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2020-21 Multifaith Calendar

The following are major holy days and festivals for Baha'i, Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, Islam, Judaism and Sikhism. Whilst this list is not exhaustive it is comprehensive to represent each of the religions in good faith.

Click here to view 2021 Multifaith Calendar (pdf)

Click here to view 2020 Multifaith Calendar (pdf)

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World Interfaith Harmony Week 2021 (February 1-7)

When is it?  World Interfaith Harmony Week is celebrated annually on the first week of February (February 1st to February 7th).

What is it about? World Interfaith Harmony Week aims to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith and non-faith. It provides a platform, one week in the year, where people of every group can recognize their common values, build ties with each other, and work alongside one another to bring peace and harmony to their communities.

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Industry Restart Guidelines: Religion and ceremony

Find information about how COVIDSafe summer restrictions affect religion and ceremony, including weddings and funerals, in Victoria by downloading the Industry Restart Guidelines - Religion and Ceremony.

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Source: State Government of Victoria

2020 Multicultural Awards for Excellence recipients

In 2020, 71 Victorians were recognised from more than 450 nominations across 15 categories, highlighting the passionate work of individuals and organisations that are strengthening multiculturalism.

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Source: Victorian Multicultural Commission

Melbourne reawakens to lights and latkes

For Premier Daniel Andrews, a spin of the dreidel and a set of large illuminated pillars were the perfect Chanukah antidote to a CBD that’s been unusually dull and dark for much of 2020.

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Source: Australian Jewish News

Gay conversion therapy legislation puts Andrews on a collision course with churches

A Victorian government plan to crack down on churches using prayer to change LGBTI people has been branded as the biggest threat to religious freedom in years, placing Premier Daniel Andrews on a collision course with the nation’s faith groups.

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Source: The Age

How Australia's prison chaplains have helped inmates cope with the isolation of COVID-19

Prison chaplaincy has long been an avenue of support within Australia’s correctional system, often helping rehabilitation. And chaplains say it's never been as important as it became in 2020.

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Source: SBS

Victims of racist attacks fear re-occurrence as Australia launches inquiry into right-wing extremism

Anam Javed was shopping for vegetables at her local supermarket when a man ripped her hijab off her head. In shock, she told herself it must have just flown off by accident, but she soon realised she was being verbally abused.

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Source: ABC

This Indian father has published Hanuman Chalisa for kids in English to keep them connected to their roots

Inspired by his six-year-old son’s curiosity and interest in learning the meaning of the Indian religious text, a Melbourne-based father has published a Hanuman Chalisa for kids in English.

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Source: SBS

“Creating an Inclusive Narrative”: Australian publication points to shared identity

Australian Bahá’ís launch publication on social cohesion after two years of conversations among officials, academics, social actors, and people throughout the country.

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Source: Baha'i World News Service

‘Afghan’ cameleers: “The unsung pioneers of Australia’s inland”

Many Indigenous people today continue to have Sikh or Afghan names. This message at the end of the film The Furnace brings home the deep historical connections that people of South Asian origin have had with the original inhabitants of Australia.

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Source: Indian Link

In Christmas message curbed by COVID-19, Pope calls on nations to share vaccines

Pope Francis in his Christmas message said political and business leaders must not allow market forces and patent laws to take priority over making COVID-19 vaccines available to all, condemning nationalism and "the virus of radical individualism".

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Source: Sydney Morning Herald