Muslim School Plan Provokes Anger in Australia

December 4, 2008

Author: Staff Writer

Source: VOA News

http://english.chosun.com/w21data/html/news/200812/200812040003.html

Hundreds of demonstrators have protested against plans to build a Muslim school on Australia's Gold Coast. Residents waving placards bearing slogans like "Muslim school - Hell no!" have gathered outside council offices to vent their frustrations. From Sydney, Phil Mercer reports.

Muslim schools have operated in the northern Australian state of Queensland for many years. However, the prospect of another college has provoked public anger.

Plans have been submitted for an Islamic school on the Gold Coast, a ritzy coastal community south of Brisbane.

Some locals are worried about traffic and are concerned that the new development will only add to congestion on the region's roads.

Others have barely concealed their distaste for Islam and have made their feelings known on an Australian radio show.

"My main concern with the whole deal is what sort of stuff are they going to be teaching these children?" a female caller said. "Are they going to be teaching them radical Islam, go out and become a suicide bomber, oppress the women and all that sort of stuff?"

"They've got one agenda: get in, take over," a male caller said. "Australians, wake up, for God's sake. If we like our democracy and freedom, we should stop all Muslim immigration to this nation."

For the second time in a week, demonstrators have protested outside council offices on the Gold Coast.