SINN FEIN BACKS PORTADOWN MOSQUE

Thursday January 16, 2003 07:28

by (1) Maureen Coleman , (2) 4 Local News

UNIONISTS PROVIDE THEIR USUAL IGNORANT DRIVEL IN OPPOSITION

UNIONISTS on Craigavon Borough Council were accused of displaying ignorance today in a row over plans to build a mosque. Ulster Unionist councillor Fred Crowe also claimed that encouraging Muslims to settle in the area might open the door for "militants" while another councillor went further – suggesting that the mosque could be used by Al-Qaida terrorist cells. Sinn Fein and representatives from the local Muslim community hit out at the unionists' comments.

Publication Date: 15 January 2003

Rethink urged on plan for new Mosque
Unionist objectors 'ignorant of Muslim religion'

By Maureen Coleman

UNIONISTS on Craigavon Borough Council were accused of displaying ignorance today in a row over plans to build a mosque.

Outline planning permission has been granted for the construction of Northern Ireland's first mosque, in a field at Bleary, near Portadown.

But after objections from some Unionist councillors and local residents, planners were asked to reconsider and a final recommendation has yet to be made.

Former Ulster Unionist Mayor of Craigavon Fred Crowe said he was opposed to the mosque on infrastructure grounds, claiming it would pose traffic, noise and drainage problems.

He said that residents had been assured that there would be no "calls to worship", but pointed out that chanting could disturb people living nearby.

"This mosque would be built near eight or nine villas and although we've been assured that there will be no noise, they are inclined to chant in big numbers, which is bound to cause a disturbance," he said.

"I think that a mosque would devalue the area and introduce people into the community who don't actually live here.

"I'm as liberal as anybody but there are genuine reasons why this proposal should not go ahead."

Woolsey Smith of the DUP said he had been told the mosque would not be an eastern-type building and that there would be no "wailing" noise calling Muslims to worship.

"I would be worried for residents in the area as to just what they will be confronted with," he said.

But Sinn Fein and representatives from the local Muslim community hit out at the unionists' comments.

Councillor John O'Dowd said he believed the unionist representatives were opposed to anything "other than what they believe in".

"This is an equality matter," he said.

"The unionists just cannot bring themselves into an inclusive society in Craigavon.

"A mosque could only enrich the community by encouraging a diversity of cultures."

A spokesman for the Muslim community in Portadown said: "These so-called council leaders are just showing their ignorance and it's that type of ignorance which has this country the way it is.

"Why don't they come and meet with the Muslims and find out about their religion before they start commenting on it.

"Lack of knowledge is a terrible thing."

Source: Belfast Telegraph

http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/story.jsp?story=369445

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Row erupts over plans for Portadown Mosque
4 Local News
15 January 2003
http://www.4ni.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=6741

A row has erupted in Mid-Ulster over Unionist opposition to the erection of Northern Ireland's first purpose-built mosque.

Although the small Muslim community in Portadown are looking to build the £200,000 mosque through their own funding, Unionist councillors have voted to delay building claiming local residents would be kept awake by the noise of worshippers and the call to prayer.

Ulster Unionist councillor Fred Crowe also claimed that encouraging Muslims to settle in the area might open the door for "militants" while another councillor went further – suggesting that the mosque could be used by Al-Qaida terrorist cells.

Concern was also expressed that the building could cause sewage problems and heavy traffic on the country road leading to it.

However, supporters of the mosque have claimed that no such problems would occur given that there are, at the most, 200 Muslims in the Craigavon area.

The construction has been delayed but is expected to go ahead in the near future.

Elsewhere, leading Ulster Unionist Dermot Nesbitt has claimed that the Equality Commission in Northern Ireland needs to be reformed or scrapped.

Mr Nesbitt made the remark during an interview in a local newspaper, and claimed that the commission had "mislead" the public in regard to its recent equality monitoring report.

In an opinion piece, the former Environment Minister argued: "The Equality Commission needs careful public scrutiny. That, to date, has not happened. Since an important aspect of its work is seriously questioned, it has presented its own statistics in a misleading fashion, and it has set no performance target by which to be judged – concentrating merely on process not outcome.

"I realise equality is a sensitive issue (but) there are many who still doubt religious equality of opportunity, but it has been comprehensively addressed."

(MB)

http://www.4ni.co.uk/industrynews.asp?id=6741