Communities and Justice

The NSW Interfaith Domestic and Family Violence Declaration event

On the 22 November 2022 over 70 leaders from diverse faiths gathered at NSW Parliament House to declare their commitment to working with their communities to reduce domestic and family violence.

Professor Sheikh Salim Alwan from Darulfatwa Islamic High Council of Australia and the Venerable Miaoyou Shi from the Nan Tien Buddhist Temple read the declaration on behalf of the leaders present. Faith leaders were then invited to sign their own personal declaration and a large unity declaration. Leaders were inspired by examples of domestic and family violence initiatives already being delivered within faith communities and resolved to take action with their own communities.

Three people sit at the front of a room, one speaks into a microphone. A person at a podium and the seated audience looks towards them.
Religious leaders panel: Imam Ahmed Abdo speaking, Archdeacon Kara Hartley and Deacon Oliver Slewa. MC Antoinette Lattouf at podium.
Three people standing on the stage at the front of the room. The one in the middle is reading a document while the other two are listening.
From left to right: MC Antoinette Lattouf, Venerable Miaoyou Shi reading the declaration and Professor Sheikh Salim Alwan who also read the declaration on behalf of religious leaders.
Religious leaders signing the unity declaration on a table
Religious leaders sign the unity declaration.
Government Panel speaking on the stage while seated. The person in the middle is speaking into the microphone while the other two people are listening.
Government panel: Michael Tidball Secretary of Department of Communities and Justice, Monique Hitter CEO of legal Aid (speaking) and NSW Police Commissioner Karen Webb.
A picture of the unity declaration after it's been signed by faith leaders
Unity declaration signed by faith leaders.
A group photo of all the religious and faith leaders holding their signed declaration.
Group photo of religious and faith leaders with signed declarations.
Last updated:

14 Jun 2023