The forum is held each year at the same time to coincide with the anniversary of the initial forum when community leaders met in Parliament in 2004. Every year at the Diversity Forum there is a religious diversity forum on an issue addressed in the Statement on Religious Diversity .  This year’s forum will be on Monday 20 August and will focus on accommodating religious diversity and health services.

The Human Rights Commission is currently in the process of asking District Health Boards to provide material on policy and practices in the health sector with a view of developing guidelines in association with the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme. Information required from providers of health services on respecting and accommodating religious diversity include: 

1. Written policies regarding religious diversity, for example in meeting specific needs of patients of diverse beliefs.
2. Any information for staff about diverse religious beliefs
3. Any guidelines for staff on accommodating diverse religious beliefs.
4. Any facilities provided to accommodate the religious requirements of patients
5. Any practices in accommodating diverse religious beliefs for example  in diet, prayers, modesty, washing etc.

The Statement on Religious Diversity says: “Reasonable steps should be taken in educational and work environments and in the delivery of public services to recognise and accommodate diverse religious beliefs and practices.”

Visit the NZ Diversity Forum website or Facebook page for updates.

The conference was the first of its kind in Samoa and was attended by representatives from Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, Australia, the United States of America and New Zealand.  In attendance from New Zealand were Professor Paul Morris as UNESCO Chair for Inter-religious Understanding and Relations in New Zealand and the Pacific, Rev Uesifili Unasa Minister University of Auckland’s Maclaurin Chapel and Samuelu Sefuiva from the Human Rights Commission.

The principal purpose of the conference was to look forward to ways that will ensure that robust relationships were established that would promote religious freedom and tolerance and mutual respect for different churches and faiths, including, a sensitivity to and respect for, local practices.

Speakers included:  International Council of Christians and Jews President Deborah Weissman, Australian Sister of Our Lady of Sion Dr Marianne Dacy, Federation of Islamic Associations NZ CEO Sultan Eusoff, and VUW Chair of Religious Studies Professor Paul Morris, who joined the discussion with academics, clergy, and interested lay people from New Zealand and Australia.  The conference aimed to formulate an Australasian response to the “Twelve points of Berlin” and put them into action in our region.

Audio from the conference is now online by visiting the conference page.

Faith based and interfaith organisations who have registered so far include: Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, NZ Bahá’í community, Hindu Council of NZ, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Waikato Interfaith Council, Auckland Interfaith Council and the Federation of Islamic Association of NZ.

We encourage other faith based and interfaith organisations to register their projects with the programme so that we can publicise your projects on the NZ Diversity Action Programme website. You can register online or email nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz.

The NZ Diversity Action Programme brings together organisations taking practical initiatives to:

• Recognise and celebrate the cultural diversity of our society (diverse).
• Promote the equal enjoyment by everyone of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity or national origin (equal).
• Foster harmonious relations between diverse peoples (harmonious).
• Give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi (Treaty-based)

The NZ Diversity Action Programme came about in response to the desecration of Jewish cemeteries in 2004 when community leaders convened in Parliament to discuss what action to take. The Programme is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission on behalf of all participants.

Read the full article on EthnicA Live.

He will discuss some of the factors and issues affecting religion in today’s world and outline his model for understanding the nature of its persistence and its associated problems.  

Date  :            Tuesday 22 May
Time  :           6pm – 7pm
Venue :         Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato

For more information visit the University of Waikato website.

This year’s theme is “O le Vāfealoa’I - Strong and Respectful Relationships. This is a good opportunity to acknowledge members of your faith communities by organising an activity. You are invited to register your activity by emailing nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz.

For more information and to check out events happening around the country, visit the Samoan Language Week website or Facebook page.

The first event is entitled Māori Spirituality which will be presented by Toni Taurepe, lecturer in Māori language at the University of Canterbury. The presentation will be on Tuesday 29 May from  7-9pm at 17 Kirkwood Avenue. For more information contact Dianne Downward 03 348 9579 or Bertha Hurley 03 355-0959.

The second event is a Mataraki/Winter Solstice Breakfast on Sunday 17 June from 7.30am at the North Brighton Memorial Hall, 93 Marine Parade.  RSVP is essential. Register at units@clear.net.nz or call 03 3559066 before 14 June. The event is hosted by the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Christchurch in conjunction with the Christchurch Interfaith Council.

The event will be held at the Tatai Hono – the Anglican Maori Community Hall, Corner of Khyber Pass and Burliegh Road from 7.30 pm and will focus on three local initiatives. Speakers include Kerem Caliskan (Pearl of the Islands), Ecie Hursthouse (Peaceful Passing) and  Ricky Waters (UNITEC Chaplaincy).

Contact aifcsec1@xtra.co.nz for more information.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of racism and to suggest what can be done about it. For 2012, the speech topic was A Fair Go for All. Contestants from throughout the country were invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic.

For an abridged version of the speech check out the Sunday Star Times online

The Plan of Action  aims to promote greater awareness and mutual understanding of faiths in the region. The theme for this year’s forum was “Strengthening Collaborative Communities to Promote Regional Peace and Security: Interfaith in Action.” Headed by Melissa Lee, the New Zealand delegation comprised of nine community and faith leaders plus one official from the Office of Ethnic Affairs and two from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade. Thirteen other countries were represented: Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. Delegates shared their experiences of promoting interfaith dialogue and discussed concrete programmes and cooperative activities for the future. The Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Strategy and Policy Manager, Joy McDowall, says the New Zealand delegation put considerable work into the final Action Plan. “Equally important were the bonds that developed within the New Zealand delegation, and also between delegations, over the course of the week.”

Source EthnicA Live!

These priests come from Samoa, Kiribati, the Philippines and India.   As well as information about the church, their welcome pack includes information on New Zealand and publications from the Office of Ethnic Affairs, Human Rights Commission and Statistics New Zealand.

Speakers include International Council of Christians and Jews President Deborah Weissman, Australian Sister of Our Lady of Sion Dr Marianne Dacy, Federation of Islamic Associations NZ CEO Sultan Eusoff and VUW Chair of Religious Studies Prof Paul Morris, who will join the discussion with academics, clergy, and interested lay people from New Zealand and Australia. The conference aims to formulate an Australasian response to the Twelve Points, and put them into action in our region.

The conference is open to everyone interested in interfaith dialogue. For more information, visit the Conference website.

Many of the choirs are made up of visiting orchard workers from the Pacific Islands who have come to NZ under the RSE scheme to harvest fruit. Other choirs represent some of the ethnic communities who call Nelson home.

Rainbow Praise is a chance for people to see and hear how other people worship with music. In spite of their different cultures and languages, people actually have a lot in common.

The event is organised by the Nelson Multicultural Council in conjunction with the Nelson Cathedral and will start at 2pm on Sunday 22 April at the Nelson Cathedral.

Please contact Evey McAuliffe for more information.

The goal of this conference is to provide a platform and to bring together all Hindu volunteers, organisations and temples that are currently capably contributing to the society and to showcase their contribution to New Zealand.

The Fourth National Hindu conference will provide the forum to bring forth activities and outcomes to the community and their motivation and commitment to volunteering to the wider public.

The conference will include discussions on Hindu community’s contribution in serving New Zealand community through the education sector, media, health services, social and community services and youth development. Youth will illustrate their contribution to community service.

Contact Pritika Sharma on 02107 24051 for more information.

The 2012 UN theme for this day is “Ensuring work family balance”. The event aims to draw attention to the importance of the family.

Date    :           Saturday, 12 May
Time   :           3-5pm
Venue :           Holy Trinity Cathedral (Cnr Parnell Rise & St Stephen’s Ave)
RSVP :           ASAP- 093076642, 095501193, 02102236603

Join everyone afterwards for tea, coffee & snacks.

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

Islam Awareness Week is a week of information and activities organised by FIANZ to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of their beliefs, values and practices and to tackle misinformation about their religion in a positive way. The aim is to achieve greater understanding by promoting communication and new relationships. It is also aimed at reducing ignorance and misconceptions about the world’s second largest religion. Prejudices about Islam often result from misinformation through news media reporting on world events involving Muslims. Interactions during Islam Awareness Week will also provide an opportunity for discussion and learning.

Contact Mustafa Farouk for further details.

Over 200 people attended all or part of the forum, which also included associated forums for youth, men and women.  Keynote speakers were Dr Anna Halafoff from Melbourne, and religious broadcaster Chris Nichol.  There were a wide range of concurrent sessions on diversity, spirituality, education, human rights, pluralism and tolerance, and religion and the state. Other highlights included an interfaith film fest, a bus tour of diverse Hamilton faith centres, a preview of a new DVD of young people of different faiths speaking about the media (being produced by the National Commission for UNESCO and the Diversity Action Programme), the release of the Human Rights Commission’s annual review of religious diversity and the launch of guidelines on religious diversity in the workplace. Presentations from the conference will be posted on the Waikato Interfaith Council website.

The workplace resource is a joint initiative of the Human Rights Commission and the Religious Studies Programme Victoria University. The purpose of the guidelines is to address a range of issues concerning religion in the New Zealand workplace.

A key component of the process of developing the ‘guidelines’ was engaging with Business NZ, Department of Labour, AUT School of Business, and Council of Trade Unions. A priority looking ahead is to continue to work with these organisations to raise awareness in business and workplaces of the need to respect and accommodate religious diversity.

You can download a copy of the workplace resource from the Commission website. You are encouraged to take it to your workplaces and go through the checklist.

The First Regional Interfaith Dialogue took place in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2004, followed by Dialogues in Cebu, the Philippines (2006), Waitangi, New Zealand (2007), Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2008), and Perth, Australia (2009). This year Indonesia will host the 6th Dialogue in Semarang. Participants of the RID are faith/religious leaders, scholars, civil society and media practitioners from 15 countries, namely Australia, Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, Timor Leste and Vietnam. Each Dialogue has a particular theme addressed through plenary sessions and working groups. The 6th Dialogue’s theme is ‘Strengthening Collaborative Communities to Promote Regional Peace and Security’. The Dialogue will consist of 2 plenary and 3 working group sessions to discuss the theme and sub-themes, from which the expected outcome will be a Plan of Action.NZ delegates participants are: Prithipal Singh Basra (Sikh), Sister Catherine Jones (Catholic), Venerable Abbess Manshin (Buddhist), Todd Nachowitz(Jewish), Selva Ramasami (Hindu),  Reverend Uesifili Unasa (Methodist), Paul Morris (Jewish), Dr Anwar Ghani (Muslim), Daniela Astrid Klein (Buddhist). Head of Delegation: Melissa Lee (Parliamentary Private Secretary for Ethnic Affairs).

Instead, it will hold an “informal” prayer session before each meeting. A dispute broke out at the Whanganui District Council last year, when a councillor, on behalf of a constituent, questioned the use of a Christian prayer at the opening of council meetings. The Council has a tradition of opening each full council meeting with the mayor reading a short prayer aloud, written especially for the city. When mayor Annette Mains suggested removing references to God as a way of respecting all faiths, disagreement erupted over whether prayer was appropriate at all as an item of business on the agenda. Before the Council could formally decide the issue, a complaint was laid with the Human Rights Commission. Subsequent mediation failed to resolve the matter, which was then referred back to the Council, who have now decided on the matter.

People who are concerned about the reports can complain to Sky TV as the broadcaster, pursuant to the Broadcasting Standards Act. There is a specific electronic complaint form for Sky TV. Sky TV is obliged to respond and will of course also have to reveal exactly what the comments were. One of the four fundamental principles of the Pay TV code  is that “pay television broadcasters should operate in a socially responsible manner”, and standard 7 (Fairness) requires that “people should not be portrayed in a way which represents them as inherently inferior or which encourages discrimination against a section of the community protected by human rights legislation”. Human rights legislation makes it unlawful to discriminate on the grounds of religious belief.

Writers from various Christian traditions and other world religions who contributed to the book shared their experience and their practice of prayer.

Please contact the Catholic Institute of Theology for more information.

Jewish Lives in New Zealand, Random House, is co-edited by Dr Leonard Bell of the University of Auckland Art History Department, and Dr Diana Morrow, a professional historian.

Jewish Lives in New Zealand is a compelling look at the disproportionately profound impact Jewish people have had in New Zealand since the 1840s, when just 20 citizens were registered as being Jewish. Today, the total number is probably more than 20,000.

The roll call for New Zealanders of Jewish decent is impressive – John Barnett, Vincent Ward, Marti Friedlander, Sir Peter Gluckman, Dove-Myer Robinson, John Goldwater, Frank Hofmann, and, stretching right back into New Zealand’s history, eminent founding families such as the Myers, Nathans, Fishers, Paykels and Hallensteins. They are people who have given — and continue to give — so much to New Zealand society, across many fields of endeavour: politics, business, academia, journalism, medicine, science, arts and culture.

 Listen below to Dr Leonard Bell’s interview about the book on Saturday Morning with Kim Hill, Radio NZ, 10 March 2012.

Source Auckland University website

For the first time Religious Workers have a clear path way to NZ Permanent Residency.

This session is open to all community members who are considering sponsoring their Priest, Monk, Nun, Imam, Clergy, Rabbi or other religious workers. There will be an Immigration Services staff person available at this meeting to answer questions you may have.

Date:   Saturday 31 March 2012
Time: 2:00pm
Venue: Oranga Community Centre 52c Waitangi Road Fergusson Domain, Oranga

For further information please call 0274 853 128 or email joanbuchanan@ihug.co.nz

This is the 12^th year of the nationwide speech contest. The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of the Race Relations Day theme, which this year is Aotearoa: A Fair Go for All’

The Race Unity Speech Award offers students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic and register.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Please contact Bev Watson for more information.

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

This will be held on Sunday 29 April from 9am at Barry Curtis Park, Flat Bush, Manukau.

A BBQ is being organised for the participants at the end of the walk. For details contact Bashir Khan on +64 21 778 425 or Eqbal Khan on +64 21 133 6146.

The theme of the conference is “The 12 points of Berlin”, the charter for Jewish-Christian relations.

Guest Speakers include:

• Dr Deborah Weissman, President of the International Council of Christians and Jews
• Dr Marianne Dacy, an Australian Sister of Our Lady of Sion and Secretary of the Australian Council of Christians and Jews
• William Szekely, the President of the New South Wales Council of Christians and Jews
• Prof Paul Morris, Chair of Religious Studies at Victoria University of Wellington
• Dr Margaret Mayman, Senior Minister at St Andrews on the Terrace (Wellington)
• Sultan Eusoff, the Chief Executive of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand.

You can purchase tickets to the Conference online. For more information visit the Conference web page or contact David Moskovitz.

The review provides a snapshot of developments in religious diversity and issues that need to be addressed. The 2011 review highlights changes to immigration policy to make it easier to recruit and retain religious workers from overseas, religious communities’ response to the Christchurch earthquake, the completion of workplace religious diversity guidelines and complaints of religious discrimination.  

The review highlights two priorities for 2012:

• Raising awareness in business and workplaces of the need to respect and accommodation religious diversity
• Promoting dialogue between faith communities and  the media on the representation of diverse religions in media

Copies of the religious diversity review will be available at the National Interfaith Forum on 18 February.

The full race relations report will be released in early March to promote discussion in advance of Race Relations Day, 21 March. The report will be launched at a ceremony at the Auckland Town Hall, 9-10 am on 8 March with Mayor Len Brown and Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres. Please RSVP by 24 February to Josie Maskell DDI (09) 306 2655.

To view the review, and reviews of other areas released to date, visit the Commission’s website.

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.

The workplace resource is a joint initiative of the Human Rights Commission and the Religious Studies Programme Victoria University. The purpose of the guidelines is to address a range of issues concerning religion in the New Zealand workplace. It is written in the form of questions and answers to make it more accessible to a wider audience. It has its origins in Wellington at the 2009 Diversity Forum, where the issue of religion in the workplace was discussed. You can download a copy of the resource from the Commission website.

There were fourteen participants from eight faith groups: Ba’hai, Unification, Hindu, Muslim, Jewish, Latter Day Saints, Buddhist (Fo Guang Shan) and Catholic.

During the course of the programme participants broke into small groups to develop their thinking on the two key questions posed by the convenors:

• What media do you use in the practice of your faith? This might include: contact with others of your faith group through Facebook, Twitter, E-mails etc; reading online material, television, film, print media.
• How is your faith group portrayed by those respective media?  

The film is to be edited this week and will be screened at the National Interfaith Forum being held in Hamilton on Saturday 18 February. Brian Pauling will present the film at that venue. DVDs will also be sent to all workshop participants, placed on the UNESCO website and used on future occasions.

These annual meetings began taking place since 2008. The forum aims to galvanise international action against extremism through the forging of international, intercultural and interreligious dialogue and cooperation. Taking part in the small New Zealand delegation was the Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Director, Mervin Singham. In this video he describes the highlights and why he believes it’s important that New Zealand attends.

Her paper arises from her textbook ‘Discovering Diversity’ (2009) which introduces Social Studies students to the World Religions now present in New Zealand’s multicultural society. The symposium is to address the question how education about/from religions can better contribute to young people’s spirituality and how that education can be better integrated in schooling. Jocelyn would be pleased to have anyone interested in this topic to be in touch with her by email.

Rumi’s teaching of peace and tolerance has appealed to men and women of all religions. As both a teacher and a mystic, he advocates tolerance, reason, goodness, charity and awareness through love, looking with the same eye on Muslims, Jews, Christians and others alike.

The Intercultural Dialogue Platform of the Pearl of Island Foundation was founded by members of the Turkish Community living in New Zealand in 2006.  It is a registered charity and an incorporated society acting to promote intercultural dialogue, to organise humanitarian support campaigns, and to provide education and business consulting to New Zealand and Turkish business people.

This is the 12^th year of the nationwide speech contest. The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of the Race Relati9ons Day theme, which this year is Aotearoa: A Fair Go for All’

The Race Unity Speech Award offers students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic and register.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Please contact Bev Watson for more information.

The event is on Monday 27 February 6-8pm at St Andrews on the Terrace (entrance down the alley to the North of the church). Plenty of time will be allowed for questions and interaction.

Stephen Batchelor is a Buddhist teacher and author who lives in Southwest France and conducts meditation retreats and seminars worldwide. He trained as a monk for ten years in traditional Buddhist centres in Asia, and now offers a lay and secular approach to Buddhist practice, largely based on the early teachings of the Buddha that are found in the Pali Canon.

For further enquiries contact admin@satrs.org.nz or visit www.satrs.org.nz.

As this is primarily a social gathering, items can also be placed on a table for people to look at and ask questions about.

Supper will be provided but please feel free to bring a plate to share (alcohol and caffeine free) 

Date    :           Tuesday 28 February
Time   :           7-9 pm
Venue:            17 Kirkwood Ave. (opposite from the University Recreation Centre, parking at rear of building)

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

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

A downloadable registration form is available or registration can be completed on-line.

The 9th Annual National Interfaith Forum, with the theme “Spiritual Identity in a Secular Society”, on Saturday 18 and Sunday 19 February 2012 will be held in Hamilton at Church College, Temple View. The Church College facilities in Temple View (just a few minutes outside Hamilton, in the lovely Waikato countryside) 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.

Highlights of next 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 some of our local religious centres, and an Interfaith Film Festival. The National Interfaith Forum also includes a multifaith service on Sunday, 19th 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 at Church College, Temple View, Hamilton. 

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

The Week will be observed in New Zealand from 16-23 October. A leaflet has been produced by the New Zealand organising committee with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information or to order leaflets for your community email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith website.

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations is inviting people of all faiths to join in celebrating this 25^th anniversary. Prayer will be held in six centres:  Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. See item on Did you know? for more information.

Christchurch

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee in partnership with the Christchurch Interfaith Society will be hosting a prayer at the Peace Bell in Hagley Park on Sunday 23 October at 2.00pm.   Please contact Bertha Hurley for more details.

Nelson

As part of the Week of Prayer for Peace St. John’s Methodist Church on Hardy Street will host an interfaith gathering on Saturday 15 October, 10.30am – 1pm to reflect on peace and have invited participation by all faiths.  On Sunday 16 October, 4.30pm the Baha’is of Nelson will host a prayers for peace session in the Queen’s Gardens (Hardy Street entrance)

The theme is “Islam and the Environment: Our Rights and Responsibilities.” The month has changed this year due to many conflicting national activities and most importantly the observance of Ramadan in August this year.

As part of Islam Awareness Week, the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) is seeking nominations for the annual Harmony Awards. The Harmony Awards recognise efforts to improve understanding and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslim. Criteria for nomination can be found on the IAW website.

The event builds on Ratna Osman’s (Sisters In Islam) visit to New Zealand earlier in July which focused on Muslim Women’s Rights As Human Rights. There are a number of Muslim male community leaders, mostly from refugee background, who have been working tirelessly to advocate for rights of Muslim women in the area of family violence in the wider Muslim/NZ community. These men continue to support Muslim women who are at the fore front of providing services for family violence and social issues,  youth initiatives, awareness raising and advocacy for Muslim women rights.  The event is to be held during Islam Awareness Week.

Please contact Jenny Janif for more details.

Spokespersons from various religious communities including Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Islamic faiths have been invited to deliver the teachings and messages of their religious founders and from their religious scriptures on the topic “Peace, Loyalty and Tolerance through Religion.”

The event is an effort to bring members from various participating faiths together to listen, learn and reflect on the messages from various religions.

The function is from 3-6pm, dinner will be served at 6.30pm.  

Contact Eqbal Khan for enquiries.

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

The meeting is being convened with the assistance of Dr Russell Wills who is 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 Maori 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.

Organised by Pope John Paul II, it brought together 160 religious leaders who spent the day together in silence, in fasting and prayer. They represented 32 Christian religious organizations and 11 other world religions. Despite their differences, these leaders stood in respectful silence as representatives of each group offered prayers for peace according to their own beliefs, and in their own language and with their own rituals.

John Paul II has gathered religious leaders together to repeat this Day of Prayer for Peace in Assisi on two other occasions: in 1993, when religious leaders gathered to pray for an end to the war in Bosnia, and in January 2002 when some 200 religious leaders gathered to show unity and to discourage the making of religion a motive for conflict in the 21^st Century.

In his 1 January 2011 address, Pope Benedict XVI called Day of Prayer to mark the 25^th Anniversary of the first Assisi Day of Prayer for World Peace, and to urge all to work for peace and an end to religious violence so that all would be free to profess their religion or faith.

The focus of this year’s forum was on the State and Religion. The forum included an overview of the issues by Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University. A panel discussion followed with contributions from Rehanna Ali, Glyn Carpenter, Pravin Patel and Kim Workman. The session was chaired by Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley.

On Sunday 21 August there was also a well-attended session on “Raising Awareness of Religious Diversity” hosted by the Waikato Interfaith Council. It included a presentation form Todd Nachowitz of Waikato University, Dr Mustafa Farouk of FIANZ, Alan Leadley of the Waikato Interfaith Council, Philip Yeung of Hamilton City Council and Anjum Rahman of the Waikato Interfaith Council.

The presentations by Professor Paul Morris and Todd Nachowitz are now available to download.

Over a thousand people took part in the various events that made up the Diversity Forum this year including special welcomes by the Kingitanga at Turangawaewae Marae on 19 & 20 August. The second welcome was especially for members of the Muslim community, who were unable to attend the first because of religious obligations.

Every year the Foundation organises VIP Intercultural Iftar dinners during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan with attendance of politicians, diplomats, religious and community leaders and other dignitaries. Iftar means a breaking fast dinner.

During the month of Ramadan Muslims all around the world fast from sun rise till sun set and break their fast with the Iftar dinner. It is a custom to invite as many guests as someone can at these dinners. The Foundation decided to extend the dinner as an opportunity for intercultural dialogue dinner where people from different beliefs, cultures and backgrounds can come together.

Last month the Foundation also hosted an intercultural dialogue VIP dinner in Wellington. held at the Grand Hall of the New Zealand Parliament, with attendees ranging  from political party leaders and MP’s to university vice chancellors. This dinner was co-hosted by Dr. Ashraf Choudhary, M.P.

PIF was founded by members of the Turkish Community living in New Zealand in 2006.  It is a registered charity and an incorporated society acting to promote intercultural dialogue, to organise humanitarian support campaigns, and to provide education and business consulting to New Zealand and Turkish business people. More information about the foundation can be found on their website.

The celebrations range from a special event in Parliament hosted by the Office of Ethnic Affairs to Asia NZ events in Wellington and Auckland plus many community initiated events. Contact nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz  if you are doing something so we can profile it on our website. 

Diwali in Auckland

Auckland’s 10th Diwali Festival of Lights will take place on 8-9 October 2011 at Aotea Square and Aotea Centre – The Edge. Highlights of the family-friendly festival include food stalls, traditional and contemporary dance and music, Bollywood dance competition and a grand finale fireworks display on Sunday evening.

Diwali in Wellington

The 10th Wellington Diwali Festival of Lights will be held on 15-16 October at TSB Bank Arena. Entry is by gold coin.

The festival will feature an exhibition of portraits of Wellington’s Indian community painted by Swaroop Mukerji and various guest artists from India.

The seminar is on Wednesday 14 September 7.30 – 9.30 pm at the Hindu Swaminarayan Temple, 21 Barrhead Place, Avondale.

Speakers include:

• Dr. Veda Vrata Aalok, retired Sanskrit scholar from Delhi University and Yoga practitioner
• Losa (Seilosa) Patterson, clinical psychotherapist and member of the Latter Day Saints.
• Marcus Cohen, Jewish -  BA in Judeo-Christian Theology, MA Sociology of Education, retired businessman.

For enquiries contact Ruth Cleaver.

The Week will be observed in New Zealand from 16-23 October. A leaflet has been produced by the New Zealand organising committee with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information or to order leaflets for your community email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith website.

The theme is “Islam and the Environment: Our Rights and Responsibilities.” The month has changed this year due to many conflicting national activities and most importantly the observance of Ramadan in August this year.

As part of Islam Awareness Week, the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) is seeking nominations for the annual Harmony Awards. The Harmony Awards recognise efforts to improve understanding and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslim. Criteria for nomination can be found on the IAW website.

The lecture will be delivered by Associate Professor Chris Marshall, Head of the School of Art History, Classics and Religious Studies, Victoria University. 

Date    :           Monday 26 September
Time   :           5.30pm – 7.30pm
Venue  :          St David Lecture Theatre, University of Otago

The lecture will be followed by supper at the All Saints Anglican Church Hall, 786 Cumberland Street. For further information contact Rev. Greg Hughson, University Chaplain or phone 03 479 8497.

Melanie Riwai of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints will give a brief talk from her faiths’ perspective before leading a discussion on the topic.  A light supper will be served afterwards. Gold coin donation.

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

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee for Interfaith Relations is organising the events which will take place on 27 October.

For further information about events in your area, contact Sister Catherine Jones.

Spokespersons from various religious communities including Hindu, Jewish, Buddhist, Christian, Sikh and Islamic faiths have been invited to deliver the teachings and messages of their religious founders and from their religious scriptures on the topic “Peace, Loyalty and Tolerance through Religion.”

The event is an effort to bring members from various participating faiths together to listen, learn and reflect on the messages from various religions.

The function is from 3-6pm, dinner will be served at 6.30pm.  

Contact Eqbal Khan for enquiries.

On 31August 2011 Muslims in New Zealand and around the world celebrated “Eid ul Fitr” (Post-Fasting Festival), one of the most celebrated festivals in the Islamic calendar.

Eidul Fitr marks the end of the 9^th Arabic month known as Ramadan which is the month of fasting for Muslims around the world. It is celebrated on the first day of Shaw’waal which is the 10th month of the Islamic calendar. It is a long awaited celebration that starts with special prayers and later leads towards Muslims visiting each other.

Muslims in New Zealand celebrated Eid in various locations including over twenty five locations in Auckland. The two Muslim schools based in Auckland also played a great role during the day of Eid as part of the special character agreement with the Ministry of Education. Many local members of the New Zealand society from other beliefs were also invited into Muslim homes for Eid celebration.

A special public Eid celebration was organised at the parliament hosted by the Minister for Ethnic Affairs, Hon Hekia Parata on 6 September. The Counties Manukau Multicultural Council held an “Integrating Ethnic Cultures” Eid Festival on Sunday 4 September from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm at Mangere Centre Park Sports Stadium, 101-141 Robertson Road, Mangere, Auckland.

Members of the Organising Committee of Eid Festival 2011 in conjunction with Auckland Muslim Council, Masjid Ayesha and FIANZ also organised a special open Eid celebration in Charles Road, Papatoetoe, Auckland on 10 September. This opened the doors for the larger members of the Auckland community to join this very auspicious occasion and became a bridge building among various communities. Inter mingling of various communities during Eid celebration enhanced the better understanding of the Islamic world view and resulted in better tolerance and respect within the New Zealand society.

Check the programme and register online. There will be a number of sessions that explore religious diversity, including:

“Raising Awareness of Religious Diversity” The Waikato Interfaith Council will host a session on Sunday 21 August 1.30pm-3pm. The forum will include a presentation form Todd Nachowitz, University of Waikato, Dr Mustafa Farouk FIANZ, Alan Leadley Waikato Interfaith Council, Philip Yeung Hamilton City Council, and Anjum Rahman Waikato Interfaith Council.

“The Sate and Religion” Victoria University Religious Studies Programme will once again host the Annual Religious Diversity Forum on Monday 22 August from 11am – 12.30pm. The forum will include a presentation by Professor Paul Morris of the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and will involve a discussion panel comprising Rehanna Ali, Glyn Carpenter, Pravin Patel and Kim Workman.

The Sunday 21 August programme, and attendance at single workshops, is free of charge, but there is a fee of $50 for attendance on Monday 22 August. You can register online.

The winners are selected from over 200 organisations participating in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, which is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission.

This is the fifth year of the Diversity Awards and previous recipients with a faith/interfaith focus include the Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ), the Auckland Interfaith Council, Umma Trust and Mercy Ministries NZ Trust.

The month has changed this year due to many conflicting national activities and most importantly the observing of Ramadhan in August this year. IAW will also be observed on campuses from 8-13 September 2011.

Once again as part of Islam Awareness Week (IAW) the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) is seeking nominations for the annual Harmony Awards. The Harmony Awards recognise efforts to improve understanding and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslim. Criteria for nomination can be found on the IAW website

.

An updated temporary visa for religious workers will be brought in under the changes. The visa will allow a person to stay for up to four years, after which they can apply for residency.

“This new policy provides a path to residency for religious worker,” Dr Coleman said.

The changes came after public consultation, with 71 submissions received from the Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, and Hare Krishna faiths.

A shortage of workers was reported across a wide range of religions.

“New Zealand is becoming more diverse, with a different demographic make-up than 20 years ago. There is a wider range of spiritual needs,” Dr Coleman said.

Current immigration policies did not define “religious work” and had no residency option.

“So some communities were having trouble filling positions long-term.” In many cases, evidence of paid employment was required.

This was a hurdle for the Catholic Church, which did not pay priests. “This should sort things out. It will be a huge relief to the Catholic Church.”

To cut the possibility of fraud, religious workers will need to meet several criteria, including sponsorship by a religious organisation.

More information is available online

Source Stuff News

Topics covered in the presentations included Islam and its principles, marriage and relationships, including consent, polygamy, divorce, wearing of hijab, rights of women and children including domestic violence. A public forum at the Pacific Media Centre, Auckland University of Technology focused on the theme ” Muslim Women Rights are Human Rights.”

A total of two hundred participants from the social and health sector , women refuge, justice, law enforcement, local authorities, government departments, interfaith groups, students, academics, human rights attended the 3 workshops and a public forum.

The feedback from participants was positive enabling participants to apply the knowledge and information gained to better respond to service provision for Muslim women, children and families.

Ratna’s visit to New Zealand was sponsored by Umma Trust

The dinner was organised by the Tauawhi Men’s Centre to recognise the positive contributions of men in the Gisborne East Coast region.

The Interfaith Group nominated two candidates for the Award, Pastor Norm McLeod of the Breakthrough Church and Manu Caddie a City Councillor. Norm is involved in projects designed to educate and assist families to reduce domestic violence and the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse. His church is involved with a gang troubled area in Palmerston North and has had made connections with Indian Pastors in the city of Kurnool, working with poor Hindus, Muslims and Communists.

