PEACE AND HARMONY CONFERENCE

30 th Sep – 2 Oct 2005

Novotel Hotel, Darling Harbour- Sydney

 RESOLUTIONS

Eminent leaders, participants and delegates representing Islamic, Christian and Jewish faiths from Asia Pacific region, attending a two-day regional Conference in Sydney agreed to resolve that:

 All forms of extremism, racism, anti-semiticism and violence are to be condemned unequivocally and no excuse should be tolerated for acts of violence and terrorism especially those directed at innocent civilians.

  • All communities must respect the inalienable right and freedom of others to their beliefs and traditions.
  • Faith communities should avoid narrow interpretations of religious doctrines and traditions.
  • Education and dissemination of information pertaining to the faith communities in every society are the best processes to eradicate religious intolerance and ignorance.
  • Every effort be put in avoiding generalizations in judging people and thus tarnishing the image of entire communities for the misguided actions of a minority of its members.
  • Governments and political leadership work actively with communities as partners in dealing with the tumultuous and hostile environment that the entire world is faced with, and that the battle of the minds and hearts of those engaged in creating instability and havoc in the world can only be won over with engagement particularly with the volatile youth.
  • Governments engage with all sections of the society, especially the faith communities towards developing harmonious and peaceful societies.
  • Governments safeguard and encourage the basic rights of expression and public debate within the society.
  • That the media act with responsibility and accountability as part of the community and society towards creating an environment of peace and understanding in these very volatile and explosive times.

 The Conference further resolved to encourage AFIC and RISEAP to hold such conferences at regular intervals at various venues in the region.

Convened by

THE AUSTRALIAN FEDERATION OF ISLAMIC COUNCILS INC.

in conjunction with

THE REGIONAL ISLAMIC DA’WAH COUNCIL OF SOUTHEAST ASIA AND THE PACIFIC


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