NSW: Mosque plan rejection sparks racism claims

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NSW: Mosque plan rejection sparks racism claims

SYDNEY, Dec 18 AAP - A Sydney council has overwhelmingly refused an application fora Muslim prayer centre, sparking allegations of racism.

Baulkham Hills Shire Council last night rejected the application 10-2 on the groundsit was not in the community interest, was not compatible with the area and not in accordancewith the shared beliefs of the community.

The development application by Abbas Aly sparked 5,000 letters to council, demandingit oppose the building in Annangrove Road.

Mayor John Griffiths said the decision to reject the application was also based ona genuine fear by residents of "what could happen".

The Supreme Islamic Council of NSW today attacked the decision and accused the councilof making remarks that could be considered racist.

However Cr Griffiths rejected any suggestion that the decision was based on race.

"I completely reject that," Cr Griffiths told AAP.

"The assertion was made by the applicant last night along those lines... but when yougo through the actual reasons for refusal, there are no reasons there at all... the communityhas got a concern.

"We're elected to represent the community.

"There just seems to be a fear in the community... the fear of what could happen andwhat could happen, I don't know."

Councillor Margaret van de Weg, one of two to vote in favour of the mosque, said shewas disappointed with the outcome.

"It's become an issue because of the Bali bombings and because of the September 11attacks that people have realised that terrorism could come to Australia," she said.

"And unfortunately the terrorism that has affected Australians recently has involvedone particular religion which happens to be the Muslim religion.

"I think it's sad everyone in the particular religion is tarred by the same brush."

The president of the Supreme Islamic Council of NSW, Jaber El-gafi, accused the councilof inflaming community division by making racist remarks.

"I think we have to address the racist remarks that've been said," he told ABC Radio today.

"From the beginning, the council has vindicated and inflamed the situation and it didnot act as an arbitrator, it acted against it from the beginning.

"That's obvious to everybody from the remarks of the mayor and the deputy mayor. Theyinflamed the situation and they put remarks that could be considered racist."

He labelled as "dangerous" the council's claim the development proposal was not inaccordance with the shared beliefs, customs and values of the local community.

"That is a very dangerous statement ... what is the belief of the community? What arethey? Are we not part of that community, is that what he's saying in other words?," MrEl-gafi said.

"The Muslim has existed in this country since the inception of Australia."

AAP sa/tnf/sp/sb

KEYWORD: MOSQUE