JourneyOnline
Fourteen Muslim and Christian delegates from Indonesia to participate in “Uniting through Faith” tour in Australia
For the first time, the Uniting Church in Australia, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania will host a Uniting through Faith Interfaith Engagement Tour with Christian and Muslim people from Indonesia.
To commence on February 26, the twenty-two day tour will allow for Indonesian and Australian participants to engage in a range of formal activities including forums and lectures, as well as informal activities such as gatherings over meals, day trips and retreats together.
Director of the Commission for Mission at the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, Rev David Pargeter said “we are bringing out these visitors from Indonesia to help build links between Indonesians and Australians and between Christians and Muslims. Our visitors will be demonstrating to the Victorian and Tasmanian communities that Muslims and Christians in Indonesia can live together in peace. This will probably be a surprising message for many, who will have only heard media reports about sectarian conflicts within Indonesia.”
“Peace is not an abstract thing. It flows out of human understanding and recognition that there is only one race – the human race” said Mr Pargeter.
The fourteen Indonesian participants were selected for their leadership experience in interfaith dialogue between Christian and Muslim communities in Indonesia. Australian participants have also been chosen to travel with the group because of their deep engagement with interfaith dialogue.
Delegates will attend a reception dinner hosted by the Indonesian Consul General at the Consulate and will be guests at a morning tea reception hosted by Governor of Victoria, Professor David de Kretser A.C at Government House. They will also attend an evening reception hosted by the Moderator of the Uniting Church, Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, the Rev Jason Kioa and the General Secretary of the Synod of Victoria and Tasmania, the Rev Rob Brown. Delegates will also be hosted by a number of schools and universities throughout Victoria.
On the 28th February, the Islamic Council of Victoria will also host a tour of the West Melbourne Mosque. The tour will be led by the Vice-President of the Islamic Council of Victoria, Sherene Hassan.
