Albanian Mosque - Xhami shqiptare
History
The Albanian Muslim community formed the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) in 1963. It opened the first Mosque in Melbourne in 1969. The Albanian Muslim community formed the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) in 1963. The original Carlton house dwelling was used as a place of worship from 1963 to 1969. Major construction works began and our Society opened the first Mosque in Melbourne in 1969. This became a place for Albanian Muslims to express their religious practices, provide a sense of community and unification as well as providing educational events such as Islamic and Albanian classes. A legacy that started over 50 years ago, continues to run until the present day.
Urban and Architectural
The mosque is located in a vibrant residential neighbourhood close to the University of Melbourne, precisely in North Carlton. Its architecture reflects Ottoman mosque architecture which prospered in Albania. The Albanian Mosque at 765-769 Drummond Street, Carlton North was created in c1967 for the Albanian Australian Islamic Society and has many historical associations for the worshippers there over time. The place has a good integrity to its creation date.
Fabric from the creation date at the Albanian Mosque is locally significant within the City of Yarra, compared to other similar places from a similar era. The building contains a minaret, and community facilities. Associated with the Albanian Australian community, the mosque is owned by and the centre of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) of Victoria, whose membership numbers some 1000 people. Built in the late 1960s, the mosque is the oldest in Melbourne and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
The initial design of the mosque building was square with brownish bricks. Construction began in 1967 and finished in 1969. In 1994, a minaret was added after approval granted by the High Court of Australia.
Description
The Albanian Mosque now hosts a permanent history display in the Multi-Purpose Room which summarises the people who shaped our community, our leaders, events and a timeline of our history. Today, the AAIS continues to serve both the Albanian Muslim community and the broader Muslim community of Melbourne. It is the largest Albanian Muslim organisation in Australia with nearly 1000 financial member families. The Executive Committee Board is the governing body of the AAIS, comprised of thirteen elected voluntary financial members. The AAIS also has an active Women’s Committee and Youth Group.
Details
Location
765 Drummond Street, North Carlton, Carlton North Victoria 3054
Worshippers
200
Owners
Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS)
Year of Build
1969
Area
453.58 m²
Drawings
Map
History
The Albanian Muslim community formed the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) in 1963. It opened the first Mosque in Melbourne in 1969. The Albanian Muslim community formed the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) in 1963. The original Carlton house dwelling was used as a place of worship from 1963 to 1969. Major construction works began and our Society opened the first Mosque in Melbourne in 1969. This became a place for Albanian Muslims to express their religious practices, provide a sense of community and unification as well as providing educational events such as Islamic and Albanian classes. A legacy that started over 50 years ago, continues to run until the present day.
Urban and Architectural
The mosque is located in a vibrant residential neighbourhood close to the University of Melbourne, precisely in North Carlton. Its architecture reflects Ottoman mosque architecture which prospered in Albania. The Albanian Mosque at 765-769 Drummond Street, Carlton North was created in c1967 for the Albanian Australian Islamic Society and has many historical associations for the worshippers there over time. The place has a good integrity to its creation date.
Fabric from the creation date at the Albanian Mosque is locally significant within the City of Yarra, compared to other similar places from a similar era. The building contains a minaret, and community facilities. Associated with the Albanian Australian community, the mosque is owned by and the centre of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society (AAIS) of Victoria, whose membership numbers some 1000 people. Built in the late 1960s, the mosque is the oldest in Melbourne and listed on the Victorian Heritage Register.
The initial design of the mosque building was square with brownish bricks. Construction began in 1967 and finished in 1969. In 1994, a minaret was added after approval granted by the High Court of Australia.
Description
The Albanian Mosque now hosts a permanent history display in the Multi-Purpose Room which summarises the people who shaped our community, our leaders, events and a timeline of our history. Today, the AAIS continues to serve both the Albanian Muslim community and the broader Muslim community of Melbourne. It is the largest Albanian Muslim organisation in Australia with nearly 1000 financial member families. The Executive Committee Board is the governing body of the AAIS, comprised of thirteen elected voluntary financial members. The AAIS also has an active Women’s Committee and Youth Group.