Islamic Society of South Australia

The Hon. J.S. LEE (16:52): I move:

That this council—

1. Congratulates the Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA) on reaching the remarkable milestone of its 70^th anniversary in 2025 and recognises its significance as the oldest registered Islamic organisation in Australia;

2. Acknowledges the founding members, current and past presidents, board members and imams, as well as staff, volunteers and community supporters for their dedication and service to South Australia's diverse Muslim community across six mosques in metropolitan Adelaide and regional South Australia;

3. Recognises that since its establishment in 1955, ISSA has played a vital role in supporting the spiritual, cultural and social needs of South Australia's Muslim community, providing educational and community services and actively empowering young Muslims to become future leaders;

4. Commends ISSA for its enduring commitment to fostering inclusion, mutual respect and civic participation, including through interfaith dialogue, advocacy, community outreach and charitable initiatives; and

5. Celebrates ISSA's legacy and significant contributions to enhancing multiculturalism in our state and its ongoing efforts to support Australian Muslim community members to actively contribute to the economic, political, social and cultural life of South Australia.

It is a great honour to rise today to acknowledge the truly remarkable milestone and congratulate the Islamic Society of South Australia on celebrating its 70^th anniversary in 2025. Established in 1955, the Islamic Society of South Australia holds the distinction of being the oldest registered Islamic organisation in Australia. For seven decades, the Islamic Society has stood as a pillar of faith, service and unity, supporting generations of South Australian Muslims and contributing meaningfully to the social fabric of our state.

This milestone is not only a celebration of longevity but a testament to the enduring values of compassion, inclusion and civic engagement the society has championed since its inception. It is only fitting that we honour the society and reflect on the extraordinary legacy of this organisation and the people who have shaped it. I would like to firstly acknowledge the exceptional leadership of Mr Ahmed Zreika, who has served as President of the Islamic Society since 2015. Ahmed is a distinguished and highly respected leader within the South Australian Muslim community and has been deeply engaged in community building for more than a decade.

It is his credibility, integrity and strong connection with the Muslim community that informed the former Marshall Liberal government to appoint Mr Ahmed Zreika to serve on the South Australian Multicultural Commission in 2018. It was truly a privilege to work closely with Ahmed and other commission members to drive key initiatives for multicultural development in our state.

During the time between 2018 to 2022, we have seen some reforms undertaken, including the development of the landmark South Australian Multicultural Commission Act, which included enshrining in legislation interculturalism for the first time in Australia. The commission also did the foundation work for the South Australian Multicultural Charter, which later was adopted by the current government. Ahmed was certainly an integral part of the significant reforms and development.

Under Ahmed's visionary leadership, the Islamic Society has flourished and focused on community development through the establishment of a number of programs and activities for Muslim women, youth, elderly and vulnerable community members. He has driven many initiatives to engage and empower members of South Australia's diverse Muslim community, to build on the legacy of community service that has always been at the heart of the Islamic Society's mission.

I wish to take this opportunity to acknowledge and commend the pioneering founding members who first came together in 1952 to serve the spiritual and social needs of Adelaide's Muslim community. At that time, the White Australia policy was still deeply entrenched in our nation's politics, and forming a group to support Muslim Australians was a courageous step that marked a new chapter in our state's multicultural history.

In 1955, the Islamic Society was officially incorporated, marking the country's first registered, first recognised Islamic association. Thanks to the leadership and service of the past presidents, board members, imams, staff and countless volunteers and community supporters over the past seven decades, the Islamic Society has continued to grow and thrive. In 1975, the Whyalla Mosque was opened and in 1978 the society acquired a property on Marion Rd at Park Holme, which now houses the iconic Marion Mosque, Al Salam Community Centre, and the head office of the Islamic Society.

Today, the Islamic Society manages six mosques across Adelaide and regional South Australia, reaching as far as Mount Gambier and Murray Bridge. There are also a number of exciting projects on the horizon, with plans to renovate and expand the Elizabeth Mosque, the much-anticipated expansion of the Al Salam Community Centre at Marion, and planning approval secured for a new mosque in Smithfield.

