Ahli GPTD diminta untuk mengkaji kegigihan ulama ini menyebarkan dakwah agar dijadikan ikutan dan pedoman ketika menjadikan misi dakwah ke seluruh alam. Nak mengenali ulama ini yang terkenal dengan kitab Nasihat Agama dan Wasiat Iman, sila buka http://www.alhawi.net/.

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Smiles Of Thousand Happiness…

Tasmania, Australia - November 20, 2005 - Alhamdulillah, Hobart Mosque was officially opened by Dato' Sri Effendi Norwawi. He came to Hobart with 8 of his colleagues who are ex- student of University OF Tasmania. Sitting in front from left, Dato' Dr. Hasan Ismail, Madehi Kolek, Ex-Lord Mayor of Sarawak, Me, Dato Sri Effendi Norwawi, Imam Sabri, Dr Ameer Ali, AFIC President, Haroon Hanan, President of Islamic Centre Of Tasmania Trust Inc. Dato Dr Nik Amrah and Mohd Sharie, Phd Student in UTAS. Standing behind are the committee member of TMA and wife of the delegates.

The official opening of this Mosque an important milestone in the history of Tasmania. There are now purpose built places of worship in Tasmania for each of the three Abrahamic faiths. The first Christian Church (St Davids) was built in 1817, the first Synagogue was opened in 1845 and now in 2005 the first purpose built Mosque is being opened. This ceremony is the culmination of many years of effort since the Tasmanian Muslim Association was founded in 1973. Many attempts have been made to design and construct a Mosque since then and this final successful attempt has taken 8 yeas to bring to completion.The construction of this Mosque should be viewed as a vote of confidence in the State of Tasmania by the Muslim Community.

The Muslim community regards Tasmania as a haven of peace, tolerance and acceptance in an increasingly troubled world. In many communities, it is very difficult to build a Mosque and there are often long legal disputes and the public becomes agitated. However, these problems have not occurred in Hobart. When the Hobart City Council considered our application to build a Mosque it was welcomed by the Aldermen and regarded as an important religious and cultural addition to the City's facilities. Tasmania is a model for a successful multicultural and multi-faith society. These is because people in Tasmania have respect for the rights of others and are accepting of difference. The Muslim respected the rights of neighbors when plans for the Mosque were being developed. We listened to the legitimate concerns of our neighbors and made numerous changes to our development proposal. Our long term goal was to remain on good terms with our West Hobart neighbors.

1. Dato Effendi Norwawi has been a benefactor of the Tasmanian Muslim community since he was a student at the University of Tasmania in the 1960s. He has maintained close links with the State since then and has made donations on many occasions to assist in the maintenance of our Islamic Centre. He has offered substantial assistance and also supported this project by encouraging other prominent Malaysians to make donations.

2. The Tasmanian Muslim Association is one of the founding members of our national body, the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC). The national body has always given support to assist with the development of the Muslim community in Tasmania and have had a special commitment to ensuring that a purpose built Mosque was constructed in Hobart.

3. This Mosque was designed by Michael Cooper who is Vice President of the Australian Institute of Architects. Michael is not a Muslim but he decided to offer his professional services free of charge so that the Mosque could be built. This contribution is worth tens of thousands of dollars. Michael also attended many late night meetings with the Building Committee and provided value advice as to how we could realize our vision within the limits of a limited budget.
The building of this Mosque is an example of what can be achieved when people of diverse backgrounds work together. It would not have been possible to build this Mosque without the support and encouragement of our non-Muslim friends. This is proof of the strength of Australia's multifaith society where people of all faiths respect each other and actively support the right of fellow Australians to live and worship in accordance with their religion.

See picture above: Noryzal (wearing Jubah and Serban) sit in front beside Dato' Sri Effendi Norwawi.

Noryzal Zainal Abidin
GPTD Activist in Tasmania

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Humanitarian Forum 2005

Nov 29, 2005 - The Grand Plaza Parkroyal Hotel, Kuala Lumpur - Islamic Relief Malaysia Berhad had organized Workshop on Building partnership between Muslim NGOs and the International Community. Bro. Azril Mohd Amin, Vice President of ABIM, Bro. Shirajuddin Sirat, GPM Manager and Bro. Jufitri Joha, GPTD Chairman had participated in this very beneficial workshop. For more info please surf www.islamic-relief.com.my.

Islamic Relief is an international charity aid agency addressing the needs of the poor worldwide. Founded in the 1984, Islamic Relief received its first donation of just 20p from a young child. It has since grown dramatically, into a worldwide organization with seven figure budgets and hundreds of thousands of beneficiaries. Islamic Relief has its international headquarter in Birmingham, UK, and fundraising offices throughout the world. They are responsible for raising most of the funds, some of which come from individual donation and others from institutional donors such as the UK department for International Development (DGID), United Nation’s World Food Programme (WFP) and European Community Humanitarian Office (ECHO).

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