Hobart Synagogue, the oldest Jewish place of worship still in use in Australia, is about to turn 175 – and a certain medical crisis hasn’t stopped the anniversary from being turned to good use.
USCIRF Warns that Forced Sterilization of Uyghur Muslims is Evidence of Genocide
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) warned that the Chinese government’s repressive population control measures against Uyghur and other Muslims—including forced sterilization—might meet the legal criteria for genocide under international law.
Read moreUSCIRF Warns that Forced Sterilization of Uyghur Muslims is Evidence of Genocide
Pondering the possible interreligious consequences of the proposed Israeli annexation of parts of the West Bank and Jordan Valley
The Executive Board of the International Council of Christians and Jews believes that the implementation of a policy of annexation could well result in many destructive consequences that cannot be entirely foreseen. We therefore call upon those in positions of political leadership to act on principles of justice and only after prolonged reflection on all the potential outcomes.
Joint Ecumenical Statement: Annexation will undermine peace and justice
The World Council of Churches, World Communion of Reformed Churches, ACT Alliance and Lutheran World Federation have released an “Ecumenical Statement on the Planned Annexation of Occupied Palestinian Territory.” The statement expresses concern over the planned annexation of occupied Palestinian territories in the West Bank by Israel.
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2020 Backhouse Lecture – Quakers Australia
The Backhouse Lectures are public lectures on contemporary issues delivered annually at the national gathering of Quakers in Australia. They were initiated by Australia Yearly Meeting of the Religious Society of Friends (Quakers) on its establishment in 1964. Friends from both Australia and overseas have presented lectures. The 2020 Backhouse Lecture, Seeking Union with Spirit: Experiences of Spiritual Journeys, will be presented by Fiona Gardner on Monday 6 July at 7.15pm via Zoom.
2019-2020 Annual Report
Emeritus Professor Desmond Cahill, Chair, Religions for Peace Australia, delivered the Annual Report for Religions for Peace Australia at the Annual General Meeting (online) on 15 June 2020. The report is given below.
Australia Together: National Community Recovery Summit
The National Community Recovery Summit is an open-invitation event for representatives of local communities, service providers, social and economic development practitioners and researchers, philanthropic bodies, advocacy organisations and representative bodies – to enable community voices to deliberate on, and to inform, how Australia can recover best from the COVID pandemic.
The Australia Together alliance believes that there’s a unique opportunity for Australia to build on the goodwill and collaboration seen through the COVID-19 pandemic to tackle some of the country’s enduring challenges at the summit being held online next Wednesday July 1st 2020, from 10am to 1pm.
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USCIRF Urges Thailand and Malaysia to Protect Rohingya Muslim Refugees Stranded at Sea
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) calls on the governments of Thailand and Malaysia to admit boats carrying Rohingya Muslim refugees stranded at sea.
Read moreUSCIRF Urges Thailand and Malaysia to Protect Rohingya Muslim Refugees Stranded at Sea
Refugee Week Forum – Refugee reflections: Building resilience and belonging
The Victorian Multicultural Commission is conducting a Refugee Week Forum – Refugee reflections: Building resilience and belonging online on Friday 26 June at 11:00AM. The Victorian Multicultural Commission invites you to join them for an insightful conversation about refugees, resilience and belonging.
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Community and faith leaders are helping stop the spread of coronavirus
Community representatives and leaders have been providing guidance to their communities, colleagues, families and friends. They have played an important role to date and we are calling upon them to continue their efforts.
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Saudi Arabia to hold ‘very limited’ Hajj due to coronavirus
Saudi Arabia has announced it will hold a “very limited” Hajj this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, with people already living in the kingdom allowed to take part in the pilgrimage that begins in late July.
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On World Refugee Day, “Every Action Counts”
On 20 June, World Refugee Day will be observed with the theme “Every Action Counts” by all who are striving for a more just, inclusive, and equal world. The UN Refugee Agency, in a Global Trends report released this week, indicates that 1% of all of humanity is displaced. That is 79.5 million people fleeing conflict, violence and persecution worldwide.
Darwin: Eid Celebration
Eid marks the end of the Islamic month of Ramadan during which there is fasting from sunrise to sunset. The Muslim community observed the end of Ramadan with the Australian Federal Police along with NT Deputy Chief Minister Nicole Manison and other representatives.
World Unity Week
World UNITY Week is a stop along the road and a “birthing space” for a larger-scale global celebration across Peace Weekend 2020 (September 19-21), centred on the annual U.N. International Day of Peace (September 21). World Unity Week is a celebration of interfaith harmony, appreciation of the Earth’s gifts and resources, and promotion of Open Space for dialogue and exchange.
Russian priest who called coronavirus a ‘pseudo-pandemic’ seizes convent
A rogue Russian priest who denies the existence of Covid-19 has seized a convent in the Urals region and announced he will only be removed by force.
Father Sergei Romanov stormed the Sredneuralsk convent this week, after being banished by church leaders in April for protesting the closure of churches due to the coronavirus epidemic, which he called a “pseudo-pandemic”.
Read moreRussian priest who called coronavirus a ‘pseudo-pandemic’ seizes convent
Islamic Council of Victoria launches Caring for Muslim Patients Handbook
The Islamic Council of Victoria yesterday launched the “Caring for Muslim Patients Handbook” in its third edition. Viv Nguyen, Chairperson of the Victorian Multicultural Commission conducted the book launch. Proper care of Muslim patients often arises in rural and regional healthcare centres where this is not a significant migrant and settlement populations. Such publications are important for excellence in health care in both urban and regional/rural centres.
Read moreIslamic Council of Victoria launches Caring for Muslim Patients Handbook
60 Years of Christian Unity – Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity
In the field of multilateral relations, the major partner of the Catholic Church is the World Council of Churches (WCC). Founded in 1948, it is the broadest and most inclusive ecumenical organization, bringing together 350 Christian denominations including Orthodox, Lutherans, Reformed, Anglicans, Methodists, Baptists as well as United and Independent churches. Altogether they represent over 500 million Christians worldwide.
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Vatican document on integral ecology: Safeguarding Creation is everyone’s responsibility
Several Vatican offices teamed up to release a document entitled “Journeying for the care of the common home”, which offers a guide to all Christians on how to maintain a healthy relationship with Creation. This was given on the 5th anniversary of Pope Francis’ encyclical “Laudato si” (Praise Be) calling on the world to act to stop the human destruction of the planet.
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