Jason Falinski (Mackellar, Liberal Party) Share this | Link to this | Hansard source

This year marks the 200th anniversary of the birth of the prophet-founder Baha'u'llah, according to the Baha'i faith. On 15 October, I was fortunate enough to join the local Baha'i community to celebrate this momentous occasion at the Baha'i House of Worship in Ingleside. Located on one of the highest spots on the northern beaches, the temple is one of only seven worldwide and the largest of its kind in Australia.

The Baha'i faith is one of inclusion. The Australian Baha'i are striving to create more-vibrant neighbourhoods by establishing closer connections among those previously regarding themselves as strangers. Worshippers from all over Australia, from all backgrounds and walks of life, flocked to the house of worship for this once-in-a-lifetime commemoration.

As in other faiths, the Baha'i faith recognises the importance of singing and chanting as part of their ceremonies, and let me tell you their choir from Mount Druitt is something to be heard. The singing in this most beautiful temple was transcendental. It was fantastic to see so many people from diverse backgrounds and beliefs come together, unified by the vision that Baha'u'llah had for a united, peaceful world and society.