Profile - Gallipoli Mosque citizenship ceremony
A special citizenship ceremony on ANZAC Day 2007 highlighted the bond which has developed between Australia and Turkey in the nine decades since the two nations were at war.
Forty people from Turkey, India, Brazil and Afghanistan became Australian citizens at the ceremony in the grounds of the Auburn Gallipoli Mosque in Sydney's western suburbs.
Conferee Andiara Telles said it was important for her to become a citizen 'to be part of the culture and embrace fully the country'.
Another conferee, Felipe Guilherme, said becoming a citizen was his own choice which could allow for better eduction and work opportunities. 'I love the country,' said Felipe moments after he became Australian, 'I love my friends.'
The ceremony was the first ever to be held in the grounds of a mosque in Australia. Auburn Gallipoli Mosque education director Mehmet Ozalp said he thought that holding the ceremony at the mosque on ANZAC Day was 'a great symbol'.
The department's NSW director Gavin McCairns said the department had worked closely with the Turkish community and the RSL to arrange the event.
'It's the final part of the journey for people who come into Australia, become residents and become citizens,' Mr McCairns said.
'It's a real joy to offer that to people and share it with the whole community.'
A record number of 169 123 people became Australian citizens in 2006-07. This included 12 500 people from 111 countries who became citizens on Australia Day 2007 at 280 ceremonies around the country.