By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
HUNDREDS of people packed the Narre Warren North Public Hall on Monday for a community meeting to discuss the controversial application for a mosque in the area.
At least 10 on-duty police officers and several members of the United Patriots Front (UPF) attended the Narre Warren North Community Association meeting which was so busy people were forced to stand at the back and sides of the hall.
It is understood a committee opposed to the mosque was formed immediately following the meeting and is set to have its first official meeting later this week.
In recent weeks a Facebook page trying to stop the new mosque being built at 365-367 Belgrave-Hallam Road has been set up, collecting 8721 likes to date, with a planning application to build the ‘place of worship’ currently before Casey Council.
The ‘Stop the Mosque in Narre Warren’ page is calling on people to sign a petition objecting to the mosque, and the council is taking submissions until 11 March.
The mosque application, which includes plans for a school, was submitted by the Saarban Islamic Trust, which has set up a rival petition on change.org.
Casey Police Inspector Paul Breen and Mayor Sam Aziz addressed the community meeting before the floor was opened up to questions and statements from the public.
Cr Aziz said there was “seldom” a planning application that raised so much interest.
“With the mosque, as it stands at the moment, there is a massive issue related to the intersection, VicRoads wants that intersection signalised by the applicant at the cost of the applicant,” he said.
“So that’s a problem for the applicant that the applicant needs to resolve.
“Unless it is resolved then the certainty is that officers will recommend that the planning application be declined.”
One long-time local resident opposed to the mosque told the room that “this argument is only going to be won on planning”.
Insp Breen opened the meeting by urging residents to be respectful to other faith communities.
“We have legislation that dictates that racist comments inciting hatred and victimising people based on religion or culture are nationally unlawful,” he said.
“These are laws that we live by.”
On Sunday James Randall, from the Islamic Research and Educational Academy (IREA), released a statement defending the mosque application.
“We do not impose upon or restrict anyone’s freedom,” the statement read.
“We simply ask that you do not restrict our freedom.
“We welcome the discussion on diversity that this controversy brings, and we respect everyone’s right to freedom of speech on this issue.”
A suspicious fire was lit at the proposed mosque site just after 3am on Friday 4 March and is still being investigated by police.
There is already an existing mosque at 131-133 Belgrave-Hallam Road, run by the Islamic Education and Welfare Association of Dandenong (IEWAD).
It’s understood Casey Council is obliged to continue to receive and consider all objections until the planning application comes before the council or its planning committee, even after the advertising period of a Notice for a Planning Application is finished.
For more information on the planning application visit www.casey.vic.gov.au/building-planning/statutory-planning/advertised-planning-applications/l-z-suburb-listing.
Anyone with information about the grass fire is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
