Ramadan has commenced for Wyndham’s Islamic community and there are a few ways non-Muslims can be supportive during what will be a particularly challenging month.
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is a time for piety, reflection and is characterised by an obligatory fast from dawn to dusk.
Community leader Bënish Chaudhry explained what will make this year even more difficult.
“This year will be a slightly taller hurdle for us Muslims as summer has blessed us with two misfortunes to say the least, an appalling 14 and a half hour fast coupled with Melbourne’s scorching heat,” she said.
Ms Chaudhry said there are simple things members of the community can do to be considerate of their Muslim brothers and sisters.
“If you see someone breaking their fast, let them have that first sip of water in peace—it’s a moment they’ve been waiting for all day.”
Declining a lunch invitation at school or work is nothing to take personally.
“If your friend declines an invite to lunch, it’s not personal—they just can’t eat until sunset,” Ms Chaudhry explained.
“It does not just end there for us, on top of all of this we do a nightly prayer called taraweeh, where we stand and pray for an hour after 9 pm.”
Refraining from asking a cascade of silly questions is also something people can do to make the arduous fast a little easier.
For those wanting to understand Islam and their Muslim neighbours a little better, two multifaith dinners will be held at Wyndham’s masjids.
The first will be held at Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing on Thursday, March 6 and the second at Melbourne Grand Mosque in Truganina on Sunday, March 9.
Jaidyn Kennedy
