Regional Interfaith Dialogue, Connecting and Cooperating for Peace and Harmony In the Asia-Pacific region
Interfaith News from Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, Philippines
The Human Rights Sub-Committee of the Parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs, Defence and Trade has commenced an inquiry into the protection and promotion of the human right to freedom of religion or belief worldwide, including in Australia. The Committee is at present accepting submissions until 10 February 2017.
Read more…Inquiry into the status of the human right to freedom of religion or belief
A single beige demountable fitted with not much more than an air conditioner, a few chairs, and a patchwork of woven mats turned to face Mecca has become an outback symbol of religious hope. The Good Shepherd Catholic church in the remote Queensland mining town of Mount Isa has offered space in its parish building to the local Islamic community for use as a prayer room.
Read more…Australia: Interfaith cooperation in action at Mount Isa, Queensland
As China prepares to welcome the leaders of the G20 Summit, the organisers of the G20 Interfaith Summit are shaping the largest interfaith gathering in the East. There will be a pre-conference in Fiji, on 2 – 4 May.
Read more…G20 Interfaith Summit – Pre-conference in Fiji
Countering violent extremism in Australia is a difficult task, fraught with political, cultural and religious sensitivities, exacerbated by social tensions and lack of understanding across various communities. One unintended consequence of the desire to secure our nation has been to heighten these tensions and divisions in many communities across Australia.
Read more…Countering Violent Extremism Requires a Whole-of-Community Approach
The problem of Muslim radicalisation is exaggerated and overrepresented in political, media and public discourses. In this article, Halim Raine says that the problem of Muslim radicalisation has clearly grown over the past several years and the contributing factors need to be considered.
Read more…Muslim Radicalisation: Where Does the Responsibility Rest?
A 15 year old boy, Endi Wanimbo, has been shot dead and 11 others injured when police fired on a religious congregation in Karubaga, Tolikara district, West Papua on 17 July. There was a protest by a Christian congregation about the broadcast of Eid Prayers from a nearby mosque drowning out the Christian service. Police attended and there was one boy killed. So far no person has been named or arrested for perpetrating death or injury.
Read more…Western Papua – Christian – Muslim Conflict
The Australian Prime Minister can be a rhetorical wrecking ball, but in no case has his lack of subtlety been more damaging than his remarks about Muslims. The media doesn’t deserve to be let off the hook, either. Journalists have to cover this story, but at times parts of the media have inflamed fear and mistrust. In turn, many Muslims have come to mistrust and fear the media.
Read more…Australia: Islam and the Media
An evangelical church in Yambi, in Papua’s Puncak Jaya district, was burned down by group of unknown attackers on Monday. The local military commander, Lt Col Bayu Sudarmanto, confirmed the incident. Residents heard gunshots and then saw smoke coming from the GIDI church building, after which they tried to extinguish the flames, Bayu said.
Read more…Indonesia police investigate torching of Papua church
The UN’s rights envoy to Myanmar has expressed alarm over the enactment of a controversial population control law, the first of four race and religion bills considered to be discriminatory against ethnic and religious minorities.
Read more…UN raises alarm over first of Myanmar’s four ‘race and religion’ bills
Australian Catholic University – Fitzroy Campus – is offering a short course on Introduction to World Religions. The course is open to the public and credits 5 hours towards teaching religion in Catholic schools.
Read more…Short Course – World Religions