A Physical Wellbeing Focus For CHSP Program Participants

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We are currently halfway through our 6 week program of fitness classes which was organised in collaboration with ACH. The aim of the program is to provide participants with low impact workouts. The focus of the workouts is to promote wellness and resilience by staying fit and healthy through safe, low impact exercise. The program takes into account their health, level of activity and physical and mental capabilities.

Two trainers from ACH were appointed to deliver the training sessions. Twenty seniors attended our first training session at Wandana Community Centre. They arrived there punctually and were very eager. The session started with some administrative housekeeping followed by the trainers assessing the seniors to ensure that they are fit to perform the exercise. For this first session, the trainers demonstrated the technics for strengthening the upper body and balancing. Chairs and stretch bands were used to perform these motions. Members took a great interest into this session and were keen to attend the next session.

This is a program which combines exercise with education to optimise independence, increase strength, endurance and balance and provide motivation to live a healthy life. The trainers were well prepared and engaging. At the end of the 6 weeks session, the participants will feel great and have more energy, socialise and meet new people, learn how to prevent injury, improve strength, balance and cardiovascular fitness and increase range of motion and support body function and movement.

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2018 Multicultural Community Event

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The Muslim Women’s Association of SA had the honour of being invited by The Honourable Steven Marshall, MP Premier of South Australia, and The Honourable Jing Lee, MLC Assistant Minister to the Premier, to the 2018 Multicultural Community Event.

This annual colourful event is a special gathering of diverse community groups coming together to celebrate multiculturalism in South Australia. 

Attending from our organisation was Azidah Abdul Aziz – Vice Chairperson and Secretary, Shaista Kalaniya – Project Manager and June Hussain – Community Development Officer. Our team members, in chatting with The Premier, found him to be welcoming and friendly.

Everyone was invited to attend in their traditional cultural dress. The result was magnificent; the ballroom became a swirling kaleidoscope of colours, styles and textures. 

We thank The Premier’s Office for this opportunity and look forward to next year.

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2018 Council Elections

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Did you recently receive a voting pack in the post?

This is because the 2018 Council Elections are currently underway. The Elections are being conducted entirely by post. 

Voting in the SA Council Elections is not compulsory. 

Requirements have been fulfilled that you were issued a voting pack, you are not legally obliged to return it. 

However, if would like to participate and you have not already returned your ballot pack, the ballot packs are due by 5pm tomorrow, Friday 9th November 2018.

Unfortunately at this late stage if you have not already received your pack, it is too late to request one.

At this stage, there may also be no guarantee that if you pop it in the post it will reach the destination in time.

You are able to drop your ballot pack into your local council office by 5pm. 

Click this link to Find my local Council Office

Enrolment on the state electoral roll IS compulsory if you are:

  • Over 18 years of age,
  • An Australian citizen or eligible British subject, and
  • Have lived at your address at least 1 month

Electoral Commission SA is working with multicultural communities in order to make information more accessible. Brochures are available in 21 different languages. 

Click this link to see Information in other Languages

If you have any questions or concerns, phone the Electoral Commission on 1300 655 232 or visit the Electoral Commission website. 

National Mosque Open Day 2018 at Masjid Al Khalil

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The Muslim Women’s Association of SA had the opportunity to be involved with National Mosque Open Day 2018 over the weekend at Masjid Al Khalil. 

MWASA had 10 volunteers, mostly Youth Group members, working within the larger National Mosque Open Day Volunteer Team.

Our volunteers supported the Open Day in different capacities. A couple were welcoming guests at the entrance, handing out free show bags containing information and bottled water. A couple were part of the Dawah Team, guiding guests and answering questions along the way. One volunteer was able to snap some excellent photos, which you can see below. 

A couple of the girls were at the hijab stall, styling women so that they could see how they would look in hijab and helping them to understand how it feels to be a visibly Muslim woman. 

All of the volunteers did a wonderful job, showing integrity and leadership skills in their respective job roles, effectively communicating with other team members and providing guests with professional and friendly assistance. 

Attractions included a children’s bouncy castle, face painting and a Henna stall, which added an exciting showground feel. The smell of the sausage sizzle was enough to start the mouth watering in anticipation. To satisfy the sweet tooth there were donuts, dates and Arabic coffee which could be enjoyed in the Arabic Lounge.

To feed the mind and soul there was a program of speakers on different topics ranging from Women in Islam and Sharia Law to Islam in Australia. The speakers were available as a panel to answer questions from guests both in the morning and afternoon programs. 

If you would like more information about National Mosque Open Day, click here to go to the National Mosque Open Day page on the Masjid Al Khalil website, or Like the Masjid page on Facebook (@IslamicArabicCentreMasjidAlKhalil). 

