Welcome to Iqra Village, Australia’s first Muslim housing estate: ‘Faith-based’ neighbourhood in Melbourne features 75 new homes and its own mosque

Welcome to Iqra Village, Australia’s first Muslim housing estate: ‘Faith-based’ neighbourhood in Melbourne features 75 new homes and its own mosque:

  • Housing estate at Melton South in Melbourne will be marketed at Muslims
  • Iqra Village will be divided in 75 lots and targeting South Asian migrants
  • Developers have plans to build a mosque at centre of new neighbourhood
  • Vacant land is near where anti-Islamic protesters staged a violent rally

Developers of a new housing estate in suburban Melbourne are only targeting Islamic families in what has been described as one of Australia’s biggest faith-based developments.

Iqra Village, the residential project at Melton South in Melbourne’s west, will be divided into 75 lots and marketed towards South Asian migrants.

There are also plans to build a mosque at the centre of the neighbourhood where two houses have already been built.

The vacant block of land is just a few kilometres from where Reclaim Australia protesters staged a violent rally last year over Islamic migration.

Australian Federation of Islamic Councils treasurer Keysar Trad told Nine’s A Current Affair that Muslims may want to live in the estate to be free of discrimination and misunderstanding.

‘This particular venture is an indication there’s a feeling out there that there’s perhaps less acceptance of Muslims,’ he said.

‘A project of this nature will allow people to be able to develop a local place of worship or a local school without too many objections from neighbours. They won’t be getting in anybody’s way, it’s something within their local community.

‘We’ve always encouraged our community to live among mainstream society and to build friendships and promote understanding and awareness.’

While the neighbourhood is being marketed towards Islamic families, it is not a Muslim-only estate.

A spokesperson for Melton City Council said permits had been issued for medium density housing.

‘There was no reference in the planning applications that the development was a faith-based community development,’ the council said in a statement.

‘Subdivision works have been completed but at this stage only two dwellings have been constructed.

‘Melton City Council continues to build an inclusive community that embraces and values cultural diversity.’

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