Every year, over 1.8 billion Muslims observe Ramadan. In cities like Melbourne and Sydney, the holy month brings packed mosques, community iftaar events, and a visible sense of celebration in the streets. But what does Ramadan look like in a regional town like Warragul, where the Muslim community is small and the mosque only recently opened its doors?
This is what it looks like for us.
What Is Ramadan?
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and the holiest month of the year. It marks the revelation of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him).
During Ramadan, observant Muslims fast from dawn to sunset each day. No food, no water, no smoking from the first light of Fajr until the sun goes down. The fast is broken each evening with iftaar, usually starting with dates and water before a proper meal.
Beyond fasting, Ramadan is a time for increased prayer, Quran recitation, reflection, and giving to charity. The nightly Taraweeh prayers are a special feature of the month, where the imam leads the congregation through portions of the Quran each night with the aim of completing the whole book by the end of the 30 days.
Before the Mosque: Ramadan in Isolation
For the Muslim families of Baw Baw Shire, Ramadan used to be a quiet, mostly private affair.
There was no community iftaar. No Taraweeh prayers. No local mosque. Families broke their fasts at home, often without other Muslim families nearby. If someone wanted to pray Taraweeh, they drove to Melbourne or Morwell, a round trip that could take three hours. In the middle of a fast, with work the next morning, that was a lot to ask.
The first time BINAI hosted a community iftaar dinner, several people said the same thing: they had never broken their fast with other Muslim families in Warragul before. Some had lived here for years.
Ramadan at Warragul Mosque Now
Community Iftaar Dinners
Each year during Ramadan, Warragul Mosque hosts iftaar dinners open to the whole community. Food is prepared by volunteers. Tables are set up long-style so people sit together rather than in small groups.
Non-Muslim neighbours, local leaders, and community members from all backgrounds are invited. Sharing a meal at the end of a day of fasting is one of the most hospitable things in Islamic tradition, and these dinners have become a genuine highlight of the Warragul community calendar. In 2026, over 150 people attended.
Taraweeh Prayers
After the final daily prayer each night, the congregation gathers for Taraweeh. Our imam leads the recitation, working through the Quran section by section over the course of the month.
The Khatam: A Historic First
In 2026, Warragul Mosque completed its first Khatam, the full completion of the Quran in nightly Taraweeh recitation over the course of Ramadan. For a community that not long ago had no local mosque, no local imam, and no place to even gather for Friday prayer, finishing the Quran together was a moment that meant a great deal.
Ramadan With Children
One of the quieter but real benefits of having a local mosque is what it gives to children. Before, Muslim kids in Warragul grew up experiencing Ramadan almost entirely at home. There was no visible community to be part of, no sense that others around them were doing the same thing.
Now, children come to Taraweeh with their parents. They attend the iftaar dinner and sit around a long table with dozens of other families. They are there when the Khatam is completed. That kind of belonging matters, and it lasts.
Come and Join Us
Community iftaar events are open to everyone, not just Muslims. If you would like to be part of the next Ramadan gathering or want to find out when events are happening, follow us on Instagram at @binai.charity or email hello@binai.org.au.
Warragul Mosque 72 Victoria Street, Warragul VIC 3820 0457 643 672
Want to know more about the mosque itself? Read the story of how BINAI built Warragul's first mosque.
Operated by BawBaw Islamic Network Australia Inc. (BINAI), a registered charity. ABN: 16 723 284 175.