In these times of stress and distress anticipating the arrival of Tropical Cyclone Alfred, we stand one with those in the path of the torrents of nature. We are One, and We are Many. When the tempests of nature confront us, we turn to prayer and supplication to the Divine. Here, we bring you prayers for stress and distress with nature, from the world’s religions: Hinduism, Buddhism, Tao, Judaism, Christianity, St Francis, Bahá’í, The Quran, and Dadirri: the Indigenous Deep Listening. Herewith, Prayer in Times of Cyclone.
Australia
Video: Acknowledging Respect & Inclusion of Indigenous Nations Spirituality: In a Nation that Embraces Many Diverse Cultures and Faiths
Religions for Peace Australia in collaboration with Canberra Interfaith Forum presented the 2025 World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra, on 5 February 2025. The Guest Speaker was Prof. Dr. Anne Pattel-Gray, and the topic of this event was Acknowledging Respect & Inclusion of Indigenous Nations Spirituality: In a Nation that Embraces Many Diverse Cultures and Faiths. At the end of the Q&A, Bishop Philip Huggins gives an overview of the Multifaith Council of Australia.
Steps Leading Towards Harmony: World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture
Religions for Peace Australia and Canberra Interfaith Forum hosted the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra on 28 February 2024. The Guest Speaker was Dr. Pal Dhall, International speaker and presenter on Human Values with experience integrating ethics and human values of mankind’s religions to create harmony and peace in society and culture.
Can January 26 be a day of loving awareness of those who are hurting?
There is a Hebrew word for loving kindness, hesed. Islamic scholars teach that Abraham our patriarch represented hesed and Ishmael comes from Abraham, therefore Islam represents hesed. In its inwardness, Islam is a religion of hesed, mercy and kindness. In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus taught “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” The Abrahamic Religions offer us a most important teaching, to be merciful, kind and loving towards the dispossessed, the oppressed. Bishop Philip Huggins offers a reflection.
Call for reflection on Australia Day
Just released: Australia Day 2025 Reflection and Discernment Guide from the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council urges the nation to engage in deep reflection and prayer as Australia Day 2025 approaches.
The Guide is filled with hope and extends a warm invitation to embark on a journey together, fostering respect and appreciation. Its goal is to inspire meaningful action and a commitment to reconciliation
World Interfaith Harmony Week Event – Parliament House, Canberra
Canberra Interfaith Forum in collaboration with Religions for Peace Australia are pleased to invite you to our 2025 World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra, on 5 February 2025. This will be a hybrid event, in person and Zoom. The Presenter will be Prof. Dr. Anne Patel-Gray, and the topic of this event will be Acknowledging Respect & Inclusion of Indigenous Nations Spirituality: In a Nation that Embraces Many Diverse Cultures and Faiths.
UN World Day of Peace – Raising Peace with Faith Communities Event
In observance of World Day of Peace, Religions for Peace Australia and the Faith Communities Council of Victoria joined the Raising Peace Festival on Sunday 15 September along with United Religions Initiative in presenting an online event in observance of United Nations World Day of Peace. The theme of this event was Faith leaders sharing their personal practices to maintain equilibrium / inner peace when working in a fractured world for peace. This event was conducted as part of the Raising Peace Festival, 2024.
End the Silence: Interfaith Prayers for Violence Prevention within the home and the community
United Religions Initiative and Religions for Peace Australia invite you to be part of a gathering with prayers, a presentation, and an open discussion on how our faith, spiritual, and ethnic communities can stand against violence and support women, children, and families at risk on Sunday 24 November 2024.
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese celebrating Diwali and Bandi Chor Divas
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese posted a few photos on his X handle of himself celebrating the Bandi Chhor Divas, a big day for the Sikh community, on Friday (November 1). Albanese visited Sydney’s Murugan Temple where he celebrated Diwali with the Tamil Australian community. “Deepavali celebrates the victory of light over darkness”.
Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture
The Australian Human Rights Commission invites you to attend this year’s free online Kep Enderby Memorial Lecture on Friday 1 November, 12pm – 1.30pm – this is an online event.
The event will discuss ‘Dismantling systemic racism – perspectives from First Nations peoples’.
Systemic racism, in law, policies and service delivery, has serious and ongoing consequences for First Nations peoples, including poor mental and physical health, economic disadvantage, over-incarceration and social exclusion.
Prime Minister Welcomes Ecumenical Patriarch
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has met with the worldwide head of the Greek Orthodox Church as part of Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew’s tour of the country to mark a century of the church in Australia.
Mr Albanese and Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew on Saturday met with parishioners and were part of a procession at the Cathedral of the Annunciation of Our Lady in Redfern in Sydney.
Ecumenical Patriarch Bartholomew is the leader of 300 million Greek Orthodox Christians worldwide and more than 400,000 in Australia.
UN World Day of Peace – Raising Peace with Faith Communities
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria, in collaboration with United Religions Initiative and Religions for Peace Australia (along with other participant organisations) will present an online event in observance of United Nations World Day of Peace. This event is being conducted as part of the Raising Peace Festival, 2024. The theme of this event is Faith leaders sharing their personal practices to maintain equilibrium / inner peace when working in a fractured world for peace. This presentation will be held online, on the afternoon of 15 September 2024 from 4pm. All welcome to attend and participate in this FREE event.