Office Address: 1 Carriage Crescent, Beerburrum, Qld. 4517
Mailing Address: P. O. Box 14, Beerburrum, Qld. 4517
Contact: Janette Hashemi, Coordinator
Phone: 5496 0332 Fax: Email: ajhashemi@hotmail.com
Website: http://your.usc.edu.au/wacana/interfaith/index.html
Current Officers (2008)
Janette Hashemi – founder and coordinator (2002 – 2008), Islamic faith
Dr. Phillip Mahnken – co founder, lecturer and coordinator of Languages at the University of the Sunshine Coast
Father Brian Taylor – Caloundra Catholic Parish
Faye Hochstadt – Jewish Council of the Sunshine Coast
Rabbi John D. Cooper – Sunshine Coast Jewish community
Sensei Barry Farrin – Forest Way Zen Buddhist
Pastor Mike Brownhill – Seventh Day Adventist Church
Brief Description/History
The Sunshine Coast Interfaith Network (SCIN) was founded by Janette Hashemi and Dr. Phillip Mahnken in 2002. The founding aims were to promote religious knowledge, harmony, respect and friendship between different religions. The nature of religious thought was one of progressive/reformist interpretation of religion especially of Islam from 2002 to 2008. The structure consists of religious leaders/representatives who together make up the core management group. The Sunshine Coast Interfaith Network core group is voluntary and forums are free to attend.
The Sunshine Coast Interfaith Network was founded in 2002 in response to religious hostile misunderstandings of Islam after the events of September 11, 2001. Janette Hashemi contacted religious leaders from the yellow pages telephone book and those who agreed to participate in interfaith dialogue in 2002 are the founding members and the present core management group.
The key teachings, values and principles of the Islamic faith which support interfaith dialogue are:
Because the Qur’an is a book of guidance and a commentary on Muhammad’s life in Mecca and Medina and the issues facing him and the small Muslim population at that time, 1400 years ago, there were no Buddhists or Hindus living in Mecca or Medina for the Qur’an to comment on."Those who believe in the Qur’an, and those who follow the Jewish scriptures, and the Christians and the Sabians (Christians of St. John), any who believe in God, and the Last Day, and work righteousness, shall have their reward with their Lord, on them shall be no fear, nor shall they grieve. Qur’an 2:62"
“make no distinction between any of the Messengers” Qur’an 4:152
“believe in God and the revelation given to all the Prophets – make no difference between one and another of them and bow in submission to Allah/God” Qur’an 2:136 and 2:285
“(Jesus) was given the Gospel” Qur’an 5:46
“(Moses) specially chosen as a Messenger and a Prophet” Qur’an 19:51
“(Muhammad) was given the miracle of the Qur’an, the words of God, confirming the revelations (previous Messengers and Prophets) which came before it” Qur’an
“enjoin what is right, forbid what is wrong” Qur’an 3:104
“God commands justice and the doing of good” Qur’an 16:90
Relationships with these and other religions can be taken from the acts of the companions of the Prophet Muhammad who travelled to China, Tibet and India – which were acts of respect and accommodation.
Difficulties encountered during our interfaith dialogue initiatives/activities.
No interest from academic staff of the University of the Sunshine Coast and most churches or religious organisations on Sunshine Coast is a major obstacle
Helping factors in facilitating the success of these interfaith dialogue activities
Success in our activities have been due to our extensive email list to advertise forums and invite people along and word of mouth
Future plans or proposals for promoting interfaith dialogue.
I propose to hand the leadership over to someone who may like to keep SCIN going Under my leadership (Janette Hashemi), we have promoted progressive/reformist Islamic ideas. Another leader may be more conservative.
What needs to be done by diverse faith communities, institutions and organizations to enhance the progress of interfaith dialogue in Queensland, in Australia, and/or internationally.
The Sunshine Coast is fundamentalist Christian conservative right with pockets of alternative ideas. This makes interfaith challenging.
Under the previous coalition government conservative religious views were promoted. Hopefully the new labour government will take an active role in interfaith dialogue.
Interfaith needs to be recognised by universities – especially the University of the Sunshine Coast - as an accepted and worthwhile activity/discipline.
Interfaith dialogue key organizations need funds to pay coordinator positions otherwise the voluntary effort is just not worth the work and effort involved.
Activities
Forums and symposiums were organised by the Sunshine Coast Interfaith Network. Officer and members were also invited as guest speakers at schools, other religious groups and community organisations.
Partners of the SCIN in interfaith dialogue are friends and supporters of the MultiFaith Centre, Griffith University, Nathan Campus