A Sydney councillor has sparked a heated debate by suggesting residents living near Australia’s biggest mosque ‘close their windows’ if they don’t want to hear weekly prayers being broadcast from a loudspeaker.
Lakemba Mosque in the city’s south-west recently lodged amended plans with Canterbury-Bankstown Council to mount four speakers on its minaret tower.
It comes less than a year after the local planning panel rejected an initial application, citing concerns about noise, the development exceeding maximum building height, potential impact on property values, and religious concerns.
The Lebanese Muslim Association (LMA) said the proposed broadcast period for 15 minutes every Friday before lunchtime prayers will have no impact on adjoining properties or the locality.
But more than 1,600 people have lodged submissions objecting to the amended plan, which prompted fiery clashes during this week’s council meeting over warring motions.
Independent councillor Barbara Coorey introduced a motion calling for stricter regulations on externally amplified sound at all places of worship, except for designated special religious or cultural occasions.
A counter-motion was then launched by Councillor Khal Asfour, who is also CEO of the LMA.
He called for churches to be allowed to ring bells on days other than major religious holidays, claiming it has been in existence in multiple faiths for hundreds of years.
Lakemba Mosque’s amended plans to mount loudspeakers to broadcast its weekly prayer sessions sparked heated debate at a council meeting this week
Independent Cr Saud Abu-Samen suggested concerned residents who live near Australia’s biggest mosque to ‘close their windows’ if the proposal goes ahead
He made the comments during this week’s fiery council meeting
‘Whether it was to bring a community together to deliver important news, celebrating a wedding, or even a funeral, they have a role to play in some way or another,’ Cr Asfour’s motion stated.
‘From the beautiful chimes of St Pauls Cathedral in London, St Mary’s Cathedral, Sydney, or St Peter’s Basilica in the Vatican City, their purpose is to unite people, not divide them.
‘The intention of my motion is to get behind and support our churches and the traditions and values they hold.’
Cr Khal Asfour and Mayor Bilal El-Hayek were not present during debate of Cr Coorey’s motion due to their relationships with the LMA.
Independent Cr Saud Abu-Samen offered concerned residents a simple solution while opposing Cr Coorey’s motion.
‘If you’re really annoyed about the bell or about the sound, close your windows,’ he said.
The comment sparked laughs from the other side of chamber.
‘I’m glad you find it funny, but here we’re talking about people and the freedom of religion and how you can do it,’ Cr Abu-Samen continued.
Councillor Barbara Coorey’s motion for stricter regulations of externally amplified sound at places of worship was defeated
Join the discussion
Should Lakemba Mosque’s plans to broadcast weekly prayer sessions via loudspeakers go ahead?
Cr Coorey hit back in her right of reply.
‘Well Australia, I hope you’re listening, Cr Abu-Samen said close your windows to the bells and calls to prayers… What a great comment,’ she said.
‘How much insulation will you need to not hear the bells or the calls to prayer? You haven’t explained that.’
Cr Coorey’s proposal was defeated 6-3 while Cr Asfour’s motion passed 8-3.
The council’s local planning panel will make a final decision on the mosque proposal at a later date.
Several thousand worshippers attend Lakemba Mosque for weekly prayers, which attract tens of thousands more at major religious events such as Ramadan.
LMA has filed a petition signed by more than 5,000 supporters.
