Mosque proposed for Bell Park to accommodate growing Muslim population in Geelong

A second mosque is being proposed for Geelong, as local Muslims face cramped prayer sessions.

A planning permit application for a proposed Mosque in Bell Park has been advertised on Council's website.

The Geelong Islamic Community Centre is hoping to turn soccer club rooms into a second mosque to accommodate the growing Muslim population in the region.

Geelong Islamic Community Centre president Ahmed Elzahbi said an extra mosque would be a “big bonus for the Muslim community in Geelong”.

Plans have been lodged with the City of Greater Geelong to turn a single-storey brick building at 24-26 Almana St, Bell Park, which has been used as Corio Soccer Club rooms, into a $25,000 place of assembly.

Documents lodged as part of the proposal say this would address the growing needs of the local Muslim community by providing a dedicated space for worship, education, and community engagement.

Geelong currently only has one multicultural mosque, located in Manifold Heights, which has been operating since 1993 and is the only mosque between Werribee and Warrnambool.

It was gutted by a deliberately-lit fire in 2016, before being restored and reopening in 2018.

Mr Elzahbi said the large number of Muslims in the region stopping by the mosque and going to prayer resulted in a crammed prayer sessions.

Mr Elzahbi said a second mosque would mean people would not have to squash into the one space.

The Manifold Heights mosque is currently holding two sessions on Wednesdays due to the high number of people attending.

Imam Mohammad Ramzan from Geelong mosque, Picture: Aaron Francis/The Australian

Mohammad Ramzan has served as the Imam for the Geelong Islamic community for the past 12 years.

In a letter to council, he said the Geelong Islamic community has played a crucial role in fostering a sense of community, spiritual growth and social cohesion among diverse communities.

Stylobate Architecture P/L is preparing the application on behalf of the Geelong Islamic Community Centre and said the Muslim community in Geelong has been steadily growing in recent years.

According to the application, the current facilities available to accommodate the needs of this community were limited and did not adequately cater to the demand for religious and cultural activities.

“The primary purpose of the proposed Geelong Islamic Community Centre is to create a welcoming and inclusive space where members of the Muslim community can come together to practise their faith, engage in educational programs, and participate in religious activities,” the documents read.

By repurposing this space, the community centre aims to create a multifunctional area that can accommodate a variety of activities, including community gatherings, meetings, Friday prayers, and small-scale events.

The Geelong Islamic Community Centre has commenced a fundraising drive to raise money for a new mosque.

The plans will be open for public comment on council’s website until April 24.

Originally published as Mosque proposed for Bell Park to accommodate growing Muslim population in Geelong