Greetings of peace and Eid Mubarak, blessed festival, for the celebration of the end of Ramadan!
Eid Mubarak, blessed festival, for the celebration of the end of Ramadan!
As the celebration of Eid ul Fitr depends on the sighting of a particular phase of the moon, some Muslims are celebrating today, but in Tasmania, the celebrations will be tomorrow, according to the Tasmanian Muslim Society Facebook page.
Many blessings of peace and happiness to all our Muslim brothers and sisters here and around the world and to everyone contributing to peace in thoughts, prayers, words and deeds.
Holy Days in April 2024
| Date | Observance | Faith/religion |
| 10 April | Eid-al-Fitr | Islam |
| 13 April | Baisakhi | Sikhism |
| 17 April | Rama Navami | Hinduism |
| 20 April | Ridvan | Baha’i |
| 23 April | Pesach | Judaism |
| 24 April | Theravada New Year | Buddhism |
| 28 April | Palm Sunday | Orthodox Christianity |
| 5 May | Yom Hashoah | Judaism |
| 5 May | Easter Sunday | Orthodox Christianity |
Faith Communities and Family Violence
We have a small group of faith representatives who are interested in learning about how to identify and support victims of Family and Domestic Violence in their own faith community. Red Cross has offered to run a short program (about 2 hours) to train faith community members at a time that can be negotiated. Please let Terry know if you, or anyone in your faith community, might like to join this group. Enquiries: 0438 069 728.
Hobart Buddhist Meditation Centre
Tuesday 9th, 16th, 23rd April: Maurice Oliver will teach on Refuge in Buddha, Dharma, Sangha. For circa 2600yrs Gautama Shakyamuni Buddha has inspired billions of people through vast and profound teachings for development of Compassion and Wisdom of reality, and by communities dedicated to spiritual lives. Yet Buddha has always been found, through dedicated practice, in our own hearts and minds.
Join us as we draw on the Buddha’s and his Spiritual descendants’ teachings practicing Refuge, and practicing in accord with principles of Karma, i.e. accumulating virtues and purifying non virtuous minds.
Tuesday 30th April: Tony Dix will teach on How Dharma Helps in Everyday Life.
Further information and tickets are available on Humanitix:
Buddhist Meditation, Teachings and Practice | Humanitix
Email info@hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
Website www.hobartbuddhistmeditationcentre.com
Eid ul Fitr celebration for Women and Children (13 April)
You are cordially invited for an Eid Get Together to share the happiness of this festive occasion, which marks the end of Ramadan.
When: Saturday 13th April, 7.00-8.30pm
Where: MCOT Hub, 65 Hopkins Street Moonah
Dress Code: Eid ka Jorra* (Eid Dress)
Places are limited so please click on the link below to register yourself and your children for organisation purposes.
https://events.humanitix.com/ladies-eid-get-together
**(please note this event is for ladies and children only)**
*Please bring a plate of your favourite food to share.*
Looking forward to seeing you all with fun activities for children!
Punjabi Society of Tasmania
On behalf of the Punjabi Society Tasmania, it is my pleasure to extend a cordial invitation to all to join us for the Vaisakhi Mela celebration on April 20th.
Vaisakhi holds immense cultural and historical significance for the Punjabi community, as it marks the Punjabi New Year and celebrates the abundance of the harvest season celebrating the spirit of unity and abundance. The event promises to be a joyous occasion filled with vibrant cultural performances, delectable cuisine, and an atmosphere of camaraderie.
The festivities will commence at 11:30am, and we would be honoured by your presence at 1:00pm for the main event, which will include a speech highlighting the cultural and historical importance of Vaisakhi, followed by captivating cultural performances showcasing the rich heritage of the Punjabi community.
Kindly RSVP to punjabisocietytasmania@gmail.com to confirm your attendance.
Event Details: Vaisakhi Mela
Date: April 20th
Time: 11:30am onwards (Main event at 1:00pm)
Venue: The Civic Centre,25 Green Point Road, Bridgwater
RSVP date 13 April
Your presence at the Vaisakhi Mela would greatly enhance the significance of the occasion, and we believe it would be a wonderful opportunity for cultural exchange and community engagement. Please note that the event is free however registration through the following link is required as we have limited capacity (https://www.eventbrite.com/e/vaisakhi-mela-tickets-861918670947)
Furthermore, I would like to inform you that Her Excellency, the Governor of Tasmania will be gracing the occasion with her presence. As such, it would be an honour to have you at the event.
Please let us know by 13th April if you or someone else will be able to attend or if you require any further information.
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change
Annual General Meeting – 17 April 2024
Australian Religious Response to Climate Change (ARRCC) supporters are invited to the sixteenth Annual General Meeting of ARRCC Incorporated.
It will be held on Wednesday, 17 April 2023, at 7pm – 8.30pm AEST (Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, Hobart). That’s 6.30pm Adelaide, Alice Springs & Darwin, and 4pm Perth and Broome.
This will be a great opportunity to get an overview of ARRCC’s recent work and our exciting plans for the near future. Comments and ideas will be invited.
The draft Agenda is here.
Please RSVP via the link below.
https://www.arrcc.org.au/annual_general_meeting_2024
When: 17 April 2024, 7:00pm – 8:30pm
Where: Zoom. ARRCC will send you the Zoom link for the meeting on registration.
