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On Sunday 11 October 2015, approximately 150 people from diverse faith backgrounds came together for a common purpose: to join together in solidarity and walk together in Friendship Walk organised by the Jewish Christian Muslim Association of Australia.

Participants gathered at St Peters Eastern Hill as the first place of worship which was filled to capacity. Dr Bishop Phillip Huggins, President of the JCMA, welcomed everyone to the very auspicious occasion, and presented the welcome to country. He spoke about the significance of the Friendship Walk, which became all the more important because of the anti-diversity rallies held on the previous day in various cities around Australia. 

Clockwise from top left: Bishop Phillip Huggins, Father Hugh Kempster, Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, Imam Dr Bekim Hasani

Bishop Phillip Huggins invited the Minister of Multicultural Affairs, Hon Robin Scott MP, to address the audience. Minister Scott emphasized the importance of events such as these and highlighted that our diversity makes us a stronger community in Victoria.
Father Hugh Kempster welcomed us to St Peters Eastern Hill and led the gathering in the Litany for Peace and the Prayer of St Francis of Assisi. “I found it particularly poignant to pray ‘The Prayer of St Francis’ with our Jewish and Muslim brothers and sisters” said Father Kempster.

The Friendship walk continued across the street from St Peters Eastern Hill to the historic East Melbourne Hebrew Congregation Synagogue. After a heart warming welcome by Rabbi Dovid Gutnick, who again emphasized the importance of bringing people of different faiths together, the mood was happy and joyful as we were welcomed into the mosque by the music of the violin played by Danny Segal, President of the Synagogue.

Everyone had a lovely time in their expression of solidarity with people of all faiths

The Vice President of JCMA, Rabbi Ralph Genende, reminded us of the common story shared by the three Abrahamic Faiths of the Flood of Noah and compared it to the story of Abraham and Sarah. He said that we should strive to become like Abraham and Sarah who welcomed people to their tent at all times and would offer their assistance in every way possible.

After the speeches, a dance spontaneously broke out with the audience laughing, smiling and clapping together as part of one big family. We left the mosque with a feeling of excitement as we headed off across Melbourne past the Exhibition buildings in Carlton Gardens towards Drummond Street heading northwards towards the mosque. We walked and talked together making friends along the way as we headed off as one group to the Albanian Mosque located in Carlton North.

It took about one hour to complete the walk and the participants were warmly greeted to the Mosque with a bottle of cold water. The President of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society, Vahid Goga, gave a brief presentation on the history of the Albanian Muslims in Victoria and the present mosque which was built in 1963. Imam Dr Bekim Hasani also welcomed everyone and presented some of the basic teachings of Islam. He said that the image of Islam portrayed in the media does not represent the true teachings of Islam.

Scenes from the three places of worship. 
Clockwise from top left: Members with Minister Robin Scott MP, at the synagogue, at the mosque and at the church

Dr Bishop Phillip Huggins concluded the Friendship March by reminding people why this event was important. He thanked everyone who participated, re-emphasizing the need of frequent get-togethers to show the wider community that people of different faiths can get along and come together in the spirit of a shared humanity.

Ginette Everest, Executive Director of JCMA also expressed her thanks to everyone who participated and the overwhelming sense of welcoming support and friendship felt by all. Refreshments were served at the mosque, providing an opportunity for people to mingle and express their commitment to interfaith unity. A time of great joy and comradery. It was a great day that brought a smile to everyone’s faces. A true celebration of being one community walking together in friendship, peace and harmony.

Report by: Ginette Everest, Executive Director JCMA