* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
Download Islamic Faith - Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing
International reactions to Fitna wikipedia , lookup
Reception of Islam in Early Modern Europe wikipedia , lookup
Political aspects of Islam wikipedia , lookup
Islam and violence wikipedia , lookup
War against Islam wikipedia , lookup
Criticism of Islamism wikipedia , lookup
Islam and modernity wikipedia , lookup
Islam in Bangladesh wikipedia , lookup
Liberalism and progressivism within Islam wikipedia , lookup
Muhammad and the Bible wikipedia , lookup
Origin of Shia Islam wikipedia , lookup
Islamic socialism wikipedia , lookup
Islam and Sikhism wikipedia , lookup
Islamic culture wikipedia , lookup
Islam in the United Kingdom wikipedia , lookup
Violence in the Quran wikipedia , lookup
Islam and war wikipedia , lookup
Islam in Indonesia wikipedia , lookup
Islam and Mormonism wikipedia , lookup
Islam in Europe wikipedia , lookup
Hindu–Islamic relations wikipedia , lookup
Schools of Islamic theology wikipedia , lookup
FREMANTLE MULTICULTURAL CENTRE INC. 241 – 243 High Street, Fremantle WA 6160 Tel: (08) 9336 8282 Fax: (08) 9430 6352 Cultural Briefing Notes on the Islamic Faith The word ‘Islam’ is an Arabic word meaning, submission to the will of God. This word comes from the same root as the word ‘salaam’, which means peace. This word is used as part of the normal greeting between people, ‘salaam alecome’, meaning peace be with you. The word Muslim means, one who submits to the will of God, regardless of their race, nationality or ethnic background. The Quran is the word of God, which revealed to the prophet Muhammad over 1400 years ago. These words, has remained unchanged since then. Muslims worship the same God as Jews and Christians. The Arabic word for God is ‘Allah’. Muslims believe God is loving, compassionate and merciful. God makes judgments about people’s lives and can forgive people’s sins through prayer. The five pillars of Islam: 1) Muslims worship one God and believe the last prophet is Muhammad. The Koran recognises that other prophets came before him, such as, Abraham, Noah, Moses and Jesus. 2) Ramadan is the fasting month, held in November each year. During this time people do not eat any food or drink any water from dawn to sunset each day, unless they are sick or frail. 3) prayers are said five times a day, usually during set periods throughout the day 4) persons should be charitable by giving 2.5% of their wealth/savings to the poor 5) There is a great sense of sham if they don’t. Muslim’s should go on a pilgrimage to Mecca, at least once during their lifetime. Codes of behaviour: Islam is a way of life and the Koran encourages certain qualities to be observed by people in daily life, for example, honesty, humility, politeness, sincerity and truthfulness. Pride and self-righteousness is condemned, as only God is the only judge of human behaviour. Dress: All Muslims are expected to dress modestly, with loose fitting clothes that do not accentuate the human form. Women should wear the Hejab, ie, a scarf / bonnet covering the hair and shoulders only when going out in public (not worn inside the home). Women do not have to cover up there faces. Food: Muslims can generally eat most food, except Pork, which the Koran states is a forbidden meat. They can eat other meats however, but they should be Halal prepared, ie, slaughtered in Islamic manner. All seafood and vegetarian food can be eaten. Social interaction: The mixing of the sexes is not encouraged, except for spouses, siblings and relatives, unless they are accompanied by an adult. When there is an intention for marriage between persons of the opposite sex, they must first get approved from both the families. Any dating is carried out in the presence of one the families, as Muslims believe that if left alone the couple may be tempted. Population: Approximately 200,178 (1.8 %) of the total Australian population is from an Islamic background. In Western Australia there are 12,122 Muslims, or 0.6% of the population (Census 2006). Seniors: Traditionally, the children of the elderly look after the parents in their own home, until they pass away. They provide financial, material, physical and emotional support whether parents live with them or separately. With the current generation of Muslims in WA, there is a general reluctance to use mainstream aged care services, especially residential care. Copyright FMC (C) March 2009 Source Ms Samira Ilahi, Muslim Women’s Support Centre