The Turkish question
In 1918 Turkey having lost the war was subjected to a humiliating treaty which saw the carve up of the Ottoman Empire. However, in 1924 Turkey managed to do what no other country has ever done after a defeat in a major war and broke the treaty and drove the occupying forces out of the country and literally into the sea. The Greeks had never moved so quickly, the French were humiliated and the British too damn tired to even care. Turkey would never regain its former status but nonetheless it survived to maintain its independence free from the colonial fate of its former territories. Having retained key strategic regions within its borders such as Eastern Thrace, Alexandria and Antioch as well as some of the islands of its coast, it did however, lose the very, very important cities of Kirkuk and Mosul. As we know today rich in oil and now under Kurdish control as a part of Northern Iraq. There are over a million Turks living in Northern Iraq who have been exposed to initially terrible oppression under a Saddam Hussain regime and now by the Kurdish led government in the autonomous region. Eighty three years on and no-one has heard their voices but many of those who have stayed on to weather the storm have gradually lost their homes and businesses to a discriminatory regime that favours other Kurds. Their kin across the mountains have had little influence over their destiny as they too have had to battle with a more pressing problem. The PKK an ethnic Kurdish rebel group have for more than three decades fought a bloody campaign against the Turkish army and the people of Eastern Turkey. Over 30000 people have been killed and many innocent Turks and Kurds alike have been affected by the conflict. The rebels have been to a large extent unsuccessful although they have cost the Turkish military billions of dollars that could have been spent building the economy of Eastern Turkey thereby improving the situation of the Kurds themselves. It is an ironic tragedy.
30 000 Turkish troops who have amassed on the border with Iraq are readying themselves for an attack. The question is should Turkey violate the sovereignty of an independent state and stamp out the PKK threat? Well, the Erdogan government has a lot of pressure from all sides of politics. He is damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. Turkey has been pressured by the USA to show restraint and the relationship between the two countries has been tested with the recent recommendation by a congressional committee on Armenia calling the 1915 death of thousands of Armenians as a genocide. If Turkey takes action then it jeopardizes its already tenuous relationship with Europe. If it holds back then it has the wrath of the staunchly nationalistic people with which to contend.
But what about the Turkish people? They have had to hear of their soldiers coming home in body bags and for so long the region has been destabilized by PKK rebels. The Turks are proud when it comes to their military. If they go in they could risk being alienated by the European Union which they so desperately want to be a part of and be seen as a bully state, emulating the same bully tactics as Israel did with Lebanon last year.
As much as my heart feels for the dead soldiers my pragmatism says that we should show restraint and prove to the world that we are not an Israel nor are we a USA who tramples over the dignity of other sovereign states showing no respect for innocent civilian lives. The Turkey of today is a Turkey with a glorious history, one that has always acted with compassion towards both its enemies and its allies. Turkey as one of only a few Islamic democracies in the world can behave with wisdom in dealing with its problems. In this case with perseverance and patience it can overcome its enemies within and the ones hiding in the mountains of northern Iraq. It can also demand that the Kurdish authorities take some action against the rebels who are equally illegally on Iraqi soil. I am optimistic that the Turks and the Kurds will eventually work together towards a viable solution that respects the demands of the Kurds and keeps Turkey's desire to stay as one nation intact.
Wednesday, October 31, 2007
Terrorists win if we limit our religious freedoms
Terrorists win if we limit our religious freedoms
Banning the hijab or the women’s head-covering worn by Muslim women at security checkpoints like airports would be a catastrophic decision that would end religious freedom in this country as we know it.
The hijab like its counterparts halal food and jihad is what makes Islam unique, enchanting and enigmatic. Islam has for many centuries intrigued the West with its paradoxical wisdoms. Islam is all about making your life halal (of the highest quality) and striving (jihad) towards working against your ego-driven desires of this world. The food we eat, the actions we take, the way we dress, the words we speak and the way we treat others. It must be in accordance with the law of God, that is to be halal.
Halal whilst an Islamic requirement can also be good for this nation. The halal food industry for instance brings in billions of dollars to Australia’s economy from which all Australians benefit. The Muslims of this country make up almost 3% of the nation and are an important cog in the workforce machinery and in the consumer market. Muslims are also involved with scientific research, in medicine and hospital industry, engineering and IT as well as in education, law and of course the financial and retail markets. In short they are an integral part of this society, this economy and this nation.
