Queensland Students Learn about and Respect Religious and Cultural Diversity

Central Queensland University in Bundaberg Australia is home to the “Interfaith and Cultural Diversity Society."

“It’s about establishing relationships,” says aviation professor Mike Malouf, who is a retired pilot and who began the organization in 2018.

Mr. Malouf is also a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Remarkable students take charge of alternating interfaith lectures and cultural activities every month.

“With the world declining in so many ways, we need a common voice for good,” Mr. Malouf says.

The organization has been entirely student-run over the years.

Interfaith speaking engagements have included a Muslim Imam, missionaries from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, a Latter-Day Saint bishop, representatives from Seventh-day Adventists, Uniting Church, and many others.

Reverend Stuart Bosch from the Uniting Church talked about things that Christians have in common. “We have more in common than our diversity,” he told students.

Students from Kenya talked about their language, cultural traditions, and food. Māori, Aboriginal, and South American cultures have also shared their heritages in the cultural presentations.

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The Interfaith Cultural and Diversity Society, with the help of the Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, also works closely with The Red Cross in assembling thousands of hygiene kits and backpacks of supplies. These are taken to Brisbane shelters, evacuation centres, hospitals, and child protection services.

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During the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, the Society shipped a container of sleeping bags and supplies to those in need.

For Malouf, “That was the highlight--that we all got together and worked as one for a common cause.”