Posted 11:20 pm Saturday, January 28, 2012
Longview Residents Protest Mosque Construction
By AMY TATUM
KYTX CBS19
Some tight-knit neighbors in Longview are protesting construction of a mosque on their street. The spot is technically in Gregg County, but it’s right next to their homes.
“We have respect for their religion and we’re not against that, but we just did not want all the traffic,” neighbor Rhonda Harris said.
The land is being cleared for Longview’s first mosque. It’s not going up in a busy commercial section of Longview but instead on Amy Street, which is a quiet dead end street.
“Why would any establishment come in here and open up something that’s going to be open 24 hours a day with traffic in and out?” neighbor Elizabeth Owens said. “These streets will not accommodate that.”
KYTX CBS19
Some tight-knit neighbors in Longview are protesting construction of a mosque on their street. The spot is technically in Gregg County, but it’s right next to their homes.
“We have respect for their religion and we’re not against that, but we just did not want all the traffic,” neighbor Rhonda Harris said.
The land is being cleared for Longview’s first mosque. It’s not going up in a busy commercial section of Longview but instead on Amy Street, which is a quiet dead end street.
“Why would any establishment come in here and open up something that’s going to be open 24 hours a day with traffic in and out?” neighbor Elizabeth Owens said. “These streets will not accommodate that.”
But they don’t have to, said Saleem Shabazz, spokesperson for the Islamic Center in Longview. He said the crowd won’t be more than 40 to 50 people on a given night — so it won’t be noisy or crowded.
“I was hoping that we could accomplish this without any conflict, but at the same time I kind of expected it,” Shabazz said.
Besides the increase in traffic, concerned neighbors told CBS19 they also are worried about the noise. A typical mosque has a PA system announcing when it is time to pray, but those building this mosque said there’s no need to worry.
“I was hoping that we could accomplish this without any conflict, but at the same time I kind of expected it,” Shabazz said.
Besides the increase in traffic, concerned neighbors told CBS19 they also are worried about the noise. A typical mosque has a PA system announcing when it is time to pray, but those building this mosque said there’s no need to worry.
“In consideration and in being good neighbors, we can give the call to prayer inside the building and it doesn’t need to bother anybody,” Shabazz said.
People who live here say that’s not enough. They don’t have a problem with the Muslim faith, but they want to show love of Christianity.
“The neighborhood joined together and we put up the Jesus signs to support Jesus Christ in our church and our community,” neighbor Howard Hilsher said.
The 2,500 square-foot mosque is on donated land. For the past 20 years, Muslims in Longview have met at an apartment complex.
“I think it is important for us as Muslims to have something there in the city that represents us,” Shabazz said.
Neighbors said they’ll continue to fight to have this stopped.
Officials for The Islamic Center of Longview said the construction should be done in about six months.
People who live here say that’s not enough. They don’t have a problem with the Muslim faith, but they want to show love of Christianity.
“The neighborhood joined together and we put up the Jesus signs to support Jesus Christ in our church and our community,” neighbor Howard Hilsher said.
The 2,500 square-foot mosque is on donated land. For the past 20 years, Muslims in Longview have met at an apartment complex.
“I think it is important for us as Muslims to have something there in the city that represents us,” Shabazz said.
Neighbors said they’ll continue to fight to have this stopped.
Officials for The Islamic Center of Longview said the construction should be done in about six months.
