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Community Dialogues Continue in Sydney

Friday, September 10, 2004

Community dialogues between Muslims and Christians in Sydney, Australia, are continuing on a regular basis. In the last twelve months Initiatives of Change in Sydney has been involved with arranging three community dialogues between Muslims and Christians. This has been done in partnership with Bishop Kevin Manning, Catholic Bishop of the Diocese of Parramatta, Keysar Trad, a director of the Lebanese Muslim Association, and Wendie Wilkie, Associate Secretary of the Uniting Church general Assembly. They have taken place in different parts of Sydney, the first with 500, the second for 250 and the third with 800 They involved a good mix of Muslims and christians together under the theme, 'Muslims and Christians sharing common values'. Last week a NSW State Member of Parliament, Barbara Perry, spoke about them in Parliament. She said, 'I commend to the House the excellent work and vision of those who have contributed to date: MRA-Initiatives of Change , Keysar Trad of the Islamic Friendship Association of Australia, Kevin Manning Catholic Bishop of Parramatta, Wendie Wilkie, Associate General Secretary of the Uniting Church National Assembly, Dr Peter Macdonald, Mayor of Manly and others.' See also a detailed report of the May 23 meeting. David Mills