Presidents Message

Dear members of the Interfaith Network,

As we navigate the month of April, we recognize a tapestry of significant observances that resonate across our diverse faith communities in Melbourne. This period offers us moments of reflection, celebration, and unity.

Easter (April 18–21, 2025)
To our Christian communities, we extend heartfelt wishes for a meaningful Easter. Beginning with Good Friday on April 18 and culminating in Easter Monday on April 21, this sacred period commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ, symbolizing hope, renewal, and the triumph of life over death.​

Passover (April 12–20, 2025)
Our Jewish friends observe Passover starting at sundown on Saturday, April 12, concluding on Sunday, April 20. This festival honors the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery, emphasizing themes of freedom, resilience, and faith.​

Baisakhi (April 14, 2025)
To the Sikh community, we convey warm greetings for Baisakhi on April 14. This festival marks the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh Ji and celebrates the harvest season, reflecting gratitude and community spirit.​

ANZAC Day (April 25, 2025)
As we approach ANZAC Day on April 25, we pay tribute to the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps who served and sacrificed in wars, conflicts, and peacekeeping operations. This day fosters a spirit of remembrance and national unity, reminding us of the values of courage, mateship, and perseverance.

I would like to add the famous quote from Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, the founding father of modern Turkiye, is a powerful message of reconciliation and respect. It’s often shared on ANZAC Day to honour the fallen and foster peace between former adversaries. Here’s the quote:

“Those heroes that shed their blood and lost their lives… You are now lying in the soil of a friendly country. Therefore rest in peace.
There is no difference between the Johnnies and the Mehmets to us where they lie side by side here in this country of ours.
You, the mothers who sent their sons from faraway countries, wipe away your tears;
your sons are now lying in our bosom and are in peace.
After having lost their lives on this land they have become our sons as well.”
— Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, 1934

This quote is often included in ANZAC Day commemorations as a symbol of unity and mutual respect between Turkey and Australia/New Zealand.

In Memoriam: Pope Francis
We also acknowledge with deep respect the recent passing of Pope Francis, a global spiritual leader who modelled humility, inclusion, and a deep commitment to interfaith dialogue. His vision of a more compassionate, just, and sustainable world has touched hearts across all traditions. May his memory be a blessing and his legacy continue to inspire unity and understanding. From living in a modest guesthouse instead of the papal palace, to washing the feet of prisoners and refugees on Holy Thursday, Pope Francis modelled servant  leadership. His emphasis on mercy and inclusion resonated with many Catholics who felt distant from the institutional Church.

In this season of diverse observances, may we find common ground in our shared values and continue to build bridges of understanding and respect!​

We as the Interfaith Network also had our Executive meeting April the 9^th. We are continuing to grow our membership as we welcomed more members to our network. We had a wonderful presentation from the City of Greater Dandenong about ‘Back Your Neighbor’ Campaign. In 2018, the Federal Government cut financial assistance to people seeking asylum via the Status Resolution Support Services (SRSS) Program. A Mayoral Roundtable of Victorian Councils formulated options for combined advocacy to the Federal Government. This led to the establishment of the Local Government Mayoral Taskforce Supporting People Seeking Asylum, with Brimbank, Casey, Darebin, Hobsons Bay, Hume, Greater Dandenong, Monash, Merri-bek and Yarra, as Executive Members. This collaboration has grown with 70+ community organisation partners and they are still actively advocating for people seeking asylum who live and contribute to our society. We as a network are also supporting this initiative and will continue our support in anyway we can for this worthwhile cause.

The second Places of Worship Tour of City of Greater Dandenong with staff was held on April 24th, 2025.  16 people attended the tour and the feedback was very positive from all. We look forward to extending this initiative to all council staff.

Upcoming Members meeting, May 7th, 2025.  If you are yet to register for this meeting, please email Lilian on administration@interfaithnetwork.org.au we look forward to seeing you all.

As I wrap up, let’s all remember to take care of ourselves and each other. Stay mindful, stay safe, and prioritize your well-being — both physically and mentally. A little kindness, a little caution, and a lot of care can go a long way. Wishing you good health, strength, and peace wherever you are. Take care!

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