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AIS Newsletter January 2009 |
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New Year's Message from AIS Peace amongst the nations of the world and between different cultures can only be achieved through empathy and justice. The AIS wishes that the year 2009 brings peace, serenity, harmony and joy to Australians and people all around the globe. Throughout 2008, AIS have worked vigorously to strengthen the bonds of friendship between different cultures and religions. Our only objective was to enhance social cohesion and harmony in Australia through social interactions and dialogue activities. The financial crises towards the end of 2008, humanitarian drama and the tragic developments in the Middle East has deeply affected and saddened everyone who possesses a conscience. The lives of all human beings are equally important, noble and precious no matter which race, culture or religion they belong to, hence no excuse can be presented as valid argument to take a human life. Respecting human life is respecting God. Religion, ideology or system cannot be used as valid reasons to take the lives of human beings. It is an act of injustice and tyranny to punish the family members of a criminal for the crimes they have not committed. With the same token, it is unjust to punish a race, culture or religion for the crimes that have been committed by a small, ignorant minority of its members. Humanity have suffered enough at the hands of wars, genocides, racial, religious and ideological conflicts. Fighting evil and challenging injustice starts within our own soul and mind. It is about time that we question ourselves, what has been taught to us and what the media has led us to believe. Am I being pushed into senseless phobias? Are my phobias pushing me into unjust behaviour? How much empathy do I have towards my fellow human beings? As a human being, what are my responsibilities towards other human beings and what role do I have in bringing peace to our world? It is imperative that the dialogue between religions and cultures move into a new phase where cultures and faiths work cooperatively and produce partnered, long-lasting projects. We must establish mutual platforms to fight famine, poverty, injustice, ignorance and vilification. Hatred between cultures should transform into understanding and empathy. In order to achieve this we need to give great importance to social and humanitarian projects. Once Again, we would like to wish that 2009 brings peace, tranquility, prosperity and joy to the people of all cultures, faiths and traditions in Australia and in the world. AIS Board of Directors |
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Christmas Visits |
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Neighnourhood Day (Noah's
Pudding) Australian Intercultural Society would like to wish everyone a happy Neighbourhood Day. This year the Neighboorhood Day is on the 7th of January 2009. Sharing Noah’s pudding on this significant day is a symbolic representation of the unity and essential relationship of humans to one another and to their Creator. Preparing the Noah’s pudding is a common practice among Muslim and Christian peoples around the Mediterranean. Due to heavy traffic of programs, this year the Neighbourhood Day will be celebrated in February 2009. Australian Intercultural Society will keep its members up to date through its website. |
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Mosque Open Day
Melbournians are encouraged to take the opportunity to learn about
Islam and the particulars of a mosque when Sunshine Mosque opens its
doors to the public on Sunday the 22nd of February, 2009. The hospitable
staff at Sunshine Mosque in conjunction with the AIS invites
Melbournians to visit their wonderfully structured Mosque at Ardeer.
Sunshine Mosque staff welcomes everyone interested in learning
about the practices of Islam for a wonderful day at the Mosque. |
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