Manu exhibits strong family values for those at the bottom of the social ladder. He is very supportive of other men and is a voice on the District Council for social justice. He is a positive light in the community involving himself with several community projects and eight community organisations.

More than 150 people attended the evening and it is hoped that it will grow into an annual event. The award went to Gisborne Herald editor Jeremy Muir for his support of the cause against family violence

This involved interviewing 15 teachers about their thoughts and experiences of spirituality in secondary school sexuality education. A teacher educator, a curriculum developer, and Professor Mason Durie, the developer of the whare tapa wha model, were also interviewed to enhance the data of the teacher participants. The metaphor of weaving was used in writing this research.

The research identified six key insights including how to begin to define the notion of ‘spiritual research’, the idea that the way we undertake research can be claimed as a methodology in itself.

For more information please contact k.elliott@auckland.ac.nz

The Week will be observed in New Zealand from October 16 -23. A leaflet has been produced by the New Zealand organising committee with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information or to order leaflets for your community to use email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith website.

Subjected to more than 7000 seismic events since 4 September 2010, Christchurch is reeling from an ‘act of God’ lasting 11 months, with devastating consequences defying adequate description. In this heart-breaking, shocking and exhausting environment God has been making regular appearances in public discourse. But what kind of God is ‘acting’? And living with the reality of God’s red zone, what are the prospects for faith?

For more information about the discussion call: Dianne Downward 348 9579 or Bertha Hurley 355-0959

Speakers include Dr. Veda Vrata Aalok, Sanskrit scholar, retired from Delhi University, and Yoga practitioner and Losa (Seilosa) Patterson, clinical psychotherapist and member of the Latter Day Saints. The third speaker is yet to be confirmed.

Each faith group will bring afternoon to share. For information contact Eileen Mueller

There will be ethnic food stalls, service stalls, health checks, multicultural performances and a lot more. For more information contact Israr A Sheikh 09 2703633 / 021 2587887.

The Waikato Interfaith Council will be hosting a forum on raising awareness of religious diversity on Sunday afternoon 3.30pm – 5.00 pm. It will include a presentation by Todd Nachowitz of Waikato University on “Quantifying Cultural and Religious Diversity in New Zealand” and reflections on Islam Awareness Week, Hamilton’s Indigo Faith project and Waikato Museum’s landmark 2007 exhibition on religious diversity, Keeping Faith.

The annual religious diversity forum on Monday 22 August this year will focus on Religion and the State. It is hosted by the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and will focus on the State and Religion.

The Statement on Religious Diversity says: “The State seeks to treat all faith communities and those who profess no religion equally before the law. New Zealand has no official or established religion.”

The relationship between the state and religion is hotly debated, and the increased religious diversity of New Zealand society means that people will continue to discuss such issues as:

• Should the state observe religious rituals?
• Should Parliament open with a Christian prayer, other prayer or any prayer at all?
• Should public events acknowledge the diversity of religion and belief?
• Should the state recognise and support religious activities?
• Should the state promote interfaith dialogue?

The forum will include an introduction by Professor Paul Morris and a panel of speakers to discuss the issue.

There is also a wide range of other forums and activities focusing on aspects of New Zealand’s diversity. For more information visit the Diversity Forum webpage. Updates will also be posted on the Diversity Forum Facebook page.

Attendance on Sunday and for individual forums is free. If you are attending for half a day or more on the Monday the registration fee is $50. Register online now.

The Christchurch service will be held at St Michael’s and All Angels, which suffered the least damage of all the places of worship in the 22 February earthquake and subsequent earthquakes.

“It’s significant to hold the service there because it is the only remaining church in the heart of the city which is fully operational, and is only 10mins away from Cathedral Square” says Lachlan Mackay of the National Interfaith Youth Movement, which is organising the vigils.

Services in other centres are at St Matthew’s in the City in Auckland, St Andrew’s on the Terrace in Wellington and at Dunedin’s St Paul’s Cathedral.

“We carefully chose the venues and to have each vigil in a Christian church reflects that the Christian communities suffered the most of all the faith communities in the 4 major earthquakes to strike so far”.

“The purpose of the vigils is to raise the morale of Christchurch people by letting them know we are still with them.   We also want to do something practical so we are asking people who attend for donations which will be passed on to the Red Cross Earthquake Appeal”.

“Any individual from any faith or spiritual community is welcome to attend the vigils between 5pm and 7:30pm to join in the singing and chanting and to personally reflect and meditate on what has happened in Christchurch over the past nine months.  We will also be praying for the city’s recovery and for her people to remain strong,” says Mr Mackay.

The evening will also feature the replaying of the TVNZ and Ministry of Civil Defence memorial videos and will give the chance for all attendees to light candles and let off lanterns into the sky for Christchurch. At the end of each vigil, several locations throughout the cities will toll their bells for two minutes.

For more information contact:

Auckland Vigil Coordinator Tom McGuire
Wellington Vigil Coordinator Lachlan Mackay
Christchurch Vigil Coordinator Isaac Freeman,  021 1511209
Dunedin Vigil Coordinator Angela Loosli

The series of forums will be presented by Ratna Osman, Acting Executive Director of Sisters in Islam, a Muslim women’s NGO committed to promoting an understanding of Islam that recognises the principles of Justice, Equality, Freedom and Dignity within a democratic nation state.

For further details contact ummatrust@xtra.co.nz.

The talk will be on “Mother Teresa’s Active Compassion and how we can apply it in our daily lives.”  Speakers include: Anu Roy, a Baha’i who worked with Mother Teresa and Sister Milada, from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Porirua Community.

The AGM will take place after the speakers and a Q & A at 3.30pm.

For information contact Paddy Payne.

The company, New Zealand Bus, did not condone the action, and provided counselling to the Auckland drivers and took disciplinary action by giving them a formal final warning. Both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition said that people should not be discriminated against on the grounds of religious belief. John Key said “”New Zealand’s a tolerant and inclusive society. I think where practical on both sides, people should respect others’ cultural and spiritual beliefs.”

The Race Relations Commissioner said it was clearly a case of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief. A complaint on the matter was received by the Human Rights Commission and a process of mediation has been agreed to by the company.

The site at www.regionalinterfaith.org.au has been launched.

The Regional interfaith dialogues have been sponsored by the governments of Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines. The process of regional  interfaith dialogue began in Yogyakarta, Indonesia in 2004 and has contributed to stronger interfaith relations both nationally and in the Asia Pacific region. The last regional interfaith dialogue was in Perth in 2009.

This workshop was a follow up from a workshop last year and was dedicated to the memory of Lynne Milne, Bridgebuilders Co-ordinator who passed away unexpectedly at the end of 2010.   

The workshop included presentations on Christianity and Islam.  This was followed by Christian and Muslim women sharing their faith journeys, working as doctors in Afghanistan and Indonesia, starting new lives in NZ and the history of Christian women wearing headwear and Hijab for Muslim women.

 The workshop was attended by at least 30 people.

 For information contact Jenny Janif.

The Forum is a partnership between the Human Rights Commission and a range of New Zealand Diversity Action Programme participants, including MSD’s Settling In programme, the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO, and others.

The New Zealand Diversity Forum is a well established annual event where people involved in diversity action in central and local government, civil society organisations and ethnic communities get together to discuss the race relations issues of the day and practical strategies to address them.

The theme of the conference, People in Harmony, continues from Race Relations Day in March 2011. Attendance on Sunday and for individual forums is free. If you are attending for half a day or more the registration fee is $50.

For more information visit the Diversity Forum webpage or  register online now.

The Statement on Religious Diversity says: “The State seeks to treat all faith communities and those who profess no religion equally before the law. New Zealand has no official or established religion.”

The relationship between the state and religion is hotly debated, and the increased religious diversity of New Zealand society means that people will continue to discuss such issues as:

• Should the state observe religious rituals?
• Should Parliament open with a Christian prayer, other prayer or any prayer at all?
• Should public events acknowledge the diversity of religion and belief?
• Should the state recognise and support religious activities?
• Should the state promote interfaith dialogue?

The forum will be hosted by Victoria University Religious Studies Programme.

A police spokeswoman told NZPA the man allegedly had “issues” with the churches.

Lower Hutt CIB Detective Senior Sergeant Paul Borrell said the man was arrested in the Wellington suburb of Johnsonville and appeared in Wellington District Court charged with unlawfully taking a motor vehicle and theft of petrol.

Source NZ Herald

The discussion included testimonials, family experiences, perspectives and personal reflections on the effects of the Nazi occupations, anti-Semitism and the Holocaust.

The Museum has been hosting the touring exhibition created by the Anne Frank house in Amsterdam for much of the year. Through her diary, Anne has become a symbol for the lost promise of children who died in the holocaust. The exhibition is accompanied by an education programme specifically developed to target the New Zealand Curriculum.

The 2012 Forums will be hosted by the Waikato Interfaith Council (WIFCO).   If you are interested in joining the mailing list, attending the forum and receiving the formal announcement, register your interest by sending your name and email address to: WIFCOevents@gmail.com.

This is part of a professional development programme day where people can visit their local Hindu Temple, Muslim Mosque, Buddhist Temple, Sikh Gurdwara and Jewish Synagogue. 

Everything from food to transportation is taken care of for you.

The visits will be held in Auckland on Thursday 23 June 2011 and in Wellington on Wednesday 29 June 2011. You can view information and registration details here.

Faith communities are encouraged to plan your activity in your church, temple or mosque etc. Resources for the week will be ready early June and if you register an event you will receive a start up pack. 

For more information please contact Betty Hauraki on (04) 471 6042, or refer to the Kōrero Māori website. Do let us know if you plan an activity by emailing nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz .

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori is promoted by a longstanding tripartite partnership of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Kahui Tika Tangata (the Human Rights Commission).

Karen Armstrong’s Charter for Compassion launched just over a year ago, and has received tremendous support globally. A simple document of 300 words, it reaffirms the “golden rule” – that we should treat other people as we would like to be treated – and expands this into the basis for building a compassionate world based on justice, equity, respect, nonviolence, diversity, and ultimately to enlightenment, a just economy, and a peaceful global community. This symposium will examine how we can translate these thoughts into action.

Speakers include: Aarif Rasheed from CIDE – The Centre for Interfaith Dialogue and Education (Auckland). In addition to his work at CIDE, Aarif is a Referee at the Disputes Tribunal, a Trustee at the Rasheed Memorial Trust, and an active member of Auckland’s Muslim community. Rabbi Adi Cohen from the Wellington Progressive Jewish Congregation
who recently arrived from Congregation Brit Olam in Israel where he was the congregational rabbi, Adi has taught courses in Jewish Law and Ethics, special education, and worked as a storyteller. Nick Borthwick who works for Caritas, the Catholic agency for justice, peace and development and Daniel Eyre who has a double degree in law and theology both are from the NZ Catholic Bishops committee for Interfaith Relations.

For more information contact Dave Moskovitz 027 220 2202.

Ms Osman is the Acting Executive Director of Sisters in Islam, a Muslim women’s NGO committed to promoting an understanding of Islam that recognises the principles of Justice, Equality, Freedom and Dignity within a democratic nation state.

The series of forums will take place in Auckland on 21 July at AUT and in Wellington 22 July.

For further details contact ummatrust@xtra.co.nz.

The talk will be on “Mother Teresa’s Active Compassion and how we can apply it in our daily lives.”  Speakers include: Anu Roy, a Baha’i who worked with Mother Teresa and Sister Milada, from Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity Porirua Community.

The AGM will take place after the speakers and a Q & A at 3.30pm.

For information contact Paddy Payne.

The concert is an intimate variety concert ranging from moving spirituality to Yiddish cabaret and grand opera. Above all, Cantor Barzilai is an entertainer as well as a fine tenor.

The concert is open to the public. Book urgently as numbers are limited.

Admission is by $40 donation to the Holocaust Centre. Seniors and unwaged $20. Group bookings of 10 or more $20 each.

For tickets, phone 801 9480, or email info@holocaustcentre.org.nz.

Prison Fellowship New Zealand, which runs the 60-bed Rimutaka Prison unit, has been told it has until May 31 to develop a plan for a rehabilitation component to the services that it already offers.

The faith-based unit has housed several hundred inmates since it was established in 2003. It aims to get inmates to turn their lives around through the Christian faith, providing prison activities, restorative justice courses, and post-release support.

According to media reports a Corrections evaluation of the unit last year found it had had no impact on reducing reoffending.

Source: Stuff News

The New Zealand Diversity Forum is a well established annual event where people involved in diversity action in central and local government, civil society organisations and ethnic communities get together to discuss the race relations issues of the day and practical strategies to address them. Registrations will be open next month. 

Once again as part of the forum there will be a religious diversity forum. This year’s forum will focus on The State and Religion.

The Statement on Religious Diversity says: “The State seeks to treat all faith communities and those who profess no religion equally before the law. New Zealand has no official or established religion.”

The relationship between the state and religion is still hotly debated, and the increased religious diversity of New Zealand society means that people will continue to discuss such issues as:

• Should the state observe religious rituals?
• Should Parliament open with a Christian prayer, other prayer or any prayer at all?
• Should public events acknowledge the diversity of religion and belief?
• Should the state recognise and support religious activities?
• Should the state promote interfaith dialogue?

The forum will contribute to the development of guidelines on the relationship between the state and religion and belief.

The council has a tradition of opening each full meeting by reading aloud a short prayer, written for the city.

But at a council meeting last month, Mayor Annette Main raised the idea of not reading the lines “Eternal God, source of all wisdom” and “Amen” aloud, as a way of respecting all faiths around the council table.

The informal question drew a passionate response from both sides of the religious debate. As a result, it will be decided by a formal vote at the next full council meeting this month.

Source: Stuff News

The Labour Department is about to announce new visa policies for religious workers, with changes aiming to streamline the current rules and eliminate opportunities for fraud.

It also plans to allow priests and other religious workers to apply for residency, which is now not an option.

Although they can apply under other categories, many of these require evidence of paid employment.

This had proved a hurdle for the Catholic Church, which did not pay priests for their services and had been struggling with immigration laws that were increasingly centred on “market-based principles”, Catholic archdiocese of Wellington general manager Paul Bayliss said.

It was almost impossible for priests to gain residency because the church does not technically employ the priest. Priests who dedicate their time to a parish are responding to a calling, not a job advertisement.

They don’t sign a contract, with the expectation that they will be looked after by the parish.

The Labour Department has received more than 71 submissions on the proposed visa changes from representatives of Buddhist, Christian, Jewish and Hare Krishna faiths.

Immigration head Nigel Bickle said the policy review arose after religious groups expressed concerns that the system was not working as well as it could be.

The review was continuing, and new policies were likely to be announced within the next few months.

Although the proposed visa changes were backed by the Catholic Church, it disagreed with plans to place an age limit – suggested at either 45, 50 or 55 years of age – on residency applications.

“You have active priests in their 80s … an age figure is arbitrary,” Mr Bayliss said.

There were fears that a requirement to provide evidence that efforts had been made to secure a Kiwi priest would be difficult to meet. It went against the principles that priests, after years of commitment, including theological training and celibacy, were “called” into their communities, Mr Bayliss said.

A priest’s dedication to the church was for life, with resignation only considered past the age of 75.

“It doesn’t make a lot of sense … we know how many [priests] we have, how many are trained locally and we need in the future. It’s not a market, you don’t advertise for a priest. You’re not a disposable employee, we don’t make redundancies.”

Anglican Archbishop David Moxon said he agreed with the legislation in principle, but hoped religious workers would not be shouldered aside when it came to residency applications.

“We have a few concerns – we don’t want to see people who are doing great work cut short and have to leave.

“Religious workers enhance the social capital and add to the common good of the community, and that has as much value as the economic contribution of a businessman.”

Source: Dominion Post 19 April, 2011

Maori hosts and Hindu manuhiri got together at the conference in the spirit of the Arohanui ki te Tangata (Goodwill to all Men) and Vasudhaiv Kutumbakam (World is one Family) at the Marae. Participants included local Iwi, Hindus from New Zealand and overseas, and Government Ministers, parliamentarians, officials, and representatives from the voluntary sectors.

One of the key outcomes of the conference was the agreement to follow up with the Ministry of Health to get official recognition for yoga as an alternative therapy.

For more information go to www.hinducouncil.org.nz

Source: Hindu Council Press Release

Concern was expressed that both Baha’is and certain Christian communities are being targeted solely on the grounds of their faith.  A special prayer was read on behalf of the Baha’i leadership called the Yaran who have been imprisoned in the notoriously harsh prison at Gohardasht near Tehran without a fair process to justice. A photo of the seven member Yaran was placed on the “altar” by Lama Lobsang so that they could be remembered in their daily prayers and meditations.

The 2011 theme is SAMOA OLA – SAMOA ACTIVE.

There are over 130,000 Samoan New Zealanders. The Samoan language is the third most commonly spoken language in New Zealand after English and Māori.

Faith communities are encouraged to plan your activity in your church, temple or mosque etc. Resources for the week will be ready early June and if you register an event you will receive a start up pack. 

For more information please contact Betty Hauraki on (04) 471 6042, or refer to the Kōrero Māori website. Do let us know if you plan an activity by emailing nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz .

Te Wiki O Te Reo Māori is promoted by a longstanding tripartite partnership of Te Taura Whiri i te Reo Māori, Te Puni Kōkiri and Te Kahui Tika Tangata (the Human Rights Commission).

The purpose of the seminar is to raise awareness of each faith and to help create harmony and understanding.

Date    :           21 May
Time   :           1.30 – 4.30pm
Venue :           Wesley Centre, 740 Sandringham Road, Auckland.

Contact Jenny Janif jenny.janif001@msd.govt.nz or Rose Tauetule bridgebuilderstrust@xtra.co.nz for more details

Ms Osman is the Acting Executive Director of Sisters in Islam, a Muslim women’s NGO committed to promoting an understanding of Islam that recognises the principles of Justice, Equality, Freedom and Dignity within a democratic nation state. The series of forums will take place in Auckland on 21 July at AUT and in Wellington 22 July.

Please contact ummatrust@xtra.co.nz

The Christchurch Interfaith Council is hosting a discussion evening on Festivals – their value and the importance in one’s faith tradition on Tuesday 31 May from 7-9pm at 17 Kirkwood Avenue. There will be presentations by the Baha’i, Christian, Muslim and Jewish faiths.

For information call Bertha Hurley or Dianne Downward 033489579, 033550959

Auckland

The Auckland Inter-Faith Council invites you to attend a combined AGM/evening seminar on Wednesday, 15 June at St Mark’s Church, 95 Remuera Road, Remuera. Doors open 7:00 for a 7:30 start. The AGM will precede 2 guest speakers, Bishop Ross Bay (Anglican) and Mr Verpal Singh (Sikh) who will address the topic “Keeping and Practicing Faith in NZ Today”.  Light supper served. All welcome.

The 2012 Forums will be hosted by the Waikato Interfaith Council (WIFCO).  A more formal invitation, along with registration information, will be sent out later in the year.  For now, please add these dates to your calendars and diaries.  If you are interested in joining our mailing list, attending the forum, and receiving the formal announcement, please register your interest by sending your name and email address to: WIFCOevents@gmail.com.  

Please feel free to circulate this announcement to your respective communities.  

Hope to see you in February 2012!

The Statement on Religious Diversity says: “The State seeks to treat all faith communities and those who profess no religion equally before the law. New Zealand has no official or established religion.”

The Human Rights Commission’s Review of Human Rights in 2010 noted that:

“New Zealand has no state religion, and church and state institutions are separate. In legislation and policy, the State respects freedom of thought, conscience and religion. There are few constraints on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs. Elements of New Zealand’s Christian heritage are reflected in public life: for example, the Christian festivals of Easter and Christmas are observed as public holidays, and Christian prayers often form a part of public ceremonials.

There is also a degree of statutory recognition of Māori spiritual beliefs, which are inextricably connected to Māori culture.

Any group based on either religious or ethical belief can set up and operate in New Zealand without legal constraints or state interference, while still required to conform to the law like everyone else. Like other groups in society, those based on religious or ethical belief have the right to publicly influence the political process and societal norms in light of their values, within the bounds of the law. Parents are free to direct the religious and moral education of their children, and religious minorities are able to profess and practise their own religion.”

The relationship between the state and religion is still hotly debated, and the increased religious diversity of New Zealand society means that people will continue to discuss such issues as:

• Should the state observe religious rituals?
• Should Parliament open with a Christian prayer, other prayer or any prayer at all?
• Should public events acknowledge the diversity of religion and belief?
• Should the state recognise and support religious activities?
• Should the state promote interfaith dialogue?

The forum will contribute to the development of guidelines on the relationship between the state and religion and belief.

Date: Monday 22 August

Under existing rules religious workers are evaluated against general skills categories to qualify for permanent residence. Religious workers have struggled to fulfill requirements set for skilled employment and employment experience; remuneration; qualifications; English language; and age. Currently about 300 religious workers are granted work permits out of 177,361 temporary work permits issued annually.

Visit the Departments website for the summary.

As part of the review the Law Commission will consider whether the Act is meeting public expectations and needs with respect to the handling and burial or cremation of the dead with specific reference to: The care and custody of the body after death; the provision of culturally appropriate options for burial or cremation; the responsiveness to individual or group requirements that fall outside the ambit of the current Act (i.e. eco or green burials); the suitability of religious affiliation as the sole criteria for the establishment of burial grounds. The review will include extensive consultation on these and other issues.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of racism and to suggest what can be done about it. For 2011, the speech topic was Diversity in the human family. Contestants from throughout the country were invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic.

Both Lepau’s and Supreet’s speech are available on the Human Rights Commission website.

Contact Bev Watson if you would like to learn more about the speech contest.

The research project, conducted by final year PhD student Jaimee Stuart from Victoria’s Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research, compared the experience of Muslim young people in New Zealand and the UK.

The study examined well-being, psychological symptoms, behavioural problems, discrimination and immigration stress in about 300 Muslim youth (aged 16-27 years) in both countries.

Ms Stuart says that the findings revealed that Muslim youth in this country demonstrate more positive outcomes on almost all indicators.

“Importantly, Muslims in New Zealand experience lower levels of discrimination and immigration stress, even though they have stronger religious identities and practice their religion more than those in the UK.”

The study also found that perceptions of living in an inclusive, multicultural society were higher for Muslims in New Zealand and that this was related to better outcomes.

“This may be an important indicator that social cohesion has direct and positive impacts on the adjustment of immigrants in New Zealand,” says Ms Stuart.

Press Release by Victoria University of Wellington

Over 800 people attended the event which included bhangra, giddha, folk songs and drama performances. Vaisakhi is a very important day for Sikhs and one of the most colourful events in the Sikh calendar.

The major feature of the event was the participation of local Maori including Eru Thompson Kaumatua from Manurewa marae representing Auckland Council.

Plan your activity now in your church, temple or mosque etc. You are invited to register your activity by emailing nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz so that it can be published on the website and promoted as part of the week’s activities.

The 2011 theme is SAMOA OLA – SAMOA ACTIVE.

Samoan Language week partners for 2011 are FAGASA, the Human Rights Commission, MPIA, PEC Trust and the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO. Other partners will be added once they confirm their involvement.

There are over 130,000 Samoan New Zealanders. The Samoan language is the third most commonly spoken language in New Zealand after English and Māori.

For information call Bertha Hurley or Dianne Downward 033489579, 033550959.

The conference aims to harness the dynamic spirit of youth for the purpose of social progress and transformation. It will provide a forum to empower and utilize the energy and vision of young New Zealanders for constructive social purposes, with a focus on Hindu culture and philosophy. It will also discus topics such as pluralism, building leadership in youth, technology, productivity, environmental sustainability, recreation, seva (Service) social issues and how all this is related to the multicultural melting pot that is New Zealand.

Fun activities, games and competitions have also been planned for the two day event. There will be interactive sessions with presenters from different walks of life who have made a mark for themselves in the society; an art exhibition and a quiz night.  Speakers include:

• Dr Divya Dhar, young New Zealander of the year 2010,
• Ms Claire Szabo, NZIM young executive of the year 2010
• Team One Beep, National leg winner of the Microsoft Imagine Cup, 2010
• J’aime Laurenson Prime  Minister’s inaugural 2010 Pacific Youth Awards recipient

For government agencies, this is a great opportunity to meet and mingle with motivated students and young adults.

Hindu Youth New Zealand and Hindu Students’ Forum work towards making a positive difference in the lives of youth and students to enable them to achieve their highest potential.

For further information, email  hinduyouth.nz@gmail.com

Find Hindu Youth New Zealand on Facebook.

The topic is Gone to Hell in a Handcart?  The speaker is Dr Peter Lineham, Associate Professor ay Massey University, Albany – historian and author in the field of church and society.  All welcome.

The purpose of the seminar is to raise awareness of each faith and to help create harmony and understanding.

Date    :           21 May
Time   :           1.30 – 4.30pm
Venue :           Wesley Centre, 740 Sandringham Road, Auckland.

Contact Jenny Janif jenny.janif001@msd.govt.nz or Rose Tauetule bridgebuilderstrust@xtra.co.nz for more details

The AGM will precede 2 guest speakers, Bishop Ross Bay (Anglican) and Mr Verpal Singh (Sikh) who will address the topic Keeping and Practicing Faith in NZ Today. 

Light supper served. All welcome.

The event is supported by Auckland Council.

The Parish of Pauatahanui has been given guardianship of some of the works. On Saturday evening 16 April, there will be an opening of the exhibition and an opportunity for people in the community to come together, reflect on the works, give thanks and have a few nibbles. Many of the works are interactive, inviting exploration at viewers’ leisure. As well as donated works, this short exhibition will also feature small, multi-faith works and general works for sale by silent tender. Successful bidders will be informed after the exhibition has closed.  

Several major works are still to find homes, and enquiries from any charity, community group, faith group,  any public organisation or business, anywhere in the country are welcome. The works on offer are Prayer Wall, the Peace Prayer Wheel, Scripture Scrolls, Ganges Blessing, Great Primal Beginning, Votive Vote, and the Spirituality in the Public Domain interactive blackboard.

The exhibition, Spirituality in the Public Domain, was acknowledged by the Human Rights Commission in 2007 for promoting religious diversity. It was received by the public with much enthusiasm since its first showing at Pataka Museum in 2005. It also toured to Lake Taupo Museum and to the Suter in Nelson.

Currently, the works from that exhibition are being donated to the wider community, with five of the paintings now in the stewardship of Kenepuru Hospital to be viewed by the public in an ongoing way.

For enquiries about the exhibition opening and showing contact Gill England,  gill.england@xtra.co.nz – Tel: 027 209 8572. For enquiries about receiving the donation of any of the other artworks, please contact Radha Sahar – radha.sahar@gmail.com, Tel: 027 539 9971

In a recent development, Pakistan, on behalf of Islamic States, proposed a resolution at the Human Rights Council in March which seeks to address both the concern at the increased incidence of religious hatred and the need to preserve freedom of expression.  The resolution was adopted by consensus and provides a useful basis on which to address the issues in as positive manner.

Among other things the resolutions recognises that “the open public debate of ideas, as well as interfaith and intercultural dialogue at the local, national and international levels can be among the best protections against religious intolerance, and can play a positive role in strengthening democracy and combating religious hatred, and that a continuing dialogue on these issues can help overcome existing misperception.”

Read the  full text of the resolution.

The Human Rights Commission’s annual review of race relations, Race Relations in 2010, was published on 11 March. The review included a chapter on Religious Diversity.

To view full report visit the Commission’s website.

Indigo Faith involves the Ai Xin Society, Hamilton Sikh Temple, Hamilton mosque and Islamic centre and the Waikato Cambodian Temple.

The Indigo festival is a vibrant celebration of Hamilton’s multicultural community. First held in 2000, it has become a much loved event that showcases the music, art, and traditions of this diverse city. Along with Indigo Faith you can check out the Indigo Go street parade, Indigo Style fashion show, Indigo on Show cultural performances and more. There is also a film festival.

The Festival offers a unique opportunity for communities to exhibit their talents, values and customs while providing Hamilton with a taste of another country’s culture.

For more information call Patricia on 07 853 2192 or visit the Indigo Festival website.

Both will give a short talk on “People in Harmony” – the theme of Race Relations Day 2011. The conference will also include workshops run by the Human Rights Commission, NZ Police and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Registrations will open at 9.30am.

The conference will conclude with the speech finals which will once again offer students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Please contact Bev Watson to obtain further information.

Police say a ceremonial blessing of sites where people died in the 22 February earthquake is another step in helping residents, communities and families of victims come to terms with the tragic loss of life.

Rev Jim Patrick, police chaplain, says the saying of prayers over the sites is an important step towards closure for many people affected by the earthquake.

“This is an acknowledgement of the intense spiritual impact of the tragedy on so many people – families of the deceased, emergency services workers, residents and the wider city,” he says. “The blessing helps us to accept what has happened, to grieve, to commend the deceased to God and to begin to move on.”

Police kaumatua, Rev Maurice Gray, says the blessing included a lifting of the tapu on each site where people had died, along with the sprinkling of water and laying of pare kawakawa – branches which symbolise life being brought to the place of death.

“This is part of the ongoing recognition of the spiritual needs of all those families and communities affected by the tragedy.

“We are especially conscious that international families have entrusted the spiritual care of their loved ones to us. In these blessings we acknowledge the reality of our grief, but also bring the light of life to these places,” he says.

(From NZ Police press release)

The forum on the weekend included keynote addresses by international speakers, Freeman Trebilcock and Rachael Kohn. The workshops on Monday included discussions on the national interfaith structure, women and interfaith leadership, religious inclusions and exclusion, achieving millennium goals and interfaith elephants.

The forum also included a plenary which involved a panel discussion on the topic – how can interfaith dialogue contribute to human rights education.

Despite the difficult circumstances Sr Bertha Hurley was able to attend the forum on behalf of the Christchurch Interfaith Council.   

A notable outcome was an agreement to assign each regional interfaith council the responsibility to appoint a liaison person to progress the idea of establishing a national interfaith council. The forum also featured an agreement to release a statement of support for those who have suffered in the recent Christchurch earthquake:

“We unite our faith and prayers from our respective faith traditions to send our love, sympathy and support for those who have suffered or lost loved ones in the recent Christchurch earthquake. Even though we may not have suffered personally, with many other New Zealanders we feel a collective sense of shared suffering, not only in trauma, but in the loss of life, of property and loss of livelihood. We pray for the restoration of homes, of business and industry and the restoration of hope in the future. May we all be blessed with the will to work to this end.”

Both councils will not be supporting the visit and have recommended others not to do so. President of the Wellington Jewish Council David Zwartz said he did not support his message in any way because of its inappropriateness for New Zealand.

Rabbi Shifren spreads the message about the threat of Islamic fundamentalism and the impact of sharia law on Western democracy and securing borders. He is a supporter of the English Defense League and while in New Zealand will be promoting their cause.

There will be three guest speakers: Bishop Patrick Dunn, Catholic Bishop of Auckland: Sheikh Rafat Najm, Muslim scholar and teacher; and Sensei Amala Wrightson, Zen teacher and priest.

Free of charge. Light supper will be served.

The meeting will be followed by a talk by Dr Peter Lineham, Regional Director for the College of Humanities and Social Sciences and Associate Professor of History at the Albany Campus of Massey University.  He has recently been researching the dispersion of different religious groups in New Zealand across its history and will speak on the early history of Muslims in New Zealand.

Participants need to be comfortable walking four to five hours a day over a range of terrain. Each day is different and the journey will appeal to people who are fit and keen walkers and/or have some tramping experience.

The Hidden Treasures Trail is supported by more than 20 landowners between Riverhead and Puhoi who have opened their properties in support of Hibiscus Hospice. Proceeds from this fundraising event will support people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the region.

To register and for more information visit the Hibiscus Hospice website.

If you’d like to see inside an urban Buddhist temple this is your chance.  There will also be origami, lecture on meditation, book sale plus treats and tea at the centre.

The entire chapter will be available at the National Interfaith Forum. Other sections of the Race Relations Report deal with action on diversity, discrimination, the Treaty of Waitangi, action in diversity, migration and settlement, inequalities, media, language and research.

