Presidents Message

As we reflect on the past two months, I would like to take a moment to acknowledge the work, commitment and generosity of our IFN Executive Committee, staff, volunteers, members and supporters.

July and August 2026 have been particularly active months for the Interfaith Network, including the 38^th Signing of the Common Statement, as well as a number of other important events, community engagements and opportunities to strengthen our relationships across Greater Dandenong and beyond.

IFN wishes to express thanks to the City of Greater Dandenong for awarding a small grant to assist with some of the costs of the Common Statement event.

Since taking on the role of President, I have been very encouraged by the level of engagement across our network. Our vision of “Many Faiths, One People” continues to guide our work, and the diversity of people and organisations connecting with IFN demonstrates the important role our network can play in bringing communities together.

July provided an opportunity for us to continue recognising and respecting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples, their cultures, histories and continuing connection to Country.

As an interfaith network, acknowledging First Nations peoples and our shared responsibility to build respectful and inclusive communities is an important part of our work. I would like to thank everyone who participated in and supported NAIDOC activities and helped ensure that this message remained part of our community conversations.

During July and August, IFN continued to strengthen relationships with faith communities, community organisations, local government and other partners.

These relationships are extremely important to IFN.

Our role is not simply to organise events; it is also to create opportunities for people of different faiths, cultures and backgrounds to meet, listen to one another and develop genuine relationships.

I am particularly pleased to see members of our network continuing to represent IFN at community and interfaith events.

Every conversation and every relationship contribute to building a more connected and respectful community.

Over the past months, we have continued planning and progressing a number of IFN initiatives, including our Places of Worship Tours and preparations for the Annual Interfaith Schools Gathering, taking place in October 2027.

These programs provide valuable opportunities for people to learn about different faith traditions directly from members of those communities. They also help challenge misconceptions and encourage greater understanding and respect.

I would like to acknowledge Livia and Lilian for their continued work in coordinating and delivering on IFN priorities and activities.

Another important development has been our continued work following IFN’s achievement of Deductible Gift Recipient status.

This is an important milestone for our organisation and provides us with opportunities to explore new funding partnerships and strengthen the sustainability of our programs.

If you wish to make a DGR donation, gift, please visit the IFN website for more information or contact our Executive Officer, Liv Carusi.

A small organisation such as IFN relies heavily on the commitment of a relatively small number of people.

The work that happens behind the scenes — strategy, systems development, administration, communications, event planning, funding applications, reporting, financial matters, stakeholder engagement and responding to community needs — is significant.

As a Committee, we have a responsibility to ensure that our staff are supported, that workloads are reasonable and that we maintain a healthy, respectful and safe working environment.

I also want to acknowledge our volunteers and Executive Committee members.

IFN staff often share how critical and important our volunteers are especially for our Places of Worship tours and equally as important the faith, religious and spiritual leaders at the places we visit. Your contribution is not always visible, but it is an essential part of what enables IFN to continue its work.

At a time when communities around the world are experiencing conflict, division and uncertainty, the work of organisations such as IFN remains important.

Our role is to create spaces where people can come together despite differences, listen to one another and build relationships based on mutual respect.

We may not be able to resolve the conflicts taking place around the world, but we can contribute to peace and understanding in our own community. Every respectful conversation, every friendship across faith communities and every opportunity to stand together sends an important message about the kind of community we want to build.

As we move into the coming months, I would like us to remain focused on strengthening IFN’s foundations while continuing to grow our community impact.

We have an opportunity to build on the momentum of the past few months, strengthen our membership, develop new partnerships, increase community participation and make better use of the opportunities created by our DGR status.

Finally, I would like to thank each of you for your continued commitment to the Interfaith Network.

It is a privilege to serve as President, and I look forward to continuing to work alongside you, our staff, volunteers and members to strengthen IFN and advance our shared vision of “Many Faiths, One People.”

Mehtap Williams

IFN President

Dear All,

I would like to begin by wishing our Muslim brothers and sisters Eid Mubarak as they celebrate Eid Al-Adha, also known as the “Festival of Sacrifice,” from 27 May until 30 May 2026. Eid Al-Adha is the second major Muslim holiday of the year and coincides with the culmination of the annual Hajj pilgrimage in Mecca. It is a time of prayer, reflection, generosity, and community connection.

At the Interfaith Network, occasions such as Eid remind us of the richness and diversity of faith traditions within our community. Interfaith engagement is more important than ever in today’s world. Through respectful dialogue, shared learning, and meaningful relationships, we build stronger communities based on understanding, compassion, and mutual respect. When people of different faiths and cultures come together, barriers are broken down, stereotypes are challenged, and lasting friendships are formed.

We recently held our Members’ Meeting, which featured a full agenda of inspiring speakers. It was a wonderful opportunity to learn from one another, exchange ideas, and strengthen our connections across faith communities. We hope to see even more of our members joining us at future events. If you believe you may have missed an invitation, please let us know so we can ensure you are added to our mailing list.

Our next Members’ Meeting will be held on 30 September 2026. Further details will be sent closer to the date, so please keep an eye out for the invitation and reach out if you are able to attend.

If you are considering becoming an IFN member and would like further information, please contact our Executive Officer, Liv Carusi, via executive@interfaithnetwork.org.au or visit the IFN website and click on “Join Us.”

We are also preparing for our next major event, the 38th Annual Gathering and Signing of the Common Statement, to be held on Wednesday, 19 August 2026. Further event details will be released in June 2026, and we sincerely hope you can join us for this significant and longstanding interfaith event.

On 18 March 2026, the Interfaith Network marked another important milestone with the launch of our Impactful Giving and Donations Initiative. This initiative enables our members and supporters to contribute financially to the ongoing work of the Network and help strengthen our ability to deliver meaningful interfaith programs and community engagement activities. Donations are now open, and letters of invitation have been distributed to members and supporters.

We are also delighted to share that our Tours to Places of Worship continue to grow in popularity. We are receiving increasing interest from schools, community organisations, and various groups seeking opportunities to learn more about different faith traditions through firsthand interfaith experiences. These tours play a vital role in promoting understanding, inclusion, and social harmony within our broader community. They provide participants with the opportunity to ask questions, challenge misconceptions, and experience the beauty of diversity in a respectful and welcoming environment.

Thank you to all our members, supporters, volunteers, and faith communities for your continued commitment to building a more connected, respectful, and harmonious society.

Warm regards,

Mehtap Williams