Founded in 2007, the Australian Muslim Welfare Center (AMWC Centre) in Minto, Sydney, is a Bangladeshi community mosque and Islamic center. It’s a non-profit, independent, registered charitable organization managed by the Bangladeshi Muslim community in southwest Sydney. The AMWC aims to foster community cohesion, cultural exchange, and interfaith dialogue and provides various services to the Bangladeshi and City of Campbelltown communities.
Mission
AMWC aims to foster a strong Australian Muslim culture by establishing a holistic Islamic community hub that facilitates religious, cultural, and social activities for communal engagement and interaction.
Services and Programs
The Australian Muslim Welfare Center offers a range of programs and services, including:
- Religious Services:
- Daily prayers, weekly Jummah service, and annual Eid prayers and congregations.
- Ramadan Iftar programs and Taraweeh prayers.
- Special religious programs, talks, seminars, and discussions.
- Wudhu and women’s prayer facilities.
- Social Services:
- Social and cultural gatherings to foster community connection.
- Hosting religious gatherings, educational seminars, and cultural events.
- Funeral Services:
- Support and assistance with funeral arrangements for the Muslim community.
- Guidance on Islamic funeral practices and weekly empathy services.
- New Muslim Service (Shahada):
- Assistance and welcome for new Muslims embracing Islamic practices.
- Explanation of Islamic history, tradition, and heritage.
- Community Services:
- Community gathering space and hall rentals.
- Fundraising for natural disaster victims (e.g., flood, earthquake).
- Charity collections for impoverished people and wheelchair donations to local hospitals.
- Children’s Program:
- Annual sports, soccer, and volleyball games for physical and mental growth.
- Youth Program:
- Encourages engagement in Islamic values and culture.
- Annual Quran knowledge competition.
- Adult Program:
- Regular lessons on the Arabic language and the Quran.
- Focus on improving knowledge of Islamic beliefs and practices.
- Program for Women:
- Encourages interaction through activities like learning the Quran and Islamic values.
- Provides a regular meeting point for sharing experiences on religious activities and family values.
Madrasa
Tuesday to Friday: 5 pm to 7 pm: Madrasa Classes for children (girls have separate classes).
Thursday: Seerah class from Maghrib to Isha.
Sunday: Arabic courses are available for boys and girls.
Hall Rental
The Australian Muslim Welfare Center provides hall rental services for community events. Under normal circumstances, the hall can accommodate a maximum of 50 people. The rental period is weekdays from 9 am to 10 pm and weekends (Friday and Saturday) from 9 am to 11 pm. The rental rate for non-AMWC members is $75 per hour, while AMWC Life members pay $50 per hour. A minimum booking of two hours is required.
Future Plan
AMWC aims to provide community facilities for Muslim men, women, boys, girls, youth, and elders for sports and recreation. To achieve this, the center applied for $28 million in grants from the NSW Government for the following infrastructure projects:
- Multi-purpose indoor sports center with separate male and female gyms
- Leisure center with indoor swimming pools, spa, and sauna
- Outdoor children’s playground with an undercover BBQ facility
Team:
President: Dr Anisul Afsar
Vice President: Habib Bhuiyan
General Secretary: Sadikur Rahman Khan
Member: Morshed Islam Apple
Member: Sadikur Khan
Member: Atiqur Rahman