serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
The declaration by the ISIS jihardist group of an Islamic State, their restoration of the Caliphate and enforcement of a harsh version of Sharia law poses a serious challenge for Muslim and non-Muslim Australians. Part of the challenge will be for Muslim and non-Mulsim Australians to engage in serious dialogue on the key issues raised by this development.
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Bendigo Islamic Centre is holding an Eid Dinner to celebrate cultural diversity and promote social harmony.
It’s disheartening to persons of faith that something as beautiful as religion, which brings so much peace to its adherents, can equally be used to fuel hatred and conflict. But such is the case. One need only think of Sunnis and Shias in Iraq, of Buddhists and Muslims in Myanmar, and of the rise of anti-Muslim parties in Europe, even in such supposed bastions of liberalism as Denmark. In this time of Ramadan, when 1.6 billion Muslims enter a special sacred season of discipline and reflection, all people of faith should confront this contradiction.
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On Wednesday 25 June 2014, Greater Shepparton City Council in partnership with the Shepparton Region Reconciliation Group and Ethnic Council Shepparton & District, conducted the Respecting Difference Forum as part of the Localities Embracing and Accepting Diversity Project. This took place at the Rumbalara Football and Netball rooms at Mercury Drive.
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Ven. Robina Courtin, Australian-born Buddhist nun with a powerhouse personality, says it took her years to walk the talk of Buddhism. Shepparton Interfaith Network is currently engaged in collaboration to bring Ven. Robina Courtin to the Goulburn Valley to share about compassion. Ven. Robina's previous visit to the Goulburn Valley was in 2003.
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Shepparton Interfaith Network urges all Australians to celebrate the history of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples during National Aborigines and Islanders Day Observance Committee (NAIDOC) Week.
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The World Council of Churches (WCC) announced it will hold an Interfaith Summit on Climate Change on September 21-22 in New York City. At the summit, organized together with Religions for Peace, more than 30 religious leaders will take a united stand to encourage international and political leaders to address concretely the causes and consequences of climate change.
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The SADAAT Foundation will conduct a Community Iftaar (Traditional Breaking of Fast) in the Sacred month of Ramadan on Saturday, 19 July at 4:30pm.
The Sathya Sai Organisation, Victoria East Region in collaboration with City of Whitehorse and the City of Glen Eira presented an All-Faith Musical Festival at the Kel Watson Theatre at Forest Hill College, Forest Hills. Shepparton Interfaith Network was present and participated.
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On behalf of the faith communities of the Shepparton Interfaith Network and the Goulburn Valley, we extend our warmest wishes to the Islamic Communities of the Goulburn Valley during the holy month of Ramadan.
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The Bendigo Council has approved plans for the city's first mosque, despite fierce opposition from some locals who claim the council has failed to protect them from terrorists. There was a large police presence at the meeting to maintain order.
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World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was observed in Greater Shepparton. World Elder Abuse Awareness Day seeks to prevent elder abuse incidents by giving targeted information and encouraging community participation on a broad scale. The day is about all of us working together to bring greater recognition of the mistreatment of older people wherever they live, and to highlight the need for appropriate action.
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Greater Shepparton City Council is inviting representatives from local service organisations to attend a free short course on reducing race-based discrimination for health. The two day short course will equip participants to build leadership and skills in organisations and communities to address race-based discrimination and to develop a greater appreciation of the benefits of cultural diversity.
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Several years of planning and co-operation between Shepparton Interfaith Network and Greater Shepparton City Council came to fruition with the opening of the Council's Multi Faith Prayer and Contemplation Room at the Welsford St offices.
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Besa: The Promise is the intergenerational story of an Albanian Muslim who risked their lives to save Jewish people during World War II. The film has been cited as a lesson in interfaith cooperation.
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Many community groups in Greater Shepparton have come together to examine the proposed changes to the Racial Discrimination Act, and to respond to these changes.
Faith Groups and officers of the Shepparton Interfaith Network have repeatedly participated in anti-racism enquires and reports and support all measures to facilitate harmonious relations and a lived cultural diversity, side by side in Greater Shepparton, be it in orchards, in the cannery, be it on the farms, in the industries, in our retail shopping areas. Greater Shepparton has a strong track record in promoting cultural diversity and harmony.
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Ballarat Interfaith Network has come out in full support of the planned mosque for Ballarat. The Shepparton Interfaith Network supports the building of a Mosque for all the peoples of Ballarat and Districts. One the key concerns of the local interfaith network has been the presence of a place of worship for the Islamic communities of Ballarat.
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As a young boy, Bendigo resident Usman used to visit the local mosque in Pakistan with his father. Not so keen on attending, he remembers spending more time on the streets playing than praying and cheekily running into the back of the mosque to turn off the lights.
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For years, the Bendigo Muslim community has been pushing for a local mosque. The Shepparton Interfaith Network along the Islamic Faith Communities support the building of a mosque for the amenity of all peoples in Bendigo.
Maria Vamaikou, Federal Member for Calwell, Chair of Standing Committee on Migration, gave account of the efforts of students and Teachers at Good Samaritan Primary School on raising awareness of Refugees.
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