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Melbourne hosts multi-faith fest | Melbourne hosts multi-faith fest |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Climate change, indigenous rights and the west's relationship with Islam are the subjects of one of the world's largest inter-faith festivals. | |
The Parliament of the World's Religions runs until 9 December in Australia. | |
It is expected to attract up 8,000 people from a broad range of faiths, including the Dalai Lama. | It is expected to attract up 8,000 people from a broad range of faiths, including the Dalai Lama. |
Buddhist monks from Vietnam, rabbis from Israel and revered Hindu philosophers are converging on Melbourne for the festival. | Buddhist monks from Vietnam, rabbis from Israel and revered Hindu philosophers are converging on Melbourne for the festival. |
It is convened every five years and has a simple, symbolic premise - to bring together different people to talk about their beliefs and share ideas. | It is convened every five years and has a simple, symbolic premise - to bring together different people to talk about their beliefs and share ideas. |
Islam | Islam |
Environmental sustainability, the eradication of poverty and self-determination for indigenous groups will be discussed over the next six days. | Environmental sustainability, the eradication of poverty and self-determination for indigenous groups will be discussed over the next six days. |
There will be a special focus too on Islam. | There will be a special focus too on Islam. |
The director of the conference Dirk Ficca, a Presbyterian minister from the United States, says it is important that the voices of moderate Muslims are heard. | The director of the conference Dirk Ficca, a Presbyterian minister from the United States, says it is important that the voices of moderate Muslims are heard. |
"There are going to be 40 programmes on Islam and the West. Talk about a tradition that is misunderstood, talk about a tradition that is maligned, talk about a tradition where one per cent of the tradition has given the entire community a bad name - it is Islam. | "There are going to be 40 programmes on Islam and the West. Talk about a tradition that is misunderstood, talk about a tradition that is maligned, talk about a tradition where one per cent of the tradition has given the entire community a bad name - it is Islam. |
"And so we want to give reputable Islamic scholars and leaders the chance first of all to share what they believe Islam is all about," he said. | "And so we want to give reputable Islamic scholars and leaders the chance first of all to share what they believe Islam is all about," he said. |
Up to 8,000 delegates from 80 countries are expected to attend the conference in Melbourne. | Up to 8,000 delegates from 80 countries are expected to attend the conference in Melbourne. |
Organisers have said that the closing address will be delivered by the Dalai Lama, who is on a visit to Australia and New Zealand. | Organisers have said that the closing address will be delivered by the Dalai Lama, who is on a visit to Australia and New Zealand. |
Speaking in Sydney, the Nobel Peace Prize winner had a message for world leaders ahead of climate change talks next week in Copenhagen - he urged them to make the issue of global warming their "number one" priority. | Speaking in Sydney, the Nobel Peace Prize winner had a message for world leaders ahead of climate change talks next week in Copenhagen - he urged them to make the issue of global warming their "number one" priority. |
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