Posted on 11/30/2002 12:17:15 AM PST by Michael2001
SYDNEY, Australia, Nov. 29 (UPI) -- Abbas Aly, an Australian computer science engineer, expected some objections when he applied to his local council to build a small prayer hall on the outskirts of Sydney, but he never thought his plan would unleash the community anger he is now facing.
Aly's proposal, submitted Oct. 1, seemed innocuous enough at the time. A small hall -- no minarets or domes -- plus offices, and parking for 53 cars, on a five-acre block in rural Annangrove.
The idea was to provide premises for the 60 or so Muslim families in the surrounding area who otherwise need to drive almost an hour to the nearest mosque.
All services and meetings would be in English. It would be used twice a week for religious functions, which 80 people would attend. Three times a year, the number might reach 250.
It met all the zoning requirements and is, according to Baulkham Hills Shire Council, a "permissible use."
At any other time, the proposal might have slipped through unnoticed.
But then along came the Oct. 12 nightclub bombings in Bali, Indonesia, which heightened public fears and paranoia already fuelled by the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks, and a series of gang rapes by a group of Lebanese-Australian youth in western Sydney.
Not to mention the fact Australia is under a terror alert, with daily warnings that an al Qaida attack is imminent.
Now, all hell has broken loose in this sleepy "white bread" area -- population 1,989 -- on the edge of Sydney's "Bible Belt."
The development application attracted 4,500 written submissions from the public, an unprecedented number for such a proposal.
"Eight is usually a lot," Council spokeswoman Justine O'Leary told United Press International.
The main objections related to the likely increase in traffic congestion and noise, as well impacts on the natural environment and public safety. Very few submissions mentioned religion or ethnicity.
In addition, the proposal has seen 700 locals attend a public protest meeting.
Which makes Aly even more convinced that traffic and noise are not the main issues.
"I paid for two planning reports, and I can tell you there is no planning issue there -- it's the fear of the unknown," he told UPI. "People don't know who we are, and they are not ready for the prayer hall right now."
Aly has also had a brick through his office window, fires in his household garbage bins, and has received thousands of letters.
"I think the big winner is Australia Post," he said.
The irony is that Aly sees himself as Australian first, and Muslim second. He loves cricket, voted for the conservative Prime Minister, John Howard, and owns a computer hardware company.
"I am not even devout," he said.
Aly's predicament is symptomatic of the situation of many in Australia's 300,000-strong Muslim community, who are now on the defensive due to the actions of extremists overseas.
"I can see why these people (the residents) are scared of the terrorists and their followers. I'm scared of them too," he said. "I worry every time I go on a plane."
For its part, the Council is sticking to the script. Deputy Mayor Mike Blair told UPI he tries to "keep politics out of it" and says he really believes it is about planning issues.
"I don't have a problem, but there is a concern out there. It's a very close-knit community, and residents are irate because they feel the prayer hall is unwarranted," he said.
Sharon Wells, president of the Annangrove Progress Association, which is leading the campaign, said that while she had planning concerns she opposes the development because of the "social impact" of a meeting place for Muslims.
At the public meeting, Mayor John Griffiths, who is also a lay preacher, was more blunt, saying he was "concerned about the girls and ladies in this community" if a mosque were built.
Many Australians, probably even a strong majority, are critical of the Annangrove view. Labor Sen. George Campbell spoke for them when he told The Hills News: "Prejudice has no place in Australia and Annangrove residents should embrace diversity."
But it is easy to believe that, privately, most are breathing a sigh of relief the development proposal was not for their neighborhood.
The fate of the proposed prayer hall will be decided by a full Council meeting on Dec. 17. For his part, Aly is staying remarkably calm.
"I'm hoping common sense will prevail, and Council sees the prayer hall not such a problem," he said.
More than one means you can use the plural terrorists
Pookie & ME
Uh-huh. The same people who voted to ban the private possession of firearms. Real smart.
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