Al-Zahra Mosque, Shia mosque in Arncliffe, Sydney, Australia
Al-Zahra Mosque in Arncliffe is a house of prayer featuring Iranian architectural elements, marked by a central dome and a single minaret rising above the neighborhood. The building provides separate prayer spaces for men and women along with areas for community activities.
The building was constructed in 1980 and was Australia's first Shia mosque built as a dedicated structure. Since then it has grown into one of the country's largest Islamic institutions and shaped the history of Islam's presence in Australia.
The mosque is named after Fatima Al-Zahra and serves as a gathering place for the Shia community across Sydney. You will notice people from many backgrounds meeting here, especially during major Islamic holidays and holy days.
The mosque is located on Wollongong Road in Arncliffe and holds daily prayers in Arabic and English. Visitors should know that they need to remove their shoes and wear modest clothing, and it helps to check prayer times before your first visit.
The building was a pioneering moment for Islamic architecture in Australia and helped inspire other communities to build their own places of worship. Its construction showed that religious communities could become lasting parts of Sydney's urban fabric.
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