Post by Musalman on Dec 9, 2006 18:11:49 GMT
Houston neighborhood opposes mosque project
12/8/2006 6:00:00 PM GMT
A plan to build a mosque and Islamic center in a Houston suburb triggered several complaints in the neighborhood.
Many local residents claim that they are not against Islam, and are more concerned about property values, drainage and traffic.
But one resident established an anti-Islamic Web site to fight the mosque project, a committee was formed to buy another property and trade it for the Muslims’ 11-acre land, and a neighbor threatened to race pigs on the edge of the property.
"The neighbors have created havoc for us and we didn't expect that," said engineer Kamel Fotouh, president of the 500-member Katy Islamic Association.
Despite the opposition, Fotouh vowed to build the community center, which he said would provide after-school activities, housing for senior citizens, a fitness center and an Islamic school.
"We just bought it," he said. "And we are going to use it. We have the right like any one of them."
The Katy Islamic association bought the land in Katy in September for $1.1 million. It said the overall cost of the project has not been determined.
Fotouh said that the neighbor’s attempt to offend the Muslims by holding a pig race missed its point, explaining that Muslims do not hate pigs.
They just don’t eat them, he said.
He also denied claims by the anti-Islamic web site that neighbors will hear the Muslim call to prayer five times each day.
Several complaints about the mosque project have also been sent to the Harris County offices. Some claimed that the mosque would be built on government property, or that the project would increase traffic in the neighborhood.
County Commissioner Steve Radack said traffic concerns can be addressed, adding that the Islamic Association promised to comply with rules on drainage and flood control.
However, Fotouh says the reaction has not been all negative.
He said one man came to the mosque site on a Friday afternoon and apologized for his neighbors.
"He moved me, really," Fotouh said. "The sense of fairness, the sense of standing by the underdog."
There are more than 17,000 Muslims in the Houston metropolitan area, according to the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
-- AJP and Agencies
www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/world_full_story.asp?service_id=2682
12/8/2006 6:00:00 PM GMT
A plan to build a mosque and Islamic center in a Houston suburb triggered several complaints in the neighborhood.
Many local residents claim that they are not against Islam, and are more concerned about property values, drainage and traffic.
But one resident established an anti-Islamic Web site to fight the mosque project, a committee was formed to buy another property and trade it for the Muslims’ 11-acre land, and a neighbor threatened to race pigs on the edge of the property.
"The neighbors have created havoc for us and we didn't expect that," said engineer Kamel Fotouh, president of the 500-member Katy Islamic Association.
Despite the opposition, Fotouh vowed to build the community center, which he said would provide after-school activities, housing for senior citizens, a fitness center and an Islamic school.
"We just bought it," he said. "And we are going to use it. We have the right like any one of them."
The Katy Islamic association bought the land in Katy in September for $1.1 million. It said the overall cost of the project has not been determined.
Fotouh said that the neighbor’s attempt to offend the Muslims by holding a pig race missed its point, explaining that Muslims do not hate pigs.
They just don’t eat them, he said.
He also denied claims by the anti-Islamic web site that neighbors will hear the Muslim call to prayer five times each day.
Several complaints about the mosque project have also been sent to the Harris County offices. Some claimed that the mosque would be built on government property, or that the project would increase traffic in the neighborhood.
County Commissioner Steve Radack said traffic concerns can be addressed, adding that the Islamic Association promised to comply with rules on drainage and flood control.
However, Fotouh says the reaction has not been all negative.
He said one man came to the mosque site on a Friday afternoon and apologized for his neighbors.
"He moved me, really," Fotouh said. "The sense of fairness, the sense of standing by the underdog."
There are more than 17,000 Muslims in the Houston metropolitan area, according to the Islamic Society of Greater Houston.
-- AJP and Agencies
www.islamonline.com/cgi-bin/news_service/world_full_story.asp?service_id=2682
that is absolute true 
