History

Here are some interesting facts of the remarkable journey of the Sri Lankan Muslims Association of South Australia (SLMASA) a story of resilience, growth, and community spirit that could be tracked back to the early 1970s.

The roots of our presence here can be traced back to pioneering families like the Hamid Farouques, who were among the first Sri Lankan Muslims to settle in Adelaide. Hamid, a distinguished civil servant from Sri Lanka, moved here with his family and served as a Senior Lecturer in Law at the University of Adelaide until his retirement. Both Hamid and his wife Nazly were deeply involved in the local multicultural scene and were once Presidents of the Australia Sri Lanka Association (ASLA), which marked its 50th anniversary just last year. Around the year 2000, after more than three decades in South Australia, they moved to Victoria to be closer to their seven children, all of whom have gone on to become accomplished professionals. Even today, their warmth and hospitality are fondly remembered by Adelaide’s senior Sri Lankan community.

According to the Farouques, while some Sri Lankan Muslims passed through Adelaide between the ’70s and ’90s, few chose to make it their permanent home. But that was about to change.

One of the most enduring families in our community has been the Jamions who have been the mainstays of Adelaide from 01-May-1990 to the present day. Jamion and his wife Hinaya have long been cornerstones of Adelaide’s Sri Lankan Muslim community, generously welcoming and helping many families settle and find their footing here.

When my family and I arrived in Adelaide in 2005 with our two young children, the community was still in its early stages. There was just one halal butcher, located in the Central Market, and only two mosques, the Adelaide City Mosque and Al Khalil Mosque in Woodville. Before that, halal meat was delivered to the mosque for purchase. The community was small, tightly knit, and informal ifthars, dinners, and gatherings took place in homes. As numbers grew, our homes could no longer hold everyone. Thanks to the kindness of the St George’s Anglican Church in Magill, we were able to host larger community ifthars in their hall.

Around 2006, we began to see a slow but steady arrival of Sri Lankan Muslim families and students. By 2007, this became a noticeable influx. While some moved interstate after a few years, many chose to make South Australia their long-term home.

Recognising the need for structure and identity, we formally incorporated the Sri Lankan Muslims Association of South Australia (SLMASA) in 2015. I had the honour of serving as the founding President, with Jamion as Vice President. At the time this article is written, this year (2025) marks ten years of service, a decade of bringing people together and strengthening our sense of community.

Over the years, SLAMSA has evolved into a vibrant and active organisation that has contributed significantly to both the local and broader community. It has taken part in numerous charity initiatives and multicultural events, actively collaborating with government bodies, other community organisations, and not-for-profit entities. SLAMSA has also played a key role in supporting Sri Lanka during times of crisis, organising programs and fundraising efforts to provide aid when most needed. Locally, SLAMSA continues to celebrate and preserve Muslim culture through various events, including women’s programs, family gatherings, cultural celebrations, and sports tournaments. The organisation also supports new settlers by helping them navigate their new life in Australia assisting with employment opportunities, accommodation, and other essential needs within its capacity.

Alongside SLMASA’s broader mission, key community members established a dedicated Janaza Committee, ensuring our burial needs are met with dignity and compassion through fundraising and securing cemetery plots. The Sri Lankan Muslims Janaza Fund (SLMJF) is now an independent and expanded organisation, overseen by a dedicated committee from the Sri Lankan Muslim community. It is committed to providing comprehensive Janaza services to its members of the Sri Lankan Muslims community.

What makes our community unique is not just our shared heritage, but also our diversity coming from various regions, schools of thought, and experiences. Despite these differences, our strength lies in our unity. We are commonly represented as Sri Lankan Muslims; however, our community is richly diverse, comprising various backgrounds such as Sri Lankan Moors, Indian Moors, Sri Lankan Malays, Bohras, Memons, and others. When we come together, putting aside differences, we build something greater than ourselves, a supportive, vibrant community grounded in Islamic values and Sri Lankan culture.

Let’s continue nurturing this organisation for the future generations, preserving our identity, fostering belonging, and celebrating our journey together.

Thank you for taking the time to reflect with me. It’s heartening to see how far we’ve come, and exciting to imagine where we can go next, together.

  • By Nazli Farook