Hawzah News Agency- It has been just over two years since the Islamic Museum of Australia (IMA) opened its doors at Thornberry, in Melbourne's north and Wafa Fahour has just about heard it all — Islam is for terrorists, it is a religion of hate, women have no rights.
But by Ms. Fahour's account even the most reluctant and recalcitrant of the 20,000 guests who have come through the museum's doors have not failed to be moved by what the museum has to offer.
"It means diversity, it means education, it means learning — it means seeing people walk [in] with one perception and walk out with a whole new one," Ms. Fahour said.
"We're not here to convert anyone to Islam. We're here for an educational purpose. We're here if you have a question, if you'd like something answered.
"We get asked questions [such as] 'do I sleep with my hijab?'
"Do I shower with my hijab? Do I have hair underneath? Yes I've got a ponytail can you see it.
"I do have hair underneath," she said with a smile.
The museum takes a simple yet comprehensive approach.
'I've been ignorant'
One gallery explains the basic tenets of Islam, narrated by a familiar voice — that of Yusuf Islam, the musician formerly known as Cat Stevens, one of the religion's most famous converts.
Australia is built upon migration and multiculturalism and we're probably one of the most successful stories in the world and if I can help in continuing that legacy then I'll be one happy man.
Mustafa Fahour, Australian businessman
A man and his flying machine hang above another gallery that explains the contribution of Muslim scholars over the centuries to the things we all take for granted — flying, coffee, chess, even astrology.
Ms. Fahour recounted the visit of a woman in her 80s, who was clearly not comfortable that her family had taken her to the museum.
By the end, the older woman had a change of heart.
"I've been ignorant I've learnt so much, your religion is very close to our religion Christianity and I'm going to go back and tell all of my friends what I've learnt today, I've been an old fool [she told me]," Ms. Fahour said.
"Something like that puts a smile on my face because she came and she educated herself."
Islamic community a 'success story'
Wafa Fahour's family was instrumental setting up the museum.
It started with an idea from her brother, Mustafa Fahour, an Australian businessman now based in Dubai, who felt compelled to act when all Muslims were lumped in as being terrorists.
"There was September 11 [bombings in New York]. Then there was the build-up of the Bali bombings and there were all these claims of people doing things in the name of Islam which were totally factually incorrect," he said.
"That build-up led me to say we need to do something about it, as Muslims, as Australian Muslims."
He leant on his brother, Ahmed Fahour, the CEO of Australia Post and other members of the Muslim community to raise the $12 million needed to build it.
The project also received some state and federal funding.
In a short time, the Islamic Museum of Australia has carved itself a central place in multicultural Victoria.
In March, Malcolm Turnbull became the first Prime Minister to visit.
"Australia is built upon migration and multiculturalism and we're probably one of the most successful stories in the world and if I can help in continuing that legacy then I'll be one happy man," Mustafa Fahour said.
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