Melbourne Archdiocese’s vicar general met with senior members of the city’s Shia Muslim community outside St Patrick’s Cathedral and exchanged gifts as a symbol of mutual respect and friendship between the Catholic and Muslim communities. Source: Melbourne Catholic.
The meeting took place on Friday as the Shia Muslim community held its annual Ashura Procession through the streets of the city, and only weeks after an estimated 5000 Catholics joined a Corpus Christi procession from the cathedral to Federation Square.
“I am honoured to meet with members of Melbourne’s Shia Muslim community in a spirit of mutual friendship and respect, and to celebrate the religious freedom that allows us all to live and express our faith in peace and harmony,” Fr Tony Kerin said.
“Now, more than ever, it is important for people of faith to stand together in support of such freedom.”
Fr Kerin presented the Shia religious scholars, Sheikh Abu Mahdi and Allama Wajid Hussain Mahdavi, with a copy of the Bible and a biography of Melbourne’s first bishop, Bishop James Alipius Goold, examining his architectural legacy in Melbourne.
The scholars presented Fr Kerin with a copy of the Quran, the Islamic holy text, and a framed poster setting out a tradition associated with the Ashura and the shared values of faith, compassion and humanity.
“[Friday’s] meeting reflects our shared commitment to justice, compassion, mutual respect, and the peaceful coexistence of all faith communities,” the Shia leaders said.
“We pray that this friendship continues to grow and serves as an example of unity for future generations.”
The Ashura is a significant day of remembrance for Shia Muslims, commemorating the killing of Imam Husayn, the grandson of the Prophet of Islam. It is traditionally marked by mourning, prayer and public processions.
Last year’s procession was the subject of misrepresentations, including misleading footage circulated on social media.
In a statement at the time, Melbourne Archbishop Peter A Comensoli said, “This was a peaceful event. This procession has been misrepresented in some quarters as an attack on Christians and, specifically, on St Patrick’s Cathedral. This is simply not the case.
“Like all Victorians, the Islamic community is entitled to exercise freedom of religion. As Catholics, we expect nothing less.”
FULL STORY
Catholic–Islamic meeting a sign of mutual respect and friendship (Melbourne Catholic)
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