Victoria: Lost in Translation, an Interfaith Forum

fimo This forum is an opportunity to contextualize some of the issues that community leaders, service providers and law enforcement bodies face with regards to religious beliefs and will take place at the Walker St Gallery, Dandenong on Saturday, 5 September.

The Federation of Indian Origin Multi-Faith Organisation Inc (FIMO) with the support of Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) , is exploring the various faiths practiced by Australian Indians and the issues stemming from these faith systems. This forum is an opportunity to contextualize some of the issues that community leaders, service providers and law enforcement bodies face with regards to religious beliefs.

Australia’s multicultural diversity allows the communities that have made this country home, to engage in economic, cultural and spiritual diversity. The Indian community has been a vibrant part of this multicultural exchange.

However, there have been uncomfortable challenges for religious and community leaders, who are often at conflict when having to support their religious values against mainstream secular values. The prevailing laws of the land, that at times differ, with existing religious values create a context where some religious ideologies are becoming lost in translation, leading to a rise in domestic issues, disengagement of certain groups in society, indoctrination, discrimination, and rejection of LGBT individuals.

Representatives from a variety of faiths, health and legal services will come together to discuss some key issues affecting the community.

Federation of Indian Origin Multi-faith Organisations (FIMO) is a newly established peak body that promotes dialogue and harmony between people that identify with Indian heritage, those of various faiths and the broader Australian public. FIMO initiatives include facilitating greater interaction and inclusion of all members of the Australian community in Indian religious cultural events; community leadership training and mentorship led by FIMO; and the production of an Interfaith Guide that will assist members of the public and organisations in understanding the differences between the many religions practiced in India, and how those differences manifest themselves in day-to-day life.