Forum paves way for peace

REDUCING religious and cultural tensions was the goal of a forum in West St yesterday.

Faith leaders and community representatives gathered at the forum to share their interfaith experiences through telling and listening to each others’ stories.

Muhammed Haniff from Multi-Faith Multicultural Centre of Pure Land Learning College said the event was about bringing people together to “reaffirm that we all have the right to peace”.

“Our aim was to strengthen the social position of the town despite the many cultural and religious differences in Toowoomba,” he said.

“It’s all about humanity; we make all the differences melt when we share together.

That’s what we need ... to strengthen and to bind the community together.

– Muhammed Haniff from Multi-Faith Multicultural Centre of Pure Land Learning College

“We wanted to reaffirm the values of kindness, goodness, sharing and love.

“If you look what’s happening around Australia, there is a lot of hatred.

“We didn’t want to assume that everything was okay in Toowoomba.

“We’re all working together for peace and harmony.”

He said the forum was very successful.

“All the groups spoke about the work they were doing across boundaries to bring the town’s residents together.”

Members of Toowoomba Refugee and Migrant Support spoke about cultural sensitivity and how the town needed to be one people as Queenslanders.

Toowoomba Mayor Paul Antonio told of how much he supported the process and how the people of Toowoomba welcomed migrants and refugees.

He said he wanted the good work to continue.

The keynote address was given by Venerable Master Chin Kung, president and founder of the Pure Land Learning College Association.

His main message was about love and humanity.

Catholic Bishop Cameron Venables, Bishop for the Western Region, spoke about the importance of being inclusive.

“That’s what we need in Australia – to strengthen and to bind the community together,” Mr Haniff said.