JourneyOnline
To celebrate International Women’s Day on Sunday 8 March, Trinity Wilston Uniting Church invited Nada Ibrahim from Griffith University Inter-Faith Centre to their Sunday service to talk about the challenges of being a Muslim woman living in Australia.
After having breakfast together, Ms Ibrahim led the Trinity Wilston Uniting Church community in the discussion and told of her first experience of the challenge to find a space to pray at her school in Sydney. This led into a good discussion about the prayer life of the people within the Islamic community.
Ms Ibrahim, who is currently doing her PhD with a focus on violence within relationships, spoke of her reasons for wearing the Hijab and the different types of Hijab, about prayer, Jesus, the Quran, polygamy and culture.
An open and honest discussion followed with congregation members excited to learn about the Islamic faith, dispel myths and break down stereotypes.
Trinity Wilson Uniting Church minister Deacon Intern Sue Pickering said it was both a celebration of women but also of breaking down barriers.
“It was great to see people gather with respect for one another, with the willingness and openness to listen and learn,” she said.
“It was also an opportunity to think and reflect on our faith.”
Ms Pickering said the community was encouraged and looked forward to future opportunities to connect with their Muslim brothers and sisters.
“That would enable each of us to have a better understanding of how culture and religion interacts with each other, recognising that culture sometimes takes the lead,” she said.
“Discrimination and oppression often develops from fear of not knowing, from a lack of understanding and this is a great way to dispel those fears.Photo : Sue Pickering and Nada Ibraham on International Women\’s Day at Trinity Wilston Uniting Church. Photo by Barbara Irvine.
