UPDATE - 1830 1 March 2015

 Now the timing makes more sense - more Wahabist influence in Australia, Saudi Arabia "donates" $1M to the museum.

$500,000 for Islamic Museum of Australia Arts and Culture Education Program

Joint media release

Attorney-General
Minister for the Arts
Senator the Hon George Brandis QC

Minister for Foreign Affairs
The Hon Julie Bishop MP

1 March 2015

The Australian Government will contribute $500,000 for a new arts and culture education program to build social cohesion and cross cultural understanding.

The national education program will be developed by the Islamic Museum of Australia.

The program aims to promote an understanding amongst children and the general public about Islam in Australia, including through the Museum’s collection of Islamic art and culture.

Online and printed educational resources will be developed from the collection and will support the school curriculum focus on Asia and Australia’s engagement with Asia.

Such education programs help build stronger communities by promoting understanding of different cultural beliefs and traditions, and developing a stronger appreciation of the positive contribution different cultures make to the rich fabric of Australian society.

Partnerships such as the one between the Islamic Museum of Australia and the Australian Government are vital as we work together to promote social cohesion and expose the lies peddled by terrorist propaganda that seek to divide our harmonious society.

The Attorney-General was fortunate to visit the Islamic Museum when the Government announced a $200,000 grant to expand the AFL’s Bachar Houli Academy. The Museum provides educational and cross cultural experiences that focus on the history, faith and cultural heritage of Islam and the contributions made by Muslims in Australia and across the world. We encourage Australians of all faiths to see for themselves all that it has to offer.

The Australian Government’s continued support for the Islamic Museum of Australia is part of the ongoing strategy to promote and celebrate Australia’s diversity through the proud expression of art and culture.