Introduction: Moving Beyond Tolerance to Embrace True Acceptance
What does it mean to genuinely accept diverse religions and cultures, rather than merely tolerate them? This profound question lay at the heart of the Indian Crescent Society of Australia’s (ICSOA) seventh annual interfaith event, held at the New South Wales Parliament on October 24, 2024. Themed “From Religious Tolerance to Religious Acceptance,” this gathering brought together leaders from various sectors—religious, political, and community—to foster meaningful dialogue on transforming acceptance into an active practice in Australia’s multicultural society. Supported by both the Labor, Liberal, and Greens parties since its inception, ICSOA’s annual event highlights a unified commitment across political lines towards creating an inclusive and cohesive society.
Uniting for a Common Cause: The Role of ICSOA in Australia’s Social Fabric
The Indian Crescent Society of Australia (ICSOA) has long championed peace, social cohesion, and multiculturalism. The event was led by ICSOA Secretary Mr. Fasihuddin Khan, who introduced the organization’s mission and outlined its ongoing activities in promoting interfaith harmony. Through a promotional video, attendees were reminded of ICSOA’s commitment to fostering unity through addressing critical social themes, including interfaith dialogue, human rights, and community cohesion.
Key Themes of the Event: Fostering Religious Acceptance Over Tolerance
The Path to Social Cohesion: Shifting from Tolerance to Embracing Diversity
ICSOA President Mr. Abbas Raza Alvi delivered a powerful address, emphasizing the need for society to evolve from mere tolerance of religious differences to actively embracing them. Alvi’s words, “peace is a journey of a thousand miles,” resonated with attendees, reminding everyone that true social cohesion demands a willingness to respect each other’s beliefs through daily, meaningful actions.
Mr. Alvi’s call to action was a reminder that Australia’s multicultural society must go beyond verbal affirmations of unity and create an environment where people of all faiths feel valued and included.
Celebrating Diversity as a Strength
Mr. Joseph La Posta, CEO of Multicultural NSW, underscored the significance of diversity in Australia, noting that multiculturalism strengthens the nation’s resilience. He stressed that society must transcend passive tolerance and actively embrace religious and cultural differences as a source of collective strength.
Insightful Perspectives: Interfaith Leaders and Key Speakers Share Their Views
Distinguished religious and community leaders enriched the dialogue with their perspectives, each contributing unique insights on acceptance and respect for diverse beliefs. Key speakers included:
– Keynote Speaker Craig Foster, who spoke on unity amidst rising global challenges.
– Hon. David Shoebridge, who emphasized the importance of government involvement in promoting religious acceptance.
– Mr. Peter Doukas, Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, sharing community perspectives.
– Ms. Lorraine Finlay, Human Rights Commissioner, who highlighted the human rights perspective on religious acceptance.
– Ms. Jessica Harrison and Ms. Nusrat Zabeen Islam, who shared their views on interfaith collaboration.
Additionally, faith leaders, such as Pandit Jatin Kumar Bhatt, Ms. Donna Jacobs Sife, Maulana Nazeerul Hasan Thanvi, Father Shenouda Mansour, and Maulana Qamar Zaman, spoke on fostering understanding across religions. Their insights underscored the importance of interfaith dialogue in dismantling misconceptions and fostering a culture of respect.
Government Support: Partnering to Promote Acceptance
The attendance of numerous government representatives reflected the broad support for ICSOA’s mission to promote religious acceptance. Among the prominent attendees were Hon. Jihad Dib, Hon. Mark Speakman, Hon. Stephen Kamper, Hon. Mark Coure, and Hon. David Shoebridge, who highlighted the collective commitment to embedding acceptance in Australian society. Their participation symbolized the role of government and community partnerships in fostering a culture of acceptance across Australia.
Honoring Contributions: Recognizing Leaders in Interfaith and Community Engagement
A key highlight of the event was the presentation of three prestigious awards by ICSOA to individuals and organizations dedicated to advancing interfaith harmony:
1. Community Excellence Award: Presented by Mr. Craig Foster to Mr. Zia Ahmad, Editor-in-Chief of AMUST Newspaper, recognized for his commitment to community engagement.
2. Media Excellence Award: Presented by Hon. Daniel Mookhey, Treasurer NSW Govt., to Desi Australia, represented by Mr. Dimple, celebrating media’s role in promoting cultural diversity.
3. Interfaith Excellence Award: Presented by Hon. Jihad Dib to the Abraham Conference Committee, received by Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh, acknowledging the committee’s dedication to interfaith collaboration.
These awards highlighted the tireless work of leaders championing unity within their communities, setting an example for others to follow.
Distinguished Guests: Supporting a Unified Vision
The presence of various esteemed MPs, ministers, and community leaders lent additional support to ICSOA’s mission. Notable attendees included: Hon. Julia Finn, Hon Nathan Hagarty, Hon Abigail Boyd, Hon. John Hatton, Hon. Karen McKeown Ho. Cate Faermann, Hon. Tina Ayyad, Hon. Daniel Mookhey, Hon. Lee Rhiannon, Hon. Charishma Kaylinda, Hon. Stephen Bali, Hon. Anthony D’Adam, Hon. Donna Davis, Cr. Robert Fitzgerald and Cr. Carol Israel.
Their participation highlighted the importance of cross-party and community collaboration in advancing religious acceptance and social cohesion. ICSOA’s Interfaith event, since its inception has been supported by both Labor, Liberal and Greens.
Closing Remarks: A Call to Action for Genuine Acceptance
As the event concluded, ICSOA Executive Member Mr. Abbas Chelat expressed heartfelt thanks to the attendees and ICSOA’s dedicated volunteers. Mr. Chelat’s closing remarks served as a reminder that ICSOA’s annual event is more than a gathering; it is a call to action, urging everyone to incorporate acceptance and respect as core principles in daily life.
Conclusion: A Vision for a Unified, Inclusive Future
