Download The Bullletin - Rotary Club of Box Hill Central

Club Rosters
This week’s Guest Speaker is:
ALAN BIRKETT
Who will talk to us about
PROJECT JOSHUA
Desk Duty:
September :
M. Etty-Leal
C. Hoath
B. McPhail
Report from President Michelle:
Farmers Market – 9th Sept
It was great to have so many guests at our last
7:15 – 9:00: A. Stokes
9:00 – 10:45: D.Sweeney
10:45-12:30: K.Clark
meeting and to listen to Rabia’s presentation on the
Shia Ismaili community and how their leader the
Aga Khan is striving to promote understanding and
peace in the world. His impact is obviously being
Roving Reporter
September 12th G. Cooper
September 19th J.Hamley
September 26th K. Clark
honoured by many countries around the world. Rabia will be sending us more
information on how they are working and contributing in their local
community.
This Wednesday evening the Rotaract Club is holding a special meeting to
Eastern Emergency Relief
(last time!) 15th September
M.Kirk
C. Hoath
O.Jenkin
which local Rotarians have been invited to attend. The principal speaker is Phil
Future Events
Stenhouse of Bridge Builders talking about the critical issue of engaging today’s
September 19th – William
Orange on Box Hill Historical
Society
youth. It would be great if club members would give their support to Rotaract
by attending (for further details see later in the Bulletin). Yes, I know it would
mean two meetings on the same day, but the matter is important. If you can’t
attend why not look at the website and think about how you can assist!
September 26th Grand Final
Breakfast: Rohan Sawers
October 3rd Andrea Trezise –
Foster Care
Please remember to think of guests who may be interested in our speakers this
month including the Footy breakfast.
Michelle
MEETING REPORT by MICHAEL KIRK
Last week our guest speaker was Rabia Ali who spoke to us about the Shia Ismaeli branch of Islam.
She told us that the Shia form one of the two major branches of Islam, the Sunni being the other. The
Ismaelis live in over 25 different countries mainly in Central and South East Asia, Africa and the
Middle East.
As Muslims, the Ismaelis affirm the fundamental Islamic testimony of truth, the Shehada, that there is
no God but Allah and that Muhammad is his Messenger. They believe that Muhammed was the last
and final Prophet of Allah, and that the Holy Quran (Koran).was revealed through him.
In common with other Shia Muslims, the Ismaelis affirm that after the Prophet’s death Hazrat Ali, the
Prophet’s cousin and son-in-law, became the first Imam (spiritual leader) of the Muslim community
and that his spiritual leadership continues by hereditary succession. Currently His Highness Prince
th
Karim Aga Khan is the 49 hereditary Imam of the Shia Imami Ismaeli Muslims.
We were told that the Ismaelis, have under the leadership of the Aga Khan established schools,
hospitals, health centres, housing societies and a variety of social and economic development
institutions for the common good of all citizens regardless of their race or religion. To back this up a
short dvd was played which showed the Aga Khan receiving a number of international awards for his
contribution to world peace and community development.
It was a most interesting morning which made many of us reflect on the essential similarities and
differences of all mankind.
Editor’s Note: I have looked at a number of websites regarding Islam, and the differences around the
Sunni and Shia sects. I thought it might be of interest to put a few basic aspects on these subjects as
an addendum.
What is Islam? – The name of the religion is Islam which comes from an Arabic root word meaning
“peace” and “submission”. Islam teaches that one can only find peace in one’s life by submitting to
Almighty God (Allah) in heart, soul and deed.
What do Muslims believe about God, prophets, the afterlife etc? – The basic beliefs of Muslims fall
into six main categories, which are known as the “articles of Faith” :

Faith in the Unity of God

Faith in angels

Faith in Prophets

Faith in books of revelation

Faith in an afterlife

Faith in destiny/divine decree
The “Five Pillars” of Islam – In Islam, faith and good works go hand in hand. A mere declaration of
Faith is not enough, for belief in Allah makes obedience to him a duty. The Muslim concept of worship
is very broad. Muslims consider everything they do in life to be an act of worship, if it is done
according to Allah’s guidance. There are five formal acts of worship which help strengthen a Muslim’s
faith and obedience. They are often called the “Five Pillars of Islam”.

