Saarban Islamic Trust is leading the efforts to establish a place of public worship in Queanbeyan. Saarban Islamic Trust proposal to build a Mosque in Queanbeyan has been accepted by the local council and the development application has been approved.

Saarban Islamic Trust is a part of the Islamic Forum for Australian Muslims (IFAM), IFAMACT was founded in 2008 and is a geographical unit of IFAM, responsible for the ACT and Queanbeyan area. The Saarban Islamic Trust has strong local ties and is present throughout NSW. The main objectives are to conduct social and religious activities, with the women and youth as the focus.

The mosque will initially cater to approx 100 people with amenities such as purpose build prayer hall, library, car parking, ablution blocks etc. The council also approved six events per year at mosque where large gathering will be permitted such as Eid congregation prayers, fund raising dinners, etc.

The project was initiated by Islamic Forum for Australian Muslim (IFAM), under Saarban Islamic Trust about three and a half years ago. IFAM is highly active in Queanbeyan and Canberra for last 9 years with a range of activities such as Islamic Play group, Islamic Library, Islamic lectures, Charity Fund raising Dinners, Children School holiday programs, Congregation Prayers, and fortnightly Quranic circles. IFAM ran a successful national-wide fund raising and awareness campaign for the Mosque in Queanbeyan.

IFAM achieved the significant milestone of DA approval after an enduring process and a series of meeting with the councilors, council technical teams, NSW Police and local residents. There was an overwhelming support for the Mosque especially from the non-Muslims in Queanbeyan. After the approval news broke the social media was buzz with following comments:
Steve Coster As the minister at Queanbeyan Uniting Church i very much welcome and celebrate the approval of a mosque here in this community. I look forward to discovering ways we can share together.

Nettie Larcombe-Hartnett Standing tall to say I’m glad they have. It’s a green light for diversity.

Daniel Hughes As Australians we have to stay true to our core values, that includes freedom of religion—for all faiths

Beth Bodiroza Good to see that Queanbeyan embraces the multi cultural diversity that is Australia. Great work!

Steven Curren I’m not a religious person, but I do believe that people can worship any religion or God as they see fit or none at all. I’m happy to support this going ahead.

The approval and community support affirms the fact that Australia is a shining example of a multi-cultural society where all faiths and views are welcomed and coexist in peace and harmony.