Inside this issue:
Greetings to all and welcome to issue three of the YDPSA newsletter. The YDPSA has progressed tremendously since the elections of this current committee. This new committee hopes to achieve the unity and goals of the tawheed faith. To do this we have organised certain events for the term of this committee. Some of the forthcoming events include a trip to the Riverland in the hope of uniting the Druze youth of rural South Australia with those in metropolitan Adelaide. Another event that will be held on a continual basis throughout the term is the faith forums which aim to expand our knowledge of the tawheed faith and enlighten the youth about who we are. These forums will be highlighted by the presence of a guest speaker who is knowledgeable of the tawheed faith. Other events that will be organised for the Druze youth include movie nights, discos and other social events which all will be notified about in due course. The YDP is in the process of creating a database that will help us communicate and relay news of events to all the Druze youth. In the effort to achieve our goals we encourage all the Druze youth to come forward and become members of this committee. The YDPSA will not succeed without the support of its members.
Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref Halawi was one of the most influential and spiritual Druze leaders of
Muwahhedeen’s most principle, spiritual and moral pillars and his passing was a loss to all. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref Halawi died in his home village of El-Barouk, Shouf in Lebanon on the 26th of November 2003. Two months prior to his death he had undergone surgery and was bed-bound there after. It is believed that the Sheikh’s passing was a result of lung inflammation and pneumonia. The Tawhid leader lived to the outstanding age of 103 and spent his life giving love, peace, compassion and goodness to all people. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref rarely made public appearances and led a life of asceticism in Mount Lebanon. He was a humble, honest, pure and loyal man that dedicated his life to God and the divine Tawhid Faith. Over 250,000 mourners attended his funeral in Lebanon and on Thursday the 27th of November most Druze towns in the Metn, Chouf and Aley districts closed down as a sign of mourning and respect. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref was a mentor to all and his life, morals and teachings will be reflected upon, cherished and remembered by all Druze for all time. His imprints will forever remain in the hearts of all Muwahhedeen’s. With respect and honor, we unite in spirit with our fellow Druze across the world and send out prayers. In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful, Allah Yirhamu and May God rest his Soul.
The YDPSA committee recently voted to form four subcommittees to ensure that we can serve our members, and also the community at large, more effectively and comprehensively. If you think you can also make a valuable contribution in any of these areas, we would love to hear from you! These groups are not exclusively for committee members, anyone can have a say in the planning! Newsletter
The wonderful people involved with producing this newsletter are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Slayman Abou-Hamdan, Rany Alaeddine, Areege Mohtar, Aber Najjar, Ramsey Tabet, and ably assisted by Omar Raslan. The newsletter subcommittee's task is to ensure that the Druze community is constantly and frequently informed of the plans and activities of the YDPSA through postal mail outs such as this one. Faith Forums
Faith forums encourage the open discussion of Druze religion, culture and heritage through group readings, workshop exercises and question & answer forums. They provide an opportunity for the younger members of the Druze community to learn more about their faith, to discuss contemporary issues they are faced with, as well as the chance to share their knowledge and experience with other Druze in a friendly and nonformal environment. It is the YDPSA's aim to firmly establish these encounters on a regular basis in the South Australian Druze calendar. The men & women in charge of organising and managing the faith forums are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Ghassan Abi-Mosleh, Slayman Abou-Hamdan, Nasrine Andary, Areege Mohtar, Jihan Tabet, and Rami Tabet.
The marketing group’s assignment is to manage the marketing, advertising and promoting of the YDPSA. Tasks include producing and distributing flyers and pamphlets, preparing locations, as well as general community and public relations. The people enlisted for this task are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Ramy Abo-Kamil, Areege Mohtar, and Ramsey Tabet. However, they cannot do it alone. The most powerful marketing tool is word of mouth. So, if you are planning to attend a Druze event, call and invite as many Druze brothers and sisters as you can to come along! Community Development The prime objective of this subcommittee is to enhance the relationship between the Druze community and the YDPSA through a number of special projects. The group is looking to undertake a number of ventures in 2004 that would benefit the YDPSA (and the ADC Committee) in capturing the flavour of the entire South Australian Druze community. Ultimately, we are hoping the end result of these undertakings will benefit the long-term strategic planning for all future Druze committees and organisations. More details to follow soon! The committee members responsible with the planning in this area are Ramy Abo-Kamil, Areege Mohtar, Aber Najjar, and Heba Najjar.
Abu Abed & The Americans Abu Abed and Abu Steif were sitting once after a hard days work, when Abu Steif said: "I heard that the Americans went to the moon ? " Abu Abed : "All of them. ???
