Halal Pork Muslim Sensitivity Training Cultural Aspects Introduction - Its OK the Pork is Halal

1. Vicky Deane
Student Services & Conference Manager
Robert Menzies College, Macquarie University
It’s OK: The pork is ‘Halal’

2. It’s OK: The Pork is Halal!
By: Vicky Deane
Robert Menzies College
Macquarie University

3. THIS PAPER IS DEDICATED TO
IMANE EL FECTIANI
A Female Muslim student
from Morocco who applied to
study a Masters in a Sydney
university but was declined a
Visa by the Australian
Immigration Department.

4. “Bismallah, Ar-Rahman, Ar-Raheem”
In the name of Allah, The Most Gracious, The Most Merciful

5. So: “It’s ok: the pork is Halal.”
This is what one chef said,
which, indicates a lack of
knowledge

6. Knowledge Is Power!!!
Muslim students and their belief: do we need to know?
YES: knowledge builds bridges, develops harmony
and desirous environment – links in the chain.

7. RESULTS
OF
SURVEY
2006-7

8. Countries Represented
Pakistan
Morocco
Indonesia
America
Algeria
Canada
Malaysia
India

9. Accommodation Concerns
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
least greatest
concern concern
Living In a
community of
international
students
Close to shopping
centre
Close to public
transport
Close to Mosque
Ability to purchase
halal products
Halal products
served in
residences
Provision of
internet and
telephone
Close to campus

10. Social Concerns
10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1
Least Greatest
concern concern
I’m not afraid at all
Will I make friends
quickly
I’m afraid of local
customs
I’m concerned I
will be
misunderstood
I’m concerned
about racism and
discrimination
I’m concerned I
wont be able to
practice my
religion freely
I’m concerned I will
have trouble with
the language

11. Terminologies
•Salat (prayer)
• Ramadan
•Eid
•Halal
•Lota
Huh?
☺

12. Salat (Prayer)
Pray 5 times a day:
FAJR – Predawn
DHUHR – Noon
ASR – Afternoon
MAGHRIB – Sunset
ISHA – Evening
Routines:
Observance of time:
Ablutions:
Always face toward Mecca when praying – in Australia
that is Northwest.

13. Muslim
Man
In
Prayer

14. Muslim
women in
prayer
http://media.www.dailylobo.com/media/storage/paper344/news/2003/10/29/News/Nourishing.The.Spirit-541818.shtml

15. Acknowledging Salat?
• Compass to find direction of Mecca.
• Common space to pray in groups

16. Ramadan: What is it?
• Ninth month of Islamic calendar
• Religious significance – most holy
• Abstain from earthly pleasures
• No food or drink taken in daylight hours
• Breakfast taken before dawn, breaking fast
at sun down

17. Typical Meal Which Breaks The Daily Fast - Iftar
Place: Islamabad, Pakistan: taken on a personal visit

18. Helping Muslim Students In Ramadan?
Find out:
• When Ramadan begins each year
• What you can do to assist them
• If meals are provided at the university mosque
to break fast.
• Help out by:
• Providing microwave oven and fridge
• Providing space and facilities where they can
break their fast together.

19. How an Islamic Month Begins?
New moon indicates new
month and end of
Ramadan.
Beginning of EID

20. Eid Celebrations
A time to celebrate the
end of Ramadan.
Called “Eid-ul-Fitr”

21. Eid Celebrations
A typical way of greeting with gifting money

22. Acknowledging Eid?
• Arrange a few grand meals with special
dishes.
• Greet the student by wishing him/her “Eid
Mubarak”
• Identify Eid celebrations in the local Muslim
community.

23. Halal: What Is It?
• Food which is acceptable (halal) and food
which is not (haram.)
• Emulsifiers made from “soy/lecithin” are halal,
others are haram.
• Pork products are anathema to the Muslim.
• There should be no contamination of halal
products with haram products.

24. Acknowledging Halal?
• Purchase halal meats and products
• Where to purchase halal products
• Which cafes and restaurants are halal certified.
• Food preparation should not come into contact with
any haram products.

25. Lota
What is it?
Used in Toilets
Colourful lotas
(Tahara)

26. Comments From Survey
The following comments were freely offered by
students who completed the survey. There is a
common thread throughout the replies.

27. Comments From Survey
Imane
I would be very bothered if the bathroom is shared or if
the floor I live in is mixed. Shaking hand is also an issue
for me being a Muslim woman.
Having the freedom to assist or not to special occasions
like parties, because as a Muslim girl I will feel very
embarrassed if they insist that I assist while the parties
are against my values
Full respect of the hijab I wear

28. Comments From Survey
Javiera
“When they arrange for shared accommodations
they(accommodation officers) should keep check as
to whether the room mates belong to the same
religion or to two conflicting sects/religions”.
• “Think and feel that muslim students are mere
knowledge seekers, rather than Osama Bin Laden
models. Good and bad are in every society.”

29. Comments From Survey
Male – 23yrs (name withheld)
For me it is just the availability of Halal meat and
food and being able to practise my religion without
fear and discrimination.
The models of toilets is a very big concern for the
Muslims as in non-Muslim countries they don’t have
proper arrangement for ‘Tahara’ i.e. cleaning ones
body with water after passing urine and/or faeces.

30. Comments From Survey
Sabah
Not appropriate to shake hands with men. No co-ed
bathrooms or dorms. Free to indulge in all religious
practices without being looked down upon. My food,
culture and outlook should be respected as well.
Like to go for a place that respects me as an
individual Muslim, rather then delve into what my
community does as a whole.

31. Comments From Survey
Arif:
I would only say if halal meal is provided in
accommodation.
Halal meals
Prayer place.

32. Comments From Survey
Najat
“I am concerned if it is easy for a woman wearing hijab
to find a part time job and if a woman wearing hijab
will be able to integrate the society”

33. Summary:
• SALAT (PRAYER) RECOGNITION (of religion)
RAMADAN SENSITIVITIES (to situations –
particularly with females)
EID FEAR of racism
HALAL
LOTA

34. Acknowledgments
• Ghaffer Iqbal Kiani – PhD, Macquarie University, Sydney
•For invaluable support and encouragement.
•For proof reading and authorizing text and pictures
• Imane Il Fechitani – Master’s student – Morocco
•For supplying multiple texts from the Quran.
•For being my Cyber mailperson and sending surveys all over the world
•Rym Aoudia – Author, poet and Master’s student, Macquarie University, Sydney
•For proof reading and authorizing text and pictures particularly feminine
related issues.
•Sabah Yasub Dogar – Economics student, Lahore, Pakistan
•For being responsible for gathering 100% of the Pakistan surveys
•Jessica Bakic - M.A. Commerce
•For patient tuition in Power Point functions
☺

35. Wake Up Time
Questions Please?