Whirling Dervishes Sema Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes Concert & Rituals 2011 in Canberra
Bluestar hosted the Whirling Dervishes all the way from Konya, Türkiye at the Canberra Theatre Centre on Tuesday, 22 November 2011.
In 2005, UNESCO proclaimed the "Sema Ceremony of the Whirling Dervishes" of Turkey as amongst the Masterpieces of the Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity. Read the Full Story

September 11 - 10th Year Commemoration As we are just days away from the 10th year commemoration of September 11, Bluestar Intercultural Centre remember and pays its respects to everyone irrespective of race, colour, ethnicity or religious orientation who had their life taken away from them due to terrorism. This atrocity not only highlights the importance but urgency of breaking down stereotypes, bigotry, racism, indifference and all forms of superiority complex. Read the Full Story

Bluestar Hosts Senator Kate Lundy On the 9th of June 2010, Bluestar Intercultural Centre (BIC) hosted a dinner in their premises in the honour of Senator Kate Lundy. The dinner was also attended by leading Muslim community leaders, academics, professional members and executive members from BIC. Read the Full Story

Federal Parliament Iftar Dinner On Tuesday 8th of September 2009 Federal Parliament Iftar Dinner was held at the Great Hall, in the Federal Parliament House. Bluestar Intercultural Centre co-sponsored and co-hosted a bi-partisan Ramadan Iftar dinner at the Federal Parliament of Australia at the Great Hall to bring together the interfaith and intercultural riches of Australia as well as the Ambassador’s of all Muslim nations in Australia. Read the Full Story

Universal Message of Love Bluestar coordinated a panel titled, ‘Universal Message of Love’ with the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture to bring the adherents of Muslim and Christian faiths together in showcasing that these two great faiths co-exist in peace and harmony. Read the Full Story

National Social Cohesion Conference The Bluestar Intercultural Centre together with the Australian National University, the Australian Catholic University and the Australian Centre for Christianity & Culture (ACCC) / Charles Sturt University organised the National Social Cohesion Conference on Tuesday, 12 July 2011 in Canberra. The main Topic of the conference was: “Enrichment of a socially inclusive society: challenges and solutions”. Read the Full Story

Bluestar

Social Cohesion Message from The Hon. Senator Kate Lundy

Created on Wednesday, 13 July 2011 21:49

'I would like to congratulate Bluestar Intercultural Centre for hosting the National Social Cohesion Conference. Your conference will provide an opportunity to help build bridges of understanding and mutual respect.

The Gillard Government is dedicated to supporting policy and programs that promote social cohesion and unite all Australians. The Australian community has been enhanced by our diversity and we should be proud of our record of successfully leveraging the benefits of migration. While we are only a relatively small country, we speak more than 260 languages and identify with more than 270 ancestries. Among the countries in the world we are recognised as unique in our breadth and balance of cultures.

As a Government we recognise that the multicultural character of our country is central to our nation’s story and to our shared future. Our new national multicultural policy, The People of Australia, builds on our strong commitment to multiculturalism in Australia.

I note that part of Bluestar’s mission is to bring people together through dialogue, social interactions and education. Initiatives in our multicultural policy also provide opportunities to bring people together through sport, the arts and festivals; as well as through the development of educational resources and public awareness programs as part our new National Anti-Racism Partnership and Strategy.

Positive action and respect, two of Bluestar’s core principles, are also echoed in Australia’s new multicultural policy principles. These principles include celebrating and valuing our diversity; a commitment to a just, inclusive and socially cohesive society; communicating the benefits of Australia's diversity; and promoting acceptance and understanding while strongly responding to intolerance and discrimination.

I trust that the conference will generate very fruitful discussions about the importance promoting and fostering social cohesion. The Government understands that the continued success of our nation is tied to continuing policy and programs that promote social cohesion and I welcome the focus of the conference.'

Ramadan, 7 Dimensions
Mercy & Education
The Need for Dialogue
A Radiant Month

Ramadan, a month of seven dimensions

1. A month of worship and the display of beauty. A time when sharing is of utmost importance. Muslims fast provide alms, donations and offerings and evaluate the reason for their existence and preparation for their eternal life.

Universal Mercy and Education
by Fethullah Gülen

The adage nowadays is that we all need love. So many people are talking about this. Islam teaches us that God's act of creating humanity was an act of mercy and compassion.

The Necessity of Interfaith Dialogue
by Fethullah Gülen

People are talking about peace, contentment, ecology, justice, tolerance, and dialogue. Unfortunately, the prevailing materialist worldview disturbs the balance between humanity and nature and within individuals.

A Radiant Month in a Darkening World

The world is undergoing forms of depressions, one within the other. Humanity is restless and living with nightmares. Ramadan is once more on the way, appearing on the horizon like the silent full moon. Its light has started to diffuse the darkness of our horizon and although it is only a temporary light, we feel relief in our souls.