Faith in coexistence

THAI Muslims will tour Greater Dandenong’s places of worship in a bid to understand how people of different religions can coexist in one place.
The Australian Government, through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), and with the help of Greater Dandenong’s Interfaith Network, has developed a Muslim Cultural Exchange program with Thailand.
The program allows Australia to maintain links and dialogue with the Muslim community in Thailand.
The Australia-Thailand Institute sponsors the program.
A group of young Muslim community leaders from southern Thailand will visit Greater Dandenong between 27 May and 1 June as part of a national tour to learn about Islam in Australia.
The 2007 program will be the third to take place.
Interfaith Network president Helen Health said the program would offer Thai Muslims local examples of practising Islam while living in harmony with other cultures and religions.
“Participants are introduced to a range of predominantly Australian Islamic community leaders as well as institutions, academics, students and government representatives in Sydney, Canberra and Melbourne,” she said.
The Interfaith Network Tour will visit the Turkish Islamic Cultural Centre and Mosque, St Mary’s Catholic Church and the Dhamma Sarana Sri Lankan Buddhist Temple.
After the tour, the delegation will be guests at a reception hosted by Greater Dandenong mayor Youhorn Chea.
They will then finish their visit to Melbourne and Australia by visiting SBS Radio.