A TIME FOR HEALING
"Now is the time for healing," said Mr Abd Malak, the Convenor of the Australian Partnership of Ethnic and Religious Organisations (APERO) said this morning. "Now that the violence and fear following events at Cronulla is subsiding, we all need to work towards rebuilding our harmonious, inclusive society".
APERO met yesterday to reflect on the upsetting events and how to move forward from them. APERO members were deeply concerned that communities are being marginalised and many Australians, of all backgrounds, were feeling threatened.
The new Chair of the Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia (FECCA), Ms Voula Messimeri, also attended the meeting.
"Australia has been a world's best example of people living together and learning from each other", said Mr Amjad Mehbood, CEO of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, and member of APERO. "The incidents in Sydney have been a wake up call that we all must heed."
"Insults directed at any Australian, regardless of ethnicity, religion or national origin, are directed at the essence of Australian society, assaults on any Australian hurt us all and a failure to value and cherish each Australian offends against the teaching of all faiths and creeds," said Mr Jeremy Jones, Immediate Past President of the Executive Council of Australian Jewry, and APERO member.
"The events associated with Cronulla are a wake-up call to all Australians about the work we still have to do. The solution is to rebuild respect," said Prof Gary Bouma, the UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Asia Pacific, "respect for people, respect for culture and respect for religious diversity."
APERO believes that Australia is a successful model of a diverse, multicultural society. APERO encourages leaders at all levels to work in partnership with the Australian community to build community cohesiveness, harmony and understanding.
"The damage caused by the events of the last couple of weeks can be healed." concluded Rev John Henderson, General Secretary of the National Council of Churches in Australia and APERO member, "We need to listen respectfully to each other and commit ourselves to working for a better society and a better Australia in the interests of all who live here.
Cleared for immediate release: 20th December 2005
Media comment: Mr Abd Malak, 0417 489 066, Mr Amjad Mehboob
0408 234 434, Rev John Henderson 0419 224 935, Mr Jeremy Jones
0411 536 436, Prof Gary Bouma (03)9905 2982
The Australian Partnership of Ethnic and Religious (APERO)
APERO is a peak-of-peak bodies that was established in 2003, in response to the ongoing crisis associated with global terrorism. APERO is unique in that it comprises representatives of both peak faith as well as national-level multicultural community organisations. APERO is a practical example of how successfully diverse faith and ethnic communities can work collaboratively in Australia.
APERO members include:
Federation of Ethnic Communities Councils of Australia
Abd-Elmasih Malak (APERO Convenor), Hon President, FECCA
Josie Lacey, FECCA Interfaith Advisor, Convenor, Women's Interfaith Network
Sharon Ride, Acting Director (Secretariat)
National Council of Churches in Australia - Rev John Henderson, General Secretary
Australian Federation of Islamic Councils - Amjad Ali Mehboob, Chief Executive Officer
Australian Arabic Communities Council - Randa Kattan, Executive Director
Executive Council of Australian Jewry - Jeremy Jones, Immediate Past President
Federation of African Communities Councils - Abeselom Nega, Chair -
Baha'i Community - John Walker, National Secretary - Natalie Nobini-Kesheh, representative
Buddhist Community - Graeme Lyall, Buddhist Council of NSW
Sikh Community - Kulbir Malhotra, Honorary General Secretary, Sikh Kirtan Prachar Mission of Australia
Hindu Faith - Dilip Chirmuley, Hindu Society of South Australia
Council for a Multicultural Australia - Benjamin Chow, Chair
Australian Multicultural Foundation - Hass Dellal, Executive Director
Adult Multicultural Education Services - Brian Paterson, CEO
National Council of MRCs and MSAs - Eugenia Tsoulis, representative
World Conference on Religion and Peace - Prof Desmond Cahill
UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations, Asia Pacific - Prof Gary Bouma
Australian Indigenous Community - Norma Ingram
For more information about APERO - please see http://www.fecca.org.au/Partners/docs/apero.swf
