Horsham Islamic Welfare Association president Mahabubur Mollah said the Stawell Road mosque had received strong support from across the region.

"The important thing is the enthusiasm of the whole region," he said.

"My phone did not stop ringing until about an hour before it started."

He said the association had received positive feedback about the evening.

"People were so happy sitting there talking and relaxing so it was a beautiful atmosphere," he said.

Members of the congregation demonstrated muslim prayers, which were observed by guests at the mosque.

Dr Mollah said the gathering was about bringing the region's Islamic and non-Islamic communities closer together.

"There was a very friendly atmosphere," he said.

"It was our objective to break the misperceptions and close that gap because it's a warm friendly society that we live in."

Dr Mollah said anyone interested in seeing the mosque could contact the association.

He recommended people visited on a Friday - the most important day of worship for muslims.

"Friday is the ideal to come and see," he said.

"There's a lot of groups that want to come in and I say 'yes, by all means'."

Dr Mollah told the gathering the mosque's construction was a testament to the region's support.

"Every single person there was involved in this. Yes, we provided money and physical work, but it is the attitude of people that made it possible," he said.

"It was a collective effort and that's what I like to see

"We are so accepted and welcomed and I'd like to give back by getting people to come to us and talk to us.

"I like to break the taboos. It's not in the dress, it's not in the colour of skin - everyone is human so we should be talking to each other and love each other and that's the teaching of Islam."