Journey of faith

Emergency service crews have been on a tour of Greater Dandenong temples and mosques to improve their multicultural understanding.
The Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network hosted the event on Monday 24 October.
CFA, MFB, SES and police started the day with an address from Victoria Police officer Maha Sukkar on understanding Islam and Muslims in Australia.
The tour included the Shri Shiva Vishnu Hindu temple in Carrum Downs, the Turkish Islamic Cultural Centre and Mosque in Keysborough, Gurdwara Sri Guru Granth Sahib in Keysborough and the Sri Lankan Dhamma Sarana Buddhist Temple in Keysborough.
CFA community education co-ordinator Steven Corrigan said the day was an opportunity to see the diversity within Greater Dandenong, particularly the religion and faith dimension of multiculturalism.
He said faith leaders welcomed tour participants and explained their beliefs, practices and community in Australia.
Mr Corrigan said the day was very worthwhile and educational.
“The comments that I have received back so far talk about it being very interesting to actually enter these places of worship and not just look at pictures of them or look from the outside,” he said.
“Having the opportunity to speak to the various religious leaders gave us a better understanding of the individual faiths/culture and customs.
“These leaders went the extra mile to make the tour very enjoyable and interesting and also great hospitality.
“The day also gave us as emergency services the opportunity to interact, liaise and discuss what each other are doing in the realm of multiculturalism and where we can work better together going into the future.”
Mr Corrigan said that because of the success of the day, the CFA was looking at running more tours in the future and targeting brigades across the region.