For Muslim parents raising children in regional Victoria, one of the most common challenges is finding local Islamic education. In Melbourne, there are Islamic schools, weekend Quran programs, and community classes in almost every suburb. In Warragul, until recently, there was nothing.
Warragul Mosque runs Quran classes for children every Sunday, and for many families in Baw Baw Shire, this program has been one of the most meaningful things the mosque has offered.
What the Classes Cover
The Sunday program covers the core areas of Islamic education for children:
Quran recitation. Children learn to read Arabic script and recite the Quran correctly, starting with the shorter chapters and building from there. Proper pronunciation (tajweed) is taught from the beginning.
Islamic studies. The basics of Islamic belief, the five pillars, the life of the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), and the stories of the prophets are covered in an age-appropriate way.
Arabic. Foundational Arabic vocabulary and phrases help children understand what they are reading and hearing in prayers.
Character and values. Islamic ethics, respect, honesty, and care for others are woven into every lesson, not taught as a separate subject.
Who Is It For?
The classes are open to Muslim children in Baw Baw Shire and the surrounding area. Children of all levels are welcome, from complete beginners who have never read Arabic, to those who have some background and want to continue their learning locally.
If you are a Muslim parent in Warragul, Drouin, Trafalgar, or nearby towns, this program exists for your children.
Why This Matters in a Regional Town
Children growing up in regional areas without Islamic education face a particular challenge. They often feel caught between their faith at home and a school and social environment where nobody else shares it. Without a local community, without other Muslim children to learn alongside, and without structured education in their religion, many young people grow up feeling disconnected from their faith.
The Sunday classes at Warragul Mosque change that. Children learn together. They make friends who share their background. They build a relationship with their religion that is reinforced by community, not just by family.
For parents, it also means not having to drive to Melbourne or Morwell every week for religious education. That two-hour round trip was, for many families, simply not sustainable.
The Bigger Picture
BINAI's long-term plan includes purpose-built classrooms as part of a permanent mosque facility. Right now the Sunday classes run in the existing prayer space. A permanent building would allow the program to grow, add more sessions, accommodate more children, and potentially offer adult Arabic and Islamic studies classes as well.
If you want to support that vision, donating to BINAI is the most direct way to make it happen.
Get in Touch
To enrol your child or find out more about the Sunday program, contact us at hello@binai.org.au or call 0457 643 672.
Warragul Mosque 72 Victoria Street, Warragul VIC 3820
Learn more about the mosque and the community it serves.
Operated by BawBaw Islamic Network Australia Inc. (BINAI), a registered charity. ABN: 16 723 284 175.