Australia’s newest mosque opens doors to all in Victoria
WARRAGUL, Australia (MNTV) – In a milestone for Australia’s multicultural landscape, a former church in Victoria has been transformed into the region’s first official mosque, welcoming people of all faiths.
Located east of Melbourne, the new mosque aims to be more than just a place of worship—offering multicultural story time sessions, school tours, and community events to foster inclusivity and understanding.
“When we started off there were less than ten people, then it grew to more than 50,” says Baw Baw Islamic Network Australia Incorporated (BINAI) president Mohamed Pavel.
Now, the local Muslim community has thrown open the doors to the shire’s first official mosque in a former Uniting Church building, Australian Broadcasting Corporation reports.
The space, opened this year, is not just for Muslims living in Baw Baw Shire, east of Melbourne. “Anyone who wants to come here and pray or take the services of the mosque is welcome,” Pavel says.
According to the 2021 census there were about 200 Muslims living in the local government area, up from 80 in 2016.
The first Friday prayers in the new building attracted about 200 people.
The mosque’s leaders want the building to be an inclusive space, hosting events including multicultural story time sessions and school tours.
“That’s the next step and the aspiration,” Pavel says.
BINAI has also been fundraising with the hope of eventually buying the building, which has been privately owned since 2006.
Having a mosque close to home has helped local Muslims feel more connected to their community and their faith.
“Ever since the mosque opened, we have been noticing a spike in a sense of belonging,” Pavel says.
“People have been a lot happier, and they have been coming very regularly to pray and to connect with the rest of the Muslim community.”
Islamic Research and Educational Academy president Waseem Razvi says having a local place to pray is vital.
“If you don’t have a local mosque, then it is very hard to express your faith … and that impacts your social wellbeing and your communication with the local community as well,” he says.
Last month the Baw Baw mosque opened to the community, with locals invited to try Islamic calligraphy, try on hijabs, taste special Islamic food, and observe a prayer session.
People were also encouraged to ask any questions they might have about Islam.
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