Maybe when the first pioneers of Australia landed in Sydney cove they did not envisage this penal colony to become one of the most multicultural societies on earth, nor did they know that this ‘God-forsaken land’ would become 7th on the world scale of best places to live. The reason that Australia is so highly rated is because of one word and one word alone; tolerance.
I know lots of people will jump in about now and say we don’t like that word, its like having to tolerate a mosquito bite. But tolerance is a much more complex term and holds more meaning than just having to put up with someone you don’t like. Tolerance is the ability to portray noble character traits which allow you to live in a complex society. Tolerance means patience, understanding, empathy and compassion as well as self-discipline and restraint. That is why after one of the bloodiest campaigns ever thought by our troops in Gallipoli we still show great compassion and friendship towards our Turkish citizens and even though we suffered in Japan and Germany we are a tolerant society towards all our minorities. When there have been calamities in the world, even though Australia is a relatively small country we still give generously to those in need.
This is what makes our country so great. But of course there is more to Australia than its great attitude to life. It’s our laws and our process and system of government. We in Australia have developed a fairly robust set of laws and regulations that ensure equality, freedom and justice. Its not perfect no system ever is. Yet, we have become accustomed to it and its what we call being Australian. Some will say the world has changed and that we are no longer safe. But that is what the powers that be want, they want to control us even more than they already do. But if we change our way of life then we are only bending into the terrorists’ objectives .
One of those freedoms is the freedom of religion. Muslims are one of the many religions in this country and for women they must wear the hijab and that’s not negotiable. There must be other ways to check people without the need to humiliate them or degrade their dignity. This is not just about Muslims, its about giving all Australians a fair go; including Sikhs, Jews, Hindus, even Santa Claus. Because if we force ladies to take off their hijabs at security checkpoints then we need ask Santa Claus to show us what is in his sack or nuns to discard the habit and so forth. Let’s keep this place as the “lucky country” or should I say the “tolerant country”? I am certain that as a smart nation we can find alternative ways to deal with our problems that accommodate all our citizens’ needs. If we are to go down the path of banning religious items then we allow the terrorists to win.
Banning the hijab or the women’s head-covering worn by Muslim women at security checkpoints like airports would be a catastrophic decision that would end religious freedom in this country as we know it.
The hijab like its counterparts halal food and jihad is what makes Islam unique, enchanting and enigmatic. Islam has for many centuries intrigued the West with its paradoxical wisdoms. Islam is all about making your life halal (of the highest quality) and striving (jihad) towards working against your ego-driven desires of this world. The food we eat, the actions we take, the way we dress, the words we speak and the way we treat others. It must be in accordance with the law of God, that is to be halal.
Halal whilst an Islamic requirement can also be good for this nation. The halal food industry for instance brings in billions of dollars to Australia’s economy from which all Australians benefit. The Muslims of this country make up almost 3% of the nation and are an important cog in the workforce machinery and in the consumer market. Muslims are also involved with scientific research, in medicine and hospital industry, engineering and IT as well as in education, law and of course the financial and retail markets. In short they are an integral part of this society, this economy and this nation.
Maybe when the first pioneers of Australia landed in Sydney cove they did not envisage this penal colony to become one of the most multicultural societies on earth, nor did they know that this ‘God-forsaken land’ would become 7th on the world scale of best places to live. The reason that Australia is so highly rated is because of one word and one word alone; tolerance.
I know lots of people will jump in about now and say we don’t like that word, its like having to tolerate a mosquito bite. But tolerance is a much more complex term and holds more meaning than just having to put up with someone you don’t like. Tolerance is the ability to portray noble character traits which allow you to live in a complex society. Tolerance means patience, understanding, empathy and compassion as well as self-discipline and restraint. That is why after one of the bloodiest campaigns ever thought by our troops in Gallipoli we still show great compassion and friendship towards our Turkish citizens and even though we suffered in Japan and Germany we are a tolerant society towards all our minorities. When there have been calamities in the world, even though Australia is a relatively small country we still give generously to those in need.
This is what makes our country so great. But of course there is more to Australia than its great attitude to life. It’s our laws and our process and system of government. We in Australia have developed a fairly robust set of laws and regulations that ensure equality, freedom and justice. Its not perfect no system ever is. Yet, we have become accustomed to it and its what we call being Australian. Some will say the world has changed and that we are no longer safe. But that is what the powers that be want, they want to control us even more than they already do. But if we change our way of life then we are only bending into the terrorists’ objectives .
