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Australian Muslim Women’s Centre for Human Rights AUSTRALIAN MUSLIM WOMEN’S CENTRE FOR HUMAN RIGHTS • Is a traditional community welfare organisation, set up in 1991 as the Islamic Women’s Welfare Council of Victoria • Non religious organisation to reflect the full diversity of Muslim women, but will enter into the religious realm when Islam is used to justify disadvantaging or treating women as less than men • Aims to facilitate Muslim women’s empowerment and full participation in Australian society using a gender and social justice approach. • Case-work, advocacy, group work, community legal education, parenting, leadership, capacity-building, research, personal development The Muslim World • • • • 1.2 billion people. (one-fifth of humanity) All races Only 18% Arab Different language, diverse customs Islam is their religion Muslims in Australia • • • • • • • Arrived c.1650 Afghans 1800’s Aust. Muslim population 760,000 (approx) In Victoria est. 200,000 70 Ethnicities >130 linguistic groups Stereotypes unworkable Muslims in Australia • Australian Muslims make up about 2% of the Australian population with 40% of Australian Muslims born in Australia • Around 60% were born in overseas countries such as Lebanon, Turkey, Afghanistan, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Malaysia, Iraq, Iran, Somalia etc. Victorian Muslims • 50% aged under 25 • 41% born here • 17% have little or no English What is Islam? • Revealed to Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) over 1400 years ago • Arabic word Islam is derived from aslama meaning “to submit oneself” - Muslim means “one who submits to the will of God (Allah)” • Islam has a strong relationship with the root of Judaism and hence of Christianity • Shares the knowledge of and respect for all the prophets of the Old Testament Basic Beliefs • • • • • Belief in the One God. Belief in the Angels. Belief in God’s Revealed Books. Belief in the Prophets and Messengers of God. Belief in the Day of Judgement The Quran • Quran literally means “that which is recited” • Holy scripture of Islam - complete collection of the revelations • Revealed over a 23 year period • Contains 114 chapters in classical Arabic • Belief that the Quran is the direct word of God The Quran • The Quran plays a very important role in the daily life of Muslims and is regarded as the absolute truth. • Although the Quran has been translated into many languages the original language of the Quran, Arabic, is still used for prayer and religious ceremonies even in non-Arabic speaking countries. Prophethood (Hadith and Sunna) • Prophet Mohammed (PBUH) - chosen by Allah as His last messenger • Sunnah –the traditions of Islam • Hadith – the recorded practices and teachings of the Prophet Mohammed • Transmitted orally and later recorded - 100 to 200 years later Hadith and Sunna • The history of the Prophet’s life, his behaviour, deeds, and sayings were memorized by his companions and passed on as oral record, documented later and include topics on reconciliation of disputes, education, prescriptions for prayers, for charity, comments on male-female relations, hospitality, etc. Sharia • Is commonly misunderstood as Islamic law, even by some Muslims but Sharia may be translated as “path” or “road” – it is not a code • What constitutes Sharia and how it is to be applied is a source of considerable debate • Fiqh is what might be defined as Islamic law, in the sense that it operates like a legal code and defines what is acceptable and unacceptable behaviour Imams • No hierarchy of clergy • A religious scholar may become an Imam • An Imam, invariably male (they are no apparent religious reasons for this) is also the person who leads the congregational prayer • An Imam is not a priest and there are no ordination, no sacraments or rites which only a religiously qualified person can perform. • Imams may be married and have families like any other Muslim. Islamic Sects • Two major streams of Islam - Sunnis and Shias/Shiite • Sunni - considered to be the mainstream sect • Shia/Shiite - labelled as diverging from mainstream Islam • There are many subsects in Islam Islamic Sects • Upon the death of the Prophet Mohammad (PBUH) there was disagreement on who should succeed as leader. • The Sunnis followed Abu Bakr while the Shias followed Muhammad’s cousin and son-in-law Ali. • These splits have expanded into social, political and theological differences, however, the main beliefs and principles of Islam remain the same in both streams. Islamic Sects • • • • • • Afghanistan is 80% Sunni Iraq about 45-60% Sunni Iran is 90-95% Shi’ite Syria is 80% Sunni Algeria about 99% Sunni Sunnis outnumber Shi’ites in Pakistan, Egypt, Turkey, Somalia and Sudan • The majority of Muslims in Australia are Sunni but there are also significant populations belong to the Shia, Alawi, Alevi, Ismaili, Druze, Bohra and Ahmedi sects. Five Pillars of Islam • Witness (Tawhid) - central theme of Islam, means to bear witness to the one and only true God (Allah) and Prophet Mohammed as His last messenger • Prayer (Salat) - Muslims are required to pray five times a day at set times facing Mecca • Almsgiving (Zakat) - obligatory religious tax - an average 2 and 1/2 % of annual savings to help the poor and the needy • Fasting - A Muslim over the age of puberty is required to observe the ninth month of the lunar year, Ramadan, as a period of fasting • Pilgrimage to Mecca (Hajj) - All Muslims are required to make a pilgrimage to Mecca at least once their lifetime if they are physically and financially able to do so. Prayers • Muslim prayers are set rituals. Before praying Muslims must wash their hands, arms, feet and ankles, head and neck in running water. Then they must cover their head, face Mecca and perform a precise series of actions. • Friday is the hold day for Muslims.. • A space for practicing Muslims to pray at work What is Fasting? • During Ramadan, Muslims should refrain from eating, drinking, smoking and conjugal relations. • This means that no substitute should be introduced into the body which could be considered as providing nourishment to the body e.g. a nutritional