Shliach Unites Political Opponents

By COLlive reporter

A Chabad Rabbi was photographed embracing Australia’s Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and Labor Opposition Leader Bill Shorten in a photo that has been shared on social media.

Rabbi Shmueli Feldman, Chairman of Chabad ACT in the capital city of Canberra, was one of the faith leaders invited to Parliament House for the launch of National Day of Unity.

“We are the most successful multicultural society in the world … nobody else has done it as well as this,” Turnbull told a crowd of elected officials and representatives of Jewish, Muslim, Christian, Buddhist and Hindu communities.

There were handshakes and smiles as political and faith leaders gathered to recognize Australia’s diversity, 9 News reported. At one point, Rabbi Feldman stood between the political leaders and the Grand Mufti of Australia, Dr. Ibrahim Abu ­Mohamed.

“Coming together in friendship and unity is a crucial step in countering the evil, prejudice and hate that exist in the world,” Rabbi Feldman told J-Wire. “There’s a Jewish teaching that the Rebbe would repeatedly emphasize: ‘a little bit of light can banish a lot of darkness’.”

He added that “It was encouraging to witness this message being portrayed by the Political and Religious leadership of Australia at the special unity event today in Parliament House.”

The photo was shared by the Prime Minister on his social media networks, noting that “I met with religious and political leaders from across the country today to raise awareness for National Day of Unity later this month.”

Also seen in photos was Rabbi Zalman Kastel, National Director of the multi-faith based Together for Humanity Foundation greeting Shaykh Wesam Charkawi, Muslim chaplain and founder of the Abuhanifa Institute.