Dr Fr Patrick McInerney speaking at the Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner - Photo: Farid Ghalib, Facebook
Acknowledgement
I acknowledge the Burramattagal clan of the Dharug people, the traditional custodians of the land where we are gathered. I acknowledge their elders, past, present, and emerging; and commit to walk with them the paths of respect, reconciliation, and recognition.
Greeting
Warimī ‘ngānī (Hello. How are you?)
Friends, followers of different faiths and worldviews, brothers and sisters all. Welcome.
Bridge Day
This morning , 6 of us walked across the Sydney Harbour Bridge in honour of “Bridge Day”, the anniversary of the 1932 official opening of the Sydney Harbour Bridge. In The Sydney Statement, young adults proposed this day, the 19th of March, for “Building Bridges Between Believers from Different Religions”. And it is the theme of tonight’s Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner.
The Sydney Harbour Bridge forms the logo of The Sydney Statement. It joins north and south Sydney. It connects and unites the two sides of our great harbour city. In the same way, we—Baha’is, Buddhists, Christians, Hindus, Jews, Muslims, Sikhsand people of all faiths and worldviews—must connect with one another, reach out to one another, share with one another, build relations with one another, so that our multi-religious, multicultural society flourishes in peace, harmony, and justice.
How to do that? The Sydney Statement is a world-class interfaith charter, blueprint, roadmap for “Building Bridges Between Believers from Different Religions”. Copies are available (on your tables and) at the back of the room.
Not Celebration
Today is not a day of joyful celebration. We are too painfully aware of the many conflicts and wars going on in our world, especially the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the horrendous suffering of the Palestinian people caused by the Hamas-Israel war. Partisan loyalties and commitments are tearing at the fabric of our society. But our gathering here tonight shows that meeting, encounter, dialogue, discussion, peace-making, and community are possible, including and especially across our religions.
Controversial
Into this conflicted time, I wish to speak a word that at first hearing will be controversial. I beg you not to rush to judgement. Hear me out, and all will be clear in the end. I quote the 17th century Punjabi Sufi poet, Bulleh Shah:
“On God’s Dwelling Place” by Bulleh Shah
Masjid dhaa de,
Mandir dhaa de,
Dhaa de jo kuch dainda,
Destroy the mosque,
Destroy the temple,
Destroy whatever you will …
The poet’s fierce iconoclasm is all-inclusive, equal opportunity, so we could well add:
Destroy the church,
Destroy the synagogue,
Destroy the gurdwara,
Destroy all places of worship!
But, says the poet:
Par kisi da dil na dhaa,
Rab dilaan vich rehnda.
Do not destroy the heart of anyone,
For it is therein that God dwells.
Rab dilaan vich rehnda – The Lord dwells in human hearts
When we live by this profound truth ….
Rab dilaan vich rehnda – The Lord dwells in human hearts
…. we will not destroy mosque, temple, church, synagogue, gurdwara, or any place of worship, for to do so would break the hearts of those who worship there, which dishonours the Lord who dwells in those hearts.
When we live by this profound truth ….
Rab dilaan vich rehnda – The Lord dwells in human hearts
… we will not destroy any construct of the human mind and hand—not school, hospital, home, culture, or society—for to do so would break the hearts of those who learn, heal, and live there, which dishonours the Lord who dwells in those hearts.
When we live by this profound truth ….
Rab dilaan vich rehnda – The Lord dwells in human hearts
…. we will accept, respect, love, and honour everyone, of every race, nation, language, sexual orientation, and creed, as God and our religions demand of us.
Acknowledge VIPs
On formal occasions such as this, it is customary to acknowledge a long list of the VIPs, the religious and community leaders, the politicians, who are present, and a similar list of apologies of those who could not be here.
However, mindful that—"Rab dilaan vich rehnda;The Lord dwells in human hearts”—each one of you is a temple of the Lord, a place where God dwells. You are all VIPs.
Meet and Greet
Therefore, I invite you to reach out to each other, to greet each other, to connect with each other, to grow relations with each other … of particular importance, reach out to a stranger, someone you do not know, and make friends.
In that way, we will fulfil the purpose of this evening’s Multifaith Community Iftar Dinner. We will be “Building Bridges Between Believers from Different Religions”.
Let us enjoy the fellowship, fraternity, sorority – brothers and sisters all.
Thank you.
Rev Dr Patrick McInerney, Director, Columban Centre for Christian-Muslim Relations.
