Increase Textsize Decrease Textsize   Email to a friend

Faith leaders give mosque blessing

Roger Dickson

Wednesday, July 2, 2008

© The Cairns Post

 

SPIRITUAL leaders from across the religious spectrum have thrown their support behind a controversial mosque set to be built in suburban Cairns.

Catholic, Anglican, Jewish and Buddhist leaders are all behind the push saying that all faiths have the right to a place of worship.

Plans to expand the mosque, which has been operating in a worker's cottage on Dunn St near the Pioneer Cemetery, into a traditional Islamic style complete with minaret have drawn fire from nearby residents.

But last week the Planning and Environment Court dismissed their appeal to overturn the council approved redevelopment.

In a show of across-faith solidarity, religious leaders and spokesmen have come out in support of Islamic leader Imam Abdul Aziz’s efforts to build a place of worship.

Catholic Bishop James Foley said Muslims, like any religious group, had a right to a place of worship and that a mosque would be a "highly desirable neighbour".

 


Religious support: Imam Abdul Aziz gets encouragement from Buddhist nun Venerable Rinchen, Bishop James Foley and Archdeacon Chris Wright.


also in

New Jetstar flights between Cairns and Osaka

THE re-introduction of Jetstar's four weekly direct services to Osaka in Japan and a doubling of flights to Melbourne from April 1 next year are the first significant announcements today by the airline as the result of a new agreement with Cairns Airport.

Add Comment

Kate earns National Pride Medal

INSPIRING young leader and cancer survivor Kate Smith could hardly believe she won a national Pride of Australia medal last night.

Add Comment

Pictures: Cairns' Pride of Australia Medal finalists

Abbott wins in leadership spill

BREAKING NEWS: Tony Abbott is the new Opposition Leader.

View Comments

Escapee back in custody

BREAKING NEWS: Police have found a man who escaped from police custody at Ravenshoe on Sunday night.

Add Comment

Woman watched boyfriend bash, strip tourist

THE girlfriend of a man accused of raping and attempting to rape two foreign tourists at a Cairns caravan park says she watched him bash and strip one of them then chase after her. 



Comments

See all comments >>

Comments

We welcome your comments on this story. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Please provide your full name. We also require a working email address - not for publication, but for verification. The location field is optional. Read our publication guidelines.

Submit your feedback here:

Full name: Email address:
Location (optional):
Your comments:
(max 1200 characters)
  Remember my details

(So you don't have to retype your details each time you send feedback.)

 

Email me if my comment is published

 




Submit to the Cairns post

Picture

Story Tips

Email Us

Contact Us