About

Brief History

The Islamic Society of Darwin, formerly known as the Islamic Society of the Northern Territory (ISNT), was established in the year 1971, when the dire need for the preservation of the Muslim identity was felt. There was no mosque built yet in Darwin at that time. In February 1978, the ISNT acquired 1.2 acres of land in Wanguri, after a long drawn negotiation with the government. By the grace of Almighty Allah, sufficient funds were collected through various sources, which included generous donations from the Darwin Muslim community, interstate donations and grants from Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, the Department of Immigration, the Islamic Solidarity Fund and the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils, and by using these funds, the Darwin Mosque and Islamic Centre, was constructed on the granted land.

"Whoever builds a mosque, desiring thereby Allah’s pleasure, Allah builds for him the like of it in paradise." (B. 8:65)

In subsequent years, the society grew. It then expanded the mosque, established the Islamic Community Hall and was able to secure a separate section for burial of Muslims at the Thorak cemetery.

Further information regarding the society’s history is available in the book ‘A Brief History of The Islamic Society of Darwin’ by Brother Nur ul Haq, available at the mosque and at Casuarina Library.

Affiliations

Since then, the Muslim Darwin community has become quite large and is still growing. The Islamic Society of Darwin is now a member of the Islamic Council of the Northern Territory (ICNT) which is an umbrella organization for the three Islamic societies in the Northern Territory, the other ones being in Palmerston and Alice Springs. The ICNT in turn is a member of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC), and the Imam is a member of the Australian National Imam Council (ANIC).

Amenities

Ever since its establishment the society has aimed to unite the Muslim community and to strengthen and propagate the fire of faith amongst the Ummah. The Darwin Mosque and Islamic Centre have ample infrastructural facilities such as sufficient parking space, classrooms, a covered verandah, ablution area, a ladies’ prayer hall, children’s play area, lawns and a kitchen.