Abdul Waleed is an American cleric employed by Sydney's Turkish community. He is a convert to Islam and believes that foreign-born religious leaders with a good grasp of English do have a positive part to play here.

He says he has few problems connecting with his congregation.

"I studied overseas in Turkey and in Saudi Arabia and I studied traditionally. The books I've read all these people read themselves, the texts on theology I've read they've read themselves. But of course my background is different culturally and I am different that way and therefore I bring that into my reading also," he said. "For example, as you saw today as I spoke, you know, I didn't quote anything that they've probably not heard before - those verses of the Koran or those narrations - but how I put them together and the message I wanted to give they've probably not heard it that way though."

There are signs that the message from Islamic teachers - whether homegrown or from overseas - is a calming influence on many young Australian Muslims.

Haisam Farache believes that during these troubled times - marked by recent bomb plots in Britain and continued unrest in the Middle East - many are seeking enlightenment.

"In fact, the spirit is the most important thing and so people - they're starting to realize that. And once they start to realize that they go on that search and I went on that search looking for what made me content and what made me relaxed and what made me at peace," said Farache. "And I think people are searching for that and all the turmoil that's going on in the world is only pushing people more towards that."

Australia's Muslims say their brand of Islam is inherently more relaxed and moderate than the traditions found in the Middle East or Europe. They point to the country's easy-going lifestyle and believe it rubs off on their religious practices. For some it is a reason to persuade the mosques to nurture homegrown talent rather than import Imams from abroad.

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