If you would like a copy of the full report when it is released, please email NZ Diversity with Annual Review of Race Relations in the subject line and your full address (including postcode). The full Race Relations Report will be launched on Friday 11 March in Auckland by the Mayor of Auckland and the Race Relations Commissioner. There will be forums to discuss the report in Christchurch on 14 March and Wellington on 16 March.

There will also be two international speakers, Freeman Trebilcock, a 21-year-old Australian born Tibetan Buddhist monk – and Rachael Kohn,  Australian scholar and broadcaster, producer and presenter of ‘The Spirit of Things’

The Youth Forum will be held on Saturday 26 February at level 15, FAI House, 180 Molesworth St, Wellington. Registration is open at 9.45am for a 10am Forum start and will finish at 5pm. For more information email or visit the National Interfaith Youth Forum 2011 on Facebook or download the programme.

The Women’s Forum will be held on Sunday 27 February, 9:30am – 4:30pm Level 15, FAI House, 180 Molesworth St, Wellington.

The National Forum Conference Dinner is from 5:30pm – 7:30pm Sunday 27 February at the Kingsgate Hotel, 24 Hawkestone St, Thorndon.

A public lecture including supper will be held from 7.30pm – 9:30pm Sunday 27 February at Loaves & Fishes, Hill St.      

The plenary forum will be open for registrations at 8:00am on Monday 28 February at the Parliament Buildings.  

To register and for more information visit the Interfaith website.

This year’s Race Relations Posters are now available free from the Human Rights Commission – email NZ Diversity with your address if you would like some.

Please inform us if you will be organising an event this year. Find out more about Race Relations Day in New Zealand by visiting the Race Relations Day event page.

Since the event falls on a Sunday this year, we are particularly encouraging Christian churches to mark the day in their Sunday services and also to consider organising special events for choirs from different ethnic groups like the Rainbow Praise events organised in Nelson, Palmerston North and Invercargill last year. Other faiths with multicultural communities may also consider ways of celebrating their diversity.

The half hour programme is hosted by Chris Nichol, and explores and celebrates the spiritual diversity of New Zealanders. Repeats of earlier series are screening on TV ONE and TVNZ 7.

For more information visit the TV ONE website.

The multi ethnic programme is run by Outward Bound Trust, in partnership with the Human Rights Commission.  The Southern Cross course includes young Aucklanders of Māori, Pākehā, Pacific, Asian and other descent. The objective is to provide an opportunity for personal development, teamwork, leadership and an understanding of the diverse backgrounds of fellow course participants.

Outward Bound is the leading organisation in New Zealand for showing people their full potential through challenge and adventure in the outdoors. The vision of Outward Bound is simply stated as helping the development of ‘Better People, Better Communities and a Better World’.  This is the 8th year that Outward Bound has run a multiethnic course for young Aucklander’s from diverse backgrounds.

Visit the website of the Outward Bound Trust of New Zealand.

This is the 11^th year of the nationwide speech contest. The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of the theme this year “People in Harmony”.

The Race Unity Speech Award offers students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school. For 2010, the speech topic was ‘Diversity in the human family’. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic. Entries must be in before 11 March, 2011. The regional heats will begin in 16 March.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Please contact Bev Watson to obtain further information.

The presentation will be on the topic “Our Understanding the Eternal”. There will be presentations by several faiths followed by discussions.   

All welcome. Koha – gold coin.

For details contact Sister Bertha at Ph: 03 355 0956.

The overland pilgrimage trail starts at the Hare Krishna temple in Riverhead and visits the Buddhist Temple, the Historic Settlers Church in Wainui and ends at St Peter and Paul Church in Puhoi. Most of the pilgrimage trail is over private land and the walk includes a range of terrain and countryside with views that are normally closed to the public.

Participants need to be comfortable walking four to five hours a day over a range of terrain. Each day is different and the journey will appeal to people who are fit and keen walkers and/or have some tramping experience.

Each day participants meet at a central point where there is safe and secure car parking. A bus takes everyone to the start of the walk, or meets everyone at the end of the walk and returns them to the car park. Meeting places and meeting times are provided on registration and accommodation can be arranged for out-of-town participants.

The Hidden Treasures Trail is supported by more than 20 landowners between Riverhead and Puhoi who have opened their properties in support of Hibiscus Hospice. Proceeds from this fundraising event will support people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the region.

To register visit the Hibiscus Hospice website.

The Festival offers a unique opportunity for communities to exhibit their talents, values and customs while providing Hamilton with a taste of another country’s culture. The Sunday programme will include a focus on “Indigo Faith”.

Check out the Indigo Go street parade, Indigo Style fashion show, Indigo on Show cultural performances and more.

For more information call Patricia on 07 853 2192 or visit the Indigo Festival website.

Forty-four of the complaints were about discrimination against someone of a specific religion, spirituality or belief system. Most commonly cited were Islam (18 complaints), Christianity (nine) and atheism (five). Other religions had three or fewer complaints.

Appearance

As in previous years, a prominent theme of complaint by or about Muslims related to appearance issues. The Commission received six complaints about Muslim dress or facial hair. It also received four other beliefs-related complaints about headwear and four about jewellery (including taonga).

Corrections

Most complaints (eight) about corrections facilities concerned Muslim inmates. Issues cited included double-bunking and strip-searching, which conflicts with Muslim belief.

Employment

The most common area of complaint (19) was employment. No particular denomination predominated, but various Christian beliefs were the most common. Fourteen complaints related to discrimination based on religious or ethical belief, and five were about being subjected to the beliefs of others in the workplace.

RELIGIOUS DIVERSITY

What happened in 2010?

• The Human Rights Commission reviewed the status of freedom of religion and belief in New Zealand
• Guidelines were progressed on religion in the workplace
• Immigration provisions for religious workers were relaxed
• The Holidays Act was amended to allow workers and employers to agree on the transfer of public holidays
• Exemptions relating to the religious practice of Shechita were reinstated
• The National Interfaith Forum was held in Christchurch
• There was a wide range of local interfaith activities
• There were a number of instances of discrimination and harassment on religious grounds

HUMAN RIGHTS AND RELIGION

Review of human rights: freedom of religion and belief

The Human Rights Commission’s five yearly review of human rights, Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 / Nga Tika Tangata O Aotearoa, was published in December. One chapter assessed the right to religion and belief. In summary, it said:

“New Zealand has no state religion, and church and state institutions are separate. In legislation and policy, the State respects freedom of thought, conscience and religion. There are few constraints on the freedom to manifest one’s religion or beliefs.

“The right to freedom of religion and belief is incorporated in New Zealand law, and New Zealand generally complies with and exceeds international standards. Some challenges remain in relation to accommodation of differences in religion and belief in practice, particularly in balancing the right to freedom of expression with the right to freedom of religion and belief, as reflected in a number of high-profile incidents. Maintaining respect for all religions and beliefs and all rights-holders requires continual work, particularly in developing relationships of mutual respect and recognising that there is an equal right to religion and to ethical belief.”

The report identified a number of areas for action, which appear at the conclusion of this chapter.

National religious diversity network

The Human Rights Commission continued to facilitate a national religious diversity network, Te Korowai Whakapono, as part of the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme. The Commission produced a monthly electronic newsletter on religious diversity and encouraged faith communities and other organisations to undertake religious diversity projects. The network’s annual forum was held as part of the New Zealand Diversity Forum in Christchurch in August.

Religion in the workplace

The Commission worked with the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme to develop guidelines on religion in the workplace, arising from discussion on the topic at the 2009 religious diversity forum. A working group was established with representatives from the Department of Labour, Business NZ, the AUT School of Business, the NZ Council of Trade Unions, and the Human Rights Commission. They were assisted by a reference group of members of diverse religious and belief groups. The guidelines are expected to be published in early 2011.

Religious diversity forum

Around 100 people attended the network’s annual religious diversity forum in Christchurch in August on the topic of religion and the media. An overview was given by Religious Studies Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University and Journalism Professor Jim Tully of Canterbury University. This was followed by a panel discussion of representatives of media and faith communities. Following the forum, a working group will be established in 2011 to develop a statement on religion and the media.

Teaching diversity

The New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO held two workshops on teaching diversity, one in Wellington in May and the other at the New Zealand Diversity Forum in August. The workshops considered the educational resources currently available on religious and cultural diversity and identified the gaps. The focus was on competencies required to teach diversity in schools and the need to “teach the teachers”. Outcomes of the workshops included:

• Support for workshops on diversity education for principals and school trustees.
• A call for professional development and resources for intermediate and secondary teachers for religious and cultural diversity education.
• Agreement to develop a network to share resources, best practice and information, to be hosted by the Faculty of Education at Victoria University.

GOVERNMENT AND RELIGION

Religious workers

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman agreed to review existing immigration rules for religious workers (such as ministers of religion). This came after extensive lobbying from religious communities about the difficulty for religious workers to gain permanent residency in New Zealand. Under existing rules religious workers are evaluated against general skills categories to qualify for permanent residence. Religious workers have struggled to fulfill requirements set for skilled employment and employment experience; remuneration; qualifications; English language; and age. Religious workers from Asia have been particularly disadvantaged. The alternative to permanent residence, a three-year work permit, is seen as an unsuitable option as many organisations want to keep their religious workers long term. Immigration New Zealand has been tasked with the review and a final decision is expected by mid 2011. Currently about 300 religious workers are granted work permits out of 177,361 temporary work permits issued annually.

Swapping public holidays

The Holidays Amendment Act passed in November enabled workers and employers to agree to transfer public holiday entitlements from the standard statutory date (e.g. Christmas Day or Good Friday) to another working day, for example, to observe a day of greater religious or cultural significance to them.

Row over Shechita

In June the Ministry for Agriculture and Forestry issued a new commercial animal slaughter code making the stunning of all animals before slaughter compulsory. In effect the new code banned shechita, the kosher slaughter of animals. Shechita calls for the blood to be drained from the animal before it is killed, in a way intended to be painless, and the animal must not be harmed in any way such as stunning before the blood is drained. The practice is a religious tenet and dietary requirement for the preparation of kosher meat. Previously, the commercial animal slaughter code had an exemption to allow shechita to take place.

Members of the Jewish Community filed legal proceedings against the ban. Crown Law Office negotiated on behalf of the Minister for Agriculture and Forestry and the parties agreed to allow shechita in the interim before the case was decided in the High Court.

Court proceedings were set to begin in November, but the case was adjourned when the Government agreed to allow the shechita of poultry. Negotiations were ongoing in relation to lamb. The interim orders granted when the lawsuit was first filed, enabling the shechita of lamb, will continue until the Court re-adjourns and makes a ruling.

Building bridges

The Office of Ethnic Affairs and the Federation of Islamic Associations (FIANZ) have worked together on the Building Bridges programme since 2005. The programme aims to build respect, inclusion, empowerment and participation between Muslim communities and other communities in New Zealand. As part of the programme OEA held a second ‘Muslims and the Media’ forum in Auckland in April, in order to build the relationship between the media and Muslim community, provide information about how the media works and create a mechanism to identify and address stereotyping of Muslims in the media.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs also facilitated a visit by Farah Anwar Pandith, the US Special Representative to Muslim Communities, in December. While in New Zealand Mr Pandith chaired forums on Muslim engagement in the 21^st century.

The Building Bridges programme expanded to the South Island for the first time in 2010. A diverse group of Muslim community members began collaborating on projects with the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Faith in Parliament

In July the NZ Buddhist Council presented Parliament with a special edition of the Dhammapada – a versified Buddhist scripture traditionally ascribed to the Buddha. The NZ Buddhist Council compiled the special edition specifically for this occasion. It included a transcription of the original Pali text, a Chinese translation to represent the first Buddhists to arrive in New Zealand, and an English version translated by a New Zealand-born monk, Venerable Ajahn Munindo, Abbott of Amaravati Monastery in England.  The Dhammapada is bound in Rimu wood, representing the heart of the forest.

Parliament continued the practice of marking major religious festivals. In October Parliament hosted an Eid celebration as well as a Diwali event.

Alliance of Civilizations

The third forum of the Alliance of Civilisations was held in May in Rio de Janeiro.  New Zealand was represented by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. The forum , The forum, which was attended by over 3000 participants from government, civil society, international organisations, business and academia, provided an opportunity for New Zealand to reaffirm its commitment to the Alliance’s objectives and to showcase some of the work that occurs domestically within the Alliance’s framework.

The AOC was launched by Turkey and Spain in 2005 in response to concerns that a rise of religious extremism and incidents of global terrorism was causing a growing rift between people of different cultures and faiths. The AOC works to support interfaith and inter-cultural initiatives aimed at building cooperation and respect for other cultures and faiths.  It also aims to help counter the forces that fuel polarisation and extremism

NATIONAL INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES

National Interfaith Forum

The annual National Interfaith Forum was hosted by the Christchurch Inter-Faith Council for the first time in February on the theme of “keeping faith in the modern world”. More than 150 people attended the event and the associated forums for women and youth. The programme included the official inauguration of the “UNESCO Chair of Interreligious and Intercultural Relations for New Zealand and the Pacific, which is held by Professor Paul Morris of the Religious Studies Programme at Victoria University.

A notable feature of the forum was the report back from delegates who attended the Asia-Pacific Regional Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation in Perth. There was also an update on the New Zealand National Commission for UNESCO’s initiative to promote the teaching of religious diversity in schools.

The forum established a committee to develop a constitution for a National Interfaith Council for further discussion.

An informal network of youth interfaith leaders was strengthened at the National Interfaith Youth Forum. The group aims to promote robust discussions around:

• the practical importance of the interfaith movement
• whether a national network would hinder the natural establishment of local youth multifaith groups
• the best approaches for reaching out to young people
• developing leaders
• establishing an interactive website or some form of a publication
• deciding upon a name, mission, and future direction.

Catholic bishops establish interfaith committee

The New Zealand Catholic Bishops established a Committee for Interfaith Relations. Its functions include building relationships with people of other faiths in New Zealand, networking with other interfaith groups, and education for Catholics on the church’s teaching on interfaith relations. The committee encourages people to be involved in whatever way is appropriate for them. Examples include working on community building projects and extending hospitality to new arrivals in New Zealand.

LOCAL INTERFAITH ACTIVITIES

• The Auckland Interfaith Council organised a series of public lectures on “Journeys of Faith”.
• The Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust organised workshops on Islamic faith for service providers to Muslim clients.
• The Hindu Council of New Zealand celebrated the Holi Festival at Te Papaioru Marae in Ohinemutu Village, Rotorua, in February, continuing its engagement with Māori and people of other faiths.
• Hibiscus Coast Hospice organised a three day 40k interfaith trail from Riverhead to Puhoi visiting Hare Krishna, Buddhist and Chrisitan landmarks over Easter weekend in April.
• The Mercy Spirituality Centre held a series of six talks from July to August exploring interfaith dialogue with speakers from a variety of religions.
• The Christchurch Interfaith Council’s annual Rafaa Antoun Memorial Lecture in July was given by Hassan Haji Ibrahim on “Building bridges between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in New Zealand”.
• Islam Awareness Week, including Mosque Open Days in various centres, was organised by the Federation of Islamic Association in August.
• The interfaith Week of Prayer for World Peace was observed by a number of faith communities in October.
• The Islamic Resource Centre at Auckland University hosted a symposium on Christian, Jewish and Muslim perspectives on the Holocaust.
• The Auckland Interfaith Council organised an end of year celebration featuring sacred words and music on the theme of gratitude in November, attended by over 200 people.
• Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at held an interfaith religious founders day symposium in November, in support of their founder’s call for a “Conference of Religions”, first held in India in 1896.
• A digital story telling project on women and faith in Auckland resulted in the production of films in which eight women of diverse faiths and ethnicities tell their stories, centering on themes of faith, hope and belief. The digital project was a collaboration between the Auckland City Council’s community services and arts teams and production company MICToi Rerehiko.
• The Ministry of Social Development’s Settling In Project (MSD) and the Bridgingbuilders Trust Inc ran a workshop on Muslim Women & NZ Women. It provided a Muslim women’s perspective on Islamic beliefs, practices and women’s rights, and the efforts of New Zealand women to achieve their current level of freedom and opportunities.
• The Dunedin Abrahamic Interfaith Group and the Otago University Centre for Theology and Public Issues jointly hosted a lecture in November by former British MP, Rt Hon John Battle, on “From fear to respect: Why building healthy interfaith relationships matters.”
• The Wellington Interfaith Council held a multi-faith celebration of unity through music, song and poetry at St Andrews on the Terrace in December.

Credo and Quest in Whangarei

An exhibition of New Zealand art on the theme of religion and spirituality, Credo and Quest, opened at the Whangarei Art Museum in November. Drawing on works by major New Zealand artists from galleries throughout the country, the exhibition traversed Greek mythology, traditional Christian imagery, Maori spirituality, Buddhism, Baha’i and Hinduism. The artists were described as reflecting “a new Aotearoa emerging from the monoculture of early Missionary values towards a new inclusive Christianity and a nation of many religions.”

The exhibition included works by Tony Fomison, Colin McCahon, Philip Clairmont, Michael Illingworth, Robert Ellis, Robin White,  Ralph Hotere, Darcy Nicholas, L.J. Steele, Charles F. Goldie, Edward Bullmore, Kura Te Waru Rewiri, Jeffrey Harris,  Sandy Adsett, Alexis Hunter, Julia Morrison, Anna Starr, Mathew Couper, Prakash Patel, Anne Nobel, Shigeyuki Kihara, Margaret Thompson, May Smith, Jeffrey Harris, Nigel Brown, Tony Lane, Garth Tapper, David Sarich, Shahriar Asdollahzadeh, John Reynolds, Janet Green, Grant Bareon, Heather Straka, Jim Allen , Louis White, Laurence Aberhart, Adele Younghusband, Scott McFarlane, Ellen Smith, Buck Nin and Jin Ling, and included photography; ceramics; painting; installation and moving image; sculpture and lightbox works and printmaking.

DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT

Turban apology

A Sikh businessman who was refused service at a golf club bar because he was wearing a turban received a written apology. Supermarket owner Kharag Singh, 45, was refused service at the Aviation Country Golf Club bar in Manukau City. After an exchange of emails, Aviation Manager Peter Walsh wrote to Mr Singh apologising for any embarrassment caused, saying “This will never happen here again.”

It’s just not cricket

New Zealanders were urged to learn more about the Muslim faith after New Zealand Cricket had to apologise for providing scones containing pork at the Under-19 World Cup Cricket Tournament, attended by a team from Afghanistan. Anwar Ghani, President of the Federation of Islamic Associations, said he expected greater awareness in a country that sold Halal products to the world.

Cosmo Club says no to turbans

The Manurewa Cosmopolitan Club voted to maintain its policy forbidding the wearing of headwear on its premises. At the club’s AGM a majority of members voted to maintain the ban, which includes turbans. The vote was prompted by an incident in 2009 when Age Concern volunteer Karnail Singh was refused entry to the club to receive an award for his community work, because he was wearing a turban. The Human Rights Commission mediated between the complainant and the club, and the club agreed to raise the issue with members at its annual meeting. After the decision to maintain the ban, several faith and interfaith groups, including the New Zealand Catholic Bishops Committee and the Waikato Interfaith Council, expressed their support for the Sikh community by writing to the club. The Sikh Council decided to take their unresolved complaint to the Human Rights Review Tribunal.

Armed Offenders Squad callout for praying Israeli

When an Israeli tourist on the interisland ferry performed a Jewish prayer ritual in December involving tying two small leather prayer boxes (tefillin) to the bicep and forehead, the ferry crew mistook him and his companion for terrorists. The captain’s call to the police sparked the mobilisation of the armed Police Special Tactics Group. No attempt had been made to seek an explanation from the men, and they were simply observed by the crew for the remaining three hours of the voyage. On arrival in Picton, they were forced to the ground by armed police and searched before being taken away for questioning. They were subsequently released without charge.  The Race Relations Commissioner described the response as an unfortunate over-reaction prompted by an exaggerated fear of terrorism.

Lutheran church vandalised in Feilding

A neo-Nazi and his accomplice smashed nine windows of a Fielding church on Easter Sunday in what was described as a rage of hatred towards Christianity. Nearly $4000 worth of windows of the Lutheran Church on King St were smashed in the early hours of 4 April by the two men, who claimed to hate Jesus, the Church and Easter.

2010 Human Rights Review: Areas for action

The Human Rights Commission’s five yearly review of human rights, Human Rights in New Zealand 2010 / Nga Tika Tangata O Aotearoa identified the following areas for action in relation to religion and belief:

Guidelines

Developing guidelines for respecting diversity of religion and belief in domains such as the workplace, media, universities, health services and the criminal justice system.

Teacher training and support

Providing training and support for teachers, and further educational resources about religion and belief to support the school curriculum, as well as information to aid public understanding.

Immigration policy

Amending immigration policy to enable leaders of religious groups to take up or retain their positions with their communities in New Zealand.

Lines of communication

Establishing clear lines of communication between government and communities of religious and ethical belief at the national and local level and appropriate structures to support them.

Date    :           21-23 January 2011

Further details will be provided soon.  We would appreciate it if people could save the date, and welcome all visitors, male and female, to the public session. 

Enquiries may be directed to conference@yourwowma.com.

The National Interfaith Forum will start on the evening of Sunday 27 February with the opening ceremony and a guest speaker, and will continue all day Monday 28 February in the Legislative Council Chamber in Parliament.

More details will be published as they become available on the NZ Interfaith Group website or contact Dr Pushpa Wood for more information.

The Race Unity Speech Award offers students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school. For 2011, the speech topic will follow the theme of Race Relations Day next year ‘People in Harmony’. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic. Entries must be in before 11 March 2011.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

For further information contact Bev Watson.

The UN resolution urged all member states to designate the first week of February every year as the World Interfaith Harmony Week. It asked them to “support, on a voluntary basis, the spread of the message of interfaith harmony and goodwill in the world’s churches, mosques, synagogues, temples and other places of worship during that week based on Love of God and Love of the Neighbour, or based on Love of the Good and Love of the Neighbour, each according to their own religious traditions or convictions.”

World Interfaith Harmony Week will take place the first week of February.

Find out more about Why did the U.N. proclaim World Interfaith Harmony Week?

What do you think were the most important developments this year? Please send comments to nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz.

The final section will be produced in time for the National Interfaith Forum in February.

The 2009 section on religious diversity can be found here.

The Human Rights Commission has agreed to encourage and facilitate public input to the report, and so we are asking you to let us know what you think and we will pass it on to the Ministry of Justice. We will also use the information to inform our own annual Race Relations Report, which will be published in March 2011.

Please email us your response to the following questions, or complete a quick online form:

1. What are the five most positive developments in race relations in the past five years (2006-2010)?
2. What are the five greatest race relations challenges for the future?

Please send your response to the Commission at nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz by Sunday 21 November 2010. Further opportunities for input will be advised to you in due course.

The purpose of the guidelines is to address a range of issues concerning religion in the New Zealand workplace. It is written in the form of questions and answers to make it more accessible to a wider audience. It has its origins in Wellington at the 2009 Diversity Forum, where the issue of religion in the workplace was discussed. The project is a joint initiative of the Human Rights Commission and the Religious Studies Programme at Victoria University, Wellington.

It is an opportunity to launch new initiatives or promote existing programmes and projects. The Bahá’í community will once again run the Race Unity Speech Award in support of Race Relations Day.

Start planning your Race Relations Day 2011 event or activity now.  If you or your organisation is planning an event to celebrate send us an email.

The process of registering your projects provides an opportunity to firm up on your plans and consider whether there is anything else you want to do to support the objectives of NZDAP. The objectives are to:

• recognise and celebrate the cultural diversity of our society
• promote the equal enjoyment by everyone of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity or national origin
• foster harmonious relations between diverse peoples
• give effect to the Treaty of Waitangi.

If you are a participant in the NZDAP this year, you will find your profile and projects on the 2010 list of participants. We have just opened our list of participants for 2011. Your organisation will be added when we receive your 2011 projects. Please contact Rohan Jaduram if you would like to register or   register your projects online.

The responsibilities of the Ambassador include: 

• Promoting the mission and values of the Council in working towards a just, peaceful, and sustainable world and promoting peace among the world’s religions.
• Raising awareness about the interreligious movement through creating positive social change by mobilizing networks to come together on the issues most important to them.
• Communicating with other Ambassadors and nurture the Ambassador program through support, compassion, and feedback.
• Building knowledge about and interest in the 2014 Parliament by hosting outreach events.

For more information visit World Parliament of Religions.

Over the years, understanding the needs of the growing community, the Trust took a proactive approach in providing customized solutions for the arising needs. It has been working in diverse areas, including holding an interfaith conference in 2005, with various Government departments, Council offices, community organisations, schools and other charities to ensure that a collaborative approach is made in providing a better future for our communities.

To mark the 21^st anniversary, Prime Minister John Key attended the special programme organised to kick start the 21st Anniversary of the Nanaksar Trust on 17 October. He visited the Nanaksar Education Phulwari (the first community based childcare centre by an Indian charity in New Zealand) and spent some time with children and their parents. He appreciated the “inclusive” policy and promised his full support to promote the multi- cultural approach adopted by the Centre.

The M.C. for the afternoon was Mr Terry Ball, Executive Committee member of the Council, who did an excellent job of keeping the afternoon flowing smoothly.

There were seven faith groups who each addressed the topic of Gratitude with words and music. Each group had a unique and distinct quality while there was an overall feeling of unity of heart.  The Sikh group, led by AIFC Executive Committee member Dr Kanwal Jit Singh, included 2 sisters who played instruments and chanted verses from Sikh scriptures.  The Nabi family followed, with their son chanting verses from the Holy Qu’ran, the mother sharing words about the Muslim faith, and concluding with a song from the 3 children. Several representatives of the Anglican Maori community then offered songs and heartfelt words. The Bahá’í choir, dressed colourfully in Pacific style clothing, sang and gave a thoughtful reading. Members of this community had gone out of their way to prepare the hall and assist in creating a warm and welcoming atmosphere. Next, monks and members of the Papatoetoe Buddhist Temple spoke and chanted. The Hindu faith was represented by Mr Pravin Patel, teacher Ananya Chaitanya and several members from the Foundation for Self Knowledge, who shared words of wisdom and chanting. The final group was a large choir from the Rowandale Road congregation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Later Day Saints which performed several songs, and a message was delivered by Andrea Kapitene.

President of the AIFC, Ruth Cleaver, delivered brief remarks about the work of the Inter-Faith Council, followed by an afternoon tea.

The celebrations ranged from events in Parliament organised by the Office of Ethnic Affairs to staff at Heretaunga College putting together an event on their own. The latter involved teachers dressing mostly in Sarees throughout the day which sent a strong message of diversity, tolerance and adaptability to different cultures (see photo below).

Mr Battle is a Christian in the Roman Catholic tradition and founded the NGO, Church Action on Poverty.  He served as a Minister in the Foreign Office and Department of Trade under the Blair administration. Shortly after the 2001 General Elections he was appointed Tony Blair’s ‘envoy’ to the Muslim, Hindu, Jewish, Christian and other faith communities in Britain.  

Date    :           Tuesday, 16 November
Time   :           5.15pm – 6.30pm
Venue :           Archway 2 Lecture Theatre, Union Street East, University of Otago

For further information email Professor Andrew Bradstock   or phone 03 479 8450 / email Rev. Greg Hughson, University Chaplain or phone 03 479 8497.

Starting on the evening of Eid, there will be a number of opportunities to learn more about the spiritual side of Islam at Unitec in Mt Albert. All events are listed on the Trust website.

The Rasheed Memorial Trust Inc. was founded by Abdul Rahim Rasheed Q.S.O. in 2003 and rededicated to him upon his death in 2006 to continue his pioneering efforts in the field of intercultural and interfaith understanding.

Date    :           Monday, 22 November
Time   :           7.30pm
Venue :           Ponsonby Mosque 17 Vermont Street Ponsonby, Auckland. 

Free admission.  For information contact Gul Zaman 2713347 or Joan Brock 6255465.

Date    :           Wednesday, 15 December
Time   :           7pm
Venue :           St Andrew’s on The Terrace, 30 The Terrace

Admission is by koha towards future Wellington Interfaith events. For more information contact Eileen Mueller.

The opportunity is now open for 18-26 yr olds living in Auckland who want to experience this course. Applications are now open for the course commencing 31 January-20 February 2011.

To register email Christina Arathimos. Applications close on 29 October.

Experience and understanding of Maori culture by the Hindu community during their stay at the Apumoana Marae, Hindu-Maori fusion dance by Anujay school of Dance, and Master of Ceremony by Shaloh Mitchell (of Ngati Whakaue descent) were some of the highlights of Maori involvement in the festival.

The focus of Rotorua Deepawali Festival 2010 was youth participation and leadership. This year’s committee had young and upcoming Hindu and Maori leaders. More than 4000 people from Rotorua and out of town celebrated this unique smoke-free, alcohol-free and meat-free festival. People came from Auckland, Hamilton, Taupo, Tauranga, Whakatane, Taumarunui and Wellington.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain.

Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information contact Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith Organisation website.

Date    :           Wednesday, 20 October
Time   :           6-9pm
Venue :           Gelatos, 17 Galatos Street, Newton, Auckland

Please RSVP to hala.toubia@aucklandcity.govt.nz or sarah.houbolt@aucklandcity.govt.nz by Monday 18 October.

Date    :           Thursday, 28 October
Time   :           6.30pm
Venue :           Algie Lecture Theatre Law School 9 Eden Crescent, Auckland

Free beer and pizza will be supplied.

RSVP to info@legalresearch.org.nz.

The Legal Research Foundation (Inc.) is an independent, non-profit body associated with the University of Auckland Faculty Of Law.

Members of seven faiths will each share words and songs.

Date    :           Saturday, 6 November
Time   :           2pm
Venue :           Manukau Bahá’í Centre 16 Rowandale Avenue, Manurewa

Admission is free. For more information contact Ruth Cleaver.

In New Zealand the event was previously held in 2006 and 2008. The founder of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, Hadrat Mirza Ghulam Ahmad^as   first called for a “Conference of   Religions”   in India at a time when there was a lot of unrest amongst various religious factions. This idea was floated with a view to unifying the different parties and establishing greater peace.  Thus the first “Conference of Great Religions” was held in Lahore, India on December 26-29, 1896. It was attended by sects from Hinduism, Christianity and the Muslim religions as well as Free Thinkers. 

Date    :           Saturday, 13 November
Time   :           2:00pm
Venue :           Manukau Samoan Methodist Church

Further details will be provided soon.  We would appreciate it if people could save the date, and welcome all visitors, male and female, to the public session.  Enquiries may be directed to conference@yourwowma.com.

It is the time for lighting small oil lamps (diyas) and candles and placing them around the home and setting off fireworks. There are heaps of events happening all over the country leading up to Diwali. For the first time this year, a Diwali Festival of Lights will be held in Manurewa and Christchurch. Once again there will be a special event held in Parliament in November. 

Diwali is a well known Indian festival now widely celebrated in New Zealand and all over the world.

Diwali Mela 2010
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           11am-10.30pm
Venue :           The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere City

Wellington Diwali Festival
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           1pm-10.15pm
Venue :           TSB Bank Arena Queens Wharf, Wellington

Waikato Diwali Festival
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           6pm – 10.30pm
Venue :           Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Auckland Diwali Festival
Date    :           Saturday, 30 October
Time   :           1-10pm
Venue :           Aotea Square Aotea Centre and The Edge, Auckland

Manurewa Diwali Festival
Date    :           Saturday, 30 October
Time   :           4-9pm
Venue :           Manurewa Library car park, Auckland

The book will consist of recipes as well as of photos of the dishes; it will be a practical book, ready to be used in the kitchen for an interfaith adventure at your table. Importantly, the recipe should be accompanied by a short explanation as to why this specific food has become connected to this specific day.

Most religions have foods that are related to their festivals and holy days. The connection can be a religious one – because the food is prescribed through sacred texts – or a cultural one – because it has connections to the festival. On many occasions guests are invited to share that special meal. Sometimes, for guests who are not familiar with the traditions; the meal is a chance to share more than just the physical food. The sharing moves into the multicultural and spiritual aspects of a meal too.

