THE Baitul Salam mosque in Langwarrin will host an Australia Day celebration this Sunday, one of its first major events since a shocking break-in last year.
On 21 June last year, the mosque sustained major damage after a break-in. Police later charged eight people in relation to the incident.
On 29 January, hundreds are expected to attend an Australia Day celebration at the Langwarrin mosque. Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria spokesperson Aziz Bhatti said “the Baitul Salam mosque of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community Victoria has been organising Australia Day Dinners since 2008 and it has become our community’s tradition which involves almost every member of the community – be it men, women, children, young and old.”
“This is an event that every member of our community loves to be part of. They put huge efforts to clean the mosque, mow the lawns, decorate the mosque with Australia flags and night lights, set poles to raise Australian flags, and kids prepare the national anthem and songs dedicated to Australia,” he said. “Then there are community awards and also one or two special efforts awards to the local or state organisations who performed excellently during the year. During the 2019 Victorian bushfires this award was given to Victoria Fire Brigade and during the Covid outbreak this award was given to Peninsula Health for their outstanding contributions to the local community. This award includes $5,000 to $10,000 prize money too.”
For inquiries contact ahmadiyya.victoria@gmail.com