This blog is all about connecting stories, events and heritage. I hope it will be a source of reporting community and local news, celebrating the people and personalities who add colours to the fabric of our community, and bringing you with information on local activities and events. I hope to also capture and preserve our shared culture and history with plans to become source of future community history projects.

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Rizal ben Ahmad

RbA is a man of many interests. He is a budding writer and novice photographer who lives in Brisbane, Australia. He loves reading history, learning about cultures and traditions of various peoples of the world.

  • Al Quran Academy Brisbane Celebrates 2025 Student Achievements at New Kuraby Campus

    First End-of-Year Ceremony Marks Milestone for Growing Madrasah

    Al Quran Academy Brisbane (AQA) held its first-ever end-of-year celebration at its newly established campus on Allbut St, Kuraby, recognising the achievements of 65 students who completed various courses in 2025. The event, which took place on 22nd November 2025, was attended by invited guests, teachers, and students, marking a significant milestone in the academy’s journey.

    AQA offers three streams of learning: Quran reading (Iqra), with a particular focus on adults and reverts; the Madinah Arabic Course (MAC); and classes covering essential Islamic practices. Courses are delivered at the main campus, Kuraby Masjid, and online. Remarkably, the academy operates entirely on community donations, with no course or registration fees charged to students, ensuring accessibility for all and reflecting a commitment to service for the sake of Allah ‎ﷻ.

    Guests arriving at the ceremony were treated to a traditional Bangladeshi lunch, featuring kachchi briyani, chicken roast, salad, and chomchom for dessert, ahead of the afternoon’s proceedings.

    The certificate ceremony began at 2PM, led by MC Dr Razin Khan, who opened with a Quran recitation. AQA Principal Ustadh Muhammad Selim Jahangir then delivered a speech recounting the academy’s origins and highlighting the importance of Quranic learning. He also outlined plans for the future growth of AQA.

    Imam Gamal Fouda of Kuraby Masjid, the guest of honour, addressed the gathering, emphasising the value of mastering Arabic and the Quran. He noted that many prominent Islamic scholars are non-Arab speakers who have excelled in the Arabic language, sometimes surpassing native speakers. Imam Gamal encouraged the study of Arabic and other languages as vital tools for communication and da’awah.

    Following his address, Imam Gamal presented certificates to: 15 Iqra students, 16 MAC Book 1 graduates, and 35 MAC Book 2 graduates. Among them was 95-year-old Uncle Cader Ansari, whose dedication to learning Arabic inspired all in attendance. Despite his age, Uncle Cader continues to actively pursue his studies, sharing his belief that “age is only a number for my body not my mind” as he was quoted to have said to Ustadh Selim when starting MAC course.

    Student representatives from each cohort shared their experiences and suggestions for improvement, while Capt Abdul Aziz recited the first ten verses of Surah Kahf, adding a spiritual dimension to the event.

    Towards the end of ceremony Ustadh Khairul Alam, representing the teaching staff, were invited to deliver few remarks. He underscored the importance of not only learning but also teaching it as a means of earning Allah’s pleasure.  

    The event concluded with a speech by Ustadh Dr Muhammad Abdul Latif, AQA Chairman, who extended thanks to all contributors and organisers for their role in the academy’s success and the day’s celebrations.  

  • Seventeen Years of Learning Quran: Holland Park Masjid Longest Running Tafsir Class

    Imam Uzair delivering his lecture on 16 November 2025.

    Brisbane, Queensland – Every Sunday morning, a dedicated group of families makes their way to the Holland Park Mosque to attend a unique and enduring educational gathering: Imam Uzair’s weekly Tafsir class. Starting promptly at 10:15 AM, this gathering stands out not just for its devotion to understanding the Qur’an, but for its remarkable longevity.

    According to Imam Uzair, what makes this weekly session truly special is its continuous run for an incredible 17 years. He believes it may be the longest running tafseer (Qur’anic exegesis/interpretation) class in Queensland, if not all of Australia.

    This family-oriented class is open to anyone interested in learning tafseer. Only sincere commitment to learn needed.  

    The journey began quietly in August 2008 at the private residence of Dr. Zulkifli Nikwan. The first class was an introduction to Sūrah Al Fātiḥah (Chapter 1) of the Qur’an. As the class grew in popularity, the need for a larger space became clear, prompting the move to its current venue at the Holland Park Mosque in 2015.

    The initial classes proceeded sequentially, covering the Qur’an up to the end of Sūrah Yūnus (Chapter 10) by mid-October 2013. At this point, Imam Uzair proposed a strategic shift in the study plan.

    The group temporarily skipped forward to Juzʼ 30 before continuing in descending order to Juzʼ 26. This non-sequential study plan was adopted because the later parts of the Qur’an have shorter suwar (سُوَر – plural of Sūrah), allowing participants to cover complete chapters more quickly before returning to the longer ajzāʼ (أَجْزَاءْ – plural of Juzʼ) beginning with Sūrah Hūd (Chapter 11).

