Seventy people from different Faith groups gathered in the Aspley Uniting Church on Sunday Evening, 14th March, 2010 to hear reports from people who had attended the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne last December.
The evening began in the Church with opening prayers by Jewish, Christian and Muslim representatives. Brief reports on the Parliament of the World’s Religions were given by Peter Jones (Catholic), Nooreen Harris (Ismaili Shi’a) and Garth Read (Uniting Church). This was followed by questions and comments from members of the audience. Three other people who had attended the Parliament were in the audience and some added their reflections.
After an hour we all moved into the Hall that was set up as an Interfaith Café. People sat in small groups and generous supplies of lamingtons, Anzac biscuits, and samosas were served with tea, coffee, juices and water.
Leaders of the local Ismaili Shi’a community told us about their community. They also provided a visual display of the international aid work of the AGA KHAN DEVELOPMENT NETWORK. Nooreen Harris answered questions about the AKDN and the kinds of projects that they are involved in around the world.
The Hunza Men from North Pakistan entertained the gathering with some of their traditional folk dancing. A group of children from the Ismaili Shi’a community also performed some traditional Indian dancing. The Hunza Men and the children combined in some further dances and invited people to join in. About 30 people joined the Ismaili group in the middle of the hall and clapped and danced to Indian music.
This very relaxed, inspirational and educational evening came to a close with all standing together in a large circle around a sand tray map of Australia. Members of different Faiths placed small, lighted candles in the sand tray. We looked at each other and recited the words: “I am; you are; we are Australian”.
A quartet from the Aspley Uniting Church choir sang the traditional Aaronic Blessing: