Objections to Brookfield, WI Mosque include traffic, terrorism, and an influx of immigrants
What this is about:
The Islamic Society of Milwaukee wants to build a mosque and community center in an industrial park in suburban Brookfield WI. The proposed facility would be sited on 4+ acres of land and include a 13000 square foot structure. The ISM already owns the site which is located on Pheasant Drive. Pheasant Drive intersects Calhoun Rd, Brookfield’s major north south axis, about 2000 feet north of it’s intersection with North Avenue. The corner of North and Calhoun includes a major strip mall and school athletic fields.
This project has community support, but it faces a vocal minority of what can gratiously be called xenophobes
What supporters of the project are up against:
Anti-Islamic rhetoric in SE Wisconsin is being sponsored by the Christian Radio syndicate VCY which recently held an anti-Islamic rally at the Waukesha Expo Center
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From the journal sentinel report about a community meeting on the project:
"Critics, including members of the conservative Eagle Forum of Wisconsin, have raised concerns about traffic, as well as terrorism, an influx of immigrants and a host of other issues the city has said it cannot legally consider in evaluating the project. Fliers accusing the Islamic Society of misinformation and Brookfield city officials of totalitarianism were plastered on windshields of cars parked outside the church, 13200 W. Greenfield Ave.
Inside, a panel of Muslim leaders led by Othman Atta, executive director of the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, answered questions from residents that betrayed a host of fears about radicalism, sharia law and violence like that seen in Muslim communities in Europe.
"Islam is a Trojan horse and the three things that have left the door open are complacency, apathy and ignorance," said Swannie Tess, who vigorously rejected the belief that Christian and Muslims worship the same god."
{http://www.jsonline.com/features/religion/most-at-forum-support-mosque-in-brookfield-0v54h3j-148621675.html}
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There will be a public information meeting about the project next week. If you are a member of the Brookfield Community, including being a member of any Brookfield congregation you may be interested in attending that non-decision making meeting and other upcoming decision making meetings.
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The following is from the Brookfield government website:
A public information meeting, facilitated by city staff, regarding the proposed Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM) mosque to be located at 16730 W. Pheasant Drive, Brookfield, WI will be held on May 2, 2012 at the Public Safety building courtroom located at 2100 N. Calhoun Road. The meeting starts at 5:00 p.m. and concludes at 8:00 p.m. The meeting will be conducted in an open house format with ISM’s plans on display and representatives able to address technical data and reports. City staff and representatives of the ISM will be available to answer questions and collect written comments (a comment form will be available.) No presentation will be made. No action is taken and no approvals or permits are granted at this meeting.
A required public hearing on this matter is scheduled for May 7, 2012 at 6:00 p.m. in the Common Council Chambers, 2000 N. Calhoun Road. A presentation begins at approximately 6:00 p.m. followed by an opportunity for public comment. A form for those choosing to comment will be available at the hearing and should be submitted to city staff when completed. The chairperson will call the name listed on the form. Time limits may be placed on speaking. Upon conclusion of the public hearing the Plan Commission will deliberate the request. If recommended for approval by the Commission, the Common Council would deliberate on this matter on May 15, 2012.
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