Lebanese Moslems Association

The Lebanese Moslems Association is an Australian non-profit welfare organization based in Lakemba, a south-western suburb of Sydney. It is also variously cited as the Lebanese "Moslem", "Muslim" or "Muslims" Association.

The Association was founded between 1961 and 1962 as a community project aiming to serve the "social, religious, recreational and educational" needs of Australian Muslims, and to advocate on their behalf in pursuit of these aims." [http://www.lma.org.au/about.php About the Lebanese Moslems Association] ", LMA website. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.] Trad, K. " [http://www.humanrights.gov.au/human_rights/children_detention/submissions/trad.html Submission to Human Rights and Equal Opportunities Commission's National Inquiry into Children in Immigration Detention] ", HREOC website. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.] The Association also owns and operates Lakemba Mosque, which is situated close to its head office and is the venue for most of its programs and events." [http://www.lma.org.au/mosque.php History of Lakemba Mosque] ", LMA website. Retrieved on 2007-02-02.]

History

Lebanese Muslims left the NSW Islamic Society in 1961 to form the Lebanese Muslim Association.Cleland, B. " [http://www.icv.org.au/history8.shtml#building MUSLIMS IN AUSTRALIA: A Brief History] ", ICV website. Retrieved on 2007-02-01.] The LMA was formally registered as an Australian Public Limited Company in 1973." [http://www.search.asic.gov.au/cgi-bin/gns030c?acn=001_078_664&juris=9&hdtext=ACN&srchsrc=1 National Names Index] ", ASIC website. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.]

Membership

In 2002, the LMA had more than 1100 financial members, with more than 5000 members attending Friday congregational prayers and "over tens of thousands" (members and non-members) using the Association's facilities on festive occasions. Sheikh Taj El-Din Hilaly, the Mufti of Australia, is also tied to the LMA, being one of its clerical advisors and an Imam at Lakemba Mosque." [http://www.lma.org.au/sheikhs.php Sheikh Services] ", LMA website. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.]

Public figure and spokesperson Keysar Trad has been both vice-president and president" [http://www.abc.net.au/pm/stories/s649977.htm PM - Lebanese community reacts to long sentence] ", ABC PM website. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.] in his time with the LMA. Its president since late 2006 has been Tom Zreika." [http://www.abc.net.au/am/content/2006/s1691618.htm AM - Australians caught in besieged town in Lebanon] ", ABC AM website. Retrieved on 2007-02-03.]

References