QUEENSLAND – Imam Imraan Husain, the imam of Gold Coast mosque in Queensland, has been using his love for sports and soccer to reach out to the wider community and to show the true face of integrating Muslims.

“I put these (sporting) things on Facebook with the intention that people realize that we are just like everybody else — just want to enjoy our lives, enjoy the Gold Coast and contribute to society and be part and parcel of the growth of this beautiful city,” he told Gold Coast Bulletin on Wednesday, July 27.

Usually leading a congregation of 1200 Muslims at the Gold Coast Mosque at Arundel each day, Imam Husain has spoken of his journey to Australia and love of the Gold Coast.

This love was reflected in his determination to show the city that most Muslims want to shape better lives.

To reach that goal, the 56-year-old imam has been part of the grassroots sporting landscape, including playing alongside men from mixed backgrounds in the over-45 Musgrave soccer team each Sunday, running marathons and hitting a squash ball.

For him, these images would counter the negative portrayal of Muslims promoted by media and extremist groups.

“I try to address it but not let that get me down because there are more positive people than the small minority,” he said.

“(Fellow soccer players) always say ‘Imam, there are sometimes issues in the news’ and they’ll say: ‘Imam, is everything OK at the mosque?’ I say, ‘it’s OK, don’t worry’.

“It is important to give them more education in terms of who Muslims really are and who are radicals and what causes those people to be radicals, because we need to work towards the safety of everyone.”

Australia Love

The imam, a father of five, moved to the Gold Coast from Perth 11 years ago after migrating to Australia from India in 1997.

He grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, and was contemplating moving to the US when a family member recommended Australia.

“My brother in law came here for a job opportunity, he wanted to open up a business,” he said.

“He called me and said: ‘Come and have a look at Australia. It’s a very nice country and people of your calibre, especially Islamic scholars who grew up in a Western environment, would fit in very nicely in the Australian community because we understand the diversity.’

“When I came over for a holiday I just fell in love with Australia.”

He encouraged Gold Coast Muslims to be actively involved in the community to dispel myths about the faith.

“People are being more inclusive. That’s important — living and interacting peacefully with the broader community,” he said.

The Gold Coast’s “beautiful scenery, the beach and the weather” had only enhanced his love of sport, highlighted by him running the 10km event at the Gold Coast Marathon during Ramadan in an hour and 10 minutes, he added.

“I play in the over-45s soccer league at Musgrave. I also play over-55s. I’m part of the squash at Labrador. I ran the 10km event at the Gold Coast Marathon while fasting during the month of Ramadan and stayed thirsty the entire day,” he said.

“I’m 56 but I feel 25.”