Auburn Gallipoli Mosque has been granted an exemption to hold Eid-al-Adha prayers. NSW Health said exemptions were only granted in “exceptional circumstances”. It said the mosque had a thorough COVID-19 Safety Plan. The mosque will split attendees into four areas, with no more than 100 in each.
New South Wales
NSW: Makkah to Madina Exhibition – A journey of a lifetime
Sadly, this year, the pilgrimage to Makkah has been cancelled due to the coronavirus pandemic. Relive the journey of a lifetime with Australia’s largest Islamic Exhibition. For the first time ever in Sydney, experience the migration of the prophet from Makkah to Madina. Featuring intricate 3D models, guided tours and a large 3D scaled model of the Ka’bah. Walk in the cave of Hira model and witness the real size of the Cave of Thawr. Sessions are at Padstow, 24 and 25 July 2020.
NSW: International Yoga Day
International Yoga Day is celebrated worldwide on 21 June of each year. Yoga is an ancient tradition which has many applications. Individuals practice yoga all over the world, and gain benefit the asana poses and excercises bestow. Other forms of yoga still the mind within, and grant inner peace and stillness. The United Nations proclaimed International Day of Yoga in 2014. The day is growing in popularity each year. This year, due Coronavirus and lockdown in various nations, there may be some restrictions on mass public yoga events.
NSW: Buddhist Studies June 2020 Seminar
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will take place online using Zoom on 4 June at 6:30pm (Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney time). The topic will be Buddhist Tantric Poetry: Frameworks and Practices.
NSW: Buddhist Studies May 2020 Seminar
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will take place online using Zoom on 21 May at 6:30pm (Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney time). The topic will be Intention in Karmaphala from the Vaibhāṣika View According to the Eighth and the Ninth Karmapa’s Abhidharmakośa Commentaries.
Catholic masses in Sydney to be limited to 100
Catholic masses in Sydney will be limited to only 100 people, in advice from Archbishop Anthony Fisher. Parishes have been allowed to offer additional celebrations in order that the faithful may attend worship.
NSW: The LGBTQ+ experience in the Jewish community
The NSW Board of Deputies will host a Panel Discussion and Q&A on the topic of The LGBTQ+ experience in the Jewish community at the Sydney Jewish Museum on evening of Tuesday 17 March 2020.
NSW: Yom Hashoah 2020
Yom Hashoah – the Commemoration of the Holocaust – occurs annually on April 19 and 20. The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies will conduct commemoration at Rookwood Cemetery, UNSW and Masada College. The theme of this year’s commemoration is Women and the Holocaust. In the light of recent developments it has been deemed prudent and responsible to live stream this celebration.
Do we need new laws to protect religious freedom in Australia?
Fr Frank Brennan SJ AO – formerly a member of the Ruddock Religious Freedom Review – delivered the sixth annual Barry O’Keefe Memorial Lecture at the Australian Catholic University in North Sydney on Wednesday, 19 February 2020. This is an edited version of that lecture.
NSW: Hindu Temple razed in bushfires
Sydney has a large Hindu population and there are about 30 Hindu temples, spiritual centres and senior citizen service centres to cater for their religious, spiritual and social needs. Sri Om community in Sydney had purchased land and installed their deities with regular worship by the community.
Sydney Mosque opens doors to bushfire victims
The Muslim community in the Sydney suburb of Marsden Park has invited people who have lost their homes or property in bushfires to stay in the Mosque.
NSW: Josie Lacey receives the inaugural President’s Award
The inaugural The New South Wales Jewish Board of Deputies President’s Award has been awarded to community stalwart Josie Lacey.