Summary

Colour digital image of Wafa Fahour (second on left) and her three brothers celebrating her fourth birthday at their home in Richmond, Victoria, 1974.

In 1970, a Lebanese Muslim, Wafa Fahour, a sister of Ahmed, one of the country's most successful businessmen, with her parents and siblings migrated from Tripoli (Lebanon), through Cyprus, to Melbourne. Wafa's uncle and aunty already lived in Melbourne. When they settled in Melbourne, Wafa's parents first wanted a good education for their children. All kids, including Wafa, were enrolled at St Bridget's Catholic School in North Fitzroy. With her parents and siblings Wafa lived in Carlton. Her parents run a business in Brunswick, a shop called Damascus sweets in late 1970s. Nowadays Wafa Fahour is the Operations Manager at the Islamic Museum of Australia.

Significance

Statement of Historical Significance:
Muslims in Australia are an under represented cohort in both the museum's collections and Australian history more broadly. As an-ever growing faith in Australia, it is important to trace the migration and settlement of Muslim Australians across time in order to help provide a historical, social and cultural context for Muslim Australians today. This collection is the key outcome for the collaboration between the Museum and Dr Dzavid Haveric, MV research associate, who has published a seminal history of Muslims in Australia. This collection is the result of his research and community interviews.

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