Dear IFN Members and Friends,
As I write this message today, I would first like to extend my warmest Eid Mubarak wishes to the Muslim community as the holy month of Ramadan comes to an end.
We are pleased to share that IFN is collaborating with Lee Tarlamis, MP, Labor Member for the South Eastern Metropolitan Region, to host an Eid Celebration with Multi-Faith Communities on Friday, April 4th, at 6:30 PM at Springvale Town Hall. We hope to see many of you there! An email invitation has been sent to all our members with further details.
Recently, IFN also had the pleasure of celebrating Harmony Day with over 40 attendees, including Deputy Mayor Sophie Tan. It was a beautiful event featuring inspiring speakers such as Jana Favero from ASRC, Anisa Sharif from AFP, and Peter Johnstone from the City of Greater Dandenong. We invite you to visit our ‘Events’ page to see more details and photos from the day.
I also had the opportunity to deliver a speech at the event, which I have included below:
Harmony Day Speech
“Today, we gather to celebrate Harmony Day, a day of great significance in our community and beyond. It is a day to embrace and honor the diversity that strengthens our society, reminding us that our differences are not obstacles but opportunities for growth and unity.
At its core, Harmony Day is about fostering inclusivity and mutual respect. It calls on us to acknowledge and appreciate the varied cultures, traditions, and perspectives that shape our world. In an era where division can feel overwhelming—whether through political strife, social inequalities, or misinformation—Harmony Day stands as a powerful reminder of the importance of togetherness.
The theme of ‘Everyone Belongs’ reinforces the idea that, regardless of our backgrounds, we all deserve a place where we feel valued and included. Achieving true harmony requires effort—challenging biases, listening with empathy, and creating spaces where every voice is heard. As we navigate a rapidly changing world, let us choose unity over division, kindness over indifference, and respect over prejudice.
Today, as we celebrate Harmony Day, let us renew our commitment to building a society where diversity is celebrated, inclusivity is prioritized, and every individual is embraced as part of our shared human family. Together, we create harmony.”
We also recently had the opportunity to visit places of worship with City of Greater Dandenong council staff. Our visits included the Sikh temple and the Mosque in Keysborough, where we received warm welcomes and insightful introductions to Sikhism and Islam. Mr. Jasbir Singh and Imam Abdurrahman Sahin shared their knowledge and answered many thoughtful questions, making it an enriching and engaging experience for all attendees.
In addition to our recent events, IFN also had a collaboration meeting with Monash Interfaith Network. It was a fruitful discussion filled with exciting ideas for future partnerships. We are eager to continue working alongside other Interfaith groups to strengthen our collective efforts in serving our communities.
If you are interested in collaborating with IFN, we encourage you to reach out. We welcome opportunities to connect and explore meaningful initiatives together.
Warm regards,
Mehtap Williams
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