Flag flies for faiths in harmony

BALLARAT Interfaith Network launched their celebrations of World Interfaith Harmony Week on Monday morning with a flag-raising ceremony at St Peter’s Anglican Church.

As leaders and representatives of the city’s 20-plus faith communities, their supporters, and local councilors watched on, Ballarat-born Gunditjmara man Peter Lovett raised the Ballarat Interfaith Network flag alongside BIN’s Lokan Ravi and Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison.

St Matthew’s Anglican Church’s parish priest, Father Constantine Osuchukwu said the flag’s design was created especially for BIN.

“It’s symbolic features are on a blue and white background; blue for Ballarat, white for spirituality,” he said.

“A central dark blue circle represents the earth, and ascending orange stars represent harmony and humanity’s spiritual aspirations reaching from earth to heaven, or the universe.”

From 11am last Monday, 1 February to 5.30pm this Sunday, 7 February, the Network marks World Interfaith Harmony Week, recognised by the United Nations during the first week of February annually.

“Conceived to promote cultural peace and no violence, it was first proposed by King Abdullah II of Jordan in 2010.

“The United Nations calls on governments, institutions and civil society to observe it with various programs and initiatives that will promote harmony, cooperation and mutual understanding amongst different faiths and religions,” Fr Osuchukwu said.

“Here in Ballarat Our Interfaith Network works towards building bridges between people of all faiths, philosophies and spiritual perspectives, and the community of Ballarat. It’s always looking for new members.”

Mr Lovett opened the event with an acknowledgement of country on the steps of St Peter’s and played the yiggy yiggy, a hollow log instrument.

Member for Wendouree Juliana Addison addressed the crowd, highlighting Ballarat’s long history of multiculturalism.

“There are the ancient traditions of our First Nations Peoples, but also the Gold Rush, when we saw people from across the world come to seek their fortune and start a new life,” she said.

“We’ve opened our doors and our hearts. Victoria is home to people from over 200 countries, we speak over 260 languages, and follow 135 different faiths. Locally, people come from 69 nations, speak 42 languages and follow over 20 faiths.

“People bring their experiences, cultures and traditions, enriching our community, making it a better place to live. World Interfaith Harmony Week invites us to be inclusive, promote goodwill, unity and compassion.”

After the flag-raising, leaders and representatives of faith communities lit candles in the church, before the whole gathering moved inside.

Ballarat’s Anglican Bishop, Garry Weatherill was keynote speaker. Assistant Minister for Multicultural Affairs Jason Wood also spoke, and two choirs performed virtually.