Multifaith, multicultural Sydney on show for WYD pilgrims

The Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW wants the thousands of pilgrims to the World Youth Day to discover the true multifaith, multicultural nature of Australian society during their time in Sydney.

One of the events organized by the Commission to achieve this goal is the Multifaith Prayers for Global Peace and Social Justice at MacLaurin Hall, Sydney University on 16 July.

Commission Chair, Stepan Kerkyasharian says the event "aims to engage young people from all faiths to pray together with religious leaders, for peace and justice for all people around the world.

"We want to demonstrate the concerns of young people about peace and the social injustices carried out around the world, whilst showcasing the religious diversity of the Australian community.

"It will provide an opportunity for the young people of Australia, together with the international delegates of World Youth Day, to pray together as a united group.

"The pilgrims attending this gathering will see that Sydney is more than an enjoyable tourist destination and is, in fact, a model of multifaith understanding, acceptance and harmony.

"This is a message that we should send to the world outside. The pilgrims as thoughtful and spiritual young people are the ideal ones to carry our message.

"Prayers will offered by Australian representatives of the Baha'i , Buddhist, Christian, Orthodox Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Islamic, Sikh and Zoroastrian faith traditions", Mr Kerkyasharian said.

Everyone is welcome. The gathering will commence at 4pm and close at 6pm. Download this invitation to the gathering with map. (pdf format)

Meanwhile the Commission will host a Did You Know? Exhibition which, according to Stepan Kerkyasharian, aims to "showcase migration experience and history so as to provide an opportunity for young people visiting Sydney to learn more about the important role migrants have played in the economic and social development of Australia".

"We are confident that the young people who visit Sydney for the World Youth Day will be inspired with the high level of harmony and unity that exists in our society which reflects the diversity of the whole world.

"We believe we have something to show the world and we want the World Youth Day pilgrims to carry back home the story of our success.  The Did You Know? Exhibition will give them the key elements of that story. The rest they will pick up in their day to day dealings with ordinary people in Sydney," Mr Kerkyasharian said.The exhibits will feature the contributions to the Australian culture and economy of peoples from the Cambodian, Indonesian, Jewish, Sikh, Islamic, Buddhist, Italian, Chinese and Japanese communities.

The exhibition will be presented at Level 4, The Terrace, Australian Museum, Corner of College and William St, Sydney between 15 and 17 July 2008 at the Australian Museum from 10am to 5pm.   

A bonus for visiting the Did You Know? Exhibition is the best view of St Mary's Cathedral found anywhere in Sydney.