This well decorated entrance is to Al-Zahra mosque in my suburb. It's a Shi'ite mosque, with adherents mainly from Lebanon, but also many Iraqis (and others I guess). It was established in 1980, certainly the first Shi'ite mosque in Sydney (and it may still be the only Shi'ite one; not sure on that).Unlike when I lived in Turkey, however, you never hear the call to prayer.
It's also rare to hear church bells in Sydney , something I remember fondly from living in England. Noise laws I think.
Being an ex Sydney sider I was keen to see your blog as I really enjoy Paris Daily.
ReplyDeleteIt's great but I wanted to suggest perhaps having a lighter background to show off your shots. It is really heavy.
Come on can't you lighten it up just a little??
Anyway hope you don't mind the constructive critism!!
Dark or light, I love the arch. Intricate.
ReplyDeleteAesthetic sensibilities - such a personal thing. I hope the background doesn't discourage further visits. But there's so much light in so many photos, I think the black background sets them off well.
ReplyDeleteGood shots whatever the background. Nice construction.
ReplyDeleteHow many places have you dwelled?
ReplyDelete:-). It is very interesting to know about cultural and religious expressions in Sydney and the differences in comparison with Istambul.
there's a mosquer in sydney? pardon my ignorance of sydney but after all my visits there I never knew there was one. where have i been going walkabouts???
ReplyDeleteThis definitely adds more flavor to your otherwise already beautiful blog! Great one!
ReplyDeletei didnt know there were mosques anywhere in australia. so are there more than this one.. interesting
ReplyDeletecarlos: I've lived in Melbourne, Moree and Sydney in Australia, Istanbul, and Dorset in England.
ReplyDeleteThere are many, many mosques in Australia. Sydney alone has about 15, Melbourne more than 20. My suburb has two. Myfavourite mosque is the Turkish Gallipoli mosque at Auburn. I will bring a photo of that to my blog one day.
According to the 2001 census, about 1.5% of Australia's population is Muslim (about 250 000 people).
Buddhists comprise about 2%, Hindus 0.5%, Jews 0.4%, Christian 67% (Roman Catholic 26%, Anglican 20%). It will be interesting to see how this changes in the census just finished.
Any imam bargah in Auburn ? Keen to go there .
ReplyDelete