Faith: Muslim

Faith organisation: Craigieburn Hub

Asim is an IT professional and a community worker who volunteers with many different Islamic non-profit organisations across the Northern suburbs. He immigrated to Australia in 2000 and has since worked closely with culturally and linguistically diverse communities from the Indian subcontinent with particular focus on youth in preserving familial and linguistic ties. He is also a father of three beautiful children.

Faith: Muslim

Faith organisation: Craigieburn Hub

Rasul is a seasoned software professional with a deep commitment to community service. Since moving to Australia in 2013, he has been actively involved with several Islamic non-profit organizations across Melbourne, with a notable focus on the northern suburbs. His work primarily supports culturally and linguistically diverse communities from the Indian subcontinent, emphasizing the importance of preserving familial and linguistic connections. Beyond his professional and volunteer endeavors, Rasul is a devoted father to three cherished children.

Faith: Sikh

Faith organisation: Dal Baba Bidhi Chand Ji Khalsa Darbar, Mickleham

Faith: Christian

Faith organisation: The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Faith: Christian

Faith organisation: Hume Samoan Assembly of God

Faith: Hindu

Madhuri Maskey is an international development expert with extensive experience on Gender Equality, Prevention of Gender Based Violence, Safeguarding Rights of Women, Children and Youth and their engagement for social change. She worked with UNICEF for more than 19 years serving the most vulnerable and disadvantaged communities in rural Nepal. Currently she is working with Brotherhood of St Laurence in Melbourne, Australia as a Family Violence Prevention Practitioner, where she focuses on advancing Gender Equality, Women Empowerment and Men’s engagement in improving Rights of children and women and their health, safety, and wellbeing.

Madhuri holds a master's degree in international development and sociology. Besides her professional work, Madhuri is actively volunteering for and with Nepalese community groups/organizations through her engagement with NRNA/NNA, Nepalese Association of Victoria and other community organizations. Madhuri is a Member of Rotary Passport Club of Melbourne. Being an active Rotarian, she is extending her support to needy families and communities in Nepal.

Faith: Baha'i

Faith: Anglican

Faith organisation: Anglican Parish Hume

Working with the Anglican Diocese of Melbourne as Priest since December 2021.

Working with Hume Anglican Grammar School as Chaplain since January 2022.

Association with HIN: Since March 2023.

Purpose: To network with the multifaith community for justice concerns, and develop sustainable relationships for the service of community.

Faith: Muslim

Faith organisation: Arabic Society of Victoria Inc

I have been living and working in the City of Hume for 45 years, I represent my community on many committees and organisations and groups including Hume Multicultural communications advisory group. Have degree in Multicultural Studies. Worked at the Migrant resource centre and Adult Multicultural Education services for mor than 35 years helping people from different backgrounds and religions .

Faith organisation: Australian Intercultural Society

Faith organisation: Enjoy Church Sunbury

Ps Tony La Pila is the Pastor of Enjoy Church Sunbury. Enjoy Church Sunbury was established in 2017 and is focussed on being a Christian community which brings real spiritual change through relationships, integrity, commitment, excellence, vision, faith and life. Our mandate is to share the good news of Christianity and to serve our local community in Sunbury. Ps Tony is married to Monica, has two adult children and enjoys life with his family and friends. Ps Tony joined the HIN in early 2026 to represent the Christian community and believes in being part of the network is important to ensure that faith community outcomes are achieved by partnering and working together for our community.

Faith: Sanatan Dharma (Hindu)

Faith organisation: Kali Mata Mandir

Puneet Sharma brings a unique blend of global professional rigour and a deep, lifelong commitment to the values of Sanatan Dharma. A Chartered Electrical Engineer by profession, Puneet has spent over 20 years designing large-scale infrastructure projects worldwide and locally including Craigieburn Central, Northern Health, Post Entry Quarantine (PEQ) facility. This professional pedigree provides him with more than just technical skill; it gives him a foundation of unshakeable integrity and the ability to navigate complex social challenges with the calm, methodical precision of a master strategist.

Deeply committed to the Sanatan Dharma values of Seva (selfless service) and inclusivity, Puneet has been instrumental in fostering interfaith harmony and raising cultural awareness through dedicated volunteering and outreach. His volunteering work focuses on the intersection of sustainability, youth education, mentoring and mutual respect, ensuring that our collective faith-based initiatives lead to a more cohesive and constructive future for all. Puneet embodies the spirit of a bridge-builder, dedicated to fostering a society where tradition and modern progress thrive in harmony.

Puneet’s presence on the committee ensures a voice that is both visionary and practical. He is dedicated to fostering an environment where every faith tradition is respected and where community service serves as the common language that unites us all.

