Speakers and guest at the Birth of Baha’u’llah function in Whittlesea
A speech by the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives was a highlight of celebrations by the Whittlesea Baha’i Community marking the birthday of Baha’u’llah.
The speech on 28 November 2008 by the Hon. Harry Jenkins MP, the member for Scullin, focused on and endorsed principles of the Baha’i Faith including the equality of women and men, the need to eradicate prejudice, and the oneness of humanity. He also expressed his concern at the persecution of Baha’is in Iran.
Others to address the banquet gathering were the State MP for Mill Park, Ms Lily D’Ambrosio, the Mayor of Whittlesea, Cr Elizabeth Nealy, and Dr Yeganeh Akbari of the Regional Baha’i Council of Victoria, who spoke about the life of Baha’u’llah, the Prophet-Founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Gary Stirling, a professional singer and a member of the Baha’i community, provided the entertainment.
Representing the local Aboriginal community was Mr Reg Blow, an elder of the Wurrundgeri People.
More than 90 members of a wide variety of religious, community and ethnic organisations attended.
Among the religious representatives present were local interfaith network members and representatives of the Anglican, Chaldean Catholic, Macedonian Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Samoan, and Uniting Churches.
Also present were representatives of the Tibetan Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Sathya Sai and Sikh communities.
Other guests included members of the Whittlesea council and its staff, the police service, the fire brigade, community service organisations and volunteers.
Ethnic community representatives came from the Argentinean, Chinese, El Salvadorian, English, Fijian, Greek, Indian, Iraqi, Irish, Italian, Kurdish, Lebanese, Macedonian, Pakistani, Palestinian, Punjabi, Samoan, Scottish, Somali, Spanish, Sri Lankan, Sudanese, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese communities.
The event, which has been held for the past three years, has become a popular fixture on the Whittlesea calendar.