Mosque ready to open

ARARAT’s Islamic Community will soon have a new place to worship with the planned opening of the Ararat Mosque.

The Mosque has been planned for close to a decade but construction was delayed due to COVID and compliance issues.

Ararat Islamic Welfare Association has planned an opening ceremony and celebration for Sunday the 22^nd of December.

It will include an official ceremony at the mosque attended by council officials, members of parliament and community leaders, followed by a celebratory feast at the Alexandra Oval.

The Association’s Manzoor Mian said final signoff hasn’t occurred, but it is getting close.

“We are still waiting for final approval. We are asking him (the inspector) to come back on the 20^th of December and we have arranged a program which we have decided we will run regardless.

“People can come and look at the building on the day and then it will be open for community use in January once one or two issues are completed,” he said.

“We will not use the centre until council approve it,” Mr Mian said.

The opening ceremony will take place at the mosque at 1.30pm on Sunday the 22^nd of December followed by lunch at 2pm at the Alexandra Oval.

Members of the public are welcome to attend both events.