This year’s Victorian State Parliament Iftar Dinner took place in Sofitel Hotel’s Latrobe Ballroom on Monday, 5 June 2017. Organised by the Australian Intercultural Society (AIS), the event was attended by over 200 guests, including about state and federal members of Parliament and representatives from the Melbourne consular corps.
The program was emceed by Sarah Abo, who reports for SBS World News.
The dinner was co-hosted by two Parliamentarians: the Hon Robin Scott, the Minster for Multicultural Affairs and Mrs Inga Peulich, Shadow Minster for Multicultural Affairs. The keynote speaker was Edward Santow, Human Rights Commissioner at the Australian Human Rights Commission.
Sheikh Abdurrahman Malas, gave the call to prayer (adhan) and recited several verses from the Quran.
The dinner also featured a wonderful musical performance by a Sufi music group.
The evening concluded with reflection from guest, a vote of thanks by AIS Executive Director Ahmet Keskin and exchange of gifts.
Peace Islands Institute Celebrates 10th Anniversary
The Peace Islands Institute (PII) is ten years old now. Its 10th Anniversary and 6th Annual Award Ceremony was held on June 2, 2013. Over 200 guests and many dignitaries joined the PII to applaud the accomplishments of the honorees and to celebrate PII’s 10th anniversary. The honorees and guests all applauded the PII for becoming an agent of dialogue, love and peace-building within a short span of time.
Turkish Alevites, Sunnis show solidarity during Eid al-Adha
The Turkmen -Alevite-Bektasi Association (TABA) and the Kimse Yok Mu Association helped families in Kirklareli’s Hasandede town, Turkey, who could not afford to sacrifice an animal in this Eid al-Adha. During Eid al-Adha meat from sacrificed animals were distributed to 100 predetermined needy families making them enjoy the holiday.
Turkish Food Festival seeks to teach Greenville about Turkey’s culture and cuisine
Since 2016, the Turkish Food Festival has brought a variety of Turkish dishes and cultural activities to Greenville. This year, though, due to the coronavirus pandemic, the festival will be serving food in a drive-thru at the Phillis Wheatley Center.
Scholars: Misconceptions of Islam still abound
SEVGI AKARÇEŞME, İSTANBUL The subject of misconceptions of Islam dominated the debates at the international conference organized by the Foundation of Journalists and Authors (GYV) and Fatih University in İstanbul today. The event, titled “The Practice of Coexistence in Islamic Civilization and Contemporary Interpretations,” started on Friday with the participation of international scholars and leading […]
Speaking about Gülen, Chomsky: ‘Mandela declared as terrorist, too’
World-famous philosopher, philologist and historian Prof Dr. Noam Chomsky gave a speech about the claims of ‘terrorist’ against Fethullah Gülen in Boston. Chomsky reminded that legendary leader Nelson Mandela, who was awarded with Nobel Peace Prize for his struggle against racism and insistence on peaceful solution for racism, had been in ‘list of terrorists’.
Alevi problems deeper than they seem, opinion leaders agree
On the first day of the 30th Abant Platform meeting on Friday on the Alevis issue in Turkey, Alevi and Sunni intellectuals and opinion leaders agreed that the problems date back to centuries ago and are more complicated than they seem. The event, titled “Searching for peace and a future together,” brought together representatives of various Alevi communities as well as Alevi and Sunni pundits, journalists and academics in an effort to have a comprehensive debate on one of the lingering problems of Turkish society.
Latest News
European Human Rights Treaty Faces Legal And Political Tests
ECtHR rejects Turkey’s appeal, clearing path for retrials in Gülen-linked cases
Erdoğan’s Civil Death Project’ : The ‘politicide’ spanning more than a decade
Fethullah Gülen’s Vision and the Purpose of Hizmet
After Reunion: A Quiet Transformation Within the Hizmet Movement
Erdogan’s Failed Crusade: The World Rejects His War on Hizmet
Fethullah Gulen – man of education, peace and dialogue – passes away
Fethullah Gülen’s Condolence Message for South African Human Rights Defender Archbishop Desmond Tutu
Hizmet Movement Declares Core Values with Unified Voice
In Case You Missed It
EU report expresses concern about purge against Gülen movement
Woman Detained At Hospital, Jailed With 3-Day-Old Baby In Turkey Over Alleged Gülen Links
Some states use religion for wars, says Catholic Bishop in İstanbul
PKK terrorists set dorm on fire, one student injured
An Armenian from Turkey in Los Angeles (2)
Municipality illegally demolishes building in İstanbul
S. Korean universities host workshop on Hizmet movement