Wednesday 10 December saw the Lebanese Muslim Association’s inaugural The Brothers’ Circle program conclude its first 10-week run, leaving a strong impression on participants and organisers alike.
Launched in early October 2025, the weekly initiative was designed to support new Muslims while also welcoming lifelong Muslims seeking renewal and non-Muslims interested in learning about Islam.
The pilot program opened with an address by Sheikh Yahya Safi, the esteemed head Imam of Lakemba Mosque, setting the tone for a series built around connection, learning and brotherhood.
Osman Karolia.
Over the following weeks, participants gathered in an informal and welcoming environment, sharing snacks, conversation and reflection while benefiting from the guidance of respected community figures and religious leaders.
Salim Allouche, LMA Religious Affairs Administrator, said the Association was “elated with the response” to the pilot program.
“New Muslim brothers came from as far afield as Jervis Bay on the far south coast and Hornby in Sydney’s north to attend,” Mr Allouche said.
“We sincerely thank all participants for their commitment and we hope the program was of genuine benefit to them on their personal and spiritual journeys,” he said.
Mr Allouche also expressed the LMA’s deep appreciation to the ten guest speakers who contributed throughout the program.
Sheikh Jamal Ud-Din El-Kiki.
“All of our speakers are quality people and we are extremely grateful to each of them for donating their time, for their enthusiasm and for their willingness to assist their new Muslim brothers,” he said.
The guest speakers represented a broad cross-section of the Sydney Muslim community and in addition to (the initial speaker) Sheikh Yahya Safi, they included: Ahmed Bassal, founder of Introduction to Islam; Gamel Kheir, LMA Secretary; Sheikh Jamal Ud-Din El-Kiki, a resident Imam at Lakemba Mosque; Sheikh Mohamed Abdelzaher, Imam at Cabramatta Mosque; Dr Tarek Sari (much admired for his work as a khateeb and in the health and charity fields); Osman Karolia, a long-standing leader in Islamic education; Aladdin Elmir, co-founder of Project Quran; Abdullah Sultan and Fadi Naghi from Young Mosque and Bilal Fazli, a community worker with House of Sadaqa.
A defining feature of The Brothers’ Circle was the emphasis on shared experience.
Each session concluded with participants walking together to Lakemba Mosque for Ishaa prayers, reinforcing a sense of belonging and unity that many attendees described as invaluable.
Abdullah Sultan.
Looking ahead, Salim Allouche confirmed the program will return in 2026.
“The Brothers’ Circle will be back bigger and better,” he said.
“We have taken onboard excellent feedback from both our guest speakers and participants, and we look forward to building on this strong foundation.”
Sebastian Guzman, who took the Shahada several years ago and is pictured in the feature image with this writer, is just one of many new Muslims who participated in The Brothers Circle and he is full of praise for the new program.
The success of the pilot highlights the importance of structured, welcoming spaces that nurture faith, friendship and community for new Muslim brothers at every stage of their journey.
Aladdin Elmir.
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