Maha Abdo OAM, head of the Muslim Women’s association and human rights and social justice advocate, gave a moving keynote speech about interfaith dialogue and engaging heart to heart in dialogue with each other. Maha asked guests to reflect on what is in their heart in the final days of Ramadan and their purpose of “being here tonight breaking their fast” at the annual Uniting Church Synod of NSW and the ACT and Affinity Intercultural Foundation joint Iftar Dinner
New South Wales
NSW: Uniting Church expresses support for Newcastle Mosque
The Hunter Presbytery of the Uniting Church in Australia as well as individual congregations and church members, have written letters in support of plans for a new mosque in Newcastle. The long-held trust and friendship between the region’s Christian and Muslim communities has provided a point of difference to anti-Islamic rhetoric surrounding the proposal. Read the letter from Hunter Presbytery to Cessnock Council in support of the mosque application.
Prime Minister holds national Iftar in Sydney
Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted a Ramadan Iftar on Thursday evening 16 June at Kirribilli House, Sydney, a first by an Australian Prime Minister. The invited guests included Muslim leaders and young activists from all states as well as interfaith representatives from Sydney. Mr Turnbull greeted Muslims saying, “I am honoured to be the first Australian Prime Minister to host an Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan. To the approximately five hundred thousand Muslim Australians across our country and to more than one and half billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan Kareem.”
Prime Minister and NSW Premier attend Orlando Memorial Service
Leaders have attended what the Prime Minister called a ‘loving’ commemoration service for victims of the Orlando massacre. Malcolm Turnbull and his wife Lucy took time out from the election trail while Premier Baird, the NSW Governor David Hurley and the American Consul General, Hugo Llorens sat in the front row during the service led by the Dean of Sydney, Kanishka Raffel. Opposition leader Bill Shorten was represented by Senator Doug Cameron.
NSW: Iftar Dinner at Cathedral House
The Archbishop was pleased to welcome more than 70 guests including the Grand Mufti of Australia and President of the Council of Imams, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed as well as many religious leaders and representatives.
“You are always welcome in my house!” the Archbishop expressed to his guests who represented faith traditions including the Muslim, Jewish, Hindu and Buddhist communities as well as other Christian churches such as the Orthodox, Uniting and Lutheran.
New South Wales – Vaisakhi Celebration
Sometimes called “Punjabi New Year”, the Sikh Holiday of Vaisakhi falls on Wednesday 14 April 2016. Also frequently spelled Baisakhi, Vaisakhi has origins as a springtime festival in the Punjab region, but since 1699 has taken on a great deal of religious significance for Sikhs. A celebration was undertaken at the Austral Gurduara.
Religions for Peace (RfP) NSW Meeting
Meeting of Religions for Peace (RfP) NSW today at Parliament House. LtoR : Robert Grant ( Hindu) Dr Judith Lacey (speaker) emeritus Professor Raja Jamaran (Hindu Council) Venus Khalessi,( Baha’i) Mohini Gunesekara( Buddhist) Lorraine Murphy (Christian , ) Caroline Haski (Jewish) Rev David Gill (UCA) Fr Patrick McInerney ( Christian ) Vijay Singal (Hindu) Front … Read more
NSW: Opposition to proposed Mosque, South Hurstville
South Hurstville residents are preparing to fight a mosque proposed for their suburb. Reclaim Australia, Stop the Mosque in Bendigo, Aussie Angels Against Sharia and other group sites have been pushing an online petition opposing the plans.
NSW Interfaith Group Attends Chanukah Service at Emanuel Synagogue
Muslim, Baha’i and Hindu faiths and the major Christian denominations including the Catholic, Coptic and Uniting churches were brought together with the Jewish community to attend a Chanukah service and Shabbat meal at Emanuel Synagogue.
NSW: Women's Interfaith Network Meeting
The Women’s Interfaith Network meets monthly at Parliament House, NSW. An overview of the origins and purpose is given along with a short account of the end-of-year meeting for 2015.
NSW: Pre-Chanukah celebration at Parliament House
The NSW Jewish Board of Deputies was delighted to attend the Pre-Chanukah celebration at Parliament House, hosted by the Hon. John Ajaka MLC, Minister for Multiculturalism and Multiculturalism NSW.
NSW: APRO Youth Panel
17 November 2015, Parliament House Sydney, The topic “Building Community” is always important but is very timely at the moment. A Youth Panel was part of the Building Community day.
