Sajiya Sayar, right, and Summaia Arif both took part in a performance by the Building Bridges children’s choir last week.By Callan Date
EUMEMMERRING resident Sajiya Sayar was part of a melting pot of religions at Federation Square last week as she took part in the Building Bridges children’s choir.
Secondary college students from Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist and Hindu backgrounds were being selected to sing in the choir which will form part of the official launch of the 2009 Parliament of the World’s Religions event being stage in Melbourne.
The Year 10 student was joined by 20 other students from diverse cultural and faith backgrounds to perform a song they all helped write called Bridges of Life.
The song is about their experiences of living in harmony despite their differences.
Sajiya, 15, who attends Minaret College in Springvale, represented the Muslim community.
“It was a great experience for me,” she said.
“It was great to see a lot of students from other background and cultures.”
Sajiya said she had been part of the choir for the past year and had thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
“The school selected some students and we were chosen to go to various schools and we sat in a circle and spoke about our religions.”
The Federation Square launch was ushered in by an indigenous didgeridoo player and a traditional welcome by respected Wurrundjeri elder, Joy Wandin-Murphy.
The Minister Assisting the Premier on Multicultural Affairs James Merlino also spoke at the launch.
The launch coincided with the official announcement that Melbourne will host the largest multi-faith gathering ever held of religious and spiritual leaders in 2009.
The event is expected to attract more than 8000 guests from across 80 countries. Event organisers said Melbourne was chosen over Delhi and Singapore to host the 2009 event. It showed the best example of people from diverse cultures and faiths living together harmoniously.
