FAIRFAX, Va. -- More future terrorists will receive training in Fairfax County now that the Board of Supervisors has approved a new school and mosque. At least that’s what opponents would have you believe.
The Islamic Saudi Academy had a long-standing zoning request to allow it to build the school and mosque on a 34-acre property, but many county residents had strong objections, calling the academy a school for terrorism and citing a former valedictorian serving a life sentence for threatening the life of President George W. Bush, News4’s Chris Gordon reported.
“We don’t think it should exist, let alone expand,” said Jerry Lafferty, of the Virginia Anti-Shariah Task Force. “It teaches shariah law. It teaches terrorism. They’re raising the next generation of homicide bombers right here in Virginia.”
Neighbors along Popes Head Road said traffic congestion, safety and protecting the environment are the reasons they oppose the Islamic Saudi Academy expansion.
“Pope’s Head is a two-lane road, it just cannot hold anymore traffic,” Pope’s Head Road resident Beth Parker said.
The Fairfax County Board of Supervisors acknowledged it was a hard decision, Gordon reported. They took two votes, and in the end Supervisor Gerry Hyland’s motion to approve the plan passed after he dispelled the notion that the school poses a danger.
“I have never in the 15 years had any misgivings about that school being in my community,” he said.
The motion passed 6-4, allowing the ISA to expand.
Some opponents said they will target the six supervisors who voted in favor of the school’s plan.
“We’re actively going to solicit candidates to run against them, and we are going to defeat them,” Lafferty said.
