PREPARATIONS are under way for Mount Gambier’s first mosque with the Muslim community expected to open their dedicated place of worship early next year.
The Islamic Society of South Australia recently revealed plans for the mosque, giving the community its own meeting place after over 15 years spent using a prayer room at St Paul’s Church.
The site, on the corner of Cedar and Marrara streets, will undergo renovations before it becomes fully functional, with around six months until completion.
In 2003, the Muslim community contacted former parish priest Father Richard Morris to use the prayer room at the Penola Road church with their request received with “open arms.”
Now more than a decade on, the community will have its own space to worship from but they have no forgotten the generosity of St Paul’s.
Islamic Society of South Australia president Ahmed Zreika recently presented current parish priest Father Dean Marin with an Islamic Arabic calligraphy artwork to thank the church for its support over the years.
The society also named its new place of worship the Mosque of Mary in reference to shared Muslim and Catholic beliefs.
Fr Marin said the parish was more than happy to accommodate the Muslim community when they contacted them in 2003.
“It was Father Richard Morris and Pam O’Connor who first welcomed the Muslim community into the church,” he said.
“Over the years the Muslim community has become an important part of our community as well.
“They often use the parish hall for gatherings like the end of Ramadan when they have big feasts and they invite me and members of our parish to join in.
“We have had a great relationship with them and it will be sad to see them leave but we will definitely still attend events whenever we can.”
Fr Marin said welcoming the Muslim community into the parish was an easy decision.
“We have a multicultural community in Mount Gambier,” he said.
“There are differences in religion – and obviously, we do not worship together as such.
“But there is a great sense of respect between us – I cannot expect someone to respect my beliefs if I do not respect theirs.
“It is the whole sense of freedom of religion – which is at the heart of what we believe.”
Mr Zreika thanked the parish for its compassion and generosity over the past 16 years.
“I am sure we can appreciate that we can all learn from this example of true understanding of humanity and acceptance of a multicultural Australia,” Mr Zreika said.
“This is a true definition of displaying honour, compassion and generosity in the name of diversity of religion.
“We would like to thank the church and it’s community for their hospitality and benevolence.”
