Affinity Intercultural Foundation and Macquarie University recently conducted an interfaith symposium “Faith, Social Cohesion and Community Resilience” addressing issues around faith communities and the experience of Covid-19. Moderator of the Asian Conference on Religions for Peace (and President, Religions for Peace Australia) Emeritus Professor Des Cahill gave one address to the symposium on the topic of COVID-19: Impact, Responses, Learnings and Ongoing Challenges for the World’s Faith Communities in Australia.
New South Wales
NSW: New offences to ban public display of Nazi symbols
The NSW Government has introduced a bill into Parliament today to ban the public displays of Nazi symbols and to provide further safeguards against hate speech and vilification.
10th anniversary of the NSW chapter of Religions for Peace
The NSW Branch of Religions for Peace Australia celebrates 10 years – a decade of holding its events and proceedings in the State Parliament. Talks are given by Hon. Walt Secord, Shadow Minister, and Peter Wertheim, co-Chief Executive Officer, Executive Council of Australian Jewry
NSW to create religious advisory council as part of $28m multicultural funding boost
A religious advisory council will be established as part of funding set aside for multicultural communities in the upcoming NSW state budget.
Minister for Multiculturalism Mark Coure said the initiative is not about conducting an “audit” of faith-based institutions, but “ensuring our religious communities feel safe”.
“This will ensure that our faith-based institutions will have a voice around the table,” he said while making the funding announcement in Sydney on Friday.
NSW: International Day of Yoga Celebrations 2022
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. The United Nations proclaimed International Day of Yoga in 2014. This year Art of Living Sydney in collaboration with Consulate General of India celebrates the 8th International Day of Yoga on 25th June, 2022
NSW: Ubiquitous Trees and Serpents – Early Buddhist Imagery of Southern India
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will take place in the month of June: the University of Sydney will host a lecture on the early Buddhist imagery of southern India. This will be both online and in-person.
NSW: Shoah Memorial Service
The NSW Shoah Memorial Service has a new date. Remembering the Holocaust: A memorial service for Christians and all people of compassion to remember 1933-1945. The Great Synagogue, 166 Castlereagh Street Sydney, NSW, on 31 May 2022
Push to liberate religious swasti in NSW from its ‘indoor prison’
Surinder Jain has a dream: to normalise the swasti in Australia.
Not the hate symbol that featured on the Nazi flag and is still waved by far-right racists today. Jain is referring to the ancient icon that plays a central role in the religious practice of hundreds of millions of people around the world.
Surinder Jain, national vice president of the Hindu Council of Australia, has joined forces with NSW Jewish Board of Deputies chief executive Darren Bark to promote awareness of the sacred swasti.
Sydney to get a war memorial honouring efforts of Sikh soldiers in Australia’s military history
Sydney’s Blacktown City Council has approved the establishment of a war memorial commemorating the contributions and sacrifices made by the Sikh soldiers in epochal moments of military history, including World War I & II, Gallipoli, and Saragarhi.
Prayers for Peace in Ukraine
The NSW Ecumenical Council will hold an Ecumenical event praying for peace in the world, especially for Ukraine and Ethiopia. This event will take place at St Demiana & St Athanasius Coptic Orthodox Church, Punchbowl, on Thursday 24 March 2022. This is a face-to-face event and will be live streamed.
NSW: Buddhist Studies December Seminar
The Australasian Association for Buddhist Studies notifies that its next seminar will take place online using Zoom on 9 December 2021 at 6:30pm (Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney time). The topic will be Mystics as Scholars: The Obscure Role of Abhidharma in Tibetan Kagyüpa Meditation Traditions From the 15th to 17th Centuries.
NSW: Preparation for Meditation
Pravrajika Gayatriprana, senior nun of Ramakrishnba Order will give one talk on preparation for meditation – online – on Sunday 26 September, 2021, – 11 am to 12.30 pm
NSW Police Minister ‘stunned’ by illegal church gathering
NSW Police Minister David Elliott says he was “quite stunned” to hear dozens of people had gathered at a church in Blacktown last night, in breach of the public health orders. Thirty adults were fined $1000 after police say they participated in a sermon at Christ Embassy Sydney, which itself was fined $5000. “The vast majority of the churches are doing exactly the right thing and I don’t understand, if cathedrals can stream online their services, I don’t know why suburban churches in Blacktown can’t,” Mr Elliott told radio station 2GB.
NSW: Hindu priests can go perform tervi (13th day memorial) at clients home in NSW during lockdown
With regard to funerals and lockdowns in NSW (and other states), Hinduism has a 13th day memorial conducted in the home. Enquiries with Health Department indicates that Hindu priests can go to the homes to perform the obsequies.
NSW: Conference on Hindu Religion Cancelled
Due to the recent COVID situation in Sydney, the Hindu Council of Australia has decided to postpone the conference to late August or the beginning of September 2021. The Hindu Council of Australia will invite all the registered participants to an hour meeting on Sat 3 July 2021 at 11 am using Zoom.
Beit Sefer Yalbalinga: Justice
This lecture (29 June) is one of a series of five lectures that will focus on the shared history of the Jewish and First Nations communities. These online lectures are hosted by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
Beit Sefer Yalbalinga: History
This lecture (22 June) is one of a series of five lectures that will focus on the shared history of the Jewish and First Nations communities. These online lectures are hosted by the NSW Jewish Board of Deputies at the Sydney Jewish Museum.
NSW: International Day of Yoga Celebrations
Recognizing its universal appeal, on 11 December 2014, the United Nations proclaimed 21 June as the International Day of Yoga! Do you love Yoga? This year, join our Yoga Teachers for 2 inspiring hours as we Celebrate International Day of Yoga with 5 events across Sydney!