Send your recipe via email to Ina before 1 November 2010.  The cook book will be presented at the National Interfaith Forum February next year in Wellington.

The formal part of the evening began with the arrival of the official party led by Prime Minister Rt Hon John Key and the Minister for Ethnic Affairs Hon Pansy Wong. A part of the Koran was recited by Sheikh Mohammed Amir Imam of the Wellington Islamic Centre and translated by Rehanna Ali. Describing the recitation as ‘both beautiful and powerful’, Hon Pansy Wong welcomed everyone to the evening and thanked those who had helped make it happen.

The Prime Minister noted how diversity has made New Zealand a more interesting and tolerant place. Acknowledging New Zealand’s 30,000 Muslims, he particularly mentioned the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and acknowledged the sense of community of migrant groups. He drew attention to the support FIANZ has given the people of Christchurch after the earthquake.

Dr Anwar Ghani, President of FIANZ opened his remarks with a prayer. He shared his understanding of the meaning of Eid. He expressed appreciation to the New Zealand government for the environment in which people can live as Muslims and can make a significant contribution.

(Source OEA Ethnic Whispers)

On 10 December, International Human Rights Day, Amnesty International Aotearoa New Zealand will present the award to one person form New Zealand or the Pacific who has made an outstanding contribution to the protection of human rights.

Nominations will be accepted until 5pm on Monday 15 November.

To submit a nomination visit Amnesty International New Zealand.

It is the time for lighting small oil lamps (diyas) and candles and placing them around the home and setting off fireworks. There are heaps of events happening all over the country leading up to Diwali. For the first time this year, a Diwali Festival of Lights will be held in Manurewa and Christchurch. Once again there will be a special event held in Parliament in November. 

Diwali is a well known Indian festival now widely celebrated in New Zealand and all over the world.

Diwali Mela 2010
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           11am-10.30pm
Venue :           The Trusts Stadium, Waitakere City

Wellington Diwali Festival
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           1pm-10.15pm
Venue :           TSB Bank Arena Queens Wharf, Wellington

Waikato Diwali Festival
Date    :           Sunday, 24 October
Time   :           6pm – 10.30pm
Venue :           Founders Theatre, Hamilton

Auckland Diwali Festival
Date    :           Saturday, 30 October
Time   :           1-10pm
Venue :           Aotea Square Aotea Centre and The Edge, Auckland

Manurewa Diwali Festival
Date    :           Saturday, 30 October
Time   :           4-9pm
Venue :           Manurewa Library car park, Auckland

The workshop tried to establish what educational resources were currently available on religious and cultural diversity and to determine the gaps. Much of the focus was on the competency that was required to teach diversity and the need to “teach the teachers”. The teaching professionals, academics and representatives of policy agencies who attended the workshop discussed how to move forward.

Outcomes of the session included:

• Support for workshops on diversity education for principals and school trustees.
• Professional development and resources for intermediate and secondary teachers for religious and cultural diversity education.
• Development of a network to share resources – best practice, information about relevant events to be hosted by the Faculty of Education, VUW.

The presentations to the workshop are available online.

They join other faith or interfaith focused organisations that have been acknowledged in past: Religious Studies Programme – Victoria University Wellington, NZ Baha’i Community, the Auckland Interfaith Council, Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) and Umma Trust.

The winners were selected from over 200 organisations participating in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, which is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission. Check out Mercy Ministries NZ Trusts’ contribution to the programme this year.

The guidelines’ purpose is to address a range of issues concerning religion in the New Zealand workplace. It is written in the form of questions and answers to make it more accessible to a wider audience. It has its origins in Wellington at the 2009 Diversity Forum, where the issue of religion in the workplace was discussed. This is a joint project of the Human Rights Commission and the Religious Studies Programme at Victoria University, Wellington.

The episode uncovered a man dealing the drug khat near the Hamilton mosque. Informants made allegations about local Somali Muslims which most of the attendees in the meeting found incorrect and hurtful. Complaints about the programme have been made by members of the Muslim community to the Television NZ Broadcasting Standards Authority (BSA).

The programme also was a subject of discussion at the Annual Religious Diversity Forum which took place the day after it was screened.

The unveiling of the HOTA ‘Ekta Shankh’ was the highlight of the formal ceremony. “Ekta shankh” is a carving symbolising unity among various communities, created by Mr. Tane Singh-Lagah from Rotorua, a carver in Maori tradition of Maori and Indian descent.

Another highlight was the diverse performances as part of the cultural programme. Masters of ceremonies Ms. Nitika Sharma (Secretary of Hindu Youth New Zealand) and Brana Ravichelavan (of Sri Satya Sai Service Organisation ) took the audience through the programme which included a specialised Kapa Haka, Bharatnatyam, Bhangra, Chinese dragon and Lion dance, South Indian folk dance, Garba, Japanese drum beats, Punjabi Giddha, vocal music, a performance of sitar and table. The programme concluded with an energizing modern dance.

HOTA Forum will organise this festival annually to bring Forum members closer, develop understanding and promote collaborative project-based work on social issues. The Hindu Council of New Zealand was the first-year host of the HOTA Forum. The New Zealand Hindu Temple Society will host the event next year in Auckland.

Check out the new websites:

Hindu Council of New Zealand

Rotorua Deepawali Festival

Yogathon

Applicants need a PhD and knowledge of languages relevant to their area of research expertise. It is hoped that duties will commence on 1 July 2011.

Enquiries may be directed to the Head of Department, Associate Professor Murray Rae, Department of Theology and Religion, (Ph: 64 3 479 5393, Fax 64 3 479 5158)

Applications quoting reference number A10/96 close on Monday 18 October 2010.

For further information visit the University of Otago website.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain.

Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information contact Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith Organisation website.

The workshop will provide a Muslim women’s perspective on the religion of Islam, values, practices and women’s rights, and reflection of how the efforts of NZ women have contributed to their current level of freedom and opportunities.

Date : Saturday, 25 September
Time : 10am-2pm
Venue : Ficlking Centre 546-548 Mt Albert Road Three Kings Auckland

Admission is free. For information contact Jennifer Janif.

A labyrinth is a meandering pathway walked around concentric circles for meditation, prayer or relaxation. It is not a maze – one walks a single pathway into the centre of the circle and the same pathway out. One can’t get lost.

While the labyrinth is available for walking and use at any time, the Labyrinth Committee organises four special days each year to raise awareness of the labyrinth and its potential for use by different groups and interests.

Members of the Committee will be on hand to explain and introduce the labyrinth to people, and refreshments (koha) will also be available at the nearby Hospital Chapel.

Date: Sunday, 26 September
Time: 1.30-3.30pm
Venue: Hutt Hospital (between the Hutt Hospital main entrance and the bus-stop on High St opposite Harley Grove, Lower Hutt)

To RSVP contact Martin de Jong (Ph: 04 568 6202).

For more information visit their website, a flyer about the event is also available.

Rabbi Shiryon was the first woman to serve as the rabbi of a congregation in Israel, and has worked in this capacity since 1983. She established her congregation, YOZMA – The Progressive Jewish Community Centre of Modi’in, in 1997, and was instrumental in YOZMA being the first non-Orthodox congregation to receive state funding for its synagogue building.

Date : Tuesday, 21 September
Time : 7.30 pm
Venue : Temple Sinai, 147 Ghuznee Street, Wellington

All welcome. Koha would be welcomed, to support the work of IRAC (Israel Religious Action Centre). Rabbi Shiryon will discuss the unique role of IRAC in working for social justice and religious and civic equality in Israel in her address.

For enquiries contact Temple Sinai (Ph: 04 385 0720).

Members of seven faiths will each share words and songs.

Date : Saturday, 6 November
Time : 2pm
Venue : Manukau Bahá’í Centre 16 Rowandale Avenue, Manurewa.

Admission is free. For more information contact Ruth Cleaver.

“Extremism loves a vacuum,” Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon said today, announcing the convening of the Alliance of Civilizations on the margins of next week’s UN summit meeting and opening of the General Assembly’s 65th annual session.

“The Alliance is part of our answer to polarization, stereotyping and hatred,” he told a news conference of the body launched in 2005 by Spain and Turkey under UN auspices. “The events of recent days drive home yet again the need for countervailing voices – the voices of moderation and mutual respect.”

He said United States Pastor Terry Jones’ threat to burn the Koran was just one small issue, albeit one that cannot be tolerated, but it had created “a huge problem worldwide,” and he cautioned against being “hijacked or dominated by just one single incident.

“If the world leaders or the international community are sometimes influenced and hijacked by such a small incident, then unfortunately we may be losing our focus,” he added. “Therefore, the media’s role will be crucially important. That’s why from time to time I’m emphasizing the role of journalists in addressing all the world issues.”

Mr. Ban stressed that one high-level meeting of the Alliance may not be sufficient, but said the organization had been gaining support from the international community, with a membership now of more than 120.

“This is a time for all of us to be more tolerant, more appreciative of other traditions and religions and beliefs and faiths,” he said. “It is quite unfortunate that we have seen most recently some polarization of extreme views. This is totally not desirable, not acceptable at this time, when the whole world has to march forward to overcome the financial crisis and to overcome many regional conflict issues. All these conflicts come from a lack of mutual understanding.”

Citing Alliance projects, he highlighted efforts to educate young people and have immediate media responses whenever some incorrect information has been disseminated.

“All of this is something which we will deepen and widen our discussions,” he said. “I’m working very hard with world leaders, and I will pay more attention on this point whenever I have bilateral meetings.”

Press Release by United Nations 14 September.

The forum included an overview of the issues by Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University as well as Professor Jim Tully of Canterbury University. A panel discussion followed which included contributions from Tayyaba Khan, David Zwartz, Lindsay Freer and Brian Pauling. The session was chaired by Richard Tankersley from the Human Rights Commission.

The outcomes of the session included:

• A working group to be established to develop a draft statement on religion and media, chaired by the VUW Religious Studies Prorgamme.
• A consultation process to be agreed upon for developing the statement.
• Launch of the statement at the 2011 NZ Diversity Forum.

Professor Morris’ presentation is available online.

This festival is organised by the Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations (HOTA) Forum. The HOTA Forum was launched at the 3rd New Zealand National Hindu conference.

HOTA Forum will organise this festival annually to bring the Forum members closer, develop understanding and promote collaborative project-based work on social issues. Hindu Council of New Zealand is the first-year host of the HOTA Forum.

It will discuss such questions as: How does the Holocaust have meaning for us today? Does the Holocaust challenge belief in a loving God? How do we acknowledge the suffering of Holocaust victims? What is the ongoing impact of the Holocaust today?

There will also be an opportunity for questions and discussion at the end of the seminar, which will be facilitated by John Bishop, Professor of Philosophy at The University of Auckland.

Date: Monday 6 September
Time: 6.30pm – 9.00pm
Venue: University of Auckland, class no.38284.

For more details please visit the University of Auckland website or call 0800 864 266.

While the labyrinth is available for walking and use at any time, the Labyrinth Committee organise four special days each year to raise awareness of the labyrinth and its potential for use by different groups and interests. This day will focus on its potential for use by people of faith, from all different faith backgrounds. Members of the Committee will be on hand to explain and introduce the labyrinth to people, and refreshments (koha) will also be available at the nearby Hospital Chapel.

A labyrinth is a meandering pathway walked around concentric circles for meditation, prayer or relaxation. It is not a maze – one walks a single pathway into the centre of the circle and the same pathway out. One can’t get lost.

At this stage, part of the afternoon is intended to feature a Taize-style chant led by Fr Chris Skinner of St Mary of the Angel’s Catholic Church. Taize chant springs from an ecumenical community in France. You are also welcome to provide prayer or chant from your own faith tradition.

Date: Sunday 26 September
Time: 1.30pm – 3.30pm
Cost: FREE
Venue: Hutt Hospital (between the Hutt Hospital main entrance and the bus-stop on High St opposite Harley Grove, Lower Hutt).

Should you wish to visit the labyrinth beforehand, or explore other ways to celebrate this day, please contact either Merran Fleming (Ph: 04 972 3720) or Martin de Jong (Ph: 04 568 6202).

A leaflet has been produced by the New Zealand organising committee with prayers, readings and affirmations from many faiths to use each day. The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths.

For further information, or to order leaflets for your community, please email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith website.

An integral part of the Games, the three-day human rights conference will be a safe place for advocates to explore current human rights issues, including language, culture and tradition, in the region.

Expressions of interest are sought from people who have proposals to contribute to the conference. This could include showcasing work, organising a presentation, or being part of a panel discussion. Proposals are due by 30 September 2010. For more information, go to the Asia Pacific OutGames website.

The New Zealand Human Rights Commission is supporting the conference and will be participating and running a forum on making human rights a reality for lesbian, gay, bisexual, takatāpui, fa’afafine, trans and intersex people. This forum is based on the Yogyakarta Principles, a universal guide to sexual orientation and gender identity human rights.

To register for the forum, first register for the conference and then contact Naomi Taylor at the Human Rights Commission saying you are interested in the Commission’s forum. You can also register for OutGames email updates on the Conference website.

This is a unique opportunity to meet people working in human rights and sexual orientation and gender identity in the Asia Pacific region. Come along and take part! We hope to see you there.

There will be a number of sessions that explore religious diversity, including:

• “The Media and Religion”: Victoria University Religious Studies Programme will once again host the Annual Religious Diversity Forum on Monday 23 August from 11am – 12.30pm. The forum will include a presentation by Professor Paul Morris of the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and Professor Jim Tully of Canterbury University and will involve a discussion panel comprising Tayyaba Khan, David Zwartz, Lyndsay Freer, and Brian Pauling from the NZ Broadcasting School. The forum will also feature an update of the development of religious diversity in the workplace ‘guidelines’ which is a key action from last year’s religious diversity forum.
• “Building Bridges between Muslim communities and the education system”: The Ministry of Education and the Office of Ethnic Affairs will host this session, where Hassan Haji Ibrahim, the Refugee Student Coordinator-South for the Ministry of Education and Claire Phillips, Christchurch Ethnic Affairs Advisor will jointly present the international and national context in which the Building Bridges programme was developed.
• “Teaching diversity – why discuss diversity with schools and students?”: The NZ National Commission for UNESCO will host this session, which will establish how religious diversity is being taught in schools and Colleges of Education in light of the changing demography of New Zealand.

If you would like to attend an individual session you can email NZ Diversity or if you want to attend more than one session please register online.

The winners are selected from over 200 organisations participating in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, which is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission.

This is the fourth year of the Diversity Awards and previous recipients with a faith/interfaith focus include the Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ), the Auckland Interfaith Council and Umma Trust.

IAW ran from 2-7 August, with the theme “Cultivating Positive Emotions for a Healthy Society”. There were successful events held all around NZ, including interfaith panel discussions, cultural fairs and Mosque open days.

Please visit the Islam Awareness website for more information.

You can download the draft paper at the Human Rights Commission Religious Diversity Network page.

The purpose of the draft document is to address a range of issues concerning religion, that arise, or have arisen, in the New Zealand workplace. It is presented in the form of questions and answers to make it more accessible to a wider audience. The document has its origins in Wellington at the 2009 Diversity Forum, where the issue of religion in the workplace was discussed. The guidelines are a joint project of the Human Rights Commission and the Religious Studies Programme at the Victoria University, Wellington.

Comments and feedback on this draft are invited from individuals and organisations and can be made directly to the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, until Friday 11 September. You can post you comments to:

Attn: Rohan Jaduram
Human Rights Commission
Level 10, Tower Centre,
45 Queen Street, PO Box 6751
Wellesley Street, Auckland 1141

The Shechita committee had previously filed legal proceedings against the Minister of Agriculture, seeking a restoration of the right to practice shechita in New Zealand.

In June the Agriculture and Forestry Ministry commercial animal slaughter code made the stunning of all animals before slaughter compulsory – which contravenes shechita. Kosher slaughter of animals, known as shechita, is a religious practice where the blood must be drained from an animal’s body. The practice is a religious tenet and dietary requirement for the preparation of kosher meat.

The National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee recommended to Agriculture Minister David Carter that an exemption be made. But Mr Carter decided against the exemption, in the interests of animal welfare and New Zealand’s export market.

Nearly $4000 worth of windows were smashed at the Lutheran Church on King St in the early hours of 4 April, by the men who claimed to hate Jesus, the Church and Easter.

Daniel Waring, 21, and his co- accused Nicholas Melrose, 18, pleaded guilty to a charge each of intentional damage in Feilding District Court.

The award is a national speech competition run in fourteen different regions of New Zealand, including four in the South Island. It is organised by the NZ Bahá’í community and supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

The award was initiated in remembrance of Hedi Moani, a member of the Bahá’í community and Iranian by birth. Hedi worked tirelessly to promote positive race relations in NZ and was instrumental in the establishment of the celebration of Race Unity Day in 1999.

In 2008 the New Zealand Police became the principal sponsor, as well as supporting the Race Unity Conference. The workshop facilitators they provide have been outstanding in their ability to engage with youth and their yearly financial sponsorship has enabled the competition to grow and develop in ways that would not otherwise have been possible. “We want to give our young people the opportunity to spread the unity message of positive race relations. They will be the ones to unite our communities through the promotion of education and moral excellence,” said Supt Wallace Haumaha, Māori Pacific and Ethnic Services, NZ Police.

In 2009 the Office of Ethnic Affairs also offered its support and assistance, and now contributes judges to the Speech Award and workshop facilitators to the Conference

Dr Sier is from Scotland, and has broad experience working in the area of interfaith, including as the Education and Development Officer for the Scottish Interfaith Council. She was the keynote speaker for the 6th National Interfaith Forum in Auckland in 2009, and was an inspirational and highly informative speaker.

Date: Wednesday 18 August
Time: 7:30pm
Cost: FREE (light supper will follow)
Venue: Fickling Convention Centre (Hillsborough Room), 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings.

Peter will speak on leadership from a spiritual perspective. He is described as “one of the nation’s best leadership writers” and is the author of two books, The Dance of Leadership and The Spirit of Leadership and a number of international publications.

Date: Tuesday 24 August
Time: 7.00pm
Venue: Institute Building, 17 Kirkwood Avenue, Ilam, Christchurch.

Please contact Sister Bertha at (Ph: 03 355 0956) for more details.

Date: Sunday 29 August
Time: 2.00pm for registration, application for membership and refreshments; 2.30pm start of formal meeting. The meeting will finish by 4.30pm.
Venue: Committee Room 1, Wellington City Council, 101 Wakefield St, Wellington

For more information contact Paddy Payne (Ph: 021 505215).

Now online and available for download, the issue also includes book reviews and upcoming events.

The Harmony Awards recognise efforts to improve understanding and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims, and thereby encourage this outcome. There are a range of local and national award categories, both for target audiences and for non-Muslims. Last year’s winners included Murali Kumar, the Community Relations Manager for the Ministry of Social Development, who was instrumental in organising the First Muslim Stakeholders Forum.

The criteria for nomination can be found at Harmony Award 2010 Criteria and click on the link to obtain a Nomination Form.

The theme of this year’s IAW will be “Cultivating Positive Emotions for a Healthy Society” and further information can be found on the dedicated Islam Awareness Week website.

Thursday 5 August will feature Tayyaba Khan, who will address issues pertaining to the Muslim identity, including the challenges of being a Muslim in the West.

The last talk in the series, to be held on Thursday 12 August, features Susan Smith, who will explore what it is like to live in a multicultural, multireligious society in Together Under One Sky.

There is a charge of $12. For more information and to register go online.

• Saturday 17 July – A 1-day seminar will explore how the traditions of Islamic Law have protected its flexibility and diversity. Cost is $10.
• Sunday 18 July – A Social Services Forum will bring together religious and community workers who service the Muslim community to encourage awareness and coordination.
• 2-3 August – A 2-day workshop for those seeking knowledge about Islam and its practices and beliefs, as it would be useful in their work, or their contact with members of the Muslim community. It is an opportunity to gain different insights into commonly misunderstood aspects of the Islamic faith and impacts on service provision. Cost is $195.

To register for any of these events please contact the Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust or register online.

Last month the Trust hosted their 300th trainee. The great majority of participants come from government departments, along with tertiary institutions.

The Hindu Council of New Zealand is the first year host of the HOTA Forum, and will celebrate the festival with support from other Forum members.

“This festival will convey the message that Hindus desire to integrate within the wider New Zealand community as a productive, law-abiding community. The HOTA forum can further enhance this integration” said Ms Mamta Bhikha, coordinator of this year’s festival.

HOTA forum will meet at least once a year to discuss and deliberate the issues concerning Hindu society and collectively position Hindu society for a better future.

For more information please contact the coordinators.

Mr Ibrahim is a former refugee from Somalia who has a Masters in International Development from Massey University, and is currently studying for his Ph.D in Education at Canterbury University. Since 2000 he has been Regional Refugee Co-ordinator for the Southern Region and Vice-chairman of the Christchurch Refugee Migrant Centre.

The lecture is FREE and open to the public, all are welcome.

Date: Tuesday 27 July
Time: 7.00pm – 9.00pm
Venue: LDS Institute Building, 17 Kirkwood Avenue, Ilam, Christchurch

To find out more on the Christchurch Interfaith Council Inc. visit their website.

The reporting of religion by the media continues to be a topic that occupies the minds of both religious communities and journalists, internationally and in New Zealand. Whether you are from either side of the debate we want to know what you think are the major concerns. What can be done to improve the relationship between Religion and the Media?

New Zealand’s Statement on Religious Diversity, which has been endorsed by many major religious groups, affirms both freedom of the media and the importance of exercising it responsibly:

“The right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media are vital for democracy but should be exercised with responsibility” (Principle 4: New Zealand Statement on Religious Diversity).

Please email us your views and ideas .

At the Religious Diversity Forum, based on the feedback received, representatives of faith communities and the media will further develop the discussion with participants.

The Religious Diversity Forum will be run as part of the 2010 NZ Diversity Forum, to be held from Sunday 22 – Monday 23 August at the Christchurch Convention Centre. Check out the programme and register online NOW!

Dr Sier is from Scotland, and has a wealth of experience working in the area of interfaith, including as the Education and Development Officer for the Scottish Inter-Faith Council.

The lecture is FREE and open to the public, all are welcome. Light supper will follow.

Date: Wednesday 18 August
Time: 7.30pm
Venue: Fickling Convention Centre (Hillsborough Room), 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings, Auckland

The Human Rights Commission is undertaking the development of the guidelines jointly with the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Religious Studies Programme. The Commission receives a steady flow of enquiries and complaints regarding accommodating religious practices in the workplace.

Several other interfaith and multicultural bodies, including the Counties-Manukau Multicultural Council and Waikato Interfaith Council, have also expressed support for the Sikh community.

In its letter to the Secretary of the Sikh Council of New Zealand the NZCBC stated:

“We write in solidarity with your efforts to change these policies to match the guidelines followed by our courts, RSAs and aviation authorities which allow turbans.

“The disappointment and sense of exclusion felt within the Sikh community is entirely understandable, as is your view that a ban against patrons wearing headwear is discriminatory if it does not make allowance for those clearly doing so in deference to a sacred requirement of their faith”.

The Counties Manukau Multicultural Council President Gul Zaman, a member of the NZ Council of Christians and Muslims, said the Sikh Turban was an article of faith and not a matter of choice.

“The Turban should not be equated with ordinary headgear. This is either due to ignorance or blatant discrimination against a hard working community that has contributed immensely to the development of New Zealand for more than 120 years,” he said.

Mr Zaman said his Council had appealed to the Cosmopolitan Club to reconsider its outdated discriminatory policy, while the Waikato Interfaith Council agreed at their last meeting that they would draft a brief letter to the Cosmopolitan Club asking them to reverse their decision.

Organised by the Hindu Elders Foundation, festivities began with a Hindu candle lighting ceremony, where Māori elders lit the first candles. The event hoped to inspire peace and understanding and Ms Mishra noted that there are many similarities between the two cultures. The celebration ended with leaders from both communities sitting down to share a meal.

Cleared as a resource to use in schools and church groups to generate discussion regarding interfaith, the My God series explores and celebrates the spiritual diversity of New Zealanders. The upcoming schedule includes:

• 16 July – Jo Randerson (Anglicanism)
• 23 July – Helen Smith (Scientology)
• 30 July- Andrew Becroft (Christianity)
• 6 August – Dame Barbara Goodman (Rationalist)

All four series (10 shows each) are available on DVD. The rating for all four sets is PG.
Contact Amanda Evans if you would like to purchase the series.

Source Sikh Council Press Release

The Sikh Turban

The Sikh turban is an article of faith, or more precisely, extension of an article of faith, viz., the unshorn hair. Without unshorn hair, turban loses all religious meaning and becomes a matter of choice – nothing more than an accessory to one’s clothing. However, for practicing Sikhs, donning the turban is not a matter of choice – they must don it or feel naked without it. The importance of the turban may be judged from the fact that a Sikh would not greet any unexpected visitor to their home, without the turban (or the more informal version, called Patka or Keski), because for the Sikhs that would be akin to greeting someone in one’s undergarments.

It may also be pointed out that the Sikh plea to equate removal of turban during security checks (at airports and other places) with strip search and all protocols governing strip search be applied to removal of turban, has been accepted in USA, UK, Canada as well as New Zealand.

In practical terms the Sikh Turban, has a lot of merit. It is made up of fine muslin (cotton) which is kept clean with the usual weekly or more frequent washing, thus very hygienic.

The Turban is always a made-to-measure thing. That is, it fits the contour or shape of the head, and thus is more comfortable than the ‘ready-made’ or factory made hats which are usually the same shape for all differently featured heads.

It is also an ideal headgear for both winter and summer. Even in icy winds it keeps the head and ears cosy and comfortable, while under the hot sun its utility may be gauged from the fact that a bald head heats up quickly if not sheltered from the sun by a cap or a hat.

For all jobs requiring a certain uniform, such as a conductor or driver; a postman or policeman, the Turban is perhaps the best uniform for the head where it makes a snug fit, and cannot easily be ‘knocked off’ or ‘blown away.’

The Turban can act as a safety cushion. In ordinary daily life, driving a car or riding a bike; walking on the road or having a joyride at the funfair, the turban certainly provides reasonable safety to the head from any sudden accident and it must be remembered that it is during ordinary daily life that most accidents occur- i.e. when we are the least prepared to protect our head.

Learning and mastering to tie the Turban is a gentle and natural process from children to adults. Usually, a child of 8 or 10 years of age acquires the initial skill in making his own turban; to him it is perhaps as easy or as difficult as lacing up his boots or tying up his necktie unaided by his parents.

Usually an adult Sikh Turban is eight meters long and one meter wide. This length is smoothly turned around the head six times (rounds) by clockwise movements of the hands. Both ends of the ‘length’ or the turban must be tucked in properly- i.e. the beginning or finishing ends of the turban should not be flowing loosely as can be seen with many non-Sikh Indian turbans.

Most Sikhs prefer to wear another small under-turban that is usually white. This under-turban may be kept at bed-time as well, when the turban proper is taken off. Similarly, during swimming and sports, the Turban is replaced by a smaller version called Patka or Keski which is tied in a way different from Turban proper.

Keeping in mind the above facts, it may be stated that Turban is not a fashion statement or a clothing accessory. It is a religiously mandated article of faith for a practicing Sikh. A practicing Sikh cannot choose to wear or not wear the Turban. For a Sikh who has chosen to cut off their hair, the reason without fail is that they do not want to don a turban (usually because they did not learn at an appropriate age to tie one or under peer pressure they chose not to stand out).

It is an ongoing discussion within the community as to whether a shorn Sikh has the same rights as the unshorn one. At present the situation is that there are certain religious rights which only an unshorn Sikh may perform. But it is accepted that a shorn Sikh is still a Sikh if they have not formally converted to another religion or they profess to follow the Sikh path. It is accepted that one may lose one’s footing at any instant while walking the Sikh path – cutting off one’s hair is seen as such. It is also part of the Sikh worldview that people make mistakes – only God is the One who does not make a mistake. Hence cutting of hair is seen as a mistake that one may rectify at any juncture in one’s life – akin to giving up of alcohol by an alcoholic.

Thus, for a Sikh officer of New Zealand Police, the governing rule may be – if one is a practicing Sikh, the right to don a turban is guaranteed under the laws of New Zealand that govern freedom to practice one’s religion. However, if one is not a practicing Sikh, one has voluntarily given up donning a turban. Hence there is no reason why any exception in the normal NZ Police uniform be made to allow a non-practicing Sikh to don a turban rather than the Police cap.

The only situation would be if a non-practicing Sikh rediscovers religion and decides to abide by the directive to not cut one’s bodily hair. In that case the officer should be allowed a transition period wherein the beard (in case of male officers) is allowed to grow first and then the turban may replace the uniform cap. This is important as the fact that a turban is worn by one who has unshorn hair under the turban and in case of males, an unshorn (in a few cases trimmed) beard. These factors may prove invaluable in the police work – as in the case of a robber in Manurewa a few months back who had tried to loot ASB Bank there trying to disguise himself with an obviously false beard and a turban that was tied in a way that would have aroused the suspicion of one familiar with a Sikh turban.

Even during physical search, if the need to remove the turban arises, and the hair underneath are not unshorn, it may be seen as reason enough to investigate further – unless the person concerned is in the transition period to become a practicing Sikh.

Sikhism is a voluntary religion in which no action is seen as beyond redemption. But there are certain rules which are expected to be adhered to by its followers. Cutting off one’s hair is seen as a public declaration by an individual that they no longer practice Sikhism.

The vote was prompted after an incident last year involving age concern volunteer Karnail Singh who was refused entry to the club to receive an award for his community work because of his turban. The Human Rights Commission tried to mediate between the complainant and the club. The outcome of the mediation was that the club agreed to raise the issue at its annual meeting to which the club voted to maintain the current ban.

President of the Sikh Council of New Zealand, Mr Bachan Singh Nihalgarh, says that the Sikhs of New Zealand are keen to create greater awareness in the wider society around the importance of turban for a Sikh. “We take the decision of the Cosmopolitan Club (Manurewa) as a wake-up call for us to work harder to educate the wider society about what turban means for the Sikhs” (See item below in “Did you know”).

The Hindu Council of New Zealand is the first year host of the HOTA Forum, and will celebrate the festival this year with support from other Forum members. Mr Vinod Kumar and Ms Mamta Bhikha are the Chairperson and Secretary (and co-ordinator) of the organising committee, respectively. Mr Chandra Shekhar Monga and Mr S Subbiah are the joint co-ordinators.

“This festival will convey the message that Hindus desire to integrate within the wider New Zealand community as a productive, law-abiding community. The HOTA forum can further enhance this integration” said Ms Mamta Bhikha, coordinator of this year’s festival.

HOTA forum will meet at least once a year to discuss and deliberate the issues concerning Hindu society and collectively position Hindu society for a better future.

For more information please contact the coordinators.

Information is available on the Mātāriki Festival website. There are a number of events taking place over the month. Many organisations are promoting Mātāriki, including museums, libraries, city councils, and the Māori Language Commission. The official dates for this year are from 14 June to 14 July.

Tihei Mātāriki!

And so it is Mātāriki!

Nau mai haere mai ki tēnei wāhanga o te tau

Welcome to this part of the year

he timatanga hou

a time of new beginnings

ka tīmata ngā wānanga

an ideal time to start to study

kua kii ngā pātaka kai

with the storage houses full of food

ahakoa kei te makariri ki waho

although cold outside

ka whakapiri mātou ki roto

we keep each other warm inside by being close

Tihei Mauri ora!

May we all be well (holistically)!

Islam Awareness Week is the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ) contribution to the NZ Diversity Action Programme. Events are organised by FIANZ to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of Islamic beliefs, values and practices, and to positively tackle misinformation about Muslims. Further event information about Islam Awareness Week and facts about the New Zealand Muslim community can be found on the dedicated Islam Awareness Week website.

New Zealand’s Statement on Religious Diversity, which has been endorsed by many major religious groups, affirms both freedom of the media and the importance of exercising it responsibly:

“The right to freedom of expression and freedom of the media are vital for democracy but should be exercised with responsibility” (Principle 4: New Zealand Statement on Religious Diversity).

