The Auburn Gallipoli Mosque dominates the skyline in the western suburb of Auburn. The project was initiated and largely funded by the Turkish community and construction took 13 years between 1986 and 1999. The Gallipoli name of the mosque reflects the shared legacy of the Australian society and the Turkish community behind the construction of it. The name "Gallipoli" is derived from the Greek "Kallipolis" meaning "Beautiful City". Australia has many people with Middle Eastern heritage, both Muslim and Christian, with the majority from Lebanon. According to the 2006 Census, 1.7% of the population in Australia has a religious affiliation with Islam, compared to 63.9% Christian, 18.7% no religion and 2.1% Buddhist. I thought this was an apprpriate photo for both the Skywatch theme today and my Harmony Day theme that I have featured this week. Harmony Day, which is celebrated tomorrow and every year on the 21st of March, celebrates cultural diversity and the cohesive and inclusive nature of Australia.
Nice sky and beautiful mosque... although someone needs to tell them it's more like a pale lemon than an auburn...
ReplyDeleteCara, it's the suburb that's called Auburn, not just the mosque. Not sure that Pale Lemon would be a good name for the suburb. :)
ReplyDeleteFine way to combine themes. Most interesting photo and I appreciate the background of religious identity in Australia.
ReplyDeleteIt's a beautiful building. There is a mosque in Stockholm that once was a power station.
ReplyDeleteFirst of all this is a beautiful shot of sky and mosque! Secondly, I have posted a piece about Harmony Day and I've mentioned it again on my Skywatch post for today. And I'm going to continue to do so as I think it is something all countries should be urging people to practice. Hoorah for Australia!!!
ReplyDeleteGreat shot of the mosque and the beautiful sky behind it.
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend!
Guy
Regina In Pictures
I really like Gallipoli mosque. The food on Open Day is marvellous too.
ReplyDeletePale Lemon suburb comment made me laugh. Creative way to combine to nemes and a very striking image.
ReplyDeleteI have enjoyed all the posts for Harmony Day, Jim. Good idea to go with.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photo of Mosque and blue sky.
ReplyDeleteIt good to know that people of different believe and religions living in harmony there.
Happy SW Friday!
Beautiful photo and theme! Full of harmony. Best wishes :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a muslim,beautiful Mosque.Thanks for sharing.If you don't mind?? you are on my bloglist.
ReplyDeleteThanks for viewing my world & have a wonderful weekend.
nice photo!
ReplyDeleteThank you for visiting.
No worries, Awang. Happy to be on your bloglist.
ReplyDeleteI love the floaty clouds above the Mosque. Thanks for sharing your city- it's great to see what the other side of the world looks like.
ReplyDeleteHappy First Day of Spring!
Caprice
This is amazing, it looks like I'm looking at a Istanbul photo!
ReplyDeleteThe name "Auburn Gallipoli Mosque" surprises me (I'm not Australian). Is it not seen as a provocation by Australians? Gallipoli, after all, was the site of a Turkish defeat of (among others) Australian troops. A name that would conjure up a history of strife and animosity more than intercultural harmony I would think. Didn't the turkish community choose that name to express pride over the Turkish defeat of ANZAC troops? - Opinions?
ReplyDeleteSven, I believe the point about the name has been discussed before but I don't believe it has ever been seen as provocative. The Turkish community chose the name to show that the animosity between Australians and Turks has been left behind and there is now unity between them. Times change. Turkey is now an ally of Australia. Turkey has assistd Australia in setting up many memorials in Gallipoli that are visited by thousand of Australian and New Zealanders every year. Also, this mosque was put on the Australian National Trust Register in 2010.
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