AVIRANEWS - Saban Friday in the city of Ararat-50s Muslim residents gathered in a small building near the train station. Such was the atmosphere of worship of the minority Muslims weekly in the outback town of Victoria outside Melbourne.
In the small building, the Muslim community organization named the Islamic Welfare Association occasionally met with local Catholic Church parties for joint activities.
But soon, the Muslim residents in the city has a population of 8000 's soul, will have its own mosques. It is because the City Government has given permission for the construction of Ararat, which was also approved by the leaders of other religions in the city.
ABC met with four Muslim family-the same as other citizens feel proud of Ararat and is regarded as the city's hometown.
The fourth family recognizes religion they profess it is often misunderstood by other population-as if they were a threat to the local community.
Family Anas Ghazal and Kimberly Amatullah
Anas Ghazal was a doctor in the HOSPITAL of Ararat. Born in Syria met istirnya, Kimberly, during these visits Australia-born woman Syria to deepen lessons in the Koran.
"We introduced each other, love each other, and finally I apply for him," says Anas.
"We are married and settled in Syria for two years."
Kimberly himself converted to Islam at the age of 18 years, long before he met Anas.
"Then I just finished high school, and find the meaning of my life," explains Kimberly.
"My religion teacher of Syria, so I went there to study religion and experience life in a different culture, '' he said.
Husband-wife moved to Bendigo City of Ararat three months ago, with three of their children. Kimberly is currently pregnant with a fourth child.
Their lives together with a partner, but other young family-shuttle work, children to school, shopping, cooking and other family activities.
They claimed to be more relaxed living in the outback town was compared to the major cities like Melbourne.
But the challenge, not all residents have a broad understanding of religious differences such as urban residents in General.
Kimberley himself claimed in the last 14 years since he wore the hijab, only three times as long as he can remember he directly gets negative comments from others.
Osman Kokcu
Born in Turkey, Osman Kokcu, had settled in Australia for 14 years he lived and worked in the slaughterhouse animals in Ararat.
His wife and son to stay in Melbourne for reasons related to his son's school at a high school. "I met them at the weekend," he said.
Osman is the caretaker of the Islamic Welfare Association in Ararat, which aims to help each other out among Muslim families.
"For example, there is a new Muslim citizens coming here-we help you find suitable homes and work," said Osman.
Saqib family Gondal and Misbah Saqib
Married couples Saqib and Misbah decided to big city life and death chose to live in the outback town.
Saqib is a taxi driver in Ararat and claims to have more time for their families than when living in the big city.
"Finally we were able to buy a home here, with the installment price is cheaper than the price to rent a house in Melbourne," he said.
This family has two children. And as a taxi driver, Saqib feel directly how to interact with other people all the time.
"Passengers subscriptions even make stuff for our son. Anyone who makes sweaters, some even made the quilt, "said Saqib.
Instead, in a moment of celebration of Christmas busy delivering Saqib greeting cards to its customers.
Family and Remandeep Kaur Mohd Riaz
Riaz and Remandeep comes from the same city in India-but they were not allowed to marry because of religious differences.
They moved to Australia. Remandeep who used Sikh religious later embraced Islam.
The couple came to Ararat four years ago in order to qualify their visa-that should stay in the rural areas. Now both work at the slaughterhouse animals in the city.
"Riaz worked as a cutter of animals and ensure the process is clean while I worked as a supervisor of meat," said Remandeep.
Remandeep claims to be accepted by the citizens of nearby and therefore declared, "I love Australia and want to spend life in this country".
