Religions for Peace Australia responds to the Foreign Minister’s warning to Israel “Do not go down this path“, as the prime ministers of the three countries said in a joint statement on Thursday that Israel “must listen to its friends”. Israel is urged not to proceed with its planned ground assault on Rafah. Religions for Peace Australia thanks the Foreign Minister for calling for an urgent Humanitarian ceasefire in Gaza.
Greetings of peace and many blessings, especially for the new year 2024, with the Chinese New Year of the Golden Dragon, being celebrated on 10 February.
Religions for Peace Australia and Canberra Interfaith Forum will host the annual World Interfaith Harmony Week Lecture at Parliament House, Canberra. The Guest Speaker will be Dr. Pal Dhall, International speaker and presenter on Human Values with experience integrating ethics and human values of mankind’s religions to create harmony and peace in society and culture. This event will be available on Zoom, on Wednesday 28th February from 5pm.
The NSW Branch of Religions for Peace will next meet on Monday 11 March at the Vedanta Hall, Croydon from 10-12:00 concluding with lunch. Theme of the meeting will be Steps Towards Harmony.
Pax Christi will conduct an interactive webinar as a first step to exploring a deeper conversation about our security as a nation. What will give human security as we step day by day into a future bounded by the uncertainty of AUKUS, ANZUS or any other pact we may have entered into as a sovereign nation? These, and other questions will be explored in an online webinar on 29 February.
Independent expert says with ‘overwhelming certainty’ the phrase was not ‘gas the Jews’, as was widely reported around the world. NSW police say analysis shows pro-Palestine chant in viral Sydney Opera House video was ‘where’s the Jews?’
Australia goes beyond just being a country, and Australia Day goes beyond a mere commemoration; for immigrants, it becomes a symbol of hope and safety, a place of refuge from difficult journeys across seas and deserts and the dangers of human trafficking. It’s not just a piece of land; it’s a sanctuary full of opportunities where immigrants, after facing challenges, find comfort and the promise of a better life. Here, one person granted citizenship writes on the importance of Australia Day and what Australia has to offer.
The City of Darebin (inner Melbourne) is seeking new members for the Darebin Interfaith Council. The Darebin Interfaith Council provides strategic advice to Council on issues affecting faith communities, informing Council decision-making about policy, programs, and services.
Queensland Churches Together will deliver a three-session workshop on Responding to Domestic Violence in February 2024.
Shekinah is the focus of an event hosted by the Quakers. Shekinah is a Hebrew word meaning “dwelling” or “settling” and denotes the presence of God. This exploration of Shekinah will be held on Thursday 7 December 2023, 10:00 am – 12:00 pm at the Victorian Quaker Centre, 484 William St, Melbourne.
Australia’s political and religious leaders have broken bread inside Parliament House for the seventh Australian Catholic University Interfaith Parliamentary Breakfast. ACU’s Parliamentary Interfaith Breakfast celebrates the diverse contribution faith communities have made on Australia’s national fabric. It has become a popular forum for interfaith dialogue and fosters positive engagement between the country’s political and religious leaders.
The NSW Government has confirmed the first 19 members of the NSW Faith Affairs Council. The Council has been established as a consultative mechanism to provide advice on priorities and emerging trends, the impacts of government policy on faith communities, and enhancing community harmony, security and well-being. The first act of the Council was to pass an historic ‘Interfaith Resolution’ to help NSW faith communities navigate through the current difficult times.
