In the far north of Queensland, in the remote town of Mareeba, a little-known Muslim community has quietly shaped local life for more than a century. Built on honest trade, agricultural labour, and strong ethical conduct, this community stands as one of the earliest Muslim presences in rural Australia.
A Forgotten Beginning
The story received little attention for decades. Around 80 Muslim families settled in Mareeba, facing harsh living conditions, social isolation, and economic hardship. Many drifted away from Islamic practice under pressure, but over time, a conscious return to faith emerged, grounded in conviction rather than inheritance.
This Muslim presence in Mareeba dates back to the early twentieth century. The town became home to a small but resilient Muslim population whose contribution to local development preceded formal recognition or historical documentation.
A Muslim Teenager from Albania
In 1929, a teenage boy named Jak Morait arrived in Mareeba after fleeing Europe during the turmoil of war in Albania. He was just 16 years old and arrived with nothing.
Jak worked in tobacco farming under extremely difficult conditions. What began as physical survival soon evolved into something larger. Through perseverance, honesty, and consistency, he established himself as a trusted figure in agriculture. Over time, he became one of the pillars of the emerging Muslim community in Mareeba.
Farming as a Community Backbone
In the early decades of settlement, tobacco farming collapsed after government support was withdrawn. The Morait family did not abandon the land. They shifted to sugarcane and other crops, adapting without compromising their principles.
One of Jak Morait’s sons later established a large-scale farm that carried the family name. Agriculture was not simply an economic activity but a communal responsibility that sustained Muslim life in the town.
Australia’s Third Oldest Mosque
In 1970, the Mareeba Mosque was built, making it the third-oldest mosque in Australia. At the time, regular congregational prayers were rare, and many local Muslims were still rebuilding their religious identity.
The mosque was not built by Muslims alone. Italian and Greek residents of Mareeba contributed financially and physically to its construction. They worked side by side with Muslim families, reflecting a level of trust rooted in long-standing social relations.
At that stage, many Muslims in Mareeba were not fully practising. Nonetheless, challenges and external pressures pushed the community to re-engage seriously with their faith and religious education.
A Reputation Built on Integrity
Non Muslim residents in Mareeba widely associated Muslims with honesty and reliability. Agreements were often sealed with a handshake rather than written contracts. Promises were honoured without dispute.
Muslim traders were known for avoiding usury, forgiving debtors, and prioritising ethical conduct over profit margins. These values translated into social capital and long-term trust within the broader community.
Education and the Future
Today, the Muslim population in Mareeba exceeds 80 families and continues to grow. Planning is underway to establish the town’s first Islamic school, expected to open in 2026.
The project is being led by Sherri, the granddaughter of Jak Morait, and her husband. The school aims to preserve Islamic values and faith identity for future generations while remaining integrated within Australian society.
Currently, Muslim families run Quran study circles, organise memorisation programs, and hold communal gatherings. The focus is on raising children grounded in Islamic belief while fully engaged in civic life.
A Quiet Legacy
The Mareeba Muslim community stands as evidence that Islam in Australia is not confined to major cities or recent migration. It is a rural, intergenerational story rooted in labour, faith, and ethical conduct.
This legacy, documented through community memory and supported by reports from Australian media, including SBS, reflects how a small Muslim population helped shape a rural town while preserving its religious identity across generations.
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