On 7th March 2024, in Broadmeadows Town Hall, Victoria, a distinguished historian, Dr Dzavid Haveric, gave a public lecture delivering the rich history of Islam in Australia through the ages. The lecture was in conjunction with an exhibition the Wind Talks: Yolnu-Makassan Encounters (Barrak-Dhimmurru|Warrak-Timborok). The lecture was based on archival data and photographs, revealing the diversity of Australian Muslim experiences and their contribution to Australian society and history.

Lecturing, Dr Haveric

Dr Haveric explored a number of subjects, such as the world Islamic civilisation, the Muslim re-discovery of Australia by Arab, Persian, Indian, Malay, East African and Chinese Muslims; Macassans’ arrival in Australia’s north and their interaction with Aboriginals; the arrival of Muslim convicts; forgotten mosques, examples of forgotten Muslim features in history; Afghan cameleers and Grantowns; Malay pearl shell divers and Malaytowns; the examples Muslim military personnel; their loyalty and contribution to Australia; the post WW2 immigration and multiethnic Muslim community buildings; first Muslim print in Australia, and interfaith dialogues. All these subjects clarify the very long history of Islam and Muslims in Australia, especially through migratory waves. Dr Haveric said:

“Muslim migrants found Islam in Australia more pluralistic and sophisticated than in their countries of origin, because in Australia they met Muslims from many different ethnic, racial, cultural, sectarian and linguistic backgrounds”.

This fascinating presentation, in social-historical context with remarkable slides, demonstrated a riches of Islamic and Muslim history as part of much broader Australian history in time of different social policies. Muslim migrants of various ethnic backgrounds played an important role in building the nation. In his lecture, Dr Haveric’s emphasised “Muslim Australianness and Muslimness in an Australian way”. Muslims also joined non-Muslims and they together built a cohesive multicultural society. They became an integral part of new home’s social landscape. “Muslims built their home ethos accommodated in a predominantly Christian, also multi-faith and secular society”. They are proud of being Muslims and Australians. Dr Haveric also stressed:

“By building the bridges with non-Muslims, and by exchanging ideas and experiences with them, Muslims are contributing in Australia to a never-ending conversation of humanity”.

The audience remarked “it was an excellent talk with delightful images, very informative and impressive lecture documenting many unknown and less known historical facts”. This lecture deserves to be given to all who are interested among scholars, students and the general public.