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On Thursday 5 February 2015, over one hundred religious, spiritual and community leaders from diverse traditions, attended a Luncheon for the fifth UN World Interfaith Harmony Week, hosted by The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne in Queen’s Hall, Parliament House.

This year more than ever, it was vitally important for religious representatives to gather together to speak out about the cycle of violence and revenge that is happening around the world - even closer to home in Sydney - and to commit to work together for understanding, respect and peace.

Left to Right: Rabbi Ralph Genende, Jasbir Singh Suropada, Bishop Philip Huggins, Sr. Saara Sabbagh, Helen Summers

The theme, One Planet, Many Faiths: Putting Peace into Practice was discussed by four speakers from diverse traditions, who each offered practical suggestions from their faith for the audience to take away and incorporate into their daily lives. The representatives were Rabbi Ralph Genende, Rabbinical Council of Victoria; Jasbir Singh Suropada, Sikh Interfaith Council Victoria; Sr. Saara Sabbagh, Islamic Council of Victoria and Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne. The Moderator was Dr Nicholas Coleman, Deputy Director of The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne.

Celtic harpist, Cath Connelly, contributed to the theme of peace with her beautiful selections of music. Reverend Jennifer Greenham offered two prayers, Welcome to Spirit by Dr Nicholas Coleman and Prayer for Australia by Rabbi Ralph Genende. Over lunch, new social connections were made and some new projects created.

As religious, spiritual and community leaders, we were reminded of the need to practice the shared commandments that are at the heart of the World Interfaith Harmony Week: Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, and Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour.

Click Play button to view video of the event:

Reverend Helen Summers
Founder and Director | The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne