Media Release
15 April 2019
Boundless Plains: The Australian Muslim Connection, a photo exhibition that tells the long story of Islam in Australia, was officially opened at the Jakarta History Museum today.
The exhibition charts the long history of Islam in Australia, from the Makassan sailors who traded with the Indigenous Yolngu people of northern Australia and the cameleers from South Asia who helped develop Australia’s outback, to the migrants from around the world who have made Australia their home today.
Developed by the Islamic Museum of Australia, the exhibition will be open to the public for the next two weeks and provide a window into how Islam has developed in Australia over the past 200 plus years.
Established in 2010 as a not-for-profit community museum in Melbourne, the Islamic Museum of Australia aims to showcase the rich artistic heritage and historical contributions of Muslims in Australia and abroad.
The museum’s CEO, Mr Ali Fahour, will attend the exhibition opening. Education officers from the museum will also travel to Jakarta to share the exhibition’s stories with local school students.
“Islam is an emerging major religion in Australia and growing quickly at a rate of about 20 per cent,” Australia’s Ambassador to Indonesia, Gary Quinlan, said.
“This exhibition highlights that Australia, like Indonesia, draws many strengths from its multi-faith and multicultural society. More than ever, we need to develop a deeper understanding and build connections between our communities, and especially our faith communities.”
The Head of Jakarta Historical Museum’s Management Unit, Ms Sri Kusumawati, SS, M.Si said: “Jakarta History Museum is pleased to host this exhibition together with the Australian Embassy. I hope this exhibition will create further opportunities for cultural and tourism partnerships between our two countries.”
Visitors will be able to see the exhibition at the Jakarta History Museum until Tuesday 30 April.
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