Two cities, two nights: Local mosque projects drive LMA’s national growth

On Friday 6 February and Sunday 8 February, the Lebanese Muslim Association will bring its national expansion drive to life with major community fundraising dinners in Melbourne and Adelaide respectively, as Australia’s oldest non-profit Muslim organisation accelerates its growing footprint beyond Sydney.

With the two events scheduled just 48 hours apart, the back-to-back fundraisers will mark one of the busiest and most significant weekends in the LMA’s recent history, highlighting both the momentum behind its interstate projects and the scale of coordination required as the organisation increasingly operates on a national stage.

LMA President Hajj Hafez Alameddine said the dinners reflect the organisation’s long-term vision and its focus on responding to genuine community needs, rather than opportunistic growth.

“What we are doing Melbourne and Adelaide is the result of careful planning and extensive consultation,” Mr Alameddine told AMUST. 

“We’re not expanding for the sake of expansion; these projects are about ensuring Muslim communities have access to places of worship and community services close to where they live and work.”

The Melbourne fundraiser will take place on Friday 6 February at Melrose Events in Tullamarine.. 

The Adelaide event will follow two nights later (Sunday 8 February) at the Panorama Ballroom of the Adelaide Convention Centre.

Both evenings will feature seated halal dinners and the programs will include community addresses and a formal fundraising appeal. 

Tickets are priced at $100 for Melbourne (three course meal)  and $70 for Adelaide (two course meal).

Funds raised from the two dinners will assist with the purchase and renovation of the recently acquired places of worship at Strathmore in Melbourne and in Adelaide’s CBD, which the LMA plans to respectfully redevelop into mosques and community hubs.

Mr Alameddine said the projects in Melbourne and Adelaide are a natural extension of the LMA’s broader mission, which spans religious, social and humanitarian services across Australia.

“These developments demonstrate our long-term vision for a cohesive national network,” he said.

 “Whether it’s religious services, youth mentoring, aged care or humanitarian work, our aim is to provide consistent, high-quality support wherever Muslim communities need it.”

LMA Secretary Hajj Gamel Kheir said the decision to actively seek community support for these projects reflects both timing and changing circumstances.

“In recent years, the LMA has undertaken major acquisitions and developments through careful planning and internal capacity,” Mr Kheir said.

“As we enter this next phase of growth interstate, we believe it’s important to invite the community to be directly involved.”

He said rising building and compliance costs, combined with the desire to embed the LMA more deeply within local communities, made the fundraising dinners particularly meaningful.

“These events give people the opportunity to contribute to institutions that will serve their own cities for generations to come,” Mr Kheir said.

 “They also strengthen a sense of shared ownership and responsibility for these places.”

Mr Kheir added that holding the fundraisers in the cities where the properties have been acquired is not only logical but also reflects the LMA’s belief that national expansion must be matched by national engagement.

“Our vision is national, and our approach reflects that,” he said. “Even more important than raising funds, they are about building trust, partnership and a shared future.”

Organisers report a great response from the respective local communities but tickets are still available for both events.

(Visit. events.humantix.com/strathmore or events.humantix.com/abm-sa respectively.)

As the LMA continues to expand beyond its Sydney base, the Melbourne and Adelaide fundraisers represent a defining moment – blending strategic growth with community partnership, and reinforcing the organisation’s more than 63-plus years of service to Muslim communities across Australia.