At the 2009 Asia-Pacific Interfaith Dialogue in Perth, sponsored by the Australian, Indonesian, New Zealand and Philippine governments, delegates from 15 countries agreed on the following statement:

We acknowledge the value of the freedom of the media in the promotion of communal and regional harmony, and we call on religious leaders and national and international media to recognise that this right entails the responsibility for accurate and balanced reporting.

We call on faith communities to seek media training and for media outlets to train reporters in religious issues.

We call on media and religious leaders to take responsibility for the resolution of disputes over misrepresentations and other conflicts.

A number of New Zealand delegates to the Perth Dialogue will be present at the forum.

Professor Paul Morris, who himself attended the Perth Dialogue, will introduce the topic with an overview of the issues and a suggested outline of a Statement on the Media and Religion. A media perspective will be presented by Associate Professor Jim Tully, Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, at the University of Canterbury. A panel of speakers including representatives of faith communities and the media will further develop the discussion with participants.

You are invited to send in your views and experiences of religion and the media (including the internet) prior to the NZ Diversity Forum so that these can be included in the discussion. Please e-mail Paul Morris with your own comments or concerns, or outcomes of any discussions.

Immigration Minister Jonathan Coleman yesterday announced a review of the policy settings relating to religious workers.

”I recognise that religious leaders are important to the spiritual wellbeing of many New Zealanders. That is why I have asked the Department of Labour to review the current policies to see if they are appropriate, while ensuring the integrity of the immigration system is maintained,” Dr Coleman says.

“Many religious leaders are only granted temporary work permits, so we have various religious communities asking whether their leaders can stay here for longer.”

Religious workers make up a small proportion of Immigration New Zealand’s case load. Around 10 religious workers are granted residence each year. The New Zealand Residence Programme allows for 45,000-50,000 migrants annually. About 300 religious workers are granted work permits (out of 177,361 temporary work permits issued annually).

“We are encouraging those who have a view on immigration policies for religious workers to have their say,” Dr Coleman says.

Copies of the consultation document were sent late last month to religious communities and people who have expressed an interest in the review.

The consultation document can be found on the Department of Labour’s website.

The deadline to provide written feedback to the Department of Labour on the document has been extended from July 10 to July 16.

The third forum of the AOC was held from the 28-29 May, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. The AOC was launched by Turkey and Spain in 2005 in response to concerns that a rise of religious extremism and incidents of global terrorism were causing a growing rift between people of different cultures and faiths.

The AOC works to support interfaith and intercultural initiatives aimed at building co-operation and respect for other cultures and faiths. It also aims to help counter the forces that fuel polarisation and extremism.

The forum was well attended by over 3000 participants from government, civil society, international organisations, business and academia taking part in the two-day programme.

A key aim of the Alliance is to promote, support and encourage what they call ‘glocal’ projects – practical local efforts which further the global goal of more inclusive societies in an increasingly diverse and changing world.

New Zealand is a supporter of the Alliance’s objectives, and was represented at the third forum by officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. Mervin Singham, New Zealand’s Head of Delegation and Office of Ethnic Affairs’ Director, said: “The forum provided an opportunity for New Zealand to re-affirm its commitment to the Alliance’s objectives and to showcase some of the work that occurs domestically within the Alliance’s framework.”

Visit the Alliance of Civilisations’ website for more information about the outcomes of the Rio forum.

The right to religion and belief is one of several issues that the Commission has sought feedback on for the review on human rights. Other issues the public has been asked to comment on include human rights and women, human rights and the Treaty and the rights of disabled people and refugees. Draft chapters on other human rights issues will be released for public feedback in 2010. Please review the provisional timeline for this process (also downloadable in Word and PDF). Draft chapters detail major human rights issues in New Zealand identified by the Commission and conclude with recommendations to address the issues.

For more information please visit the Commission’s website . The Commission welcomes your thoughts on the Review of Human Rights in New Zealand 2010.

The first talk on Hinduism on Thursday 24 June features Ananya Chaitanya, who teaches in Vedic Literature, Sanskrit and Yoga. Ms Chaitanya will share what her Hindu religion means to her. The second talk on Judaism on Thursday 1 July will feature Dame Lesley Max, who has worked with youth in New Zealand. Ms Max will share her personal faith and the ways she practices. The third talk on Thursday 8 July features Beverly McDonald and Stephen Anderson. The discussion will be a reflection by representatives of the Catholic and Anglican traditions on recent developments in the ongoing dialogue taking place between these two churches.

Other faiths and beliefs covered in the series include Islam, and Māori and Pacific Spirituality.

There is a charge of $12. For more information and to register go online.

Keynote speakers:

• Rev Dr John Pawlikowski OSM, Professor of Ethics and Director of the Catholic-Jewish Studies Programme at the University of Chicago, Past President of the ICCJ and a leading figure in Jewish-Christian relations worldwide for over forty years
• Dr Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies, Victoria University of Wellington
• Mona Williams, New Zealand’s foremost professional story-teller (speaking after dinner on Saturday and after lunch Sunday).

The Conference will be held at Wesley Hall, St Johns College, 202 St Johns Road Meadowbank, Auckland. For further information please contact Wendy Ross or Tony Stroobant.

The discussion will include members of Hindu, Muslim and Unification Faiths, on Tuesday 29 June, 7-9pm in the LDS Institute Building (17 Kirkwood Ave, Ilam, Christchurch). This is an excellent opportunity to learn and to share with people of other faiths.

Please contact Dianne on (03) 348 9579. All are welcome.

The workshop is aimed at those who otherwise would find knowledge about Islam, its practices and beliefs to be useful in their work, or contact with members of the Muslim community. It is an opportunity to gain different insights into commonly misunderstood aspects of the Islamic faith and impacts on service provision.

• When: 2-3 August
• Time: 9am-4pm
• Where: St Columba Centre, 40 Vermont Street, Ponsonby, Auckland
• Costs: $195

To register please contact the Rasheed Memorial Dawah Trust or register online.

Last month the Trust hosted their 300th trainee. The great majority of participants come from government departments, along with tertiary institutions.

The New Zealand Diversity Forum is a well established annual event where people involved in diversity action in central and local government, civil society organisations and ethnic communities get together to discuss the race relations issues of the day and practical strategies to address them. Participants can celebrate diversity, share best practice, discuss practical action, review the past, plan the future, acknowledge positive contributions and network.

The programme features personal journeys, social media, indigenous rights, racial discrimination and harassment, equal employment opportunities, Māori participation in local government, media and religion, teaching diversity, race and sport, diversity and disability, refugee issues, interpreting in health, diversity research and specialist forums.

Joy Meikle, a Christian Science practitioner, will share her faith journey and life long interest in health and healing. The AGM will start at 7.30 pm at the Fickling Centre 546 Mt Albert Road. Please contact Ruth Cleaver (09 813 1600) for more information.

• Auckland: Tuesday 25 May, 12-1.30pm, L4 Tower Centre, 45 Queen Street
• Christchurch: Wednesday 26 May, 12-1.30pm, Community House Room, Level Two, 141 Hereford Street.

The status report, first published in 2004, formed the basis for the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights 2005-2010. Thank you to those who have provided feedback directly on the final draft. It is not too late to provide feedback if you haven’t already. Visit the Commission’s website for further details.

The dialogue is part of Office of Ethnic Affairs ‘Building Bridges’ programme, which encourages better understanding of, and cooperation with, the Muslim community. Similar forums have been held in Hamilton and Wellington.

Guests at the dialogue sessions included representatives from the Broadcasting Standards Authority of New Zealand, The New Zealand Press Council, Māori Television, and Ingrid Leary from the British Council, the Waikato Times editor, as well as academics.

Senior Ethnic Affairs Advisor, Asma Bashir said, “The Muslim community and the Office of Ethnic Affairs have been working together ‘building bridges’ since 2005. The overarching principles of this collaborative approach are respect, inclusion, empowerment and participation. We do this through a series of training workshops, forums and visibility activities.”

Source – Ethnic Whispers (OEA)

Faiths and beliefs covered in the series include: Hinduism, Judaism, Catholics and Anglicans, Islam, and Māori and Pacific Spirituality. The first talk on Hinduism features Ananya Chaitanya, who teaches in Vedic Literature, Sanskrit and Yoga, will share with us her Hinduism religion and what it means to her. She will address the questions of what it is like being a Hindu in New Zealand; how it has formed and shaped her life; and what we have in common with our Hindu neighbours.

There is a charge of $12. For more information and to register go online.

Please contact Sister Bertha at (03) 355-0956 or Diane at (03) 348-9579. This is an excellent opportunity to learn and to share with people of other faiths.

The programme is open to anyone who respect other peoples’ faith and beliefs, and wants to cultivate a sense of understanding and enquiry. For more information about the next faith visit on 30 May contact Spirit of Rangatahi.

We encourage you to organise discussions on the topic beforehand. Please email Paul Morris with your own comments or concerns, or outcomes of any discussions.

The reporting of religion by the media continues to be a topic that occupies the minds of religious communities and journalists both internationally and in New Zealand. Do the mainstream New Zealand media represent religions in a fair and balanced manner? Do they reinforce stereotypes? Do they promote understanding of religious diversity? Do religious media promote tolerance of other religions and respect for human rights? What are the negatives and positives of the internet in relation to religious tolerance? This forum will address these questions and lay the basis for the development of a ‘Statement on the Media and Religion’ that will seek to reflect the concerns and rights of religious communities, the media and the general public.

The format of the Annual Religious Diversity Forum will again include an overview of the issues by Professor Paul Morris and a discussion panel of speakers comprising representatives of faith communities and the media. A media perspective will be presented by Associate Professor Jim Tully, Head of the School of Social and Political Sciences, University of Canterbury.

This year’s NZ Diversity Forum will be held in Christchurch for the first time, from 21- 23 August. Victoria University’s Religious Studies Programme is partnering with the School of Media and Communication and Journalism in hosting the Annual Religious Diversity Forum on Monday 23 August, as part of the wider forum.

The Third Forum of the Alliance will be held in Rio de Janero and will provide an opportunity for New Zealand to reaffirm its commitment to the Alliance’s objectives and to showcase some of the work that occurs domestically within the Alliance’s framework.

The AOC was launched by Turkey and Spain in 2005 and since then has grown in importance and is increasingly seen as the focal point for global efforts to build bridges between cultures. New Zealand has been actively involved in the AOC since its inception in 2005, hosting an Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium in 2007 and participating in the first Forum in Madrid and this latest Istanbul Forum. For more information visit the Alliance of Civilization’s website.

Tayyaba Khan, NZ delegate at 2009 Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue, has been accepted to go as an independent delegate by the AOC organising committee.

The conference was organised by the Hindu Council of New Zealand at the Hindu Heritage Centre, Auckland, from 15-16 May, 2010. The theme of the conference was “Sustaining New Zealand Through Strengthening Bonds Amongst Communities”.

Swami Vigyananand, Coordinator of the Civilizational Association of South, South-East and East Asia presented the concept of the HOTA Forum during the second plenary session ‘Collaboration Amongst Hindu Organisations, Temples, and Associations’, and outlined the important role such a forum would play. Following his presentation and a group discussion, over 20 New Zealand Hindu Organisations, Temples and Associations joined the HOTA forum. More are expected to join over the coming weeks and months.

The HOTA forum will meet at least once a year to discuss and deliberate the issues concerning Hindu society and collectively position Hindu society for a better future. This will also reinforce Hindu identity which accepts all like-minded communities and cultures on equal footing as one big global family.

The workshop is also aimed at those who otherwise would find knowledge about Islam and its practices and beliefs to be useful in their work or contact with members of the Muslim community. It is an opportunity to gain different insights into commonly misunderstood aspects of the Islamic faith and impacts on service provision.

Afroz Ali from Sydney, Australia and Steve James of Auckland, will facilitate the workshop. Between them they bring extensive experience in conducting similar workshops and seminars to service providers across Australia; skills and facilitating experience; and a local Kiwi approach.

The workshop is scheduled from 18- 19 May. More information is available on the RMDT website, and you need to pre-register online (by 20 April).

This is a rare opportunity to view these sacred relics, which were found among the cremation ashes of Buddhist masters. They resemble beautiful, pearl-like crystals. Buddhists believe relics embody the master’s spiritual qualities of compassion and wisdom and are deliberately produced by the master at his death.

The opening ceremony will be held on Friday 14 May and will formally welcome the holy relics to the city. The interfaith event will be attended by local VIPs, Sangha, Masters, ministers and local religious leaders, emphasising religious tolerance and world peace. A DVD presentation and live presentations by the Relic Managers will explain more about the relics are, why they are touring and the reasons it is beneficial to be in their presence.

The exhibition is open to the public. See details below:

• Date: 15- 16 May (10am- 7pm)
• Venue: Awataha Marae, 58 Akoranga Drive, Northcote, Auckland
• There is no entrance charge but donations are welcome.

The thought provoking seminar is to be presented by Imam Afroz Ali. There are limited spaces so register now.

• Date: 2 May 2010
• Time: 9.00am
• Venue: Unitec- Gate 4.

Topics include:

• understanding Māori, Hindu and New Zealand communities
• developing relations and working with the New Zealand Government agencies
• bridging the gap among Hindus in New Zealand coming from different countries
• strengthening the bond among different schools of Hindu darma i.e Shaiza, Vaishnava, Veershaiva, Sakta, Arya samaj.

Some of the conference session chairpersons include Joris De Bres (Race Relations Commissioner, Human Rights Commission), Dr Rajen Prasad (ex- Chief Commissioner of the Families Commission and currently a Member of Parliament), Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi (Member of Parliament), Pravin Patel (community leader).

Registration fee for the two-day conference will be $50 per person. Please email them for more information.

The Programme was launched in 2005 aims to give persons belonging to national or ethnic, religious and linguistic minorities – particularly young minority women and men – an opportunity to gain knowledge on the UN system and mechanisms dealing with international human rights and minority rights.

The Fellowship Programme is intended to assist organisations and communities in protecting and promoting the rights of minorities the fellows belong to.

The MFP is held annually and currently has two linguistic versions: the English programme and the Arabic programme. The English programme has been running since 2005 and lasts on average 3 months. The Arabic programme started in 2007 and has been gradually expanding from 2 to 4 weeks.

The Fellows are based at the OHCHR in Geneva, Switzerland. The programme is interactive and consists of briefings on several topics as well as individual and group assignments.

Fellows are entitled to the following: a return ticket (economy class) from the country of residence to Geneva; basic health insurance for the duration of the Programme; and a grant to cover modest accommodation in Geneva for the duration of the Programme and other living expenses.

Applications for the English Programme close on 3 May 2010. For more information on the fellowship and how to apply please visit the OHCHR website.

The Human Rights Commission is undertaking the development of ‘guidelines’ jointly with the Victoria University of Wellington (VUW) Religious Studies Programme. The Human Rights Commission receives a steady flow of enquiries and complaints regarding accommodating religious practices in the workplace.

The Working Group members comprise people directly involved in workplace issues: Department of Labour, Business NZ, AUT School of Business, NZ Council of Trade Unions, and the Human Rights Commission. The Reference Group represents significant religious and belief groups in New Zealand. Members include: Rev Richard Randerson; Dr Anwar Ghani; Glyn Carpenter, Verpal Singh; Amala Wrightson; Manuka Henare; Dr Rajiv Chatuvedi; Andrew Geard; Paddy Payne and Stephen Goodman.

The consultation process involves three elements:

• a small working group to develop a draft for public consultation. T
• a reference group to provide input to the working group on terms of reference, feedback on the first draft and feedback on the final draft.
• a public consultation through the Religious Diversity Network and employment networks.

The Working Group will prepare the initial draft ‘guidelines’ for the Reference Group to provide feedback on before it goes out for public consultation.

Some faith based and interfaith organisations who have registered so far include Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at, Caritas Aotearoa New Zealand, Hindu Council of NZ, Hindu Youth Foundation, NZ Interfaith Group, Rasheed Memorial Da’wah Trust, Anand Isher Education Community Trust, Christchurch Interfaith Council and the Auckland Interfaith Council.

We encourage other faith based and interfaith organisations to register their projects with the programme. If you would like to register, we would love to hear what you are planning (or what you have already done) for this year, so that we can publicise your projects on our website. You can register online or email us. Please contact Rohan Jaduram for any enquiries about the NZ Diversity Action Programme.

The NZ Diversity Action Programme brings together organisations taking practical initiatives to:

• Recognise and celebrate the cultural diversity of our society (diverse).
• Promote the equal enjoyment by everyone of their civil, political, economic, social and cultural rights, regardless of race, colour, ethnicity or national origin (equal).
• Foster harmonious relations between diverse peoples (harmonious).

The NZ Diversity Action Programme came about in response to the desecration of Jewish cemeteries in 2004 when community leaders convened in Parliament to discuss what action to take. The Programme is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission on behalf of all participants.

The meetings will be held in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

• Wellington: Friday 7 May, 12pm – 1.30pm, L1 Vector Building, 44-52, The Terrace
• Auckland: Tuesday 25 May, 12pm-1.30pm, L4 Tower Centre, 45 Queen Street
• Christchurch: Wednesday 26 May, 12pm-1.30, venue (TBC).

The status report, first published in 2004, formed the basis for the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights 2005-2010. If you would like to provide feedback directly please visit the Commission’s website and provide feedback by 14 May.

Mindy Hu representing Chilton St James School, Wellington, was runner up. Aperahama’s speech was delivered in te reo Māori which made him the first participant to win it in te reo. His speech and Mindy’s will be able to be viewed on the Human Rights Commission website.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. This year marked the 10th anniversary of the nationwide speech contest and plans are underway to commemorate this milestone later this month in Wellington.

The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of racism and to suggest what can be done about it. For 2010, the speech topic was ‘Diversity in the human family’. Contestants from throughout the country were invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic.

Please contact Bev Watson if you would like to learn more about the speech contest.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has been working on the translation project for more than 20 years and has translated just over half of the Koran. The 16 parts have been published into a book comprising the original Arabic text with Māori translation and was launched in the weekend. The launch event held at Alexandra Park was a combination of Māori culture and Islamic tradition, uniting two communities as one.

The translation project was initiated by the head of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community, the late Mirza Tahir Ahmad, during his visit to New Zealand in 1989. He believed that the Māori language was here to stay and encouraged the local branch of the organisation to begin working on translating selected verses of the Koran into Māori.

The local president of the Ahmadiyya Community, Dr Mohammad Shorab sees the translation of the Koran is a great way to honour the community’s motto: Love for all, hatred for none. “Islam is a universal religion,” says Dr. Shorab. “For that reason it is important to invest in other languages and traditions to gain a better understanding of the people around us.

“The Holy Qur’an is the most precious thing to Muslims and its translation into Te Reo not only shows our respect and regard for the Māori community, but is also a way to share with New Zealand something that is very special and meaningful to us.”

The credit of the translation largely goes to Mr. Shakil Monir, a Pakistani teacher with a love for religion and the Koran. While working in a school in Nigeria in 1993, Mr Monir began to teach himself Māori with an English to Māori dictionary, Māori Bible and a book of Māori grammar. With a few extra years of dedicated study Mr Monir began the challenging task of translating the Koran into Te Reo.

“I am very happy that the first half of the Holy Qur’an has been printed in the Māori language,” says Mr. Monir. “Not being a Māori myself, there have been some limitations.” Mr. Munir added that with the help of 5 to 6 different Māori language experts, he is confident that the Māori translation is fairly accurate and as close as possible to the original Arabic text.

The Koran has been translated into more than sixty languages worldwide by the Ahmadiyya Community but a translation created and published in New Zealand is the first of its kind. “This is a huge milestone for our local community,” says Dr. Shorab. “But, God willing, this will not be the limit of our efforts to become an active, peace-loving community in New Zealand.”

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Community is a religious organisation, international in its scope. It has branches in over 193 countries in Africa, America, Asia, Australasia, and Europe with worldwide membership exceeding tens of millions. The New Zealand branch of this community was established in 1987 and has just over 200 members. It is a registered charitable organisation and endeavours to be an active and integrated community within New Zealand.

The purpose of the group will be to have robust discussions around:

• the practical importance of the interfaith movement
• whether a national network would hinder the natural establishment of local youth multifaith groups
• the best approaches for reaching out to young people
• developing leaders
• establishing an interactive website or some form of a publication
• deciding upon a name, mission, and future direction.

An informal network of youth interfaith leaders developed after successful National Interfaith Youth Forum’s in Auckland last year and in Christchurch this year in February. Both forums were held in conjunction with the National Interfaith Forum.

Over 100,000 people attended the event in traditional dress, transforming the area into a sea of colours and festivity. Organised by the Anand Isher Education Community (AIEC) Trust, the event celebrated the harvest festival Vaisakhi. Vaisakhi is a very important day for Sikhs and one of the most colourful events in the Sikh calendar.

The purpose of the event was to raise awareness of the cultural celebrations of Vaisakhi and invite the wider communities to join in and celebrate. The annual event has become a highlight in Manukau City’s Event Calendar, bridging differences between the city’s diverse ethnicities.

This year the AIEC Trust took Vaisakhi Celebrations to six branches of Manukau Libraries. This involved students presenting on Indian Festivals and highlighting the celebrations around the harvesting season with Bhangra and Gidda performances. The Vaisakhi celebrations attracted children and families from various ethinc backgrounds to the Mangere, Papatoetoe, Botany, Pakuranga, Manurewa and Manukau City Centre libraries.

The Anand Isher Educational and Community Trust (AIECT), a registered charity, is committed to promotion of educational, community and awareness activities. Since its inception it has worked to bring not only the Indian community but the other communities together on a common platform, encouraging understanding of different communities. The Trust has recently been working with various community organisations and departments of Manukau City Council. For more information about AIEC Trust, please contact Rajvinder Singh.

Plan your activity now in your church, temple or mosque and let us know.

The 2010 theme is O le tātou gagana Sāmoa I Niu Sila – Our Samoan language in New Zealand. For those taking part outside New Zealand, this can be shortened or changed to the country concerned.

For more information visit the Commission’s website or the Samoan Language Week Facebook page.

Each evening someone with a particularly interesting story will speak, beginning with David Shadrack on April 29. Mr Shadrack is a fourth generation South African of Indian descent, from a Christian family, whose faith has been tested, moulded and reshaped by the social and political background of his native country. A teacher of English, History and Biblical Studies in South Africa, Mr Shadrack will share about his childhood, his faith, and the tragedies and joys he has faced in life.

All are welcome to attend.

• Date: Thursday, April 29
• Time: 7:30 p.m.
• Venue: Parnell Peace Embassy, 24 St Stephens Avenue, Parnell

Parking is available on the street or in the adjacent vacant lot. Admission is free, and a light supper will be served.

The discussion will include members of the Catholic, Hindu, Muslim and Unification Faiths, on Tuesday 27 April, 7.00 – 9.00pm. It will be held at the Parish Hall of St Matthew’s Church, 108 Jeffreys Road (on the corner of Ilam and Jeffreys Roads). This is an excellent opportunity to learn and to share with people of other faiths.

Antony Lowenstein is a guest speaker at the Auckland Writers and Readers Festival in May. He describes himself as “an atheist Jewish-Australian political activist.” He will be interviewed by Afroz Ali, the founder of Sydney’s Al-Ghazali Centre for Islamic Science and Human development.

• When: Monday 17 May, 7.30pm
• Venue: Liston Hall (parish hall of St Patrick Catheral). Enter from Hobson Street or St Patrick’s Square.

The theme was, “Keeping Faith in the Modern World”. The event was attended by more than 150 people including those participating in the women’s forum, opening night dinner, gala dinner and youth forum. The forum included keynote addresses by overseas guests Afroz Ali and Rev. Jonathon Inkpin; the workshops kept many involved and engaged throughout the programme. A notable feature was the report back from some of the delegates who attended the Asia-Pacific Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation in Perth last year. There was also an update on a UNESCO initiative to introduce interreligious studies and diversity into schools.

The question of establishing a ‘national executive body’ for interfaith matters was discussed, drawing off a proposal written by Dr Douglas Pratt. No decision was made about the process of setting up a nationally appointed committee for a National Interfaith Council. However, a key outcome was the establishment of a committee to develop a constitution working towards establishing a National Interfaith Council. Please contact Dr Ronald Macintyre, President of the Christchurch Interfaith Council, if you would like to find out more about this development.

The concluding multi-faith service was a highlight and included participation by the local Ngai Tahu people. The Wellington Interfaith Council agreed to host the next the National Interfaith Forum in 2011.

The ‘UNESCO Chair In Interreligious Understanding and Relations – New Zealand’ is an educational, research and policy activity that will be based at Victoria University’s Religious Studies department. Professor Paul Morris who was awarded the position delivered an address at the function entitled “What’s religion got to do with it? – Sustainable futures and faith”.

UNESCO Chairs in Interreligious Understanding and Relations were established in 1995 to provide input drawn from an understanding of religious and cultural diversity to UNESCO programs and polices; to conduct research in this area; and to engage in policy debates in their region.

In his position as UNESCO chair, Professor Morris will engage in and publish research on religious change in New Zealand and the Pacific since 1990, and the relationships between religious communities. He will act to foster links between scholars in the region with related research interests. Engaging with governments on the impact of religious and cultural change and the need to explore new models of social cohesion will also be a key focus. Professor Morris will also develop and maintain a regional database of religious groups and communities including research resources.

“Inter-religious understanding and relations is fundamental to our key goal which is to promote peace and justice in New Zealand and the Pacific,” says NZ National Commission for UNESCO chair, Bryan Gould.

“Our warm congratulations to Victoria University and particularly, Professor Morris.”

Its functions include building relationships with people of other faiths in New Zealand, networking with other interfaith groups, and education for Catholics on the church’s teaching on Interfaith relations. They encourage people to be involved in whatever way is appropriate for them. Examples include working on community building projects and extending hospitality to new arrivals in New Zealand. The seven current members were introduced at the National Interfaith Forum in Christchurch in February. For further information, contact Sr Catherine Jones.

Supermarket owner Kharag Singh, 45, was refused service at the Aviation Country Golf Club bar in Manukau City, the Indian Weekender newspaper reported recently. After an exchange of emails, Aviation wrote to Mr Singh apologising for any embarrassment caused. “This will never happen here again,” the letter from Aviation manager Peter Walsh said.

It was celebrated with much fanfare by covering coloured powder and water on each other, and dancing to folk music and songs. This was part of Rotorua Holi Festival (Festival of Colours), introduced to Rotorua public for the first time by the Hindu Council of New Zealand and Ngati Taiao. Observed since ancient times, Holi festival – a spring festival in India – glorifies good harvest and fertility of the land.

The festival, celebrated at Te Papaiouru Marae, Ohinemutu Village, promoted positive race relations in terms of bridging any perceived social gaps and differences, and bringing communities together. Initially it intended to build whakawhanaungatanga (between Hindu and Māori communities) but it has grown wider in scope with people of various faiths enjoying the festival. In addition to Rotorua public, participants included international visitors from Germany, Netherlands, France, Belgium, England, Canada and Brazil, and local visitors from Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, and Wellington.

The official festival started at 11.30 am with a powhiri at the most sacred Marae of the Te Arawa people. This was attended by the Te Arawa elders, local members of the community and other visitors. Kaumatua, Mr. Monty Morrison, welcomed the visitors and congratulated the volunteers for organising this festival. He encouraged Māori participation in such inter-cultural activities.

In response, Mr. Pancha Narayanan from Wellington, a member of the Community Sector Taskforce and former President of the New Zealand Federation of Multicultural Councils, spoke on behalf of the Hindu community. Mr. Narayanan paid tribute to the Te Arawa people and Dr. Guna Magesan for their leadership and vision in getting this festival together. He also spoke about the coming together of the two people Tangata Whenua (people of the land) and Tangata Tiriti (new settlers). “It is for the first time, certainly in Rotorua, that the two people Tangata Whenua and Tangata Tiriti have come together to organise and gift the Holi festival to the New Zealand community and to local and international visitors”.

A “Mehndi Moko” workshop was held for the benefit of the Rotorua arts community, as part of the festival. It was jointly conducted by Gina Wright and Roshni Patel, Māori and Hindu artists, respectively. This was possibly the very first time in New Zealand that the art forms (Mehndi and Ta Moko) of two cultures were brought together. “This workshop while bringing together two art forms has also given birth to a new phrase – Mehndi Moko. This phrase could become very New Zealand as the word spreads” said Dr Magesan.

The awards will culminate with the finals on 10 April in Auckland, which is part of the Race Unity Conference. The conference will include keynote speeches by Rayhan Langdana, winner of the 2009 Race Unity Sppech Award, and Nura Taefi, a young Iranian/ New Zealand lawyer representating the New Zealand Baha’i Community. Both will give a short talk on “It’s About Us – Whānau” – the theme of Race Relations Day 2010. The conference will also include workshops delivered by the Human Rights Commission, NZ Police and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

This is the fifth Race Unity Conference and the 10th anniversary of the nationwide speech contest. The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of racism and to suggest what can be done about it.

For 2010, the speech topic is ‘Diversity in the human family’. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic. The Race Relations Commissioner, Joris de Bres, will award the top prize at the final in Auckland.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs. If you would like to attend the conference or for further information, please contact Bev Watson, National Coordinator for the Race Unity Conference and Speech Awards.

Race Relations Day is marked in a number of different ways around the country. It works to build bridges between the different races that make up multi-cultural New Zealand. Discrimination is an issue that is prevalent in the society across all cross-sections. One solution is to reduce the degree of separation between the different communities and increase interaction and understanding of each other. Hindu Youth Foundation has taken up a small task of trying to make a positive step in this direction.

The Hindu Youth Foundation is a division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand, bringing together both youth and families and encouraging understanding of different communities. It has a vision to bring together like-minded youth and set up a Hindu Youth Foundation Recreational Centre.

The Race Relations Day celebration will cater to all ages and physical abilities, with family, friends and neighbours invited to participate. Activities will include soccer, cricket, netball, volleyball, table tennis, carom board, face painting, bouncing castle and tug-of-war. Participants can choose between food stalls with Indian vegetarian delicacies or enjoying a family picnic. They will also have an opportunity to play with Holi colours, similar to Rotorua Holi Festival

The event will be held at the Hindu Heritage Centre, 2-30 Bukem Place, Mangere East, Manukau. Entry is free. To ensure there are no disappointments in matching a team to your level, registration is important. For more information about the day or registration contact Nitika Sharma (0211 579 129 or Komal Shah (021 035 3591).

Their objectives are to:

• consolidate the genealogical links between Māori and the Pacific Island Nations
• assist in the national day celebrations of each nation in New Zealand
• lobby for the establishment of the United Nations Interfaith Council
• form the Māori Pacific Asia Interfaith Council by 2011.

The Māori Pacific Interfaith Network was launched on 18 December 2009 at 27 Tasman St, Wellington and was attended by key Maori and Pacific Island leaders, such as Tiopira and Peeti Rauna, Bill and Donas Nathan, Hon Mano’o and Mrs Mulitalo (former MP of Samoa), William Dihm and his wife (High Commissioner for Papua New Guinea HE).

Luamanuvao Winnie Laban, Labour’s Inter-Faith Spokesperson, will be the guest speaker. The NZ Labour Party set up an interfaith branch last year, with the purpose of gathering together the Christian and Ratana roots of the Party and extending those to embrace other faiths. Based on this foundation, it seeks to speak to the current context of urgent environmental and social justice concerns, and work with interfaith councils and people of faith generally.

The overland pilgrimage trail starts at the Hare Krishna temple in Riverhead and visits the Buddhist Temple, the Historic Settlers Church in Wainui and ends at St Peter and Paul Church in Puhoi. Most of the pilgrimage trail is over private land and the walk includes a range of terrain and countryside, and views that are normally closed to the public.

The three day walk is called ‘Hidden Treasures Trail’. The event takes place from Friday through to Easter Sunday. This fundraising event is organised by Hibiscus Hospice with all proceeds going to support people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the region.

Visit their website to register for updates on the 2010 walk and view some photos of the April 2009 walk.

The translation of the Koran into Te Reo Māori is a historic achievement. The translation was done by Mr Shakil Ahmad Monir, an Ahmadi Muslim scholar from Pakistan. The project involved extensive consultation with the Māori Language Commission and kaumatua to ensure the translation was accurate; it was worked on for two decades.

