An Australia Day vision 2019 – The Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews

January 23, 2019 by J-Wire Newsdesk
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An Australia Day message from the three Abrahamic faiths.

Jeremy Jones

“As we mark the 231st Anniversary of the establishment of the colony of NSW and the way it led to the birth of modern Australia we, as people of faith, wish to make this contribution to public discussion.

The ancient wisdom of the Psalms contains a call to gratitude. “Let the Nations be glad and sing for joy” (Psalm 67). We are a blessed Nation of plenty. We have challenges, but we have faith that with goodwill and careful leadership we can address them and develop a society which embodies ideals of respect, responsibility and mutual concern.

Australia has become an attractive home for people of many backgrounds and cultures and we are continually enriched by the wisdom, knowledge and history of the First Peoples. If we can flourish and live well together, we can provide a beacon of hope to the whole global family.

With gratitude come questions for a national conversation. How should we now live? What platform do we wish to set for future generations?

Our sources tell us that compassion is the key to living the best of lives as a people.

We have a vision of Australia guided by the principle that we would not act towards another as we would not want them to act to us.

The dynamic of the golden rule is beautifully expressed in the holy texts of our three Abrahamic faiths (Christianity, Islam and Judaism). In Matthew 7:12 we read: “Therefore whatever you desire for others to do for you, you shall also do to them; for this is the law of the prophets”. In an early surah of the Qur’an, God asks Prophet Muhammad to remember the sorrows of his childhood and make sure no one else in his community would endure this deprivation. (Qur’an Surah 93). The Torah teaches “Love your neighbor as yourself: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:18)

How wonderful it would be if Australia truly was a place in which no one suffered due to their ethnicity, culture, gender, skin colour, sexual orientation or faith!

It is not our aim to enter the discussion regarding a change of date for what has become our national celebration. It is our concern that, on this date and on others, we change as Australians, to lead to the fulfilment of each of our own, and our Nations’ potential. The first step in this involves listening to one another and speaking openly, honestly and thoughtfully.

We ask that Australia Day 2019 become the beginning of better listening, more compassion and genuine gratitude for all that has been provided to us.”

Co-chairs, Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims and Jews

Elizabeth Stone: Interim General Secretary National Council of Churches in Australia (NCCA)

Imam Dr Amin Hady :Director, Interfaith Affairs Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC)

Jeremy Jones: Honorary Life Member Executive Council of Australian Jewry (ECAJ)

 

Comments

2 Responses to “An Australia Day vision 2019 – The Australian National Dialogue of Christians, Muslims & Jews”
  1. DANIEL KATZ says:

    Jeremy,
    Please show me how your interfaith nonsense has helped the Jews?
    Israel is being infiltrated with thousand of evangelical Christians trying to convert Jews.
    You’re delusional if you think the majority of Muslims do not hate our guts no matter how many of your cheesy photos you post of yourself with them.
    They are just humouring you.
    Instead of being a sycophant all the time why don’t you confront the Greens and your beloved Australian Labor Party who are determined to support a quasi fantasy “Palestinian” Arab state that is determined to murder more Jews just for the sake of harvesting some Labor votes in Sydney’s west.
    Stop thinking your helping because you aren’t.
    Get a real job because the majority of the Jewish community are too damn polite to tell you what they are really thinking about you.
    Sincerely DFK
    Shabbat Yisro 5779 … How poignant. Look it up.

  2. Rev. Asim Barua says:

    We are Bangladeshi Buddhist . So, We are Interested your program Participate.
    Regards ,
    Asim Barua

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