One of those freedoms is the freedom of religion. Muslims are one of the many religions in this country and for women they must wear the hijab and that’s not negotiable. There must be other ways to check people without the need to humiliate them or degrade their dignity. This is not just about Muslims, its about giving all Australians a fair go; including Sikhs, Jews, Hindus, even Santa Claus. Because if we force ladies to take off their hijabs at security checkpoints then we need ask Santa Claus to show us what is in his sack or nuns to discard the habit and so forth. Let’s keep this place as the “lucky country” or should I say the “tolerant country”? I am certain that as a smart nation we can find alternative ways to deal with our problems that accommodate all our citizens’ needs. If we are to go down the path of banning religious items then we allow the terrorists to win.
Missed opportunity to change team captain
Missed opportunity to change team captain
In 2002 the Catch the Fire Ministeries’, pastor Danny Nalliah in Melbourne gave a public lecture in which he attacked Islam, called Muslims liars and insulted the Prophet Muhammad. The case became public when two Muslims in the audience took the issue up in court under Victoria’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. This if anything gave Catch the Fire more publicity and increased its membership. The group was emboldened by the case and not one bit remorseful for their position.
And on the eve of federal election the Catch The Fire held a special prayer for John Howard and the Liberal Party in Parliament House under the very nose of the head of Government. This was an extraordinary event and one that places Howard in a very embarrassing position. One must ask just how wise it is to link yourself to such a wacky fringe group. Howard has in his term as prime minister often pandered to the religious far right including the Bretheren and other protestant groups and most recently having held meetings with Catch the Fire and even being blessed by the self-professed messiah of the group. From an Islamic angle its nothing unusual to pray in public but nonetheless it is a very unorthodox situation and I believe it indicates just how far the prime minister has lost sight of reality. He is no longer fit to lead the party and a sea change is in order. several weeks before the election was called by the PM Costello had his golden opportunity to challenge Howard and take over the reigns. If anything it would have presented the Liberal supporters a new vision that everyone is expecting and a more viable contender to challenge the Rudd phallanx. The Liberal Party made a crucially suicidal decision that they will have to live with for at least three more years and most likely six. This would have made much more sense considering that Howard has already announced his retirement plans.
But that is all but a lost opportunity. The Howard team is going to find it difficult to approach this election with anything fresh or new. As we witnessed in the debate Howard was very agitated, aggressive and angry. He had little to offer in terms of a vision for the future and was upstaged by the impish Rudd. Although there is little to separate the two parties, elections are all about perceptions and deception. Who can con the electorate into trusting them with their financial future will of course be the winner. Smart suits and fast talking will give them the edge.
Its not a walk over because Howard still has his loyal supporters and those conservatives who are afraid of change or taking risks but that may not be enough to carry him over the line. Rudd is immensely popular with the under 30’s and with the workplace relations laws a key election issue Rudd will be hard to beat. Youthful and boyish it may be enough to push those swinging voters towards Labor once and for all, eleven years on. It appears that Howard is taking desperate measures if he really believes that Catch the Fire will be a significant vote. It looks like the campaign is quickly burning up before it even started as a likely interest rate rise may be the final blow that will ensure a landslide for the ALP.
In 2002 the Catch the Fire Ministeries’, pastor Danny Nalliah in Melbourne gave a public lecture in which he attacked Islam, called Muslims liars and insulted the Prophet Muhammad. The case became public when two Muslims in the audience took the issue up in court under Victoria’s Racial and Religious Tolerance Act 2001. This if anything gave Catch the Fire more publicity and increased its membership. The group was emboldened by the case and not one bit remorseful for their position.
And on the eve of federal election the Catch The Fire held a special prayer for John Howard and the Liberal Party in Parliament House under the very nose of the head of Government. This was an extraordinary event and one that places Howard in a very embarrassing position. One must ask just how wise it is to link yourself to such a wacky fringe group. Howard has in his term as prime minister often pandered to the religious far right including the Bretheren and other protestant groups and most recently having held meetings with Catch the Fire and even being blessed by the self-professed messiah of the group. From an Islamic angle its nothing unusual to pray in public but nonetheless it is a very unorthodox situation and I believe it indicates just how far the prime minister has lost sight of reality. He is no longer fit to lead the party and a sea change is in order. several weeks before the election was called by the PM Costello had his golden opportunity to challenge Howard and take over the reigns. If anything it would have presented the Liberal supporters a new vision that everyone is expecting and a more viable contender to challenge the Rudd phallanx. The Liberal Party made a crucially suicidal decision that they will have to live with for at least three more years and most likely six. This would have made much more sense considering that Howard has already announced his retirement plans.
