A teacher in Epping is doing his bit for world peace.
St Monica’s College’s social justice co-ordinator Fadi Elbarbar wants his students to understand and appreciate every religion, so he’s taken his teaching beyond the classroom.
Earlier this month, a group of students from the Catholic school spent a few hours at Al Siraat College to meet fellow students and discuss each other’s cultures and faiths.
Mr Elbarbar said the two Epping schools decided that the best way to teach students about each other’s culture and religion – Islam and Christianity – was to organise regular visits. The day’s schedule included a school tour, student presentations, a tour of Al Siraat’s Islamic museum and a joint prayer time.
Mr Elbarbar hopes the initiative can be broadened to other schools and faiths.
“I hope these meetings will break down the barriers that at times seem to provide quite a challenge to society,” he said. “This is a great opportunity for students to broaden their understanding of other cultures and religions, not just by reading a text book but by a genuine interchange with similar-aged students.”
