31 AUSTRALIANALWASAT ¿ Issue 50 ¿ Safar 1436 ¿ December 2014 ¿¿ الوسط ¿ العدد 50 ¿ صفر 1436 هـ ¿ كانون األول 2014 م www.alwasat.com.au ¿ info@alwasat.com.au

ANIC REJECTS ALCOHOL EDICT BY SO-CALLED IMAM

The Road to the Parliament

The Australian National Imams Council rejects the proclamation by Mostafa Rashed that the Quran bans

drunkenness and not alcohol itself. The outrageous claim by the so-called imam from Sydney was reported by Australian media yesterday. By unanimous agreement of Muslim jurists for more than 1400 years, alcohol has been and is prohibited in Islam.

The immutable prohibition of all intoxicants is clearly stated in the Glorious Quran in chapter 5, verse 90-91. The Noble Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) added: “Every intoxicant is prohibited.” The reason alcohol is banned in Islamic Law is due to its potential for causing harm, particularly its mind-altering effects. Islamic Law sets out to guarantee and protect five things: life, mind (reason), lineage (posterity), religion

and property. Some scholars have added honour as the sixth. The prohibition of alcohol therefore aims to protect life and the mind. ANIC wishes to state clearly that Mostafa Rashed is not a member of the council. It is also not known where he is alleged to lead prayers in Sydney. The only online references to him are from Coptic sources with one claiming that he is a “Christian convert”.

BY Mohamed HassanI had the luxury to have the chance to stand for the Parliament state election in 2014 for

the Broadmeadows seat. It was an exciting and stressing experience. It is understandable that this area is a labor safe seat with 20% swing, this figure sends a message to competitor that you are not competing but pissing against the wind. This is fact and true. Let me explainwhy it is the case and it is a safe seat?The consequences o f being a safe

seat?My situation, supporters.., opposing and why?Here is the answerThis area is always the case since long time when new migrant been sent off the airport to the ford factory as a low category profile worker. Those workers were under the impression that Labor party and the union are behind the worker to remain protected from being sacked for no matter what they do or mistakes they make. In return they vote labor blindly with no matter who is the candidate is or his/her quality.This is been running for years and years like that.The mentality of those people has to change and I can see that happening especially the new generation who started to understand and urge the point saying why should I give my vote to this or that.In most cases this new generation is more educated than their parents and can see the big picture better and I aim that will change the character of the election norm soon.The consequences of being a safe seat are:Lowest level of education in Victoria,Unemployment reached 26.3% or

more,Around 55% of the adults in Fawkner are uneducated,A high Percent of the young traders have no education beyond Y11 schooling according to some reports,University graduates hardly to find jobs and no hope to build career or future,Issues everywhere in public transportations, health, ... etc..And the fact is Labor is spending money only in marginal seats like as promises in Ballarat but not for the ones taken for granted like Broadmeadows seat. This has to change.With myself what happened with me I had no support from the three largest Muslim organisation in my territory, HIYC in Roxburgh Park, Tbliegh Group in Fawkner and Turkish group in Meadow heights.Whatever the reasons presented to me are the conclusion is one. I am sure that many of them voted for me.In general I would like to thank everyone who voted for me and I promise that will plan for the next and nearest election and will be the serious and honest voice to represent you where ever your voice should go to.Cont.....

ASAK and Greetings All. In this issue of Al Wasat, we will look at the intersection of religion, healthcare and law. The particular case was from the Supreme Court of the UK: Greater Glasgow

Health Board (Appellant) v Doogan and another (Respondents) (Scotland)which was handed down on 17 December 2014. In summary, the Court held that two Catholic midwives (Mary Doogan and Connie Wood) do not have the right to avoid supervising other nurses involved in abortion procedures, based on their religious beliefs.The UK Abortion Act 1967 (Act) provides a comprehensive code of the circumstances in which it is lawful to bring about the termination of a pregnancy in England, Wales and Scotland. Section 4(1) of the Act establishes a right of conscientious objection: it provides that ‘no person shall be under any duty, whether by contract or by any statutory or other legal requirement, to participate in any treatment authorised by this Act to which he has a conscientious objection’ unless, pursuant to subsection (2), it is ‘necessary to save the life or prevent grave permanent injury to the physical or mental health of a pregnant woman’.In this case, the two experienced midwives were employed at the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow were the Labour Ward Co-ordinators. Both are practising Roman Catholics who have informed their employer of their conscientious objection to taking part in the termination of pregnancy. The Hospital policy was that a midwife is to be assigned to give these patients one to one care. The Labour Ward Co-ordinator is to book in patients, allocate staff in the ward, and supervise and support midwives. The midwives, as the Labour Ward Co-ordinators, did not wish to undertake these tasks in connection with patients undergoing terminations. They were unhappy with the arrangements made to accommodate their objections and raised a grievance with their employer. The hospital took the view that delegation, supervision and support did not constitute ‘participating’ in the treatment and rejected the grievance. The midwives went to court.The Supreme Court agreed with the hospital. The Court ruled that Doogan and Wood should have to support staff who are caring for patients having terminations. The Court said that the only question in this case was one of pure statutory construction: the meaning of the words ‘to participate in any treatment authorised by this Act to which he has a conscientious objection’. It was commonly understood that ‘any treatment authorised by this Act’ meant the process of treatment in hospital for the termination of pregnancy and that ‘participating’ meant actually taking part in that process, rather than the extended meaning given to participation by the criminal law.The Court also said a necessary consequence of the duty of care owed to patients by members of the health care profession is that any conscientious objector is under an obligation to refer the case to a professional who does not share the objection. While this case is from the UK, it certainly points to what other courts may consider as to conscientious objection in relation to the provision of health care.An interesting aside from Saudi Arabia recently was where Shoura Council’s health committee endorsed a proposal to prosecute those who block paramedics and other health care professionals from providing treatment for women. A proposal to the Saudi Shoura Council demanded severe sanctions for those hindering the work of male paramedics when they are called out to treat women. The proposal came about from the recent incidents where two women died because paramedics were prevented from doing their job.We ought not forget that the greater good is for the care and safety of the patient, and the primacy of life. Safe holiday, Season’s Greetings, Merry New Year and Masalama.

By SQNLDR (ret) Hj Hyder Gulam, Partner RSG Hyder Gulam FRCNA, FACN, Legal Editor, Al Wasat and Co-Founder Muslim Legal Network Inc.

Legal Corner

Hyder GulamAl wasat Legal Editor

Religion, law, health and conscientious objection

DATE OF BIRTH: 6 October 1976HEIGHT: 170 cm BUILD: ThinEYES:BrownHAIR: Light BrownCOMPLEXION: Fair

Marcus ROBERT-SHAW is wanted in relation to an

alleged unlawful assault, drug possession and driving offences in Korumburra and Richmond. Multiple warrants for his arrest have been issued for failing to appear at court.ROBERT-SHAW is also known to frequent the Yarra, San Remo and Cowes areas

WANTED: Marcus ROBERT-SHAW

Report information confidentially online atwww.crimestoppers.com.au or call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.

Police need your help to locate this wanted person.

If you know something,say something.

9/15 Nathan Drive CampbellfiledVic - 3061