But that is all but a lost opportunity. The Howard team is going to find it difficult to approach this election with anything fresh or new. As we witnessed in the debate Howard was very agitated, aggressive and angry. He had little to offer in terms of a vision for the future and was upstaged by the impish Rudd. Although there is little to separate the two parties, elections are all about perceptions and deception. Who can con the electorate into trusting them with their financial future will of course be the winner. Smart suits and fast talking will give them the edge.
Its not a walk over because Howard still has his loyal supporters and those conservatives who are afraid of change or taking risks but that may not be enough to carry him over the line. Rudd is immensely popular with the under 30’s and with the workplace relations laws a key election issue Rudd will be hard to beat. Youthful and boyish it may be enough to push those swinging voters towards Labor once and for all, eleven years on. It appears that Howard is taking desperate measures if he really believes that Catch the Fire will be a significant vote. It looks like the campaign is quickly burning up before it even started as a likely interest rate rise may be the final blow that will ensure a landslide for the ALP.
Review: Noooooooh Beengoh!
REVIEW :
Noooooooh Beengoh! (Bollywood meets the Simpsons)
One versus One Hundred, Dancing with Stars, Deal or No Deal, Big Brother and Australian Idol just a few of the shows to hit our screens over the past several years, most with relative success (and most carbon copies from our cousins across the Pacific). Personally, I find them all uninteresting in some way or another, with no “intelligent” appeal whatsoever. Sadly, to whichever channel you switch, you will either have to put up with it or resort to the same old American trash detective shows or simply switch off the TV set. But it’s not always a simple matter of taking that option. Most average households have at least one if not two television sets and its on most of the time.
But now I have seen it all, a new gimmick, National Bingo Night on Channel Seven. What the? The whole concept is ridiculous and having seen the first show the actual premise is absolute ‘shite’ as they say in the business. However, my topic of discussion today, is not the gigantic lotto machine with beach balls, or the hostess who has to bend down to reach for the balls every time or the fairly lame uncharismatic host. The thing that has me in a knot is the way that you have to wait for some guy in an American grid iron umpire’s uniform, calling out in a fake Indian accent, noooooooh beengoh! It is a tad cheesy and tasteless, and not to mention politically incorrect, especially since the actual person in that role is a Bangladeshi psychiatrist named Tanveer, whose real voice is a somewhat wanky North Shore Australian accent.
Tanveer describes himself as a “non-practicing Muslim” and he speaks, writes and sometimes makes comments on Islamic issues ranging from terrorism and national security to Lebanese crime and identity. Tanveer is a very unique person and has placed himself in a position of trust, respect and authority, especially on matters concerning Islam. He is often invited to conferences to give his opinion on Islam in Australia. His quirky sense of humour has alienated himself from certain segments of the Muslim communities. This is probably too harsh a treatment for someone who has some very admirable traits and is only doing what he believes is in his own best interests. He has challenged many aspects of Islam and been highly critical of Lebanese Muslims. Of course, Tanveer is quite free to express his opinions and he is in his own rights if he wishes to make believe on national television but he must then also be willing to accept criticism in the same vain that he often dishes out.
If not for his “non-practicing” epithet I would have had a go at him for being a on a program which is essentially is simplified gambling. This is a grave sin in itself but I am not judging him on this as he has clearly distanced himself from Islamic principles and beliefs. But there is one thing regardless of his religious practice that really takes the cake, and that is the fact that he is a Bangladeshi Australian bunging on a ridiculously bad impression of Apu (from the Simpsons), even Apu is better at impersonating an Indian.
The question is about ethics. The Kumars at No. 42 do much the same and they mock Indians but they are Indian and they clearly set the parameters that the show is “not real” and the cast are in fact actors. The Wogs Out of Work crew did the same they were not meant to be themselves but actors. Yet, in national Bingo the host and hostess are themselves and the contestants are themselves so why an Indian mascot? Why not Chinese, Greek or Jewish? I am not placing the blame on Tanveer for he is just an actor but on the show’s creators and producers. It just perpetuates stereotypes and shows a very poor level of racial understanding and development in this country. If the show is to continue, most Australian audiences like sincerity and no gimmicks, so what the producers have to re-think is how do we entertain audiences without the shallow and gratuitous gags. I think if they tried they could easily succeed.
