Marree Mosque, First mosque in Marree, South Australia
Marree Mosque is a religious building in South Australia built from clay bricks with a thatched roof held up by wooden posts. The interior contains an open prayer area where worshippers gathered to pray.
The building was constructed in 1882 by Muslim camel drivers from British India and the Middle East as a place of prayer for the local Islamic community. As this community declined during the 1930s, the mosque lost its role in religious life.
The mosque stands as a reminder of the South Asian and Middle Eastern communities who made Marree their home and brought their faith to the outback. Its presence shows how different peoples built lives together in this remote corner of Australia.
The building sits where the Birdsville and Oodnadatta Tracks meet and remains open to visitors throughout the year. Its location in a remote area means you should plan ahead to reach it.
A washing pool once sat in front of the building where worshippers cleaned their feet before prayer. This ritual practice was an important part of preparing for prayer according to Islamic tradition.
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