The Australian Federal Minister for Health and Ageing, Tony Abbott, and the Mufti of Australia, Sheikh Hilaly, shared the platform at a public forum in September in the multicultural Sydney suburb of Lidcombe. With the theme: 'Towards a Cohesive Australia - a challenge for all communities', the forum was jointly sponsored by the Catholic Diocese of Parramatta, the Islamic Friendship Association and Initiatives of Change. The other principal speakers were Cardinal Edward Cassidy who worked for many years at the Vatican as President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity and the Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews, and Sydney Morning Herald journalist/author Nadia Jamal. 400 people attended.

At dinner beforehand the Minister met local Islamic leaders, three Imams from overseas, diplomats, police and other community officials. They were welcomed by Barbara Perry, State MLA for Auburn.

Cardinal Cassidy proposed "three ways in which we might work effectively in seeking to promote and consolidate a cohesive Australia... Firstly by establishing and fostering those basic principles of human relationship which make for cohesive co-existence; secondly, by creating possibilities of genuine interfaith dialogue; and thirdly, by members of diverse cultural and religious backgrounds joining hands to work together in ways that will benefit society." Referring to multicultural relations in Australia he made it clear that being respectful to the other party is not enough. "A positive outcome depends on something deeper, namely a meeting of minds. It starts off with a kind of 'friendly co-existence', but develops through being together, listening to each other, working together, speaking together on questions of common interest and justice."

Calling for honest dialogue, Tony Abbott said, "It's important to avoid giving unnecessary offence but not if it means tip-toeing round the truth. I respectfully put it to Muslims that some practices they dislike might be considered sins rather than crimes. Other practices they dislike might be regarded as tasteless or indulgent rather than against the moral law." In also challenging the Western world he said, "Combatting terrorism means facing up to all the ways in which Western societies fall short of their professed ideals. How can alienated Muslim males be expected to respect women, for instance, when this city's bookstands, billboards and TV shows proclaim that women are sex objects? Muslims in countries like Australia are in a unique position to assess the strengths as well as the weaknesses of Western civilisation. They have the legal right as well as the physical safety (often denied to them elsewhere) to ask the hard questions about their own faith as well as about the faiths and beliefs of others."

The Mufti, who made great efforts to give his speech in English, challenged every Australian who is proud of his or her faith "to show the teachings and values of this faith through the effort he or she will offer to their society". Commenting on the cohesive nature of Islam he said, "From the outset Islam was quick to put an end to any notion of superiority based on colour, race or wealth. (It) transformed races into brothers and made all people equal with respect to their rights and duties."

In answer to a question about Australian values, Tony Abbott replied, "We need to give everyone every opportunity to learn English. How else can you have full participation?" The Mufti responded, "I agree with the Minister - we should all speak English. I have to at home or my children won't take notice of me. But it also enriches Australia when we keep our languages."

Born and bred in that part of Sydney, Nadia Jamal spoke of her Muslim identity. "I do not believe being Muslim makes me unpatriotic. (It) helps to make me a better Australian. It is about a fair go and respect for others. I too have been guilty of racism. We all need to call it for what it is when we hear it or see it."

In evaluating the spirit of the evening, Tony Abbott concluded, "I'm encouraged that discussions such as this are taking place. Australia can only benefit from intensive dialogue between Australian Muslims and people of other faiths."

The event was held at Dooleys Catholic Club which donated the meeting room, the light refreshments at the end and the dinner beforehand for special guests.

David Mills