The Central Coast’s second mosque is set to open amid howls of protest, building investigations and fears of radicalised Muslim elements infiltrating the Gosford group.
Nearly 100 Narara residents have signed a petition opposing the imminent mosque opening at 75 Showground Rd, where Gosford Islamic Society bought the land and existing building approvals for a “place of worship” from the Christian Brethren Church two years ago.
Central Coast Council is now investigating “whether any unauthorised works are being undertaken” there.
Tradies were working on the rundown building when the Express Advocate visited the location on Tuesday. However, a spokesman for the Gosford Islamic Society said plasterers were “just gyprocking” (interior walls).
“We haven’t been contacted by council about any investigation,” a group spokesman said. “We’ve already gone through council with everything and we’ve also been upfront about our plans with the federal police.”
Mosque fears were sparked by an “urgent notice” circulated anonymously and widely among residents in Narara last week. The leaflet calls on residents to “protest now before it’s too late”.
The Express Advocate spoke with several residents who were mainly concerned about the group unsettling their “happy” neighbourhood, and the impact on parking in the area.
The prayer-hall site only has 14 parking spots for the group’s 50 members. It is located next to the popular miniature trains, which run on the first Saturday of each month, on busy Showground Rd.
“The little trains have been there for a long time,” resident Dorothy Davies said. “Showground Rd is packed when the little trains run. I’d hate for the little trains to suffer.”
Fellow resident Olga Nalepka fears darker forces will be descending on her beloved valley suburb.
“There’s the possibility of this group having radical elements in it,” she said. “I believe there will be confrontation if it goes ahead.
“This is not an area which wants a mosque. It’s not a Muslim community.”
The Islamic group spokesman said he was not aware of the petition or leaflet calling for protests against the mosque.
“I was expecting it sooner or later, though, the way things are in the world,” he said.
“I understand the fears, but people aren’t generally radicalised in mosques. They are watching (Islamic State propaganda) videos and other things online. These Muslims use religion to suit their (extremist) agenda.
“You also see bad things in Christianity, so I think it’s unfair to label us all (Muslim) extremists.
“It’s just not the case. People have nothing to fear by the mosque opening.”
‘WE WANT PEACE AND HARMONY’
Peace, harmony and a strong community-minded focus.
These are the key attributes the Gosford Islamic Society is aiming to bring to Narara when it opens its mosque in the next two months.
It is promising to invite residents to its opening where it can allay any fears.
“I want residents to come and sit down with us and learn about us,” a group spokesman said.
“I understand they are scared of something different. Our prayer hall won’t be like the ones you see in Lakemba. It will be a community hall where people can get together to pray and enjoy each other’s company.”
The mosque will be the region’s second. The Central Coast Islamic Culture Centre at Wyong has been open for nearly a decade.
The Narara mosque is opposite the Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses, which declined to comment on the Muslim presence in the suburb. The Islamic group’s main prayer sessions will be on Fridays.
“That will be the day we’ll get around 50 people for prayers. Saturday is usually just a maintenance day for us, and there’ll be Sunday school for the children,” the spokesman said.
“These are the sorts of things we want to talk with residents about. It’s something new for many of them, but we don’t want them to be scared of us. We’re all Australians.”