Welcome to the 9th Inter-religious

Abraham Conference

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Ms Katrina Lee - MCConference Opens

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Ms Lisa BuxtonWelcome to the Land

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJWelcome to Mary MacKillop Place

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Rev Dr Patrick McInerneyIntroduce Keynote Speaker

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Rev Dr Daniel A Madigan SJKeynote Address

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Mr Jeremy SpinakIntroduce Jewish Respondent

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Rabbi Paul JacobsonJewish Respondent

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Mr Ahmet KeskinIntroduce Muslim Respondent

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Prof Zeki SaritoprakMuslim Respondent

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Conference BreakSession 2 Commences at 6.05pm

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Session 2 Commences at

6.05pm

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome Back

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Table Discussions

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

1. What was the most important message you heard from the speakers today ?

2. What impacted your table group the most ?

3. What does your table group want to share with everyone ?

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Q&A Session

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Table No : 1

Abraham was a model for all of us- forthright while generous- because he obeyed the call of God to be the best human being he could. He acted as a friend of God as humanity should be faithful to what God wants.

Table: 2

It is a wonderful opportunity to find out about each of our ethnic and religious groups.

It is wonderful that is organisation has helped us to build bridges.

We as humans are not perfect and we have to be respectful of others. Whatever touches the human heart most deeply is of God.

Table: 3

We were moved by the human Abraham. Everyone is allowed to make mistakes, the key is to be a pilgrim and to strive.

Abraham’s hospitality was another theme.

Table: 4

Abraham reminds us of our flawed humanity. It is important not to distort his story. We all have to make the effort to love and to promote understanding. The story of Abraham gives us a positive model to move forward and to focus on the things that unite our humanity. But his legacy must be honestly interpreted.

Table: 5

Abraham’s ideas and behaviours were important and one needs to move beyond narrow interpretations

1) we need to see with God’s eyes as we are journeying together

2) we should not use our religion to exclude the other

Table: 6

To reach out to humanity of the universality of faith and not just present to the world our religious exteriors

Table: 7 The most important message was that all religions

share common ground and have a common belief in Abraham. Abraham wasn’t perfect, nor are we as humans. We must understand that we all make mistakes and forgive one another. Our heart is full of love, there is no room for hatred.

Better understanding of different religions was a great learning experience.

If we all live as Abraham, there will be more peace and love.

It is important to share the land and not take ownership. We are all citizens of the Earth.

Table: 8

To gather people of different traditions and learn how those traditions inter-relate

Treating everyone equally ‘Invite them to dinner’ and know the

person before making a judgement on the basis of their belief

Table: 9

It may be worth exploring further 1) the affirmation that we are pilgrim

peoples2) The meaning of hospitality for the

stranger

Table: 10

We are all part of one house, but we’re each looking through different windows.

Throughout the different versions of Abraham’s legacy, there is a consistent message.

“We can’t change our texts but we can change the way we interpret them to build for a better future”

Table: 11

We have a consensus in accepting the message we were given today.

The message was the belief in one God, Abraham is shared by all three faiths but owned by no one and he shares his love equally amongst his two sons. It’s also important to understand what being a pilgrim is. We can all trust the one God to guide us on our pilgrimage.

Table: 12

Like Abraham who has the spiritual audacity to stand up for those suffering injustice, irrespective of faith.

Table: 13 A title does not merit righteousness Take away from this conference an

alliance of friendship. This in itself is to be a pilgrimage for a better tomorrow.

The spiritual strength of Abraham can resonate with every soul

Doesn’t matter Ishmael or Isaac, both are sons of Abraham. They both submit to the will of God, both are messengers.

Table: 14

The speakers demonstrated mutual respect as a guide to all of us to built bridges of understanding

Abraham’s message is a message of hope. He is a human figure with flaws like all of us, as acknowledged by all three religions.

Commonality of care for others, welcoming strangers and transitory nature of life.

Table: 15

The importance of neighbourliness and the power of hospitality

The tears of a table member whose life was changed by a simple act of welcome

Recognise and celebrate the goodness of people

Q&A Session

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Vote of ThanksSteering Committee Chair – Ahmet Keskin

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Acknowledge Speakers

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Thank You

Organisers of the9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference