It was my privilege to be invited to speak at NSW Parliament House at an Ashura celebration on August 8, 2025. Our topic was “Imam Hussain for ALL.” In 680 AD, on the plains of Karbala, a stand was taken that echoes through to today. Imam Hussain, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), stood firm […]
Imam Hussain for ALL Read More »
I reprint the following paper from my friend, Dr Chandra Muzaffar, with permission. It was first presented at Pax Christi’s fourth Asia Pacific Consultation held in Pattaya, Thailand from 24 to 26 September 2006. CHRISTIANS AND MUSLIMS – AND THE CHALLENGE OF HEGEMONIC POWER The importance of Christians and Muslims working together for the future
Christians and Muslims – and the challenge of hegemonic power Read More »
What follows is an extract from a submission about religious freedom, submitted to the Australian Federal Parliament by my friend, Rev. Michael Palmer. The submission was based on what we saw and heard during our trip to Syria over New Year 2017. Father Dave ‘A Window into the Freedom of Religion in Syria: and implications
A Window into the Freedom of Religion in Syria and implications for Australia Read More »
Father Toufic, in my view,  is an archetypal priest. As Parish Priest of St George’s Melkite church in Maaloula (Syria), he has pastored his parish through the worst possible crisis.  Jabhat Al Nusra over-ran his town in 2013. Three years later, the signs of destruction are ever-present. St George’s church has been rebuilt but, as Father Toufic says,
He is one of my favourite people in the world, and I pray for him every day – Dr Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria. I don’t know any other religious leader in the world whose first words to me when he sees me are “I love you!” Even I don’t greet
Christians and Muslims can be friends – Father Dave & the Grand Mufti of Syria Read More »
It was my privilege to be asked to pay tribute to the noble Sheikh Nimr at the Islamic Centre in Banksia (Sydney) on January 9th, 2016, following his brutal (and largely unanticipated) beheading by the Saudis. I was then asked to repeat my speech at a rally in Martin Place (in the centre of Sydney)
Grieving the martyrdom of Sheikh Nimr Baquir al-Nimr Read More »