Bendigo mosque protester claims other mosque objectors face death threats, intimidation
THE lead objector against a mosque planned for Bendigo has denied that she is a racist or a bigot, saying her concerns are purely on planning grounds.
The Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal was hearing the third and final day of an appeal by residents against Bendigo Council’s decision to approve the city’s first mosque in Rowena St, Bendigo East.
Julie Hoskin was quizzed by Emily Porter, representing the Australian Islamic Mission which is behind the plan, on her initial letter of objection to the council in which she expressed concern about the proposed mosque.
In her letter, Ms Hoskin said granting a permit for an Islamic mosque was the same as granting a permit for Sharia Law.
“The Islamic Council exploits the fact that most democratic societies are foolishly ignorant concerning Islam and the various and oppressive facets of that system,” Ms Hoskin wrote.
“It uses the Islamic Mission as a loophole to obtain permits, open mosques and overwhelm communities by the influx of sheer numbers of Muslims.
“When their numbers are sufficient they then try to force the laws of the land to be changed to Sharia Law.
“Entire suburbs are now no-go zones in Europe as they have been totally taken over by Muslims who are enforcing their own Sharia Laws instead of those of the host country.
“This is now happening in Melbourne.”
Ms Hoskin claimed whenever local residents opposed an application for a mosque, the Islamic Council of Australia obtained their names and addresses for sinister means.
“These people are then paid a visit by a group of Muslim men and threatened with reprisals if they won’t withdraw their opposition to the mosque,” she wrote.
“Some have received death threats.
“Ultimately, people feel unsafe and are forced to sell their homes and leave the area which makes way for the Muslim population to buy homes and take over.
“People are intimidated and threatened and pushed out.”
Giving evidence, Ms Hoskin denied that she was a racist or a bigot, saying Bendigo was a welcoming community and already housed the largest Buddhist Stupa in the country.
“A mosque is not the same as a church, it’s just not,” she said.
Heri Febriyanto, a spokesman for the Bendigo Islamic Association, declined to comment on Ms Hoskin’s claims.
The case, before VCAT president Justice Greg Garde and senior member Margaret Baird, was adjourned until February 23, 2015.
This was to allow additional time for objectors to compile specialist reports from a town planner and an engineer.
andrew.jefferson@news.com.au
@Jeffo18091971
