events 2007


	AUSTRALIAN INTERCULTURAL SOCIETY EVENTS 2 0 0 7
APRIL 2007
	Study Tour to Turkey & Anzac Commemorations Australian Intercultural Society organized a study tour of Turkey between the dates 20 April to 2 May 2007. During the tour, participants also attended the dawn services at Anzac Cove.
APRIL 2007
	Sunshine Mosque Open Day Melbournians were encouraged to take the opportunity to learn about Islam and the particulars of a mosque when Sunshine Mosque opened its doors to the public on Sunday the 29th of April
MAY 2007
	Rumi The Great Sufi Master His Life and Works UNESCO 2007 International Year of RUMI & Global Peace The year 2007 is celebrated as the year of RUMI. In Accordance, the AIS have organized series of RUMI events in commemoration of the great Sufi Master's birth. The first of these events were celebrated on the 24 May 2007. For further info please click on below links. Venue: Mercy Theatre, Australian Catholic University, 115 Victoria Parade, Fitzroy - Melbourne - Australia
MAY 2007
	Ladies Network 25 May 2007 AIS Ladies Network hosted National Council of Jewish Women of Australia, Victoria to discuss common issues and introduce each others activities. New projects and ideas were exchanged in an evening that included a shared meal and warm discussions.
JUNE 2007
	National Cohesion Symposium Theme: Religions and National Cohesion - Muslims in Australia and Social Integration. Date: 22 June 2007 Time: 7.00 - 9.00 pm Address: Lecture Theatre 2, K building Monash University, Caulfield Campus - 900 Dandenong Rd. Caulfield VIC
JUNE 2007
	Mosque Open Day Once again, the hospitable staff at Sunshine Mosque in conjunction with the AIS invited Melbournians to visit their wonderfully structured Mosque at Ardeer. Saturday the 30th of June, Sunshine Mosque witnessed a remarkable open day when religious leaders, and members of the Anglican faith group joined to learn facts about Islam and its place of worship. Rev. Gary Bouma, Professor at Monash University also addressed the guests emphasizing on the importance of interfaith dialogue. The visit comprised predominantly of Anglican guests after a request was made to the AIS for a open day catering to the specific requirements. The event commenced with a welcome speech and a historical overview of the Mosques path to completion, delivered by the mosque president. The visiting group was then segmented into smaller factions that were assigned an official who explained the fundamentals of Islam, with a particular focus on Prayer and the function of the Mosque. The intrigued guests also had ample opportunities to ask questions to their guide as the events was structured as an open forum to learn, discuss and compare religious values and practices. The day concluded with offerings by the Mosque in the form of tradition Turkish finger food and beverages over continued discussions. A gift of a rose plant was delivered to the Imam of the Mosque by the visiting congregation
JULY 2007
	Celebrating Rumi & Mystics of East and West Monash University, Caulfield Campus VIC Date: Sunday 29 July 2007 Time: 2.00 – 4.30 pm More... http://www.arts.monash.edu/religion-theology/
AUGUST 2007
	Whirling Dervishes 2007 UNESCO International event A major event with 30 professional dancers and SUFI musicians from Turkey, Afghanistan and Iran. This magnificent event was fully sponsored by the Minister for Tourism and Culture of the Republic of Turkey. Download Ali Kose Speech Venue: Dallas Brooks Hall, East Melbourne Date: Monday, 6 August 2007 Time: 7:00pm– 10.00 pm
AUGUST 2007
	The VI. Annual International Abraham Conference Theme: "Shaping a Nation's Values" Venue: Melbourne University, Victoria Australia Date: 26 August 2007 Time: 10.00am - 2.00pm
AUGUST 2007
	Ladies Network visit to National Council of Jewish Women AIS Ladies Network on 28 August visited the National Council of Jewish Women Australia, Victoria to share in a meal and conversation. Such ways in coming together strengthen relations. Various future possible events were discussed. Both organizations look forward to further developing relations and co-organizing events.
SEPTEMBER - OCTOBER 2007
	Formal & Private Home Iftar Dinners Each year during the holy period of Ramadan, the AIS organizes formal and private Iftar dinners for people of different faiths and cultures at designated venues and at the private homes of Muslims. This unique project enables people of all faiths and cultures to socialize and learn about each other's customs in a warm friendly atmosphere. The AIS also believes that bringing members of Parliament, Officers of the Victorian police, faith and community leaders and members of the Muslim community together for a Ramadan Iftar dinner is an excellent opportunity to enhance existing relationships and create new ones, encourage interfaith dialogue and promote a greater understanding of Islam in the wider community. Please click below links for mare detailed information and to view galleries from all the Ramadan Iftar Programs. Parliament Iftar Gallery Police-Iftar-Gallery Community Leaders Iftar Gallery Home Iftar Gallery Date: 13 September - 11 October 2007
DECEMBER 2007
	Sheb-i Arus-Dances with Eternity RUMI & Whirling Dervishes Each year, on the 17th of December, the Australian Intercultural Society organizes a special Sema ceremony offered by the Mevlevi Order of Australia to celebrate Hazreti Mevlana Jalaluddin Rumi’s ‘Sheb-i Arus’ or ‘Wedding Night’. It is the traditional night in the modern era when the Mevlevi Order of Sufis, the whirling dervishes, and the many lovers of Mevlana celebrate and remember his union with his Beloved, his ‘Wedding with Eternity’. Australian Intercultural Society in association with the Mevlevi order and the Australian Sufi Music Group invites Australians to a Sema ceremony performed by the Whirling Dervishes of Rumi. Date: Monday, 17 December 2007 7.00 – 9.00 pm Venue: Prahran Town Hall, VIC Australia Watch Video Gallery
DECEMBER 2007
	Christmas Interfaith Visits "Understanding each other" Every year during the holy period of Christmas AIS organizes interfaith visits to Churches around Melbourne. Muslims in groups of 10 to 15 join Christians on Christmas Eve and on Christmas Day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and to learn about the practices of Christian faith. This project is a part of AIS's interfaith visit project which aims to break down barriers and built bridges between the two faiths. This Christmas Muslims once again visited St George in Flemington on Christmas Eve, St John's Cathedral and St Patrick's Cathedral on Christmas day. Visit to St Patrick's was welcomed by Archbishop Dennis Hart who congratulated the Muslim visitors and wished them a happy Christmas season. The visit also drew the attention of the media. SBS news televised the Christmas Day with the heading "Muslims join Christians on Christmas. Gallery of 2007 Christmas Visits