Abrahamic Alliance/ Initiative of Change Conference

 

 

 

 

 

Around 100 people from all walks of life attended the 2009 Interfaith Conference held in Perth on Sunday 21st June. Co-sponsored by Abrahamic Alliance and Initiatives of Change, it had the theme “How can the faiths of the world help move us away from violence and towards peace?"

The Chairperson, Rev. Hollis Wilson read excerpts from the Cairo speech of President Barack Obama to which the three main speakers were invited to give their response.

Kenneth Arkwright a Holocaust Survivor said that the speech was a well crafted motherhood statement.

Mr Brendan McKeague, Facilitator of Non-Violent Workshops, said that he was heartened by Obama’s words, “they were a sign of hope for how we relate to each other”. He continued, “Obama has a commitment to finding truth. It is finding a space where we can listen to and honour other truths”.

Professor Samina Yasmeen, Director of the Centre for Muslim States and Societies at the University of Western Australia, said that the choice of venue for the speech was significant. It was the seat of Muslim education. It was there that a positive rapprochement began 10-20 years ago. She said, “Obama is giving hope not just to America but to the international community”.

Professor Yasmeen stated that she had been sceptical about interfaith activity. However she now realized that when people of different backgrounds do practical things together they create a human family. She added we need to be open to the fact that my truth may not be the only truth. Using religious faith to say that mine is right yours is wrong won’t do anything for peace.

Ita Goldberger, spoke about Abrahamic Alliance. Penny Herd gave a snapshot of Initiatives of Change, referring to the basic principles and telling of the coming Creator of Peace Conference, the Life Matters and Action for Life Courses and some international activities. One DVD, 'The Imam and the Pastor', was sold. A number of Caux reports and the brochure 'Building Trust across The World’s Divides', were taken.

The afternoon concluded with workshops in which everyone willingly participated. These provided opportunities for participants from different religious backgrounds to open their hearts to one another and consider ways of bringing deeper change to society.