Locals in western Sydney are furious after discovering that state-owned land earmarked for up to 50 new high-density homes was sold off by the NSW Labor Government for a mosque project instead.
Fairfield Mayor Frank Carbone shared a letter sent to residents on The Horsley Drive by the Australian Iraqi Muslim Society Inc. informing them of their intention to build a mosque on the site, and saying there would be increased traffic due to weekly prayers.
“One important aspect of our religious practice is the Friday prayer (Jumu’ah), which is the most significant weekly gathering for Muslims. We do understand that there may be an increased flow of people during this time,” the letter stated.
But Mr Carbone vowed to oppose the proposal if it comes before Council, and urged Premier Chris Minns to provide more housing in the area, which is already a majority immigrant suburb, with just 27.8% of the population born in Australia.
“I have serious concerns about the NSW State Government’s actions – particularly why land in Fairfield that was originally earmarked for housing and future road widening is now being sold by the State for a proposed mosque, despite being promoted to residents as surplus land intended for housing,” he said in a post on Facebook on Thursday.
“If the Government’s priority is truly to deliver more housing, then safeguards must be in place to ensure this land is actually used for that purpose – not simply sold off to the highest bidder to top up its bank account.
“If the Government wasn’t going to build housing, we would have requested it be turned into a park or open space for the community instead. I know I’ll be attacked for exposing that the State Government is selling off land set aside for housing for a mosque – but I won’t be silenced.”
Mr Carbone’s post attracted dozens of comments from concerned locals asking him to block the mosque and provide more housing.
“It seems increasingly to be the case that state and federal Labor governments are doing whatever they want and steadily building a whole new group of voters to take over areas the don’t currently control,” wrote one person.
“I just hope people realise over the next couple of years what Labor are doing before any trace of the Australia we love and our ancestors sacrificed their lives for is gone.
“Once it has gone and groups that Labor are pouring into the country and populating at an accelerated rate that’s it folks so please start to open your eyes to what Labor is doing.”
“Frank… PLEASE do not let this happen… I’m a big supporter of yours and I know you will do everything you can! There are enough mosques around, we don’t need one in our backyard!” wrote another.
But some Muslim residents argued in favour of the mosque, while others accused those critical of the project of racism.
“As a resident and Muslim of Fairfield I welcome this with open arms. Fairfield has no mosques I’ve had to travel to other areas for over twenty years to pray at a house of worship. To be honest it’s not that big deal. Muslims do reside in Fairfield and no prayer house,” one wrote.
“Housing is needed I’m sure there are so many other properties they could develop. With mental health on the rise we definitely going to need prayer homes whether be a church, mosque, synagogue. It’s a place of worship. Hope this goes through.”
“Whether a mosque, church, temple any house of God is to be built, then it should have been done the right way. As a Muslim myself people are just being silly with their racist behaviour,” said another.
The 1,502sqm vacant block was sold by the NSW government for $1.96 million in June.
Header image: The site of the proposed mosque (RWC).
The post Outrage as state land intended for new housing sold off for mosque project first appeared on The Noticer.
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