For now, one star for the show minus half for the host and minus another star for the “noooooh beengoh” grid iron umpire. Please channel Seven what next?
Noooooooh Beengoh! (Bollywood meets the Simpsons)
One versus One Hundred, Dancing with Stars, Deal or No Deal, Big Brother and Australian Idol just a few of the shows to hit our screens over the past several years, most with relative success (and most carbon copies from our cousins across the Pacific). Personally, I find them all uninteresting in some way or another, with no “intelligent” appeal whatsoever. Sadly, to whichever channel you switch, you will either have to put up with it or resort to the same old American trash detective shows or simply switch off the TV set. But it’s not always a simple matter of taking that option. Most average households have at least one if not two television sets and its on most of the time.
But now I have seen it all, a new gimmick, National Bingo Night on Channel Seven. What the? The whole concept is ridiculous and having seen the first show the actual premise is absolute ‘shite’ as they say in the business. However, my topic of discussion today, is not the gigantic lotto machine with beach balls, or the hostess who has to bend down to reach for the balls every time or the fairly lame uncharismatic host. The thing that has me in a knot is the way that you have to wait for some guy in an American grid iron umpire’s uniform, calling out in a fake Indian accent, noooooooh beengoh! It is a tad cheesy and tasteless, and not to mention politically incorrect, especially since the actual person in that role is a Bangladeshi psychiatrist named Tanveer, whose real voice is a somewhat wanky North Shore Australian accent.
Tanveer describes himself as a “non-practicing Muslim” and he speaks, writes and sometimes makes comments on Islamic issues ranging from terrorism and national security to Lebanese crime and identity. Tanveer is a very unique person and has placed himself in a position of trust, respect and authority, especially on matters concerning Islam. He is often invited to conferences to give his opinion on Islam in Australia. His quirky sense of humour has alienated himself from certain segments of the Muslim communities. This is probably too harsh a treatment for someone who has some very admirable traits and is only doing what he believes is in his own best interests. He has challenged many aspects of Islam and been highly critical of Lebanese Muslims. Of course, Tanveer is quite free to express his opinions and he is in his own rights if he wishes to make believe on national television but he must then also be willing to accept criticism in the same vain that he often dishes out.
If not for his “non-practicing” epithet I would have had a go at him for being a on a program which is essentially is simplified gambling. This is a grave sin in itself but I am not judging him on this as he has clearly distanced himself from Islamic principles and beliefs. But there is one thing regardless of his religious practice that really takes the cake, and that is the fact that he is a Bangladeshi Australian bunging on a ridiculously bad impression of Apu (from the Simpsons), even Apu is better at impersonating an Indian.
The question is about ethics. The Kumars at No. 42 do much the same and they mock Indians but they are Indian and they clearly set the parameters that the show is “not real” and the cast are in fact actors. The Wogs Out of Work crew did the same they were not meant to be themselves but actors. Yet, in national Bingo the host and hostess are themselves and the contestants are themselves so why an Indian mascot? Why not Chinese, Greek or Jewish? I am not placing the blame on Tanveer for he is just an actor but on the show’s creators and producers. It just perpetuates stereotypes and shows a very poor level of racial understanding and development in this country. If the show is to continue, most Australian audiences like sincerity and no gimmicks, so what the producers have to re-think is how do we entertain audiences without the shallow and gratuitous gags. I think if they tried they could easily succeed.
For now, one star for the show minus half for the host and minus another star for the “noooooh beengoh” grid iron umpire. Please channel Seven what next?
Death of Ilhan: Islam's charitable history
Mustafa Ilhan’s death reminds us of the charity of one of Australia’s earliest Muslims
In the wake of Mustafa “Crazy John” Ilhan's death we have learned that there was much more than meets the eye to his charitable nature. He apparently paid $50000 for a child’s drawing during a school fund-raiser. But as his mates have attested Ilhan was a very generous man in both public and private life. He his best known for his foundation for Food Allergies.
Most people would not have known that Ilhan was a proud Australian of Turkish descent and he was a Muslim. Considering that Islam has had a generally negative time in the media it is good to hear a positive story arising from this tragic event. Mustafa Ilhan was at the prime of his life and was just shaping up for bigger and better things. He was as I believe also preparing to do the Hajj, which would have been a life changing experience. It is all very sad that we will never know just what great things Mustafa would have done on the back of his success as one of the wealthiest businessmen in Australia.
