The Albanian Australian Islamic Society was the first Albanian organisation in the greater city of Melbourne to provide Albanian Muslim families with social, religious and educational services. Along with social functions, meetings and Islamic classes (‘Maytep’) for children, the Society also held the very first official Albanian language classes in Australia. This year, the Albanian Mosque in Carlton turns 50 and celebrates with a street party on Sunday 17th November 2019.
The Albanian Australian Islamic Society was the first Albanian organisation in the greater city of Melbourne to provide Albanian Muslim families with social, religious and educational services. Along with social functions, meetings and Islamic classes (‘Maytep’) for children, the Society also held the very first official Albanian language classes in Australia.
Shortly after its formation, the elected Albanian Australian Islamic Society Board, together with the members of the time, began work on a major project to build Melbourne’s first Mosque. To complete this project, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society transformed a large section of its main building to allow for the construction of the ’Albanian Mosque’. This project was successfully completed and the Albanian Mosque was officially established in 1969.
Over the years, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society underwent other building improvements, such as the Minaret (early 1980s) and the Ablution gazebo, however, in 1998, during the Annual General Meeting (AGM), the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee moved a motion to initiate a major ‘Building and Renovation‘ project to all Albanian Australian Islamic Society facilities and its Albanian Mosque. The main aim of the proposed plan was to restore and beautify the Albanian Australian Islamic Society and its Albanian Mosque, while also accommodate the slight increase in the number of members that joined the Society.
The Albanian Australian Islamic Society ‘Building and Renovation’ project was initiated in 2003, however, due to scale of the works, the project was broken down into four stages. Prior to the commencement of works, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee was required to raise funds for each stage of works from members of the Society. The project was successfully completed in early 2013.
It was during the same year that the Albanian Australian Islamic Society celebrated its 50th Anniversary. To mark this special occasion for the Albanian Muslim community and the broader Australian community, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee organised two separate events in the same year.
Prior to the completion of the Albanian Australian Islamic Society’s ‘Building and Renovation’ project, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee discussed the notion of establishing a ‘Youth Centre‘ to better position the Society in achieving its mission, while also providing new service to Albanian Australian Islamic Society members and their families. Later that year, during the 2012 AGM, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee moved a motion to initiate preliminary steps towards acquiring a Youth Centre. Alhamdulilah (blessings of Allah), through the ongoing support of financial members, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Committee managed to successfully establish the Youth Centre in less than 12 months.
Since the opening of Albanian Australian Islamic Society Youth Centre on 28th December 2013, Albanian Australian Islamic Society financial members and their families regularly frequent the new facility on a weekly basis. Along with sporting facilities and social activities, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society Youth Centre also offers Albanian Australian Islamic Society members Islamic classes and Albanian language classes.
Today, the Albanian Australian Islamic Society continues to serve both the Albanian Muslim community in the greater city of Melbourne as well as interstate. It has also become the largest Albanian Muslim organisation in Australia and it comprises of members from every Albanian ancestral land i.e. Albania, Kosova, Macedonia, Montenegro and Chameria.
Event Details:
Sunday 17th November 2019
Street Festival
11am to 4pm
765 Drummond Street
Carlton North
Free Activities
* Historical Exhibition
* Mosque Tours
* Food Trucks
* Coffee Cart
* Albanian Desserts
* Special Performances
* Henna Art
* Jumping Castle
* Animal Farm
* Face Painting
* Crafts and more!!
* Alcohol Free Event
* Open to the whole community
