ISLAMIC COUNCIL OF QUEENSLAND (ICQ)

The Islamic Council of Queensland (ICQ) was formed in 1969 as the umbrella body to represent the interests of the Muslims in Queensland. At present it represents 10 cities stretching from Cairns in the Far North to Brisbane and the Gold Coast in the South East. ICQ is a member of the Australian Federation of Islamic Councils (AFIC).

According to the 2006 Census, there were about 20,000 Muslims, (about 5% of total Muslims in Australia), the majority of whom live in Brisbane. This number might be much higher because a number of Muslims do not identify themselves as such for various reasons.

Queensland has the highest rate of migration in the country, both interstate as well as from overseas, and therefore the Muslim population in Queensland is likely to grow in the years ahead. This trend was evident during the last Ramadhan/Eid salaats, when almost all the mosques were filled beyond capacity.

The history of Islam in Queensland dates back to the late 1700s when fishermen and traders from Indonesia first made contact with the indigenous Australians. Later they were joined by the Afghan cameleers and Indians who were brought in as cheap labour to work in the sugar industry. They were then followed by migrants from Albania in the 1920s, and Turkey in the 1960s. Then there was an influx of refugees from Lebanon and Palestine.