Previous Event:
Unity within Diversity
Dispelling Misconceptions about Religions
November 2001
Venerable Mahinda, Sheikh Jehad, Father Whelan, Fleur Nassery Bonnin
The Balmain Town Hall was filled with a myriad of faces, ages,
cultures and religions. We had gathered in a spirit of unity and
support seeking information and sharing our common-unity. At this
time of world crisis following the events of September 11th and
the subsequent war in Afghanistan it seemed people were seeking
a sense of acceptance of their fellow man and desiring the unity
that exists within diversity.
The presenters equally embraced the opportunity to participate
in a dialogue that seemed to address a fundamental need in society
that was not being met. They came in a spirit of cooperation and
sharing of knowledge, but also seeking a greater understanding of
their fellow participants.
The program commenced with a minute's silence for reflection and
prayer for all of the victims of the recent world events. After
this poignant moment the first part of the program began with leading
academics talking on the theme.
The first presenter was Dr Harry Oldmeadow who had travelled from
La Trobe University in Melbourne. Harry's talk was both insightful
and powerful. It beautifully brought together the human and social
response to recent world events, bringing it inline with Sufism
and the vital importance of inner and esoteric understanding. He
was followed by the renowned Professor Garry Trompf from the University
of Sydney who explored whether or not unity in diversity could really
exist within man's fundamental tribal nature. The academic component
was concluded with Dr Mohsen Labban who explored the role of the
media in world events as well as other social and political factors.
After a short break the second part of the program commenced. An
interfaith panel with leading representatives from Judaism, Christianity,
Islam and Buddhism. Each spoke on unity within diversity within
their own particular spiritual discipline. The panel was made up
of Rabbi Raymond Apple, Father Michael Whelan, Sheikh Ismail Jehad
and Venerable Mahinda. They highlighted that one of the major problems
with understanding and appreciating different religions and spiritual
practices is people tend to focus on the dogma and the differences
that separate religions, rather than on the greater inner meaning
and journey that unifies them. They emphasised the importance of
tolerance, understanding and acceptance. As one panel member put
it "We do not need to be a melting pot where we all become
the one thing, why can't we be a salad made up of different parts,
keeping their own particular flavour and yet being part of the whole."
Rabbi Apple, Father Whelan, Sheikh Jehad, Venerable Mahinda
The gathering was concluded by the Founder and Director of the
Australian Centre for Sufism and Irfanic Studies, Fleur Nassery
Bonnin. Fleur thanked the interfaith panel emphasising the need
for this kind of unity within diversity. She commented that this
unity only exists at the esoteric or spiritual level of each religion,
Sufism being a good example of this. She also said that there is
a great need for revival in religion, which requires the soul and
spirit to be put back into it. If it were not for the esoteric and
spiritual practices, the world would have been in even worse shape
today. The religion is like a fruit that contains the husk and the
kernel: so often we have seen the outer mistaken as the whole. Progressively,
we have seen that the report cards on the three major religions,
Judaism, Christianity and Islam, for the most part, have failed
us, leaving us with the outer husk rather than the inner kernel.
Fleur also pointed out that individual transformation and consequently
the unity of religions takes place in the spiritual dimension. Therefore,
the religions are accountable for providing both the husk and the
kernel.
Fleur Nassery
Bonnin
Across the afternoon we experienced diverse and varied perspectives
from academics, scholars, religious leaders and participants alike.
We became aware of the unity, the common and shared goals. It was
indeed a salad, made up of delights and delicacies, the exotic and
the familiar, and the guests from many backgrounds shared a common
desire and appetite for understanding and spiritual nourishment.
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