Testimony of faith (Shahaada or Kalima)

Prayer (Salat)

Almsgiving (Zakat)

Fasting (Sawm)

Pilgrimage (Hajj)
The difference between Sunni & Shia Muslims ?- Both Sunni & Shia share the most fundamental
Islamic beliefs and articles of faith. The Principle differences are seen as being political. Some of the
differences have come to carry a spiritual significance.
The division between Sunni and Shia dates back to the death of the Prophet Muhammad and the
question of who was to take over leadership of the Muslim nation.
Sunni Muslims agree with the position taken by many of the Prophet’s companions that the new
leader should be elected from those capable of the job. The leader (Imam) is responsible for
interpretation of the Querran and other holy texts. They believe there is no basis in Islam for a
hereditary privileged class of spiritual leaders, nor any basis for veneration or the intercession of
saints. Sunni make up 85% of the world’s Muslim population.
Shia Muslims believe that leadership passed directly to his son –in-law, and thence became
hereditary. Shia believe that the Imam is sinless by nature, and that his authority comes directly from
God. 15% of the Muslim population based mainly in Iran and Iraq.
(Note : I am sorry for this lengthy piece, but I felt last week’s discussions did not fully cover our
generally inadequate understanding of the complexities relating to this very significant religion. I
visited the following websites for this information):

http://www.theismaeli.org

http:.//islam.about.com

Http://www.akdn.org
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GRAND FINAL BREAKFAST
Wednesday September 26th at Box Hill Golf Club 7.00 for 7.15 a.m.-9.00 a.m.
Guest Speaker Rowan Sawers
A.F.L. Umpires Coach Umpired 410games (including 4 Grand Finals)
Cost $ 40 ( including cold buffet and cooked Breakfast) Raffles, door prizes. Wear your club
colours.
R.S. V.P. 18/9/12 Ralston Wood. tel 98481314 or
email [email protected] Final Breakfast
TELL YOUR FRIENDS TO COME ALONG AND ENJOY THE FUN.
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CLUB WINE SALES
Club Fundraising Director, Matthew has sourced some premium cleanskin wines for us this year so
now is your opportunity to stock up. (It is only four months to Christmas for those of you thinking of
presents!)
Wines available are :
12 bottles
6 bottles
2010 Regional Collection Barossa Shiraz
$168
$84
2011 “Guess Who?” Yarra Valley Pinot Gris
$168
$84
Show Liqueur Muscat (trophy/gold medals winner)
$168
$84
In past years the wine sales have provided a significant boost to club funds and enabled us to do
some marvellous activities in support of our projects. This a way to continue our work in an
enjoyable way. Please help Matthew get his first fundraising venture (this year) off with a zing. Get
your orders in asap.
ROTARY NEWS – A message from the Rotaract Club of Whitehorse
“Bridge Builders”
Dear Rotarians,
I am extending a cordial invitation to you to attend the next meeting of the Rotaract Club of
Whitehorse, on Wednesday, 12 September, at the Melbourne Baseball Club, Surrey Drive, Box Hill
(opposite Aqualink), beginning at 7:30pm for an 8pm start.
Our guest speaker will be Phil Stenhouse, CEO of the Bridge Builders Youth and Community
Organisation, an independent community organisation based in Lilydale, who focus on assisting
vulnerable youth. More information may be gained from their website,
http://www.bridgebuilders.com.au. Although Bridge Builders and Rotary have enjoyed cordial
relations in the past, there seems to be little knowledge of this organisation in Rotary circles
outside RYLA and RYPEN. In particular, I think it worthwhile for Rotaract, as one of Rotary's more
successful youth programmes (pardon the bias), to at least investigate the possibility of
establishing closer relations with other youth-oriented organisations.
The purpose of this invitation is to realistically gauge potential interest among Rotarians and
particularly Rotaractors of establishing closer relations with the Bridge Builders organisation, such
as each organisation extending invitations to the other to their respective functions. In addition, I
would be delighted to use this as an opportunity to establish closer relations between this club
and our sponsoring Rotary clubs and the other Rotaract clubs in our District.
Yours in service,
Andrew Reed,
President,
Rotaract Club of Whitehorse.
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