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Church and community leaders await their tour of the Melbourne Grand Mosque.© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.To foster interfaith harmony, members and leaders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints recently accepted an invitation to join with Muslim leaders at Victorian Mosque Open Day at the Melbourne Grand Mosque.
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Melbourne Grand Mosque© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.World Interfaith Harmony Week, held annually since 2010, was built on an initiative calling Muslim and Christian leaders to engage in dialogue based on the two great commandments of loving God and neighbour.
Ashley Parton, communication director for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Victoria, noted, “There was a lovely feeling of peace and inclusiveness as we were guided through the Mosque. The focus on individuals and families and their belonging to the community was reflected by the way in which the Imams involved everyone.”
“It was easy to see,” he continued, “the important influence the centre had on a wide cultural base with members of the congregation from all parts of the world.”
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Young people taking part in Melbourne Grand Mosque Open Day© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.At one point, several children had a part to play in demonstrating various prayer rituals. They are being taught to love God and neighbour by becoming good citizens. These particular children have come together with their families from Pakistan, Nigeria, Bangladesh, India, and Sri Lanka.
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President and Director Rifai Abdul Raheem, right, hosts Mosque tours during Open Day© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.David Cowan, assistant regional communication director and president of a local interfaith council, said, “It was a great visit. The president of the Mosque was very welcoming as was the Imam. They have a thriving culturally diverse community.”
Brother Parton added, “The President of the Mosque and Imam were generous hosts, explaining the purpose and role of the Mosque and importance in the community. The commonality of faith-based principles of community, individual and family support, religious education, marriages and funeral services was core to Islam faith and worship.
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Calligraphy around Melbourne Grand Mosque demonstrating some of the 99 names of Allah such as this one depicting His Goodness and Mercy© 2024 by Intellectual Reserve, Inc. All rights reserved.Church leader in the Deer Park area, Darryl Taula, said, “I count it a blessing to have been able to visit the Mosque. I live in the area and have driven past many times, never thinking I’d have the opportunity to visit.”
He continued, “Visiting the mosque strengthened my faith in Jesus Christ. In a world where walking the covenant path may at times feel like a lonely journey, it’s a blessing to me to know there are other people of faith who are also walking their path. I was grateful to learn that although we may worship God differently, we have way more in common than I expected.”
Following the tour, guests were invited to meet with the Imam and director over lunch for further discussions. The two religions have much in common in seeking for a better world through loving God and neighbour.
