Traffic intolerance

“RESIDENTS worried for their safety as a result of traffic chaos at the front of Narre Warren North mosque have taken their case to the council.”
“Guests attending a mosque… have been parking and driving illegally near the place of worship.”
“People who used the mosque regularly parked in no standing zones.”
“People are disregarding the laws and setting dangerous precedents.”
The above quotes are from an article by Lachlan Moorhead (Fear Over Mosque Traffic Near-misses, News, 17 April).
They depict a very alarming and disturbing situation.
As a resident of Casey, I fully support the 25 people who have taken their genuine grievances to council for redress.
In a recent article to the editor, I wrote “some irresponsible and selfish owners of vehicles have turned Dandenong car park into a labyrinth”.
Therefore, I feel scandalized by Craig Nicholls’ article (Socially Speaking, News, 24 April) on the same topic.
In his very first paragraph he has deliberately mixed the issues.
Instead of referring to the traffic chaos, the insecurity of local residents and the flouting of the law by mosque attendants, he has tried to make it look like a conflict between the Christian church and the Muslim mosque.
Mr Nicholls’ behaviour is irresponsible, unpatriotic and most reprehensible.
Quote: “The main concern I have with this issue is why does this petition only focus on the people attending a mosque when the people attending the church next door create similar issues for residents?”
The question is not only irrelevant, but also ridiculous and biassed.
I feel even more disgusted when I read his other comment.
Quote: “Maybe the mosque should be closed so that the church has more parking space.” Shame on you!
Maybe I should remind Mr Craig Nicholls that we are in Australia where the law is applied to everybody, irrespective of caste, creed, colour or ethnicity. That’s what helps to make Australia a beautiful country.
I may even invite Mr Craig Nicholls to visit my country of origin, where sometimes, Muslim fanatics think they can stop the traffic and start praying in the middle of the road at midday, or stage a protest by praying in front of the municipality.
Some who, in defiance of the law, occupy parking zones and pavements all day, to sell their produce. Islam is a peaceful religion, though!
To conclude, I would urge Casey and Dandenong councils to develop a policy of zero tolerance towards all traffic offenders.
Eliezer Francois,
Endeavour Hills.