Canberra Mosque
History
The idea of establishing a mosque in Canberra was initiated in the late 1950s by the then Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Dr A Y Helmi, who discussed the potential project with Sir Gordon Freeth, the then Australian Federal Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works. Dr Helmi also sought support for the idea and financial contribution towards the project from three Muslim governments which had representations in Canberra. The ceremony for the official laying down of the foundation stone for the Canberra Mosque on 26 January 1960 was conducted by Dr A Y Helmi, witnessed by Canberra Muslims and guests. Malaya was represented by the Acting High Commissioner, Mr Harun bin Ibrahim, and Pakistan by the Acting High Commissioner, Mr Ihsanullah Khan.
When the Canberra Mosque opened its doors, Haji Soetan Masjhoerdin, a staff member at the Indonesian Embassy, was appointed the first Imam and care-taker of the Canberra Mosque. He led congregational prayers, including Friday prayers, and officiated all Muslim ceremonies. He was also appointed by the Australian Government as an authorised Muslim marriage celebrant for the ACT. The current Imam is Mohammed Swaiti. He has been performing this function since the mid 1990s with the support of CMI and the local Muslim community. The Canberra Mosque is the second oldest continuously used mosque in Australia. The first mosque in Australia was built in 1861 at Marree in South Australia by the descendants of the Afghan cameleers. surrounding region.
From around 30 or so Muslim families residing in Canberra in the early 1970s, the Muslim population in Canberra and its surrounding region has now grown to around 8,000 persons. In the past Eids (major annual Muslim celebrations) the Eid congregational prayers were held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) where around 3,000 to 4,000 persons from all over Canberra region participated.
Urban and Architectural
Generally, the developments/renovations
of the Canberra Mosque have been
initiated since 1982 by the CMI and
ISACT. The minor works continued for
many years until the early 1990s when
major construction occurred with the
construction of a mezzanine level for
ladies, additional prayer facilities,
classrooms, a kitchen and separate
ablution blocks for males and females,
paving and shade for the front courtyard.
Around $150,000 had been spent for
these construction works which were
financed through individual donations
and contributions from Muslim
Diplomatic Missions located in Canberra. Composed of three main blocks, Canberra Mosque is a modern building designed by architect G Block. The main volume has a tent-like structure and an ottoman style minaret.
Description
Canberra Mosque, designed in Melbourne, was built in 1960 for £18,000 provided jointly by the three
governments through their diplomatic missions in Canberra – the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia,
the High Commission of Malaya (before the formation of Malaysia) and the High Commission of Pakistan
- on a block of land located at Block I, Section 22, Yarralumla, ACT. The land was a perpetual grant by
the Commonwealth Government at one shilling per annum rental. These three Missions, later became
the founding members of the Canberra Mosque Incorporated (CMI). It is a place for worship but also serves as an Islamic centre for the religious education, social and cultural activities of the local Muslims in the ACT.
Details
Location
125 Empire Circuit Canberra, ACT, Australia 2600
Worshippers
400
Owners
Governments: Malaysia, Indonesia, and Pakistan
Year of Build
1990
Area
1,076.69 m²
Drawings
Map
History
The idea of establishing a mosque in Canberra was initiated in the late 1950s by the then Indonesian Ambassador to Australia, Dr A Y Helmi, who discussed the potential project with Sir Gordon Freeth, the then Australian Federal Minister for the Interior and Minister for Works. Dr Helmi also sought support for the idea and financial contribution towards the project from three Muslim governments which had representations in Canberra. The ceremony for the official laying down of the foundation stone for the Canberra Mosque on 26 January 1960 was conducted by Dr A Y Helmi, witnessed by Canberra Muslims and guests. Malaya was represented by the Acting High Commissioner, Mr Harun bin Ibrahim, and Pakistan by the Acting High Commissioner, Mr Ihsanullah Khan.
When the Canberra Mosque opened its doors, Haji Soetan Masjhoerdin, a staff member at the Indonesian Embassy, was appointed the first Imam and care-taker of the Canberra Mosque. He led congregational prayers, including Friday prayers, and officiated all Muslim ceremonies. He was also appointed by the Australian Government as an authorised Muslim marriage celebrant for the ACT. The current Imam is Mohammed Swaiti. He has been performing this function since the mid 1990s with the support of CMI and the local Muslim community. The Canberra Mosque is the second oldest continuously used mosque in Australia. The first mosque in Australia was built in 1861 at Marree in South Australia by the descendants of the Afghan cameleers. surrounding region.
From around 30 or so Muslim families residing in Canberra in the early 1970s, the Muslim population in Canberra and its surrounding region has now grown to around 8,000 persons. In the past Eids (major annual Muslim celebrations) the Eid congregational prayers were held at the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS) where around 3,000 to 4,000 persons from all over Canberra region participated.
Urban and Architectural
Generally, the developments/renovations
of the Canberra Mosque have been
initiated since 1982 by the CMI and
ISACT. The minor works continued for
many years until the early 1990s when
major construction occurred with the
construction of a mezzanine level for
ladies, additional prayer facilities,
classrooms, a kitchen and separate
ablution blocks for males and females,
paving and shade for the front courtyard.
Around $150,000 had been spent for
these construction works which were
financed through individual donations
and contributions from Muslim
Diplomatic Missions located in Canberra. Composed of three main blocks, Canberra Mosque is a modern building designed by architect G Block. The main volume has a tent-like structure and an ottoman style minaret.
Description
Canberra Mosque, designed in Melbourne, was built in 1960 for £18,000 provided jointly by the three
governments through their diplomatic missions in Canberra – the Embassy of the Republic of Indonesia,
the High Commission of Malaya (before the formation of Malaysia) and the High Commission of Pakistan
- on a block of land located at Block I, Section 22, Yarralumla, ACT. The land was a perpetual grant by
the Commonwealth Government at one shilling per annum rental. These three Missions, later became
the founding members of the Canberra Mosque Incorporated (CMI). It is a place for worship but also serves as an Islamic centre for the religious education, social and cultural activities of the local Muslims in the ACT.