The Ahmadiyya Muslim community will brave the heat to hold nationwide Australia Day celebrations

The Ahmadiyya Muslim community has said they brave the heat to hold Australia Day ceremonies at all their mosques across the country.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim community in Sydney celebrating Australia Day in 2024 with a barbecue.

Australia’s Ahmadiyya Muslim community has vowed to celebrate Australia Day proudly at its mosques as a moment for the community and all Australians to come together.

During events nationwide the Ahmadiyya Muslim community will hoist the Australian flag, hold performances of the national anthem by their children, host speeches from dignitaries to give thanks and enjoy free barbecues.

The community also will offer prayers for the prosperity of Australia.

Despite 35C on January 26 in Sydney in 2024 – and some local councils citing heat for shunning Australia Day events – the group still came out en masse, donning Australian flag-covered hats for a day of celebration.

Members of the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community celebrating Australia Day in Sydney last year.

The community’s national president, Imam IH Kauser, said: “We, the Ahmadiyya Muslim community, always pray for the progress and development of our homeland, Australia. In keeping with our traditions, we will celebrate Australia Day at all mosques across the country.

“We stand shoulder-to-shoulder with our nation, government and fellow citizens because our religion teaches us that love for one’s country of residence is a part of faith.”

Tariq Butt, the external affairs co-ordinator from the group’s Melbourne community in Langwarrin, and Imam Imtiaz Naveed told The Australian the event showed their support for the country and community.

“I think Australia Day is very important for our community because we love to celebrate where we are living in and the country that has given so much to us. And it’s our main thing, is freedom of religion and peace,” Dr Butt said.

Tariq Butt and Imam Imtiaz Naveed from Melbourne's Ahmadiyya Muslim Community say they will honour Australia with an Australia Day celebration. Picture: Brendan Kearns

“If some country is the country is giving us freedom of religion, peace to live in and a very friendly neighbourhood, all of that multicultural diversity and inclusion, we should be celebrating that, so that is why we want to be more part of the country as a law-abiding citizen and whatever the country stands for. We should honour that.”

He said his community came from diverse backgrounds and this kind of event united all the different communities and saw them all celebrate as Australians.

This is an annual event that they have been hosting for more than a decade, with a bigger celebration inviting politicians and dignitaries held the week after January 26. Dr Butt said. “We will be hosting Australia Day with a barbecue and flag hosting and a week after that we are celebrating Australia Day by inviting all the neighbours, politicians, multicultural group leaders. So it will be a huge dinner in this place.”

Dr Butt and Imam Naveed said the community also would hold an interfaith Ramadan event in 2025 designed to bring the Australian community together and develop a greater understanding of the holy month of fasting.