Mosque on Chestnut Hill Avenue in Brighton?

Sounds like this is the plan. From Brighton-Allston Tab. Couple of inaccuracies in the reporter's account  -- the property is in Brigton, not Allston. The anticipated repairs to the property are about $500,000 to $600,000 not up to $7,000 as she says in the article.

Plans for Islamic center in Allston draw lots of fire
By Auditi Guha/ Staff Writer
Friday, December  9, 2005

Muslim developers proposing an Islamic Center at the American Legion building at 186 Chestnut Hill Ave. drew a surprising number of objections from neighbors at the John J. Carroll community room, packed with 50 people and a Christmas tree.

     Meeting Monday to discuss two development proposals, the Chestnut Hill Avenue Taskforce got more than it bargained for in a three-hour meeting that had sentiments running high - not all of them positive.

     Boston University professor and longtime Allston resident Abder Mohamed waxed eloquent on the values that Islam propagates, with a quote from the Koran, in his bid for a local Islamic Center at the American Legion building.

     It recently sold for $1 million to developer Anwar Faisal of Alpha Management Corp. of Allston.

     "The best thing about America is there are so many different people and wonderful cultures living together," Mohamed said. "I've been here 25 years and I see a lot of churches and temples, and I believe that my family should have a cultural center that will teach them [our culture] and to respect all religions and keep them away from vice. People from [all over the world] who are of Islamic faith want to be a part of the community. The cultural center would support them and be open to everybody."

     His speech was cut short for questions and comments, and some of residents were upset.

    "We are refugees. We have no home," said Kopelev Michail, who translated at the meeting. "We also want to be in a community and live in peace, but we didn't have the opportunity to profess and serve our religion like you.

"We don't want things contrary to our beliefs."   

Similarities, too

 

Mohamed said he was like them - a foreigner but now a citizen. He reminded them that when Jews were persecuted, they found shelter in Islamic countries and appealed for their compassion, an emotion highly valued in Islam.

     "I cannot be a Muslim if I can't respect every person and other religions," Mohamed said. "We want to be good neighbors. We come here in good faith and we want to be a part of the community."

     Others tried to turn the subject back to facts about the development.

     "How many people will be visiting?" asked Dick Marques. "We don't care if it's Muslim, Christian, or Jew, our concern is density."

    Co-presenter Stephen Dirrane said three of them, including himself and Mohamed, would be in charge of the center. It would draw 10 to 15 people from 1 to 2 p.m. on weekdays, and about 50 to 60 Muslim families for the Friday prayers.

  He also proposed the possibility of having a day care at the site with a children's playground on the grounds.
     Currently the historic building is zoned for assembly for up to 350 people, so there would be no change in use.

   They said they would renovate the building and maintain it in its current style and size, with the same facade. About 36 parking spots can be provided, fewer if a children's playground is considered.

   

Webster pleased

     Eva Webster was pleased that the historic landmark designation was being honored, but addressed the animosity in the room.

  Many others spoke in the same vein.

  "The issue here is not religion. Let's focus on the project," added Harry Nesdekidis, who came from Greece and was proud to have many Jewish, Christian and Muslim friends in the neighborhood.

Other residents like Greg Margolin objected.

     He said his main concern is the traffic a cultural center will bring.

     "This is becoming a really congested neighborhood," Margolin said. "It takes half an hour to go from Brighton Avenue to Commonwealth Avenue."

     Veterans underlined their concerns for the historical nature of the building, one that they have used for many years and one that has ties to the Kennedy name. It was named the John F. Kennedy American Legion Post in his honor.

     Dirrane agreed to maintain all of the Legion's archives and provided the veterans with meeting space, as long as no drugs or alcohol were involved. A flag in the front of the building would serve as a reminder of its historic past, as well.

     Mohamed said they have no plans to build a mosque there, and that it would remain a cultural center that was open to every community group.

     If it exceeded capacity in the future, they would have to move to another location, he assured.

 

Theresa Hynes, co-chairwoman of the task force, stressed resident concerns about overdevelopment on Chestnut Hill Avenue.

     "We have asked for a moratorium on development long before your project was proposed, and we continue to ask for one," Hynes said. "Our concern is not religion but density, appearance of the community and what the quality of life is in the neighborhood for those who live here."

     John Cusack asked for more specific drawings on the interior, use and size of the building and asked if they were linked to the Roxbury mosque which was half-finished.

     Dirrane said they have no relationship with either the Roxbury mosque or the Islamic center on North Beacon Street in Brighton. Neither would they have a problem with funds, once they began the renovation.

     "This is a small independent project," he said. "We will not have to wait for contributions."

    

Up to $7,000

     Renovations could cost $5,000 to $7,000 and would involve making the building up-to-date on compliance.

     Post member and Brighton resident Norman Weinberg, who negotiated the sale of the building, introduced the developers in a long prelude, asking residents to be patient and hear the proposal before jumping to any conclusions.

     He was later accused of siding with the developers. He vehemently denied that, and urged residents to gather the facts and consider the proposal without emotional outbursts.

     "The building has been an American Legion meeting place for many years," he said. "It has deteriorated to such an extent that we were not able to repair it. So we sold it to people who want to develop the property.

     "I want you to keep an open mind until you hear a complete presentation. Some people accused me of trying to force this project on them, but you people will decide whether you like it or not." [link]

posted by: jrtelegraph

Comments

[Igor]

[http://www.sps.edu/sps_today/whats_new/detail.asp?newsid=15011&from=archive&nav1=]
... A retired professor of communications at Boston University, Dr. Mohamed also was former education minister in the SUDAN, and served as the founding IMAM of the Boston Islamic community...He also noted that U.S. policies and the current war are misguided attempts to force the Afghani Taliban to hand over Osama bin Laden.

[misskelley]

There wil be daily prayers from 1-2 PM, with 50-60 Muslim families expected for Friday prayers. Yet Mohammed said "they have no plans to build a mosque there." What the heck is that supposed to mean? If Muslims are going to pray there, it's a mosque. Why would he claim otherwise?

Loved the bit about Islamic countries sheltering the persecuted Jews. Not lately. Not hardly.

[Response to Mike R.]

"...Leftist Jews are used as insiders -- to open the doors."

In some cases, Leftist Jews are also known as "useful idiots". I am afraid that this is one such case.

[Mike R.]

Familiar pattern:

Build a mosque to:
* serve local muslim population
* convert people into Islam
* disrupt Jewish life

This is why the locations for mosques are often chosen near areas with a high Jewish concentration. It is not a coincidence. It's a plan.

Dog and pony show includes: a learned scholar, a friendly faced convert, and of course a key actor, a liberal Jew. Leftist Jews are used as insiders -- to open the doors.
Thank you, Judge Norman Weinberg.

[Tamara]

"Dirrane said... neither would they have a problem with funds, once they began the renovation. 'This is a small independent project,' he said. 'We will not have to wait for contributions.'"

I'm sure.

[Ilia Sokolinski]

This "professor and longtime Allston resident" Abder Mohamed comes up as
Sheikh Abdel Rahman Mohamed, Allston Brighton Islamic Center, Boston Ma.(www.mosquepraiseallah.com/moon.html)

I found only one academic reference on him:
"... Professor Abdel-Rahman Mohamed, former professor at Boston University's School of Communication, spoke on Prophecy and Intolerance ..."
(http://www.buworldofideas.org/shows/2002/10/20021020.asp)

Still, they have no connection to the Islamic center on North Beacon Street in Brighton, of course.