Our history

Located on Anzac Street in Greenacre, the Greenacre Grand Mosque has been a cornerstone of worship, guidance, community service, and unity for over forty years. The story of this mosque began on 6 August 1985, when Sheikh Khaled Zeidan purchased the property at 31–35 Anzac Street, Greenacre, establishing it as a place of Islamic worship. The purchase of the land was made possible through funding provided to Sheikh Khaled by the Iraqi government of the time. Before it became the mosque we know today, the site housed several furniture manufacturing factories. With a vision to create a vibrant Islamic community, Sheikh Khaled converted the former display and loading building into a mosque, providing a spiritual haven that has continuously served the community for over four decades.

After his tenure at Lakemba Mosque and the Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA), Sheikh Khaled Zeidan recognized the expanding needs of Sydney's Muslim population. His visionary leadership led to the purchase of the Greenacre property, where he founded a place of worship that would stand as a lasting institution for faith, education, and community service. To safeguard the mosque's future, Sheikh Khaled established the United Arab Muslims Association (TUAMA) in 1985 to oversee its activities and development. He carefully selected a board of trusted community members, ensuring the mosque remained a waqf (Islamic endowment) dedicated to worship and service, free from personal ownership. This foresight laid a strong foundation of accountability, transparency, and continuity that endures today.

Sheikh Khaled Zeidan served as the mosque's Imam and spiritual leader from the outset. His dedication fostered a culture built on sincerity, moderation, unity, and community service. Following his passing in 1996, Sheikh Malek Zeidan, his nephew, became the Imam, maintaining the mosque's founding principles. Although the organization still carries the historical name 'United Arab Muslims Association,' reflecting the local demographic of that time, the mosque has always embraced individuals from all ethnicities and backgrounds. Today, our congregation represents the rich diversity of Sydney's Islamic community.

Over the years, the mosque has initiated numerous community services, including one of Australia's first Islamic judicial councils for marriage and family matters, providing support grounded in Islamic principles. Recent years have also seen significant growth in youth engagement through educational programs and social initiatives, allowing a new generation to actively contribute to both the mosque and the broader community.

A unique aspect of the mosque's history is its remarkable stability and unity, remaining free from internal disputes and factionalism that often challenge community organizations. We attribute this stability to the mosque's foundation built on taqwa (God-consciousness) and a genuine desire to serve Allah and the community. These values continue to guide our work today. The mosque has maintained a reputation for moderation and authentic Islamic teachings, never associating with extremism. We proudly uphold Sheikh Khaled Zeidan's legacy, which emphasizes wisdom, compassion, and civic responsibility. We strive to build positive relationships with the wider Australian community, welcoming visitors from diverse backgrounds and engaging with leaders from various faiths. Our doors remain open to all, rejecting division and promoting unity and cooperation.

In recognition of the growing community needs, a redevelopment proposal was approved in 2012 under Development Application DA-736/2012, aiming to replace aging structures with a modern religious and cultural hub for future generations. After years of planning and fundraising, we are now ready to proceed with construction, which is 100% community funded — funded entirely by the generosity of ordinary community members who believe in the mosque's future.

The new development will transform the site into one of Sydney's most significant Islamic centers, featuring a 2,600-square-metre complex with a new mosque, a multi-level car park, educational spaces, community service areas, youth facilities, and a large community hall for various programs. This project is designed to serve the community's needs and strengthen unity among Muslims and the wider Australian society, ensuring the mosque continues to support worship, education, youth development, family wellbeing, and community engagement for generations to come.

As we look toward the future, we remain dedicated to the principles established since 1985: sincerity, transparency, moderation, service, and unity. We ask Allah to bless this project, reward contributors, and allow the Khaled Ibn Al-Walid Mosque to continue being a beacon of faith, peace, and community service for generations ahead.