Islam in Australia

Islam in Australia

The history of Muslims in Australia dates back to the 17th century, well before European contact with the mainland

The Makassan traders from Indonesia had a harmonious relationship with the Indigenous people of Northern Australia

In the 1860's a large number of Afghani-Muslim cameleers arrived in Australia to work the camel trains which opened up the interior of the continent

They accompanied the great explorers of the Outback and were instrumental pioneers in the tough terrain

Due to the Afghans' knowledge and expertise with camels, they were credited with saving the lives of numerous early European explorers and were vital for exploration

Hence the South-North Railway is named "The Ghan" - short for The Afghan

They eventually settled in the areas near Alice Springs as well as in the Northern Territory and many inter-married with the Indigenous population

The remains of the oldest mosque in Australia is situated near Maree (which they built)

Today, Australia has many mosques spread throughout its cities, towns and villages

Their design and architecture tend to replicate Middle Eastern models

The Mosques serve as a hub of worship and religious education for Australia's Muslim community

In the early twentieth century, Muslims of non-European descent experienced many difficulties in emigrating to Australia because of the government's "White Australia" policy

However, some European Muslims, like the Albanians were able to settle

From the 1970s onwards, there was a significant shift in the government's attitude towards immigration

Instead of trying to make new Australians assimilate and forgo their unique cultural identities, the government became more accommodating and tolerant

Large-scale Muslim migration began in 1975 with the migration of Lebanese Muslims

The Lebanese are still the largest and highest-profile Muslim group in Australia

However, the Turks and Albanians form the largest number of Muslims living in Melbourne

Approximately 3.4% of Sydney's population are Muslim, (about half of Australia's Islamic population)

Muslim population by State:
NSW - 50%, Victoria - 33%, WA - 7%,

QL - 5%, SA - 3%, ACT - 1%, NT and Tasmania - 0.3%

According to the 2006 census, approximately 340,392 of the Australian population identify as Muslim

Muslims in Australia come from more than 60 ethnic groupings

Thousands of Australian Muslims also include a rising number of converts to Islam...

Testimonial excerpts of Australian converts to Islam:

"Islam truly did hold all the answers" (Jill)

"All my life my God was leading me to Islam, I just didn't know it" (John)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~asmaazam/

Testimonial excerpts of Australian converts to Islam:

"In committing to the Islamic way I have found meaning and significance in everyday life" (Jan)

"Islam has brought the best out in me" (Eliza)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~asmaazam/

Testimonial excerpts of Australian converts to Islam:

"I have found this new courage, strength and energy within myself that I didn't have before" (Julie)

"I had been purified" (Anonymous)

http://members.iinet.net.au/~asmaazam/

In contemporary Australian life, Muslims from all over the world have made a contribution to the country in various ways

They have developed important links between Australia and several Muslim countries, as well as relations within Australian society

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Islam
• in
• Australia
• Muslims
• Down
• Under
• Converts
• Reverts
• The
• Ghan
• Sydney
• Canberra
• Melbourne
• Perth
• Oceania
• Ummah
• Ibadah
• Allah
• Prophet
• Muhammad
• Peace
• Blessings
• PBUH
• SAW
• Traditional
• Spiritual
• Literal
• Cultural
• Taqwa
• Eeman
• Tajdid
• Political
• Dawah
• Monothiesm
• Abrahamic