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On behalf of Victoria’s faith communities, we, the members of the Multifaith Advisory Group (MAG) and the Faith Communities’ Council of Victoria (FCCV), join together to voice our support for Victoria’s Muslim community.

We deplore any activities which seek to ridicule and denigrate people on the basis of their religion and beliefs and express our unequivocal support for the Victorian and wider Australian Muslim communities as they are confronted by such activities.  

We join the Australian Muslim leadership and imams in standing against violence. The faiths and communities that we represent do not accept violence in any form, for any reason, or in any setting. We unreservedly uphold and respect the laws of this country, which protect all Australians.

We are proud to live in a multifaith and multicultural society in which all community members have the fundamental right to freely practice their cultural and religious traditions without fear of vilification and discrimination. This right is rooted in mutual respect and understanding. We believe that Victoria’s strong multicultural policies and programs are working well to diffuse tensions and forge solutions in response to those, from any background, who would seek to undermine the peace and harmony of our community.

We strongly advocate for constructive engagement and dialogue to promote greater understanding, tolerance and multiculturalism in Victoria.

May the ways of peace, goodwill and tolerance prevail.

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The Multifaith Advisory Group consists of senior representatives from Victoria’s diverse faith communities including the Baha’i, Buddhist, Christian, Hindu, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh and interfaith communities. The MAG represents the voice of Victoria’s faith leaders to the Victorian Government through the Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (Department of Premier and Cabinet).

The Faith Communities Council of Victoria (FCCV) is Victoria’s umbrella multifaith body. FCCV members include Victoria’s peak/umbrella faith bodies, religious and spiritual organisations, local multifaith  networks and organisations, and other groups and individuals concerned with multifaith issues. The FCCV was created to contribute to the harmony of the Victorian community by promoting positive relations between people of different faiths, and greater public knowledge and understanding of the teachings, customs and practices of Victoria's diverse faith traditions.

For further details or information re this press release please contact Mr Theo Mackaay, FCCV, 0396504511.