 

SGP Youth Group – Shaking Things Up With a Zumba Session!

by admin, posted in Article, Gallery, Most Recent Activity, New Arrival Youth Programs, Programs

Last week the SGP (Settlement Grant Program) Youth Group had the opportunity to shake things up at Fernwood with a Zumba session!

The session had been organised as part of the holiday program, for the girls to have some fun as well as to introduce and familiarise the newly arrived girls with a gym environment.

Almost 30 girls, coming from different backgrounds, attended – and every single one enjoyed it. For some it was their first time doing Zumba. The Instructor was incredibly energetic and afterwards everyone was feeling the benefits of a good workout.

The visit to Fernwood included the Zumba session as well as a tour of the facilities and information about membership options. The staff were very cooperative and patient.

The girls are keen for future fitness sessions and some are looking into taking out their own gym memberships.

Volunteer Picnic at Bonython Park

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As a sign of appreciation to our Volunteer Team, who contributed so much towards our recent Jubilee, we had organised a thank you BBQ lunch at Bonython Park on Saturday the 6th of October. Seventeen volunteers attended, along with some of the management committee. 

Everybody thoroughly enjoyed the day. Naturally, the food was spectacular! There was plenty of chicken wings, sausages and bulgogi beef to go around. There was opportunity to chat and have a few laughs. The weather was wonderful, people were able to stroll and explore the park.

If you would like to get involved with the Muslim Women’s Association of SA, contribute to a team effort in helping the community and enjoy an occasional social day out, click here to go to our Volunteer page and send us through your details. 

Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens Learning Journey

by admin, posted in Announcement, Article, Gallery, Most Recent Activity, Programs, Seniors Program

The Muslim Women’s Association of SA provides several services to men and women over the age of 65 years who are coming from a CaLD (Culturally and Linguistically Diverse) background, under the CHSP (Commonwealth Home Support Program). 

On Thursday 4th of October 2018 an outing to Mt Lofty Botanic Gardens was planned as a Learning Journey.

Those who were attending met at our office on Victoria Square and caught a coach out to Mt Lofty. 

The weather was perfect for walking, overcast but not raining and with a cool breeze.  

The men and women were able to explore the Gardens at their leisure and work up an appetite before sharing a picnic lunch. The group came very well prepared for the picnic with delicious home-made delicacies in picnic baskets and even a table cloth for the picnic table. 

Everyone was very interested to read the signage on-site, in doing so everyone was able to learn about the plants and about the history of Adelaide and also about the Flinders Column. 

It was a wonderful opportunity for them to literally stop and smell the flowers, to socialise and catch up with each other. 

Over 20 Members attended and the general consensus from everyone is that they enjoyed the day immensely. They are looking forward to going back to the Gardens in Autumn time and are, of course, looking forward to the next CHSP Learning Journey. 

For more information about the CHSP and how to join, click here. 
 
 

Usrah Study Circle

by admin, posted in Announcement, Educational Program, Most Recent Activity, Programs, Upcoming Events, Usrah Study Circle

Our Usrah is a group of enthusiastic Muslim sisters getting together with faith in Islam, working and helping out one another, working together towards a better understanding and practice of Islam. The Usrah study circle provides direction towards building self-confidence in a process of developing a balanced and well composed Muslimah in all aspects – spiritually, mentally and physically.

The following programs are conducted in our Usrah Study Circle for Muslim women. To benefit from these programs, you need to be a member. Our annual membership fees are $10 and you can walk-in to our office to apply for membership.

1. Tajweed Class (Quranic recitation and grammar class)

Sisters learn how to read the Quran and the basic rules of Tajweed (Quranic recitation and grammar) so that they are able to recite the Quran in all its glory confidently. This class is designed for students with no knowledge of Tajweed to an intermediate level reciting and recognising the basics of Tajweed.

Details:
Every Monday (except Public Holidays)
10am – 11.20am

2. Islamic Talk / Discussion

Led by Dr Rokkiah Tawi in English, sisters gather on Mondays to benefit from Islamic discussions. Some of these talks/discussions focus on Tafseer where sisters analyse verses from the Quran and relate to everyday events and problems in the lives of Muslim women. Currently, sisters are learning about the 99 Names of Allah (Asma ul Husna).

Details:
Every Monday (except Public Holidays)
11.30am – 12.30pm

3. Conversational Arabic Class

This course is for learning how to speak and converse in Arabic. This is suitable for beginners who know how to read and write Arabic. The class is conducted in English.

Details:
Every Monday (except Public Holidays)
1pm – 2pm

All classes are conducted at our office in the city – Level 4, 182 Victoria Square, SA 5000.

ACE (Adult Community Education) 2018 Schedule

by admin, posted in Announcement, Educational Program, Most Recent Activity, Programs, Upcoming Events

Our ACE (Adult Community Education) Program aims to improve the language, literacy and computing skills of women who face economic and social barriers that prevent them from moving on to higher level training or finding a job or seeking volunteer opportunities.

