Bendigo has its first mosque

Assalamu alaikum. I wanted to share some news with the community. After more than ten years of opposition and protests, the Muslim community in Bendigo is close to opening their first mosque in central Victoria. The building is finished and they are waiting for the occupancy permit, inshaAllah it will hold around 375 worshippers, with a sports and community centre included. They are still fundraising to get across the finish line. I remember when the plans were first announced years ago and there was so much resistance. Protests, petitions, ugly signs. The brothers and sisters in Bendigo did not give up. They stayed patient, they followed the process, and now there is a minaret rising in a town where many people said it would never happen. This is what sabr looks like. For those of us in Melbourne or Sydney, we take our masjids for granted. We have one on every second street in some suburbs. In regional Victoria, having even one place to pray Jummah together is a gift. May Allah bless the community in Bendigo and reward everyone who contributed to making this happen. And may He soften the hearts of those who opposed it. Has anyone here been to Bendigo or know the community there? Would love to hear how things have been for Muslims in regional Victoria.