NSW Premier Chris Minns, Treasurer Daniel Mookhey, NSW Ministers Steve Kamper and Jihad Dib, and NSW MPs Charishma Kaliyanda, Donna Davis, Warren Kirby and Cameron Murphy joined more than 200 faith leaders and community members at a gala dinner on Tuesday (3rd October 2023) to mark the launch of Faith NSW, a coalition of faith groups across the state.
The coalition – comprising of Islamic, Hindu, Christian, Jewish and Buddhist communities – aims to build stronger relationships between the respective communities, and foster greater engagement with the NSW Government on common issues and areas of importance.
The event, held at Sydney Olympic Park, saw a special Faith Award and Churchill Fellowship Report by Faith NSW CEO Murray Norman presented to Mr Mookhey and Mr Dib on behalf of Faith NSW for their unwavering support and friendship to faith communities in recent years.
Speaking at the launch NSW Premier Chris Minns said,
“New South Wales is enriched by our vibrant multi-faith communities, and I was honoured to attend such an important event.”
Faith NSW co-chairs Darren Bark and Surinder Jain added that we are incredibly fortunate and grateful to live in NSW, one of the most multicultural states in the world.
“No matter our background, our faith or the language we speak, everyone is welcome and has a place to call home here in NSW. This is what makes our state the remarkable place that it is.”
“We thank the Premier and the NSW Government for their steadfast friendship and resolute support. We will continue to work together to ensure all people of faith have the freedom to practice that faith, and live safely and securely in our cohesive, multicultural society.”
Faith NSW, also known as Better Balanced Futures, represents the united faith communities across Australia and NSW. Faith NSW is committed to fostering robust, mutually respectful relationships between the faith communities and engaging with all levels of government, and each other, to address common causes and interests.
Through these collaborative efforts, we strive to build a more socially cohesive society that celebrates and upholds a rich freedom of religious belief and practice.
