About 50 people attended a forum entitled 'Towards Understanding Young Muslims in our Community', at CQU Rockhampton on Friday, July 20.

Information was presented to help communities understand what Australian Muslim youths have experienced in their daily life, what they think and wish for. The speakers each put the Australian Muslim youths in the context of the religion and the community where they live.

The forum featured presentations by a range of visiting speakers and CQU researchers involved in a study of Young Muslims.

 
Participants in the forum - Photo by AMBER MURRAY

Presenters included:
 
Dr Abdalla, founding director of the Griffith University Islamic Research Unit and co-director of the Australian National Centre of Excellence for Islamic Studies, who will address 'Islam in the lives of Muslims';
 
Goolam Vahed, Associate Professor in the School of Historical Studies at the University of KwaZulu in Natal, South Africa, who will give a historical perspective on Islam in Queensland;
 
Anas Abdalla, a Brisbane-based youth and community development officer who represents young Muslims, who will address 'The Challenges and Opportunities of Young Muslims';
 
Daniel Ashrafi, a second-year biomedical sciences student at CQU, who will outline 'A Young Muslim's Experience'.
 
A CQU research team including Dr Sansnee Jirojwong, Dr Roberta Harreveld, Dr Daniel Teghe and Dawn Hay, discussed 'The Reality and Perceptions of Young Muslims in Queensland'.
 
The event was opened by Lynne Foley, the Regional Executive Director for Education Queensland.