Julia Gillard launches UniSA Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding in Delhi, India

The International Launch of UniSA's Centre for Muslim and non-Muslim Understanding drew more than 50 guests in New Delhi. Australian Deputy Prime Minister, Julia Gillard met with local Imam Umer Ahmed Ilyasi from the All India Organization of Imams of Mosques, representing half a million Imams of India and Sandeep Kalia, Secretary General of Akhil Bharat Hindu Mahasabha at the event. Minister Gillard said the Centre would help to encourage more of the worlds top researchers and thinkers to engage with its important research agenda. Faith and culture have been paramount in the development of India; one of the worlds largest and most linguistically and culturally diverse democracies, Minister Gillard said. Holding the international launch of the Centre here in Delhi is appropriate because India is a nation that lives with difference on a grand scale and thrives. There is expertise here and in many countries across the Asian region that we can learn from. The goal is to build a worldwide community of outstanding scholars with a commitment to understanding and exploring the cultural and sociological factors that influence Muslim and non-Muslim relationships," she said.