Muslim communities around the world have come under increasing scrutiny since the terrorist attacks of September 11. Some imams have been criticised for inflammatory speeches promoting jihad and religious hatred. But one mosque in Australia has taken the inter-faith message to heart, and is seeking to highlight the similarities between Islam and Christianity.

The Virgin Mary Mosque is next door to a church, its congregation includes people from East and West, and it's the only mosque in Australia with a woman on its board. Sue Lannin speaks to the Imam, Sheikh Isse Musse.

Sue Lannin: In the western suburbs of Melbourne, a unique mosque is led by a unique mufti.

Sheikh Isse Musse, Imam, Virgin Mary Mosque: How are you? Good to see you.

Sue Lannin: Sheikh Isse Musse, or Jesus Moses, has been blind since childhood. He left war-torn Somalia as a refugee and settled in Australia 14 years ago.

Sheikh Isse Musse: Mosques generally named by ... named after males, so we said let us also break the tradition and give a female name to the mosque, and the Virgin Mary was the choice.

Sue Lannin: At first, the name raised eyebrows in the Muslim community.

"Virgin Mary, exactly in that name, it is there in the Koran."

Sheikh Isse Musse: Initially, some people were incredulous. They were saying, "What? Virgin Mary, this is Catholic, Catholic name". And I kept saying, "Well Mary, Virgin Mary, exactly in that name, it is there in the Koran". The Koran describes her as a virgin and Mary is her name, so what is wrong in adopting that name?

Sue Lannin: Sheikh Isse did his religious training in Saudi Arabia, but he gives his sermons in English, and they are like something you may hear at a church.

Sheikh Isse Musse: Islam always says, "Live in peace, and in harmony and do always what is good to others".

Sue Lannin: Sheikh Isse is on the National Council of Imams, which elects Australia's most senior Islamic leader. The former mufti of Australia, Sheikh Taj Al Din Al Hilali, was a controversial figure who stepped down a few months ago.

Sheikh Isse Musse: We took a break from Sheikh Hilali's continuous outbursts and the reaction of the politicians and so in that sense, the community now is at ease.

Sue Lannin: Sheikh Isse says governments do need to be cautious when it comes to terrorism, but should not exaggerate the threat. He says many Muslims in Australia have suffered discrimination in the wake of the attacks on September 11.

"Most Muslims …think they are being targeted."

Sheikh Isse Musse: Most Muslims are not comfortable, to tell the truth, they are not comfortable. They think they are being targeted. In relation to employment, they think they are being marginalised, they don't get the right employment. So, when people have such a story to tell, they feel that they are not being supportive enough.

Sue Lannin: The mosque is one of the most multicultural in Australia.

Sheikh Isse Musse: About 17 nationalities congregate in this mosque, all Asian countries, many African countries, Middle East, some Aussies are here.

Sue Lannin: The mosque has rules to prevent a single ethnic group dominating, and it says it is the only mosque in Australia with a woman on its committee.

Saima Azhar, Virgin Mary Mosque: They do have a say, they can [take] part in the decision-making process. They can, you know, portray what they think is going on, is not right or not wrong. So, it's a good mixture.

Sue Lannin: The Virgin Mary Mosque is also challenging the status quo by teaching its members how to use the Internet. There are swimming classes for women as well as classes for kids on how to read the Koran. Sheikh Isse's idea of diversity and inter-faith dialogue seems to be bearing fruit, and he is leading the way by breaking down barriers.

Sheikh Isse Musse: Yeah, it's not difficult as such, except in when I wanted to have some information, read a book or consult a manual or certain questions when I'm researching something, that's the only difficulty that I may face. But apart from that, I love being Imam, leading the prayer, telling the people what is right about Islam and it's good to do that.

Helen Vatsikopoulos: Sue Lannin reporting.