POPE Benedict XVI may have raised the ire of the Muslim world almost two years ago when he invoked a harsh medieval description of Islam during a speech in Germany, but for almost 300 Catholic pilgrims, an Islamic school will be home during World Youth Day.
"Pope Benedict clarified his comments on Islam," said Pinad Elahmed, a teacher in charge of inter-religious activities at Malek Fahd school in Greenacre. "Anyway, no one here even thought of it when we decided to offer hospitality to the pilgrims.
"We are Muslims but we are also very committed Australians and that means living in a multicultural, multi-faith country. We want to be a role model of generosity for all Muslims.
"This is not unusual. After all, the prophet himself opened his house to Christians."
The 281 pilgrims will bunk down in the gymnasium and several classrooms. "They will basically have the run of the place," Ms Elahmed said.
Schools to be accommodation for WYD guests
PM – Thursday, 10 July, 2008 18:42:00 http://www.abc.net.au/pm/content/2008/s2300539.htm
Reporter: Michael Turtle MARK COLVIN: Across the country young Catholic pilgrims have started arriving for World Youth Day. Many are doing homestays in regional areas for the next few days, but the focus is still decidedly on Sydney. There are lots of last minute preparations before an expected 220,000 visitors arrive next week. But they’re not always happening in the most expected places as youth affairs reporter, Michael Turtle, discovered. MICHAEL TURTLE: Accommodating the crowds of pilgrims who are coming to Sydney next week is no easy task. As well as hotels and homestays, 10,000 will stay at Olympic Park. About 400 public and Catholic schools will host visitors. And so will one Islamic school at Greenacre, in Sydney’s south-west. HAFEZ MALAS: We are very, very happy to be given this opportunity to prove that we are Muslim of Australia. MICHAEL TURTLE: Hafez Malas is the Chairman of the Malek Fahd School. He says the community has embraced the idea of providing for 280 young Catholics. And World Youth Day spokesman, Mark Podesta, says organisers are thrilled. MARK PODESTA: We are a country of people who live alongside each other, no matter what faith, no matter what background, what ethnicity; we live in peace, in harmony. And that’s a gift that we can show to the rest of the world. MICHAEL TURTLE: The school asked for assurances there would be no alcohol on the site and no pork products in the meals. But on a tour today, it seems like it will be similar to other school accommodation. (Sound of people walking) Some pilgrims will stay in classrooms, with about 15 in a room, sleeping on pillows and backpacks. SCHOOL TOUR GUIDE: We’ve split the courtyards into a female pilgrim area and a male pilgrim area. We’re basically trying to segregate both males and females even the Church was in favour of that as well. MICHAEL TURTLE: Another 85 students, probably the ones from Argentina, will sleep in the school’s gymnasium. SCHOOL TOUR GUIDE: They don’t have the luxury of carpet, but I think once you fill this place up it will warm up pretty quickly. (Sound of gate being unlocked) MICHAEL TURTLE: And outside on the basketball court, a few showers have been set up in small wooden boxes. SCHOOL TOUR GUIDE: And as you can see the temporary piping that’s being connected to our school water as well, also to our school sewer as well. So they’ll be using that. MICHAEL TURTLE: Some of the school’s students, including Mohamed Ghamraoui, will welcome the pilgrims next week.. He says he was curious when he first heard the news. MOHAMED GHAMRAOUI: It was a bit different but in a good way, I guess it was more of a chance to extend the hand of friendship. More towards building bridges than imposing you know, imposing our differences upon one another. MICHAEL TURTLE: They’re not planning to take part in any of the official Catholic events, but students like Rose-Ann Awed (phonetic), will be part of an inter-faith night at the school. ROSE-ANN AWED: It is part of our faith to make them feel welcome make the, no matter if they’re Catholic or Jewish, ’cause it is part of our faith, it is our duty, our responsibility to make sure these people do feel welcome. (Sound of machine operating) MICHAEL TURTLE: And while the preparations continue at the Malek Fahd School, pilgrims continue to pour into Sydney. Some sites are still being set-up, but around town, the number of international visitors is clearly growing. VISITOR: I’m from France, Versailles. And I’m here to see the Pope. And to be with a lot of younger Catholics. VISITOR 2: We’re actually from South Africa, Johannesburg – South Africa. It’s been a long-awaited time. We’ve spent like a couple of months fundraising to get here. VISITOR 3: I basically came here for the World Youth Day, and to experience the whole thing because we’ve heard such hypes and buzzes about it. So yeah that’s why, that’s why I cane basically. MICHAEL TURTLE: Tens of thousands of pilgrims are also staying out of Sydney at the moment, as part of the Days in the Diocese. They’re in other capitals, regional centres, and even the heart of the outback. They’ll learn about Indigenous culture in Darwin, visit the Dish at Parkes, and even shear sheep in Bathurst. Most pilgrims will travel to Sydney next Monday for the official start of the festivities next Tuesday. MARK COLVIN: Michael Turtle.