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We are at a critical point in human history; global warming is seriously beginning to bite. At the same time, we are witnessing market shifts towards low carbon technologies and an explosion of civil society activity aimed at saving the climate.

In increasingly large numbers, people of faith are joining the effort and are calling on our political representatives to change the direction our country is headed. The unseasonably warm weather is a regular topic of conversation, for good reason.

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Source: ABC

Buddhists around the world have celebrated Vesak, one of the most important days in the Buddhist calendar.

Informally known as Buddha's birthday, it commemorates the birth, enlightenment and death of the Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

Buddhist scriptures state that each of these significant events occurred on the full moon of the Indian lunar month of Vesakha.

Buddhists celebrate Vesak every year on the day of the full moon in May.

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Source: International Business Times

The Anglican Church has offered Geelong's Muslim community a temporary place of worship after its mosque was destroyed by fire.

Melbourne Bishop Philip Huggins said he told Imam Mohammad Ramzan he could use the hall of All Saints church in Newtown for Friday prayers, if needed.

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Source:  The Courier

Judaism was featured in the "Talking Faith?" Forum organised by City of Greater Dandenong Interfaith Network and Dandenong Library in their annual panel discussion to shine the light on major religions in order to promote dialogue, respect and understanding.

Five panellists representing different streams and viewpoints were invited to answer questions that citizens of Dandenong, Victoria's most culturally and religiously diverse municipality wanted to know about Jews and their faith, beliefs and practises.

Religious intolerance or racism? A new study out of Melbourne suggests religious intolerance, not racism, is the main source of negative feelings towards asylum seekers in Australia. The study was called Islamophobia and other anxieties.

Conducted by the University of Melbourne, it examined 10 focus groups across Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland.

And the result suggests religious intolerance, not racism, is the main driver of negative attitudes in the country towards asylum seekers.

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Source: ABC

The Parliament of the World’s Religions is committed to cultivating harmony among religious and spiritual communities across the globe. That, in turn, demands that we stand and speak against actions that contribute to the conflict, disrespect, and oppression of faith communities throughout the world.

As we observe the 8th anniversary of the unjust imprisonment of seven Baha’i leaders and the oppression inflicted on other members of the Baha’i community in Iran, the following statement expresses our dismay that these conditions continue to exist and conveys our encouragement for actions that will bring an end to this kind of abuse in Iran and anywhere it occurs across the globe.

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Source: Parliament of the World's Religions

The community behind Australia's first Sikh school have three objectives - academic excellence, spiritual education and getting the next generation of Indian fast bowlers into state & national cricket teams.

Sikh Grammar School will be the first school based around the Sikh faith in Australia and New Zealand.

The local community hasraised about $3.6 million for the first of seven buildings.

The school will be built on 10 acres of land in Rouse Hill in Sydney's Hills District and plans also include a Sikh temple, child care centre and hostel to house international students.

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Source: ABC Sydney

The Indian Interfaith Guide is a resource that provides readers with information on various social norms and practices of adherents of various faiths.

This document is a vital step towards proactively addressing the potential causes of conflict, difference and prejudice in the community as it relates to those of Indian origin.

The guide is to be utilised by mainstream services, the courts, community organisations, religious sectors, government, non-government bodies and individuals.

The Indian Interfaith Guide was funded by the State Government of Victoria's Office of Multicultural Affairs and Citizenship (OMAC) and produced by the Federation of Indian Origin Multi-Faith Organisation Inc (FIMO).

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Source FIMO