There will be an official launch of the publication on Saturday 17 April at Alexandra Park, Tasman Room, Greenlane Road West, Epsom.

The Ahmadiyya Muslim Jama’at is an incorporated society and registered charitable trust dedicated to providing assistance to the moral, spiritual and academic development of New Zealanders. The community has over 250 members, with a wide ethnic mix of immigrant populations mainly from Fiji, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and a growing number of second and third generation Kiwis.

That’s no easy feat for a Muslim student in a traditional Catholic boys’ school and this is the first time in the school’s 57-year history. De La Salle has a roll of 1050 boys and is state integrated, meaning 5 percent of the roll is non-Catholic.

While some might feel uncomfortable being in the minority, Mohammed takes it all in his stride and says it’s not hard fitting in. “The religions have pretty much the same values.

“The school’s helped me stay true to those and not get involved in bad things.”

Mohammed is also a champion boxer. Last year he gained his fifth consecutive national title and travelled to the United States to compete. He also won the title of Junior Sportsman of the Year at the Counties Manukau Sporting Excellence Awards.

Selecting a head boy is a thorough process at De La Salle, with both students and staff voting. Brother Steve says the most important values for the school are honesty and respect: “These are fundamental to Mohammed’s upbringing and to Catholicism too.” The school had a ceremony a couple of weeks ago where they invited past college captains and prefects, including a founding student from 1953.

Brother Steve says the old boys didn’t have an issue with Mohammed’s religion. “Everyone could see he is Lasallian…They’re proud of him and proud of having a great man in that role.”

The year 13 student has a busy year ahead, with plans to make some changes around school during his reign. Mohammed’s plans include raising academic awareness and promoting healthy living, sharing his experience as an obese child with the school. Above all he’ll be working towards the end of year exams with the goal of attending university next year. He plans to do science or accounting and likes the idea of a career as a personal trainer too- at the same time he’ll keep pursuing his boxing career.

Source: Stuff News

The report, first published in 2004, formed the basis for the New Zealand Action Plan for Human Rights 2005-2010. Feedback is now sought on the final draft section on the right to freedom of religion and belief. Please visit the Commission’s website and provide feedback by 30 April.

Festivals and Events are being held all around the country to mark and celebrate the day. The Commission’s Facebook page dedicated to Race Relations Day has over 2, 600 fans. The Annual Review of Race Relations in 2009 has been released and is available in PDF form online, or you can email us if you would like a hard copy.

The exhibition will stay in New Zealand for two years. The NetherlaNZ Foundation hopes to make the exhibition accessible to New Zealanders all around the country and has designed an itinerary that extends from Whangarei to Invercargill.

This is the 10th anniversary of the nationwide speech contest. The Speech Award challenges school students in Years 11, 12, and 13 to consider various aspects of racism and to suggest what can be done about it.

The Race Unity Speech Award offers students the chance to share a $1500 top prize with their school. For 2010, the speech topic is ‘Diversity in the human family’. Contestants are invited to prepare a 7-8 minute speech on the topic. The Chief Human Rights Commissioner, Rosslyn Noonan, will award the top prize at the final in Auckland. Entries must be in before 8 March, 2009.

Initiated in 2001 by the New Zealand Baha’i Community to commemorate Race Relations Day, the Race Unity Speech Award is supported by the Human Rights Commission, New Zealand Police, and the Office of Ethnic Affairs.

Visit our website (see Race Unity Speech Awards, April 09) or contact Bev Watson to obtain further information.

HCNZ believes in the ideal of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam” (the world is one big family). Hindu New Zealanders have come from the Caribbean, Fiji, India, Malaysia, Mauritius, Nepal, South Africa, Sri Lanka, United Kingdom, and more countries. HCNZ works to bring together people from different geographical and cultural backgrounds, community groups, like minded Hindu organisations, Tangata Whenua, Government agencies and non-government organisations (NGOs) together, to discuss concerns of community and find out and set pathways for working towards the betterment of the community. This conference aims to discuss successes in community development from Hindu perspectives, based on the principles of Hindu Dharma.

The conference will discuss initiatives that government agencies have shown in community development, the role of volunteers in community development, the development of community based health, wellbeing and social services, the involvement of youth for community development and youth perspectives of community development. It will be of interest to members of the community, government agencies who work in the area of community wellbeing, academics, students, and NGOs.

Over the past few years Hindu conferences have only taken place in Auckland. This is a great opportunity to share the work done by HCNZ with the community in Wellington region and strengthen the network between volunteers from Auckland, Wellington, Hamilton, Rotorua and other regions of New Zealand.

Find out more about the Wellington Regional Hindu Conference.

The overland pilgrimage trail starts at the Hare Krishna temple in Riverhead and visits the Buddhist Temple, the Historic Settlers Church in Wainui and ends at St Peter and Paul Church in Puhoi. Most of the pilgrimage trail is over private land and the walk includes a range of terrain and countryside, and views that are normally closed to the public.

The three day walk is called ‘Hidden Treasures Trail’. The event takes place from Friday through to Easter Sunday. This fundraising event is organised by Hibiscus Hospice with all proceeds going to support people with life-limiting illnesses and their families in the region.

Each day is different:

• day one (13km): ‘medium’
• day two (10km): short but with a number of steep ascents and descents in the morning
• day three (17km): more challenging.

Participants need to be comfortable walking four to five hours a day over a range of terrain. Each day is different and the journey will appeal to people who are fit and keen walkers and/or have some tramping experience.

The walk covers some beautiful countryside with magnificent views of rural and coastal Rodney. Some views are ordinarily closed off to the public. Stop-over points include the ‘cathedral’ and the ‘Remembering Jennie tree’ as places of remembrance.

Each day participants meet at a central point where there is safe and secure car parking. A bus takes everyone to the start of the walk, or meets everyone at the end of the walk and returns them to the car park. Meeting places and meeting times are provided on registration and accommodation can be arranged for out-of-town participants.

The Hidden Treasures Trail is supported by more than 20 landowners between Riverhead and Puhoi who have opened their properties in support of Hibiscus Hospice.

Visit their website to register for updates on the 2010 walk and view some photos of the April 2009 walk.

Thirty eight percent were of a more general and less personally experienced nature, and included a large subset of 33 complaints relating to employment. These included enquiries from employers about accommodating the religious requirements of their staff or potential employees, and complaints from people who were asked about aspects of their religious belief during job interviews. In a number of these cases the issues involved the person not being of a certain religion (for example, non-Catholics working in Catholic schools), rather than discrimination because of their specific religious beliefs.

More complaints of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief were received from Muslims than people of any other religious group.

Appearance

The most commonly received complaints from Muslims related to appearance. Nine complaints related to people who wore headscarves, burkas or hijabs experiencing difficulties, six of which were received in 2009. One complaint involved people who were asked to leave a restaurant in a club due to one person wearing a burka, who would not remove it when asked. The club agreed to mediation and the matter was successfully resolved.

Three matters have involved problems experienced by people wearing headscarves in workplace settings. These complainants were provided with information to assist them in resolving the matters independently. A further matter relating to treatment received by a shop employee is currently in progress.

A matter that received a large amount of media attention was the barring of a Muslim woman in the Hastings District Court because she was wearing a headscarf. The Race Relations Commissioner was in contact with the Chief District Court Judge and the Federation of Islamic Associations on the matter. The Chief District Court judge issued a statement affirming that judges were well aware of the Bill of Rights Act provisions on discrimination and that the judge concerned had made a genuine error. The Federation of Islamic Councils welcomed this assurance and the actions of the Race Relations Commissioner, and signalled a desire to work with the Commission on training of court officials on matters of religious diversity. The Commission facilitated the complainant’s attendance at the First National Muslim Convention where she met with the President of FIANZ and the Race Relations Commissioner. This enabled her to put the matter behind her in terms of the complaint process.

One other appearance complaint was received, which related to a Muslim schoolboy who was required to shave for school. This is still in progress.

Although the number of complaints from Sikhs was much lower than from Muslims, the majority of these also related to appearance, specifically the wearing of turbans. Eleven of the 14 complaints from Sikhs were about turbans (the other three complaints were about wearing ceremonial daggers, or kirpans). Three such complaints were received in 2009. One matter involving a taxi driver prohibited from wearing a turban was successfully resolved via mediation.

Accommodation of holy days and prayer

Six complaints were received in 2009 from people complaining that their observance of religious days was not accommodated through the scheduling of their work. Four were from Christian religions, one from a Seventh Day Adventist and one from an unspecified religion.

Religious diet

Ten complaints were received in the last three years relating to accommodation of religious diet. Five of these related to Islamic diet and five to Jewish, and eight related to prison inmates. Three of the complaints were received in 2009, all relating to prison inmates.

Karakia and prayer in school and workplace settings

Fourteen complaints were received in the last three years relating to karakia and/ or prayer in workplace or school settings. Five of the complaints related to the recitation of Christian prayers in Council meetings – one in 2009 that is currently in progress. Two complaints in 2007 related to the same Council. The complainants decided to try to resolve the matter themselves, and did so after discussing it at two meetings.

Five complaints related to workplace settings, including two in educational establishments. Three were received in 2007 and two in 2009. Four of the complaints related to karakia in the workplace, and the fifth involved a person of a different religious belief who was forced to actively participate in a Christian observance at work.

Three complaints related to educational settings, all three of which related to the recitation of karakia in schools. One further complaint was received from a prison inmate who complained that he was required to sing a waiata that had references to god in his prison course, which he objected to as an atheist.

The entire chapter will be available at the National Interfaith Forum. Other sections of the Race Relations Report deal with action on diversity, discrimination, the Treaty of Waitangi, human rights, migration and settlement, media, language and research.

If you would like a copy of the full report when it is released, please email NZ Diversity with Annual Review of Race Relations in the subject line and your full address (including postcode). The full Race Relations Report will be released on 11 March.

The main venue will be the Caledonian Hall, Kilmore Street (near the corner of Colombo Street) in Christchurch (see the map on their website). This venue is close to hotels, motels and central shopping areas; it is diagonally across from the Town Hall and about 20 minutes to the airport in normal traffic flow.

The central theme of the forum will be ‘Keeping faith in the modern world.’ A number of workshops and panels will examine aspects of this theme, including ‘Faith and safer cities’. The forum will also discuss the need for a National Interfaith Organisation.

The National Interfaith Forum will be divided into three sections: a women’s forum, general forum and youth forum. There will also be important international and local speakers, including the Rev. Dr Jonathan Inkpin and Imam Afroz Ali from Australia, and Professor Paul Morris, Rev. Dr Margaret Mayman and Verpal Singh. This forum will be suitable for those seeking to come to terms with the question of religious diversity in an increasingly multicultural society.

The costs for the three-day forum are very reasonable and will include meals. Concessions may also be available to unwaged and needy registrants. For more information on registration visit their website or contact the forum organiser Derek McCullough.

The theme of this year’s Race Relations day is about whānau. Race Relations Day posters are available free from the Human Rights Commission – email NZ Diversity with your address if you would like some. The poster, designed by illustrator Ahu Te Ua, reflects the theme with bright, cheerful and colourful images, and aims to inspire and attract attention to Race Relations Day from both adults and young people.

The overall message of the poster is that Race Relations Day is about all of us and we are all members of the wider family of New Zealanders, no matter where we are from. Cultural icons are portrayed alongside the word “family” in Arabic , Chinese, Dutch, English, Hindi, Italian, Japanese, Russian, Samoan, te reo Māori and Tongan.

Please inform us if you will be organising an event this year. Find out more about Race Relations Day in New Zealand by visiting the Race Relations Day event page.

The interactive page is also a way to encourage people to post and share information about upcoming events to celebrate Race Relations Day. Those who have something to contribute or say about race relations in New Zealand can visit the Facebook page. Over 2000 people have signed up to the page since it was opened three weeks ago.

The Facebook page is proving a place of debate and fun. The Commission has set up a contest for fans of the page to contribute their photographs that best illustrate cultural diversity in New Zealand. The winning photograph will be turned into a Race Relations Day postcard.

The half hour programmes will again be hosted by Chris Nichol, and will continue to explore and celebrate the spiritual diversity of New Zealanders. The fourth series is currently screening on TVONE with repeats of each episode screening a few weeks later in two slots in prime time on TVNZ6. This Sunday, Cambodian Buddhist Kosal Parseth will tell his story of escape from the killing fields to refuge in New Zealand. The story is testimony to his will to survive, the sustaining power of faith, and the bonds of family. It screens on TVONE at 8am. Next Thursday investment adviser and philanthropist Gareth Morgan explains to presenter Chris Nichol what drives him and how an atheist can lead a deeply moral life. This interview screens on TVNZ6 at 7pm.

Please contact Amanda Evans for enquiries.

The current holder of the Chair will be Professor Paul Morris, Professor of Religious Studies at Victoria University. The Chair will be formally announced at the 7th National Interfaith Forum in Christchurch from 26- 28 February 2010.

One of Professor Morris’s current research projects explores religious change in the Pacific nation states. This will enhance our understanding of the role and contemporary significance of religion in this important region of the world. The study will map the religious contours of the Pacific nations and focus on the dynamics of religious transitions (the growth of Evangelical and Pentecostal Christianity and of new churches such as the LDS) since the 1980s, in the context of global religious changes. Professor Morris held a Workshop on Religious Diversity in the Pacific in Auckland in 2008, together with the NZ National Commission for UNESCO and the Human Rights Commission. A forum in the Pacific is being planned to develop the outcome of that initial workshop for late 2010 or 2011.

2010 International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures

UNESCO has been asked by the UN to play a leading role in the celebration of the Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures. The main goal of the year will be to demonstrate the benefits of cultural diversity by acknowledging the importance of the constant transfers and exchanges between cultures and the ties forged between them since the dawn of humanity.

The main types of activities scheduled are:

• greater opportunities for research, meetings and public debates and broadening of the spaces for intercultural mediation in the form of exhibitions illustrating exchanges and transfers between cultures, as well as fairs and festivals
• promotion of the role of creativity
• improvement of access to formal and non-formal education
• contribution of the media and the new communication and information technologies to change the perception of different cultures and religions through, inter alia, the promotion of dialogue on the Internet where numerous cultural and linguistic expressions can be circulated and shared
• recognition of and respect for knowledge – including traditional knowledge and the knowledge of indigenous peoples
• promotion of human rights, philosophy and intercultural dialogue.

You are invited to inform the NZ National Commission for UNESCO of the activities you are planning in order to celebrate the 2010, International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures, and the goals you intend to achieve through them. A logo has also been designed especially for the year and is available for use. Contact Susan Isaacs, Culture Programme Officer, NZ National Commission for UNESCO (P.O. Box 1666, Wellington) for more information or to request a copy.

Pork is forbidden to Muslims and Anwar Ghani, President of the Federation of Islamic Associations, said those who unwittingly ate the savory scones which contained ham or bacon would have felt dreadful and probably vomited when they realised what they had eaten. He says he expected a better awareness in a country selling Halal products to the world. (Source NewsTalk ZB)

A final version of this section will be produced in time for the National Interfaith Forum in February.

Race Relations Report 2009: Religious Diversity

The following is a draft section of the 2009 Race Relations Report to be published by the Human Rights Commission in March 2010. This section reviews developments in relation to religious diversity and is drawn primarily from the Commission’s religious diversity newsletter, Te Korowai Whakapono. Other sections of the report will deal with international engagement, action on diversity, the Treaty of Waitangi, racial discrimination, migration and settlement, civil and political equality, economic and social equality, language, media and diversity research. The full report will be published in advance of Race Relations Day on 21 March. Comments on this draft are invited and can be sent to nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz .

What happened in 2009?

• New Zealanders participated in key international forums on religious diversity in Istanbul, Perth and Melbourne.
• Guidelines on Religion in Schools and the second edition of the Statement on Religious Diversity were launched at the annual Religious Diversity Forum, and the development of guidelines on religion in the workplace was initiated.
• The national interfaith forum, women’s interfaith forum and youth interfaith forum were held in Auckland in February.
• UNESCO approved the establishment of a chair in interreligious studies and understanding at Victoria University
• A number of new resources were published, including a Wellington Libraries DVD, a further series of the My God television programme, a photo book on Muslims in New Zealand, a school resource on religious diversity, and a new edition of the Police’s Practical Reference to Religious Diversity
• A Charter for Compassion was launched in December.

Alliance of Civilisations

A New Zealand government delegation participated in the Second Forum of the Alliance of Civilisations (AOC) in April in Istanbul.

The AOC was launched by Turkey and Spain in 2005 in response to concerns that the rise of religious extremism and incidents of global terrorism were causing a growing rift between people of different cultures and faiths that risked exacerbating these issues. The AOC works to support inter-faith and inter-cultural initiatives aimed at building cooperation and respect for other cultures and faiths.

New Zealand has been actively involved in the AOC since its inception in 2005, hosting an Asia-Pacific Regional Symposium in 2007 and participating in both the first Forum in Madrid and this latest forum in Istanbul. The Forum drew some 2000 people from governments (including seven heads of State/Government and around 40 Ministers), international and regional organisations, business, academia and civil society.

Among the priorities identified by the Forum were:

• Enlarging the global scope of the Alliance and streamlining and consolidating National Plans and Regional Strategies for intercultural dialogue.
• Making education and youth top priority areas of action for the Alliance.
• Strengthening the role played by civil society and the private sector in addressing cultural diversity issues and developing closer cooperation at all levels.
• Developing joint projects at local, regional and international level, especially through city diplomacy initiatives aimed at promoting better intercultural understanding and preventing mounting tensions and the rise of extremism.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) is the lead agency for the Alliance of Civilisations programme, supported by the Office of Ethnic Affairs, which coordinates the domestic activities of the New Zealand Programme of Action.

Asia Pacific Regional Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation

The fifth Asia Pacific Regional Dialogue on Interfaith Cooperation was held in Perth in October on the theme of Future Faith Leaders: Challenges and Cooperation. Previous dialogues have taken place in Indonesia (2004), the Philippines (2006), New Zealand (2007) and Cambodia (2008). The dialogues are co-sponsored by the governments of Australia, Indonesia, New Zealand and the Philippines, and the Perth dialogue was attended by delegations from 14 countries in South East Asia and the Pacific. New Zealand’s delegation was led by the Minister of Ethnic Affairs, Hon Pansy Wong, and comprised members of the Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Hindu and Sikh faiths and the Human Rights Commission.

The Perth Declaration focused on fostering interfaith projects, the development of future faith leaders, educational resources on religious diversity, involvement of faith community leaders in peace and conflict resolution, and religious diversity and the media. Key practical follow-up actions for New Zealand were identified as:

• the development of an interfaith environmental project – to be recommended to the national interfaith forum in February 2010
• a leadership development project for future interfaith faith leaders, to be discussed with the national youth interfaith forum in February 2010
• teachers’ workshops to promote and develop curriculum resources on religious diversity
• a workshop for faith leaders and media on religious diversity and the media in conjunction with the 2010 New Zealand Diversity Forum.

Parliament of the World’s Religions

Due to its proximity, a significant number of New Zealanders were able to attend the fourth Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne from 3-9 December. Previous parliaments have been held in Chicago (1993), Cape Town (1999) and Barcelona (2004). Some 220 religious, spiritual and philosophical traditions were represented by some 8000 delegates from over 80 countries. The theme for the 2009 parliament was “Making a World of Difference, Hearing Each Other, Healing the Earth” and priorities included global poverty, environmental change, youth education, spirituality and the arts and reconciliation among indigenous peoples. Hundreds of different workshops, films, religious, and social and community activities demonstrated the sheer scale and wealth of interfaith dialogue around the world providing renewed inspiration and challenges for those involved in interfaith dialogue in New Zealand.

Establishment of a UNESCO Chair at Victoria University of Wellington

UNESCO approved the establishment of a UNESCO Chair of Interreligious Understanding and Relations in NZ and the Pacific at Victoria University. The chair is part of a global network of such positions. It will be situated within the Religious Studies Programme and held by Professor Paul Morris.

National Religious Diversity Network

Te Korowai Whakapono, the national religious diversity network facilitated by the Human Rights Commission, continued to grow. The Commission produced monthly electronic newsletters on developments in religious diversity and interfaith activities, projects and programmes that contribute to religious tolerance, public understanding of religions, beliefs and interfaith cooperation for peace, security and harmonious relations.

The network’s annual Religious Diversity Forum took place in Wellington in August as part of the New Zealand Diversity Forum. The focus was on religious diversity in the workplace. Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University provided an overview, and a panel comprising representatives of employers and workers discussed the issues raised. The purpose was to start a process of developing guidelines on religious diversity in the workplace. The process is now underway to launch the guidelines in August 2010.

The second edition of the Religious Diversity Statement was also launched at the Religious Diversity Forum by the Archbishop of Wellington, John Dew. The Statement has been endorsed by the National Interfaith Forum, The Salvation Army, Soka Gakkai International of New Zealand, Anglican and Catholic Bishops, Missionary Sisters of the Society of Mary, Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand, National Spiritual Assembly of the Baha’is of New Zealand, Waikato Interfaith Council, Auckland Council of Christian and Jews, Wellington Council of Christian and Jews, Council of Christians and Muslims (NZ) Inc, Christchurch Interfaith Council, New Zealand Council of Christian and Jews, Conference of the Methodist Church of New Zealand, General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church of New Zealand, The Sikh Centre and Hindu Council of New Zealand. The second edition includes an introduction by Prime Minister John Key.

The Commission also launched its joint publication with Victoria University of Wellington: Religion in Schools, Questions and Concerns, which followed on from the discussion at the 2008 Religious Diversity Forum. The publication provides guidance to Boards of Trustees and school communities on how to accommodate religion in schools in ways that ensure safety and dignity for all and that are consistent with the Education Act, the Bill of Rights Act and the Human Rights Act.

Interfaith Activities

There are active interfaith groups in a number of areas, including Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Examples of their activities in 2009 included:

• The Christchurch Interfaith Council held the inaugural Rafaa Antoun Memorial lecture, delivered by Rev. Dr Jonathan Inkpin on Receiving the Gift -Sharing in Diversity, in June. Rafaa Antoun, who died at the end of December 2008, aged 42, was a well known worker for many social, cultural, religious, and political groups in Christchurch and beyond. She was active in the field of ethnic, interfaith and women’s issues.
• The Wellington Interfaith Council hosted a session on Grassroots Interfaith Activities as part of the NZ Diversity Forum. Recent case studies were presented, followed by a panel discussion on future interfaith activities at the grassroots level.
• The Auckland Inter-Faith Council organised a multi-faith service where a wide range of religions were represented.
• A Charter for Compassion was launched in November at a meeting in Auckland organised by the Rasheed Memorial Trust, the New Zealand Jewish Council and the Union for Progressive Judaism. The Charter is a short document reinforcing the importance of the golden rule: treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. The Charter is the brainchild of Dr Karen Armstrong, a former British nun who won the $100,000 TED Prize in 2008 to grant “one wish to change the world” with her wish to bring together a group of leading inspirational thinkers from Judaism, Christianity and Islam to craft a Charter for Compassion based on the principles of universal justice and respect. Over 1,000 people collaborated online to write the Charter, which is now being launched worldwide through a series of events and religious services.

Faith in politics

The NZ Labour Party set up an interfaith branch, with the purpose of gathering together the Christian and Ratana roots of the Party and extending those to embrace Muslim, Baha’i, Buddhist, Hindu, Jewish and other faiths. Based on this foundation, it seeks to speak into the current context of urgent environmental and social justice concerns and work with Interfaith councils and people of faith generally.

Police and Faith Communities

The New Zealand Police launched a new edition of A Practical Reference to Religious Diversity. It covers seven major religious faiths including Māori spirituality, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. The book provides information to help police gain basic awareness and understanding of religious diversity. It also explains how religious beliefs and customs may impact on their role as police officers when they are carrying out their duties.

The NZ Police once again supported the Baha’i secondary schools Race Unity Speech Awards in March. The theme for the speech awards and the associated youth conference was “Good neighbours come from all races and cultures”. The competition, initiated by the NZ Baha’i community in 2001, is held in support of Race Relations Day each year.

Building Bridges

Building Bridges is an Office of Ethnic Affairs project in partnership with the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand. The project aims to build capacity in the Muslim community to foster a unique New Zealand Muslim identity.

In 2009 the following activities were held as part of the project:

• A ‘Young Muslims Leadership Development Conference’ was held in April in conjunction with Auckland University’s Islamic Studies Research Unit. The conference was part of ongoing work aimed at promoting the positive integration of young Muslim New Zealanders in the wider society, and providing a space for training and leadership development.
• A forum on civic participation and belonging was organised with the Muslim community in Christchurch. It was designed to challenge and rethink concepts of civic participation and belonging in the Muslim community, and to explore the different ways that these might be translated into policy and practice.
• Discussion forums were held in Auckland and Hamilton about the role and perception of Muslims in the New Zealand media. Participants in Auckland included representatives from various organisations, including Muslim media, the Broadcasting Standards Authority, Māori Television, Radio New Zealand and Radio Live. The discussion focused around capacity building, learning to work with the media, countering misrepresentation, the role of youth, the plurality within the Muslim community and freedom of speech. Guests at the Hamilton forum included the editor of the Waikato Times and academics from Waikato University and Wintec.
• An online directory of New Zealand Muslim women’s organisations was created to build capacity within the community.

Discrimination and cultural misunderstanding

There were a number of cases of alleged discrimination and cultural misunderstanding that attracted media attention:

• A Muslim woman was barred from entering the Hastings District Court because she was wearing a headscarf. She lodged a complaint with the Human Rights Commission. This matter was resolved after the concerned judge indicated that he had made a mistake and the Chief District Court Judge reassured the Muslim Community that judges are sensitive to the Bill of Rights provisions against discrimination.
• On several occasions people have been refused entry into Cosmopolitan clubs because of rules about no headwear – this has included a Muslim woman wearing a burka and Sikh men wearing a turban. The matter was still the subject of an active complaint with the Human Rights Commission at the end of the year.
• A dispute between neighbours and monks in Wainuiomata was settled in last-ditch mediation before a council hearing. Four Buddhist monks set up the Wat Dhamma Prateep monastery in the Lower Hutt suburb on a three-acre lifestyle block but visitors driving to the property along a shared private road prompted a complaint from a neighbour to the Hutt City Council. The council then deemed the house a place of assembly that required resource consent, which cost the monks $3000. Neighbours were going to voice their concerns at a council hearing but instead agreement was reached. The monks and neighbours agreed no more than 12 cars could enter and leave the property a day and the monks must give two weeks’ notice of larger gatherings to the neighbours. An exemption to the notice period in the event of funerals at the monastery may be added. Monk Phra Phanlop said “This can be an example of cooperation … without any kind of violence. This is a good sign. I think we will get more and more understanding towards each other.”

Forums and Conferences

National Interfaith Forum

The 6th National Interfaith Forum was hosted in February by the Auckland Inter-Faith Council at a number of religious venues in the greater Auckland area and attended by over 200 people. The goals for the forum were to bring people of different faiths together for dialogue and fellowship, to learn about interfaith activities taking place around the country, to consider important questions of interfaith infrastructure, and to be spiritually uplifted. A significant outcome of the forum was the creation of a semi-formal email network amongst local interfaith groups for consultation purposes, and in order to establish a greater sense of connectedness and unity of purpose.

Women’s National Interfaith Forum

One hundred women from all the major religions came together in February for the 4^th Women’s National Interfaith Forum. The keynote speaker was Dr Maureen Sier of Scotland. Participants included women from Hindu, Sikh, Christian, Latter Day Saints, Bahá’í, Jewish, Zen Buddhist, and Muslim backgrounds. The forum was the largest gathering of women to have taken place at a Women’s Interfaith Forum in New Zealand.

National Youth Interfaith Forum

The second National Youth Interfaith Forum was also held in Auckland in February. The forum became a site for sharing different aspects of the participants’ religions with each other. It explored a range of issues such as the core benefits of multi faith, principles for effective interfaith communication, common values and beliefs; aspects that make buildings and spaces sacred, environmental concerns that faiths can contribute to solving, and shared values actively practiced between religions.

Events and Workshops

The Ministry of Social Development’s’ Settling In Programme hosted a workshop on ‘Understanding Islam from a Rights Perspective’ at the New Zealand Diversity Forum in August. The workshop was designed to address the knowledge gap of Muslim women, human rights advocates, academics and policy makers who wish to play a critical role in public engagement with Islam in New Zealand, especially in its impact on policymaking, women’s rights, and fundamental liberties.

The Hindu Council of New Zealand organised two major events:

• The Hindu Youth Foundation, a division of the Hindu Council of New Zealand Inc, organised the 1^st NZ Hindu Youth Conference in Auckland in May. The theme of the conference was “Living in Modern New Zealand with Traditional Values”. The New Zealand Hindu Students Forum for university students was launched during the conference.
• The first ever Hindu elder’s conference was held in October and was attended by over 160 delegates. The aim of the conference was “to facilitate and empower the community so that the Hindu elders live with confidence and are productive and participating citizens of New Zealand”.

The theme of this year’s Islam Awareness Week is “Al-Mizan – The Balance in Life”. This is an annual event organised by FIANZ. It is a week of information and activities run in different regions to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of their beliefs, values and practices, and to tackle misinformation about their religion in a positive way. It aims to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of Muslim diversity and beliefs, values and practices and provides an opportunity to engage with Muslim communities throughout New Zealand.

The Rasheed Memorial Da’wah Trust organised a workshop on ‘Islamic/Muslim Cultures, A Primer for Service Providers’ in response to the growing Muslim community and an increased knowledge of the complications and potential impact that a lack of awareness can have on service provision for Muslim clients. Seventy people from over 40 organisations attended.

The University of Auckland ran a symposium on Islam to explore and discuss many aspects of Islamic religion and culture and the challenges to be faced.

FIANZ held the first National Muslim Convention for New Zealand in Auckland. The idea is to establish, for Muslim New Zealanders, an annual event which they can come together as families, to socialise with the other Kiwi Muslims and at the same time participate in the various programmes including sports, religious activities, meetings, forums, etc. The theme for the Convention was ‘Building strong New Zealand Muslim Families’.

Research and Resources

Asia New Zealand published The Crescent Moon: The Asian Face of Islam in New Zealand. The book, by Adrienne Jansen, comprises interviews with Muslims of Asian descent in New Zealand with photographs by Ans Westra. It was launched with an accompanying exhibition at Pataka Museum in Porirua in February.

A further series of My God was broadcast on Television New Zealand. The series of ten profiles of well known New Zealanders of different faiths was produced by Pacific Screen and fronted by broadcaster Chris Nichol. DVD’s of previous series were also released.

The Wellington City Library has developed a visual resource as part of its engagement with the Muslim community. ‘Our Place, Your Place’ talks about what the Wellington City Libraries has to offer new Muslim communities. The DVD is directed and produced by Helen Donnelly, and gives a brief history of the Muslim community in Wellington and in New Zealand generally.

Auckland University’s Network for Islamic Studies was upgraded to a Research Unit. The Unit’s intent is to pursue academic research alongside the development of a community outreach programme. The Islamic Studies Research Unit (ISRU) represents staff and students whose research and teaching intersect with the study of Islam (e.g., History, Philosophy, Theology, etc). One of the aims of NISA is to develop a resource base for students, academics and professionals interested in doing research on, or learning more about the cultures and politics of Muslim societies.

The Centre for Applied Cross-cultural Research at Victoria University of Wellington undertook research on “Being Muslim in New Zealand“. The research examined attitudes of New Zealanders towards Muslim immigrants, major issues confronting Muslim youth and how well do Muslim youth acculturate, integrate and adapt in New Zealand. The study found that while young Muslims in New Zealand did indeed face a variety of threats to their development, their pathways to adjustment were rooted within a supportive context that both promoted positive outcomes and diminished risks.

Pearson Education published Discovering Diversity: How Diverse Values and Beliefs of World Religions are Shaping Our Identity by educationalist Jocelyn Armstrong. It is a textbook for Level 5 Social Studies in the new curriculum, specifically for achievement objectives 3, 4 and 7. Discovering Diversity examines Judaism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism and Sikhism through the lens of social inquiry, and brings together the beliefs and values underpinning these religions, including stories and traditions from each religion.

