Sunday 21 July, saw an enthusiastic crowd gather in the Renaissance function centre’s Piano Room at Lidcombe in Sydney’s southwest for an intimate dinner aimed at raising funds for the Young Mosque project.
Located some 400 kilometres from Sydney, Young Mosque is one of three masjids owned by the Lebanese Muslim Association and is undergoing significant development, thanks to the local community’s enthusiasm and generosity and the diligent efforts of its management team.
Already under construction, the new masjid is being built on the existing Young Mosque complex site, located at 3524 Moppity Rd, on the outskirts of the picturesque Riverina township.
When completed, the new Young Mosque will be the largest Dawah centre in rural Australia.
In an earlier interview with AMUST, Young Mosque committee member Abdullah Sultan (a major driving force behind the initiative) revealed that the new masjid will significantly enhance the community’s facilities, quadrupling the prayer space, improving bathroom facilities for women and expanding the capacity for educational programs.
Young Mosque committee member Abdullah Sultan compered the 21 July fund-raiser and is a major driving force behind the project.
During his update at the 21 July fundraiser, Mr Sultan spoke passionately of how a mosque in Young means “something deeper” than the average mosque in a city centre and welcomed the audience to the “trenches of the battle front for Dawah in regional New South Wales.”
He highlighted the need for Young Mosque to continue to push to uphold the identity and culture of Muslims in the Riverina area and how his community already does this so well.
Mr Sultan’s captivating speech conveyed to the guests that their presence at this gathering proves that the “ummah still beats as one” and he thanked one and all sincerely for their attendance and support.
He described Young as a place “where you can seek Allah’s mercy without distraction”, highlighting the town’s spiritual significance and its community’s dedication to raising children who will champion Dawah for generations to come.
The fundraiser was attended by 200 enthusiastic supporters of the Young Mosque project.
Sheikh Emad Hamdy, the much-loved resident Imam at Young, spoke of his affection for the local mosque community and highlighted the spiritual benefits of supporting such a project.
Prominent community figure Ahmad Hraichie (LMA Funeral Services funeral director) reminded everyone present or viewing the telecast online that, “400 kilometres from Sydney, there is a patch of earth (at Young) waiting for us to invest in and build on our Akhirah (everlasting life after death).”
He stressed that contributing to this project “would be a decision with no regrets” on the Day of Judgement.
Gamel Kheir is the Secretary of the LMA and he described the building of the new mosque at Young as typical of the projects that the “new LMA” is proud to be associated with.
“The Young Mosque project is also an example of what a small (Muslim) rural community can achieve when the committee and the local community work together to grow Dawah and expand its Islamic services,” Mr Kheir said.
Young Mosque officials with LMA Secretary Gamel Kheir and President Hafez Alameddine at the construction site.
“Young is a success story with no boundaries and is a symbol of the Muslim community’s maturing status in Australia.”
“It’s a shining example of Dawah in a small rural town….what better sadaqa jariya could there be?”
“Let’s make sure that Young Mosque will be a lasting legacy for coming generations and a hasanat which will weigh heavily in our favour on our day of reckoning.”
The generosity of the Muslim community was evident once again on the night.
From left: Sh Mohamed Harby, Auctioneer ‘extraordinaire’ Br Hussin Goss, Sh Emad Hamdy, Br Joseph Bikler, Sh Mohamad Abdelzaher, Grand Mufti of Australia Sheikh Riad El-Rifai and Sh Yahya Safi.
Under the enthusiastic urgings of in-demand community auctioneer Hussin Goss, who travelled from the Gold Coast to support the event, the sale of a variety of auction items (and earlier pledges) helped make the night a tremendous success, raising approximately $400,000 towards the project.
AMUST congratulates the Young Mosque community on their remarkable progress and we encourage readers to consider donating to this very worthy project.
After all, those donating are not only supporting the construction of a mosque which will support Muslims in rural New South Wales in a very unique manner, but they are also investing in their own spiritual well-being.
All donations will help create a lasting legacy of Islam in the heart of rural New South Wales and a source of ongoing blessings for generations to come.
May Young Mosque stand tall and proud, serving as a tribute to our collective faith and commitment!
From left: LMA Religious Affairs Co-ordinator Salim Allouche, Cabramatta Mosque Vice President Salah Jindi, Cabramatta Mosque committee member and prolific community volunteer Abu Salim Allouche, Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Bilal El-Hayek and Councillor Khal Asfour.
The fundraising auction was a huge success.
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