Mission & Catholic Identity News
Ramadan Kareem!
This week marked the start of Ramadan for more than a billion Muslims around the world, and hundreds of thousands of Muslims in Australia. We will see our Muslim friends in our local Melbourne communities fasting from sunrise-to-sunset, reciting verses from the Quran and attending prayer sessions. With similarities to our Christian season of Lent, it is a time to become closer to God, spending time with family and giving to charity and those in need.
I had a steep learning curve with what is Ramadan and what are the core beliefs of Islam.
Nearly twenty years ago, I arrived in London as a fresh faced teacher from Tasmania, with only a few years teaching experience under the belt. I was also from the North West Coast of Tasmania which is not known for being very multi-cultural. The UK teaching agencies liked to place young Australian male teachers into their ‘interesting’ schools. So one of my first placements was in an East London all-boys government school teaching Religious Education. Just happened that it was also Ramadan at the time. So I learnt a lot from the boys, with many of them coming from Bangladeshi and Pakistani backgrounds. They found it very amusing being taught about Islam, which fate have it, was the unit to be taught by this man from the land of David Boon.
It still remains one of my most interesting teaching periods. I remember being told by the lads that fasting for Ramadan started when there was enough light at sunrise to tell the different colour of white and black cotton on their bedside tables. To being shown a compass like watch that some wore, that helped them find the direction of Mecca in Saudi Arabia, to where Muslims have to pray towards.
I have since developed a love for learning about different religious traditions. Our Catholic Church has a high regard for Muslims. As proclaimed in the Second Vatican Council encyclical, Nostra Aetate that:
‘The Catholic Church rejects nothing of what is true and holy in these religions. She has a high regard for the manner of life and conduct, the precepts and doctrines which, although differing in many ways from her own teaching, nevertheless often reflect a ray of that truth which enlightens all’.
Over the centuries many conflicts have arisen between Christians and Muslims. Current Catholic Church writings plead with all to forget the past and urge that an effort be made to achieve a mutual understanding for the benefit of all. That together we preserve and promote peace.
How do you wish someone a Happy Ramadan?
Say to your Muslim friends ‘Ramadan Kareem’ which translates to ‘have a generous Ramadan’ or ‘Ramadan Mubarak’ which translates to ‘Happy Ramadan’.
On the last day of Ramadan, which is Eid-al-fitr, the greeting changes to ‘Eid Mubarak’.
Some famous Australian Muslims
- Ahmed Fahour, the CEO of Australia Post.
- Anthony Mundine, boxer who converted to Islam in 1999.
- Waleed Aly, co-host of Ch.10 - The Project.
- Usman Khawaja, first Muslim cricketer to represent Australia.
And the most important Australian Muslim of all:
- Bachar Houli, backman for the Richmond Football Club!
Upcoming Events:
- Catholic Education Week (May 24-31) – many exciting events planned!
- Youth Ministry Festival, Lavalla College (Traralgon) May 30.
- Marian House Masses, May 30.
Matthew Williams
Deputy Principal - Mission & Catholic Identity