injection. • Fasting is from dawn to sunset every day of the month of Ramadan. (2016 - 5th June starts) Who is Exempted from Fasting? • Men and women who are too old and feeble to undertake the fast • Sick people whose health may be affected by fasting e.g. diabetics • Pregnant women if according to a doctor’s advice they should refrain from fasting. • Breast feeding mothers if their child does not receive a sufficient quantity of milk because of the mother’s fast. Who is Exempted from Fasting? • Women in the period of menstruation and after child birth (up to a maximum of 40 days). • Children under the age of puberty. • Mentally ill people who are not accountable for their deeds. • A travelling Muslim. How is Ramadan Celebrated? • The end of Ramadan is celebrated by a feast called Eid Ul Fitr, a day of thanksgiving and happiness. • In Muslim countries this is celebrated with a three day national holiday. • In Australian many Muslims try to take a day off work and children a day off school. Islam and Women • Long history of concern for gender equality • Verses of the Quran dealing with its fundamental principles and requirements address both men and women • The Quran explicitly reproaches those who believe that women are inferior to men and instructs men time and time again to treat their wives well Islam and Women • Each country has own history and culture. • What may be considered Islamic in one Muslim context may be totally unheard of in another. • Many women do not enjoy the basic rights awarded to them by Islam Islam and Women • • • • • • Women’s rights in Islam Respect, dignity and good treatment Education Economic rights – right to earn – right to own property – right to own and run a business – right to buy, sell and lease Parenting rights Political rights Marriage rights Islam and Women • Both men and women are prescribed to be modest in behaviour, thought and physical appearance, especially regarding the opposite gender. • The extent to which this modesty manifests in Muslim’s style of dress depends on many factors. Hijab • “Hijab” literally means ‘curtain’ or ‘barrier’. • A hijab was originally used in the home of the prophet to protect the privacy of the female residents from the constant stream of visitors. • Later this ‘curtain’ was adopted as a woman’s dress to protect women’s privacy. • The nature, importance and specific meaning of hijab varies for Muslim women. Hijab • Women only cover their head in public not in front of immediate family. • There are Muslim women who do not cover themselves. • For males after puberty the part of the body between the navel and the knees should be covered. Hijab Circumcision • Circumcision is generally performed on boys between the age of 7 and 12 however there is a preference to circumcise at a much earlier age. (3-4 months of age) • Female circumcision is sometimes perceived as a Muslim practice but it is not. Marriage • Marriage in Islam is a contract. In order to marry all that is required is two adult Muslims to witness the exchange of vows between bride and groom. This can take place in a mosque or at home. Depending on the cultural background of the couple an Imam may be present if possible. • A women does not take her husband’s name when she marries but continues to use her own surname. Polygyny • In Islam, monogamy is the usual form of relationship, however, some men argue that polygyny is also an accepted practice. • Qurancially, a man is permitted to have up to four wives at any one time on condition that he treat all of them equally. The Quran later states that equality is not possible, so it is better for men that they not enter the practice • A woman can insist in her marriage contract that her husband will not practise polygyny and breaking of this contract is grounds for the annulment of marriage by the woman. Food • The Arabic word “halal” means lawful or allowed. • Halal is everything that is not specifically noted as being Haraam (not allowed) • There are seven categories of food/drink that have been prohibited Haram Foods • • • • • • Pork and pork products Blood Carnivorous animals Almost all reptiles and insects The bodies of dead animal Any animal that is not slaughtered according to Islamic Law • Wine, Ethyl Alcohol and Spirits Halal Food • Halal meat comes from animals that have been slaughtered according to Islamic rites which acknowledge Allah as the source of all life. • Halal food means food or products that contain NO pork, lard, bacon, ham, alcohol or any of their by products. Common Expressions • Al Salamu ‘alaykum – Peace of God be upon you (A common Muslim greeting) • Insha-Allah – If God wills • Ma-Sha-Allah –the expression Muslims say when they wish to express admiration (and avoid the evil eye). Social Norms • Visiting a Muslim home. You may be expected to remove your shoes. Muslim families may pray and eat on their floors so for hygienic purposes they do not wear shoes in the home. • Hospitality is a strong Muslim custom. If a visitor arrived, even uninvited, the host will usually offer drink and food. Social Norms • Hosts may be hesitant to ask a visitor into their home if the visitor is of the opposite gender and they are alone. • It may be necessary for males and females in the household to remain in separate rooms in the presence of non-family members. • Inclusion around social occasions – alcohol, venues. • Celebration cakes – birthdays etc. (alcohol) Greeting Customs • Greeting customs include greeting those of the same sex warmly. • Physical contact with the opposite sex (except close family) should be avoided and contact should remain verbal. • As an alternative one may place one’s hand on chest as a gesture of humility or respect. Racism • Unfortunately racial and religious intolerance of Muslims has become entrenched, particularly in response to some of the high profile cases involved Muslims and of course what is happening overseas. Islam in Practice • Like any other religious community, the Muslim community worldwide is not homogeneous • Diverse views, practices and interpretations of Islamic doctrines regarding every aspect of religion • Different degrees of importance attached to religious practice and belief