Australian Muslims denied permission to build a school

The City Council of Camden, a town near Sydney, Australia, rejected a proposal for an Islamic school for 1,200 students on May 27, which led to cheers of happiness from the Anglo residents who attended the meeting to oppose the project. But for the Australian Muslim community, the decision was a victory for racism.

Kate McCulloch became the spokesperson of the Camden anti- Muslim campaign.

Tensions within Camden, located in a semi-rural area, had been on the rise since the Qu’uranic Society proposed the school. Two pig heads were left at the proposed construction site with an Australian flag stretched between them. Riot police had to be called to break up opposition rallies. Locals who had no objection to the school were outnumbered by right-wingers.

Reactionary residents said that they did not want a Muslim society in their Christian town. Resident Kate McCulloch, holding her Australian flag, played the cheerleader for the anti-Muslim camp. “Muslims are not welcome here,” McCulloch said. “We don’t want them here. We don’t want them in Australia. They’re an oppressive society. ” Another resident stated that if Muslims were allowed to build their school, they would take over the town. (AFP, May 27)

Camden Mayor Chris Patterson was less brazen about his own bigotry. “We said all along religious issues, nationalistic issues, will not be entered into,” Patterson said. “We would welcome them to find an appropriate site. I’m all for choice of educational facilities.” (North County Times, May 30)

The Muslim community organization Forum on Australian Islamic Relations did not accept the official justification for the decision. Executive Director Kuranda Seyit stated, “Planning grounds is only a smokescreen for the real issues which were related to community tensions and potential social upheavals if the school was approved.” (AFP, May 27)

The matter is expected to go to appeal before the Land and Environment Court.

Around 400,000 Muslims live among Australia’s population of 21 million people, more than half in the Sydney area. In 2005, racist riots broke out in the Cronulla suburb of Sydney, targeting people who were—or appeared to be—of Middle Eastern descent.