Muslim Youth Raises Funds for the Burnt Hall of Auburn Uniting Church on Ash Wednesday
On the evening of Ash Wednesday, the 1st March, 2006, Affinity Directors, Mr Mehmet Saral, Mr Ahmet Keskin and Mrs Amine Atalay arranged a group visit to Auburn Uniting Church. The congregation has observed the first day of the Lent Season in the Christian faith. The church hall was burnt down by vandals last December.
Auburn Gallipoli Mosque’s Girls’ Youth group had collectively raised funds with a sense of responsibility and solidarity for their Christian neighbours in the aftermath of the burning of the Church Hall following the Cronulla riots. Ms. Nazli Akyil presented the $500 donation on behalf of the youth to Rev Mele Fakahua-Ratcliffe.
Mr Saral spoke briefly on the significance of the lunar month of Muharram in the Islamic Calender, reflecting over historical Day of Ashura. “It is Muslim culture to distribute Noah’s pudding to neighbours and fast on the 10th day of Muharram. This gesture is especially important at the time of hardship” remarked Mr Saral.
Noah’s Pudding (ashura) is a sweet dish reportedly cooked on the day when Noah (p) and his followers first landed after the flood. The pudding was distributed by Affinity members to the church congregation. In return, church ladies presented a hand made traditional Tongan wall carpet as a gesture of their appreciation of the Muslim Youth and Affinity Intercultural Foundation.
Mrs Atalay remarked “When a community in our very neighbourhood is in grief, irrespective of how small is the contribution, we are here for you in assistance and support.”
