As Muslims around the globe celebrate the end of Ramadan with the beginning Eid al-Fitr festivities, Young is marking a significant milestone in its cultural evolution. Young, is home to a vibrant Muslim community that has flourished over the past four decades. Following the burst in Muslim population construction has begun of a new mosque which is set to be the largest of its kind outside any Australian capital city.
The celebration of Eid al-Fitr is more than just a religious occasion; it’s a moment to reflect on the strong sense of community that has shaped their lives. On this special day, hundreds gather in the local mosque to mark the end of Ramadan with prayers, and the sense of unity is palpable.
Emad Hamdy, the Imam of Young’s mosque, is proud of the diversity within the congregation. “We are seeing a growing number of people from different backgrounds, all united in their faith,” he says.
For Omar Kowaider and Joanna Bryla, who moved to Young from Sydney three years ago, Eid al-Fitr is a time to reconnect with tradition. Joanna recalls the lack of community she felt in the city, saying, “There was no sense of camaraderie. Young offered us the chance to escape that and find peace in the open spaces and stronger connections to faith.”
Omar shares her sentiments, adding, “Rural communities like Young bring out the best in you. It helps you reflect and deepen your faith.”
Young’s Muslim community, primarily made up of families from Lebanon, has grown significantly in recent years. While many new arrivals settled in the town within the last five years, the first Muslim families arrived in the late 1980s, drawn by the promise of a peaceful farming life that mirrored their ancestral roots in northern Lebanon.
Bassem Ali, a local resident, traces his family’s roots in Young back to those early settlers. His parents and uncles, often referred to as the “Muslim forefathers” of the town, moved to the area seeking a farming lifestyle. “My mum and dad came from farming backgrounds, so it was natural for them to settle on farms here,” Bassem explains.
Today, Arabic is the second most spoken language in Young, and an estimated one in ten residents are Muslim. The town’s Muslim community is deeply embedded in local life, with many contributing generously to the area’s growth.
In response to the community’s growth, construction began last year on a new mosque that will be nearly five times larger than the current space. When completed, it will accommodate more than 1,000 people, providing a central place of worship and reflection for generations to come.
Abdullah Sultan, (pictured above) Head of the Young Mosque Committee, views the new mosque as a symbol of the community’s continued growth. “This mosque will only serve as a place of worship but will also attract more people to our town and create opportunities for our children,” he said.
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