It is not unusual for wealthy men to do great charitable works. We have in Australia many well known businessmen who have taken on charitable causes. Many Australians will not have heard of one Australia’s first Muslim philanthropists.
Mahomet Allum was born in 1858 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He came to Australia around 1884 as a camel driver and worked in Cloncurry, Broken Hill and West Kalgoorlie. He had also worked as a station-hand, a butcher, store keeper and a miner. Allum did not come to much fame until about the late1920’s when he settled in the city of Adelaide. He became a herbalist dispensing natural remedies from his home in Sturt street, asking for no fee but only donations claiming that the gift of healing was in his family for over 400 years. He had healed it is reported thousands of people in the Adelaide area where modern medical treatments had failed. He was not liked by many doctors for obvious reasons.
Yet this strange and enigmatic miracle man was peppered with controversy for the remainder of his life. In 1935 he was charged and found guilty with having posed as a medical practitioner. In 1934 when he travelled to Afghanistan he was petitioned by 10000 people to remain in Adelaide. His popularity, healing powers and charity were attested to by his patients and published in testimonials and advertisements.
Printed in the S.A. Turf Review in 1938 is a letter by Con Noonan who writes;
“Space alas will not permit me to relate one fiftieth of the actions which to my personal knowledge, this kindly Afghan has performed in the greatest of all causes- charity. But I would be devoid of all sense of gratitude were I to fail to place on record the gift which he presented to me – the restoration of normal health after 30 years of suffering.”
He died on 26 March 1964 at his large home in Everard Park, he was believed to be about 108 years old and the funeral procession from his house to the cemetery was over a kilometre long. Allum’s estate, worth over 11000 pounds was nearly all willed to institutions which cared for children.
In the wake of Mustafa “Crazy John” Ilhan's death we have learned that there was much more than meets the eye to his charitable nature. He apparently paid $50000 for a child’s drawing during a school fund-raiser. But as his mates have attested Ilhan was a very generous man in both public and private life. He his best known for his foundation for Food Allergies.
Most people would not have known that Ilhan was a proud Australian of Turkish descent and he was a Muslim. Considering that Islam has had a generally negative time in the media it is good to hear a positive story arising from this tragic event. Mustafa Ilhan was at the prime of his life and was just shaping up for bigger and better things. He was as I believe also preparing to do the Hajj, which would have been a life changing experience. It is all very sad that we will never know just what great things Mustafa would have done on the back of his success as one of the wealthiest businessmen in Australia.
It is not unusual for wealthy men to do great charitable works. We have in Australia many well known businessmen who have taken on charitable causes. Many Australians will not have heard of one Australia’s first Muslim philanthropists.
Mahomet Allum was born in 1858 in Kandahar, Afghanistan. He came to Australia around 1884 as a camel driver and worked in Cloncurry, Broken Hill and West Kalgoorlie. He had also worked as a station-hand, a butcher, store keeper and a miner. Allum did not come to much fame until about the late1920’s when he settled in the city of Adelaide. He became a herbalist dispensing natural remedies from his home in Sturt street, asking for no fee but only donations claiming that the gift of healing was in his family for over 400 years. He had healed it is reported thousands of people in the Adelaide area where modern medical treatments had failed. He was not liked by many doctors for obvious reasons.
Yet this strange and enigmatic miracle man was peppered with controversy for the remainder of his life. In 1935 he was charged and found guilty with having posed as a medical practitioner. In 1934 when he travelled to Afghanistan he was petitioned by 10000 people to remain in Adelaide. His popularity, healing powers and charity were attested to by his patients and published in testimonials and advertisements.
Printed in the S.A. Turf Review in 1938 is a letter by Con Noonan who writes;
“Space alas will not permit me to relate one fiftieth of the actions which to my personal knowledge, this kindly Afghan has performed in the greatest of all causes- charity. But I would be devoid of all sense of gratitude were I to fail to place on record the gift which he presented to me – the restoration of normal health after 30 years of suffering.”
He died on 26 March 1964 at his large home in Everard Park, he was believed to be about 108 years old and the funeral procession from his house to the cemetery was over a kilometre long. Allum’s estate, worth over 11000 pounds was nearly all willed to institutions which cared for children.
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