Countdown to Melbourne

by Amjad Mohamed-Saleem

After months of speculating and preparing the countdown has begun to Melbourne 2009: The Parliament of Religion. To be honest I am not sure what to expect. The parliament started off in 1893 as an opportunity to bring together the world’s religious and spiritual leaders to a gathering where peace, diversity and sustainability are discussed and explored in the context of interreligious understanding and cooperation. Since then there have only been 3 (1993, 1999, 2004) parliaments held. The theme though is overriding. In the time of great strife, no more than ever, is the need for us to unite together in a spirit of respect, acceptance, understanding and cooperation.

To the cynics (and there are many when it comes to anything slightly religious and spiritual related) it might just be seen as a big talk shop with airy fairy words of togetherness and celebration that skirts around some of the burning issues that are at the heart of inter religious conflicts and discussions. Certainly the cost of the logistics of such an operation can raise people’s eyebrows. ‘why are you spending so much to fly halfway across the world to Australia to discuss interfaith?’ well there will be cynics no matter the case. To the ardent supporters, it is an opportunity to enhance and promote social cohesion amongst and within communities across the world. It will be an opportunity to learn (and in some cases un-learn) things about people who are different to us. It is an opportunity to send a collective message to the rest of the world that people of faith (and no faith) can co-exist and work for the betterment of the world, despite all that is said contrary to this.

I am of course nervous, since after just applying to do one presentation at the conference, i now find myself on 4 panel discussions. Two on subjects that are close to my heart and experience which is the role of inter religious partnerships in addressing development challenges, whilst two are about dealing with the roles of Muslims in the world, two topics that I can only speak from the heart and not as a scholar and academic, although I will be sharing the platform with scholars. More than anything i am looking forward to meeting all the different people who are going to be there and in particular learning about new traditional spiritual teachings (from different parts of the world)

I am not looking forward to the 24 hour flight from London to Melbourne!!!

Until Melbourne, God bless

Amjad Saleem