Young Mosque update: The finishing line is in sight

It’s Monday, July 14, and the excitement in Young Mosque Committee member Abdullah Sultan’s voice is palpable during this telephone interview.

And with good reason – as after more than 15 months of dedicated construction, Young’s new masjid is nearing completion.

The project has now entered its final stages, with the official opening expected later in the year.

The imposing new structure will replace the smaller mosque located on the same grounds, which has served the community magnificently for a number of years.

However, as the number of Muslims residing in Young ticks towards 1,000 – about a tenth of the town’s total population – this new, larger facility is a necessary step to meet the community’s growing needs.

A major driving force behind the new mosque project, Abdullah Sultan highlighted the transparency and professionalism involved.

“Every dollar donated has been managed carefully, with regular updates shared online so the community can see the progress,” he told AMUST.

“It’s a clear example of how accountability builds trust and if people want to see how community projects should be run, they only need to visit Young.”

Despite the busy construction schedule, Mr Sultan points out that the mosque has maintained its regular programs, “because staying connected is vital.”

“These programs remind us why we’re building this mosque – to support our youth and strengthen community bonds.”

“During April, members of our local community joined the Lebanese Muslim Association on our first umrah trip as a mosque, and it was truly a blessing to have our beloved Sheikh Emad (Young’s Mosque’s resident imam) travelling with us.”

“Also, a big thank you to the LMA’s Hajj Khaled Alameddine who went out of his way to ensure that our travel experience was a memorable one in every way.”

Recently, the Young Mosque launched a broader engagement strategy that has received a lot of positive feedback.

The team now supplies local food banks with groceries and visits the community pantry to provide sanitary and baby items to families in need.

Mr Sultan emphasises these actions reflect the mosque’s role beyond being a place of worship.

“Supporting our neighbours and acts of kindness are fundamental to our faith,” he explained.

“This project is a practical expression of Dawah – showing care and service in our region.”

One of the most ambitious initiatives is the free meal drive.

Funded entirely through local sponsorships and donations, it aims to deliver healthy, professionally prepared meals to towns across the Hilltops region – including Harden, Boorowa and Young.

The goal is to foster connection and show that Muslims care for their neighbours, regardless of faith or background.

Abdul Kader Ghoneim (another Young Mosque Committee member) said, “This initiative is about supporting the community through simple acts of kindness, inspired by the prophetic way of feeding and greeting people, whether they are known to us or are strangers.”

“We hope to establish a community kitchen in the future, but for now, Coffee Mate Café in Young is providing the meals.”

Fundraising for the Mosque project has been swift and successful.

The ‘Buy a Block’ campaign to fund the mosque’s exterior work reached its goal in just five days and similarly, the ‘Buy a M2 of Carpet’ campaign was completed within eight days, thanks to a generous donation from Matar World Travel, which purchased all remaining carpet in one transaction.

(These were preceded by a massive fundraiser in Sydney in July last year.)

Also a board member of the LMA, which owns Young Mosque, Mr Ghoneim describes the community’s response towards fundraising for the new mosque project as inspiring.

“It was heartwarming to see families and children come together to support the project,” he said.

“And the support from local businesses, especially in the final stages, has been extraordinary and shows how much this new mosque means to everyone.”

Oversight of the project has been transparent and professional.

Flashback….Young Mosque and LMA Management discuss the project during its infancy.

Abdullah Sultan commended the LMA’s role, saying, “Every stage of construction has been shared through online videos and updates.”

“The professionalism of Khal Asfour and the entire LMA management team has been vital in maintaining community trust and ensuring quality.”

The project has also attracted plenty of media attention, with SBS Television featuring a story on Young Mosque in March.

The programme highlighted the significance of this project as the largest mosque outside the capital cities in Australia.

LMA officials have praised the Young community’s hard work and initiative continually.

LMA Secretary and spokesman Gamel Kheir described the mosque as “a shining example of what a small rural community can accomplish when they work together to grow Dawah and expand Islamic services.”

While President Hafez Alameddine stated that the volunteers “have set a benchmark for regional Islamic work in Australia.”

For the people of Young, this mosque will be a centre of faith, community service and regional pride.