[Update: you can see a vidcast review of it on The Guide]

They’re up against Numb3rs on Ten, At the Movies (SBS’s old gem) on ABC, the last part of Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom on Seven, and CSI Miami on Nine. Yes, folks, tonight is the first airing of the new and improved Salam Cafe on SBS at 10pm.

As I was watching the Logies the other night, I wondered whether I would see them next year picking up an award for best new talent. Fingers crossed, or inshallah as we say.

The Age’s Melinda Houston gives them Critic’s Choice writing:

That Salam Cafe is smart, fun, irreverent and suprsing will not be news to its legions of fans on Channel 31. But now those who don’t, or can’t watch Channel 31 can share in the fun. It’s a kind of Chaser meets The Panel, only with hijabs: a bunch of young
Australian Muslims getting together to look at the lighter side of current affiars, culture, and themselves, in front of an audience.

The SBS version is produced by Ted Robinson and Pamela Swain (Good News Week), it’s hosted by the very likeable Ahmed Imam; regular panelists include comedians and commentators; and the result is that most delightful kind of television, a program that’s very entertaining and really does broaden the mind.

P.S. I’ve got two screen-grabs of the review, the first has Ahmed, Suze & Dakhs, whereas the second has the Wal-meister as … I can’t even write it, it’s too funny. Just click on it and see.

Islamic Social Services Agency (ISSA) presents:
Family Fun Day!!

Come with family and friends to Lysterfield Lake Park

WHERE: MEL: 108 D2 | Horswood Road off Belgrave-Hallam Rd | Head LEFT
after entrance
WHEN: Sunday 20th April 2008
TIME: 11:00am - 2.30pm

Join us for a barbecue…
Fun and games for the whole family…
Help raise funds for needy families…

$25 per family* / $5 individuals (inc. meal).
Salad, drinks and extra BBQ food available with gold coin donations.
Tell us if you need help with transport!
For catering purposes, please RSVP your attendance on the contact
details below.

The first 20 families to arrive will receive a FREE PRIZE!

Park info
ISSA info

Contact
| Cliff | cnz [at] alphalink [dot] com [dot] au | 9706 2483
| Dakhylina | dakhylina [at] gmail [dot] com | 0404 516 223
| Inaz inazj [at] hotmail [dot] com | 0422 743 748

*upon presentation of Medicare card

Allahumma, salli ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala aalihi Muhammad, kama salayta Ibrahim wa ‘ala aalihi Ibrahim. Wa baraka ‘ala Muhammad wa ‘ala alalihi Muhammad, kama barakta Ibrahim wa ‘ala aalihi Ibrahim. Aameen.

Oh God, pour praises upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you poured praises upon Abraham and upon the family of Abraham. And pour blessings upon Muhammad and the family of Muhammad, as you poured blessings upon Abraham and the family of Abraham! Amen.

The 12 of Rabi’ al-Awwal marks the anniversary of the birth of our beloved Prophet Muhammad , peace and blessings be upon him. O Allah , let your Prophet intercede for me and the ummah on the Day of Resurrection, the Day upon which there will be no intercession except those to whom you grant it.

Say [O Prophet to humanity]: “If you love God, follow me, [and] God will love you and forgive you your sins; for God is much-forgiving, merciful.” (Al-Imran 3:31)

The second annual Australian Islamic Conference starts tomorrow and yours truly shall be attending inshallah.

I love Muslim conferences. I just love being around a whole bunch of fellow brothers and sisters, and I cannot wait to make hajj one day inshallah. When I finally and definitely knew that I was called to Islam, I got online and a brother on a UK chatroom mentioned there was a big conference in Birmingham that I should go to. So that kinda marks my transition into being a proper Muslim (I’d dabbled for a few years before). Shaykh Hamza Yusuf and Shaykh Abdal Hakim Murad were at that conference and it was held in a HUGE sports stadium in Aston. 1000+ Muslims with lil’ ‘ole me sitting amongst them. (Poor Abu Yasmin was dragged along and had to sit with the brothers, and he didn’t quite know what to make of it all).

Anyway, I’m all excited, and if you’re going along, drop me a note and I’ll try and catch up with you there inshallah.

Renowned Islamic Scholar Dr Mohammed Al-Majali will be conducting a lecture in Melbourne for sisters only. Dr Mohammed is the Dean of Shariah Department at the University of Jordan and the Vice President of The Conservation of the Holy Quran Society.

Topic:”Righteousness Is A Woman’s Key To Power” will be conducted in Arabic

Place: ICV, City Mosque, 66-68 Jeffcott Street, West Melbourne

Time: 6:00pm tomorrow, Thursday 20th March 2008

Seats are limited, please be on time.

For information please contact 0447 119 505 / 0401 860 901.