I believe no one loves you as much as your mother
I believe I can be whatever I want to be
I believe you wil always rely on your education in life
I believe there is always something to be done
I believe enjoyment is the key to success
I believe most people have good intentions
I believe war is not a final alternative but an easy way out
I believe there is no justified reason for murder
I believe humans are the most destructive animals
I believe you should think hard before making a decision since it can change your life
To all budding quiz masters, how would you like a chance to win a prize valued at over $50, and at the same time demonstrate your research skills. Below are five challenging questions. Find the answers and submit them to [email protected] by 30/12/03. Please have “YDP Competition” as the subject of the email. You’ll get a confirmation email within 24hours of submitting your answers. The first ten people to submit the correct answers will go into the draw to win two movie/dinner vouchers courtesy of Café Buongiorno. 1. What is the longest river in Europe? 2. Name 3 books written by the winner of the 1962 Nobel Prize for literature. 3. How many bits are there in 16 kilobytes? 4. What is Gemfibrozil? 5. What was the name of the Chilean President who served from 1970 to 1973 before being overthrown by military leaders?
In early 2003, the YDPSA organised a successful bus trip for our youth to visit the Riverland Druze community. Following a day of fun activities, warmly hosted by our regional brethren, we all committed to plan ongoing activities that would bring our communities together more regularly. Since then, the Office of Multicultural Affairs has awarded us with a grant of $1,500 to support a follow-up activity - The YDPSA Regional Participation Project. The aim of this project is to identify and address the cultural needs of the regional Druze community as well as provide an opportunity for regional and metropolitan Druze to participate together in cultural activities.
On the first day a bus will transport Metropolitan Druze community
members to the Riverland, where they will engage with the local community in cultural activities focusing on the experiences of Druze living in regional areas.
On the second day a bus will transport Druze community members
from the Riverland to Adelaide, where they will engage with the local community in cultural activities focusing on the experiences of Druze living in metropolitan areas.
Some proposed activities over these two days include: Cultural workshops; guest speakers; open and guided discussion forums; games; plenty of fun activities; and of course food!
The project has been tentatively scheduled for the Australia Day 2004 long weekend (24-26 January 2004) and everyone is welcome to come and join in the fun!
Further information will be available at the New Year’s Eve Celebration at the Druze hall, and distributed to families in early January 2004. Meanwhile, please contact myself, or any of the YDPSA committee members, with suggestions for activities or for more details.
This industry is a service focused industry that provides the opportunities for job seekers to be placed in a job that is most suitable to their skills and abilities. This sector encompasses many different types of employment agencies. There are three main types of service providers where a person can seek a job; Private Employment Agencies, Job Network Members and Labor Hire. All three types of agencies source employers and are outsourced by employers in the hope to match available jobs to job seekers. The difference between the three is in the way they deal with the job seekers. The private agency will advertise the available jobs, interview the most suitable candidates and then forward them on to the employer. The labor hire companies are those that take on contracts from employers, register job seekers and send them out to different locations for work. The Job Network Members are the companies that deal with the Department of Employment and Workplace relations (DEWR) and Centrelink. DEWR funds these companies to assist the job seekers and get them job ready. The duties of an employment consultant involve the following: registration of a client, tailoring the resume and application letters, providing training in areas that would make the job seeker more ready to take on their dream job and following up with the client on their progress in the new job. The employment sector tends to be underestimated by people; however this should not be the case. Today many big companies hire employment agencies to take on the recruitment process for them. This is a valuable service that is offered to job seekers to help them achieve their dream jobs.
Name: Nasser Najjar Age: 9 Favourite food: Lasagna Favourite singer: Craig David Favourite song: 21 questions by 50 cent Do you study a lot? No way Favourite sport: Soccer Favourite footy team: Port …but they lost! Oh well Criminal record: He busted out of the penitentiary i.e. his room, after being sent there by his mum for organizing a strike against school His first words: ‘Dada’ and ‘down with homework’ School & Level: East Torrens primary school, just finished year 4 Last excuse your mother had for yelling at you: I was making fun of my sister. Are you going to be a gangsta when you grow up? No, because I don't want to get caught by the cops Who is your best friend? Rian Barooki How strong are you? VERY Do you think you could beat me? On play station I could! What do you want to be when you grow up? A lawyer because they make a lot of money every week, or a cop because they get to pull people over Who do you want to be like when you grow up: James Bond, because he gets to drive cool cars
Em Abed to her husband Abu Abed : Everytime our neighbour goes out or in to the house he kisses his wife. When you are going to become a gentlemen and do like him. Abu Abed : " And Do you think she will agree.?"
