Australian Muslim history
Discover first-hand more about Australian Muslim history as you trace 20,000km of hidden stories, encounters and legacies.
Permanent exhibition
20,000km
of hidden stories, encounters and legacies
Much of Australia’s broader population is unaware of the positive contributions made by Muslim Australians in diverse endeavours.
Our permanent exhibition, Boundless Plains, traces the nuanced roots of Australian Muslim history. It unearths the fascinating legacy of first contact between Muslims arriving from Makassar and their impact in shaping contemporary Australian society.
In the gallery
A feature documentary screened in the gallery contains footage of rock paintings from 20,000 years ago and artefacts from remote Arnhem Land, showing the interaction between Indonesian fishermen and local Aboriginal people before European settlement.
An interview with the 101-year-old daughter of an Afghan cameleer offers a human insight into the daily lives of Aboriginal camel trainers, who used the Afghan language to train camels and riders.
Discover the story
Chapter 01 · From first contact
The Muslim population in Australia is ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse, a mix from over 120 countries. Muslims have been visiting Australia and contributing to Australian culture and society for hundreds of years. Muslim fishermen from Indonesia have visited Australian shores since the 18th century.
Chapter 02 · To the legacy of the Afghan cameleers
The first mosque in Australia was built of mud brick at Marree, South Australia, in 1861.
Chapter 03 · Waves of migration
Following the Second World War, the Muslim community in Australia expanded. The post-war economic boom created employment opportunities and encouraged many European Muslims to migrate to Australia to seek a new life.
Chapter 04 · To the present day
Since the 1970s, Australian towns and cities with sizable Muslim populations have seen their streetscapes change. Mosques and prayer rooms are now seen in public places, along with Islamic schools and halal food stores. Islamic centres offer the growing community youth centres, sport, social activities and cultural advice for new arrivals.
10 years on
In 2011, three friends joined IMA Founder Moustafa Fahour OAM on an expedition across Australia, recording the oral histories of many descendants of early Muslim migrants. Ten years later, the IMA collected more oral histories from Indigenous Australian Muslims across the country.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should exercise caution: some of these videos contain the names and images of deceased persons.
Take it home
For teachers
Information, worksheets and project ideas you can use in a variety of ways and differentiate for your own classroom. All activities connect to the Australian Curriculum in English, Humanities, STEM and the Arts, and address general capabilities such as ICT, Critical and Creative Thinking, Ethical Understanding and Intercultural Understanding.
Coffee table book
Documentary
Boundless Plains
Boundless Plains
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