I was honoured recently to deliver the opening remarks at the Community Leaders Iftar and dinner, at the Islamic Practice and Dawah Circle (IPDC) in Springwood.
This occasion allowed me to reflect on the diversity of our community and the long history of the Islamic people in Australia.
In our country we have people with more than 270 different ancestries, and more than 7 million people have migrated to Australia since the end of WW2.
According to the latest census figures, from 2016, more than 2.6% of the population are Muslims and Islam is the second largest religion in Australia.
In the 1880s, Muslims would worship in a tin shed in Cloncurry, before the first permanent mosque on Australia’s east coast opened in 1908, on Logan Road in Mt Gravatt.
Today, there are many mosques in our area, including at Springwood, Kuraby, Ormeau and Beenleigh.
The message from the community leaders gathering, which was also attended by Queensland opposition leader David Crisafulli, the Member for Oodgeroo Mark Robinson MP, Logan City Council deputy mayor Jon Raven, and councillors Tony Hall and Mindy Russell, was one of tolerance and understanding.
We have a rich and diverse culture, and everyone, no matter their heritage or religion, should respect one another and work together to spread peace and prosperity in our community and across the country.
Thank-you to Imam Akram Buksh and event coordinator Dr Azharul Karim for their kind invitation and allowing me to address their guests.
