Life throws many challenges that impede our ability to achieve our goals or live the life we aspire.
The Corona pandemic is THE biggest disruptor to 2020, with everyone feeling its effects one way or another.
Through prayer, we often find the courage to get back up and strive forward. The desired result is not always achieved at the first go, so we keep trying. With a bit of patience, perseverance and persistence we either achieve what we set out to do or have to contend with another outcome – sometimes to our dismay.
How do we as individuals and collectively, who profess to be people of faith find the strength to get through this period? Are we hopeful for our future, considering pandemics could unexpectedly pop up and change the way we live our lives? The new normal may be to live with uncertainty and constant change, so how do we remain steadfast in our respective faiths and belief in God? As women of faith, how could we inspire our faith communities to give individuals who are losing hope the shot of optimism they need?
Panellist Biographies
- Panellist: Dr Mahsheed Ansari
Dr Mahsheed Ansari is lecturer in Islam and Contemporary Islamic Studies and the Higher Degrees Research Coordinator at the Centre for Islamic Studies & Civilisation, Charles Sturt University. Her research interests include the history of Islamic thought, spirituality and culture. She is also a historian interested in the formation and development of minority communities in Australia. She is currently working on the Muslim heritage research project at the Public and Contextual Theology Research Centre at Charles Sturt University.
- Panellist: The Revd Dr Colleen O’Reilly
The Revd Dr Colleen O’Reilly is an Anglican priest and the Chaplain to Trinity College in the Universities of Melbourne and of Divinity. Previously she was the Vicar of St George’s Malvern (2007-2019) and St Faith’s Burwood (199-2007). Her doctoral studies was in the area of rites and pastoral care. Colleen is the mother of two sons, and grandmother to three boys who live in London. She is married to Fr Walter McEntee, formerly Chaplain to Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School
- Moderator: Dr Zuleyha Keskin
Zuleyha is the Course Director at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation, Charles Sturt University. She is also a senior lecturer in Islamic spirituality and contemporary Islamic studies. Zuleyha is a co-founder of ISRA Australia and the Managing Editor of the Australian Journal of Islamic Studies journal, a double-blind peer reviewed academic journal. Zuleyha’s community outreach is through the frequent requests for her to do talks on Islamic issues in the wider community. She has 15 years of experience in teaching to a range of audiences from high school students to youth and adults within the Muslim and non-Muslim community.
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Australian Intercultural Society (AIS)
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A collaboration between Australian Intercultural Society, Trinity College, University of Divinity and Islamic Sciences & Research Academy