Egyptian-born Professor Ibrahim Abu Mohammed praised Australia as a country where mosques and churches were able to stand side by side and said that for this to happen in other parts of the world it was necessary for humanity to agree on a paradigm of tolerance and understanding.

"Isolation and chaos is caused by the struggle for dominance,” he told the 100 guests at the annual Social Harmony Iftar Dinner co-hosted by the Bluestar Intercultural Centre and the Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture on Wednesday night.

The event was attended by representatives of many different races and faiths, senior politicians and church officials.

Professor Mohammed said Muslims living in Australia needed to respect social

"History teaches us humanity will always be exposed to hurricanes and tempests when we ignore the teachings of the heavens," he said.

"This is what we are witnessing as I speak in Gaza. If peace is the priority then justice is the sure path. If we want to raise humanity to divinity and grace then we must first raise up God's justice on earth."

Wednesday’s event was the sixth Iftar dinner in Canberra and was co-ordinated by Bluestar’s executive director, Fethullah Erdogan.

It is timed to coincide with the holy month of Ramadan.

Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews was also a special guest and spoke on the government’s commitment to multiculturalism.

He noted Muslim contact with Australia predated European settlement and that Muslims had made notable contributions to development.

“Our multicultural society is, and will remain, one of our proudest assets,” he said.

“Muslims bring with them different ideas, skills and assets.”

The venue was the Anglican Church’s Australian Centre for Christianity and Culture which operates in conjunction with Charles Sturt University.

The centre is built on what was to have been the site for Canberra’s unbuilt Anglican cathedral in Barton.

Its executive director, the right reverend Professor Stephen Pickard, said the centre is “a place of celebration for all Christians and a place of welcome and encounter for all seeking an encounter with Christianity”.