Religions for Peace shares its concerns with the Secretary-General of the United Nations about the violations of human rights – violations affecting religious communities, in particular.
An Open Letter to United Nations Secretary-General
News
What it means to be a “progressive Islamist”
The Muslim intellectual tradition is full of instances of contestation over the meaning and implications of many of its major concepts — such as sunna (custom or habit), salafism, īmān (belief or faith), tawhīd (oneness or unity), and jihad (struggle), to name but the most prominent few.
It is little wonder, then, that these and other major concepts in the Muslim intellectual tradition have been appropriated throughout Muslim history by various religious and/or political actors, with various degrees of success. Hence certain groups or actors were able to monopolise some of these concepts and came to be regarded — or, indeed, simply to regard themselves — as their most faithful, if not the only legitimate, interpreters.
UN International Day of Peace
21st of September every year is the World Day of Peace, as established in 1981 by the United Nations General Assembly. This year, the theme for International Day of Peace is Shaping Peace Together. The Covid-19 crisis has placed many challenges before nations, and calls for joint efforts to provide well-being and peace for citizens of every nation, every continent, our world. Religions for Peace Australia is an active participant in the 2020 United Nations World Day of Peace – Shaping Peace Together.
Rosh Hashannah (Jewish New Year) and Covid 19
This year, Rosh Hashanah – the Jewish New Year – will look a little different. We know it’s difficult to be apart from our communities on these important days, but staying home is the best way to keep ourselves and our loved ones safe from coronavirus (COVID-19). This year has served as a reminder of our shared fate. As nations large and soul struggle to maintain life, dignity, and continuity, the truth that what we have in common outweighs that which divides us should serve as a guiding light.
Citizenship Test to Change
17 September (today) is Australian Citizenship Day. The Minister for Immigration has announced that new Australians will need to correctly answer questions about domestic violence, equal opportunity and freedom of speech under changes to the citizenship test. The changes to the citizenship test will include a religious values question.
COVID and the climate challenge in Oceania
The Australian Religious Response to Climate Change will present a webinar on Covid-19 and the Climate Challenge in Oceania on evening of Monday, 28 September 2020. All concerned about the climate are invited to participate.
Faith Victoria: A Message of Hope
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria – representing the main faith and worshipful communities of Victoria – has created a Message of Hope using many faith leaders in a Youtube Video.
Virtual UN Peace Day with Calm in the City
International Day of Peace will be celebrated in Melbourne on Monday 21 September 2020 with an online event. Opening and Closing Reflections to the event will be given by The Honourable Linda Dessau, AC – the Governor of Victoria, and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
Effective Leadership in times of Crisis – Initiatives of Change
Initiatives of Change Australia and Workforce Diversity Consultancy are delighted to bring you a series of free Leadership Seminars addressing the need for ethical and visionary leadership during this period of COVID19 pandemic.
Mental health a gift to be nurtured
The Australian Catholic bishops’ Social Justice Statement on mental health offers a timely counterbalance to a public conversation on the pandemic marked by fragmentation. The document encourages everyone to Live Life to the Full.
Australia: Muslim Film Festival
The Muslim Film Festival normally travels state to state in Australia. Due Coronavirus restrictions and border closure, this festival is offered online, free, commencing 5 September, 2020, using Video on Demand.
Season of Creation – 2020
The Season of Creation, an annual celebration of prayer and action for the environment, begins on 1 September. During this annual event, Christians around the world renew their relationship with the Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment.
Supporting Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
How do you support women and girls you treat who have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting? The National Education Toolkit for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Awareness can provide you with assistance with its postcards.
Serving a Wounded World: The Good Samaritan and Covid-19
The World Council of Churches in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue have prepared a document on interreligious collaboration during the time of coronavirus. In this article, we bring you the Preamble, focussed on the story of the Good Samaritan, a profound and challenging story of human response to suffering. We include a synopsis of the world situation.
Podcast shares how faith communities can boost mental health among youth
Anxiety, stress and unexpected changes in lifestyles are making it increasingly difficult for many youngsters to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol and substance abuse are on the rise as young people desperately search for answers to what is happening around them. Mental health issues are rapidly following In the wake of the physical health and socio-economic issues caused by COVID-19.
People who live close to Muslims are less likely to be fearful of Islam
A study of attitudes of people who live nearby Muslims in Sydney and Melbourne has found that neighbours and so forth are less likely to be mistrustful of Muslims, and more likely to be tolerant of difference. The Conversation news media has conducted a study, Non-Muslims who live close to Muslims are less likely to be Islamophobic. We republish this study for your reading, on this website.
Australia’s faith leaders are split over the use of foetal cells in a coronavirus vaccine
While some religious leaders in Australia have voiced ethical concerns over the potential Oxford vaccine, others say they are not worried. Jewish, Hindu and Islamic leaders in Australia say they would welcome the Oxford University coronavirus vaccine if it is successful, despite other religious leaders raising ethical concerns over the use of cell lines from an electively aborted foetus.
Light in the Darkness ~ Time Out for a Suffering World
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria and the Victorian Council of Churches invite you to: Light in the Darkness ~ Time Out for a Suffering World Date: Monday 31 August 2020 Time: 7pm Location: In your home On the eve of Spring, an invitation from the faith communities of Victoria to be a light in … Read more