Guest speakers set to attend mosque opening

A WHO’S who of Toowoomba’s religious and political leadership will be present when the city’s first mosque is opened on March 30.

Guest speakers will include Member for Groom Ian Macfarlane, Catholic Bishop of Toowoomba Robert McGuckin, Queensland Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry John McVeigh, president of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils Hafez Kassem, Professor Ken Udas representing USQ vice-chancellor Professor Jan Thomas, and Councillor Ros Scotney representing the Toowoomba Regional Council Mayor Paul Antonio.

The opening will coincide with the inaugural Toowoomba International Food Festival with food from Australia, Bangladesh, Bosnia, Malaysia, Middle East, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan and Turkey on the menu.

Islamic Society of Toowoomba president Professor Shahjahan Khan said he was happy with the support from the local community and expressed his gratitude to Toowoomba residents.

He said a growing and increasingly diverse Toowoomba meant that a local mosque was needed.

“Previously, we had the Islamic Centre at the University of Southern Queensland but that was getting quite crowded and there was a perception that it was exclusive to university students and staff,” he said.

“The new mosque will be open for the entire community; we don’t want anyone to feel left out.

“The opening ceremony is open for all to come along as we want to bring the community together as a statement of living in harmony.

“The mosque will not be some exclusive place only for the Islamic community – everyone is invited to celebrate with us and we’re hoping to use it as a community centre in the future for other events.”

The mosque is located at 217 West St, Harristown.