N I O H A M Z A N H Y E R K L S C N A Y B S D N O I T F J C A U S E A X T D R P E A C E R O F E T A F I S W N L F R A F U L T I U L O A F J E E T F D Y H A E S A C R D I E S B R H R E R T W A H I T W T N C D R Y F O Y I T W O A U D N U E G E C H R S A N A O B A H L U Z H J U F N F E E P R A Y E R S T L E W A Y L U O T T D A W A U T N O S I S I C O M Y U E N U A P R R J A U M L F N V L I B T G O S W E S Y H M Z R T A N H U A I O M E B A S T D E A L E R K I E O Q W E L U D N F I D I H W A T S B A D I M E N F R H L U O S P F C H T C O W G N I T B R E T H R E N F E Z U R D
Recently, a case has come before the Honourable Alastair Nicholson, Chief Justice of the Family Court in Australia, in the judge authorized that a 13 year-old child with a condition known as gender identity dysophoria (GID) receive treatment as part of a sex Here, sexologist and CASE faculty member, Dr Patricia Weerakoon, comments on the Alex is a classic case of “Gender Identity Dysphor
Inside this issue: 
Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref Halawi was one of the most influential and spiritual Druze leaders of
Muwahhedeen’s most principle, spiritual and moral pillars and his passing was a loss to all. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref Halawi died in his home village of El-Barouk, Shouf in Lebanon on the 26th of November 2003. Two months prior to his death he had undergone surgery and was bed-bound there after. It is believed that the Sheikh’s passing was a result of lung inflammation and pneumonia. The Tawhid leader lived to the outstanding age of 103 and spent his life giving love, peace, compassion and goodness to all people. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref rarely made public appearances and led a life of asceticism in Mount Lebanon. He was a humble, honest, pure and loyal man that dedicated his life to God and the divine Tawhid Faith. Over 250,000 mourners attended his funeral in Lebanon and on Thursday the 27th of November most Druze towns in the Metn, Chouf and Aley districts closed down as a sign of mourning and respect. Sheikh Abou Hassan Aref was a mentor to all and his life, morals and teachings will be reflected upon, cherished and remembered by all Druze for all time. His imprints will forever remain in the hearts of all Muwahhedeen’s. With respect and honor, we unite in spirit with our fellow Druze across the world and send out prayers. In the name of God, the compassionate and the merciful, Allah Yirhamu and May God rest his Soul.
The YDPSA committee recently voted to form four subcommittees to ensure that we can serve our members, and also the community at large, more effectively and comprehensively. If you think you can also make a valuable contribution in any of these areas, we would love to hear from you! These groups are not exclusively for committee members, anyone can have a say in the planning! Newsletter
The wonderful people involved with producing this newsletter are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Slayman Abou-Hamdan, Rany Alaeddine, Areege Mohtar, Aber Najjar, Ramsey Tabet, and ably assisted by Omar Raslan. The newsletter subcommittee's task is to ensure that the Druze community is constantly and frequently informed of the plans and activities of the YDPSA through postal mail outs such as this one. Faith Forums
Faith forums encourage the open discussion of Druze religion, culture and heritage through group readings, workshop exercises and question & answer forums. They provide an opportunity for the younger members of the Druze community to learn more about their faith, to discuss contemporary issues they are faced with, as well as the chance to share their knowledge and experience with other Druze in a friendly and nonformal environment. It is the YDPSA's aim to firmly establish these encounters on a regular basis in the South Australian Druze calendar. The men & women in charge of organising and managing the faith forums are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Ghassan Abi-Mosleh, Slayman Abou-Hamdan, Nasrine Andary, Areege Mohtar, Jihan Tabet, and Rami Tabet.
The marketing group’s assignment is to manage the marketing, advertising and promoting of the YDPSA. Tasks include producing and distributing flyers and pamphlets, preparing locations, as well as general community and public relations. The people enlisted for this task are Jamal Abil-Mouna, Ramy Abo-Kamil, Areege Mohtar, and Ramsey Tabet. However, they cannot do it alone. The most powerful marketing tool is word of mouth. So, if you are planning to attend a Druze event, call and invite as many Druze brothers and sisters as you can to come along! Community Development The prime objective of this subcommittee is to enhance the relationship between the Druze community and the YDPSA through a number of special projects. The group is looking to undertake a number of ventures in 2004 that would benefit the YDPSA (and the ADC Committee) in capturing the flavour of the entire South Australian Druze community. Ultimately, we are hoping the end result of these undertakings will benefit the long-term strategic planning for all future Druze committees and organisations. More details to follow soon! The committee members responsible with the planning in this area are Ramy Abo-Kamil, Areege Mohtar, Aber Najjar, and Heba Najjar.
Abu Abed & The Americans Abu Abed and Abu Steif were sitting once after a hard days work, when Abu Steif said: "I heard that the Americans went to the moon ? " Abu Abed : "All of them. ???
I believe no one loves you as much as your mother
I believe I can be whatever I want to be
I believe you wil always rely on your education in life
I believe there is always something to be done
I believe enjoyment is the key to success
I believe most people have good intentions
I believe war is not a final alternative but an easy way out
I believe there is no justified reason for murder
I believe humans are the most destructive animals
I believe you should think hard before making a decision since it can change your life
