South Australia’s Labor government has given a Muslim group $2 million in taxpayer funds to expand an Adelaide mosque’s community centre.
The Islamic Society of South Australia (ISSA) announced on Friday it had secured the grant, provided by the state’s Multicultural Community Fund, for the expansion of the Al Salam Centre, which is part of the Marion Mosque in Park Holme.
Minister for Multicultural Affairs Nadia Clancy presented the Muslim group with the funding alongside local Labor MPs Sarah Andrews and Toby Priest this week, and all three posed for a photo in front of the mosque with an ISSA representative.
“Strong communities are built when everyone has the space to come together, connect and belong,” Ms Clancy said.
“Places like the Al Salam Centre play an important role in bringing people together, supporting families and fostering understanding across cultures and faiths.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government is proud to back projects that strengthen social cohesion and help our multicultural communities thrive.”
The ISSA said the grant would take care of about 50% of the costs of the project, which will double the capacity of the existing centre and provide “significantly more space for educational programs, community events, youth activities, women’s programs, wellbeing initiatives, and multicultural engagement”.
“The expansion will provide increased opportunities for women and young people to participate, connect, and lead, additional spaces for educational, social, and community activities, enhanced facilities to support families and community organisations, and greater capacity to serve the wider South Australian community and strengthen social cohesion,” the ISSA said.
“ISSA extends its sincere gratitude to the South Australian Government, particularly Minister for Multicultural Affairs Nadia Clancy MP and the Department of the Premier and Cabinet, for their support and confidence in this vision.”
Architectural drawings shared by the ISSA show the extension will include a new function room, new female toilets, and two new private activity rooms spread over 547sqm.
Header image: Left, the Labor MPs presenting the grant. Right, the grant certificate (ISSA).
