The delegation – comprising LMA President Hafez Alameddine, board members, senior management and Lakemba Mosque Imam Sheikh Yahya Safi – spent several hours inspecting the site at 15 The Crossway.

 

The impressive property, situated in a quiet residential enclave close to public transport, schools and parks, consists of two former churches that will soon be transformed into a mosque and vibrant community centre.

 

The purchase reflects the LMA’s long-standing commitment to serving Muslim communities across Australia.

 

The recent acquisitions of former places of worship in both Melbourne and Adelaide to be transformed into mosques represent a significant new chapter in the LMA’s 63-year history and signal the formation of a truly national footprint.

 

Hafez Alameddine told AMUST that the decision to acquire the Strathmore site was driven by local community need.

 

“The reason we bought this mosque is because there are many professionals in the Moonee Valley district who currently have to drive long distances to visit a mosque,” he explained.

 

Emphasising the collaborative nature of the LMA’s expansion, Mr Alameddine noted that his organisation isn’t seeking to compete with any existing mosques in Melbourne.

 

“We certainly aren’t competing with any other mosques….we did a lot of homework and research to ascertain what part of Melbourne required a mosque, and this purchase suits what the LMA wants to do from a national perspective.”

 

The Strathmore development forms part of a broader strategy that has seen Australia’s first non-profit Islamic organisation continue to expand beyond its Sydney base.

 

Founded in 1962, the LMA is the custodian of Lakemba’s iconic Ali Bin Abi Taleb Mosque and also oversees mosques in Cabramatta and Young.

 

Its extensive community programs include (among others) settlement assistance, youth mentoring, aged care, mental health support and its humanitarian initiative, Feed The World.

 

Mr Alameddine said the Melbourne and Adelaide projects demonstrate the LMA’s long-term vision for a cohesive national network.

“Our vision is national and we plan for our expansion to extend to other states, providing religious, youth, health and humanitarian programs similar to those which have been part and parcel of the LMA for more than six decades.”

 

The Strathmore site will undergo a respectful redevelopment process, maintaining the character of the existing buildings while preparing them for their new role as a mosque and community hub.

 

Local community leaders who met with the delegation welcomed the investment and the prospect of expanded services for families, youth and professionals in the Moonee Valley district.

 

Far from resting on its laurels following its new acquisitions, the LMA says its national expansion is only just beginning – promising more announcements in the months ahead.