A report on the Interfaith Panel held at The United Theological College, School of Theology, Charles Sturt University on Thursday January 20th, 2011.
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The gathering of this interfaith panel was specifically for the course on Interfaith Dialogue, which was offered as an Intensive in January (17th - 21st) by the United Theological College. In essence the objective of the course was to explore and integrate the theory and practice of interfaith dialogue. This couse explored five of the world's faith traditions. These were Buddhism, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. Learning about these faiths comprised reading about them through a text, through face-to-face encounters with scholars from these traditions and visiting their places of worship. The aim of these encounters was to enable students to appropriate what they read about other faiths with the reality of hwo these faiths are practised on a day-to-day basis. A second aspect of the course was to demonstrate how interfaith dialogue is practised at both an informal and formal level. A panel of interfaith practitioners was brought together for a conversation on "The challenges and possibilities of interfaith dialogue". Similarly, a panel of Christian interfaith practitioners was brought together to reflect on the challenges they faced in interfaith dialogue both theologically and in practice. Finally, students were encouraged to engage theologically and critically with the Christian tradition and its approaches to other faiths in order that they may continue to think theologically and act collaboratively wherever they are.
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Panelists from left:
Rev Sue Emeleus, Mr Ajmer Singh Gill,
Ven Thubten Chokyi, Prof RajaJayaraman,
Dr NatalieMobini-Kesheh, Mr JeremyJones AM,
Rev Seforosa Carroll,Ms Zuleyha Keskin,
Mr Jim Mein AM
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The objective of the interfaith panel session on Thursday afternoon was to highlight the diverse practices and understanding of interfaith dialogue, its strengths and limitations. It was also to demonstrate in a few short hours how interfaith diloauge works in practice. There were eight distinguished panelists, all prominent members of their particular communities, representing the following: Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism, Sikhism, and WIN (Women's Interfaith Network). There was a gender balance of four men and four women. In interfaith circles this is a rarity as public conversations are usually dominated by male representation.
The panelists did not present a paper on the topic as such, as the afternoon was conducted in conversation style whereby the panelists were prompted with questions to which they responded from their particular context and/or to each other. The afternoon concluded with an opportunity for questions from the floor. The afternoon drew a crowd of forty people and was said to be both an informative and stimulating afternoon by those present.
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Sef Carroll (right) with guest lecturer
Rev Pravrajika Ajayaprana (Rev Mataji) (left)
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The panelists reflected on the meaning of interfaith dialogue, its purpose, challenges and possibilities. They also shared what motivates their passion and commitment to dialogue. The common thread in teh panelists' responses is that interfaith dialogue is a vital part of each of their faith traditions and is critical for the sake of creating a better world for future generations to co-inhabit. One of hte things that impressed me about the conversation was that the panelists did not shy away from discussing "sticky" questions such as 'what are some practical ways around a converstion which has reached an impasse?' Sometimes the dialogues in the Australian context can be affected by conflicts at the home of origin. In situations such as these, respondents state that there is a responsibility by both parties to be understood as well as the ongoing need to acknowledge hurt and the willingness to be vulnerable. This was best summed up in the following statement: that dialogue is an ongoing relationship.
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Students of the Interfaith Course at
Auburn Gallipoli Mosque
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The responses to the meaning or definition of interfaith dialogue were varied. There was consensus that interfaith dialogue was more than just "talking". Dialogue is relational and is accompanied by collaborative interfaith action. It can also work in reverse order whereby collaborative action brings about dialogue between people of faiths. Added into this mix was John Squires' notion of diakousis, dialogue through listening rather than just through talking. In essence, there was general agreement that interfaith dialogue is about relationships. Relationships take time to form, build and maintain. However, hard relationships may be, it is the foundation of a society whereby people can live and share resources together.
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Ven Thubten Chokyi talking with the
Interfaith Dialogue 2011 class at the
Vajarayana Institute, Ashfield.
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There was also a tinge of regret that so often those involved in interfaith relationships and dialogue tended to move away from their constituency or find themselves on the margins of their faith communities. This highlights the need and the importance for ongoing intrafaith dialogue within faith communities. The other challenge had to do with publicity and promotion of interfaith events. So often it is a select few who know about and attend interfaith events. There is a need for wider promotion beyond those involved in interfaith dialogue and relationships.
The afternoon ended with questions from the floor and general agreement by those present that there is an ongoing need to know more about each other's faith and that it is everyone's responsibility to understand our community and to learn more about those with whom we share it.
