Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP has urged faith leaders to unite in hope for a world free of tension and violence, and to persevere in faith, hope and love during a period of global instability.
The Archbishop of Sydney was speaking at the 15th Annual Iftar Dinner at Cathedral House, hosted in honour of the Muslim community and attended by representatives of multiple faith traditions.
The annual gathering comes at a time of heightened international conflict and local concern about social cohesion, placing renewed significance on interfaith dialogue and cooperation.
The dinner on 11 March brought together 70 guests reflecting the rich diversity of faith traditions in Australia, including representatives from the Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Baha’i traditions.
Archbishop Fisher told the gathering that recent years had tested social cohesion in Australia, but that it was “wonderful” to see faith leaders continuing to meet in a spirit of peace and goodwill.
“The attacks of October 7 2023 in Israel and subsequent captivity and reprisals, the Bondi massacre last December following a series of antisemitic incidents and subsequent threats to social cohesion, and the joint American-Israeli airstrikes on Iran of a fortnight ago and subsequent extension of that conflict to fourteen countries at last count: all this has affected our communities in various ways and potentially made it harder for us to meet,” he told them.
“Dear brothers and sisters, tonight as we break the fast and share a meal together, we do so as people of faith. By breaking the fast together, we repudiate ancient hatreds and modern prejudices, resolving to trust, to share, to build with God the world he intends,” he said.
The founder and managing director of Al Faisal Colleges, Dr Shafiq Khan warmly welcomed archbishop Fisher’s speech.
“What stood out most was the way the archbishop highlighted the shared spiritual foundations across our traditions. While our faiths may differ in expression, we share many commonalities,” Dr Khan said.
“These include belief in God, devotion through prayer and worship, commitment to moral responsibility, compassion for others, charity, service to humanity and the pursuit of justice and goodness.”
One guest, NSW Islamic Council chairman Khaled Sukkarieh, warmly welcomed the archbishop’s remarks and the annual occasion.
“By opening his home each year in this way, the archbishop creates a welcoming space that encourages dialogue and strengthens social cohesion,” he said.
“His speech showed warmth, honesty, empathy, understanding and hope, as he reflected on faith as a shared trust in the Creator and how different religions express this through service, compassion and care for their communities.
“While such gatherings may not resolve every challenge, they remain an important way to build connection, healing and mutual respect.”
A representative from the Hindu community, Dr Uma Srinivasan, said the Iftar dinner was a significant expression of interfaith harmony.
“It was heartwarming to see people of many faiths assembled with goodwill and a genuine sense of friendship. This just goes to show that people want to share love, long for peace and recognise that all faiths are but paths to reach the Divine,” Dr Srinivasan said.
“As the archbishop pointed out in his speech, this is possible with trust, which requires more than mere rational thought.”