Complaints about discrimination to the Human Rights Commission

In the last three years, the Human Rights Commission has received 249 complaints on the grounds of religious and/or ethical belief. Just over half (53%) were complaints from people alleging specific incidents of personally experienced discrimination on the basis of their religion.

Thirty eight percent were of a more general and less personally experienced nature, and included a large subset of 33 complaints relating to employment. These included enquiries from employers about issues surrounding accommodating the religious requirements of their staff or potential employees, and complaints from people who were asked about aspects of their religious belief during job interviews. In a number of these cases the issues involved the person not being of a certain religion (for example, non-Catholics working in Catholic schools), rather than discrimination because of their specific religious beliefs.

More complaints of discrimination on the grounds of religious belief were received from Muslims than people of any other religious group.

Appearance

The most commonly received complaints from Muslims related to appearance. Nine complaints related to people who wore headscarves, burkas or hijabs experiencing difficulties, six of which were received in 2009. One involved people who were asked to leave a restaurant in a club due to one person wearing a burka who would not remove it when asked. The club agreed to mediation and the matter was successfully resolved.

Three matters have involved problems experienced by people wearing headscarves in workplace settings. These complainants were provided with information to assist them in resolving the matters independently. A further matter relating to treatment received by a shop employee is currently in progress.

A matter that received a large amount of media attention was the barring of a Muslim woman in the Hastings District Court because she was wearing a headscarf. The Race Relations Commissioner was in contact with the Chief District Court Judge and the Federation of Islamic Associations on the matter. The Chief District Court judge issued a statement affirming that judges were well aware of the Bill of Rights Act provisions on discrimination and that the judge concerned had made a genuine error. The Federation of Islamic Councils welcomed this assurance and the actions of the Race Relations Commissioner and signalled a desire to work with the Commission on training of court officials on matters of religious diversity. The Commission facilitated the complainant’s attendance at the First National Muslim Convention where she met with the President of FIANZ and the Race Relations Commissioner. This enabled her to put the matter behind her in terms of the complaint process.

One other appearance complaint was received relating to a Muslim schoolboy who was required to shave for school. This is still in progress.

Although the number of complaints from Sikhs was much lower than from Muslims, the majority of these also related to appearance, specifically the wearing of turbans. Eleven of the 14 complaints from Sikhs were about turbans (the other three complaints were about wearing ceremonial daggers, or kirpans). Three such complaints were received in 2009. One matter involving a taxi driver prohibited from wearing a turban was successfully resolved via mediation.

Accommodation of holy days and prayer

Six complaints were received in 2009 from people complaining that their observance of religious days was not accommodated through the scheduling of their work. Four were from Christian religions, one from a Seventh Day Adventist and one from an unspecified religion.

Religious diet

Ten complaints were received in the last three years relating to accommodation of religious diet. Five of these related to Islamic diet and five to Jewish, and eight related to prison inmates. Three of the complaints were received in 2009, all relating to prison inmates.

Karakia and prayer in school and workplace settings

Fourteen complaints were received in the last three years relating to karakia and/or prayer in workplace or school settings. Five of the complaints related to the recitation of Christian prayers in Council meetings – one in 2009 that is currently in progress. Two complaints in 2007 related to the same Council. The complainants decided to try to resolve the matter themselves, and did so after discussing it at two meetings.

Five complaints related to workplace settings, including two that were in educational establishments. Three were received in 2007 and two in 2009. Four of the complaints related to karakia in the workplace, and the fifth involved a person of a different religious belief who was forced to actively participate in a Christian observance at work.

Three complaints related to educational settings, all three of which related to the recitation of karakia in schools. One further complaint was received from a prison inmate who complained that he was required to sing a waiata that had references to god in his prison course, which he objected to as an atheist.

The Charter for Compassion is a short document reinforcing the importance of the golden rule: treat all others as we wish to be treated ourselves. The Charter calls upon all men and women to restore compassion to the centre of morality and religion; to return to the ancient principle that any interpretation of scripture that breeds violence, hatred or disdain is illegitimate; to ensure that youth are given accurate and respectful information about other traditions, religions and cultures; to encourage a positive appreciation of cultural and religious diversity; and to cultivate an informed empathy with the suffering of all human beings – even those regarded as enemies.

The Charter is the brainchild of Dr Karen Armstrong, a former British nun who won the $100,000 TED Prize in 2008 to grant “one wish to change the world” with her wish to bring together a group of leading inspirational thinkers from Judaism, Christianity and Islam to craft a Charter for Compassion based on the principles of universal justice and respect. Over 1,000 people collaborated online to write the Charter, which is now being launched worldwide through a series of events and religious services.

The Auckland meeting generated a number of potential projects, including creating friendships between people and religious communities through meetings in homes, bringing our religious youth groups together to work on civic projects, promoting compassion in our own families, educating ourselves to dispel our historical ignorance of others, and using electronic media such as Facebook and web sites to promote our message.

Dave Moskovitz said that he’d never seen such energetic positive interaction in an interfaith event in New Zealand before. “In our own lives, our religions are a power of good, and our basic religious teachings tell us to be compassionate, love our neighbours, be kind to others, and be good citizens. This is common to all our religions, and provides a wonderful shared kaupapa or basis from which we can work together to make the world a better place. And there was plenty of energy and resolve at this meeting to do just that.”

The Rasheed Memorial Trust was established in the memory of Auckland lawyer and pioneering interfaith worker Abdul Rahim Rasheed, and aims to engage peoples of all faith through collaborative action.

“The Trust is a partner to the Charter, which is appropriate given Abdul’s history of compassion and tolerance to all peoples throughout his life,” says Aarif Rasheed. “I still hear new stories of compassion rendered by my late father more than three years after his death which inspires the work the Trust now does. And by connecting good acts to the Charter, we hope this growing movement of compassionate action will inspire changes in our world. The Rasheed Trust is honoured to be joined by organisations such as the NZ Jewish Council and we invite other faith groups to join a growing coalition of groups promoting the Charter in NZ. Abrahamic faiths in particular attract criticism for not doing enough for peace, and we have a corresponding responsibility to act and inspire good.”

The consultation process will involve three elements:

1. a small working group to develop a draft for public consultation. This will comprise people directly involved in workplace issues
2. a reference group to provide input to the working group on terms of reference, feedback on the first draft and feedback on the final draft. This group will be open to representatives of religious and belief groups
3. a public consultation through the Religious Diversity Network and employment networks.

The Human Rights Commission receives a steady flow of enquiries and complaints regarding accommodating religious practices in the workplace. The enquiries and complaints cover a range of issues such as clothing, prayer times and spaces, recognition of sacred days, issues of health and safety, inclusion and tolerance. The intention is to develop the guidelines for religious diversity in the workplace to assist employers and employees to better deal with some of the workplace issues that might arise. The Guidelines for Religious Diversity in the Workplace continues the focus of different aspects of the Statement on Religious Diversity.

• What is the most pressing human rights issue for you?
• What would make the biggest difference to you?

The survey can be filled out online.

The theme for the Dialogue was Future Faith Leaders: Regional Challenges and Responses. New Zealand led a plenary session on the topic of Faith and the Media/internet. Hon Pansy Wong delivered a keynote address on the topic which was followed by presentations from Dr Anwar Ghani and Verpal Singh. All the New Zealand delegates had active roles in the Dialogue including through chairing working groups and leading intra-faith sessions. The other three main topics for the event were Building Relationships among Future Faith Leaders, Faith and Education, and Conflict Resolution and Peace-building. The event concluded with agreement on the Perth Declaration setting out recommendations for follow up action by faith communities and governments.

New Zealand is a co-sponsor of the Asia-Pacific Regional Interfaith Dialogue together with Australia, Indonesia and the Philippines. The objective of the Dialogue process is to bring together faith leaders from across the Asia-Pacific region to discuss and address tensions between communities. The Dialogue helps break down barriers between faith communities and provides support for religious moderates to speak out against extremism.

• the development of an interfaith environmental project – to be recommended to the national interfaith forum in February 2010
• a leadership development project for future interfaith faith leaders, to be discussed with the national youth interfaith forum in February 2010
• teachers’ workshops to promote and develop curriculum resources on religious diversity
• a workshop for faith leaders and media on religious diversity and the media in conjunction with the 2010 New Zealand Diversity Forum.

New Zealand will report back on the implementation of these recommendations at the Sixth Regional Interfaith Dialogue.

Participants at the Multi-faith gathering

For anyone planning to attend the Parliament of the World’s Religions in Melbourne next month, the multi-faith service at the Papatoetoe Town Hall on Saturday 14 November offered a taste of what will be encountered in Australia, albeit on a smaller scale.The seats kept filling, until the hall was a vibrant garden of humanity. The range of cultures and religions represented on the programme was a delightful mix. With several religious groups participating on the programme, there was something for everyone: a father and daughter singing traditional Jewish spiritual songs, a mother-son duo from the Muslim community, attractive classical Hindu dancing, Sikh spiritual music, a dynamic Bahá’í choir, meditative chanting by Buddhist monks, Unification, Latter Day Saints and Catholic singing families, who also shared their spiritual journeys.

The Auckland Inter-Faith Council, who organised the event, thank all those who gave their time to share something from their spiritual tradition, and hopes the afternoon was an uplifting experience for everyone there.

Themes this year included Caring for Each Other, Taking Action and Understanding & Forgiveness.

The Charter, crafted by people all over the world and drafted by a multi-faith, multi-national council of thinkers and leaders, seeks to change the conversation so that compassion becomes a key word in public and private discourse, making it clear that any ideology that breeds hatred or contempt ~ be it religious or secular ~ has failed the test of our time. It is not simply a statement of principle; it is above all a summons to creative, practical and sustained action to meet the political, moral, religious, social and cultural problems of our time.

The Charter of Compassion is a global initiative that individuals and groups can participate in and promote amongst their communities locally.

This resulted from the TED wish of Karen Armstrong which was:

“I wish that you would help with the creation, launch and propagation of a charter for compassion, crafted by a group of inspirational thinkers from the three Ambrahanic traditions of Christianity, Judaism and Islam based on the fundamental principle of the Golden Rule.”

To find out more,support and to share, visit: http://charterforcompassion.org/

“We are expecting representatives of over 15 faith groups to attend,” said Dr. Ron McIntyre, President of the Christchurch Interfaith Council which is hosting the event. Workshops will include how faith communities can contribute to safer cities, religious education in New Zealand and how various faith communities approach ecological issues. “Faith communities have a role to play in seeking solutions to the problems of the modern world. It starts with talking to each other,” said Dr McIntrye.

For full information about the forum, visit:

http://christchurchinterfaith.org.nz/2010-national-interfaith-forum

You can help us out by publicising the event with a poster by downloading and printing it off:

http://www.nawawicenter.org/images/posters/nmf01.jpg

Register online at:

http://christchurchinterfaith.org.nz/registration-2010-national-interfaith-forum

The Conference features invited international speakers Dr Jonathan Inkpin and Imam Afroz Ali, both from Australia.

During his visit Rabbi Rosen will receive an official welcome at Orakei Marae and meet with MPs and representatives from the Human Rights Commission. He will also be guest of honour at a Ministerial dinner (in Wellington). Rabbi Rosen will be a keynote speaker at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Melbourne in early December.

Since 2001, Rabbi David Rosen has been the Director of the American Jewish Committee’s Department for Interreligious Affairs and its Heilbrunn Institute for Interreligious Understanding, in Jerusalem. For the past four years Rabbi Rosen has served as the Chairman of IJCIC, the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, a broad-based coalition of Jewish organisations representing World Jewry to other religions.

He is an International President of Religions for Peace (WCRP); Honorary President of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), after being President 1998-2002; and serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the World Congress of Imams and Rabbis. Last year he was invited as a delegate to a historic Interfaith Summit in Madrid, convened by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

We consider:

1. How do New Zealanders perceive Muslim immigrants and members of the local Muslim community? How receptive are we to these new settlers?
2. What are the major issues confronting Muslim youth? What are the indicators and determinants of their participation and success?
3. How well do Muslim youth acculturate, integrate and adapt in New Zealand? What are the factors that facilitate adaptive outcomes?

A national attitude survey, interviews and focus groups with Muslim youth, and a comparative survey of young Muslims as part of the International Comparative Study of Ethno-cultural Youth (ICSEY) are used to provide insights into the experiences of Muslim youth in New Zealand. On the basis of the findings, community development strategies are recommended, and policy implications are discussed.

This is the fifth in a series of seminars in 2009 for researchers to share cutting-edge research with those working in the public sector. You are welcome to attend and pass this invitation to others who may be interested.

Thursday 26 November 2009, 3.00pm, Department of Internal Affairs, Level 1, 46 Waring Taylor Street, Wellington.

Numbers are limited. Please RSVP by Monday 23 November to helen.nelson@dia.govt.nz.

The theme of the 2009 Parliament “Make a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the Earth” underscores how religious and spiritual communities, and all people can act on environmental concerns and become aware of global interconnectedness.

The Parliament is the world’s largest interreligious gathering and convenes every five years in a major international city. The last Parliament was held in Barcelona, Spain, in 2004. This is the first time that the Parliament has been hosted in this part of the world.

Contact Margaret Mayman for more information m.mayman@paradise.net.nz.

Sikhism was founded by Shri Guru Nanak Dev Ji, (1469-1538). At Sultanpur, he received a vision to preach the way to enlightenment. He taught a strict monotheism, the brotherhood of humanity. He rejected idol worship, and the oppressive concept of caste. The word ‘Sikh’ in the Punjabi language means ‘disciple’. Sikhs follow the writings and teachings of the Ten Sikh Gurus. A Sikh drives guidance from the holy book Sri Guru Granth Sahib which is an incarnation of the guru for the Sikhs.

Any Sikh is free to read the Guru Granth Sahib in the Gurdwara (a Sikh temple) or in their home. All people of all religions are welcome to the Gurdwara. A free community kitchen can be found at every Gurdwara which serves meals to all people of all faiths. Guru Nanak first started this institution which outlines the basic Sikh principles of service, humility and equality.

The Sikh has a duty to actively contribute to the community outside the family unit. Time needs to be given to the greater Sikh community and the even wider world community. It is the duty of the Sikh to hold a continuous dialogue with all members of the bigger community, to treat them as equals and respect their religion and their customs.

The most significant historical religious center for the Sikhs is Harmiandir Sahib (The Golden Temple) at Amritsar in the state of Punjab in northern India. It is the inspirational and historical centre of Sikhism but is not a mandatory place of pilgrimage or worship. All places where Sri Guru Granth Sahib are installed are considered equally holy for Sikhs.

The tenth guru of Sikhs, Guru Gobind Singh ji gave a specific surname and appearance to the followers of Guru Nanak’s preachings. Every male is “Singh” and every female is “Kaur”. The Sikhs then came to be known as a warrior race with a Saint’s heart & soul.

Item prepared by Nimi Bedi – Executive Member of Auckland Interfaith Council.

A section of the status report is on the right to freedom of religion and belief and looks at how that right is provided for in New Zealand. Your early input on the current situation and the ways in which New Zealand policy and practice could be improved would be welcome. The 2004 chapter on the right to freedom of religion and belief is available on the Human Rights Commission website. Please email us with any suggestions or comments.

The delegation will be led by Minister Coleman and comprise faith and community leaders, and other civil society representatives. The focus of this year’s dialogue is on future faith leaders, and a third of this year’s delegation is aged between 20- 40 years.

As in previous years delegates will be required to come up with practical recommendations for activities in the Asia-Pacific region on the topics under consideration. New Zealand has been asked to lead the plenary session on Faith and the Media/Internet: Combating Religious Stereotypes. Other sessions include: Youth and Education, Conflict Prevention and Peace-Building, and Building Relationships Among Future Faith Leaders.

The Dialogue will involve 15 countries from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific and aims to promote understanding and cooperation amongst different faith communities in our region, thereby addressing some of the potential causes of religious and inter-community tension. The dialogue process has gained momentum and is regarded by participating countries as having real potential to improve the longer-term prospects for mutual understanding, and peace and security in the region. New Zealand is a co-sponsor of the Dialogue, along with Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Previous Dialogues were held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2004); Cebu, the Philippines (2006); Waitangi (2007); and Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2008).

The delegation comprises Manuka Henare, Paul Morris, Richard Tankersley, Anwar Ghani, Verpal Singh, Fei Taulealea, Rehanna Ali, See Shen Lee, Pritika Sharma and Tayyaba Khan.

During his visit Rabbi Rosen will receive an official welcome at Orakei Marae and meet with MPs and representatives from the Human Rights Commission. He will also be guest of honour at a Ministerial dinner (in Wellington). There will be two public lectures: one in Auckland on November 24 at the Auckland University School of Business and one in Wellington on November 25. The topic for the Wellington lecture will be “Is religion the problem or the solution? Christians, Muslims and Jews in the Middle East”. More details of the two public lectures will be provided later.

For the past four years Rabbi Rosen has served as the Chairman of IJCIC, the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations, a broad-based coalition of Jewish organisations representing World Jewry to other religions.

He is an International President of Religions for Peace (WCRP); Honorary President of the International Council of Christians and Jews (ICCJ), after being President 1998-2002; and serves as a member of the Advisory Committee of the World Congress of Imams and Rabbis. Last year he was invited as a delegate to a historic Interfaith Summit in Madrid, convened by King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia.

Rabbi Rosen will be a keynote speaker at the Parliament of World’s Religions in Melbourne in early December (see below).

Guests from all over New Zealand attended. The Acting Prime Minister Bill English and Dr Anwar Ghani, president of the Federation of Islamic Associations of New Zealand addressed a gathering of around 150 people.

Eid is a day of joy and thanksgiving, its literal translation means recurring happiness or festivity. It is a Muslim tradition, much like the Christian tradition of Christmas. Muslims give thanks for their health, strength and opportunities with which Allah has endowed them to fulfil their obligations during the month of Ramadhan.

Based on this foundation, it seeks to speak into the current context of urgent environmental and social justice concerns. It will work pro-actively, addressing peace issues through dialogue across other faiths, working closely with the Inter-Faith Councils in Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland and elsewhere, and with people of faith everywhere who are committed to social democratic principles.

A second meeting of the interfaith branch will be held at St. Pauls Trinity Pacific Church, this Friday, 5.30pm, with Hon Luamanuvao Winnie Laban. The group is currently working on a charter.

Those present included MPs Ross Robertson, Kanwaljit Singh Bakshi and Dr Rajen Prasad. The conference marked a significant awakening for the Hindu Elders and the Government agencies, community and business leaders who attended.

The conference started with lighting of the lamps by special guests. Māori Elder Bubbles Munro blessed the conference with a karakia (prayer & blessing) and Mrs. Meena Pongde did the Hindu prayer.

Conference coordinator Mr Pravin Patel said the aim of the conference was “to facilitate and empower the community so that the Hindu elders live with confidence and are productive and participating citizens of New Zealand”. He emphasised that it was the first step towards building a dynamic elders network with other “like-minded organizations”. The conference was organised by the Hindu Elders Foundation and supported by Shanti Niwas Charitable Trust (who were active in the conference organisation), Waitakere Indian Association, NZ Tamil Senior Citizens Association, Shakthi Seniors, South East Auckland Senior Citizens Association, NZ Indian Senior Citizens Association, Waikato Indian Senior Citizens Association, and Bharatiya Samaj.

Yoga at the Conference

The inauguration ceremony was followed by panel discussions and various workshops addressing the core issues pertaining to the elders. The discussion panel involving government agencies provided opportunities for elders to network and to discuss their concerns/ issues directly with government agencies and other service providers. The discussion panel was chaired by Judge Ajit Swaran Singh (Manukau District Court). The government agencies that participated in the panel were the Human Rights Commission (Crown Agency), Ministry of Social Development (MSD), Manukau City Council, Age Concern, Mental Health Foundation and Victoria University of Wellington.

The festival acknowledges the first formal meeting between Māori and Pakeha and celebrates the arrival of all peoples to Aotearoa New Zealand and our navigational history.

As in past years a Powhiri was planned to open the event at the Cook Landing site on Kaiti Beach, but a cold wind and driving rain drove the event indoors. There the event opened with Karakia from the Ringatu Church, followed by Scriptural Readings and Prayers from the Baha’i Faith, the Presbyterian Church, the Anglican Church, a reading from the Holy Koran and a short talk by a representative of the Gisborne Indian Community. This was followed by stirring talks designed to strengthen local under-standing of those significant historical events that have shaped the region and in particular the voyaging traditions that continue to draw us together. The morning service closed with karakia.

The book also discusses many other issues, including Muslim political representation, inner coherence of the Muslim community, effects of public policies, differentiated citizenship, gender issues and gender equality, and points of friction with the encapsulating host society, including the effects of sharia application, radicalism and the fallout of the Danish cartoon affair.

Erich Kolig is a retired New Zealand social anthropologist and a former Visiting Professor of Cultural Anthropology at Vienna University. He has authored and edited several books and volumes and many articles on indigenous politics, New Zealand Muslims, radical Islam in Indonesia and Australian Aboriginal culture.

It aims to foster interreligious, civil and cross-cultural dialogue on important local and national issues, and to promote and encourage social cohesion within societies.

The Parliament is the world’s largest interreligious gathering and convenes every five years in a major international city. The last Parliament was held in Barcelona, Spain, in 2004; this is the first time that the Parliament has been hosted in this part of the world.

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions invites all people of faith, spirit and goodwill to learn about the world’s diverse religious and spiritual traditions. Participants can take part in over 500 events, including keynote addresses, seminars, conferences, dialogues, performances, concerts and exhibitions. The 2009 Parliament is expected to bring together more than 8,000 people from over 80 countries, including renowned spiritual, religious and political leaders.

The theme of the 2009 Parliament Make a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the Earth underscores how religious and spiritual communities, and all people can act on environmental concerns and become aware of global interconnectedness.

The Federation of Islamic Associations in New Zealand (FIANZ) is organising the two-day event under the theme ‘Building Strong New Zealand Muslim Families’ on October 24 and 25 at the Wesley Community Centre (740 Sandringham Road Extension) in Mt Roskill, the main venue.

Business sessions will be held following the official inauguration at 9.30am. Organising Committee Chairman Daud Azimullah said Wesley Primary School (24 Potter Avenue, Mt Roskill) will be the venue for women to discuss a number of issues on October 24.

Workshops and lectures on ‘Raising Children with Values’ (by Alia Danzeisen), ‘Children’s Rights in Islam’ (Aisha Boulanouar) and ‘Children’s Rights from Conception and Beyond’ (Aleema Fatimah) will be among the highlights of the programme, he said.

Games for children, athletics, volleyball, netball, relay races and soccer for Under 12 and Under 15 are among the sporting activities to be held at the War Memorial Park (13 May Road, Mt Roskill) from 9.30am to 4.30pm on October 24 and from 9.30am to 3pm on October 25. A public forum will be held on October 24 at 4.30pm at the Mt Roskill War Memorial Hall adjacent to the Park.

“The Convention aims to become an annual event for New Zealander Muslims to meet along with their families and improve their participation in various activities.

“This has been designed as a Carnival to enable Muslims from various countries and groupings to come together for a common goal,” Mr Daud said.

FIANZ will conduct its Annual Quran Competition, including recitation, general knowledge of Islam and oratory at the main venue.

Representatives of at least ten different faith communities, including Jews, Muslims, Christians, Baha’is, Buddhists, Hindus, and Sikhs will offer brief words based on their scriptures as well as musical items of a sacred nature.

• Date: Saturday 14 November 2.30pm
• Duration: 2 hours (including refreshments)
• Venue: Papatoetoe Town Hall, 35 St George Street, Papatoetoe.

All are welcome and there will be no collection of donations. You can find out more by emailing the Auckland Interfaith Council.

School students are asked to study the impact of cultural interactions on society and Jocelyn says that the book “gives a light outline of immigration into New Zealand, the consequent development of our multi-cultural and multi-faith communities, and an introduction to the main world religions now present.” Come along and hear from the author how she went about compiling the book, what its impact in schools will be, and ask any questions you have about it.

Date: Monday 9 November, 7.30pm. Fickling Centre, 546 Mt Albert Road, Three Kings.

All are welcome, there is no charge, and refreshments will be served at the end of the evening. Auckland Inter-Faith Council thanks the Auckland City Council for its support of our work.

Based in Christchurch, Richard Tankersley was appointed a part-time Human Rights Commissioner in September 2008. He brings South Island issues and experience in the iwi, health, education and training, community and voluntary, and public sectors to the Commission. Along the way he has gained a BA in English, a Postgraduate Diploma in Health Science (Mental Health), and has recently graduated with a Certificate in Arataki Manu Korero (Marae Leadership) from Te Wananga o Aotearoa.

Richard is of mixed Pakeha and Māori descent and his iwi affiliations are Kai Tahu, Kati Mamoe and Waitaha. In addition to many years work as an independent consultant to non-profit and local government agencies, in recent years Richard has been a team leader at the Glenelg Children’s Camp and a special projects worker with the Alcohol Drug Association of NZ. Richard also served as the South Island Assistant Regional Manager with Chief Electoral Office for the 2005 election.

Richard has had a range of experience in community development, mental health and health promotion work, much of it in bi-cultural settings, and is currently also a licensed lay minister of the Anglican Church of Aotearoa New Zealand and Polynesia. He brings a passion for diversity to his role, and contributes to the Commission’s work on Treaty and Tangata Whenua issues, ethnicity, interfaith dialogue, health ethics and sexual orientation, as well as playing a key part in regional engagement in the South Island.

A member from the Psychiatric Consumers Trust and a panel of different faiths will discuss this issue in relation to their beliefs and practices, and in relation to building strongly healthy families.

• When: Monday 28 September, 7pm
• Where: Refugee and Migrant Centre corner of Peterborough and Madras St.
• Questions and Answers will follow the presentations, with supper served afterwards. Entry is by a gold coin koha.

For more information phone Dianne (03 3489579) or Bertha (03 3550959).

Shri Pravin Patel is the coordinator of the conference and is supported by an excellent team of volunteers from various Senior Citizen organisations. A number of community groups, NGOs and Government agencies have also shown interest. There will be speakers from a range of organisations, including Government agencies, NGOs, community groups and Members of Parliament. The final programme will be sent to those who have registered (there are just 150 places). For more information, please email ‘Hindu Conference’.

Viewing overlapping Qur’ānic moral perspectives that relate to the natural order, she will present Islamic approaches to the human challenge of accepting and preparing for changes such as global warming. Recognising that Muslim communities in Asia and Africa are increasingly affected by climate change, deforestation and rising sea levels, Gade surveys some emerging aspects of specific Muslim movements of environmental sustainability and related trends in global religious ethics.

• When: Wednesday 7 October, 5pm
• Where: Old Government House Lecture Theatre, University of Auckland

Visit the Auckland University website for more details.

The symposium will run from 9.30am – 3.15pm, room 018, Clock Tower Building No.105, 22 Princes Street and will explore and discuss many aspects of Islamic religion and culture and the challenges to be faced.

The topics to be covered include:

• ‘A Muslim in London’ (Mohsen Al Attar)
• ‘Islam in Indonesia in the decade since Suharto: Left, right and centre’ (Tim Behrend)
• ‘Muslim Feminists’ (Ghazala Anwar)
• ‘Reading Islam in Human Rights’ (Mohsen Al Attar)
• ‘Are Moderate Muslims Relevant?’ (Zain Ali)

There will be an opportunity for discussion and debate at the end of the morning and afternoon sessions. Morning tea will be provided.

When: Saturday October 10, 9.30am – 3.15pm
Where: University of Auckland
Class Number: 47967
Register now by calling 0800 864 266, or by visiting the University’s website.

The groups will begin on October 16 and will run for the next nine weeks at Unitec. Al-Ghazzali is renowned in both Western & Islamic Philosophical traditions.Visit the RMDT website or email them for more information.

Just over 5 years ago, on 15 July and 5 August 2004, there were two separate attacks on Jewish graves, first at the Abraham Hort Lawn area of the Bolton Street Memorial Park, where gravestones were smashed, and then in the Jewish section of Makara Cemetery, where nearly a hundred headstones were toppled, and the Jewish prayer house burnt down.

These were shattering events for the Jewish community and individuals in it – the resting places of our relatives and friends were desecrated, we felt our community was under threat. There was also a strong sense of dismay that this had happened in New Zealand, distant from the world’s trouble spots, where a small Jewish community has been present for over 150 years and contributed its share to New Zealand society.

The desecrations were also seen as an affront by a huge number of Kiwis from all parts of the country and all parts of society, who expressed outrage, sympathy and support.

But straight away there were expressions of how the events, and the reaction to them, could be turned to positive effect. On 10 August Parliament passed unanimously a resolution about the desecrations, instigated by Minister of Ethnic Affairs Chris Carter.

And these two heroes, Helen and James McNeish [Helen unfortunately could not be present because of ill-health] sent out a public call.

I would like to read you part of the open letter they wrote:

As we are sure you are aware, we as New Zealanders face the growing challenge of developing a society which is more welcoming of diversity, made more poignant by recent events.

Tuesday 10 August’s unanimous, cross party resolution in Parliament, condemning the desecration of Wellington Jewish cemeteries as an outrage and a form of terrorism, is widely welcomed. But it is only a beginning. We want to give expression to Parliament’s historic resolution. We want to focus on constructive ideas and initiatives which look to the future.

We want to support the mission of the Race Relations Commissioner to promote racial harmony, which leads us to rise above politics and division.

We have two aims – to stimulate commitment towards greater tolerance, and to help inform and strengthen existing initiatives so that all ethnic and religious groups may feel they can live in this land without being threatened by their “difference”.

People are shocked, shaken up. Already we are heartened by the support coming in from New Zealanders of all cultures and backgrounds, as evinced by the statement from community leaders tabled in Parliament on Tuesday.

We believe that the implication of what has happened at Bolton St and Makara goes far beyond a single targeted community: that it is both a signal and a test for all New Zealanders. We have a vision of racial harmony in a healthy society which we hope all New Zealanders share.

You will surely agree that this was an inspirational call.

The outcome of the letter, the huge input of many people particularly including Tony Haas [here this evening], and a great deal of networking, was a rally held on the steps of Parliament on 24 August 2004, 5 years ago today, which was addressed by Sir Paul Reeves, Mayor of Dunedin Sukhi Turner, Dr Ngatata Love, the Honourable Chris Carter, and Mr Roger Moses, principal of Wellington College. Then followed a forum called “The way forward” inside Parliament, co-chaired by Mayor Bob Harvey of Waitakere and Race Relations Commissioner Joris de Bres, with a keynote speech by Professor Paul Morris, which adopted the 10-step National Diversity Action Programme.

Under Joris’s committed and skilful guidance this has flourished – as can be seen by this year’s annual Forum, and the thousands and tens of thousands of Kiwis who have been involved in Diversity Action Programme activities. The Programme has contributed mightily to making New Zealand a safer and more harmonious place. But I am sure Joris, the Human Rights Commission, and everyone involved with the programme will agree that we can’t stand still – we have to remember always the word Action in the programme.

Like rust, the corrosive effects of intolerance and prejudice never sleep.

Our duty is to make sure that their level of activity in the community stays low and is outbalanced by the positive things we look for through the Diversity Action Programme.

I would like to take the opportunity to mention one aspect of New Zealand society that I’d like to see the Programme and the Human Rights Commission pay some attention to. That is the change I sense in our media towards more openly expressed antagonisms of all sorts – the ones that concern me most relate to religion and ethnicity. It is Jewish experience, from many different countries and over many hundreds of years, that what starts as talk can end up as violence. But I speak now not only as a Jew but on behalf of all New Zealand minority groups, and especially the Tangata Whenua, who are at the receiving end of what the media often thoughtlessly, sometimes deliberately, deliver up.

In 1990 a book was published, co-edited by a previous Race Relations Conciliator, Wally Hirsh, called “Between the lines – racism and the New Zealand media.” It raised questions that haven’t been answered yet – and I think the topic needs looking at again.

We enjoy freedom of expression under the NZ Bill of Rights, and should not interfere with that freedom, but all rights also carry responsibilities with them, and it is those media responsibilities that I think need to be revisited.

