Toowoomba prepares for the eighth Mosque Open Day and food fest

Faith, food and friendship: See the latest progress pictures of Toowoomba’s beautiful mosque ahead of this year’s open day and international food festival.

FOOD, FAITH, FUN: Professor Dr Khan is excited for the community to see all the progress on the new Mosque at this year's Garden City Mosque Open Day and Toowoomba International Food Festival. Pictures: Kate McCormack

Professor Dr Shahjahan Khan and the Islamic Society of Toowoomba have been hard at work preparing for the eighth annual Garden City Mosque Open day and International Food Festival.

This year’s event has plenty to celebrate with work on the new mosque progressing in the past several months and the interiors now close to completion.

The Mosque has steadily been rebuilt bit by bit over the years after the original was destroyed in a horrific fire in 2015.

Dr Khan is excited for the community to see all the progress on the new Mosque at this year's Garden City Mosque Open Day and Toowoomba International Food Festival.

Dr Khan said the Islamic community were working hard to ensure the new facility was as environmentally conscious as possible with plenty of solar panels and an in ground water tank.

“At this rate the new Mosque should be ready to use in about a year,” he said.

“We’re very excited for the Toowoomba community to see all the progress made at this year’s open day and food festival.”

Dr Khan said he’s lived in Toowoomba for nearly 30 year and admitted a great deal had changed.

“Thanks to the wonderful leaders the city has had, Toowoomba has definitely become a much more multiculturally accepting place,” he said.

“It’s become a lot more diverse and much more tolerant of other religions, cultures, foods and backgrounds which is wonderful.”

Dr Khan is excited for this year's Garden City Mosque Day and Toowoomba International Food Festival.

This year’s Mosque Open Day will welcome several special guests including Toowoomba mayor Paul Antonio, Groom MP Garth Hamilton and state MP for Toowoomba South David Janetzki.

“The last several open days have seen thousands of people through our gates, coming together for faith, friendship and food with plenty of games and fun for the children and special ladies activities too,” Dr Khan said.

“Everyone is welcome and entry is free so come along and have a wonderful, cultural day.”

The Garden City Mosque Open Day and Toowoomba international Food festival is taking place at 217 West Street Harristown from 10.30am-3.30pm on Saturday, July 31.