By CAM LUCADOU-WELLS
GAMINI Sonseka is no shock jock.
The mild-mannered presenter of a Multi-faith Network hour each Sunday morning on Casey Radio (3SER) says he wants people to learn about different faiths in a non-combative way.
Mr Sonseka, a Buddhist and a Sinhalese interpreter from Lynbrook, emphasises several times: “We are not going to debate or criticise the other faiths.
“We are not going to convert anyone to any faith or religion”.
He is certainly loath to tackle faith-based political debates or hostilities around the war-torn planet.
It’s more about tips on how to medicate, and what events are coming up at temples, mosques and churches.
Last year, his program received no complaints but many compliments, he says.
“We’re just here to educate on a particular faith through the faith leaders.
“We don’t just target an audience of one faith. We can all learn about something about other faiths.”
On 7 August, the volunteer-run program celebrates its fifth anniversary. From the start, Mr Sonseka has been in the host chair for an audience of about 2000.
It’s delivered as a community service, he says.
“We are living in a multicultural and multi-faith society.
“Therefore we should know cultural and faith groups’ ethics and code of conducts, then we can live in peace and harmony without any barriers and misunderstanding.”
Each program, he invites one of his regular co-presenters Andrew William (Buddhist), Jim Reiher (Christian), Mehanthie Sivarasa (Hindu), Avatar Singh (Sikh) and Zahid Munawar (Muslim).
For the fifth-anniversary special, the five co-presenters will all be in the Cranbourne studio.
It will be broadcast live on 7 August, 8-9am on 3SER 97.7FM and 3ser.org.au.
