Interfaith Program

Australia-Malaysia Institute Cultural Exchange Program

2013 Invitation for Applications

Closing Date extended to 12 April 2013 with program expected to run from 9—15 June 2013.

Applications are now open to Australian Muslim leaders interested in travelling to Malaysia for one week as part of the Australia Malaysia Cultural Exchange Program.

Finalised travel dates expected to run between 9—15 June 2013 and will be negotiated amongst successful applicants.

All costs are covered for the visit to Malaysia. Applicants should be between 20 and 35 and be an active member of the Muslim community in Australia.

The program offers young Australian community leaders to participate in a program focusing on building greater awareness of interfaith and intercultural networks, as well as the nature of Islam in Malaysia and Australia.

All applications must be received by 5pm AEST, Friday 12 April 2013. The AMI Secretariat does not accept late applications. The Online Application Form will automatically close at 5pm AEST 12 April 2013.

The Cultural Exchange Program 2013 is supported by the Commonwealth through the Australia-Malaysia Institute which is part of the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.

How to apply

All applicants must complete the Cultural Exchange Program Online Application Form including two signed letters of reference supporting your suitability to participate in the Exchange program, one of which should be a recommendation from an Islamic organisation in Australia with which you are associated.

Leadership Training Program for Young Muslims

Two Malaysian participants, Jufitri Bin Joha and Farhana Halim participated in the 2011 Young Muslim Leadership Training Program coordinated by the Centre for Dialogue, La Trobe University, in collaboration with the Islamic Council of Victoria and the support of the Institute for Advancing Community Engagement, Australian Catholic University.

Jufitri Bin Joha and Farhana Halim join Ashyikin binti Abdul Barkat and Aizat Kahari, participants from the 2010 program, in undertaking the eight week leadership training program in the company of twenty four young leaders. The program provides a blend of academic theory and practical skill based training through lectures, workshops, debates, role play and interviews including discussions about the way our societies work politically, economically, culturally and spiritually.

The program offers many opportunities for learning how leadership roles throw up challenges in different spheres of life. Participants hold meetings with imams, rabbis, priests and nuns; business leaders, academics, community leaders, politicians and activists; as well as with youth leaders, researchers, artists, performers and journalists.

Program highlights include a discussion panel about the media's role in creating perceptions of the Muslim community with ABC top producers and visiting the Gallipoli Mosque in Auburn and meeting the Australian-Lebanese community in Lakemba.

Former Young Muslim Australian of the Year meets young Malaysian Muslim leaders

On 4 June, Haji Ridwaan Jadwat, Counsellor, Australian High Commission, hosted a luncheon for young Malaysian Muslim leaders in honour of Ms Yassmin Abdel-Magied. Yassmin was an Australian representative at the Asia Pacific Roundtable and a participant in the 2nd ASEAN-Australia Emerging Leaders Programme, held in Kuala Lumpur from 28 May-1 June. The luncheon gave Yassmin an opportunity to connect with young Malaysians, including emerging Muslim leaders, to celebrate the diversity that both of our countries share.

Find out more about Yassmin Abdel-Magied's meeting with young Malaysian Muslim leaders

Symposium 'Spirited Voices from the Muslim World: Islam, Democracy and Gender Rights', 28-30 April 2011, University of Sydney

The international symposium was co-hosted by the Department of Government and International Relations and the Sydney Democracy Initiative and funded by the AMI.

The three-day international symposium included leading scholars and civil society actors actively engaged in the politics of Islamic reform from the United States, South and South East Asia, the Middle East and Australia including the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils and the Muslim community. About 500 people attended the various sessions with approximately 250 attending the symposium's public launch which was officially opened by the Chancellor of the University of Sydney and Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir AC CVO.

At the launch, Dr Amina Wadud presented the keynote address 'The Spirited Voices of Muslim Women in Islamic Reform Movements'. Dr Wadud is highly regarded for her scholarly works on gender equality in Islam and internationally renowned for being the first Muslim woman to lead a mixed gender congregation in 2005.

The symposium launch was broadcast by the current affairs cable TV station APAC (Australia Public Affairs Channel) and several of the symposium presentations were broadcast on the ABC National program 'Encounter'.