IFN Executive Committee President, Monthly Message

Mehtap Williams Monthly Message – October 2024

It is with deep gratitude and a profound sense of responsibility that I write this message to you today as the newly appointed president of the Interfaith Community.

I want to thank each of you for your trust and confidence in me to lead this incredible group of individuals. Together, we represent a tapestry of beliefs, cultures, and traditions, all woven together by a shared commitment to dialogue, understanding, and peace.

Led by Paris Sard, I am very proud to report to you all of the success of ‘The 2024 Annual Interfaith School Gathering,’ where we came together under the United Nations theme of “Sharing the Load.” Over 400 students from eight local schools in the City of Greater Dandenong joined us for this vibrant celebration of diversity, representing nine faiths: Bahá’í, Buddhism, Christianity, Judaism, Islam, Brahma Kumaris, Sathya Sai Organization, Sikhism, and Hinduism.

The students showcased their beliefs through engaging performances, fostering respect and understanding among one another. This gathering was about more than sharing; it emphasized the importance of interfaith dialogue and cooperation. Together, we learned valuable lessons about empathy and collaboration, inspiring us all to celebrate our diverse community and promote interfaith understanding. I would like to thank everyone involved in making this event a huge success!

Our world is often divided by misunderstandings and fear, and it is during times like these that the work of interfaith communities becomes more vital. We are here not just to coexist, but to learn from one another, to find common ground, and to celebrate the beauty of our differences. With events like this, we hope that we become more tolerant toward one another, and that the next generation will do a much better job than we have in the future.

I believe that the strength of this community lies in its diversity and in the shared mission we hold dear: to foster peace and mutual respect in all aspects of life. Each voice here matters, and every tradition contributes to the harmony we seek to create.

I thank you again for your support, commitment, and all that you do, and I look forward to serving as your president in the days to come.

Mehtap Williams (IFN President)

Mehtap Williams, Monthly Message, September 2024

I am delighted to be sharing with you my first IFN President Message. 

Last Wednesday, IFN members gathered for our first Members meeting since COVID 19.  Our time together provided an opportunity to connect, reflect and share in good conversation about our Network and give thanks to our members, staff and supporters for their service, work in the City of Greater Dandenong and commitment to our shared vision of ‘Many Faiths, One People’. 

As members, we spent time reflecting and discussing our IFN values.  As a group we identified 5 values that we felt represents IFN and holds up our vision as a Network. 

I thank all those involved in these discussions for their consideration, ideas, and input. 

The values identified by the members are:

  • Respect
  • Education
  • Diversity
  • Harmony
  • Integrity

The next step is to define each of these values which will be part of our next IFN members meeting scheduled for Wednesday, December 4th, starting at midday with lunch.  

Further details about the next members meeting will be provided shortly via email and on our IFN website, in the Events section.  We hope to see you all there! 

Our member’s meeting was followed by a delicious lunch together and then the IFN Annual General Meeting was held. 

We were provided with reports from Anita Davine (President), Philip Wong (Treasurer) and our Executive Officer, Liv Carusi.  

Whilst 2023 and the early part of 2024 was a period of transition for IFN, we have much to be thankful for and acknowledge all the hard work and commitment of our members, executive committee, and staff. We hope you enjoy reading the IFN 2023-2024 Annual Report.   

The Special Resolution was also carried at the AGM, which know paves the way for IFN to pursue DGR status.   

We also elected our executive committee, and as your new IFN President I am delighted to have been elected to this position and I look forward to working alongside my fellow executive committee members, our members, staff, and partners within the City of Greater Dandenong. 

Our elected Executive Committee members are:

IFN Vice President Anita Davine
IFN Association Secretary Kathy Kaplan OAM
IFN Ordinary Member Imran Furkan
IFN Ordinary Member Venerable Pannasobhana Thero
IFN Ordinary Member Father Jean Mawal
IFN Ordinary Member Venerable Bodhicitta
IFN Ordinary Member Loreto Cannon

I thank you again for your support, commitment, and all that you do, and I look forward to serving as your President.

Mehtap Williams (IFN President)