ICV Islamophobia Position Statement Launch


Stories beyond COVID: A Celebration of Life
Overview The ‘Stories Beyond COVID: A celebration of life’ is a Festival organised by the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV), to allow diverse communities across Victoria to share their experiences during the time of COVID-19. Through times of hardship, the community have stood in solidarity, and people have often found unique ways of coping. The Festival will showcase how children, young people and families have experienced the lockdown and hear directly from them about how they have coped with the pandemic. The format will be digital with webinars and Q&A sessions on how the community’s life has changed. Aims The Festival will allow children, young people, and adults to share their stories through video. We will hear how even when separated, the community was able to stand together and support one another. It will also be an opportunity to learn about essential tools such as self-care, remote support and hear from experts about the impact of the pandemic. Participants will have a chance to self-reflect on their own experience and acknowledge the collective endurance that was required to get through these challenging times. Additionally, we will hear from faith leaders about the reopening of the Mosques. The main goals will be:- For people to share their lived experience of dealing with the pandemic.
- An opportunity to hear the voices of the children, so that we can reimagine the pandemic through the lens of young people.
- To celebrate the recovery period and give hope to others.
- Expressing the rich cultural diversity that exists amongst the Victorian Muslim and other cultural and religiously diverse communities
- To celebrate and acknowledge the creativity of the largest portion of the Muslim community, the children and young adults, who are the future leaders, creators, and pillars of society.


CATEGORIES:
First 5 video entries will receive $100 vouchers for the following category:
Children (5 – 12 years)
First 3 video entries will receive $100 vouchers for the following categories:
Young people (13 – 17 years)
Young Adults (18 – 25 years)
Adults (25 years+)
Mosques Re-opening The pandemic proved to be one of the most difficult times for the Muslim community, as the hub and spiritual centre, a practising Muslim’s daily life revolves in and around the masajid. During the pandemic, Muslims faced the aspect that they would not be able to enjoy the festivities of their two greatest days of the year, together with friends, families, and loved ones. Eid Al Fitr and Eid Al Adha. The significance of this, also proved the resilience of our community. That our faith stands true to its message of spreading peace and diversity, through being at one with the Victorian community at large, by staying safe and following government regulations. To celebrate the community’s resilience, especially through the restrictions. We have dedicated a day for mosques to share their story. The adversity they faced, and the light at the end of the tunnel – by sharing their processes of opening up again to the wider community. Video brief for the Mosques The Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) would like to share this initiative with all Mosques in Victoria. We would like you to record a short video to be shared during our Digital Festival. The video is a great opportunity to share your thoughts and guidance to the community, to assist them and highlight their spiritual resilience during these difficult times. The video submitted can work on unlimited ideas, so you can be as creative as possible. It’s a chance for individual mosque management to give a voice behind the planning of re-opening during restrictions. Video, can follow this structure: Introduction – Of yourself. For example, “Salaam, I’m….” Body – Explain the importance of keeping the community safe – talking to the planning and implementing of opening up the mosques again to the community Outro – End your video. You can end this with an individual parting message Things to consider:- Intonation and speed of delivery.
- Be as natural as possible.
- Between points of information, leave a gap. This makes it easier to edit, if needs be.
- Enjoy the process!
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