The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), Australia’s oldest non-profit Islamic organisation, has for many years been at the forefront of promoting community-friendly events.
In 2009, the LMA opened the doors of Lakemba Mosque to the general public for its inaugural Mosque Open Day, and five years later, they introduced the first National Mosque Open Day (NMOD), now held annually on the last Saturday of October.
What many may not be aware of is that the iconic Lakemba Mosque also welcomes visits from schools (both Muslim and non-Muslim), universities, interfaith groups and community organisations throughout the year.
The most recent visit occurred on Wednesday 12 July, when a busload of lovely ladies from Uniting Springwood, a residential aged care facility located in the heart of the Blue Mountains, were treated to a guided tour of Australia’s most renowned and recognisable mosque.
The regular tour leader is Sheikh Jamal-Ud-Din El-Kiki, one of Lakemba Mosque’s wonderful resident imams and a knowledgeable figure who ensures that guests to the mosque have a truly enlightening experience.
Sheikh Jamal told AMUST, “I take great delight in leading tours of the mosque, as they provide invaluable Da’wah opportunities, whether it’s a Year 11 or 12 class studying Religion/Society and Culture for their Higher School Certificate, a university or a community group like the elderly ladies from Uniting Springwood.”
“In most cases, these visitors have never set foot inside a mosque before, nor interacted with a Muslim, let alone an Imam or Sheikh.”
Contrary to the grossly unfair stereotype of Muslim sheikhs perpetuated by the Australian mainstream media, Sheikh Jamal, born and raised in Sydney, is a young and native speaker of English.
Having memorised the entire Qur’an by the age of 14, the 30-year-old has been a Hafez for more than half his lifetime.
New visitors to Lakemba Mosque are struck by the exquisite design, intricate calligraphy, magnificent chandelier, and various Islamic artefacts housed within the masjid.
Sheikh Jamal elaborated, “When pointing out the Ayatul Kursi calligraphy on the front wall of the mosque, I recite the verse in Arabic and translate it into English, noting that the Qur’an is unique in that it is neither prose nor poetry.”
Over recent years, he has hosted groups from all across New South Wales, even as far away as Byron Bay on the north coast and Murrumbidgee in the state’s regional southwest.
To accommodate larger groups, tour sessions are sometimes divided in order to make the experience more manageable.
Tours are available from Monday to Thursday, with a goal of concluding by mid-morning or being otherwise scheduled for early afternoon, in order not to clash with congregational prayers.
· For enquiries concerning a group tour of Lakemba Mosque, LMA Reception can be contacted at (02) 9750 6833 during office hours.
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