On Tuesday, 1 September, at the NSW Parliament House with a gathering of over 160 guests made up of academics, politicians, educators and others, Affinity Intercultural Foundation along with its parliamentary co-hosts, presented the Australian Affinity Awards, to recognise the efforts of individuals who actively promote interfaith dialogue and the removal of religious prejudice in the Australian community. Professor James Haire received an award for his contribution to interfaith dialogue in Australia.
Professor Haire is Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Professor of Theology of Charles Sturt University (CSU), and Director of the Public and Contextual Theology Strategic Research Centre (PACT). Professor Haire has also served as Head of the School of Theology at Griffith University, Professor of New Testament Studies, Dean and President of the Brisbane school of theology and Principal of Trinity College, Brisbane. He served as President of the Uniting Church in Australia, and was Chairperson of the National Heads of Churches, from 2000 to 2003. He served as President of the National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA) from 2003 to 2006 and has received numerous honours.
In all, eight awards were presented at the dinner hosted by the Affinity Intercultural Foundation, an organisation founded in 2001 by a group of young Australian Muslims specifically to promote cultural and religious awareness and understanding across the entire Australian community. After the opening remarks by the three Parliamentarians along with the Affinity President, Prof James Haire gave the keynote address.
According to Mr Mehmet Saral, Affinity’s President, “The Awards recognise individuals for their significant contribution in bringing together Australians, and improving understanding between Australians of diverse religious and cultural backgrounds”.