serving the faith communities of the Goulburn Valley
With the world still in shock over the Taliban’s lightning-fast takeover of Afghanistan, Afghan people, especially women, wonder what kind of life awaits the nation. When pressed about preserving the rights of women, a Taliban spokesperson said the Taliban would not discriminate against women and would give them their rights “within the bounds of shariah”.
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A small group came together in the comfort and warmth of the Third Age Club at Euroa on the evening of Tuesday June 6 for what turned into an engaging interfaith meet with many questions. Theologian and scholar Dr Frank Purcell gave one talk on Christianity and Australian Society.
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Calls for an Islamic Reformation are issued in the wake of every Islamist act of terrorism. But Muslims don't need a Martin Luther. What is needed is a reconciliation of Islam with the constitutional state, says Loay Mudhoon ... Read more...
A group of Melbourne Muslim women are breaking down intolerance and furthering understanding using an unconventional approach—speed dating. Speed Date A Muslim comes to Shepparton on Sunday, 26 February 2017.
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Tokyo: The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Japan’s Inter-Religious Dialogue Committee as part of the Jubilee Year of Mercy held discussions on the theory and practice of mercy in Buddhist and Shinto faiths. There is a direct parallel with the Japanese Christians understanding of God’s love which means ‘to hold dear’.
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The Shepparton Interfaith Network writes an open letter to the Islamic Community of Shepparton and the Goulburn Valley. The month of Ramadan – observed by the Islamic Community of the Goulburn Valley – has passed and today is the day of Eid-al-Fitr, the conclusion of the Holy Month. The Shepparton Interfaith Network offers the acclamation Eid Mubarak! to all muslims of the Goulburn Valley. Blessings on your Feast Day and throughout the Year!
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Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull hosted a Ramadan Iftar on Thursday evening 16 June at Kirribilli House, Sydney, a first by an Australian Prime Minister. The invited guests included Muslim leaders and young activists from all states as well as interfaith representatives from Sydney. Mr Turnbull greeted Muslims saying, “I am honoured to be the first Australian Prime Minister to host an Iftar during the holy month of Ramadan. To the approximately five hundred thousand Muslim Australians across our country and to more than one and half billion Muslims around the world, Ramadan Kareem.”
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Islamic Scholar Dr. Al-Ninowy of Medina Institute and head of six seminaries, has told: Yet again we find ourselves condemning the irrational and ungodly actions of a madman who was misguided by a wicked and corrupt social and/or political ideology that twists and misinterprets Islam to justify what can only be termed as satanic actions. Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims and their loved ones during this moment of intense sadness.
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Kildonan Uniting Care in collaboration, will present “Understanding Islam”, an event designed to explain the daily practice and sacred goals of the Islamic faith. This will be presented the Senior Citizens Centre, Welsford St, Shepparton on evening of 2nd June.
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Since announcing its arrival as a global force in June 2014 with the declaration of a caliphate on territory captured in Iraq and Syria, the jihadist group Islamic State has shocked the world with its brutality. Here, The Conversation, has prepared a series of articles on understanding IS. ... Read more...
Countering violent extremism in Australia is a difficult task, fraught with political, cultural and religious sensitivities, exacerbated by social tensions and lack of understanding across various communities. One unintended consequence of the desire to secure our nation has been to heighten these tensions and divisions in many communities across Australia.
The problem of Muslim radicalisation is exaggerated and overrepresented in political, media and public discourses. In this article, Halim Raine says that the problem of Muslim radicalisation has clearly grown over the past several years and the contributing factors need to be considered.
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In observance of Mental Health Week, Voices for Harmony in collaboration with Shepparton Interfaith Network conducted a forum, Religion and Mental Health at GOTAFE on Friday, 9th October. In this account, local identity, historian and well known book reviewer, Pat Crudden - who coordinates Socrates Cafe at the University of the Third Age - has kindly shared his thoughts about the speakers who presented at this forum.
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What role Islam as a faith plays in jihadism and the radicalisation of young Muslims is something that is rarely addressed. This matter is of much concern given recent events in Australia. In this article, Dirk Baehr is a political scientist specialising in the areas of jihadism, Salafism, and Internet propaganda gives an account of young Muslims and their engagement in radicalisation. Sound knowledge of faith protects against radicalisation.
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The Shepparton Afghani Community has had a long term vision of constructing their own mosque and have raised in excess of $1 million. They engaged a builder to develop the project which commenced in mid-2013 - the mosque is almost complete - and is already being used.
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What began as a small campaign protesting against the proposed Bendigo mosque has gained the support of far-right anti-Islamic groups, spilling from social media to the streets and into a council meeting. Four Muslims from Bendigo talk about how it has affected them.
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Islamic leaders have issued a clarion call to 1.6bn Muslims around the world to work towards phasing out greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 and a 100% renewable energy strategy. The grand mufti’s of Lebanon and Uganda endorsed the Islamic declaration on climate change, along with prominent Islamic scholars and teachers from 20 countries, at a symposium in Istanbul.
THE Islamic Society of Albury-Wodonga is proposing a major redevelopment of its Lavington place of worship. The society has submitted a development application to Albury Council to demolish its existing converted weatherboard house in Wagga Road which has been its base since 2013.
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On Tuesday 23 June, The Broken Bay Institute, in partnership with the Australian Catholic Bishops Conference presented its 11th National eConference - 'Religion: Catalyst for Violence or Peace? Probing the Abrahamic Traditions for Answers'. The eConfernece was attended by local participants viewing - and contributing online with questions - at the Monsignor Peter Jeffery Parish Centre, St Brendans Church, Shepparton.
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The Australian Prime Minister can be a rhetorical wrecking ball, but in no case has his lack of subtlety been more damaging than his remarks about Muslims. The media doesn’t deserve to be let off the hook, either. Journalists have to cover this story, but at times parts of the media have inflamed fear and mistrust. In turn, many Muslims have come to mistrust and fear the media.
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