The event, titled "Faith and the Democratic: Should faith-based traditions engage in politics?" was a series of four "Interfaith Dialogues" organized by the Bluestar Institute, the Dialogue Institute of Australia, and the Australian Centre for Christianity. These dialogues were hosted by Paul Bongiorno and featured panels comprising leaders from various faith traditions.Throughout the series, each panelist shared their perspectives on the topic under the guidance of the host. Following these presentations, there was a Q&A session that allowed the audience to engage directly with the panelists. The primary objective of these events was to provide a safe and open platform for dialogue and discussion regarding the intersection of faith, social justice, and reconciliation in the contemporary world.These dialogues offered a unique opportunity for participants to interact with and learn from faith leaders and thinkers, fostering a deeper understanding of how faith-based traditions can or should engage in politics and contribute to broader societal discussions and initiatives.
The past annual Eid celebration event was a heartwarming occasion where individuals from diverse backgrounds gathered to observe the conclusion of Ramadan and revel in the significance of this special day. This informal event provided a welcoming platform for both parliamentarians and community members to connect, fostering a sense of unity and community spirit.A key highlight of the event was the opportunity to savor traditional cuisine, allowing attendees to partake in a cultural experience that showcased the rich culinary traditions associated with Eid. Additionally, parliamentarians delivered brief speeches during the event, adding depth and context to the occasion and providing a platform for community engagement and dialogue.Attendees were encouraged to embrace their cultural heritage by donning traditional costumes, further enhancing the festive atmosphere. The event typically spanned approximately an hour and a half, creating a joyous and inclusive environment where people came together to celebrate this important day, strengthen community bonds, and share in the collective joy of Eid.
In early June 2023, the Bluestar Institute and the Dialogue Institute of Australia organized an event featuring Professor Ori Soltes to promote his book titled "Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gülen." This event took place in Canberra on the evening of Wednesday, June 7th. During the event, Prof Soltes invited participants to engage in roundtable discussions and introduced a 'soft launch' of his book. This visit marked his return to Australia since his previous trip in 2017 when he interviewed local individuals whose insights became an integral part of the book.
Prof Soltes' work aimed to shed light on the success of Australia and New Zealand's social policies in fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion in multicultural societies. His book had two primary objectives: first, to delve into the life and thoughts of Fethullah Gulen, and second, to emphasize the positive impact of Gulen's educational and peace-building initiatives. The book also sought to debunk accusations against Mr. Gulen, portraying his efforts as dedicated to improving and saving the world from its darker tendencies.
The book featured insights gathered from over 70 interviews conducted over several years, demonstrating the commitment of individuals, both closely associated with Gulen and those more distantly inspired by his work, all striving to contribute to the betterment of humanity. This event provided a platform to discuss and celebrate the significant contributions of Fethullah Gulen and his peace-building initiatives.
Bluestar Institute and Dialogue Institute of Australia will be hosting Prof Ori Soltes in early June to promote his book Between Thought and Action: An Intellectual Biography of Fethullah Gülen including a session in Canberra on the evening of Wednesday, the 7th of June 2023. I was hoping you’d be kind enough to participate, join the roundtable discussions and do a ‘soft launch’ of the book? When he last visited our shores in 2017 he interviewed a few local people whose responses have made it to the book. He has provided some insights which are specific about the riches of Australian & New Zealand’s successful social policies which promote diversity, equity and inclusion in the multicultural landscape. There is a short video featuring Prof Soltes explaining why he wrote the book.Background on BookThe book has two goals. One is to explore the life and the thought of Fethullah Gulen and the important educational and peace-inducing activities in which he and those inspired by him have been engaged for several decades. The outcome of those efforts—of creating schools and providing diverse social and cultural services that bring people together people from diverse backgrounds—has been to provide the face of civic and civil Islam as an antidote to the uglier side of political Islam.The second goal has been to make clear how the accusations against Mr. Gulen by the minions of Turkey`s President could hardly be more false: that what Gulen and the Hizmet (Service) Movement that he has inspired are ultimately about is improving the world and saving it from its uglier inclinations. A brief discussion of his life and thought has been supplemented by the voices of more than 70 interviews conducted over several years, with individuals intimate and more distant but all inspired to be part of the process of serving humanity.
On March 30th, an exceptional dinner event was hosted by the Bluestar Institute, taking place at the residence of the Archbishop of Canberra and Goulburn. This gathering brought together around 25 religious leaders representing a diverse range of faiths, including Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Anglican, Catholic, and Jewish communities.This event was a groundbreaking and symbolic display of interfaith unity and collaboration, highlighting the power of dialogue and cooperation among different religious groups. Throughout the evening, attendees engaged in meaningful discussions touching upon various social issues, setting the stage for future collective action and initiatives aimed at addressing shared concerns.The occasion served as a profound reminder that, despite their religious and cultural distinctions, communities can find common ground and shared values that enable them to come together with respect and mutual understanding. It was a powerful demonstration of how bridging differences and focusing on common goals can strengthen bonds and foster a spirit of harmony among diverse religious communities.