I grew up in India, and when I was 21, I came to Australia as an international student to finish my Master of Business degree. Then after living in Sydney for about two years, I moved to Brisbane in 2005 for a job.
That same year, my father died in a car accident. I went back to India to be with my family and when I returned I focused on my career and education.
By 2011, I had a very successful business and a bit more time on my hands. I decided that I wanted to get in touch with my religion again. So I contacted Imam Uzair [from the Holland Park Mosque] and said, ’let’s grab a coffee and have a chat. I want to be more religious, what should I do?’ My first impression of Imam was that he was a very open-minded, easy-to-approach religious leader. I felt like I could talk to him.
I decided to put my hand up to be one of the Holland Park Mosque committee members. Around that time there was a lot Islamophobia, a lot of talk about terrorism. Imam asked me if I wanted to step up to do more in building relationships with the wider community and be a spokesperson for the mosque because nobody had taken on that role before.
Ali Kadri with Imam Huzair and Robbie Maestracci, who all feature on 'The Mosque Next Door'. Image: SBS. Source: Image: SBS
The best way to break down divisions in the community is to create channels for open, transparent and respectful communication. You’ve got to prepare that channel and you’ve got to do that without preconceived ideas to help break down stereotypes.
The Mosque Next Door
When the idea of The Mosque Next Door was pitched to me, I thought it to be a great idea to counter a lot of negative perceptions people have about mosques and Muslims in general. I believe by opening our mosque and our homes; we will be able to provide everyday Aussies an insight into the lives of Australian Muslims.
When I comment on an issue in the media, it's either in response to an event and because of words or airspace constraints I hardly get enough time to express all I want to say the way I want to say it. I thought this would be an opportunity to communicate with the viewers in a more detailed manner and at a personal level.
It’s such an open and transparent show because the cameras were rolling the whole time. For people who don’t know about Muslims or have never met a Muslim, they might be shocked at how similar all of our stories and lives are. I’m sure there are people in the Christian community or any community that would have similar experiences.
This whole process has been a learning journey. I’ve been doing media and talking to the community for a long time, but this experience has been different. Even the connection we all made with the film crew. They were at my place in the morning when my mother was cooking breakfast for me. They all joined in after the filming to have roti and chai with us.
Ali Kadri with his mother, Saiyeda Kadri. Source: Image: SBS
Facing challenges
During the filming, we set up a Halal Snack Pack event in one of the shopping centres in Logan—which people assume to be a racist place.
I went there and set up a Halal Snack Pack van and we offered people free halal meals. Nobody declined. Or if they did it was more for health reasons! It was a great way to open up communication and help break down some of the stereotypes about the Muslim community.
The Holland Park Mosque faces the same challenges that the Muslim community and multicultural Australia faces. We have to convince people that different cultures are not a threat to the Australian way of life. A way of life is an evolving thing, culture is an evolving thing and we can learn from each other. New cultures and new influences will make our country a better place.
The Mosque Next Door begins Wednesday 8 November, 8.40pm on SBS, and continues on Wednesdays. Episodes will be available after broadcast anytime, anywhere, for free via SBS On Demand.
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