But getting back to our 5-year commemoration of the positive outcome of the Jewish grave desecrations, it’s a privilege for me to present James McNeish – and Helen in absentia – with a copy of the DVD “Te Ngira” about five years of the National Diversity Action Programme. James, I hope that you and Helen enjoy a deep satisfaction at seeing and hearing the results of what you started.

As part of the forum the annual diversity awards were presented on Monday evening by the Governor General, Sir Anand Satyanand.

Hashem-Slaimankhel-Umma-Trust

The Umma Trust received an award for their contribution to the NZ Diversity Action Programme. They joined other religious focused organisations that have been acknowledged in past forums: New Zealand Religious Studies Programme – Victoria University Wellington, NZ Baha’i Community, the Auckland Interfaith Council and the Fedration of Islamic Associations of New Zealand (FIANZ).

The 2009 Diversity Forum provided a unique opportunity for a diverse group of people working in human rights and race relations to talk through issues and identify new initiatives or steps to progress harmonious relations in New Zealand. Speeches and presentations of the forum are available on the Commission’s website.

A booklet and a DVD on the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme was also launched to mark the fifth anniversary of the Programme. Watch the DVD.

Ann-Pala

The forum included an overview of the issues by Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University, and then a panel comprising representatives of employers and workers (Andrew Little, Paul Mackay, Anne Pala and Edwina Pio) chaired by Human Rights Commissioner Richard Tankersley.

Edwina Pio

The purpose was to start the process of developing some guidelines on religious diversity in the workplace. The Human Rights Commission will be considering a consultation process for the development of the workplace guidelines that recognises key stakeholders. Visit the Annual Religious Diversity Forum page.

The Prime Minister has written an introduction to the new edition, which contains some minor amendments to the commentary but not to the statement itself. See the revised Edition of Religious Diversity Statement.

The publication provides guidance to Boards of Trustees and school communities on how to accomodate religion in schools in ways that ensure safety and dignity for all and that are consistent with the Education Act, the Bill of Rights Act and the Human Rights Act. Please click here to view a PDF version of the publication.

The Dialogue will involve 15 countries from Southeast Asia and the South Pacific and aims to promote understanding and cooperation amongst different faith communities in our region, thereby addressing some of the potential causes of religious and inter-community tension. The Dialogue process has gained momentum and is regarded by participating countries as having real potential to improve the longer-term prospects for mutual understanding, and peace and security in the region. New Zealand is a co-sponsor of the Dialogue, along with Australia, Indonesia, and the Philippines. Previous Dialogues were held in Yogyakarta, Indonesia (2004); Cebu, the Philippines (2006); Waitangi (2007); and Phnom Penh, Cambodia (2008). The theme for this year’s event in Perth is ‘Future Faith Leaders: Regional Challenges and Cooperation’.

The Federation issued the following statement.

Members of New Zealand’s Muslim community were disturbed at the treatment received by Yasmeen Ali and are pleased that it was not indicative of any change in official policy which recognises the right of people to wear religious head coverings without interfering with the right to a fair trial. We commend Yasmeen Ali for having had the courage to raise the matter publicly, and acknowledge the role of the Race Relations Commissioner and the Human Rights Commission in having the matter clarified. The assurance from the Chief Judge gives us confidence that there will not be any further such occurrence.

We are pleased that the principle has been reaffirmed and that the judge concerned has indicated that he acted in error. FIANZ will be working with Race Relations Commissioner and the Judiciary to promote the understanding of Islamic culture within the court systems.

The meeting will be held at 2.30pm, at the Papatoetoe Town Hall (35 St George Street, Papatoetoe). The service will be followed by refreshments. All are welcome and there is no charge.

Author Jocelyn Armstrong has agreed to speak in the near future at a meeting organised by the Council to discuss her book on some of the major world religions. The book is intended to be used as a social studies text in New Zealand classrooms.

The Council has given its support to the organisers of the World Peace March that commences its global journey in Auckland on Sunday September 27 with festivities and an Auckland Heritage Walk commencing at 10.00am in QE II Square. The Auckland Heritage Walk will conclude with a celebration at St Matthews-in-the-City 12.30 – 2.30pm.

Copies of “Beyond Tolerance”, a documentary film by Sonya Sier, have been purchased by the Council and given to the Auckland University Multi-Faith group and to the Coordinating Chaplain for Unitec, MIT and Massey (Albany Campus) for their use. The DVD features young people from many different racial and religious backgrounds exploring faith and what it means to them.

The Council is also considering endorsing the Interfaith Declaration on Climate Change. Read the Declaration online.

Waiheke Island

• September 20: A walk to Matiatia Wharf that starts at 11am. Contact Skate Atkins

Christchurch

• September 21: Discover the peace history of Christchurch. This Peace Walk starts at 5pm from the Elsie Locke Park at Centennial Pool and will go to the Canterbury Women’s Place at 190 Worcester Street. Followed by presentations and refreshments.
• September 21- October 31: Gandhi exhibition. Workers Education Association, 59 Gloucester Street. See World March Christchurch events. Contact Kate Dewes.
• October 3: World Peace March Christchurch Walk. The walk starts at 1pm at the Tautahi Pa site on Barbadoes Street and will end at the World Peace Bell in the Botanic Gardens about 3.30pm. The bell will be rung in honour of the World Peace March.

Whanganui

• September 20: UN International Day of Peace Festival from 2 pm at the Quaker Settlement, 76 Virginia Rd. See the World March Whanganui events. Contact Gita Brooke.
• September 21 – 29: The walk for Peace and Reconciliation will start at the Culture of Peace sculpture Handspan dedicated to a Culture of Peace and Nonviolence for the Children of the World. It will continue to Wellington over the following nine days.

Tauranga

• September 28 or 29 (to be confirmed): Walk from Tauranga to Mangawhau (Mt Maunganui). Contact Gary Ware.

Rekohu (Chatham Islands)

• September 29-30: World March Opening blessing ceremony hosted by Hokotehi Moriori Trust.

Auckland

• September 27: Launch of the Auckland Peace Heritage Walk as part of Auckland Heritage Festival, followed by a concert at St-Matthews-in-the-City. See World March Auckland events. Contact Wende Jowsey.

Wellington

• See World March Wellington events. Contact Alyn Ware.
• October 2: World March starts from Gandhi statue at Central Railway Station at 9:30am and then will proceed along the route of the Wellington Peace Heritage Walk.
• October 2: Meet the world marchers. Open discussion for public at Tapu te Ranga Marae 7:30- 9:30pm.
• October 3: Tree planting (for carbon offsetting) at Tapu te Ranga Marae restoration site at 8:30am.
• October 3: Ceremony at the Antarctica peace monument on Mt Victoria at 11:00am.

Please contact World Peace March Aotearoa if you wish to be part of this special event.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multifaith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths. For further information please email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith Organisation website. You can find a sample copy of last year’s leaflet and this year’s order form.

The function will run from 6:30 – 11pm at Takanini Gurdwara, 70 Takanini School Rd, Takanini, South Auckland.

The NZ Hindu Council with several partners is organising the second Rotorua wide community focused Deepawali Festival for Saturday November 7. As part of the learning and understanding of Māori culture, there will be a special Pōwhiri at Apumoana Marae for out of town visitors on the same day. For more information, please send an email to ‘Rotorua Deepawali’.

Visit the Asia NZ Website to find out about Diwali events throughout the country, or contact your local authority.

This will be the fifth time Eid has been celebrated in Parliament. Diwali will also be celebrated once again in Parliament on October 13.

Jordan Cox recently completed his dissertation on religion in New Zealand’s state primary schools for his LLB(Hons) degree at the University of Auckland. He is currently preparing a manuscript for publication.Jordan will also review other models of education-religion interaction, comparing and contrasting the American and British systems.

He will conclude by showing that New Zealand’s current system of religion in State Primary Schools is inconsistent with the NZ Bill of Rights Act, international practice, and with many international agreements to which New Zealand is a party and proposes changes to remedy this situation.

• Where: Rationalist House, Ground Floor Meeting Room, 64 Symonds Street, Grafton, Auckland
• When: 2.30pm, Saturday 26 September
• All are welcome at this public lecture. Tea and coffee will be served.

You can contact Judith De Leeuwe, Office Manager, Rationalist House to find out more (ph 09 3735131).

NZCCM is part of the World Community of Christian Meditation which was formed to further the teachings of Dom John Main, a Benedictine monk who rediscovered Christianity’s meditative roots that date back to the Desert Fathers of the 4^th & 5^th centuries.

Currently in New Zealand there are more than 50 groups meeting weekly in churches, homes, offices and prisons to meditate together and share the pilgrimage. NZCCM is ecumenical across the Christian churches and frequently dialogues with other faiths. Groups or communities wishing to form their own meditation groups can be assisted by NZCCM with all details on the website.

The theme of the leaflet is developed for worldwide distribution by the Week of Prayer for World Peace multi-faith committee based in Great Britain. Religious communities throughout New Zealand are encouraged to celebrate the week both in their observances and together with people of different faiths. For further information please email Week of Prayer, or visit the Interfaith Organisation website. You can find a sample copy of last year’s leaflet and this year’s order form.

The programme will include executive reports and the election of council members for 2009-2010. Dr. Kennedy Graham will speak on the topic “Cultures, Civilizations and the Global Community: — Professional and Personal Reflections.”

The evening will include entertainment by the Baha’i singers and close with a light supper.

Shri Pravin Patel is the coordinator of the conference and is supported by an excellent team of volunteers from various Senior Citizen organisations. A number of community groups, NGOs and Government agencies have also shown interest. As soon as 150 people have registered, registrations will be closed. There will be speakers from a range of organisations, including Government agencies, NGOs, community groups and Members of Parliament. The final programme will be sent to those who have registered. For more information, please email ‘Hindu Conference’.

The event will be along the lines of the highly successful service held during the National Interfaith Forum in February. Many participants commented that the service was the highlight of the forum, because the sense of peace and most importantly, unity among the religions. The use of music, humour and spiritual writings from the various faiths, and religious leaders’ words of wisdom created a ‘feast of spirituality’ for those gathered in the packed venue.

The Auckland Inter-Faith Council is working to create a similar expression of religious diversity and harmony at the November service. The service will be held in a south Auckland venue and will be open to all.

Distinguished Guests, Friends, Chevre, Brothers and Sisters – Salaam Aleikum, Shalom Aleikhem, Peace be with you, i te rangimarie ki a koutou.

Ko Hinai toku maunga, Ko Horano toku awa,
Ko Hurae toku Iwi, Ko Ahekenata toku Hapu,
I wehe oko tupuna I waihongia a Iharaira.
Ko Hara toku whaea, Ko Ihaka toku matua
Ko Rawiri, David, Daoud, Dave Moskovitz ahau;
Tena koutou, tena koutou, tena tatou katoa.

I am very honoured to be invited here today, and I find it humbling that a Jew should be invited to speak at the launch of Islam Awareness Week. This invitation speaks volumes about how far we’ve come in New Zealand, and reflects decades of hard yet delicate work by many individuals and groups who work quietly behind the scenes in order to increase interfaith understanding, cooperation, and friendship. It also reflects the growing goodwill between our communities here in Aotearoa.

I bring with me today the warm greetings of Temple Sinai expressed through our President Susan Gordon and our Rabbi Johanna Hershenson who sends her apologies today; of the Wellington Regional Jewish Council through our Chair David Zwartz; of the New Zealand Jewish Council through its President Stephen Goodman; and of the Wellington Council of Christians and Jews (of which I am Secretary) through our Co-Chair Jenny Chalmers. All of these organisations are keen to encourage positive relationships with Muslims and the Federation of Islamic Associations and its constituent organisations.

As Ahl al-Kitab, or people of the book, we share common prophets, history, narratives, and many core values. Many people believe that Allah and Elohim are one and the same God. There is much to be gained by learning more about each other and our religions, and working together to help bring about balance, justice, and peace. Those of us who are exploring and expanding our common ground find the work incredibly rewarding, and we extend our hands in welcome to others who are interested in learning more about each other, and through that process learning more about ourselves.

We have a multi-layered approach to Interfaith relations. Of course there are formal functions like this one where appointed community representatives meet. But in my experience much progress happens in a more informal setting. I’m fortunate enough to belong to a small group of about 12 people, Muslims, Christians and Jews, that gets together mostly regularly in each others’ houses for informal discussions on various topics. This year was a watershed for us in that after a couple of years of getting to know each other, and discussing topics like Abraham, Moses, Jesus, Mohammed, life cycle events, food, etc – we got together in February and talked about Gaza. We were understandably a bit nervous going into the discussion, and it was hard work. We didn’t expect to agree on everything (and these expectations were met) but we did come away with a greater appreciation of each others’ perspectives, and a much better understanding of why each person held their opinions. If anything, our friendships were strengthened by the discussion, in that we valued our friendships going into the discussion, and through sincerely and sensitively listening to each others motivations and guarded thoughts, we learned a lot about each other. I came away with strong feeling of optimism that if we could do this, it would be possible for others as well, and there is hope for a just and lasting peace in the Middle East based on interpersonal relationships. We created common ground over very difficult terrain, explored it together, and came out the other side that much closer as friends.

The theme for this year’s Islam Awareness Week is “Al Mizan – finding a balance in life”. And speaking of common ground, Mizan in Arabic – balance – is virtually identical in Hebrew – Maazan. The three letter root, aleph – zayin – nun, is related to the words for “ear” (ozen) and “listen” (lehaazin). You might say that our forbears knew that in order to achieve balance, one must listen. And listening to each other is at the core of interfaith work.

Achieving a balance in life can be difficult, especially in the world we live in where we must balance family and work, individual and community, religious and secular, traditional and modern, and the myriad of conflicting demands that we bring on ourselves through fully engaging with life. At the heart of each of these choices is the inherent tension between your perception of yourself and your needs on the one hand, and on the other hand your perception of the world and the needs of others.

There is a Hassidic teaching, according to Rabbi Bunim of Pshisha, that every person should walk through life with two notes, one in each pocket. On one note should be the words, Ani afar ve’efer-I am nothing but dust and ashes. On the other note should be the words, Bishvili nivra ha’olam-The world was created for me.

The first phrase, I am nothing but dust and ashes, comes from Genesis 18:27, when Abraham bargains with God over Soddom and Gemorrah, and he strives to put his own existence into the context of the divine.

The second phrase, the world was created for me, comes from the Babylonian Talmud, Sanhedrin 37B, which says: For this reason, a single person was created, Adam; to teach you that anyone who kills a single person, is considered as if he has killed the entire world, and anyone who sustains a single person, is considered as if he has sustained the entire world… For this reason, every person must say, the world was created for me.

We are inherently worthless, when you consider that the chemicals that make us up as humans are very common and could be purchased from the chemist for a few dollars. And yet because we have our own individual identities, we are unique and unreproducible, and at our most valuable when we are working to sustain a single person or the entire world. Certainly, the world was created for each of us, so that we could go out and make a positive impact, and work together to make the world a better place.

And this is the balance we must strike on a daily basis. The art of living is knowing which note to read in each situation: I am nothing but dust and ashes, or The world was created for me. Don’t lose heart when you realise that the “dust and ashes” message is appropriate, in that this message unites all of us with each other and with the world around us. Neither should we feel hubris when the “world was created for me” message is appropriate, in that it is a call to action to work to sustain the entire world.

These two messages, while appearing to be at opposite ends of a spectrum, are really part of a continuum, and are useful tools in helping to create balance.

From our prayerbook, The Gates of Prayer, we say: The universe whispers that all things are intertwined. Yet at times we hear the loud cry of discord. To which voice shall we listen? Although we long for harmony, we cannot close our ears to the noise of war, the rasp of hate…

If there is goodness at the heart of life, then its power, like the power of evil, is real. Which shall prevail? Moment by moment, we choose between them. If we choose rightly, and often enough, the broken fragments of our world will be restored to wholeness.

For this we need strength and help. We turn in hope, therefore, to a Power beyond us. God has many names, but God is One. God creates, God sustains, God loves, God inspires us with the hope that we can make ourselves one as God is one.
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So, in seeking this balance – Maazan – let us be active listeners – Maazinim, building strong relationships with each other moment by moment, and working together as individuals and communities to build peace based on understanding and cooperation so that we can contribute to and benefit from each other and New Zealand society as a whole.

Kia ora koutou, thank you, Shalom, wa Salaam aleikum.

TV Personality Pio Terei will MC the evening and guests will be welcomed by Her Worship the Mayor of Wellington, Kerry Prendergast. There are still places available and if you are interested you can register online. The award winners are selected from over 200 organisations participating in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme, which is facilitated by the Human Rights Commission. This is the third year of the Diversity Awards. Previous religious diversity recipients include the Federation of Islamic Association of New Zealand (FIANZ) and the Auckland Interfaith Council.

The forum will include an overview by Professor Paul Morris of the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and a discussion panel comprising Paul Mackay, Business NZ; Andrew Little, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union; Ann Pala, Islamic Women’s Council; and Edwina Pio, Business School AUT. The forum will also feature the launch of the Guidelines on Religion in Schools and the revised Statement on Religious Diversity. Both publications are the outcome of previous religious diversity forums. Find out more on the VUW Religious Studies Programme: Annual Religious Diversity Forum page. If you would like to attend just this session or for the entire Diversity Forum please register online.

The workshop is designed to address the knowledge gap of Muslim women, human rights advocates, academics and policy makers who wish to play a critical role in public engagement with Islam in New Zealand, especially in its impact on policymaking, women’s rights, and fundamental liberties. To find out more visit the Settling In: Musawah/ Understanding Islam from a Rights Perspective page. If you would like to attend just this session or for the entire Diversity Forum please register online.

Recent case studies will be presented, followed by a panel discussion on future interfaith activities at the grassroots level. To find out more visit the Wellington Interfaith Council: Interfaith In Action page. If you would like to attend just this session or for the entire Diversity Forum please register online.

This year the Wellington City Library developed a visual resource as part of its engagement with the Muslim community. ‘Our Place, Your Place’ talks about what the Wellington City Libraries has to offer new Muslim communities. To find out more visit the Wellington City Libraries: DVD Our Place Your Place page. If you would like to attend just this session or for the entire Diversity Forum please register online.

The DVD aims to help people understand some of the basic beliefs and traditions of Islam. The DVD will be handed out at the launch for free, and for those who cannot make it, it is also available via request free of charge.

Some of the topics covered by the DVD are:

• Men & Women
• Festivals
• Salaat (Prayer)

There will be a chance for you to ask questions and request further information on any topics you have a special interest regarding Islam. If you would like to attend just this session or for the entire Diversity Forum please register online.

Although a range of proposals are up for public discussion in the review, we are specifically interested in hearing views on question no 6, which is about the possible transfer of the observance of public holidays. This involves giving employees the option of swapping existing public holidays for celebrations or holidays of other religions, and to take public holidays on days other than the 11 currently listed in the legislation. See the Department of Labour website for more information.

The Commission supports the notion that a revised Holidays Act should provide for people to take a certain number of days as of right out of their annual leave entitlement for the purpose of important days of religious observance, as is already the case in a number of voluntary employment agreements. The Commission does not support changing the present provision for public holidays.

We encourage individuals and groups to also make their own submission. The deadline is August 21. Please note that you don’t have to respond to all questions that are not relevant to you, and that you can draw attention to just question 6. If you do put forward a submission than please send a copy to the Commission so that we can record your views.

The 2009 Harmony Award winners were:

• Heather Tanguay- Former Mayor of Palmerston North. For her long association and assistance provided to the Muslim community of Manawatu.
• Pawan Rekha- Production Manager of Radio Tarana. For producing Ramadhan programming and providing excellent coverage on fasting and the blessings of Ramadhan and Eid’ul Fitr on the Hindi radio station Radio Tarana.
• Barbara Redfern- Waikato Refugee Resettlement Society. For her hard work in assisting the refugees, mainly the Somali community in the Waikato region, in resettlement programmes.
• Murali Kumar- Community Relations Manager, Ministry of Social Development. Murali Kumar was instrumental in organising the First Muslim Stakeholders Forum and has always included the Muslim community in the various community initiatives and outreach programmes rolled out by the government.

Kumar Murali was present to receive his award at the official launch of IAW 2009. Those who were not able to attend the launch will be presented with their Awards by the Regional Associations during their local IAW Open Day event. At the launch Sheikh Amir stepped up to receive the Harmony Award on behalf of Heather Tanguay, while Br Javed Khan received on behalf of Pawan Rekha and Br Anwar-ul Ghani on behalf of Barbara Redfern.

Islam Awareness Week is an annual event organised by FIANZ. It is a week of information and activities run in different regions to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of their beliefs, values and practises, and to tackle misinformation about their religion in a positive way. It aims to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of Muslim diversity and beliefs, values and practices and provides an opportunity to engage with Muslim communities throughout New Zealand. Please visit the Islam Awareness website for more information.

Ethnic Affairs Minister Pansy Wong says the Muslim Women’s Directory brings together various Muslim women’s organisations from many different communities and will allow them to adopt a national focus in their contributions to their community.

“There are many wonderful organisations out there offering a range of support to Islamic families and I am delighted that these groups have been brought together to ensure they can further assist Muslim New Zealanders,” Mrs Wong says.

“The Muslim faith spans across more than 40 different ethnic communities in New Zealand and this Directory is a way for these communities to work together to achieve their goals.”

“It is crucial that all New Zealanders feel supported and the Directory has anything that a family might need; whether that is sports clubs, playcentres and family assistance.

The Muslim Women’s Directory brings together groups that support Muslim women and families, and provides information to Muslim women’s organisations so that they can work together more effectively.

The Muslim Women’s Directory is available on the Office of Ethnic Affairs website.

This particular forum was designed to challenge and rethink conceptual understandings of civic participation and belonging amongst the Muslim community, and to explore the different ways that these terms might be translated into policy and practice.

Guest speakers Dr. Haji Hanif Quazi, Abdullah Drury, and Hassan Haji Ibrahim discussed the historical placement of Muslims in New Zealand and the establishment of the Federation of Islamic Councils of New Zealand (FIANZ).

A number of key themes and messages arose over the course of the day including the need for members of the Muslim community to be represented on advisory panels including local council and school boards, and how to maximise the potential economic benefits offered by international relationships forged through New Zealand’s halal meat industry. Participants requested that a smaller group come together in the future to assist the Office of Ethnic Affairs in its work with the Muslim community.

The Office of Ethnic Affairs will use feedback from this forum to inform future activities undertaken as part of the Building Bridges programme, in order to support Muslim communities to feel a sense of belonging and to participate in all aspects of New Zealand life.

Prayers and Scriptures from different Holy Texts speaking of peace and hope were read by participants from the Tongan, Muslim, Ringatu, Baha’i and Christian communities, and were followed by the sharing of reflections around peace. Those attending were invited to light candles and make written pledges to actively participate in the peace process. The evening ended with social mixing over a cup of tea.

Kate Wilkinson, the Minister of Labour, says it is an issue worth exploring. The Minister highlights that New Zealand is becoming more multi-cultural and that it is appropriate to survey people’s views on their holidays.

The former President of the Auckland Ethnic Council, Ganges Singh, states that currently people must take annual leave, or take a day of unpaid leave if they wish to celebrate different holidays. The Employers and Manufacturers Association would welcome a revisal of the Holidays Act, as long as it is based upon mutual agreement between workers and their employers. The association says most employers would be happy to negotiate the transfer of public holidays.

The Ministerial Advisory Group will advise the Minister of Labour on options for amending the Act, without reducing current entitlements. It is interested in receiving written submissions. Visit the Department of Labour website for advice on focusing submissions on the areas of the Act that the Group will review. Send submissions to the Holiday Act 2003 Review (DX no. SR57080), Department of Labour, PO Box 3705, Wellington; submissions close on August 21 2009, 5pm.

Many participants commented that the service was the highlight of the forum, because the sense of peace and most importantly, unity among the religions. The use of music, humour and spiritual writings from the various faiths, and religious leaders’ words of wisdom created a ‘feast of spirituality’ for those gathered in the packed venue. The Auckland Inter-Faith Council is working to create a similar expression of religious diversity and harmony at the November service. The service will be held in a south Auckland venue and will be open to all. Watch for the date, time and venue in the next issue of Te Korowai Whakapono.

There is now full catalogue of publications produced by Council of Europe over the last 10 years, with a total of over 1,200 books and electronic publications, including CD-ROMs, PDF files and videos etc.

Publications of note include:

• Dimension of religions and non-religious convictions within intercultural education

This policy recommendation defines the framework of intercultural education, in which religions and non-religious convictions are to be taken into account. The policy also sets out a number of principles, objectives and teaching and learning methods.

It can be used as a reference by policy makers, curricula designers, trainers and teachers; it can also be used to develop competences for intercultural dialogue, and to remove obstacles preventing the appropriate treatment of religious diversity and non-religious convictions in school settings.

• Manual on the wearing of religious symbols in public areas

This manual explores how the European Convention on Human Rights relates to the freedom of thought, conscience and religion. It identifies the key concepts which can be found in the jurisprudence of the European Court of Human Rights and examines the role and responsibilities of both state and citizen.

The publication firstly addresses the wearing of religious symbols in public areas, and looks at a number of fundamental topics, including the ‘visibility’ of religions and beliefs in the public sphere, and the notion of ‘wearing religious symbols’. Secondly, the manual lists the essential questions posed when policy makers address the wearing of religious symbols. Finally, the manual seeks to apply these principles and approaches to a number of key areas such as state employment, schools and universities, the private sector and the criminal justice system.

Victoria University Religious Studies Programme will host the Annual Religious Diversity Forum on Monday 24 August from 1.00-3.00 pm. The forum will include an overview by Professor Paul Morris of the Victoria University Religious Studies Programme and a discussion panel comprising Paul Mackay, Business NZ; Andrew Little, Engineering, Printing and Manufacturing Union; Ann Pala, Islamic Womens Council; and Edwina Pio, Business School AUT. The forum will also feature the launch of the Guidelines on Religion in Schools and the revised Statement on Religious Diversity. Both publications are the outcome of previous religious diversity forums.

The Wellington Interfaith Council will host a session on Grassroots Interfaith Activities on Sunday 23 August from 1pm. Recent case studies will be presented, followed by a panel discussion on future interfaith activities at the grassroots level.

Settling In will host a workshop on Understanding Islam from a Rights Perspective on Sunday from 1pm. The workshop is designed to address the knowledge gap of Muslim women, human rights advocates, academics and policy makers who wish to play a critical role in public engagement with Islam in New Zealand, especially in its impact on policymaking, women’s rights, and fundamental liberties.

Wellington City Libraries will launch the DVD Our Place Your Place about Muslim communities on Sunday August 23, from 3.30pm. This year the Wellington City Library developed a visual resource as part of its engagement with the Muslim community. ‘Our Place, Your Place’ talks about what the Wellington City Libraries has to offer new Muslim communities.

If you would like to attend an individual event you can email nzdiversity@hrc.co.nz, or if you want to attend more than one event or the plenary, the reception for the fifth Anniversary of the NZ Diversity Action Programme, or the annual diversity awards register online.

Each episode of ‘My God’ focuses on one successful New Zealander and explores their particular faith and beliefs. The half hour interview-based format incorporates archive and documentary footage to illustrate each individual story. Series 4 will soon be screened on TV One, and will feature: Nandor Tanzcos, Wynton Rufer, Jo Seagar, Gareth Morgan, Kosal Parseth, Victoria Greenwitch Brown and Tapu Misa. The thirty programmes to date have covered all the major religions in New Zealand, with the show taking a neutral, open-minded approach to the views expressed by guests.

This programme can be used for group screenings and educational use in such settings as schools, churches and prisons. Each series includes ten half hour shows. Individual series are also available for purchase, and a special discount is offered for all three DVDs. Visit Pacific Screen for more information.

Given the group’s rapidly increasing numbers, diversity and high profile, it remains one of the least studied of the many ethnic communities in multicultural and multireligious New Zealand.

Todd Nachowitz is conducting PhD research at the Department of Political Science and Public Policy, at the University of Waikato. This survey forms part of a larger study that discusses issues of religious diversity, ethnicity and identity, language use, discrimination, and immigration policy. The questionnaire should take about 15 minutes to complete and is completely anonymous: respondents are not required to give their name, contact information, or any other identifiable details.

To take the survey, or to learn more about the research visit the University of Waikato website. Todd Nachowitz has also created a new webpage on the Indian Diaspora in New Zealand that links to Indian associations and organisations, and has a bibliography of known published sources on the Indian diaspora in New Zealand.

Islam Awareness Week (IAW) will run from August 10-17, with the theme of “finding a balance in life”. Further event information about Islam Awareness Week and facts about the New Zealand Muslim community can be found on the dedicated Islam Awareness Week website.

The Harmony Awards recognise efforts to improve understanding and harmony between Muslims and non-Muslims, with the aim of encouraging this outcome. There are a range of local and national award categories, both for target audiences and for non-Muslims. Please email Fianz for a nomination form.

Islam Awareness Week is the Federation of Islamic Associations of NZ (FIANZ) contribution to the NZ Diversity Action Programme. Events are organised by FIANZ to increase New Zealanders’ awareness of Islamic beliefs, values and practices, and to positively tackle misinformation about Muslims.

These power point assisted discussions will be held in the Sound and Vision section of Palmerston North Central Library, on the ground floor, from 1pm to 3pm in the afternoon.

An Islamic Culture display will also be shown over the week in the World Languages section from August 3- 10, and there will be an Open Day at the Manawatu Islamic Centre on August 16 1- 4pm, 81 Cook Street.

Rabbi Johanna Hershenson will present the lecture on August 10, 5.30pm at the St David Lecture Theatre, University of Otago. Rabbi Johanna was appointed rabbi of the Wellington (NZ) Progressive Jewish Congregation in 2006. Email Greg Hughson for more information.

The week aims to showcase a wide range of spiritual expression and to encourage the Unitec community, which is comprised of a wide range of cultures and spiritualities to take this aspect of our humanity seriously. The events will mainly take place in the HUB/ Foodhall of Building 180 (in designated stall sites).

Interested individuals and groups are invited to put together a display or stall with informative or cultural materials. Email Ricky Waters, Co-ordinating Chaplian for further information.

The Parliament is the world’s largest interreligious gathering and convenes every five years in a major international city. The last Parliament was held in Barcelona, Spain, in 2004; this is the first time that the Parliament has been hosted in this part of the world.

The Council for a Parliament of the World’s Religions invites all people of faith, spirit and goodwill to learn about the world’s diverse religious and spiritual traditions. Participants can take part in over 500 events, including keynote addresses, seminars, conferences, dialogues, performances, concerts and exhibitions. The 2009 Parliament is expected to bring together more than 8,000 people from over 80 countries, including renowned spiritual, religious and political leaders.

The theme of the 2009 Parliament Make a World of Difference: Hearing each other, Healing the Earth underscores how religious and spiritual communities, and all people can act on environmental concerns and become aware of global interconnectedness. Key topics of global concern will be addressed from religious and spiritual perspectives. These include:

• Healing the Earth with Care and Concern
• Reconciling with Indigenous Peoples
• Overcoming Poverty in a Patriarchal World
• Securing Food and Water for all People
• Building Peace in the Pursuit of Justice
• Creating Social Cohesion in Village and City
• Sharing Wisdom in the Search for Inner Peace

Visit their website for more information.

The religious diversity forum continues the focus on different aspects of the Statement on Religious Diversity, and the topic for this year is religious diversity in the workplace. Professor Paul Morris of Victoria University will provide an overview of the issues, including reasonable accommodation of religious practices such as clothing, prayer times and spaces, recognition of sacred days, and issues of health and safety, inclusion and tolerance. Representatives of employers and unions and faith communities will provide further perspectives. The objective will be to set in motion the development of guidelines about religious diversity in the workplace for employers and employees.

The forum will also feature the launch of Guidelines on Religion in Schools, produced by the Human Rights Commission, and the revised Statement on Religious Diversity. Both publications are the outcome of previous religious diversity forums.

Also as part of the Forum, the Wellington Interfaith Council will be hosting a forum on Sunday afternoon on Interfaith In Action.

The New Zealand Diversity Forum brings together organisations and individuals with a commitment to practical action to support cultural diversity and foster harmonious race relations in New Zealand. The forum programme offers a wide range of specialist and public forums by participants in the New Zealand Diversity Action Programme.