Issue 20 | August 13,2012 | critic.co.nz

“During Ramadan, Muslims all around
the world fast from sunrise until sunset.
it is a time for reflection and to practice
self-discipline and self-control, as well as
to feel empathy for those less fortunate.”
predominantly Muslim, it is the conflict between these two
groups of people we hear most about.
If you took media reports on the conflict at face value, you
would believe little other than that Jews and Muslims hate
each other. Tamimi, from the city of Hebron in Palestine, has
witnessed much of this hatred in her home city, but explains
that it has not always been this way. “Before the conflict
started [nearly 100] years ago, Jewish people used to live
with Muslims, in Palestine… together in harmony. I always
remember the words of my Grandmother, who used to tell me
‘I had neighbours who were Jewish’… They lived in harmony
and they shared celebrations… Most of what is happening
[today] is political, but unfortunately religion is taken as an
easy excuse, or justification, for any kind of conflict.”
She explains that relations between Jews and Muslims here in
Dunedin are much more peaceful. “You are taken away from
that environment and deal with each other as human beings,
rather than enemies… As human beings there is not much
difference, but when it comes to talk about right of land, access
to places, whose land is this, who came first, who came after,
then the whole thing starts to go somewhere else.”
With her entire family, extended family, and many friends
back home in Palestine, Tamimi is hopeful that one day we will
see a peaceful resolution to the conflict. “Oh well, as we say,
Insha’Allah – ‘God Willing’ – I never lose hope. I can’t see that
back home it can be solved easily, or quickly, or in the near
future, but I won’t lose hope.” Perhaps with more Interfaith
Groups fostering understanding we can hold onto that hope.
Drinking tonight bro?
As a Critic reporter, I couldn’t help but throw a few touchy
questions into the mix. For Hussein, drinking is one of the
more interesting issues. Alcohol is prohibited for Muslims,
so there are some difficulties in being both a Muslim and a
critic.co.nz
student. But ultimately, Dunedin’s culture actually works to
reinforce his faith and abstinence from alcohol. “You see the
binge-drinking culture, and that’s one of the reasons Islam
prohibits drinking, because it totally destroys the morals of
society.” I could not argue with that, though we all agreed
that perhaps “destroying the morals of society” is exactly
why people do it (though not me of course).
I then asked Hussein to describe Monkey Bar in a few words.
Stifling back laughter, he responded: “You see a lot of things.
You experience a lot of things. Sometimes it’s just, take it or
leave it sort of thing.” I dared not dig any deeper.
shalom – salaam – Peace
Hussein and Shrimpton both agree that their religions
provide them with a framework by which to live their
lives. They have a path to follow, a guide which helps them
immensely at university. Hussein likens Islam to “an internal
GPS. Even if you are out in the desert, you are never lost.”
Shrimpton sees Judaism as more of an identity: “It’s hard to
describe the feeling. A nationality comes close to describing
it. You are part of something bigger. It makes you feel a part
of something.”
Most of all, the Interfaith Groups promote understanding of
their respective faiths, and would rather people ask questions
than take what they see in the media for granted. Hussein
says, “If you are interested in the religions, then go and read
about it, and ask questions. Ask the person who is wearing
the hijab, the person with the beard, we’re not going to bite.”
If you are interested in learning more do not hesitate to ask
questions. You can email the Student Interfaith Group at: otagostudentsinterfaithgroup@gmail.com.
Sharik also says to
look out for Islam Awareness Week coming up September 3 –
9, where they will be promoting “Islam and the Environment”.
brothErs
21