Faith: Muslim

Faith organisation: Quba Mosque

Imam Ibrahim Karaisli is an Islamic educator and community leader with over 20 years of experience in Qur’anic teaching and community engagement across Turkey, Africa, and Australia. He graduated from the Faculty of Theology at Sakarya University and later completed a Master’s degree at Charles Sturt University in Australia, focusing on Qur’anic recitation and its spiritual and aesthetic dimensions.

Imam Ibrahim currently serves the Muslim community in Melbourne, where he is involved in Qur’an education, youth mentoring, and interfaith dialogue, promoting understanding, respect, and cooperation between communities.

Faith organisation: ReChurch

Rev. Milton Oliver is an ordained Churches of Christ Minister and is the senior pastor at ReChurch in Craigieburn. He has been at ReChurch (formerly Roxburgh Park Community Church) for 21 years and before that at Sunbury Community Church. He has been a pastor for almost 40 years. He is executive chair of Compassion North Inc., a registered charity that oversees a major foodbank in Craigieburn, and two Mens Sheds (Craigieburn and Sunbury). He is a Justice of the Peace, formerly a Bail Justice, and was founder of the Hume Pastors Network in 2005. He is a passionate advocate for the poor and disadvantaged and has lived in Hume for 36 years. He is married to Anne, has three adult sons and seven grandchildren.

Faith organisation: Sikh Interfaith Council of Victoria

Faith organisation: Sri Guru Singh Sabha

Hume Interfaith Network statement on the incident at Pacific Epping

Published on 14 March 2025

The Hume Interfaith Network (HIN) condemn the two recent Islamophobic attacks on community members at Pacific Epping and stands in solidarity with community members of all faiths and cultural backgrounds. We believe no one should ever be treated unfairly or subjected to violence based on their race or religion.

The HIN supports all members of our diverse community to practice their religions in a safe and inclusive way. Hume’s rich cultural diversity is one of our greatest strengths and we welcome residents of all ethnicities, faiths and beliefs to our city.

For over 20 years, the HIN has brought together members of diverse faiths including Christian, Islamic, Hindu, Buddhist, Sikh and Baháʼí. The HIN are proud of our diverse communities and champion harmony and open dialogue among faiths. We strive to strengthen our community as we live, work and learn together in an environment that fosters mutual respect, kindness and understanding.

The HIN collaborates with Council to deliver initiatives that strengthen social cohesion, deepen mutual respect and promote community participation and wellbeing for members of different faiths, and provide a safe space to celebrate and share different cultures. This includes upcoming activities such as a tour to places of worship on Saturday 22 March and an interfaith sports day on Friday 4 April.

While we believe no one should ever be treated unfairly based on their race or religion, we understand this is not always the experience of our community. If you are experiencing any racism or discrimination, you can visit https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/ to learn about your rights.

Quote attributable to Co-Chair of the HIN, Madhuri Maskey:

“The Hume Interfaith Network (HIN) condemn the recent Islamophobic attacks and stand in solidarity with all community members. We are committed to fostering a safe and inclusive community where everyone can practice their faiths freely"

Quote attributable to Co-Chair of the HIN, Avtar Singh:

"I am proud of our diverse communities that enable us to strengthen our connections amongst different faiths. It promotes fair treatment, no matter someone’s race or religion"

If you are experiencing distress and feel the need to speak to someone, please see resources below:

• Lifeline provides 24-hour crisis counselling, support groups and suicide prevention services. Call 13 11 14, text 0477 13 11 14 or chat online.
• Beyond Blue aims to increase awareness of depression and anxiety and reduce stigma. If you or a loved one need help, you can call 1300 22 4636, 24 hours/7 days a week or chat online.
• MindSpot is a free telephone and online service for people with anxiety, stress, low mood or depression. It provides online assessment and treatment for anxiety and depression. MindSpot is not an emergency or instant response service. Call 1800 61 44 34.
• Head to Health gives advice and will connect you to local mental health services. Call 1800 595 212.
• Partners in Wellbeing provides a free coaching service (over the phone) to improve your wellbeing, develop strategies to cope and provide emotional support. Partners in Wellbeing does not offer crisis or emergency support. Call 1300 375 330.
• Heart Chat - Multicultural Mental Health aims to make it easier for people who speak languages other than English to read and understand information about mental health. You can also find professionals who speak your language and understand your culture.
• Centre for Muslim Wellbeing provides a professional database of practitioners who are culturally responsive and have experience dealing with culturally and linguistically diverse communities.

Read our previous media statement

Hume City’s religious diversity strengthens and enriches community life and supports the well-being of the residents in Hume City.

In recognition of the religious diversity and the importance of spiritual life, Council has invited the Hume Interfaith Network to open Council meetings.

The Blessings Book is a collection of prayers offered by our faith and community leaders at Council meetings.

Some blessings are translated into community languages, reflecting the spoken language of members within that faith community.

View the Blessing Book(PDF, 2MB) . 

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