As part of their spiritual and religious service, the Islamic Society established a Muslim burial section at Smithfield Memorial Park in 2023, securing 1,000 burial sites in that agreement with Adelaide Cemeteries. The new mosque will be co-located to ensure the growing Muslim community can continue to follow Islamic burial traditions and that grieving families can be supported in a culturally sensitive way.

These places of worship are more than spiritual sanctuaries, they are also vibrant community hubs that foster connection, education and belonging. Through its educational programs, youth leadership initiatives and community services, the Islamic Society has empowered young Muslims to become confident, engaged citizens and future leaders of our state.

The Al Farooq Arabic School was first established in 1996 to provide cultural and language education for the community and was renamed the Al Salam Academy of Adelaide in 2017. The school now has five campuses across Adelaide and an online education platform. Talking about online education, I remember during the time of the pandemic the Islamic Society actually created an innovative way for the imam to deliver services via Al Salam TV. I also connected them to SA Health to provide health advice in terms of protocol for the Muslim community in South Australia. Outreach programs for the community is certainly something that the Islamic Society has always believed in.

The society has partnered with organisations such as Power Community Limited to engage young Muslim South Australians in the Power Intercultural Program, worked with South Australian universities to provide opportunities for students to complete workplace experience, and established an intensive youth program to help develop resilience and capacity through mentoring and leadership programs.

The society's commitment to interfaith dialogue and mutual respect has helped build bridges across communities and foster understanding in an increasingly diverse society. Its outreach and charitable initiatives reflect the values of generosity and compassion that lie at the heart of Islamic teachings and resonate deeply with the Australian community spirit.

In 2012, the Islamic Society established South Australia's first mosque open day, welcoming thousands of community members over the years since to learn about the Islamic faith and to foster intercultural understanding and respect. The annual Al Salam Festival, also known as the Ramadan Carnival, was first established in 2019 under the Marshall Liberal government at the time, and I certainly worked really closely with the young leaders to shape the initiative. It has become an annual event that brings joy to the whole community, coming together after sundown to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan, break their fast together with delicious food, and enjoy a night of festivities and entertainment.

It has been a privilege to get to know the community so well over the years through my ongoing engagement in multicultural affairs. It was a true honour to attend the society's 70^th anniversary celebration on 27 September 2025, joined by many community leaders, dignitaries and parliamentary colleagues.

When I looked through the photograph display on the night, I saw pictures of me at the opening of the Al Salam Community Centre. I saw photos of former Premier Marshall and I at the Wandana opening day and also at the Ramadan festival. Overall, the night was a wonderful celebration, reflecting on the achievements and contributions the Islamic Society has made to enrich our proud multicultural community through seven decades of tireless effort and selfless service.

A highlight of the evening was a brilliant documentary that captured the long history of the Muslim community in South Australia, from the early contributions of the Afghan cameleers who made the exploration and settlement of the outback possible, to the inspiring vision and aspirations for the future of the growing community. I encourage all honourable members to watch the documentary, as it honours the enduring faith, resilience and unity that continue to shape the Muslim community in South Australia.

As we celebrate this milestone 70^th anniversary and reflect on the history and legacy of the Islamic Society of South Australia, we are reminded of what strong leadership, vision, determination and community spirit can achieve. Community service has been a recurring theme in this speech, and rightly so. It is a value that truly does lie at the heart of the Muslim community and the Islamic Society.

I wish to once again thank Mr Ahmed Zreika and his incredible team, the imam's volunteers and supporters, for their commitment to serving the South Australian Muslim community, and I commend all those who have played an invaluable role in building and maintaining the legacy of this remarkable organisation. Congratulations once again on the 70^th anniversary. I wish the Islamic Society the very best in years to come, with more success, peace and prosperity, serving the community. With those remarks, I wholeheartedly commend the motion to the chamber.

Debate adjourned on motion of Hon. I.K. Hunter.