Gold Coast Mosque open day a chance for residents to learn about Islam

Hundreds of people attended the Gold Coast Mosque open day and organisers were happy to see the community coming together.

TOLERANCE, support and a strong community — those were the main messages from the open day at the Gold Coast Mosque today.

More than 300 people of all cultures and faiths visited the Arundel mosque, not only to show their support in the wake of the Christchurch attacks, but to learn about the religion.

Imam of Gold Coast Mosque sheik Mohamed Ali Abdalla Abdelkader said the day was chance for the community to come together.

Pictured at the Arundel Mosque open day, L-R sheik Mohamed Ali, Asma Antar and Yusuf Castor. Picture: Mike Batterham.

“We made this day and invited everyone on the Gold Coast to know each other, to respect each other, to understand each other and come closer to each other,” he said.

“We wanted to thank everyone on the Gold Coast for supporting us and helping us especially in those hard days after what happened in New Zealand.”

Mr Abdelkader said he was happy to see so many people attend.

“It’s very important to come together to be one, even as different faiths it’s better to be one,” he said.

Gold Coasters touring the Arundel Mosque. Picture: Mike Batterham

Nisa Johnson showed off the mosque to the scores of visitors who wanted to learn more.

“It took me an hour because people were asking so many questions,” she said.

Oxenford resident Dominique Lummus she wanted to show her support for her neighbours.

Ms Lummus said her experience of living around the world, including 12 years in the Middle East, showed her it was possible for all cultures and faiths to get along.

“Days like this when you’re shown around the mosque and you can ask questions about their beliefs and why they believe what they do you understand a lot more,” she said.

“That can only serve the purpose of making us more united, more understanding and more tolerant of each other and that’s what we need a lot of.”

Pictured at the Arundel Mosque open day Nisa Johnson and Dominique Lummus. Picture: Mike Batterham

Islamic Society of the Gold Coast president Hussin Goss said the mosque had been well supported following the Christchurch attacks.

“The Saturday after the incident 2,000 people came to pray with us,” he said.

“Many people made inquiries after that so we wanted to organise an information day.”