By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
A SOON-to-be-built Doveton mosque has slammed suggestions by a Casey councillor that it could be a site for “jihadist Islamic teaching”.
Last Tuesday the City of Casey passed a planning amendment which will see the number of minarets on the proposed Omar Farooq mosque and Afghan Islamic Centre in Green Street increased from one to two and their height increased from 11.5 metres to 14 metres.
Following the decision, Casey councillor and Rise Up Australia Party (RUAP) candidate Rosalie Crestani, who strongly opposed the construction of the mosque, said it was possible the Doveton site could become a recruiting ground for Islamic State extremists.
“Not withstanding the fact that the applicants seem to be reasonable, civil and peaceful people, a change of leadership may in time see the possibility of jihadist Islamic teaching,” Cr Crestani said.
“And a situation where there could be recruits for IS for places like Syria coming out of a mosque that may already be built and glaring fierce over the Doveton landscape.”
Omar Farooq public relations spokesman Rokhan Akbar labelled councillor Crestani’s comments as “ridiculous” and “disappointing”.
“That’s just ridiculous. We’ve been in the area for the last 18 years. We’ve already got a mosque in Photinia Street, Doveton,” Mr Akbar said.
“We’re a peace-loving people; we’re part of the Australian community.
“It’s very sad and disappointing to hear such words from a councillor. She knows we are people of integrity.
“She (Cr Crestani) is contradicting herself, she’s saying we’re nice people and then says there’s a possibility of extremist behaviour.”
Mr Akbar argued that the proposed mosque’s Afghan Islamic Centre would aim to integrate the youth in the community.
“The new mosque will also have a centre to integrate the youth to support them, diverting them into activities like basketball, football and soccer,” he said.
“People like Rosalie should be welcoming the centre, instead of making those comments.”
Cr Crestani was the only councillor to vote against the minaret proposal.
The amendment originally proposed that the minarets be increased to 20 metres, but this was revised to 14 metres.
Councillor Wayne Smith, whose River Gum Ward takes in the Green Street site, also refuted Cr Crestani’s claims.
“It is absolutely ludicrous, we had to make a decision based on what was before us, not what could happen in the future,” he said.
“This is a planning decision, it’s not emotional, it’s not about religion, it’s about planning and what’s allowed and not allowed under the planning rules.”
