World's top 20 Public Intellectuals

26 June 2008

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Fellowship Gathering of Imams & Priests

13 May 2008

One of the most significant developments recently has been the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Australian Intercultural Society and the Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission of the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne in July 2007. One of the projects that inaugurated as a product of this agreement is the Imam & Priests Fellowship Gathering to be held once a year; the program brought together key Muslim and Christian leaders from across Melbourne.  The format of the gathering is a conversation around a chosen theme, whereby invitees contribute their thoughts, experiences and views with other faith leaders.  The theme for first gathering held on 13 May 2008 was Entrusting Our Faith to the Next Generation.

Faith leaders laid down their own experiences and discussed the theme through their knowledge and vision to move the values of their own faiths to enable the next generation to stand on their own feet with their strong believes in the future. They believe that this would be the only way to live in justice and peace by establishing mutual respect between different faiths and cultures.  They have first diagnosed and adopted the problems of the next generation together in friendship. They thought that no group of different culture and tradition can be assimilated and forced to live in an isolated position in the Australian society. Religious leaders also focused on issues that would enlighten the future of the world. It was concluded that if religion plays an important role for the next generation in particular amongst the youth, it would satisfy their spiritual and mental desires enabling them to establish a serene, harmonious world in which humanity could live in peace.

Glimpses of Turkey

15 April 2008

Audiences were treated to aspects of the Australian Intercultural Society’s ANZAC Spirit Study Tour to Turkey last year.

Participants from last year’s tour briefed the group who are taking part this year about their travels and their salient experiences.

“The enduring memory is the people,” said Assistant Commissioner of Victoria Police. They were extremely welcoming.  Everywhere we went, we left with a gift.  We got to meet some fabulous people.” The country where East meets West, participants reflected on the fact that Turkey constitutes a unique context for the bridging of communities and faiths: “There are not many places in the world where you have a mosque in one corner, a synagogue on another and a Christian church on another,” said the Assistant Commissioner. “This was a great opportunity for personal growth intellectually and spiritually.  The greatest learning experience was the number of similarities between my Christianity and the Islamic faith.”

A history teacher at Penleigh and Essendon Grammar School discussed the significance of the ANZAC and Gallipoli experience and the message that it imparts to people today: “It threw together two peoples from different parts of the world who had absolutely no history with each other. Many of the Australian soldiers, in fact, did not even know where Turkey was on the map and, I daresay, many Turkish soldiers would have been the same,” he said. “What made this conflict even more fascinating was the fact that this conflict was unique in the annals of warfare. If you go back through history you would not find many adversaries who actually commemorate the same battle together, side by side.” The Friendship Agreement signed by Meadow Heights Primary School and a sister school in Gallipoli on ANZAC Day is testament to the enduring relationship that was forged there.

Principal of Meadow Heights Primary School, mentioned that packages had already been exchanged four times in the past year.

Chris Lay, a travel consultant who participated in last year’s tour noted that meeting with everyday people from different facets of society in their homes was something that a standard tourist could not experience, stating that “Being with Mr and Mrs Average in their home with their families was an absolute honour and a privilege.” Photos and presentations reflected the diversity, colour and richness of their encounters. David Schütz from the Catholic Archdiocese’s Ecumenical and Interfaith Commission spoke of the importance of travel as a learning experience.

“It gives you the opportunity of seeing not only up the mountain, but down the mountain, he said.

Travel to sites that are significant to different faith traditions is also relevant.

“There are different stories.  People have different narratives.  It grounds one to go to some of these places that are so central to our faiths.

Attorney General Supports Greater Engagement with Muslims

11 April 2008

Recent comments made by the Attorney General indicating a policy shift in relation to national security are a positive way forward according to Australia’s peak body interfaith organisation.

“Highlighting the need for collaboration between government bodies, local government and Muslim communities, the new policy approach indicates a deepened appreciation of the important role played by communities in overcoming common problems and engendering social cohesion,” says Emre Celik, General Coordinator of the Australian Intercultural Society.

Progress, to date, within Victoria paralleling this policy are important signs of the potential of this policy shift to overcoming the isolation and ostracism experienced by Muslims and other marginalised groups.

“Developments with various community and faith based groups as well as Government agencies have been crucial to developing understanding and cooperation between communities and agencies,” says Emre Celik.

“During this time we have seen the support of Victoria Police increase to include the formation of the Victorian Police Multifaith Council and the Annual Iftar meals that incorporate various communities, including Muslims and new and emerging communities, amongst others.”

“This has been a positive approach to dealing with issues of isolation and development of warm relations, in particular between Muslims and Victoria Police for the past three years.”

“These activities and the value given to communities who feel isolated from the mainstream reflect important develops in the UK to help overcome the serious issues in national security.  We have witnessed firsthand the parallel endeavours, central vision and proactive, positive approach that Victoria Police have embraced for the past three years,” says Orhan Cicek, Executive Advisor of the Australian Intercultural Society.

“We have seen the engagement referred to by the Attorney-General implemented by Victoria Police and the Australian Intercultural Society thanks both Victoria Police and all agencies that have been working hard to adopt an inclusive and consultative approach to community security and harmony.”

