VIRGIN MARY MOSQUE OPENS DOORS, MINDS

Guest Tue 05 Apr 2011, 09:37

Virgin Mary Mosque opens doors, minds

BY CAMERON TAIT
30 Mar, 2011 12:00 AM
BUILDING bridges and dispelling misconceptions about Islam are among the objectives of an open day this Saturday at the Virgin Mary Mosque in Hoppers Crossing.

It has been organised by Youth Victoria, a Wyndham-based group of eight Muslims aged under 25. The group was formed eight years ago with the aim of encouraging the next generation of Muslims to be actively involved in their own community as well as that of the wider society.

It has organised such events as a Ramadan dinner, blood drives, an entertainment night, sports competitions and horse riding trips.

Spokesman Rashid Alshakshir hoped the open day would bring the community together and give non-Muslims the chance to experience a different culture first-hand. This includes mosque tours and question and answer sessions. There will also be jumping castles, free finger food, face painting and entertainment.

"The idea came about in response to the attacks by people on Muslims. These are often made by people not know about our culture - they're fuelled by ignorance," Mr Alshakshir said.

A report to the Australian Human Rights Commission last week found deep levels of mistrust and fear about Muslims, with 17per cent of the more than 2000 submissions critical of the religion. "One of the major problems we face is that every time Muslims try to reach out and educate people about us, somebody will come along and wipe out all this hard work, just for political gains.

"We hope the open day will provide us with an opportunity to speak for ourselves, for other people to learn what we're about and for us to network with the community," Mr Alshakshir said.

The open day is at the mosque, 143A Hogans Road, Hoppers Crossing.

http://www.wyndhamweekly.com.au/news/local/news/general/virgin-mary-mosque-opens-doors-minds/2117932.aspx