Faith leaders from across Victoria gathered at Parliament House this week to mark the United Nations World Interfaith Harmony Week, joining in a peaceful show of unity amid heightened community tensions.
Members of the Victorian Multicultural Commission’s Multifaith Advisory Group, representing Christian, Jewish, Muslim, Sikh, Hindu, Buddhist, Baha’i and other faith traditions, came together to promote understanding and dialogue as part of the global observance, which is held each year to encourage goodwill across religious and cultural lines.
The gathering took place on the steps of Parliament House, where Minister for Multicultural Affairs Ingrid Stitt joined fellow Members of Parliament for a photograph beneath a banner calling for social and religious harmony.
Speakers reflected on shared values and the importance of quiet, practical acts of respect. Board of Imams Victoria representative Sheik Muhammad Nawas Saleem said compassion and dialogue sit at the heart of Islamic teaching. “In Islam, we believe in the principles of compassion, dialogue and love for God and neighbour. During World Interfaith Harmony Week, we share this with other faiths.”
Rabbi Daniel Rabin of the Rabbinical Council of Victoria pointed to the Jewish tradition of redifat shalom, or the pursuit of peace. “It starts with small actions, like this peaceful gathering,” he said, describing dialogue as a pathway to coexistence.
From the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne, Bishop Paul Barker said listening across faiths was central to the week’s meaning. “Through our love for God and our neighbours, this World Interfaith Harmony Week, we listen and build bridges to other faiths,” he said.
The message of solidarity carried added weight following the Bondi terror attack on 14 December 2025, which was referenced during the event as a reminder of the need to resist hatred and violence through collective resolve.
Victorian Multicultural Commission chairperson Vivienne Nguyen said the week was a timely reminder of the state’s strengths. “World Interfaith Harmony Week reminds us that religious and faith diversity is our strength. By fostering understanding and respect, we create a more inclusive and harmonious Victoria for all.”
Minister Stitt echoed that sentiment, saying the moment called for unity across backgrounds and beliefs. “In the wake of the horrific Bondi terrorist attack, it’s more important than ever that we come together as Victorians of all faiths and backgrounds to show our commitment to harmony and humanity.”
The gathering formed part of a broader series of Interfaith Harmony Week events worldwide, focused on reinforcing peaceful coexistence through shared values rather than division.
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