Jenny and I took a heritage rail trip to Moss Vale and back last Saturday. It was a great day.
We shared our compartment for a total of about five hours with a young couple and their three young children. They were from Saudi Arabia and Muslim, with mum attired in a hijab.
Dad is a student in Sydney and the family has been here a few years - long enough for the kids to speak English with an Aussie accent. When dad finishes his course, the family are returning to Saudi Arabia. The kids, two boys and a girl, were delightful and soon warmed to Jenny's charm, engaging in excited conversation about the trip, about their school and about their family.
Mum and dad were friendly, too, and very likable, as were their well-mannered, well-behaved children.
I don't want to make a big deal out of this, only to point out that I wish more Australians would take the time to reach out to and engage with Muslims. They might soon realise that there is little to fear and much to like and admire.
It was great meeting this family. In one way I was sorry to learn they were returning home. Australia could do with more of their like.
May Allah bless them.
Kerry Myers is a journalist with more than 40 years’ experience working in both secular and Catholic media, including 10 years as Editor of the Catholic Weekly newspaper in the Archdiocese of Sydney. Kerry now works for national news agency, the Australian Associated Press.
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