Proposed Mosque for Brookfield Gains
Support of Religious Leaders
08 March 2012By Rory Linnane
Members of the Brookfield-Elm Grove Interfaith Network
are coming to the defense of the Islamic Society of
Milwaukee's proposal to build a mosque in Brookfield,
the Journal Sentinel reported as the religious leaders
started a letter of support.
"This is about the rights of decent human beings to
have a place to worship," Rabbi Steven Adams of
Congregation Emanu-El in Waukesha, who was drafting
the letter on behalf of the group, told the Journal
Sentinel.
The Islamic Society hopes the new mosque, which would
have to be approved by the Plan Commission and Common
Council, could eventually serve 350 congregants from
western suburbs.
The proposal has prompted mixed feedback from
beginning, with concerns centering around traffic
congestion and religious extremists. Brookfield
resident Nancy Jo Baratti described her fears on
Brookfield NOW.
There will likely be more opposition coming out of the
Eagle Forum, which will meet Tuesday at 1 p.m. at the
Brookfield Public Library.
Still, Brookfield Mayor Steven Ponto said he thinks
the criticism is coming from a vocal minority of
Brookfield residents.
"Overall, I think Brookfield has a very highly
educated, sophisticated population. And they
understand that one of our great strengths is a
respect for the religious rights of all people and a
respect for different cultures," he told the Journal
Sentinel.
Local Muslim leaders say the new mosque, Masjid
Al'Noor, would allow congregants to spread out from
their overflowing Milwaukee location where more than
1,500 people attending on a weekly basis, according to
documents filed with the city. About 75 to 100 Muslim
families live within a 10-mile radius of the proposed
Brookfield mosque site, the documents say.
The society purchased two lots totalling about four
acres in Brookfield starting in 2009 and have been
working with city officials since on its plans to
build a mosque at 16650 and 16730 W. Pheasant Dr., a
short distance northeast of the Calhoun Road-North
Avenue intersection.
The Brookfield Plan Commission will hold a public
hearing on the project at 6:30 p.m. May 7 at City
Hall.
Muslim Day Care Closes For Day,
Over Protest From Christian Group - by Chris Smith
Ballwin, Mo.-Parental Concern Closes Muslim Day Care
School Over Protest Christian Group. The Al-Salam Day
School closed its doors Friday. A Christian group
planned to gather at the Muslim school. Parents were
so concerned about safety for their kids, the
principal cancelled classes.
Members of the group, Reclaiming Missouri for Christ,
rejected the word "protest" as a description for their
plans Friday. They called it Christian outreach. They
planned to hand out literature about Muslims who
converted to Christianity. Organizers said the
gathering would be peaceful.
Many parents were worried the gathering would turn
violent. So, they kept their kids out of classes.
Ameen Ahmad did not get the letter from the principal.
He and his five-year-old son arrived to an empty
building. But, the father said he was not worried.
"If they want to say something, they'll say it in a
very peaceful manner. So, I'm not concerned in that
sense that somebody will harm my kid or somebody will
harm me."
Now, some might wonder why Al-Salam — of all the
Muslim schools in the area — would close because of
this gathering. On the other side of the school is the
Daar-ul-Islam Mosque, home to the Islamic Foundation
of Greater St. Louis. Also, Reclaiming Missouri
planned to pass their literature out during midday
prayers at the mosque.
St. Louis County Police planned to send an officer to
make sure everyone was safe.
©
EsinIslam.Com
Add Comments