Isra and Mi'raj in Australia

The event Isra and Mi'raj is an event in the Muslim community. Isra refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s miraculous journey from Mecca to Jerusalem, while Mi’raj refers to the Prophet Muhammad’s ascension to heaven. This event is observed on the 27th day of the month of Rajab or the seventh month in the calendar of Islam.

Isra and Mi’raj and the Muslim Community in Australia

Customs and traditions in observing the Isra and Mi’raj depend on the different communities of Islam. Majority of the Muslim community go to mosques to pray, or to study the message of the Isra and Mi’raj. There are Muslim organizers who usually would arrange activities in the Mosques to commemorate the Isra and Mi’raj, like scripture readings, prayer services, preaching, and other activities related to Isra and Mi’raj. Some people who cannot make it to the mosques take time to pray and study Isra and Mi’raj in their own homes. It is the responsibility of the parents to teach and educate their children on what transpired during the journey of the Prophet Muhammad. Similarly, Muslim schools in Australia also teach their students the background of the Prophet Muhammad’s journey few days before the event comes.

Apart from the religious tradition, the Muslim community also takes time to decorate their homes for the Isra and Mi’raj event. They take this opportunity to be with their family members, relatives, and friends and partake on foods, especially sweets. The community is also decorated with small lights that resemble a candle, or they light an actual candle in front of their houses.

The Public Observance of Isra and Mi’raj in Australia

Australia does not declare the event Isra and Mi’raj a national federal holiday. If this event falls on a working day, private and public offices and establishments will still have to open to serve the public. Similarly, the schools have classes during the event, unless it falls on a weekend. The Muslim schools in Australia, on the other hand, may pronounce a no-class day in the commemoration of the Isra and Mi’raj. The roads near the Mosques might get a bit congested because of the attendees of the Isra and Mi’raj services there.

Muslims who wish to take part of the event are encouraged to file a leave of absence so they can also go to the mosques and observe Isra and Mi’raj.

On the tenth year of his being a prophet, angel Gabriel woke Prophet Muhammad from sleep. The angel travelled him to Jerusalem, until he reached the Temple of Solomon where he prayed with the prophets Abraham, Moses, Jesus and others. From the rock of the temple mount, angel Gabriel lifted Prophet Muhammad to heaven.