Exploring this work gave her a deeper understanding of the history of Islam in Australia. Previously, she wasn’t aware of the cameleers, the first of which arrived in Australia in the 1860s, or the depth of Islam’s reach into modern Australian history. “It’s so fascinating to consider the old mosques in Australia and what they mean for our country,” she said. “It helps me feel like I belong here in another way. I want to highlight that in my work and hopefully connect with other young Muslims in Australia, to show them that they and their faith belong here.” All of Shireen’s works align with the theme of practicing faith in a new country, and the value of non-secular spaces for minority communities in Australia. She is informed by field work, which has taken her to contemporary mosques built in suburban Sydney and Melbourne, as well as Australia’s oldest mosques, such as the one in Broken Hill. Many of the new mosques feature ‘hybrid architecture’, evidence of the ongoing cultural exchange between cultures in Australia. This is a highly personal topic for Shireen as a Lebanese-Australian Muslim, as she navigates the complex task of finding identity and a sense of belonging in Australia. “I’m constantly being reminded that, as a young adult, you don’t have to alter your values or cultural practices. If anything, you can embrace them. We can all bring our differences together to create a rich environment.” MERCEDES-BENZ PARRAMATTA 18 CULTURE