The Church College facilities in Temple View (just a few minutes outside Hamilton) are being provided by the LDS Church. Accommodation on site is also available at low cost. The 2012 Forums are being hosted by the Waikato Interfaith Council (WIFCO).

Highlights of this year's Forum include on-site accommodation, a conference dinner with music and cultural performances, keynote speakers (still to be confirmed), concurrent sessions on Sunday of the Annual Youth Interfaith Forum and the Annual Women’s Interfaith Forum, the first National Men’s Interfaith Forum, an optional 3-hour bus tour of local religious centres, and an Interfaith Film Festival. The National Interfaith Forum this year also includes a multi-faith service on Sunday, 19 February from 9-10am, which will be led by local and regional faith leaders. The service is open to the public and will be held in the 700-seat LDS Auditorium. 

Registration for the Forum is now open and can be completed by visiting the Waikato Interfaith Council website.  

For more information, please visit the website or contact the Waikato Interfaith Council secretary .

We have recently compiled all the religious diversity sections from 2004-2010 into a single document, Religious Diversity in New Zealand 2004-2010. It is a useful reminder of developments over that period.  We are currently working on the review for 2011, and would welcome any suggestions as to what should be included. Please email to Rohan Jaduram.

It is a time when you or your organisation or community can do something to celebrate, learn, discuss, plan or promote diversity in your own context and to achieve diversity goals.

It is an opportunity to launch new initiatives or promote existing programmes and projects. Start planning your event or activity now.  If you or your organisation is planning an event to celebrate send us an email.

Theology at the university has traditionally focused on exploring the beliefs and practices that have developed within Christianity, but the university is broadening its offerings to students interested in faith and religion.

"The study of Islamic cultures and societies is an important component of any internationally recognised university given their contribution to world civilisation, historical prominence, and involvement in contemporary global politics," said Dr Zain Ali, head of the university's Islamic studies research unit.

"It will be of great interest to students, given the recent levels of interest in Islam within both academic and public domains and the diversity of competing perspectives that often surround this religious tradition."

The course will provide a historical survey of Islam, including developments in Muslim theology, philosophy, and the interpretation of its sacred text, the Koran.

 There will also be a focus on contemporary themes relating to Islam, with core questions asked such as: is Islam compatible with democracy? What is the position of women in Islam? Is Islamic law practicable? How should the Koran be interpreted?

Source NZ Herald

The Festival was opened with a morning interfaith service at the Gisborne Conference Centre. Following a welcome, mihi and karakia, representatives from the Hindu, Anglican, Presbyterian, Baha’i, Muslim, Ringatu, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints presented Scriptural Readings and Prayers from their Holy Writings. The themes of unity, harmony and forgiveness where woven together in different languages and song by the presenters. Following the service, the concept of forgiveness was explored by those attending as the first meeting between the races in Poverty Bay ended in conflict. The interfaith service moved the commemoration from that dark memory into the world of light shifting focus through to thoughts of forgiveness, peace and reconciliation.

Services and meetings all round the world were also held to mark the anniversary. At the Auckland Service held at St Patrick’s Cathedral on Thursday 27 October  ten leaders of various groups joined together to assert their allegiance to the Decalogue: they included Bahai, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish, and different Christian denominations and MP Su’a William Sio.  A native seedling was then presented to each leader to plant for peace. Services were held in the other five Catholic dioceses as well.

On 27 October 1986, Assisi became the city of the world, where Pope John Paul II called a historic meeting of different religious leaders and groups, regardless of race or creed to gather and “pray for peace”.

In 2002, in response to 11 September  attack on the World Trade Centre, Pope John Paul II again invited the world’s religious leaders to Assisi. More than 200 leaders of the world’s major religions attended in January. They convened and prayer and unanimously agreed to condemn “every recourse to violence and war in the name of God or religion. They issued a statement of ten mutual commitments to work for peace and justice in the world. This has been called the Assisi Decalogue for Peace.

The meeting will be held at the Tātaihono Marae at The Church of Holy Sepulchre (Corner Khyber Pass Road and Burleigh Street, Auckland) on Wednesday 23  November at 7pm.

The meeting is being convened with the assistance of Dr Russell Wills (New Zealand’s Children’s Commissioner), Rev.Uesifili Unasa (Chairman of the Pacific Peoples Advisory Panel of the Auckland Council),  Rev. Rob McKay ( a representative of the Māori wing of the Anglican Church), and Dr Zain Ali (Head of the Islamic Studies Research Unit at Auckland Uni.)

 For further details please contact Zain Ali, 021 164 0093.

Over 200 people have participated in this programme over the last year.  They have come from a wide variety of government departments, health/social services and businesses.

This professional development day comprises visits to a Hindu Temple, Muslim Mosque, Buddhist Temple, Sikh Gurdwara and Jewish Synagogue.  Places of worship are keys to many of these communities, linking many cultures together in one place.

For more information and to register check out the Spirit of Rangatahi flyer online.

Available dates:

Wellington - Thursday 17 November or Saturday 19 November

 Auckland - Thursday 24 November or Saturday 26 November

The programme has previously run in Wellington and Auckland with very encouraging feedback. There is a Radio NZ Spectrum documentary on the programme. To listen to the 20min documentary programme click at the bottom of the web page.

This opportunity is open to anyone who respects other peoples' faith and beliefs and wants to cultivate a sense of understanding and inquiry. Visits for a specific group can be arranged (8 minimum).  For further information contact on 0274 853 128 or SpiritOfRangatahi@ihug.co.nz

For more information contact Dianne Downward 348 9579 or Bertha Hurley 355-0959