New Mosque Construction in Rural Australia Reflects Growing Muslim Community

A burgeoning Muslim population in Young, New South Wales, has led to the construction of a new mosque, highlighting the community’s expansion and integration, Iqna reported. Located over 370 kilometers southwest of Sydney, Young has attracted hundreds of Muslim families seeking a quieter lifestyle, with many relocating from major cities over the past five years. The Muslim presence in Young dates back to the late 1980s.

Bassem Ali, one of the town’s first Muslim settlers from Lebanon, noted that his family sought a rural lifestyle similar to their home country. Today, Arabic is the second most spoken language in Young, with one in ten residents identifying as Muslim.

The existing mosque, established in 1994, has become inadequate for the growing community, especially during significant events like Eid. To address this, construction began last year on a larger mosque that will accommodate over 1,000 worshippers, nearly five times the current capacity, serving as a symbol of opportunity and growth for the community.