    • 27th October 2013: The class began the study of Juzʼ 30 with Sūrah An-Nabaʼ.

    • 18th December 2022: The class completed Juzʼ 26, ending with Sūrah Qāf (Chapter 50).

    • 5th February 2023: The class resumed the chronological sequence, starting with Sūrah Hūd.

    As of the writing of this article, the class is currently delving into Sūrah An-Nahl (Chapter 16). With only 29 suwar remaining, the end is now in sight for this monumental, multi-year undertaking.

    This long-running class has not only educated participants in the deeper meaning of the Qur’an but has also served as a focal point for the many families of Malay community in south of Brisbane. Families have grown up with this weekly gathering, with some of the children who first attended now starting families of their own. 

    May Allāh SWT bless Imam Uzair for his efforts in researching and delivering his tafsīr lectures with such great detail and depth. 

    May Allāh SWT bless Dr. Nikwan and his family for their steadfast support and bless all the families and children who have come together over the years to learn the words of the Qur’an.

    Dr Zulkifli Nikwan and Imam Uzair Akbar are the key individuals behind this long-running program.

  • Loud and Proud – Story Bridge March, 15 Nov 2025

    As I make my way to Centenary Park, I could hear the crowd chanting, cheering and shouting. Loud over the voice of the speaker I could clearly hear the words, “Shame! Shame!” as I approach the crossings between Queens St and Boundary St. No doubt the crowd were reacting to the speaker. Though the voice of the speaker was muddled by the sounds of traffic, I am pretty sure of what had been said. Those who have attended similar rallies in the past could easily guess why the crowd reacted that way.

    As I got to the park some twenty minutes after the scheduled start time of 3:30PM, I could see the crowd was focusing their attention to the speaker standing on a small foot-high perhaps 1ft x 2ft rostrum towards the left of Thomas Joseph Byrness statue – or in the south direction since the statue faces west for those not familiar with the park. Quite a decent size crowd though not as large as one of the previous ones. Perhaps a couple of hundred people – heard the organiser said some 500 people at the end of the march.

    There were the usual marquees by the organisers and other supporting organisations. Plenty of crowds getting information and purchasing flags, buttons and other protest memorabilia. It was a motley crew of a crowd though largely young people between perhaps in their 20’s and 30’s and of various political persuasions. One thing for sure, they came to stand united against genocide.

    By around 4, the organisers lead the crowd to march towards the bridge with quite heavy police presence to ensure safety and public order. A small group of counter protesters already gathered near the bridge. The organisers had forewarned the crowd not to engage with the counter protesters. As we walked pass them near the bridge, there were the usual jeers and shouting between the two groups. The police had set up a barrier and were standing guard to keep the two groups apart. Thanks the police, the marching crowd was able to pass by without any incident.

    The crowd spent around 30 minutes on the bridge, waving the flags to motorists passing by and chanting pro-Palestinian slogans. Some were seen dancing to the beat of the drums as they chant “from the river to the sea, Palestine will be free’ and ‘from the sea to the river, Palestine will be free.’ I noticed the young and the elderly; mums with their daughters, men and women representing folks from all walks of life and of various political and social ideologies including those on wheelchairs and mobility scooters marching together under one unified cause. Despite the rain, they seem to be enjoying themselves. Unlike in Sydney, the organisers couldn’t get Brisbane Council approval to shut the bridge down for the march. So the best they could do is to walk along the footpath and make their presence known to motorists. Several cars showed their support by honking and revving as they pass by protesters who welcome their support by waving flags and chanting even louder.

    By 4:40 we were back at Centenary Park where the march ended after short concluding remarks by the organisers. The rain got heavier but I think everyone walked away with a sense of satisfaction.

    Organisers leading the march towards Story Bridge.
    Marching along the footpath towards Story Bridge.
    Remah Naji leading the crowd on the Story Bridge.
    Dedicated flag-bearers on the Story Bridge braving the rain.
    Proud supporter of the cause.
    Solidarity!
    A flag-bearer greeting motorists as the enter the bridge from Kangaroo Point.
    Proud supporter greeting the crowd as they make their way back to Centenary Park
    Cheering group of supporters welcoming the crowd as they return to Centenary Park.

  • Lensaku by RbA

    Welcome to my blog! This is my personal project to capture my own experience through travels and events around me that have coloured my life thus far. I hope to share these events through the photos that I have taken, articles that I have written, people and personalities that I have met and hopefully my efforts will bring some positive benefits to you. I hope to convey these experiences, feelings and emotions through my own ‘lens’ or perhaps I should honestly say through my the lens of my trusty old Canon EOS 5D Mark III.