• Charles Sturt University opens new Multi-Faith Room at the Port Macquarie campus      
• The inclusive space is open to Charles Sturt staff and students of all faiths

Representatives from Charles Sturt University and faith communities in the Port Macquarie area recently gathered to mark the official opening of a Multi-Faith prayer room at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie.

The dedication celebration was led by Charles Sturt University Adjunct Professor from the Office for Student Safety and Wellbeing Rev Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi.

Rev Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi said the Multi-Faith Room is another example of Charles Sturt’s ethos of inclusivity by celebrating and welcoming diversity.

“The new Charles Sturt Multi-Faith prayer room provides a place that welcomes different faith communities to gather and explore their commonalities and differences,” Rev Tau’alofa Anga’aelangi said.

“What we mean by exploring is to touch upon the Wiradjuri phrase yindyamarra winhanganha, meaning the wisdom of respectfully knowing how to live well in a world worth living in.

“My hope for the Multi-Faith Room is for communities to recognise the gift of diversity, which brings richness while it nurtures all of us to be in dialogue with each other.”

Charles Sturt Emeritus Professor Ross Chambers believes the creation of the room demonstrates the values and aspirations of the Charles Sturt and wider Port Macquarie community.

“We do not expect people to leave their deepest convictions behind when they come into public spaces, such as the university campus,” Mr Chambers said.

“We welcome their expression and hope that the campus will be a safe, inclusive space for diverse views and faiths, a place that is known for respectful listening and dialogue where our shared humanity and the common good can be better understood.”

The Multi-Faith Room is located on the ground floor of the West Wing of Building 802.1180 at Charles Sturt in Port Macquarie and is open to all Charles Sturt staff and the 1,700 students at he Port Macquarie campus 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The Multi-Faith Prayer Room compliments a range of other inclusive initiatives of faith that occur on an annual basis on the campus, including Harmony Day celebrations and the upcoming Christian and Muslim Dialogue Dinner which takes place on Tuesday 17 May from 6pm to 9pm.

The Christian and Muslim Dialogue Dinner includes a shared meal sponsored by the Port Macquarie Muslim community and the Port Macquarie Uniting Church. This is a free event and registration is essential due to COVID-19 and a limited capacity of 100 participants.

Email office@portmacquarie.unitingchurch.org.au to register.

ENDS