Focus on the BIG picture.
Tuesday, Apr 08, 2025
Outside the box.
Growing Muslim Community in Young, NSW, Leads to New Mosque Construction
The small rural town of Young, Australia, experiences a significant increase in its Muslim population, prompting the construction of a larger mosque to accommodate worshippers.
In recent years, the rural town of Young in New South Wales has witnessed a substantial influx of Muslim families seeking a different lifestyle away from major cities.
Located over 370 kilometers from Sydney, Young, with a population of approximately 10,000, is renowned for its cherry production and tranquil rural environment.
Families, such as Omar Kowaider and Joanna Bryla, cite the town's slower pace and community spirit as key factors in their decision to relocate.
The cost of living in Young is considerably lower than in Sydney, allowing families to afford larger accommodations and a more sustainable lifestyle.
The roots of the Muslim community in Young extend back to the late 1980s, when the first families settled in the area.
Bassem Ali reflects on his family's journey from Lebanon and the risk they took to establish a farm in Australia.
As a result, Young has developed a diverse cultural fabric, with Arabic being the second most spoken language in the town.
Estimates suggest that one in ten residents identifies as Muslim, underscoring the community's growth.
The existing local mosque, which has served the Muslim population since 1994, is managed by Sydney's Lebanese Muslim Association.
However, as the number of worshippers has increased, the need for a more spacious mosque has become evident.
The celebratory Eid prayers at the end of Ramadan highlighted the limitations of the current facility, which is unable to accommodate the growing number of congregants.
Consequently, plans for a new mosque that will be nearly five times larger have commenced, designed to hold over 1,000 worshippers.
Local leaders have acknowledged the contributions of the Muslim community to the town’s development.
Young's mayor, Brian Ingram, commended the community's efforts in supporting local initiatives and emphasized their integral role in the town's social fabric.
As the new mosque project progresses, community leaders express optimism that the enhanced facility will not only serve the existing population but also attract more families to Young, fostering further growth and connection among residents.
Abdullah Sultan, the head of the mosque committee, articulated the project’s symbol of community expansion and opportunity for future generations.
Community members like Kowaider and Ali resonated with the sentiments of belonging and spiritual fulfillment that rural life in Young provides, reinforcing the emerging identity of this diverse town.
Located over 370 kilometers from Sydney, Young, with a population of approximately 10,000, is renowned for its cherry production and tranquil rural environment.
Families, such as Omar Kowaider and Joanna Bryla, cite the town's slower pace and community spirit as key factors in their decision to relocate.
The cost of living in Young is considerably lower than in Sydney, allowing families to afford larger accommodations and a more sustainable lifestyle.
The roots of the Muslim community in Young extend back to the late 1980s, when the first families settled in the area.
Bassem Ali reflects on his family's journey from Lebanon and the risk they took to establish a farm in Australia.
As a result, Young has developed a diverse cultural fabric, with Arabic being the second most spoken language in the town.
Estimates suggest that one in ten residents identifies as Muslim, underscoring the community's growth.
The existing local mosque, which has served the Muslim population since 1994, is managed by Sydney's Lebanese Muslim Association.
However, as the number of worshippers has increased, the need for a more spacious mosque has become evident.
The celebratory Eid prayers at the end of Ramadan highlighted the limitations of the current facility, which is unable to accommodate the growing number of congregants.
Consequently, plans for a new mosque that will be nearly five times larger have commenced, designed to hold over 1,000 worshippers.
Local leaders have acknowledged the contributions of the Muslim community to the town’s development.
Young's mayor, Brian Ingram, commended the community's efforts in supporting local initiatives and emphasized their integral role in the town's social fabric.
As the new mosque project progresses, community leaders express optimism that the enhanced facility will not only serve the existing population but also attract more families to Young, fostering further growth and connection among residents.
Abdullah Sultan, the head of the mosque committee, articulated the project’s symbol of community expansion and opportunity for future generations.
Community members like Kowaider and Ali resonated with the sentiments of belonging and spiritual fulfillment that rural life in Young provides, reinforcing the emerging identity of this diverse town.
