On 19th of January, along with QIS Directors including Yasar Savran, Mehmet and Hacer Saral of Affinity visited the Moderator (Head) of the Uniting Church, Synod of Queensland. At this meeting there was also the Interfaith coordinator of the Qld Synod. A number of projects were proposed including Abraham Conference, Home Encounters and sharing sacred times with home iftar’s, visits to a major Uniting Church parish during Easter and Christmas, Noah’s Pudding distribution during the month of Muharram etc.

On 20th of January, along with QIS Directors, Hacer and Mehmet Saral of Affinity visited the Brisbane Catholic Archdiocese. At this meeting were the Auxiliary Bishop of the Diocese, Bishop Brian Finnigan; Ms Margaret Naylon from the office of Ecumenism and Inter-religious Relations and Nasir Butrous from ACU. The first project that has been agreed to is distribution of Noah’s Pudding (Ashure) at Mt Gravatt Catholic Parish after Sunday Mass where they expect 200 people to attend. QIS will also give a short presentation during Mass to explain the purpose of Ashura and Noah’s Pudding and its religious and historical significance. Next year it has been agreed that Ashure (Noah’s Pudding distribution) will be done at the Cathedral of Brisbane, where 1000 people take part in Mass.

On 13 May 1787, a fleet of 11 ships, which came to be known as the First Fleet arrived at Australia. By the afternoon of 26 January 1788, all of the fleet was at anchor in or near Sydney Cove.

We celebrate Australia day today, the day our immigrant fathers landed foort on this beautiful land. We thank the captain, the crew members of the first fleet and the following fleets which brought the English, the Italians, the Russians, the Asians, the Christians, the Buddhists, the Muslims, the Jews, the Turks, everyone else and our Indigenous Australian brothers and sisters who shared this beautiful land with our immigrant fathers.

And apologies for this late message - I was out celebrating the day with my fellow Aussies!