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Making a stronger community
Wednesday 2 July, 2008 10:00am
BEFORE Erkan Aydin started a youth group at Bonnyrigg Mosque 18 months ago there were almost no young people attending.
The champion tae kwon do fighter, Prestons resident and head trainer at Bonnyrigg and Casula gyms said he was convinced of the power of community.
"Originally one of the imams at the mosque came up to me and said there was no one there and there were no programs,'' Mr Aydin said.
"A lot of the youths in the area and not just the Muslim ones had nothing to do.
"So I took it upon myself to start a youth program."
Mr Aydin said the group was open to anyone and was based on the idea of community, not exclusion.
He said he decided the group had to focus on social, historical and religious studies as well as physical activities.
"I'm a strong believer that if you want something you can get it if you work towards it," he said.
"As a vision, I want to help make the community stronger."
The group meets at Bonnyrigg Mosque on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday at 4pm for religious and social studies.
On Friday it meets at 7pm for the youth program.
Details: www.bonnyriggmosque.org.au or email info@bonnyriggmosque.com.au
