Muslim Film Festival 2020 aims to promote inclusion, tolerance, and friendship and introduce Muslim society’s culture and stories to a wider audience. Our program will reflect the diversity and opportunities within Muslim communities in the West and all over the world, through fiction and documentary films, short and long, and our goal is to show films that the audience would otherwise have not seen, and leave a lasting impact. The launch will take place at the State Library of WA, Saturday 5 September 2020 1:00 PM and Saturday 5 September 2020 3:15 PM – coronavirus restrictions permitting.
Season of Creation – 2020
The Season of Creation, an annual celebration of prayer and action for the environment, begins on 1 September. During this annual event, Christians around the world renew their relationship with the Creator and all creation through celebration, conversion, and commitment.
Review: Embracing Auschwitz
I have a cynical friend who claims that there have been more books written about the Holocaust than there were people who perished in it. That is, no doubt, an exaggeration, but it is true that most of the books on this subject sound very much alike. Joshua Hammerman’s Embracing Auschwitz (Ben Yehuda Press) deserves our attention because it is by far the most original book on this subject that has come along in a great many years.
Supporting Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting
How do you support women and girls you treat who have experienced female genital mutilation/cutting? The National Education Toolkit for Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting Awareness can provide you with assistance with its postcards.
Serving a Wounded World: The Good Samaritan and Covid-19
The World Council of Churches in collaboration with the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue have prepared a document on interreligious collaboration during the time of coronavirus. In this article, we bring you the Preamble, focussed on the story of the Good Samaritan, a profound and challenging story of human response to suffering. We include a synopsis of the world situation.
WCC, Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue release “Serving a Wounded World” document
The World Council of Churches and the Pontifical Council for Interreligious Dialogue have released a joint document, “Serving a Wounded World in Interreligious Solidarity: A Christian Call to Reflection and Action During COVID-19 and Beyond.” Its purpose is to encourage churches and Christian organizations to reflect on the importance of interreligious solidarity in a world wounded by the COVID-19 pandemic.
New Report about Conscientious Objection
Washington, DC – The United States Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) today released the a new legislation factsheet about conscientious objection, which is the right to refuse military service based on religious beliefs.
Australian celebrities join forces to combat racism in new campaign
Hugh Jackman, Margot Robbie, Nick Kyrgios, Ben Simmons and Sam Kerr are among the Australian celebrities featured in the new DoMore anti-racism campaign. #DoMore is a call to action for Australians wanting to be more informed, more educated, and more engaged in challenging racism. The #DoMore Project will use the stories of Australians of all backgrounds to challenge existing beliefs and raise awareness of the impact of racism. By understanding how we can all do more, we’ll help create an equal future for all Australians.
Book Launch: Dunera Lives: Profiles
The Jewish Museum of Australia and Monash University Publishing will launch the book Dunera Lives: Profiles online at 7:30pm on Thursday 3 September. The launch will be delivered by Prof. Glyn Davis, with MC Eliot Perlman.
Podcast shares how faith communities can boost mental health among youth
Anxiety, stress and unexpected changes in lifestyles are making it increasingly difficult for many youngsters to cope with the COVID-19 pandemic. Alcohol and substance abuse are on the rise as young people desperately search for answers to what is happening around them. Mental health issues are rapidly following In the wake of the physical health and socio-economic issues caused by COVID-19.
People who live close to Muslims are less likely to be fearful of Islam
A study of attitudes of people who live nearby Muslims in Sydney and Melbourne has found that neighbours and so forth are less likely to be mistrustful of Muslims, and more likely to be tolerant of difference. The Conversation news media has conducted a study, Non-Muslims who live close to Muslims are less likely to be Islamophobic. We republish this study for your reading, on this website.
Australia’s faith leaders are split over the use of foetal cells in a coronavirus vaccine
While some religious leaders in Australia have voiced ethical concerns over the potential Oxford vaccine, others say they are not worried. Jewish, Hindu and Islamic leaders in Australia say they would welcome the Oxford University coronavirus vaccine if it is successful, despite other religious leaders raising ethical concerns over the use of cell lines from an electively aborted foetus.
Light in the Darkness ~ Time Out for a Suffering World
The Faith Communities Council of Victoria and the Victorian Council of Churches invite you to: Light in the Darkness ~ Time Out for a Suffering World Date: Monday 31 August 2020 Time: 7pm Location: In your home On the eve of Spring, an invitation from the faith communities of Victoria to be a light in … Read more
Quo Vadis? Whither goest thou (after Coronavirus)?
Normal life has its markers in our minds and we follow the paths to work, exercise and play. Coronavirus has interrupted all that and burned away our life markers in the 21st Century. We should realise that whatever affects our neighbour in the Corona lockdown, affects us also. We will also need to answer the question “Quo Vadis?” when we recreate our paths in life after the coronavirus.
Marking The International Day Commemorating The Victims Of Acts Of Violence Based On Religion Or Belief
On August 22, the UN marks the International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief, a day designated by the UN for states to step up their efforts to combat intolerance, discrimination and violence against persons based on religion or belief. Establishing the day was a direct response to the ever-growing issue of violence based on religion or belief, including in their most severe manifestations of international crimes, as crimes against humanity, war crimes and even genocide.
GreenFaith Eco-Theology Call
The world’s religions offer a unique and vital collection of moral teachings and spiritual insights about the Earth, all people, and the sacred. Join us to explore a diverse range of teachings and insights that inspire us to work with passion and reverence for environmental and climate justice. You’ll learn about environmental resources within your own tradition and learn more about other’s religions on 27 August.
Submissions relating to the Anti-Discrimination Amendment Bill 2020 (NSW)
The Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) has made a joint submission today relating to the Anti-Discrimination Amendment (Religious Freedoms and Equality) Bill 2020 (Bill). The submission supports the introduction of laws protecting against discrimination directed at a person based on their religious belief or activity.
Creating a Space for Meditation
Rather than make our lives more relaxed and more simple, technology seems to have complicated them. We seem to always be connected through texts, calls, emails and social media. There may be instant messages from our employers to respond to. In addition, many people get news and weather alerts directly sent to their smartphones. Today, we are often asked to do so much more, and even increasing our personal obligations make decompressing more difficult. How do we make time, create space for our true selves???