Muslims make up less than three per cent of the Australian population*, yet dominate the news headlines and are often misunderstood. 10 Australian Muslims live together for eight days in social experiment, Muslims Like Us, will be aired on SBS on Demand over two nights—8.30pm, February 21 & 22.
News
Humanitarian Action for Rohingya Refugee
Religions for Peace Asia – and in particular Religions for Peace Bangladesh, have responsed to the refugee crisis in Bangladesh with over 8000,000 Rohingya Muslims fleeing across the border to escape ethnic cleansing. Through the work of RfP Bangladesh Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, and Muslims have all united under the shared principles of dignity and compassion, and have invested in inter-religious efforts that provide life-saving aid to the survivors of the Rohingya refugee crisis.
Paediatric Palliative Care Resources
Paediatric palliative care improves the quality of life of a child by treating their symptoms such as pain, but by also providing spiritual, emotional and social support to their whole family.
WCC to World Economic Forum: “Say no to nuclear weapons”
The 48th annual meeting of the World Economic Forum will be held in Davos, Switzerland from 23-26 January under the theme “Creating a Shared Future in a Fractured World.” Dr Olav Fykse Tveit of the World Council of Churches said there is no justification for keeping nuclear weapons nor threatening to use them.
Appraising the Royal Commission Report into Sexual Abuse and Religious Organisations
University of Melbourne Chaplaincy and Religions for Peace Australia – Victoria Branch, invite you to attend a you to a FREE lecture on Tuesday 6th February 2018 on Appraising the Royal Commission Report into Sexual Abuse and Religious Organisations.
World Council of Churches to co-host public event on migration and displacement at UN
Why do people move? When their movement is forced, how should this be addressed? How can nations and faith-based organizations work together to mitigate the causes of forced migration and protect individuals who are forced to flee? What are the national and international legal architectures that need to be constructed to prevent a repeat of our recent failures as nations and organizations to protect and provide for migrants? What risks and rights challenges do migrants face in transit and in destination countries? What are the social costs of migration? And what is the benefit of host nations receiving migrants?
These are some of the questions to be approached by the Fourth Annual Symposium on the Role of Religion and Faith-Based Organizations in International Affairs, to be held at the United Nations headquarters, in New York, on 22 January. This event will be available online via live streaming.
National: Making Waves with Peace Boat
The Peace Boat is on its way to Australia. The Making Waves speaking tour will feature second-generation nuclear test survivor Karina Lester, ICAN Ambassador Scott Ludlam, hibakusha from Hiroshima and Nagasaki and former dairy farmers from Fukushima, all travelling aboard the floating international peace village. Join the tour and help us amplify the call for Australia and Japan to join the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons!
International: Responsibility of Religions and Governments for Peace – Between Autonomy and Complementarity
“Differentiating the identities, mandates, and capacities of both religions and states is, I would submit, the key to facilitating their partnership for building Peace. Such partnerships can be firmly aligned around advancing human dignity and building up the common good, without asking religious leaders to function as governments or governmental leaders to function as religious scholars. Each have their gifts to give.”
Dr. William Vendley addresses an event by the German Foreign Office on the ‘Responsibility of Religions and Governments for Peace – Between Autonomy and Complementarity’
Dawn of Interspirituality Conference
Dawn of Interspirituality Conference extends invitation join inspiring spiritual leaders and seekers from around the world in building bridges of harmony, collaboration, and peace. The Dawn of Interspirituality Conference taking place near San Jose, Costa Rica this March 12-16, 2018.
Birth Anniversary of Swami Vivekananda
Swami Vivekananda (1863-1902 C.E.) was a Hindu monk and a patriotic saint of India. According to English calendar he was born on 12th January 1863 into an aristocratic Bengali family of Calcutta. However his birthday is celebrated according to Hindu calendar and this day is known as Swami Vivekananda Jayanti. The Indian government has decided to observe Swami Vivekananda’s Gregorian date of birth as National Youth Day. Hence National Youth Day of India is celebrated each year on 12th January since 1985.
Vivekananda was born on Krishna Paksha Saptami after seven days of Paush Purnima. The birth anniversary according to Indian Panchang for 2018 is 8 January. In 1893 Swami Vivekananda went to the United States to join the Parliament of the World’s Religions where he got overwhelming success and public attention. For next four years, from 1893 to 1897, he travelled through various cities of the United States and England, and gave a series of lectures on religion and Vedanta. He came back to India in 1897 via Colombo. He then gave 17 lectures, Lectures from Colombo to Almora. In honour of Swami Vivekananda, we bring you the first lecture, given at Colombo, January 16, 1897.
Religious Freedom Inquiry submissions could be kept secret
No decision has been made on whether submissions to the government’s inquiry into religious freedom will be made public, the Inquiry Chair, Mr. Philip Ruddock has said to the media. Mr Ruddock, former Attorney General of Australia, said it was important for people to be able to maintain anonymity if requested.
Midnight Mass in Mosul
First Christian Service in More Than Three Years: The bells rang out in Mosul for the first time in more than three years when a church in Iraq’s second city opened its doors for Christmas Midnight Mass.
