Photo: Mosque guests with their family watching a boy give the Adhan (Call to prayer). Photographs courtesy of THINK STUDIO.
Saturday 31 May marked a very special occasion for the Australian Islamic House (AIH) as it opened its doors to welcome the public to its newly opened Masjid Al-Bayt Al-Islami for its initial Mosque Open Day.
The event at the mosque complex located in Edmondson Park attracted visitors from across Sydney, offering a day of discovery, dialogue and community connection.
Mosque Open Days have become an important part of Australia’s Islamic culture since the Lebanese Muslim Association held its first Open Day at Lakemba Mosque in 2009, expanding the initiative into National Mosque Open Day five years later.
The AIH’s huge Open Day on the final day of Autumn 2025 continued this tradition of openness and engagement.
The seven-hour event provided an opportunity for people of all backgrounds to explore the stunning new masjid, ask questions and gain a deeper understanding of Islamic traditions.
Visitors were treated to regular guided tours of the impressive complex, where they admired its intricate architectural details and superb facilities.
They also gained insights into Islamic practices including the five daily prayers, the significance of major Islamic events and the principles of charity and community service.
With the event running from 10 am to 5 pm, non-Muslim guests had the perfect opportunity to observe both the Jumah and Asr prayers, allowing them to witness the peaceful and disciplined nature of Muslim congregational worship.
Visitors expressed their appreciation for the warm and patient explanations provided by the hosts, helping to bridge cultural gaps through shared understanding.
In addition to the tours, interactive booths and Q & A and other discussions, the Open Day featured a variety of activities for all ages.
Families enjoyed free coffee and traditional food, while children were entertained with rides and other fun activities, such as henna art and face painting.
The relaxed atmosphere encouraged meaningful conversations, with many visitors taking the opportunity to ask questions in a respectful and welcoming setting.
AIH’s Open Day came just three months after the historic grand opening of the masjid on the first night of Ramadan – a momentous achievement after years of planning and community effort.
The success of the event – which was supported by BNAH (Modest Islamic Clothing Australia) and Human Appeal (Platinum sponsors) and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC) and Beds ‘R’ Us, Warwick Farm (Gold sponsors) – reinforced the importance of such initiatives in inspiring mutual respect and unity in Australia’s multicultural society.
By opening its doors, AIH not only showcased the beauty of Islamic architecture and tradition but also strengthened bonds within the wider community.
Events like these remind us of the value of openness, education and shared experiences in building a more connected and harmonious society.
Well done to all those who contributed to make this event a great success specially the large team of enthusiastic volunteers.
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