From the Head of Religious Education, Martina Cooper,
On Thursday 2 May and Friday 3 May, Year 12 students of Studies of Religion engaged in immersion days at Malek Fahd Islamic School and the Buddhist Nan Tien Temple. This was as part of their study of Islam and Buddhism and the main objective of both days was to prepare for an assessment task. The students were exemplary role models for Waverley College and the questions they posed demonstrated a commendable level of maturity but also a sense that they have developed an appreciation of the significance of interfaith dialogue in contemporary society.
Mr Dominic Hearne and Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem accompanied the students to Malek Fahd Islamic School and there they engaged in dialogue with other senior students. They were also presented with firsthand knowledge of Hajj, a significant practice in Islam and part of HSC syllabus content. At the Nan Tien Temple, Wollongong the boys were accompanied by Ms Nohara Binyamin, Ms Cath Stewart, Ms Martina Cooper and Mr Jean-Paul Boumelhem. There they engaged in a range of activities including meditation and a dharma talk, as well as a vegetarian lunch. This directly relates to the significant practice of temple puja, again a component of the HSC syllabus. Both experiences brought to life what is being taught in the classroom and hopefully, this authentic learning experience provides a greater understanding of course content and ultimately the development of future interfaith relations.
