The International Conference on Buddhism and Australia invites submissions for the 10th international conference Buddhism & Australia. Due to the pandemic situation, only scholarly articles for publishing will be expected. In addition to the abstract and paper submission, authors will be able to submit their virtual presentations to provide more visibility to their paper.
News
Keep calm and kosher: Melbourne Jews spending Yom Kippur in lockdown
Yom Kippur is traditionally observed with a 25-hour fast, followed by a prayer, synagogue services, and a feast with extended family. This year, Melbourne Jews are spending their High Holidays ~ and Yom Kippur in lockdown.
Faith Communities in Pandemic Times
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria will present the online event, Faith Communities in Pandemic Times, online, on Sunday 15 November 2020, from 2pm to 3:30pm. This is a Q & A forum with Professor John Catford, who is currently a specialist health adviser to the Victorian Government.
Deep Listening to the Natural World: Insights from Science and Faith
The Faith Ecology Network invites you to share in their Deep Listening event led by Andrew Skeoch: science and faith in an interactive dialogue, including Jewish, Baha’i, Buddhist, Muslim, Christian, Brahma Kumaris and Traditional Aboriginan responses to the topic and breakout room discussions on Monday 12 October 2020.
An Open Letter to United Nations Secretary-General
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.
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.
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.