Welcome: Church and community leaders join Imam Hysni Merja (front, fourth from right) in the Moslem Mosque in Shepparton for its open day.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Victoria’s oldest mosque has welcomed the broader Goulburn Valley community through its doors for its first ever open day on Sunday, March 5.
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The newly-refurbished Moslem Mosque in Shepparton, also known as the Albanian Mosque, was established by the city’s Albanian community in 1960 and is credited as being the first purpose-built mosque in the state, and some say the second in Australia.
The mosque was taking part in an Islamic Council of Victoria statewide initiative that invites mosques to open their doors to their neighbours, politicians, schools, businesses and other faith groups.
“It's very helpful for the community,” Imam Hysni Merja said.
“We need to know each other and we need to accept each other, but first, we need to know who you are, who I am, face to face, sharing our values.
“Today, actually, we understood that 99 per cent of our values are shared.”
Visitors were taken on a tour of the mosque, told its history and its role for Muslims was explained.
Historic foundations: Albanian Moslem Society Shepparton president Reg Qemal with the original slab laid when the Shepparton Moslem Mosque was built.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Heritage listed: The Moslem Mosque in Shepparton, also known as the Albanian Mosque, was the first purpose-built mosque in Victoria.
Photo by
Rechelle Zammit
Albanian Moslem Society Shepparton president Reg Qemal said efforts to build the mosque began in 1950 with plans to build a community centre and place of worship.
“It’s part of our culture,” Mr Qemal said.
“The Albanian community has been here for over 100 years, and has been a big part of the make-up of Shepparton.
“We’re proud of our culture. We know who we are. We’re Australians, but we know our heritage and we know our culture and it’s something to be proud of.”
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