Bluestar

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.

           

 Bluestar Member Mr Ameer Alaraji gave a welcoming speech, where he stated by famous Islamic scholar Fethullah Gulen Hocaefendi “Love is one of the most subtle blessings that the Most Merciful One has bestowed upon humanity. It exists in everyone as a seed. This seed germinates under favourable circumstances and, growing like a tree, blossoms into a flower, and finally ripens, like a fruit, to unite the beginning with the end.”

The keynote address was given by a famous visiting scholar, Sheikh Afeefuddin Al Jailani from Iraq. He focused on addressing the need for communities to reach out and let themselves be known to one another in order to establish peace. Al Jailani gave some example from Qur’an and Hadiths such as; “O you who believe … Allah has made you love the Faith, and made it so beautiful in your hearts, and has made you hate disbelief, immorality and rebelliousness. These are the righteous. This is grace and bounty, from Allah, as Allah is All-knowledgeable and All-Wise” (Surah Hujurat 49:6-8) ”Allah loves kindness when you deal with any matter” (Al-Bukhari and Muslim)“You will not enter Paradise until you have faith and you will not have faith until you love one another. Do you want me to tell you something you can do to make you love one another? Make it a habit to greet one another with “peace upon you”. (Muslim) “If Allah would love his servant He would call Archangel Gabriel and tell him “I love this person, therefore love him.” And Jibraeel would love him and call out in the heavens “Allah loves this person, therefore love him.” And the inhabitants of the heavens would love him. Then he would be embraced by the people of this world. But if Allah would abhor his servant, He would call Jibraeel and tell him “I abhor this person, therefore abhor him”. And Jibraeel (Gabriel) would abhor him and call out in the heavens “Allah abhors this person, therefore abhor him.” And the inhabitants of the heavens would abhor him. Then he would be abhorred by the people of this world.” (Muslim)

Respondent speaker Rev. Professor Haire, Executive Director of the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture, Professor of Theology of Charles Sturt University (CSU) remarked in his speech about on the importance of interfaith and intercultural dialogue, he reflected on his “lived interfaith” experience over the many years he has been involved in these circles. He remarked that Abrahamic faith traditions share deep commonalities and are therefore to be “protectors of one another”. His strong message of support for dialogue activities must in the global world.

During Q&A, many questions were asked by the audience, to which the two speakers gave some interesting answers.

As a token of appreciation, Executive Director of Bluestar, Mr Gelim, presented all the speakers with traditional Turkish Rumi arts for their time and effort

Overall, it was a great event, and it was good to see local people of all faiths coming together in solidarity to showcase that Canberra truly is a harmonious and peaceful place amongst the people of faith.