Earlier this week, the Islamic Society of Toowoomba announced plans were under way to establish a mosque to cater for the growing number of Muslims living in the city.
HARRISTOWN resident Tony Gaiter said he has seen a lot of church groups come and go from the location earmarked to house a Muslim mosque.
Earlier this week, the Islamic Society of Toowoomba announced plans were under way to establish a mosque to cater for the growing number of Muslims living in the city.
The former Westside Christian Church, at the corner of West and Stephens Streets in Harristown, is the preferred location given its proximity to the University of Southern Queensland.
Mr Gaiter, whose property shares a fence line with the former church, expressed some reservations about the site being transformed into a mosque.
“I do not have a problem with Muslims on a whole,” he said.
“But, I do not know if I want them next door to me.
“In saying that, everyone has a right to their respective religion.
“All I have a problem with is the extremists,” he said.
Mr Gaiter, who runs a home-based business from his property, said parking in-and-around the area could also pose some minor issues.
“Whatever you say on the matter you will be deemed as a racist,” he said.
“Time will tell whether it becomes a problem.
“However, I do not foresee any issues really.”
Mr Gaiter said the moment the word Muslim is mentioned it becomes headline news, especially since 9/11.
“I generally think Muslims get a bad rap,” he said.
“But, in some respects, I believe they deserve what they get, especially in relation to wearing burkas in public.
“I know for a fact if I walked into a bank or shopping centre wearing a helmet I would get asked to remove it.
“Most Australians believe if you come to our country, that is great, but you live by our rules.
“If they flew under the radar a little bit more they might be more widely accepted.”
United front as city leaders back plans for suburban mosque
A SENIOR church leader believes a Muslim mosque would be a welcome addition to the fabric of the city.
It is very important to have diversity in Toowoomba. Toowoomba Catholic Diocese Bishop Robert McGuckin said people in Toowoomba needed to be more tolerant and accepting of people who shared different beliefs to their own.
Opinions are divided after it was revealed this week the Islamic Society of Toowoomba was looking at establishing a mosque in the city.
The society is well advanced in their plans to raise the funds needed to purchase the proposed site in Harristown.
“We talk about people’s right to religion, and then we will not allow them their own place of worship,” Bishop McGuckin said.
“The site is zoned as a place of worship and Muslims have a right to worship like the rest of us.
“People are scared of the unknown,” he said.
Bishop McGuckin said Muslim people formed an important part of our community.
“People should step back and have a look. There needs to be tolerance,” he said.
“We have to be welcoming of other people and their beliefs.
“It is when you segregate people, that is when you get problems.”
Pure Land College
Pure Land College coordinator Muhammed Haniff Abdul Razak welcomed the establishment of a mosque in the city.
“Any place of worship irrespective of faith is very good,” Mr Razak said.
“I would definitely support a mosque being established in the city.
“It is very important to have diversity in Toowoomba.
“We want to be seen as a city of peace and harmony.
“People need to accept and be tolerant of all faiths,” he said.
Mayor promotes diversity
Mayor Paul Antonio said the city had always prided itself on its diversity.
Cr Antonio said council would work with the Islamic Society of Toowoomba about its plans to establish a mosque at Harristown.
“We are a very diverse society. There has been a solid Muslim presence in Toowoomba for many years,” Cr Antonio said.
“There are many faith traditions in Toowoomba.
“We have always been very welcoming of those faiths,” he said.
Cr Antonio said he understood why the city’s Muslims were looking at an alternative place of worship.
“The Muslim population has been meeting at the University of Southern Queensland for years,” he said.
“They are just looking for an alternative site to cater for growing numbers.
“We are working together in an effort to resolve any issues.
“Any development application will be assessed under council’s planning scheme.”
The number of Muslims is growing,
I think, because of all the opportunities in Toowoomba
As president of the Islamic Society of Toowoomba Dr Shahjahan Khan explained, a group of Islamic worshippers has been meeting in Toowoomba for almost 20 years.
The group, which now includes more than 1000 regular members, was formed in 1994.
It has been meeting at the University of Southern Queensland since soon after its foundation.
Dr Khan reassured the city’s non-Islamic community that they had nothing to fear.
“We are committed to maintaining good relationships wherever we go,” he said.
PLANS to establish a mosque in Toowoomba to cater for the growing number of Muslims are well advanced.
The Islamic Society of Toowoomba is the driving force behind the Toowoomba Mosque Project.
Two locations, one at Harristown and another at Rangeville, have been mooted as possible sites.
However, it is believed the preferred site is the former Uniting Church grounds located at the corner of West and Stephens Streets given its proximity to the University of Southern Queensland. A second site under consideration is located in Long St, Rangeville.
The preferred site at the corner of West and Stephens Streets, Harristown.
