History of Islam and Muslims in Australia: Early encounters, settlements and communities prior to the mid-1950s

This comprehensive account of Islam in Australia, reaches back to 9th century Muslim records of exploration and from more recent pre-colonial times when Macassan fishermen made their regular yearly visits to Northern Australia renewing contacts with the country’s indigenous custodians. The small but persistent presence of Muslims from the earliest days of British settlement is also part of an intriguing and still unfolding story. It highlights the arrivals of Afghans and Indians, and their historical contributions in Australia’s inland. This is followed by settlement issues in Ghantowns and Malaytowns and social life there. The book presents in detail records of early mosques, Islamic festivals across Australia and the Australian Muslims’ travels for pilgrimage to Mecca. It documents the Ottoman and Indo-Afghan communities and their important legacy in Australia. It uncovers the unique contribution of the ANZAC Muslims of various ethnic backgrounds in defending Australia’s borders, freedom and democracy. It is not merely an account of how Islam presents itself among other religions, but of a Muslim multi-ethnicity, with the many stories of a diverse and pluralistic faith-community.