More than 150 Religious , Political and community leaders attended the Canterbury Bankstown Harmony groups 10th Interfaith dinner held at Punchbowl Community centre last night Wednesday 20th of July.
The theme of this year is “Building a Culture of Mutual Respect”. Priests, imams and ministers from dozens of faith creeds, cultures came together under one roof to address that racism and bigotry as the greatest challenge we must overcome. The night was also accompanied by many politicians, including local Federal MP’s Tony Burke, Sophie Cotsis MLC and Jihad Dib, Member For Lakemba.
Canterbury Bankstown Harmony Group’s president Khodr Saleh said, “By coming together we show that through unity and harmony we can drown out the voices of division and fear. We must continue to be the face of light in this dark world and not let hatred and fear tear us apart.”
Grand Mufti of Australia, his eminence, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed, said in his keynote address, “Tonight’s gathering is a fusion of organisations and esteemed individuals. It is our realisation that we are all in need of one another. The more we come closer to each other, the more we love one another and the more we love humanity at large. (The Mufti Speech Attached)
From Left to right:
Sister Kalo Sikimeti St Joseph Catholic church, Khodr Saleh Canterbury Bankstown Harmony Group’s president, Rev Graeme Watkins Minister Lakemba Uniting Church, Dr Ibrahim Abu Mohamed Grand Mufti of Australia, Rev. Heather Joyce Topp Buddhist Council, Imam Muhammad Nur, Islamic Indonesian Community “IQRA”, Imam Siddiq Buckley Punchbowl Mosque
Media Contact :
Khodr Saleh
0408221559