The national capital of Australia is like no other city in Australia. It has been called a bush city, a country town but the name, which fits it best, is the garden city. In spring, autumn and in winter the city is ablaze with the colours of the flowers or of the falling leaves.

There are a lot of places to see while on visit here. The Parliament House [old and new], Botanical Gardens, Black Mountain Tower, The War Memorial, Mount Ainslie Lookout, Lake Burley Griffin and the National Parks around Canberra are a few interesting places. About 95% of ACT is designated Park and bushland and Canberra is the only city of ACT. Canberra is comprised of Civic, Belconnen, Gungahlin, Tuggeranong and Woden.

It is spread over 45 kilometres, has an efficient but not extensive public transport system. Because of good road network no place is more than 30 minutes away. If you have a car handy, come and view the progress at the Australian National Islamic Centre site. It will soon be a place to visit by every Muslim who comes to Canberra.

Canberra also has the second oldest continuously used mosque in Australia. The Canberra Mosque was built in 1960 by the diplomatic missions of Pakistan, Malaysia and Indonesia. The registered body, which owns the land and the mosque, is the Canberra Mosque Inc. The land was a perpetual grant to CMI by the Commonwealth Government at 1 shilling per annum rental. It is situated at 155 Empire Circuit, Yarralumla opposite the site of future Iranian embassy.

If using public bus, be prepared to walk at least a kilometre. Friday prayers are held at 1:25 PM with Khutba commencing at 1 PM. It is more likely to be opened for Maghrib and Ishaa than for Asr. The mosque is located in the Diplomatic Enclave and therefore local Muslims do not live within 3-4 kilometres of the mosque.

While in Canberra, you can purchase 'zabeeha' meat from Yarralumla Meat a place quite close to the mosque. For the last 5 years  only sold halal meat and other meat products from this shop and has now become the only halal meat butcher of the National Capital.

All six outlets of Canberra's own Kingsley Chicken now serve only halal Chicken. It is fairly old franchise but has recently decided to serve only halal chicken; their chicken is delicious and nothing like the other known brands.

In Tuggeranong there is the Ali Baba Franchise in the shopping Centre known as the Hyperdome. Ali Baba at Tuggeranong uses halal meat in its food. Many restaurants in cities owned by Muslims prepare and sell food from 'zabeeha' meat, they are widely advertised in the yellow pages.

If your visit happens to include the second Saturday of the month, feel free to invite yourself to the CIC Social Function at the Canberra Islamic Centre, 221 Clive Steele Avenue, Monash at 6:30 PM. It is a family occasion and your whole family will be welcomed.