Previous Event:
The Life of Maryam (a.s.)
Mother of Jesus (pbuh)
Through the Eyes of the Qur’an
August 2005
Lady Maryam (a.s.) as a child
with her uncle and guardian
Prophet Zachariah
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Lady Maryam (a.s.) presenting the
infant Jesus(pbuh) to the rabbis
at the Temple
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The Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic
Studies screened a beautiful Iranian film on the life of the
blessed Lady Maryam (a.s.) over the weekend of August 6th
& 7th at the University of New South Wales.
This 9 hour mini-series provided a unique and detailed insight
into the historic events surrounding Mary's (a.s.) birth and
early life. It showed her special relationship with her guardian
Prophet Zachariah, her early meetings with Joseph and her
unprecedented admittance into the Temple. Largely based on
Qur’anic references the film shows her piety, humility, courage
and kindness and the historical events surrounding the birth
of Jesus (pbuh).
The screening of this important film brought together Muslims
and Christians and opened channels for real interfaith understanding.
The Christian participants particularly commented on the greater
depth of teaching and information about Lady Maryam (a.s.)
that exists in Islam, of which they were previously unaware.
At the end of the weekend participants had shared not only
the watching of this historic story but had also shared open
discussion about the different perceptions of the life of
Maryam (a.s.) from the Christian and Islamic teachings. Everyone
who attended was visibly moved by the film which created a
real sense of greater mutual understanding.
The pictures above depict two crucial events
in the film of Lady Maryam's (a.s.) life. The first is Prophet
Zachariah with the young Maryam (a.s.) at the age of 6 on
her journey from her home to live in the Temple, as was her
mothers promise to God. Prophet Zachariah, who was not only
her uncle and guardian but also her spiritual teacher, had
fought with the temple elders and rabbis for the unprecedented
admittance of a female to the service of the Temple.
The second picture depicts the pivotal moment of Lady Maryam's
(a.s.) return to the city and the Temple entrance after the
miraculous birth of Jesus (pbuh). Having returned from the
desert the young Maryam (a.s.) has been instructed by Allah
(swt) not to speak to anyone when she re-enters the city with
the baby Jesus (pbuh). She is being harassed and interrogated
by the people and the rabbis, but continues to follow God's
order and says nothing in her own defence. Finally she indicates
to the temple elder to direct his questions to the baby. He
mocks her request and finally, in order to prove the ridiculousness
of the suggestion, he speaks to the baby. In a miraculous
and powerful moment the baby Jesus (pbuh) speaks.
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