Members of Western Sydney’s different faith communities have gathered to reaffirm the importance of peace, friendship and mutual understanding at a time when war and hatred are dividing peoples and nations across the globe.
The annual multifaith community Iftar Dinner, held in Parramatta on Tuesday, 19 March – co-hosted by the Diocese of Parramatta and the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations – was attended by more than 100 representatives from the Muslim, Christian, Jewish and Hindu faiths, as well as politicians and members of educational and grassroots organisations. The Tongan Catholic Choir also sung a selection of Christian hymns.
Participants in conversation during the 2024 Diocesan Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
In his keynote address, Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, told the audience that despite the efforts of many to build peace and understanding, the Israel-Hamas war showed “the fragility of interfaith efforts”.
“Even for Pope Francis, who has made interreligious and intercultural understanding a hallmark of his papacy, the Israel-Hamas war represents a particularly difficult challenge,” Bishop Vincent said.
“But in spite of this setback, the Pope insists that interfaith dialogue must not shy away from divisive issues. He calls for a culture of encounter, which from its Latin root ‘contra’ implies a willingness to acknowledge and address difference.
Bishop Vincent Long OFM Conv, Bishop of Parramatta, speaks during the 2024 Diocesan Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
“Only then can we be a credible force for the common good and the unity of the global human family.”
Bishop Vincent said that at the local level faith communities needed to keep talking and building bridges “even more so when there are tensions in wartime”.
“Building a culture of encounter involves patience, trust and mutual respect in the face of complex and stubborn realities,” he said.
In the other keynote speech, Dr Mahsheed Ansari, a senior lecturer at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University, told the gathering that Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, “is a reminder to break free from that which holds us, which is greed, division, disunity”.
She said Ramadan “is teaching us humility, to be humble before God – that He is the one who gives life, takes life, he is the one who gives sustenance”.
Dr Mahsheed Ansari, a senior lecturer at the Centre for Islamic Studies and Civilisation at Charles Sturt University, speaks during the 2024 Diocesan Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
She said she wanted to speak at the dinner because of her belief in “the leaders of this interfaith community”, who showed courage while politicians did not.
“Our politicians need to hear from you, as leaders of the Jewish community, Christian community and the Muslim community, that we will not allow radicalism to hijack our moral values.”
Fr Patrick McInerney, the director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, told the audience that it was not a time for joyful celebration, when “partisan loyalties and commitments are tearing at the fabric of our society”.
“But our gathering here tonight shows that meeting, encounter, dialogue, discussion, peace-making and community are possible, including and especially across our religions.”
Fr Patrick McInerney, Director of the Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations, speaks during the 2024 Diocesan Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
Audience member Annette Schneider, the chief executive of not-for-profit educational organisation Together For Humanity, told Catholic Outlook afterwards that events such as these were very important in building connections between people.
“It allows us to look inside ourselves and see ourselves reflected in a mirror through others,” she said.
“But it also allows us to open our eyes up and see through a window and sometimes see something different on the other side.”
Participants in conversation during the 2024 Diocesan Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner in Parramatta. Image: Diocese of Parramatta
NSW Labor MP for Prospect, Hugh McDermott, said that the people of Western Sydney had a long history of mutual respect and tolerance towards each other because they were used to interacting with people from many cultures.
He said members of the Islamic and Jewish communities were hurting because of the war, but that there was “a lot of compassion for both groups from outside, but also a relationship between them as well, and I think that has only grown”.
“People are also wanting to explore, to find out about other faiths, and what other people believe,” he told Catholic Outlook. “There’s a lot more dialogue, which is great.”
View images from the Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner here or below:
