Vandals have caused an estimated $50,000 worth of damage to a proposed mosque site in Padstow in south-west Sydney. The 6,000 square metre industrial site on Enterprise Avenue has become the target of anti-Muslim groups as the factory has been peppered with anti-Islam and race hate stickers. PHOTO: Shaykh Shady Alsuleiman, from the United Muslims of Australia, said the group was happy to talk to residents. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) The United Muslims of Australia (UMA) purchased the site in July this year in the hope of turning it into a mosque and multi-purpose community centre. UMA estimated the damage will cost about $50,000 to repair due to severe damage to electrical systems. The place has been ransacked, theyve gone right through and ripped out all the electrical, UMA operations officer Mohammad Kourouche said. Theyve ripped out all the power, electricity and generators, theyve taken the nuts and bolts out of everything and probably caused about $50,000 worth of damage. Shaykh Shady Alsuleiman from UMA said the incidents were disheartening. Unfortunately we had a few incidents on that site, a break and enter, vandalism and anti-Islamic stickers stuck on the place and were very upset to hear that, he said. It was very saddening and disheartening to see that some of the local members were unhappy with the presence of the UMA in Padstow. It is very unfortunate that the religion and race has been dragged into this Islamophobia and this backlash within the Padstow community. Bankstown Police Commander Superintendent Dave Eardley confirmed police were investigating the break and enter and other incidents at the Padstow site and were monitoring online racist activity. We continually monitor online and social media and will take action to remove offensive posts and investigate offences when detected, he said. He said police had an effective working relationship with Shaykh Shady and UMA particularly in working with youth who were at risk of radicalisation. Proposed Padstow mosque site PHOTO: The site of the proposed mosque development at Padstow, in Sydneys south-west. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) Shaykh Shady said the UMA has been operating for 13 years and had been looking for a suitable location. UMA is proposing to build a mosque to cater for 5,000 worshippers, a function centre, a youth and fitness centre, an educational facilities and classrooms and underground parking for hundreds of people. He said only a minority of people were opposed to the UMAs proposal and the group was happy to speak to community members to alleviate any concerns. Theres nothing to be afraid of, we continue to uphold the message of peace, respect and love, he said. At the end of the day were all Australians, Muslim or non-Muslim, we live in this beautiful country and are part of this fabric and we are there to work with everyone. The UMA is not secretive at all, were an open book, very transparent, and anyone from anywhere can walk into the centre to learn more about us. Bankstown councillor calls for urgent review of places of worship in industrial zones Bankstown City Council told the ABC they were unable to comment as UMA has not yet lodged a development application for the Padstow site. UMA said they were in the process of preparing a development application for the mosque to submit to council. Muhammed Karouche inspects damage at proposed mosque site PHOTO: United Muslims of Australia operations officer Muhammed Karouche inspects damaged equipment. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) We are a professional organisation and will comply with council, all regulations and all restrictions, Shaykh Shady Alsuleiman said. Liberal councillor Jim Daniel recently moved a motion during a council meeting for an urgent review into the process for development applications concerning places of worship in industrial zones. Cr Daniel denied the urgent review was due to the proposed Padstow mosque development. The current code doesnt cover and is a bit inept when it comes to dealing with places of public worship in industrial zones that border or neighbour residential areas, he said. It is a blanket cover, irrespective of denomination or religious background. Cr Daniel said all the community concerns he received had been about noise, traffic and congestion. Padstow community remain divided The mosque proposal has ignited strong opposition and support both online and on social media. The anti-Islamic group the Australian Defence League posted a photo of their members outside the site with their middle fingers erected. Two petitions opposing the development have already been signed by almost 2,000 people and another 2,500 people have liked a Facebook page against the mosque. But there were also two Facebook groups to discuss the mosque proposal. On the streets of Padstow, community members remain divided. Shaykh Shady Alsuleiman PHOTO: Shaykh Shady Alsuleiman speaks to one of the gym members at a UMA centre at Riverwood, in Sydneys south. (ABC News: Mohamed Taha) Long-time Padstow resident Sami Ryan said she was concerned the proposal was over the top. We dont need a meeting place for 3,000 people and smack bang in the middle of a quiet suburban area, she said. It worries me with these people. I mean Ive got nothing against them. What worries me is a lot of these people come to our country to have our way of life, to leave what theyve left behind, terrorism et cetera, and they come here and theyre more or less stirring up the same thing. Padstow resident Steven said there were already mosques in western Sydney. Well I think it has some good points and some bad points but theyve already got a mosque at Lakemba, they got one in Auburn so why do they need one here? he said. Another local man said it would be hard for local people to adjust. What worries me is a lot of these people come to our country to have our way of life, to leave what theyve left behind, terrorism et cetera and they come here and theyre more or less stirring up the same thing. Padstow resident Sami Ryan Padstow was built for returning serviceman from World War II, theres still a lot of Anglo-Saxon residents in the Padstow-Revesby area and its very hard for people to change I think, one man said. Others cited traffic issues as the reason for opposing the mosque. For me I dont agree with it, not because its a mosque, its space wise, its just going to create too much traffic and issues, Padstow resident Rayleane said. However, other residents said they supported the mosque and all groups to freely practice their religion. Everyone has a right to pray in the church or synagogue or mosque, one said. Another said while he was against all organised religion, he had no problem with the mosque. Im against all churches but I have to say so long as they behave, theyre welcome in our community, the person said. Some residents approved of the mosque and just wanted everyone to get along. They can go about their religion freely if we allow others to do so, I agree with it, Padstow resident Greg said.
Posted on: Thu, 04 Dec 2014 07:07:01 +0000