"These platforms and conferences generate ideas, such as learning from each other, and attendees take home feelings of love, affection, sisterhood and kinship."
Source/Credit: Frankston Times
By Frankston Times | September 22, 2014
Women in mosque peace talks
JUST weeks before the Australia announced it would send forces to the Middle East to oppose Islamic State forces, more than 200 women met at a mosque in Langwarrin to speak about peace being the common message of all religions.
The interfaith lunch at the Bait-ul-Salam (House of Peace) mosque was part of a Serving Humanity symposium organized by the women's auxiliary of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Association Victoria.
"Each of the speakers emphasized the need for compassion and service to humanity, according to their religions and beliefs, for example Buddhists, Jewish or Islamic either personal or faith inspired," Aziz Bhatti, spokesman of the Victorian Ahmadiyya community, said.
"It was evident from the speeches that no religion teaches hatred or violence towards any other. The importance of such discussions and forums in today's fragile world was also stressed."
Speakers included the MP for Evelyn speaker of the Legislative Assembly Christine Fyffe, cabinet secretary and MP for South East Metropolitan Region Inga Peulich, Narre Warren South MP Judith Garley, chairperson of the Budhist Council of Victoria Peggy Page, Casey Interfaith Network's Pamela Mamouney, Jewish Christian Muslim Association secretary and director for the Online Hate Prevention Institute Jo Silver, Budhist documenter and university administrator Diana Cousens, and chaplain at Monash Univeristy Jay Robinson.
Mr Bhatti said the idea for the conference came from a long tradition of women's auxiliaries in the Ahmadiyya Muslim Movement, in Islam, where women are encouraged to organize their own events with their own freedom and comfort in mind.
"The Ahmadiyya women's auxiliary of Victoria decided to hold its first interfaith symposium here nine years ago," he said. "Over the years, this annual symposium has discussed many local and global issues and gained popularity and appreciation in the wider community.
"Leading women from all walks of life such as politics, government, education, charity organizations, interfaith networks, religious groups and police are among the regular guests of the events organized an run by our women's auxiliary. "The events are helping empower women to give them confidence and leadership, and encourage them to come forward and help humanity within their own work, social circles and communities."
The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community claims 100 per cent literacy among its male and female members, and says a "huge number of Ahmadi women are excelling in the field of science, medicine, law and business."
"These platforms and conferences generate ideas, such as learning from each other, and attendees take home feelings of love, affection, sisterhood and kinship," Mr Bhatti said.
"Many misconceptions were put to rest. Ideas that are shared in the symposium and over the lunch are taken back to their extended circles with a revived commitment towards helping others in need.
"More importantly, attendees appreciate Ahmadiyya Muslim Community's efforts and passion towards humanity and bringing Islam's true teachings to life again."
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great work by Lajna ammaullah vicoria
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