On the 1st of January 2011, the Nan Tien Temple commenced the New Year by holding a multi-faith prayer for World Peace. The Nan Tien Temple invited members of several religious affiliations in an opportunity to promote peace and make prayers for world harmony. Like last year, the Affinity Intercultural Foundation Wollongong General Manager, Mrs Semanur Kombeci, and the executive members in Wollongong participated in the event.
The event started with a traditional dance by the Aboriginal Doonooch Dances titled ‘Welcome to Country and Dance’. This was followed by an invitation of the Nan Tien Temple Venerables on stage – in which they did an Ode to Triple Gem & Heart Sutra, Three Refuge in Pali and the Prayer for World Peace.
Prayers were offered by various faiths, which started with a prayer from Bishop Peter Ingham of the Wollongong Catholic Diocese. Afterwards there was a recitation of the Quran by Mr Muhammed Emin Canli from Wollongong Cringilla Mosque with translations by Affinity executive member Mr Kennan Herkiloglu. The verses recited emphasized that God made people into nations and tribes so that we may all recognise each other and not to despise each other.
Reverend Gordon Bradbery from Wesley Uniting Church, Dr Ysaiah Ross from the Jewish Community, Reverend Chris Albany from St. Marks Anglican Church provided solemnly dignified prayers as well. Mr Murali Dharan and friends of Sri Venkateswara Temple, Helensburgh performed a chanting ritual in Sanscrit. Finally, the Venerables of the Nan Tien Temple delivered a Buddhist Hymn titled “Praise to the Triple Gems”.
This day was a valuable demonstration that no matter what faith one belongs to, with sincerity and action, people can get together to put aside differences and focus on basic values of love, peace, tolerance and valor. This was further accentuated with the distinguished guests singing “I am Australian” at the ending ceremony followed by socialising with each other at a light luncheon provided by the hosts at Nan Tien Temple.
Affinity President, Mr Mehmet Saral, stated that in a multicultural Australia, it is important that we celebrate our religious and sacred times together to create a more socially cohesive society. This is what Affinity has tried to do over the last 10 years and we will continue to do so in order to embrace all Australians firstly as fellow human beings and secondly as fellow Australians.
Kenan Herkiloglu
