Panel Discussion: Experiences of Living as Minorities in Australia Across Generations. From right to left: Dr Aisah, Sr Waode, Sr Nisa, Br Taufiq, and Br Firdaus. MCs: Sr Manda and Br Adi.
The year 2025 marked a truly historic chapter in the journey of Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre (AKIC), with two significant milestones celebrated by the community with joy, reflection, and renewed commitment.
Parenting talk
Dr Aisah Dahlan, an expert in neuro-parenting from Indonesia, giving her talk at AKIC.
On 29 June 2025, AKIC welcomed the highly respected Dr Aisah Dahlan, CMHt., CM NLP, Indonesia’s foremost expert in neuro-parenting and Islamic family therapy.
Her visit to Sydney was part of her Australia tour covering Perth, Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, and Brisbane, with Ashabul Kahfi proudly facilitating her Sydney-to-Canberra segment from 29 June to 2 July.
Dr Aisah began her Sydney visit with a meaningful stop at the Ashabul Kahfi Centre, located at 11 Edge Street, Wiley Park, where she viewed the site of the upcoming Islamic Centre development.
She praised the long-standing efforts of the community, acknowledging nearly 30 years of dedication to nurturing children in an Islamic environment. Her appreciation reflected the shared excitement surrounding the site’s next chapter.
The majority of participants were mothers seeking consultation and advice on parenting children while living as a minority in a country like Australia.
Later that day, over 400 attendees gathered at Salamah College Community Hall—40 Hector St, Chester Hill, NSW to attend her public lecture on Islamic parenting and emotional intelligence.
Known for her gentle wisdom and deeply insightful approach, Dr Aisah addressed a range of real-world parenting challenges, from supporting children with autism and ADHD, to handling teenage behavioural issues, trauma, emotional outbursts, and the growing exposure to LGBTQ+ trends.
Her reminder that “Anak-anak bukan beban, mereka adalah amanah. Dan setiap amanah harus dijaga dengan ilmu” (“Children are not burdens—they are trusts, and every trust must be protected with knowledge”) struck a deep chord with the audience.
Four hundred people registered to attend the Parenting Talk organised by Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre.
The seminar provided a safe and engaging space for parents to share concerns and seek practical advice, from emotional self-regulation during parenting conflicts to stepparenting dynamics and balancing marital differences in child-rearing.
Working together with other Indonesian communities, dr. Aisah’s sessions were warmly received, both at this main event and at other community talks hosted by ODOJ, West CIDE, and AIMFACT in Canberra.
Construction certificate
Newly issued Construction Certificate for Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre
In addition to the impactful parenting session, the event carried a monumental announcement: after a long and determined effort, Ashabul Kahfi received its Construction Certificate, officially authorising the long-awaited development of the new Islamic Centre.
This milestone marked the end of a 9-year journey of perseverance through the complex Development Application (DA) process and council regulations. It was a moment of pride and immense gratitude.
As the head of the event committee, Mr Nurhakim expressed heartfelt gratitude, saying, “We take this opportunity to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed over the past nine years—from the founders, committee members, volunteers, and advisors to community members who supported through donations, du’a, and moral encouragement. Your unwavering commitment, patience, and trust have made this achievement possible. This is not only a milestone for Ashabul Kahfi but also a gift to future generations.”
Mini fundraising
To celebrate, a mini fundraising auction was held at the event, featuring 10 copies of Dr Aisah Dahlan’s book on Islamic parenting. All copies were sold, and the proceeds will directly support the construction project. The overwhelming generosity of attendees reflects the spirit of unity that has always defined Ashabul Kahfi.
Dr Aisah Dahlan warmly welcomes the approval of the Construction Certificate for the Ashabul Kahfi Islamic Centre (AKIC) and encourages everyone to contribute to its development.
Indeed, the year 2025 will be remembered as a defining moment—a time when our community came together to celebrate knowledge, progress, and a vision for the future rooted in Islamic values and collective strength.
For any requests on purchasing the Islamic Parenting books from Dr Aisah Dahlan and any enquiries on the initial construction stage of the development, please email to akic.office@gmail.com.
Comments