The 2018 Walk For Justice For Refugees will take place in Melbourne on Sunday 25 March at 2pm, at the State Library (music from 1.30pm). The Walk will proceed through the Bourke Street mall and return to the State Library. People from all faith groups, community organisations and unions will join the 2018 Palm Sunday Walk for Justice for Refugees, bringing banners and other messages of support in solidarity with refugees and people seeking asylum. Details of other states participating are given.
Australia
Australia: Religious Freedom Review
On 22 November 2017, the Prime Minister, the Hon Malcolm Turnbull MP, announced the appointment of an Expert Panel to examine whether Australian law adequately protects the human right to freedom of religion. The Chair of this Expert Panel is former Attorney General, the Hon Philip Ruddock.
Australia: Faith groups seek nuclear weapons ban
Australia’s Religious have joined other faith and community organisations in supporting an open letter to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull, calling for the Australian Government to sign a treaty to ban nuclear weapons.
Chanukah messages from National Leaders
Malcolm Turnbull and Bill Shorten wish the Jewish Community Happy Chanukkah.
Australia: 2017 Social Cohesion Report Launched
The 2017 Mapping Social Cohesion Report, the largest study of its kind on Australian attitudes about immigration, multiculturalism, discrimination and trust in government, was launched today. Produced by Monash Arts researchers in partnerships with the Scanlon Foundation, the report draws from research that has spanned over 35,000 respondents in Australia going back to 2007.
Australia: ICAN wins Nobel Peace Prize
ICAN is a Melbourne-based organisation which has engaged with faith and interfaith groups on many occasion over these many years. They were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize on Friday last, 6 October 2017. They are extremely humbled and cheered by this prize.
Ramadan Greetings
Every year, Muslims observe a month-long fast during the 9th month of the Islamic calendar. The first day of Ramadan 1438 (2017) will be Saturday 27th 2017. Religions for Peace Australia wishes Muslims a blessed and holy Ramadan.
Multi-Faith Israel Encounter
The Australian Council for Christians and Jews would like to invite your expression of interest to their Multi-Faith Israel Encounter proposed for travel to Israel from Tuesday 24 October to Friday 3 November, 2017.
Grand Mufti Wins Defamation Case
Australia’s grand mufti has won a defamation case over News Corp articles depicting him as an “unwise” monkey and asserting he had failed to condemn the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris. News Corp consented to the judgement as part of a confidential settlement.
Jewish Anzacs
More than 7000 Jews have fought in Australia’s military conflicts, contrary to a popular view that Jews rarely serve in the military.
Walk for Justice for Refugees – Palm Sunday
Walk for Justice for Refugees will take place in all states and major regional cities on Sunday, 9 April. It is organised by the Refugee Advocacy Network and at most events, there will be an interfaith presence and speakers. It is considered a work of Mercy, Justice and Compassion to support refugees, whose spirits are being broken by the current actions of Australia and its parliament.
Amendments to Racial Discrimination Act – 18c
The Executive Council of Australian Jewry in collaboration with the National Congress of Australia’s First Peoples, the United Indian Association, Australian Hellenic Council, Chinese Australian Services Society, the Arab Council of Australia and the Armenian National Committee of Australia, have issued a joint media statment expressing disappointment at the announcement by the Federal government of its intention to amend section 18C of the Racial Discrimination Act.
