Faith leaders from Christian churches and the Muslim community in Alice Springs back an Indigenous Voice to Parliament, saying it's a crucial opportunity for healing and reconciliation.
Syed Ali, vice president of the Alice Springs Islamic Society, said many in the local Muslim community were confused by the Voice and were unsure how to vote in the referendum.
However, he said his perspective changed after working with a local Aboriginal organisation and witnessing firsthand the struggles faced by remote communities.Now, he's urging others in the local Muslim community to vote Yes. "Just give Aboriginal people a chance to represent themselves to the parliament with a strong and permanent voice," he said.Pastor Basil Schild is a minister with Finke River Mission — a Lutheran ministry that has worked closely with Arrernte and Luritja people in Central Australia for almost 150 years.
He said it was crucial people had autonomy and independence when it came to voting for the Voice, but urged people to "do their homework".While he understood critics of the Voice, Pastor Schild said he would be voting Yes.Through his work as a chaplain at Yirara College — an Alice Springs boarding school for Indigenous children — Pastor Schild said he had watched local families battle "enormous" challenges.
"The necessary responses need to be well thought out — and made in partnership with local communities and local people," he said.
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