6 – 8 May 2005
Crosslands Convention Centre
“My Purpose in Life”
By Daniel & Elif Bruzzese
The 6th Annual Affinity camp was held from 6-8 May 2005 at Crosslands Convention Centre situated just at the outskirts of Sydney, Berowra Valley Regional Park, in a valley carved by the tributaries of the Hawksbury river. The three day camp was attended by 84 men and women as well as 18 children.
This wonderful getaway provided us the opportunity to be away from the rush and pressure of everyday life. A Camp site surrounded with the harmonious flora and wildlife was ideal to explore the very theme of the camp “my purpose in life”. The camp tapped into our mental, spiritual, social and physical aspect in a balanced program.
During the workshops we had a lot of food for thought which focused on our personal and community issues alike. The topics of the workshops ranged from observing the life of our the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and reflecting on our very own life experiences at present time. Other workshops included insight into personal development, through goal setting and exploring our aims and objectives in life.
The echo of the call to prayer (adhan) at every corner of the camp site created an amazing spiritual atmosphere and ensured everyone joined the daily prayers performed in congregation. Remembrance (zikr), reflection and worship of the Loving Creator were certainly a delight to our needy heart and souls. Reflecting on the perfect example of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh) and remembering to adopt the beautiful principles of patience, love, forgiveness and constantly resorting to good when confronted with hardship were also a focus at the camp.
Our physical workout when playing soccer, volleyball and canoeing along the Berowra River achieved to keep our energy high. The trivia night was also a highlight, as it was a brain teaser for all.
The main camp talk delivered by the President of Affinity Intercultural Foundation, Mehmet Ozalp, emphasized the need to develop a unique Australian Muslim identity, He particularly emphasized the model individual Muslim to aspire towards “becoming a beautiful human being and to have a beautiful soul just like the testimony of Abu Bakr for the life of the Prophet Muhammad (pbuh)”
A spontaneous and wonderful friendship was built with the camp site managers John and Margaret who shared a dinner with us on Saturday night. They expressed a positive and valuable thought when they said “they have never met Muslim men and ladies who are so friendly and approachable”.
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |