BIC Open Day: 1200 Visitors witness early stages of construction

Dr Mustafa Ally OAM

The new Brisbane Islamic Centre (BIC), under development, hosted an Open Day on Sunday 9 April, that drew in over 1200 visitors throughout the day. The event was a unique and historic opportunity for members of the public to see the early stages of the construction of the foundations of the community hall and underground car park.

BIC will become a significant place of worship for the Muslim community in Brisbane. It has also been designed to serve the growing needs of the community and provide a hub for events and activities.

One of the more notable visitors was Mr Yusuf Limbada whose family were very supportive of the project from its inception.

“This is a very well-researched and thoughtfully and exquisitely planned complex, tailored for our community’s short term and long-term needs,” Mr Limbada said.

At the end of the tour he further added, “I want to congratulate the BIC team. This ambitious project is on its way to fruition. I can’t wait to see the progress during the rest of the journey, Insha’ Allah, until its completion.”

Visitors were led on a guided tour of the construction site, where they could see the progress of the construction work.

The first stop was the community hall, where the attendees could see the foundations being laid for the future structure.

The six key facilities of the project were marked by stations with volunteers providing details on what structures would be coming up and where they would be in relation to the rest of the development.

They were also given a sneak peak of the architectural design and virtual presentations of the Mosque that is soon to be started on, and which promises to reflect the vibrancy of the Muslim community.

They were shown the designs of flexible spaces that will accommodate a range of activities and events beyond prayer, such as community gatherings, educational programs and social events in the auditorium, gyms for males and females, and community halls. In particular, the 200, 000 litre capacity rainwater tank installed for the purpose of irrigating the gardens and washing the buildings, caught the imagination of many.

Throughout the tour, the visitors could ask questions and interact with the volunteers who were well-briefed on aspects of the undertaking. They were left in awe of the level of detail and care that was being put into the project, not least of all its size, scale and ambitiousness, and were excited about the prospect of using the new facilities.

Visiting the 10-acre site using the transport provided was the highlight for some of the attendees. One such visitor, Nazira, described the Centre as a holistic development which, for her, has “catered for all aspects for an Islamic way of life”.

She also remarked, “It’s impressive that from the sisters’ car park the lift will go straight up to the women’s section.”

The Open Day event was a resounding success, with attendees expressing their appreciation for the opportunity to see the progress of the construction work and to learn more about the building project. It was also a great opportunity for the Muslim community to see at first hand the enormity of the task undertaken thus far by the BIC committee.

Hishaam, on Facebook, posted that it was a,”(v)ery well organised and informative day out with the family. Really enjoyed the impressive tour of such a massive site and project. The buses and tour guides (were) ef- ficient and family activities made it enjoyable for the whole family.”

Best wishes to everyone celebrating the blessings of Eid. Wishing you, your family and friends peace, and happiness.

BIC Secretary, Mr Imraan Price, said that the Open Day showcased the Brisbane Islamic Centre’s commitment to serving the needs of the community and their investment in creating state-of-the-art facilities.

“The new Mosque, community hall, and facilities will play a crucial role in accommodating the growing needs of the Muslim community in Brisbane,” Mr Price said.

Mr Faisal Hatia, the President of the Centre, expressed his gratitude for the support and participation of the community in the Open Day and the project itself, particularly during the fasting month of Ramadan.

The event was a testament to the Brisbane Islamic Centre’s commitment to serving the community and investing in its future.

BIC vice president, Dr Iqbal Sultan, facilitates discussion with Open Day visitors.

Dr Mustafa Ally OAM is the co-founder and Chair of Australian Muslim Advocacy Network (AMAN) , foundation member of Queensland Muslim Inc. (QMI), and founder and former Editor-in-Chief of Crescents Community News (CCN).