J-WIRE
June 15, 2016 by J-Wire Staff
Victorian multicultural faith leaders have come out in support of the LGBTI community.
The leaders have issued a statement deploring the “incredible violence” in Orlando.
The group stated: “There is no excuse for such appalling and evil actions, driven by hate and intolerance.
As faith leaders in the Victorian community, we recognise the sanctity of every human life. Every community member is entitled to live their lives free of fear, bullying, intimidation or violence.
Everyone, of any sexual orientation or gender identity should be treated with respect and dignity. The physical health, safety and mental health of all Victorian community members is of vital importance. To this end, we call for all faith communities and community members to take a strong stand against homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.
Supporting groups included:
Australian Union of Jewish Students (AUJS) Vic
B’nai B’rith Anti-Defamation Commission (ADC)
Prof Gary Bouma, The UNESCO Chair in Interreligious and Intercultural Relations – Asia Pacific and Associate Priest, St John’s Anglican Parish, East Malvern
Brahma Kumaris Australia
Council of Christians and Jews
Dr Hass Dellal AO, Executive Director, Australian Multicultural Foundation
Mohammed Elleissy, Community Worker
Mohamed Elrafihi, Adviser to Minister for Finance & Minister for Multicultural Affairs Robin Scott
Sam Afra, Chair of the Ethnic Communities Council of the South East (ECCOSE) Inc
Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV)
Solaimon Fahiz, Chief of Staff to Minister Robin Scott
Sheihk Riad Galil OAM, Senior Imam West Heidelberg Mosque
Benjamin Oh, Chair, GLBTIQ Interfaith & Intercultural Network (GIIN)
Hindu Council of Australia, Victorian Division
Hindu Foundation
Bishop Philip Huggins, Anglican Diocese of Melbourne
iEmpower
InterAction
Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV)
Jewish Care Victoria
Jewish Community Council of Victoria (JCCV)
Kehilat Nitzan
Keshet Australia
Lutheran Church of Australia Victorian District
Muslims for Progressive Values – Australia
Imam Nur Warsame and Marhaba
National Council of Jewish Women of Australia (Vic) (NCJWA)
Dr Maria Pallotta-Chiarolli, Founding Member on behalf of the Australian GLBTIQ Multicultural Council (AGMC)
Progressive Judaism Victoria
The Salvation Army
Sikh Interfaith Council
Rev Helen Summers, The Interfaith Centre of Melbourne
Temple Beth Israel
Sharon Hollis, Moderator, Uniting Church of Australia Synod of Victoria and Tasmania
United Religions Initiative
Anthony Venn-Brown, CEO, Ambassadors and Bridge Builders International (ABBI)
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