Welcome to the 9 th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome to the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Conference Opens Ms Katrina Lee - MC Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome to the Land Ms Lisa Buxton Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome to Mary MacKillop Place Sr Giovanni Farquer RSJ Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Introduce Keynote Speaker Rev Dr Patrick McInerney Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Keynote Address Rev Dr Daniel A Madigan SJ Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Introduce Jewish Respondent Mr Jeremy Spinak Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Jewish Respondent Rabbi Paul Jacobson Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Introduce Muslim Respondent Mr Ahmet Keskin Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Muslim Respondent Prof Zeki Saritoprak Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Session 2 Commences at 6.05pm Conference Break Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Session 2 Commences at 6.05pm Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome Back Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Table Discussions Organisers of the 9th 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 the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Q&A Session Organisers of the 9th 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 peoples • 2) 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 the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Steering Committee Chair – Ahmet Keskin Vote of Thanks Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Acknowledge Speakers Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Thank You Organisers of the 9th Inter-religious Abraham Conference

Welcome to the 9 th Inter-religious Abraham Conference