(Ahlul Bayt News Agency) - Adelaiede's mosques will open their doors to the public for the first time in two family-friendly open days this weekend.
Islamic Society of South Australia treasurer Ahmed Zreika said the open days being coordinated at the Gilles Plains (Abu Bakr Assiddiq ) Mosque and the Park Holme (Omar Bin Alkhatab) Mosque are a fantastic opportunity for the public to socialise with Muslims and ask them questions about their culture, lifestyle and faith.
"This year, we are pleased to welcome the wider Adelaide community to our first official open day," he said.
"We are confident that this initiative will provide the Adelaide community with a greater insight into Islam and contribute towards building a sense of understanding and harmony within the community."
Mr Zreika said it was a great opportunity to show off their new mosques to the public and through guided tours explain the significance of the buildings and the religious practices conducted inside.
The events include a free barbecue, children's entertainment and a free information pack about Islam.
Mr Zreika said the events gave the Islamic community the opportunity to dispel stereotypes.
"We are hoping to build bridges between the Muslim community and non-Muslim community in South Australia because most non-Muslim people have been fed propaganda against Islam and Muslims and so now we are opening our hearts and mosques," he said.
"We are asking people to come inside the mosques and chat with the muslims and you will find that muslim people love Australian people.
"We are human beings and we have a different faith - we respect your faith and we just ask you to respect ours."
There will be question and answer forums with Sheikh Yehya Safi from New South Wales today, and Mufti Ibrahim Abu Muhammad tomorrow.
"We are expecting lots of hard questions and they are willing to answer all questions about anything regarding our religion," Mr Zreika said.
The Gilles Plains mosque on Wandana Ave was open 28 January from 11am-4pm. The Park Holme mosque on Marion Rd is open 29 January from 11am-4pm.
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Islamic Society of South Australia treasurer Ahmed Zreika said the open days being coordinated at the Gilles Plains (Abu Bakr Assiddiq ) Mosque and the Park Holme (Omar Bin Alkhatab) Mosque are a fantastic opportunity for the public to socialise with Muslims and ask them questions about their culture, lifestyle and faith.
"This year, we are pleased to welcome the wider Adelaide community to our first official open day," he said.
"We are confident that this initiative will provide the Adelaide community with a greater insight into Islam and contribute towards building a sense of understanding and harmony within the community."
Mr Zreika said it was a great opportunity to show off their new mosques to the public and through guided tours explain the significance of the buildings and the religious practices conducted inside.
The events include a free barbecue, children's entertainment and a free information pack about Islam.
Mr Zreika said the events gave the Islamic community the opportunity to dispel stereotypes.
"We are hoping to build bridges between the Muslim community and non-Muslim community in South Australia because most non-Muslim people have been fed propaganda against Islam and Muslims and so now we are opening our hearts and mosques," he said.
"We are asking people to come inside the mosques and chat with the muslims and you will find that muslim people love Australian people.
"We are human beings and we have a different faith - we respect your faith and we just ask you to respect ours."
There will be question and answer forums with Sheikh Yehya Safi from New South Wales today, and Mufti Ibrahim Abu Muhammad tomorrow.
"We are expecting lots of hard questions and they are willing to answer all questions about anything regarding our religion," Mr Zreika said.
The Gilles Plains mosque on Wandana Ave was open 28 January from 11am-4pm. The Park Holme mosque on Marion Rd is open 29 January from 11am-4pm.
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