Mother Earth Day – 21 April
Aunty Kris Schaffer has invited everyone to gather in her garden at 94 Morphetts Road, Neika on Sunday 21 April at 12 noon to celebrate Mother Earth Day, which is officially on the next day.
Everyone is welcome to join us in experiencing Dadirri, deep listening to Country, and in singing up Country, to honour the connection we all have with Mother Earth.
Enquiries to Terry on 0438 069 728 (because Aunty Kris is sometimes out of mobile range).
Celebrating 100 years of the Baha’i Faith in Tasmania
You are cordially invited to a celebration of the Centenary of the Baha’i faith in Tasmania.
When: Sunday 28 April 2024, 9.30am – 3.30pm
Where: Baha’i Centre of Learning, 1 Tasman Highway, Hobart
A simple lunch will be provided.
Enquiries and RSVP: 0428 350 430
Stories from the Heart of Retreat
Showing of the Film Illusion Farm: Illusion Farm – Stories from the Heart of Retreat | Humanitix
All proceeds from these screenings will help fund vital building and maintenance works at the Retreat Centre.
Premiere and pay what you can fundraiser for the Dorje Ling Retreat Centre.
Screening times: Film runs for 73 minutes (approx.)
Hobart: Thursday 2 May, 7.30pm – 9.15pm (with opening night speeches)
Friday 3 May, 7.30 – 8.45pm
Venue: The Hidden Theatre, Kickstart Arts, St Johns Park, New Town.
https://maps.app.goo.gl/jFNtB4
Lorinna: Friday 10 May. 7.00pm
Venue: Community Hall, Lorinna
https://events.humanitix.com/illusion-farm-stories-from-the-heart-of-retreat-lorinna-screening
Invitation to sign Punjabi Society of Tasmania’s Petition in honour of Deepinderjeet Singh
A petition to the Speaker and Members of the Tasmanian House of Assembly has been created by Mrs Mala Crew on behalf of the Punjabi Society of Tasmania in the wake of the tragic death of Deepinderjeet Singh in January this year. The petition is seeking an urgent revision of policy and legislation surrounding offences pertaining to hate crimes, including racially motivated hate crimes.
As the petition states:
This act has shaken the migrant community, with many fearing for their lives. Racist attacks have recently become more brazen and widespread.
Tasmanian Police, Equal Opportunities Tasmania, the Multicultural Council of Tasmania and numerous migrant community leaders have reported an alarming increase in racially motivated violence, damage to property and to vehicles. Many migrant business owners and taxi drivers have had their property damaged and have been subjected to brutal assaults.
The petition will shortly be online.
Enquiries to Mrs Mala Crew 0423 757 211
Become a mentor for a leader or emerging leader from a CALD background
Are you a Senior Leader working in Tasmania? Would you like to be a mentor for a leader or emerging leader from a CALD background?
Join our DLP mentorship program, supporting one of the 25 participants from diverse cultural and professional backgrounds. Being a mentor will give you a chance to learn about the barriers of emerging CALD leaders, reflect on your own leadership journey and to share learnings with the next generation of Tasmanian leaders.
We are looking for senior leaders statewide. An estimated time investment for mentorship is up to 4 hours in one or two face-to-face meetings.
Please contact Darya Kuznyetsova to express your interest or for more information via darya.kuznyetsova@mcot.org.au or 048 333 0303.
*Expressions of interest will close on the 16th of April.
Interesting Links:
Racism:
Upstanders: Courage to Care Victoria – Courage to Care
How The Work Of Indigenous Catholics’ For Respect And Recognition Goes Back Decades (religionunplugged.com)
Climate Change:
‘Our role is to deal with suffering now’: Pacific churches leader (melbourneanglican.org.au)Rev James Bhagwan, Fiji
Family Violence:
The role of religion in family violence:Homepage | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)
Australian Institute of Family Studies report shows religious family violence a hidden problem (theage.com.au)
Religion plays dual role in intimate partner violence | Australian Institute of Family Studies (aifs.gov.au)
SAFER: A Domestic Violence Resource for Churches (saferresource.org.au)
Dr Tessa Boyd-Caine, chief executive of the federal government’s family violence research organisation ANROWS, said religion was often overlooked as a factor in family violence “because we think of it as a private issue”: ANROWS
Her department recently released a training program for faith leaders of culturally and linguistically diverse communities to improve knowledge and intervention strategies to better respond to abuse disclosures.
Ramadan
Breaking Bread, Forging Friendships – Uniting Church Australia
Peacemaking:
More than 100 religious leaders call for permanent ceasefire – Uniting Church Australia
Melbourne pilgrims to walk, pray for peace in Gaza as Lent begins (melbourneanglican.org.au); Gaza Ceasefire Pilgrimage | Walk in prayerful solidarity
A fresh Jewish voice: the new Australian group opposing antisemitism – and Israel’s conduct | Judaism | The Guardian
Jewish Australians on grief, fear and hope – podcast | Australia news | The Guardian
Milton Keynes women bond through interfaith choir (bbc.com)
Faith Matters:
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/keeping-the-faith-20240228-p5f8cn.html
A Christian revival is under way in Britain | The Spectator
Pinnaroo Shift in religious identity reflected in regions as Christianity declines, faiths such as Sikhism grow – ABC News
This Mortal Coil: The Baha’i Faith – ABC listen
After Death:AFTER DEATH | Official Trailer #2 | In Cinemas May 15 (youtube.com)
Sheikh Shadi and the Muslim University: The making of Australia’s ‘homegrown’ imam – ABC News;
