Muslims in Australia are ethnically, linguistically and culturally diverse. More than 36 per cent of the 281,590 Muslims in Australia were born in Australia. Muslims have come to Australia from more than 120 countries.

*  Over three-quarters of Muslims in Australia speak English only or have good English proficiency.

*  86.5 per cent of Australian Muslims speak a language other than English at home.

*  Just over a third of Muslims in Australia speak Arabic (including Lebanese).

Other than Arabic the next most commonly spoken languages are Turkish (16.3 per cent), English (11.3 per cent) and Persian (5.8 per cent).

The Muslim population in Australia is a relatively young group with almost half aged under 25 years (34.5 per cent for the total Australian population). This is largely due to the Australian-born Muslims, mostly second generation Australians, where 85.7 per cent are under 25 years.

Overseas-born Muslims tend to be in the 25-44 year age group (47.5 per cent) which is consistent with their recent arrival in Australia.

Muslim events and festivals are based on the Islamic lunar calendar and specific dates can therefore change from year to year.  Main events are:

*  Dhu Al-Hijja: The month of pilgrimage (the Hajj) to Mecca. (December/January)

*  Eid-ul-Adha: The Festival of Sacrifice that occurs at the end of the Hajj and commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son for God. (December/January)

*  Muharram/Al-Hijra: The Islamic New Year. (December/January)

*  Eid Milad al-Nabi: The birthday of the Prophet. (April)

*  Ramadan: Muslims must begin fasting between sunrise and sunset. (September)

*  Eid-ul-Fitr: The end of Ramadan. (October)

Source: Department of Immigration & Citizenship