Guest Panelists
Dr Natalie Mobini-Kesheh (Baha'i) has been a Baha'i for 20 years. She is an active participant in interfaith dialogue on behalf of the Baha'i community, and convenes a branch of the Women's Interfaith Network (WIN) in western Sydney. Natalie received her doctorate from Monash University for her historical research on the Arab minority in Indonesia, and is the author of one book and several papers in the field. She currently works as the national public information officer of the Australian Baha'i Community.
Ven Thubten Chokyi (Buddhist) is a nun in the Tibetan tradition. She is Spiritual Program Coordinator of Vajrayana Institute, a Tibetan Buddhist centre for practice and study in Ashfield and Director of Liberation Prison Project, which provides visiting chaplains and corresponding Buddhist courses to men and women in prison who seek our help to transform their lives. CHokyi is also a member of the Women's Interfaith Network and the Australian Sangha Association which represents Buddhist monks and nuns from all traditions. Chokyi leads meditation for a number of groups throughout Sydney and teaches the introductory Buddhist courses at Vajrayana Institute.
Mr Jim Mein AM (Christian) is the Synod Ex-Moderator and Director: Schools Ministry and the Treasurer of the Council of Christians and Jews in NSW. Jim's interests include schools interfaith studies and activities as well as a co-organiser of the Abrahamic Faiths Annual Conference, his association with Together for Humanity Foundation and the Harmony Day Poster Committee. Jim was awarded membership of the Order of Australia (AM) in 2010 in four areas, one of which was "promotion of interfaith dialogue." He is also a recipient of the Affinity Intercultural Foundation Interfaith Dialogue Award. He is a member of the Synod's Relations with Other Faiths Committee.
Prof Raja Jayaraman (Hindu) retired from a full-time teaching position at UWS two years ago, but still continues there as an Adjunct lecturer. Raja is a sociologist by training and has written extensively on a variety of subjects including comparative religion, ethnicity, peace studies and multiculturalism; presently, as the Vice-Chair and an active member of Hindu Council of Australia, he has taken up responsibility for Inter-Faith conversation. Being a follower of Gandhi, he firmly believes in peaceful resolution of differences and conflicts between people through dialogue.
Ms Zuleyha Keskin (Muslim) is a PhD student at the School of Theology at the Australian Catholic University, writing her thesis on "Attaining Inner Peace According to the Risale-i Nur". She completed her degree in Pharmacy and her Master of Arts in Islamic Studies at the University of Sydney, writing her thesis on "Interfaith Dialogue from a Muslim Perspective". Zulehya is the Vice President of ISRA Australia and an adjunct lecturer at CHarles Sturt University.
Mr Jeremy Jones AM (Jew) is the Director of International and of Community Affairs of the Australia/Israel & Jewish Affairs Council, Honorary Life Member and former President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry and Founding and Continuing Co-Chair of the Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews, the Australian Catholic Bishop Committee/Jewish Community Annual Conversations and the Uniting CHurch/Jewish Community National Dialogue, and a member of the Anglican Jewish Australian Dialogue, the Australian Partnership of Religious Organisations and the Advisory Board of Griffith University's Multifaith Centre.
Mr Ajmer Singh Gill JP, B Ed, TC, P/C CAD, MACE (Sikh) is the President of the Sikh Council of Australia. He was born in Singapore, raised in Malaysia and educated in England. Since 1981 he has served as educator in WA and NSW and Senior Education Officer in the nT. He has successfully delivered various community development projects on Sikh integration, Awareness and Community Harmony, including Sikh Regiment's ANZAC-Day participation, Sikh Scouts, World Sikh Conference, Sikh Youth Camps, Malaysian Sikh Bagpipes and Drums Band Sydney Tour and Multi-Faith projects. He is a member of the World Conference of Religions for Peace and attends many interfaith events, including the World Parliament of Religions in Melbourne in 2009 where he delivered a paper.
Rev Sue Emeleus (WIN) is mother of 4, grandmother of 9, holds degrees in science education and theology. Sue was a physics teacher for 30 years, then became a hospital chaplain in the children's hospital. Sue was ordained in the Anglican church in 1996. She has been convenor of WIN for nearly four years, regarding the friendships she has made there as some of her closest. "In some ways the challenge of interfaith dialogue strengthens my faith in a way that could happen by no other means".