Imam Emeritus Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader in Toowoomba

On Friday 18 July 2025, the community of Toowoomba’s Garden City Mosque was blessed with the presence of two Imams; incumbent Dr Mohammad Aminul Islam and his predecessor Imam Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader.

Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader made Australian military history in 2024 when he was appointed the Royal Australian Air Force’s first ever Imam.

Before joining the RAAF in 2022, Flight Lieutenant Kader was Imam for the Toowoomba Garden City Mosque.

Whilst serving the Toowoomba muslim community, and as a member of the Toowoomba Interfaith Working Group, Imam Kader gained much needed chaplaincy experience working with leaders from diverse religions.

Imam Kader grew up in Bangladesh, completed his formative education in Egypt and pursued his first Master’s degree in the United Kingdom before moving on to gain a second in Malaysia.

After he moved to Toowoomba in 2013, Imam Kader played a pivotal role in establishing Toowoomba’s first mosque at the former Westside Christian Church at 217 West Street Harristown, Toowoomba in January 2014.

On the night of Friday 23 January 2015 arsonists struck and damaged the meeting hall in the mosque premises. A subsequent arson attack on the night of Friday 17 April 2015 left the main mosque building destroyed beyond repair.

Imam Kader was instrumental in initiating the design and rebuilding of Toowoomba’s new Garden City Mosque.

Upon hearing news of Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader’s visit, an invitation was extended to him to lead the congregation for Jumah Khutba.

Imam Emeritus Flight Lieutenant Abdul Kader leading Jumah Kutbah at the Toowoomba Garden City Mosque.

At the conclusion of salat, and as a token of appreciation and admiration, Flight Lieutenant Imam Abdul Kader was accorded the honourable title of Imam Emeritus in recognition of his significant contribution to, and his ongoing affiliation with the Toowoomba Garden City Mosque from 2013 through to 2021 and beyond.