The Rudd government believes Australian Turkish Muslims will play a key role in promoting a moderate version of Islam. Turkish Muslims are the second largest Islamic group in Australia and Laurie Ferguson, Parliamentary Secretary for immigration believes that they are a "model Community"

Mr Ferguson praised the Turkish community and said Turks would be consulted by the Government more often, regarding Islamic issues in Australia. "I think their secular orientation in Turkey has helped their settlement as an Islamic community in this country," Mr Ferguson said.

The Federal Government intends to provide a reasonable representation to Turkish community leaders who have important roles in the community. The Australian Intercultural Society welcomed the news and believes that the Turkish community has a lot to offer. Their track record is a clear indication of this. 

During the past decade, the Turkish community has been quite active, especially in the fields of education and interfaith dialogue. They have established many educational facilities all over Australia, promoting Australian values and teaching their their own culture as well. The Australian Intercultural Society, Melbourne and Affinity Foundation, Sydney has played a significant role in the recent developments in Interfaith relations in Australia. One of the most significant development occurred on the 23 November 2007 when the Australian Catholic University in collaboration with the Australian Intercultural Society launched the Gulen Chair for the Study of Islam and Catholic-Muslim Relations. The Chair will play an important role in interfaith relations in Australia and in the education of spiritual leaders who are fluent in English.

Related article in the Australian

Mosque Mystery Unveiled
30 March 2008

A Melbourne Mosque threw open its doors for Victorians last Sunday, revealing what is often unknown to many people about the proceedings in a Muslim place of worship. Victorians numbering close to two hundred congregated in Sunshine on Sunday to take part in the Mosque Open Day organised by the Australian Intercultural Society and Sunshine Mosque. Interested participants came from Ballarat, Bacchus Marsh, Sunbury and Greater Dandenong to meet with Muslims and gain an insight into their beliefs and practices.

“I have always felt that Islam is portrayed very poorly,” said Mary Corkeron of St Leonard’s Catholic Parish.

“Even though I did not have much knowledge about Islam, I always knew that it was not all about Jihad and that sort of thing. I know that as Christians, Muslims and Jews we all believe in one God and He is the God of peace for all of us.”

Representatives from Victoria Police, the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and various Jewish and Buddhist organisations as well as Catholic, Uniting and Anglican Church communities were present on the day. Acting Chair of Buddhist Council of Victoria Diana Cousins indicated the importance of such activities in learning through social interaction and direct participation.

“I found the event very informative, rewarding and inclusive,” she said. “I was very impressed that Muslims wanted to share their faith, beliefs and culture with the wider community.” “I was impressed by the explanation provided in particular about the meaning of prayer movements,” she said.

“[The speaker] said that by standing up straight we represent everything in the universe even the smallest fragment of matter such as the atoms and we submit to Allah (God).  I did not know Muslims thought this way, and I found it very impressive.”

The program included a demonstration of the Muslim ritual prayer accompanied by a description of its significance, group tours highlighting the internal and external features of a Mosque, explanations of the central tenets of Islam as well as an opportunity for interaction between Muslims and the wider community over Turkish food and refreshments. Such events serve to highlight the multitude of threads that cut across all faiths.

“There are differences to what I believe as a Christian but I realised that Torah, Quran and the Bible are quite similar in many ways,” said Frank from the Altona Christian Centre. “We were always taught that there are many ways to God or in other words there are many vehicles you can take to reach God.”

The Australian Intercultural Society holds several Mosque Open Days throughout the year.

Reconciliation :  slogan or a social policy?

27 March 2008

Australia may have changed quite significantly over the last two hundred years but there is no doubt that it has always had a mix of cultures and people. Even before 1788 this country was populated by Indigenous people who had their own diverse cultures and beliefs. Throughout the past two hundred years the Indigenous people of Australia endured serious hardship and difficulties in a developing democracy. During this process there were occasions where these Australians were mistreated.

Incidents that have become a part of history should now be dealt with within the context of their era so that appropriate decisions can be made. The wrong that has been done to the Indigenous people of Australia should not be confined to becoming a topic for social sciences or a matter of discussion for the social committees of the religious organisations; rather, it should be a matter for the government and their policies.

Regarding this issue, the government has finally made a humanitarian stand even though it has come late. Indeed, realising the mistakes of the past and saying ‘sorry’ to those who have suffered is an ethical and righteous act.  However, offering solutions in the fields of social justice, education and economic aid will quicken the process of healing and will certainly add meaning to the apology.     

In addition to this, it is also imperative that necessary measurements be taken so that no other community or culture suffers the same fate simply because of meaningless phobias. In the post-modern world every human being has the right to respect. Freedom of belief and thought are the most sacred elements of basic human rights. As anti-Semitism has been a stain in the soul of humanity in the past, Islamophobia has also become an unfortunate reality in today’s society. Therefore, as the Federal Government tries to correct the mistakes of the past, it should also take the necessary steps to prevent the addition of future victims.     

On the 13th of February 2008, the Prime Minister of Australia officially apologised on behalf of successive Parliaments and Governments for the profound grief and suffering that was inflicted on indigenous Australians. This was a great step taken towards a genuine reconciliation and it is imperative since Australia is a nation that truly embraces the motto of a ‘Fair Go’.

Perhaps the seeds of a society that will have better understanding of each other’s cultures and beliefs, through social awareness and inclusion, are being planted. We are confident of this, considering the words of our Prime Minister as he describes “A future where all Australians, whatever their origins, are truly equal partners, with equal opportunities and with an equal stake in shaping the next chapter in the history of this great country, Australia”.