Housing
a Muslim Student
Housing
a Muslim Student
Dear
Host
The
number of Muslim students coming to Melbourne is increasing with applications
coming from the Middle East as well as Europe.
Muslim students have different requirements than Asian students. The following are general assumptions which need to be considered when housing a Muslim student. It needs to be understood that with any culture, there is no wrong or right, there is just differences. There is always a reason why there is a difference. Many Muslim students do not wish to live in a homestay where there is a dog.
Why ?
"Traditionally, dogs have been seen as impure.............."
Source : http://www.islamicconcern.com/dogs.asp
However, a Muslim student will accept a home with a dog, as long as the dog does not come inside the home. The Muslim student accepts that the dog is good or necessary for protection.
Like any other student, the Muslim student has to learn and understand how, and especially why we live as we do in a Western culture. The only way they will learn this is if you, as the Host explain how we live and why we live the way we do. The aim is to teach them to understand our culture. This achieves two aims.
1. You as the Host teach Muslim students about our culture, especially the Australian culture.
2. You as the Host, teach a Muslim student the process. i.e. - that they need to explain their culture as well; explain why they live as they do so as you, the Host, can understand their culture.
Homestay has two purposes. The Understanding of our culture and the Understanding of another (their) culture.
Introduction
Most Muslim students who come to Australia are from the Middle East. Saudi Arabia, U.A.E. and Oman, are the most common. The majority have a very good understanding of English and speak it well.
The majority are also very sociable. They will often be out until late at weekends with friends enjoying each others company. The connections they have with their friends is important as it negates the problem of home sickness, which can affect any Muslim student no matter what their age.
There are two types of Muslim students. A scholarship student or a student funded by their family.
Scholarship students are supported by their government. Their education and entire living costs are paid for, sometimes up to five years. They are government employee's; some have been Policeman, Department Managers, Accountants, etc. Many study for a Diploma, then complete a Degree before they return home.
Some Middle Eastern governments are generous in their payments to scholarship students, some are not. A Muslim student can leave your home because of cost and share with other students to save money. Besides differences in culture, cheaper living cost is the next main reason for Muslim students leaving a homestay.
Students who are funded by their family rarely have a cost issue. Their main reason for leaving a homestay is that they find living in a Western home, too different to what they are used to.
Access
Most Muslim students are in the early 20's when they travel to Australia. Most are male. They, like all students over 18 years are entitled to come and go from the homestay as they wish, but under guidelines which show consideration to all members of the household.
Sometimes overseas students come home late or stay up late talking amongst themselves. The Muslim student is no exception. Please ensure your student has a key to your home and is aware that, if home late, there may be other members of the family who are already asleep and that noise needs to be kept to a minimum.
Servant
Many Muslim students have had servants in their home and are not used to household chores. You as the Host are not a servant .You will need to explain the service that you provide to ensure both parties understand what is provided and what is not provided.
Prayer
Prayer time for a Muslim student is very important. Sometimes prayer occurs early in the morning (between 3.00am and 4.00am) This is normal behaviour and a Host needs to understand this. A student will normally pray in their room for a short time. 15 to 20 minutes is standard. It is acceptable for a Muslim student to pray quietly. If your student is praying loudly it is acceptable to ask them to pray quietly as a sign of respect for the family they live with.
Food
Muslim
students do not eat pork. Nor do they
consume alcohol as a drink or as a part of their food preparation.
Food is the main difference between Western and Middle Eastern culture. As with Asian students, rice is a part of the daily meal. A rice cooker is an excellent idea. A student can then have rice at any time of the day or night. Supermarkets sell many different types of spices which can be added to meals with vegetables.
Some Muslim students may ask for Halal Halal food which refers to the way meat is prepared. Halal Halal butchers in Melbourne can be found at the following addresses. If you purchase your meat from these locations then a Muslim student will have no issue with the food you provide.
Muslim students have to trust a homestay host. Trust that they will not be given food which has not been prepared in the way their religion requires or pork. Canned food, if it contains animal fat, can be pork. As the Host, you need to check the labels to be sure.
As
a precaution, and as respect towards a Muslim student, have no pork or ham in
your home.
Some Muslim students say a short prayer before a meal .This prayer can be asking God to ensure that the meal they are about to eat does not have pork as a part of it.
For further information regarding Halal Halal food preparation please check the following URL.
http://swap.idp.com/gulf_muslim/halalfoods/default.asp
For further information regarding the Muslim culture please check the following URL.
Homestay Australia P/L