Weekly classes are held in our office and in Salisbury. The classes are delivered in an informal, easy to access community setting.

Adult Learners’ Week 2018

by admin, posted in Announcement, Article, Educational Program, Most Recent Activity, Programs

The Muslim Women’s Association of SA (MWASA) participated in Adult Learners’ Week 2018, as we do every year. It was thoroughly enjoyed and very successful, as it is every year.

The theme this year was Discover Nature and History. With that in mind, the program coordinator planned outings to the Migration Museum to learn more about the history of migration and to the Botanical Gardens to learn more about nature. 

Our event was attended mainly by our ACE (Adult Community Education) students, who come from a variety of cultural, linguistic and educational backgrounds and have called Australia home for varying lengths of time. 

Those who attended learnt about migration through history and about the struggles those migrants faced. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn about other cultures, as well. During this time the Museum was showcasing Croatian culture and had a variety of dresses, photos, musical instruments and sporting equipment on exhibit. There was a photographic story of a Polish family who migrated to Australia in the 1960s and a handout on Russian migrants was available. Our students were able to relate to the struggles of past migrants and were inspired by the new and positive lives that have been built in Australia. 

The guided tour of the Botanical Gardens was loved by everyone. The weather was spectacular, all sunshine and fresh air. The guides were sensitive and informative. Through the use of interpreters the group members developed a keen interest in the Gardens, as they were more easily able to understand the information provided. Our group members enjoyed a shared lunch, a lovely way to end the day and encourage social networking.

One of our goals is to introduce educational resources to our members which they can then feel comfortable accessing by themselves in the future. Some in attendance had not visited these places before but have said they feel confidant to take their family and friends back. The students gave positive feedback about the trip.

The things learnt during this trip will be discussed further during the weekly program classes. The students are able to express and exchange views on different topics, this helps with improving conversational skills and making new friends. 

A continuing goal of MWASA is to provide opportunities and support to women on their learning journey. There are already plans being made for next term’s excursion: guided tours of the State Library and Central Market!

For more information about the MWASA ACE Program, click here. 

Press Release: Day of Arafah and Eid Al-Adha 2018 Announcement

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Assalaamu’alaykum. Please be informed that Eid Al Adha is on Tuesday, 21 August 2018. Hence, the Day of Arafah will be on Monday, 20 August 2018. Eid Al Adha is the Eid of sacrifice and commitment of Allah’s orders. May Allah bless us with the same in all circles of life, and help all amongst us, who are helpless, worried and waiting for his rehmat. Ameen.


Leadership Workshop for Young Muslim Women

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In this 4-part workshop series, young Muslim women aged between 14 – 25 years undergo training to develop their confidence and improve their communication skills.

The participants quickly warmed up to their trainer, Yasmin Gurreeboo, Associate Director, ACTNOW Theatre, and began sharing their thoughts and views on a wide range of topics and challenges.

During the first session, participants learned how to express their ideas and communicate confidently using the Theatre of the Oppressed technique. The second session saw participants discussing about cultural identity. It was interesting to see them discuss about common labels and act it out in a freeze frame. The youth noted how each of them interpreted labels they give and receive differently.

The next session focused on the participants’ communication skills. The girls enjoyed activities such as ‘silent birthdate game’ where they had fun exploring non-verbal communication techniques  to line-up in the order of their respective birth dates.

The workshop culminated on 17 April 2018 with more teamwork activities that enabled the girls to improve their communication skills in a fun environment. On the whole, the youth enjoyed meeting new people, learning to work confidently in teams while tapping on each others’ strengths and realised they were able to step out of their comfort zones.

Quotes from participants:
“The workshop was very interactive and engaging. It enabled us to think with the creative side of our brain, become a more confident woman, and also allowed us to explore other people’s interpretations and ideas. Overall it was a very interesting and enjoyable session.”
   – Melissa
“The second session was really insightful. I understand that we need to empower ourselves in order to empower other people. We also need to overcome our fear to become more confident and powerful. It is definitely another step forward in understanding what leadership is”
– Balqis

 

Parenting Talk on Australian Family Law

by admin, posted in New Arrival Refugees

19 April 2018 –  A parenting talk was organised for parents who were new to Australia to give them an insight into how the legal system in Australia works. Parents gained a deeper understanding on their responsibilities to their children, laws concerning their children as well as family laws and policies at work in Australia.

The session also covered the following topics:

  • An overview of the legal system in Australia
  • Information on Australian family law
  • Rights and responsibility as a parent
  • Laws relating to children

Handouts were provided to the participants in different languages to help parents understand better.  Parents who attended the talk found the session useful since it provided them with information about their rights, being responsible parents. This will help them carry out their duties well.