BACKLASH over plans to build the South West’s first house of prayer in the Dardanup shire could lead to a more accepting community, according to the Islamic Association of Bunbury.
Although plans for a mosque look unlikely to go ahead on the proposed Picton site, association representative Dr Fahad Ashraf said media coverage had generated a lot of interest which could lead to more acceptance of the religion.
The association’s application to build a mosque and community centre in Picton East went before a council meeting last Wednesday.
But council deferred the decision to allow for more community consultation after about 20 residents fronted the meeting to passionately oppose the plan.
Golding Crescent resident Rob Semple, who has lived near the proposed mosque site for 13 years, said he had become aware of the application through the media.
Mr Semple said the shire sent two letters to property owners on either side of the proposed site, which left many nearby residents in the dark.
Shire corporate services director Stuart Eaton told the Bunbury Mail public notice was sent to landowners adjacent and opposite to the proposal.
Dr Ashraf said it now looked likely that the owners of the Coleman Turn land would pull out of the project.
“It’s disappointing because we have invested about one-and-a-half years and almost $20,000 into the mosque plans,” Dr Ashraf said.
“But I have had a lot of people approach me wanting to find out more about the religion – many people did not know they can attend a mosque even if they are not a Muslim to find out what actually happens.”
A Facebook page called “Stop the mosque in Bunbury or anywhere in the South West” was created after the plans became public knowledge and it has gathered more than 330 members.
In an almost identical situation in Ballarat, Victoria, an anti-Islamic group called Restore Australia plans to gather community support and protest the building of a mosque in the city.
Restore Australia has also contacted the Bunbury Mail, claiming a South West mosque would see traffic chaos, noise and the downfall of house prices and business in the region.
Dr Ashraf said the association had expected some community backlash but had accepted that they could not convince everyone.
“Unfortunately Muslims have a negative stigma across Australia and worldwide and we have to accept that – but that doesn’t mean all Muslims are bad people, it’s a tiny proportion that believe in something that is not nice,” he said.
Dr Ashraf said the association was determined to see the million-dollar project go ahead as it would make more people stay in Bunbury.
“A lot of Muslims have left the region in the past because there is no mosque here,” he said.
The Bunbury Mail will host an online live chat with Dr Ashraf on Thursday from 3pm. Go to bunburymail.com.au to join the discussion.
