Al Salam Community Centre

Mrs POWER (Elder) (15:39): I rise today to share with the house the incredible community that has been created and strengthened at the Marion mosque with their recent community centre extension. On Sunday 18 November, I had the pleasure of attending and celebrating the opening of the Al Salam Community Centre, a community centre for peace, with several of my parliamentary colleagues, including the federal member for Boothby, Nicolle Flint, the member for Morphett and the Hon. Jing Lee. Unfortunately, the Premier was unable to make it due to personal reasons but I know he would have been there, if possible, as he was most looking forward to it.

The community centre for peace is a project that was initiated by the Islamic Society of South Australia, a not-for-profit organisation established in 1995 to provide social, educational and spiritual services to the Muslim and wider community. The Islamic Society of South Australia holds a range of special events and opportunities for gathering to encourage interculturalism. It identified the need for a new community centre to be able to expand its facilities at its mosque in Park Holme. Through its mosques, the society works with individuals and families who face a range of issues relating to, for example, family and marital disputes, grief and loss, financial hardship or social isolation.

The new community centre for peace is a multifunctional facility equipped with two function rooms, a commercial kitchen—which is very impressive—meeting rooms, offices and a new car park. The centre will provide a venue for a range of programs and initiatives that encourage and facilitate social connectedness. I have been told that the key objective is to provide a vibrant and accessible gathering place and social hub where people from all walks of life may enjoy and participate in community events.

The community centre for peace has had tremendous input and support from the entire community, with the Muslim community donating $1 million towards the build of this $1.4 million community centre. I would like to acknowledge such generosity, hard work and commitment by all who have been involved in making this dream a reality. In particular, I would like to acknowledge the Imam and President of the Islamic Society of South Australia, Mr Ahmed Zreika, who is also a member of the South Australian Multicultural and Ethnic Affairs Commission, and the previous president, Dr Waleed Al khazrajy. Their vision and commitment is inspiring.

The open day itself was more than just celebrating this incredible achievement and opening of the centre, it was also about opening the doors to the public, promoting social cohesion within communities and clarifying misconceptions. The day included tours, question and answer panels, henna and some delicious food. Peace and tolerance matter to all South Australians, so I wholeheartedly thank our local Muslim community in southern Adelaide for all their efforts on this front and congratulate them today, in particular, on their new community centre for peace.