Al-Taqwa College

Opened in 1986 by the Islamic Trust Fund, Al-Taqwa College has grown significantly over the years. Originally known as Werribee Islamic College, it was renamed Al-Taqwa College in 2010. Al-Taqwa College sits on a sprawling 50-acre property in Truganina, just outside of Melbourne. The campus is more than just classrooms. A mosque stands proudly next to the main school buildings, a testament to the college’s Islamic faith. Starting with classes from Prep to Year 10, Al-Taqwa College now offers a full Prep to Year 12 education, including the Victorian Certificate of Education (VCE). They even have an offshoot campus, the Olive Branch, where students can explore agriculture and horticulture. Al-Taqwa’s reach extends beyond Australia. There’s an Al-Taqwa College in Indonesia, the International Islamic School of Indonesia, demonstrating a commitment to global education. In 2015, Al-Taqwa College had almost 2,000 students. Projections suggested this would rise to 2,500 by 2018. The college offers a diverse curriculum, including English, Maths, LOTE (Languages Other Than English), IT, Business, Art, and Physical Education. Unfortunately, Al-Taqwa College has also faced controversy. In 2005, concerns arose following antisemitic comments made by a visiting imam. In 2015, Principal Omar Hallak’s comments about ISIS being part of a Western plot drew criticism. Then the COVID-19 pandemic hit. In 2020, Al-Taqwa College became a significant cluster site, with over 200 cases linked to the school. Another closure followed a positive case in 2021, contributing to statewide lockdowns. Al-Taqwa College has seen growth, faced challenges, and played a role in broader societal events. It remains a prominent educational institution within the Muslim community in Melbourne’s west.