Muslim Australians - Religion Cultural Diversity Resource Manual

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ISLAMIC SCHOOLS The Islamic weekend school (Saturday and/or Sunday school) plays an important role in the life of Muslim children in Australia. Many go to the weekend school based at the local mosque or prayer facility or even a rented property to learn about Islam, to read the Qur’an, and study the language of their parents, for example Arabic, Turkish or Urdu. In these weekend schools, teachers are often volunteers. Most mosques in Australia offer some form of weekend program. The Muslim community also established a number of regular primary and secondary schools in Australia from the early 1980s. Most of these schools are based in Sydney and Melbourne where the vast majority of Muslims live, but there are also schools in Perth, Adelaide and Brisbane. At the time of writing, there were about twenty-four of these schools. The total number of students in these schools is still relatively small. Most Muslim students in Australia attend state (public) schools, and some go to prestigious private schools as well. Islamic schools, like other non-government schools, receive Australian government subsidies. Fees are kept low so that parents (who are often recent migrants or from working-class backgrounds) can afford to send their children to these schools. Students learn the same subjects as taught in other public primary and secondary schools. The various state education departments monitor the curricula to ensure that basic standards are maintained. The difference is that students at Islamic schools receive Islamic religious education, and are usually taught Arabic as well. In all other respects, the curriculum of the Islamic school is like that of any other public school. Teachers in these Islamic schools come from a variety of ethnic and religious backgrounds. Only the religious education teachers are expected to be Muslim. Students are expected to follow Islamic rules and norms regarding dress and food while they are at school. Students are expected to follow Islamic rules and norms regarding dress and food while they are at school. The school attempts to provide an environment in which students can enrich their understanding of Islam. 56 Muslim Australians:THEIR BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS
Al Zahra College Al Zahra College is a regular Islamic school based in Sydney, run by Muslims of Shi`a background. Their aims are not much different to many other regular Islamic schools throughout Australia. The aims of the College are: » To provide a centre for educational activities and studies that will result in high quality education in a caring and stimulating Islamic environment » To observe that the school curriculum will meet the standards set by the NSW Board of Studies » To provide Islamic studies based on the Holy Qur’an, the Sunnah and the teachings of the twelve Imams 30 » To create a harmonious and stimulating community atmosphere in which staff are mutually supportive and care for students and in which students can grow as persons, developing a feeling of self-worth, a high level of personal integrity and a sincere respect for others » To ensure that appointed teachers adhere to the underlying philosophy of the school, recognising the pre-eminent position of the teacher in the educational process » To promote the understanding and respect of other cultures and religions within the school community » To actively involve families and the local community in the education of their children » To develop cordial relations with other educational institutions and public schools. 31 30 This refers to the 12 Shi`a imams. 31 http://members.ozemail.com.au/~alzahracollege/ Muslim Australians:THEIR BELIEFS, PRACTICES AND INSTITUTIONS 57
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Australians Muslim THEIR BELIEFS, P
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CONTENTS Introduction . . . . . . .
Page 5 and 6: Muslim Community in Australia A vie
Page 7 and 8: MUSLIMS IN AUSTRALIA Origins of Isl
Page 9 and 10: Muslim doctors, engineers, lawyers,
Page 11 and 12: Muslim population figures » Of the
Page 13 and 14: Prophet Muhammad Prophet Muhammad w
Page 15 and 16: The Golden Age During the Golden Ag
Page 17 and 18: KEY BELIEFS OF A MUSLIM The most fu
Page 19 and 20: Equality of Humankind: A Common Vie
Page 21 and 22: THE FIVE PILLARS OF ISLAM Call to P
Page 23 and 24: Concept of Muslim Worship Muslims b
Page 25 and 26: 5. Pilgrimage to Mecca (hajj) At le
Page 27 and 28: In Australia, the majority of Musli
Page 29 and 30: Michael’s story Michael decided t
Page 31 and 32: Divorce Marriage in Islam is highly
Page 33 and 34: Learning about religion From early
Page 35 and 36: MUSLIM WOMEN 22 In most Muslim soci
Page 37 and 38: Between Traditionalists and Liberal
Page 39 and 40: Female circumcision Female circumci
Page 41 and 42: Inheritance One of the criticisms t
Page 43 and 44: SACRED PLACES Mecca The most sacred
Page 45 and 46: SACRED TEXTS The Qur’an The Qur
Page 47 and 48: A Muslim relies on historically rel
Page 49 and 50: Some principles to help Muslims dec
Page 51 and 52: The Qur’an teaches us that life i
Page 53 and 54: MOSQUES AND RELIGIOUS LEADERS There
Page 55: COMMUNITY ORGANISATIONS Muslims hav
Page 59 and 60: ISLAM AND VIOLENCE Many people in t
Page 61 and 62: Islam prohibits the killing of any
Page 63 and 64: Jesus and Muslims For Muslims, Jesu
Page 65 and 66: Cross Cultural Coffee After the tra
Page 67 and 68: The Qur’an is full of references
Page 69 and 70: Islam is against democratic values
Page 71 and 72: Muslims marry only Muslims This is
Page 73 and 74: ISLAM, STATE AND AUSTRALIAN CITIZEN
Page 75 and 76: APPENDIX ONE Key Mosques in Austral
Page 77 and 78: South Australia Adelaide Mosque 20
Page 79 and 80: APPENDIX THREE Key Muslim Schools 4
Page 81 and 82: Saeed, Abdullah, “Rethinking Citi
Page 83: ByFriday DLD 04
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Muslim Australians - Religion Cultural Diversity Resource Manual

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