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The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) is an Australian non-profit welfare Sunni Muslim organisation based in Lakemba, a south-western suburb of Sydney. It is also variously cited as the Lebanese "Moslem", "Moslems" or "Muslims" Association.

The Association was founded in 1962 as a community project aiming to serve the "social, religious, recreational and educational" needs of Sunni Australian Muslims, and to advocate on their behalf in pursuit of these aims.[1][2] The Association also owns and operates Lakemba Mosque, which is situated close to its head office and is the venue for most of its programs and events.[3]

Samier Dandan is the president of the organisation.[4][5]

History

The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) was established in 1962 by a group of Lebanese immigrants, to provide social, religious, educational and recreational services for the Muslim community. The LMA was formally registered as an Australian company limited by guarantee in 1973 and listed as The Lebanese Moslem Association.[6] The entity is registered as a charity, but is not entitled to receive tax deductible gifts.[7]

Between 1972 and 1977, the organisation built the Imam Ali bin Abi Taleb Mosque on Wangee Road in Lakemba. The mosque is more commonly known as Lakemba Mosque. It was the first purpose-built mosque in Sydney.

Mosques

The LMA owns and runs three mosques within New South Wales.

Lakemba Mosque

Lakemba Mosque, also known as Masjid Ali Bin Abi Taleb, was completed in 1977 and was the first purpose-built mosque in Sydney. It is believed to be Australia's largest mosque.[8][9][10][4] The Imam of the mosque is Shaykh Yahya Safi[11][12][13] and the assistant Imam is Shaykh Mohamed Harby. Lakemba Mosque hosts the largest Eid Prayers in Australia, with 40,000 people regularly turning out for the prayers at the mosque.

Othman Bin Affan Mosque

Located in Water Street in Cabramatta, Othman Bin Affan Mosque was opened in 1994. The mosque was formerly a Salvation Army Hall. The Imam of the mosque is Shaykh Ayman Malas.[14] The mosque partook in National Mosque Open Day 2014 and 2015.

Omar ibn al-Khattab Mosque

Situated in the rural NSW town of Young, Omar ibn al-Khattab mosque serves the need of the local Muslim community, estimated at 400 people.[15] The mosque was formerly a movie theatre before being opened as a mosque in 1994.[16]

Mosque Tours

The LMA conducts mosque tours at Lakemba Mosque. Visiting groups consist of schools, university students, Christian groups and other groups of individuals. It is believed the LMA offers the longest ongoing mosque tour in Australia, having delivered free tours to visitors for decades. Each year, thousands of visitors come through the mosque.[17]

Zakat

The LMA collects and distributes Zakat and Sadaqa in accordance with Shariah principles.[18]

Membership

In 2002, the LMA had more than 1100 financial members, with more than 5000 members attending Friday congregational prayers and "over tens of thousands" (members and non-members) using the Association's facilities on festive occasions.[2]

Women's issues

A Women’s Committee has been established to support the needs of women in the community.[19]

Activities

In early 2015 the federal government intended to establish early intervention programs to counter violent extremism, as part of $630 million package. The LMA said they would not participate, with one source saying this is because the funding is "paltry" with a lack of ongoing financial commitment.[20]

The LMA received about $2m in government funds in 2014 and in 2015 it obtained several "community development and participation" grants.[21]

Criticism

In an interview in April 2014 Sheik Taj El-Din Hilaly was critical the LMA, saying they, "don’t seem to have any direction".[22]

See also

References

  1. ^ "About the Lebanese Moslems Association", LMA website. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.
  2. ^ a b Trad, K. "Submission to Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission's National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention", HREOC website. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  3. ^ "History of Lakemba Mosque", LMA website. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.
  4. ^ a b "Between two worlds". 12 April 2013. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  5. ^ "Australians caught in besieged town in Lebanon" (transcript). AM. Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
  6. ^ "The Lebanese Moslem Association". National Names Index. Australian Securities and Investment Commission. Retrieved 3 February 2007.
  7. ^ "The Lebanese Moslem Association". ABN Lookup. Government of Australia. 10 July 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2014.
  8. ^ "Public Welcomed Into Australia's Mosque Open Day". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  9. ^ http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/lakemba-mosque-removes-christmas-fatwa-post-20121223-2btaj.html
  10. ^ "Christmas message written above mosque". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  11. ^ "IslamicMedia Entertainment - Islamic Audio, Video, Lectures, Talks, Khutbahs, Nasheeds, Articles, Books and much more.. - Sheik Yahya Safi - Audio Lectures". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  12. ^ "A walk for peace - The Australian Jewish News". 29 October 2015. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  13. ^ "Sheikh Yahya Safi (L), imam of Lekamba mosque, leads Eid al-Fitr prayer in western Sydney on July 28, 2014". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  14. ^ "Sydney mosques to welcome the wider community on open day". 24 October 2014. Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  15. ^ "Young is the 'Muslim capital' of the outback". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  16. ^ "Young embraces Muslims but issues prevail". Retrieved 11 December 2016.
  17. ^ http://www.lma.org.au/mosque-tours
  18. ^ "Zakah Request". Lebanese Muslim Association. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  19. ^ "Women's Committee". LMA. 2013. Retrieved 16 January 2016.
  20. ^ Snow, Deborah (30 January 2015). "Reaching out to radicals: government needs to build better bridges to counter violent extremism". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 February 2015.
  21. ^ Morton, Rick (22 July 2016). "Federal election 2016: $10m for Islamic guests of Turnbull". The Australian. Retrieved 28 June 2016.
  22. ^ Mullany, Ashlee (26 April 2014). "Sheik Taj El-Din Hamid Hilaly blasts Australian Muslim community and says they are heading in the wrong direction". The Daily Telegraph. Retrieved 1 May 2014.
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