A friendship walk

Around 70 people joined together for the JCMA’s (Jewish Christian Muslim Association) Annual Friendship Walk in Melbourne.

Meeting at the Albanian Australian Islamic Society in North Carlton, the first mosque to be established in Melbourne, the participants were welcomed by representatives from the three membership organisations. In addition, Imam Dr Bekim Hasani explained some aspects of Islam to the attendants.

The diverse group was encouraged to walk and talk with people whom they did not know, on to the next destination- The Church of All Nations. Here, the participants learnt about the history of this almost 150-year-old church and were treated to the heavenly sounds of the Fincham (heritage-listed) pipe organ.

From there, the group continued strolling and chatting towards East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation. On entering the synagogue participants were greeted by the sounds of soulful clarinet playing, and then by Rabbi Dovid Gutnick. He welcomed everyone with warmth and humour, proceeding with an explanation of the layout of the shule.

Frances Prince, JCCV’s Multicultural and Interfaith Liaison Officer and JCMA Board Member, said “the day was a memorable one on a number of levels. There was the opportunity to visit and learn about the ‘prayer spaces’ of other religions, and to meet people from these faiths in an environment of mutual respect, where all manner of questions were welcomed and responses were heartfelt, deep and nuanced.”