Darwin Bishop Charles Gauchi has spoken on the important topic of the Voice and the referendum. This is an important matter that needs a lot of reflection. It needs a lot of soul-searching. Bishop Gauchi tells, ”For some time now, I have been convinced that I will cast a ‘Yes’ vote in the upcoming Referendum on the Voice“.
Northern Australia
National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Catholic Council and the Referendum
At the heart of the upcoming Voice to Parliament Referendum is the recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples, the world’s oldest continuing culture, in the Australian Constitution. As Catholics, we have a responsibility to listen to the voices of First Australians and to work towards a more just and equitable society.
Nothing here is what it once was
This year, Australians will be asked to vote in a referendum to give our first nations people a Voice to Parliament. This will create constitutional change to give aboriginal people an advisory role in matters which affect them.
The Buddhist Council of NSW is playing a leading role in the Buddhist community to help inform our diverse member organisations about the referendum process and why it matters.
The Voice to Parliament came out of the 2017 Uluru Statement from the Heart, which set out the reasons for enshrining a first nations voice in our constitution. Following this statement, in 2023, a series of essays from religious leaders was collected in a book, Statements from the Soul: The Moral Case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, to lay out the moral case for constitutional change. The Buddhist perspective was provided by Sydney based monk, Bhante Sujato, reproduced below.
Read all the essays in the book Statements from the Soul: The Moral Case for the Uluru Statement from the Heart, edited by Shireen Morris and Damien Freeman, La Trobe University Press, 2023.
Darwin: Multifaith Ceremony
A Multi-faith Ceremony was held in Darwin on 26 Jan 2023 as part of the Australia Day celebrations organised by Multicultural Council of the Northern Terriotory and Australia Day Council NT.
Launch of Religions for Peace Northern Territory Branch
On October 19, Dr Edwin Joseph, the NT Convener of Religions for Peace Australia, it gives me immense pleasure to witness the official launch of the Northern Territory Chapter hosted by the NT Speaker Hon Mark Monaghan MLA: Member for Fong Lim at the Parliament House. Great to have representatives coming together from several faiths like Jew, Sikh, Catholic, Protestant, Orthodox, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Bahai, etc.
Darwin Muslims welcome traditional return of Ramadan after years of COVID restrictions
The holy month of Ramadan began last weekend across the world. During the month Muslims are required to fast from dawn to dusk, abstaining from food and drink. The Darwin Mosque hosts around 400 Muslims every night.
First Islamic school in the NT opens its doors in Darwin
Darwin has opened its first Islamic school in the industrial suburb of Berrimah. The school has around 35 students at primary level, with plans to expand. There are three “sister schools” in Queensland. School leaders say they hope the school will attract more Muslims to Darwin.
Outback Muslims say they are ‘blessed’ to celebrate Eid al-Adha festivities during pandemic
Muslims across Australia haven’t been able to celebrate Eid Al Adha as usual this year, but festivities in Central Australia are in full swing. Eid al-Adha is one of the holy days in the Islamic calendar. Alice Springs’ Afghan Mosque is a safe space for the diverse, but relatively small Muslim community.
Darwin: Sri Krishna Janmastami Celebrations
The Australian School of Yoga and Meditation in Darwin will celebrate the birthday of Lord Krishna (Janmastami) in Nightcliff on the evening of 15 August, 2020. Registration is necessary to comply with Covid-19 social distancing.
Eased coronavirus restrictions in the NT allow for first Ramadan prayers
Mohammad Waqas, the president of the NT’s Islamic Society, says being able to pray in public is a huge boost to morale in the community. On account of the relaxed lockdown restrictions in the Northern Territory, the Darwin Mosque opened its doors for Friday prayes and Taweed on 15 May 2020.
NT: PM attends Sri Lankan service in Darwin
When the local Sri Lankan Association heard Mr Morrison was flying in to Darwin on Tuesday for the election campaign, they invited him to a service at the Darwin International Buddhist Temple organised following the bombings.
Durga Puja celebrated in Darwin
On October 13, 2018, another cultural and religious initiative by the Indian community at Darwin. The occasion was the Durga Puja, first time celebrated at this magnanimous scale. The Puja & Durga society of Northern Territory was the organising body but a beautiful amalgam of all cultures and regions was witnessed at this beautifully managed event.
