Latest news with #AustralianNationalImamsCouncil
Khaleej Times
29-03-2025
- General
- Khaleej Times
Australia announces first day of Eid Al Fitr holiday
Australia has declared its first day of Eid Al Fitr as March 31, 2025, as per an announcement by the Australian Fatwa Council. The council confirmed that the new Moon of Shawwal will be born on Saturday, March 29, 9.57pm AEST — after sunset on that night. Meanwhile in Perth, the new Moon will be born on the same day at 6.57pm AWST, also after sunset. The methods used to calculate the end of Ramadan, the first day of Shawwal, and the day of Eid Al-Fitr are based on calculated birth of the Moon before sunset, the duration of the moonset after sunset, and the possibility of the Moon sighting. This is a method that has been adopted by many prominent and reputable global scholarly councils. As the new Moon will be born after sunset in both cities, the following day cannot be the first of Shawwal, the council stated. Ramadan will complete 30 days with Sunday, March 30, being the last day of the holy month. Therefore, Eid Al Fitr will be on Monday, March 31. In its statement, the Australian National Imams Council and the Australian Fatwa Council said they "acknowledge, understand and respect the Imams and scholars who may hold a different opinion, and request all Muslims to respect the different opinions on this matter and work towards the unity of the Muslim community in preserving the common values and interests that they all have and share." The Grand Mufti of Australia also wished the Muslim community a happy, joyful and blessed Eid Al-Fitr, while urging community members to "remember their brothers and sisters in Gaza and Palestine in their prayers, generous donations, and ongoing support." "We also encourage the Muslim community to engage with their fellow Australian neighbours and friends in displaying the true and peaceful image of Islam," the leader added.
Morocco World
28-02-2025
- General
- Morocco World
First Day of Ramadan 2025 in Australia Confirmed on March 1
Rabat – The first day of Ramadan 2025 in Australia is confirmed to be on March 1. The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) posted on X today in celebration of the start of the holy month. The council wished Muslims 'community in Australia and the entire world, a blessed, happy and joyful Ramadan 2025.' A post on X by the Gulf News further said that the date was confirmed by 'the Grand Mufti of Australia, Ibrahim Abu Mohamad,' religious councils in the country, including ANIC. The holy month of Ramadan lasts for 29-30 days, during which Muslims abstain from food from dawn to dusk. A tradition to mark iftar, the first meal that Muslims have after fasting, is to consume dates and water or milk to help prepare the body after a day without food or water. Muslims also gather after iftar in mosques and community centers to do special nightly prayers – Taraweeh – and share free evening meals. Fasting during Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the five pillars of Islam that testifies to a Muslim's faith. Muslims living in non-Islamic countries have to deal with the fact that most businesses follow regular work schedules. In Australia, the Muslim community creates a splendid atmosphere of warmth, organizing collective iftars that bring together families and friends to share moments of spirituality and joy. Although the Muslim community constitutes a minority of the Australian population, Islam has been growing steadily. A 2021 Census in Australia showed that there are roughly 813,392 people who identify as Muslim in Australia, representing 3.2% of the total population.
The Guardian
17-02-2025
- The Guardian
Police investigate potential Islamophobic assaults at Melbourne shopping centre
Police are investigating if two alleged assaults in Melbourne were Islamophobic incidents after women in hijabs were attacked during the day. Victoria police said two women, a 30-year-old from Lalor and a 26-year-old from Wollert, were allegedly attacked by the same assailant at Epping shopping centre on High Street between 1.10pm and 1.20pm on Thursday. Investigators said both victims were attacked by a woman who then left on foot with a man. Police said investigations were ongoing – including 'whether these were prejudice-motivated assaults'. 'There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated,' a spokesperson said in a statement. The 26-year-old victim, who wears a hijab and asked not to be named, said she had been living in fear since the alleged attack. She said she was randomly hit in the face and then pushed to the ground. 'I am terrified to go out, I am terrified to leave these four walls of my house, something I never thought I would say,' she told Guardian Australia on Monday. 'My mental and physical health is at zero, even below zero. Every day, it gets worse for me, it was so random it has traumatised me.' The woman said she believed it was an Islamophobic attack. 'It is 100% because I am Muslim. I am born here, this is my country. Where do I go when I am attacked in my own country?' The other victim who also wears a hijab is pregnant. Both women were taken to Northern hospital for treatment of non-life-threatening injuries. The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) said in a statement the attacks were 'heinous and barbaric'. 'The … council vehemently condemns the heinous and barbaric attacks on two Muslim women at Epping shopping centre in Victoria,' the council said. 'These attacks represent a horrifying escalation of Islamophobic violence targeted at innocent people in our communities simply because of their faith. We demand justice for the victims and assert that no act of hate should be minimised or ignored. It is imperative to ensure the safety and dignity of every individual, regardless of faith.' No charges have been laid over the incidents. ANIC also posted on social media on Sunday about Islamophobic graffiti in Sefton in Sydney's west. A picture of the graffiti suggested it stated: 'RasulAllah is a dead Pedo.' RasulAllah is a name given to the prophet Muhammad – or 'prophet of God'. The graffiti was reported to Action Against Islamophobia by a local who had been walking on the footpath. The ANIC and the Alliance of Australians for Muslims in a joint statement 'strongly condemned' the graffiti which they said was a 'reprehensible act'. 'This latest incident marks yet another attack in an area home to a significant Muslim community,' the groups said. 'The offensive graffiti, sprayed in black across a popular local footpath, is not just a personal affront but a stark symbol of the escalating hatred and bigotry manifesting in Australian neighbourhoods.' They said that despite a spate of Islamophobic incidents there was 'a troubling lack of adequate response or acknowledgement from political leaders, law enforcement and media'. Islamophobic graffiti was spotted in an underpass in western Sydney late last year with the NSW premier, Chris Minns, labelling the vandalism 'disgusting.'
