IFN Executive Committee President, Monthly Message
Mehtap Williams Monthly Message – March 2025
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
Mehtap Williams Monthly Message – February 2025
Appreciation is a powerful force that helps us recognize the value in people, experiences, and even challenges. By expressing gratitude, we uplift others and cultivate a positive mindset within ourselves. In our fast-paced world, taking a moment to appreciate the little things—acts of kindness, supportive relationships, and everyday blessings—can bring profound joy and fulfillment. Ultimately, appreciation strengthens our bonds, fosters empathy, and inspires a culture of gratitude.
With this in mind, I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to our dedicated team—Livia (Executive Officer), Lilian (Administration Officer), and Paris (Community Education Officer)—for their hard work and commitment over the past 6 months. Thanks to their efforts, IFN has made remarkable progress in several key areas:
- Deductible Gift Receipt (DGR) Application: Positive developments are underway following the meeting with the Executive Officer and legal counsel on February 24th, 2025.
- Places of Worship Tours: Bookings are progressing well, with continued and increased interest for all our tours. I encourage you and your community to participate in a tour, consider being part of the Places of Worship sites we visit and promote the Places of Worship initiative in your newsletter, networks, social media platforms.
- Monthly IFN E-News: Our subscription service is now active, with the first edition distributed in the week of February 24th, 2025. If you’re yet to subscribe please visit our home page of our website, registration to E-News only takes a few moments.
- Harmony Week: Approaching soon, we look forward to a great turnout for this exciting event on the 20th of March 2025 from 9.20am-12pm at the Chamber room, 1/39 Clow Street, Dandenong. Please visit our website, events section.
- Social Media Growth: Since establishing our Social Media platforms in July 2024, our online community continues to grow. We know have over 100 followers!
- Membership Growth: IFN membership numbers are steadily increasing. If you wish to apply for Membership please visit our website ‘Join Us’ section for further information and, or contact our Executive Officer, Liv Carusi, who is happy to discuss Membership further with you.
I would also like to extend my heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional Executive Committee members for their unwavering support and dedication to IFN and our staff.
Their expertise and leadership have been crucial in guiding our efforts and making our accomplishments possible.
I encourage you to visit our website at www.interfaithnetwork.org.au to stay updated on our events.
Be sure to register for the Harmony Week Event, where we will feature inspiring speakers from the City of Greater Dandenong Council, Australian Federal Police and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre.
Additionally, we invite our members to explore IFN Volunteer Opportunities, including becoming a Volunteer Tour Guide for our Places of Worship Tour initiative. Training and other supports are provided.
As the Muslim community prepares for the holy month of Ramadan, it is a meaningful time of fasting, self-discipline, gratitude, and empathy. It commemorates the Quran’s revelation to Prophet Muhammad and emphasizes prayer, charity, and community. Ramadan concludes with Eid al-Fitr, a celebration of gratitude and unity.
During this spiritual time, my thoughts are with families struggling in war zones, and I sincerely hope that this holy month brings peace to their home.
Thank you for your ongoing support and engagement with IFN.
Kind regards,
Mehtap Williams