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Period: to
Prior to 1860
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Indonesian muslims from the Southwest corner of Sulawesi visited the coast of Norther Australia
few muslims were recorded in 1802-1822. Larger numbers settled in 1860 -
June 1860 8 Muslim’s and Hindus came to Australia with camels for Burke and Wills expedition
Afghan Muslim camel drivers settled in Australia mid to late 19th century -
Period: to
19th Century
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First mosque built in Australia at Maree, South Australia
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31 men from Rajasthan and Baluchistan arrived in South Australia with camels for Thomas Elder
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The earliest record of an Islamic festival in Australia, 70 Muslim’s assembled for Eid prayers at Albert Park, Melbourne
An 1884 newspaper report in the Auckland Star records, “During the whole service the worshippers wore a remarkably reverential aspect." -
The great mosque of Adelaide was built
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In the early 20th century the ‘White Australia Policy’ restricted immigration to people of non white european descent. Most Muslim’s who weren’t white were denied entrance
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Period: to
20th Century
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Albanian muslims who’s European heritage made them compatible with the White Australia Policy, immigrated into Australia
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Albanian muslims built the first mosque in Shepparton, Victoria
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Albanian muslims built the first mosque in Melbourne
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The first Queensland mosque was built in Mareeba
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10,000 Turkish citizens settled in Australia under a agreement with Turkey
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The White Australia policy dismantled
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Large numbers of Lebanese Muslims migrated, to this day they are the largest Muslim group in Australia
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Period: to
21st Century
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470,000 Australians (2.2% of population) reported Islam as their religion
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To this day, 604,200 (2.6% of Australian population) identify as Muslim
