It began with a whisper — the kind that grows into a wave.
On the evening of May 14, 2025, inside the warm halls of NSW Parliament House, an extraordinary gathering unfolded. The Shared Future: Interfaith Collaboration for Peace and Prosperity in NSW, hosted by Indians in Sydney, wasn’t just another event; it was a defining moment, a tapestry of compassion, a chorus of voices rising in unity, and a powerful reminder that faith — in its purest form — brings people together, not apart.
A Room Full of Hope
The atmosphere was electric, yet grounded in grace. Leaders from diverse religious, political, and community backgrounds came together not to preach, but to listen. Not to showcase power, but to share purpose.
This wasn’t a room of strangers. It was a room of kindred spirits — Rabbis, Imams, Priests, Pandits, Politicians, Civil Society Leaders, and Faith Practitioners — all echoing a simple truth: our shared humanity is more powerful than our differences.
Indians in Sydney: A Bridge Across Cultures
For years, Indians in Sydney has quietly built one of the most trusted platforms for Indian Australians, connecting over 135,000 people online and thousands more through initiatives on the ground. From organizing winter drives and meal distributions to spotlighting cultural diversity through events like Unity Fest and Samvaad, the group has always been more than just a community — it has been a movement.
This event, however, marked a new chapter. It wasn’t about one community. It was about all of us.
The Dignitaries Who Gave Voice to Peace
The evening began with Emcee Ekta Sharma gracefully acknowledging Country — a powerful reminder of the deep spiritual roots of this land. Premier Chris Minns, in his message, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to multiculturalism and interfaith dialogue, offering a vision of New South Wales as a beacon of diversity, not division.
We owe deep gratitude to Warren Kirby MP, Member for Riverstone and Chair of the Parliamentary Friends of India, who not only hosted this event at Parliament House but stood tall as a true friend of inter-community harmony.
Dr. S. Janakiraman, Consul General of India, spoke of the unifying power of Indian philosophy —His words resonated across faiths and borders.
Mark Coure MP, Shadow Minister for Multiculturalism, and Gurmesh Singh MP reminded us that diversity is not just a policy, but a lived experience. Julia Finn MP, Donna Davis MP, Charishma Kaliyanda MP, Nathan Hagarty MP, and Jacqui Munro MLC, each added their voice to the symphony, reflecting NSW’s collective commitment to an inclusive future.
And Rose Jackson, sent her blessings, affirming that interfaith peace is a shared responsibility.
The Panel that Moved the Room
Moderated with heart and journalistic depth by Kumud Merani, the first panel, The Role of Faith in a Divided World, was a masterclass in spiritual leadership.
Rabbi Danny Yaffe (CBD Chabad) spoke with humility about the Jewish community’s enduring spirit and the value of loving your neighbor.
Pandit Jatin Kumar Bhatt (Sri Mandir) reminded us of the Hindu principle of sarva dharma sambhava — respect for all religions.
Dr. Ali Alsamail (Shia Muslim Council) eloquently condemned extremism and uplifted the Islamic value of peace (Salam).
Rev. Dr. Manas Ghosh (Uniting Church) brought tears to many eyes as he spoke of interfaith friendship and his decades-long service to bridging divides.
This was not just dialogue. It was shared soulwork.
A Voice of Experience: My Reflections as a Speaker
As I took the stage to share a few personal reflections as the founder of Indians in Sydney, I carried with me the stories of countless people — migrants, seekers, volunteers, believers in unity.
I spoke of my childhood memories in India, where mosques, churches, and temples shared street corners — not in conflict, but in harmony. I recalled how, after moving to Australia, I found a similar spirit in the multicultural fabric of NSW. That’s what inspired Indians in Sydney — not just to connect Indian Australians, but to remind everyone that inclusivity is our heritage.
We are all stewards of peace, and if we don’t nurture it in our communities, who will?
From Dialogue to Action: The Leaders Among Us
The second panel, From Dialogue to Action: Community Leaders Shaping Our Shared Future, brought together true change-makers. I had the honour of moderating.
Melissa Monteiro (CEO, Community Migrant Resource Centre) spoke with power and grace about empowering migrant women and families. Her work is building safe spaces where dialogue becomes action.
Gurnam Singh (Founder, AISECS) gave us a glimpse into the future — a world where youth are not just engaged but leading interfaith collaboration.
John Cleary Veteran ABC Broadcaster and Board member for Affinity shared real-world examples of peacebuilding — from Iftar dinners to academic forums — proving that conversations can become institutions.
Faith is Not a Barrier — It’s a Bridge
In a time when the world often focuses on what divides us — race, religion, borders, beliefs — this event was a soul-stirring reminder of what binds us.
Every speaker, every panelist, every guest came with a prayer in their heart — for peace, for dialogue, for inclusion.
Not one message was of fear. Not one word was of hate. Only love, only unity.
A Unity Pledge, A Cultural Offering, A New Dawn
As the evening drew to a close, guests stood together to take a Unity Pledge — to promote peace, to stand against hate, and to serve as ambassadors of compassion.
A touching cultural performance followed — a dance that symbolized harmony and resilience.
We ended the evening not with applause, but with reflection.
Our Gratitude Runs Deep
To every person who walked into that hall — thank you.
To our moderator Kumud Merani and our poised emcee Ekta Sharma — your voices anchored the evening with beauty and balance.
To all our guests, including Moses, Sai, and dozens of civil society champions — your presence was a blessing.
To every faith leader, every MP, every volunteer — your support made history.
The Future Is Shared — And It Begins With Us
This wasn’t just an interfaith event.
It was a covenant.
A commitment that Indians in Sydney will continue to serve not just one community, but all communities. That we will amplify voices of peace. That we will build platforms where people of every faith can stand side by side — not despite their differences, but because of the strength those differences bring.
In a world hungry for connection, this night was nourishment.
In a society yearning for healing, this night was a balm.
And in the story of NSW’s multicultural journey — The Shared Future will be remembered as a chapter written not in ink, but in the hearts of all who attended.
Let us carry this spirit forward.
Let us be bridges, not walls.
Let us be light, not heat.
Let us choose peace — again and again and again.
