Support Australia's First Uyghur Mosque Run by the Uyghur Community

'Whosoever builds a House (Masjid) for the pleasure of Allah, whether it be small or large, Allah builds for him a house in Paradise.' [Tirmidhi]

Update, June 2023:

The Uyghur Mosque Project has been working with the following mosques and musallahs around Sydney to raise awareness and support for our project. We are grateful for their ongoing support. 

• Parramatta Mosque
• Zetland Mosque
• Al Hijrah Mosque Zetland
• Auburn Arcade Musallah
• MCYAS Muslim Cultural & Youth Association Sydney - Minchinbury
• Global Islamic Youth Centre & Mosque - Casula
• Campbelltown Masjid
• Marsden Park Masjid
   

The Need for a Mosque and Islamic Centre:

The Uyghur community in Sydney, - through the Muhammad Salih Knowledge Centre - are planning to build a religious facility equipped with a mosque and community centre to help preserve Uyghur heritage through the deen and cultural heritage to provide a community hub for the Uyghur community in Sydney and surrounding areas. The mosque and Centre will also be open to all Muslims who will be welcome to use the facilities. 

The Muhammad Salih Knowledge Centre are currently fundraising for the Uyghur Islamic Centre and have begun preliminary discussions with local authorities to secure land in Western Sydney.   

We are in need of funding to secure the deposit and to begin the building process, We have secured some funding through the generosity and support of other local mosques and islamic centres and we are now setting our sights on raising money through the generosity of the community.  

Our Mission 

Our mission is to educate, connect, preserve and support a thriving Uyghur community in Sydney through various cultural, language, religious, legal, and community training programs.

Training & Education

• The Centre has established educational programs for the Uyghur community, such as English language and cultural transition programs, legal and social support awareness initiatives to aid with licensing and registration, and access to services such as healthcare and Centrelink.

Religious Service

• Islam is an integral aspect of Uyghur culture and the centre will offer classes to expand the community’s religious knowledge. As part of the wider Muslim community in Sydney, it is crucial to engage youth in a positive and enriching experience of religion.

Culture Services

• The centre will strive to preserve Uyghur cultural heritage through various programs and activities, such as Uyghur language programs, cultural celebration days and so on.

Community Diversity

• As members of a multicultural Australia, the Centre seeks to engage the wider community through intercultural activities.

Our Kids: Preservation of Heritage for Future Generations

We believe it's important to safeguard our community spaces so that our kids will have access to their Uyghur cultural heritage and an understanding of its deep historical legacy in the Muslim world. By supporting the Uyghur mosque project, you are supporting the future generations of the Uyghur community. We want our children to have a space where they are free to be themselves and to appreciate both their cultural and Islamic values in peace. 

Who are the Uyghurs?

The Uyghurs are the native landowners of East Turkistan. Situated in the heart of Central Asia, the Uyghurs have cultivated the land, developed a rich culture and established their own unique religious and national identity through the centuries.

The predominant language spoken by 20 million Uyghurs is a Turkic language, using Arabic script. The majority of Uyghurs have been Muslim since around the 10th century. 

East Turkestan has been occupied since 1949 to the present day.

Help Preserve Uyghur Cultural Heritage 

Uyghur cultural heritage is in need of preservation. Thousands of items of built heritage – mosques and sacred shrines – are no longer in existence. Uyghur expressive culture – music, dance, and community gatherings – are in danger of being forgotten. That is why we feel it is imperative to build a centre in Sydney and keep Uyghur cultural memory alive. 

Mosque and Community Centre Plans

We have plans to build in Western Sydney. Legal proceedings are underway but we are in need of funds to ensure the project is a success.

Situated on a main road, this 4.4ha property has approx. 153m of main road exposure and frontage and would suit specific uses as allocated under the zoning and planning controls.

About Us

The Muhammad Salih Knowledge Centre is a non-profit organisation in Sydney.

The centre is a service and community hub for the Sydney Uyghur community. 

It plays an important role in connecting the Uyghur community to the wider Australian community. Please visit our website to learn more about the situation in East Turkestan and how you can show your support. 

Who is (Hajim) Muhammad Salih?

Muhammad Salih is an Uyghur Islamic scholar. He was born in 1936 in Atush city in East Turkestan. Muhammad Salih was the first Uyghur scholar to translate the Holy Quran from Arabic into the Uyghur language. He died in 2018 at the age of 84 whilst under Chinese police custody.