2000 flyers target new mosque planned for Greenfields in Adelaide’s north: $3m plan for multi-cultural Islamic school in Parafield Gardens

2000 flyers target new mosque planned for Greenfields in Adelaide’s north Sarah Rohweder|| Northern Messenger| January 29, 2015 2:31PM| | A RIGHT-WING nationalist group has sent out 2000 flyers encouraging people to oppose a mosque planned for the northern suburbs. The state’s peak Muslim group has hit back at the flyer, encouraging its proponents to meet with Muslims in the area and learn about their religion. The mosque will be built by the Hazara Foundation of South Australia on a vacant block at 138-140 Ryans Rd, Greenfields. The Patriots Defence League, which has lobbied against other mosques in Queensland, has distributed the flyer around Parafield Gardens and Salisbury. It states that it will “devalue houses” and lead to the formation of a “ghetto” and asks if nearby residents “want people that don’t assimilate”. — Adelaide Chapter member who drafted the flyer and declined to be named, said he was concerned the mosque would create a religious divide within the community. This flyer has been delivered around Parafield Gardens. He said the group planned to write a letter to Salisbury Council, asking what public consultation had been done and, if needed, hold a demonstration outside the council chambers. Hazara spokesman Akram Albarouky would not comment on the situation other than to say “with the political unrest at the moment, it is expected”. But the Islamic Society of South Australia has hit back at the flyer, saying the group was “ill-informed” and the flyers stemmed from a fear of the Islamic religion. “The people distributing these flyers are ill-informed about what mosques mean, what Islam means, and what Muslim people are all about,” president Waleed Alkhazrajy said. “Muslims have jobs, own businesses, send their kids to school and university, own houses, do barbecues on Sundays, watch the football and play with their kids in the park so I’m not sure what else they need to do to tick the box of being assimilated. “They should come down, speak to the Muslim people, see what they are about, what their religion is about and I’m sure they will change their minds.” Mayor Gillian Aldridge said council staff had consulted the public about the proposal before it was approved this month. This included a 15-day window for appeals against the decision. Ms Aldridge said the council wanted to embrace religious diversity. “Salisbury is one of the most inclusive, multicultural and diverse communities in Australia and I’m proud to say it’s a place where racism or discrimination is not tolerated,” Ms Aldridge said. “It’s important that people know the level of public engagement was exactly the same as similarly categorised applications. “This included properties within a 170m radius of the proposed development being formally notified by letter, a newspaper advertisement in The Advertiser outlining the public consultation process (and) listing on (the) council’s website.” The Council recieved 40 representations opposing the development. ========================= $3m plan for multi-cultural Islamic school in Parafield Gardens Pam Brombal News Review Messenger August 08, 2012 9:16AM Nadia Tugwell and Orhan Atakan out the front of the Parafield Gardens site where they are planning to build a new private school to cater to the migrant community. Picture: Noelle Bobrige A $3 MILLION multicultural school has been proposed for Parafield Gardens, catering for up to 200 students from Reception to Year 12. The Australian Islamic Social Association has lodged a development application with Salisbury Council to build the school at 92 Shepherdson Rd, Parafield Gardens. The proposed plan would incorporate three existing heritage buildings on the site, restoring the rundown buildings. Named Garden College, the school would include two two-storey buildings with 24 classrooms, a multi-use community centre, a gymnasium, canteen, playground and sports area, and on-site parking. The school would accept students of all backgrounds, starting with one Reception class in 2014. President for the Australian-Islam Social Association (SA) Orhan Atakan said he expected many of the school's students would come from non-English speaking backgrounds. "The school will help children of migrants and newcomers to Australia learn English and the national school curriculum, while also transitioning into the community," Mr Atakan said. "We aim to be like any other school -- with a mixture of cultures, nationalities and students from different backgrounds learning a high standard of education." Mr Atakan said there was "strong demand for a multicultural school" in the Salisbury area. "People are waiting for this," he said. "We already have quite a few families on a waiting list who are excited for the opening of the new school.". Architect and builder Nadia Tugwell from Nadant Consulting said the school "would combine high-tech equipment with a heritage feel". "We will be restoring the heritage buildings and make use of them as a canteen and administration area," Ms Tugwell said. "The design of the modern buildings and community centre will compliment the heritage buildings, along with an open play space and landscaped areas." Ms Tugwell said the school had consulted a traffic expert to minimise congestion on Shepherdson Rd, which also catered for Holy Family Primary on the opposite side of the road. "One of the things we are looking at is staggering our school start and finish times, for example starting at 8am and finishing at 3pm, to ease traffic congestion on the road and clashes with the school opposite." Construction on the site is expected to start in October if the project is approved by Salisbury Council, with the school set to open in January 2014. The school plan is expected to be made available for community consultation later this month.