Racists set back in Penrith

A heated tussle erupted outside Penrith City Council on 25 November as anti-racists gathered to defend the local Muslim community. For the second time in a month, white supremacists formed in pogrom-like fashion to oppose the construction of the Mohammadi Welfare Association’s (MWA) cultural and religious centre.

The racists – many draped in Australian flags – carried placards inciting anti-Muslim hatred. “Go back to where you came from” and “Penrith says no to Islamic Prayer Hell” read two signs being waved about.

The campaign against the MWA community centre has been driven by Liberal counsellor Marcus Cornish. Cornish says that mosques and Muslim cultural centres “do not fit with the Penrith way of life” and that the proposed centre will be “a crime magnet”.

His message was countered by local Muslims and community supporters. Shane Gorman, Greens candidate for the state seat of Londonderry, condemned the Islamophobic mobilisation, saying he was “outraged” by the racists.

Addressing the crowd, Dr Atyia Zaidi, an academic at the University of New South Wales, said that the centre will be an open community space as well as a place of worship. She pointed out that the two are not counterposed. Another community leader, Mr Albi, pleaded with the hostile element in the crowd: “We are just like you, we just want to live in peace.” The racists were unmoved and continued making crude gestures and yelling racist taunts throughout his speech.

Inside, after meeting for two hours, the council approved plans for the MWA centre by a vote of eight to five. The result was a win for those who stood firm against Islamophobia and racism. Local woman Benish Itaider was disgusted by the ferocity of the opposition to the MWA’s plans but was optimistic that it wasn’t reflective of community sentiment. She told Red Flag: “Those who are against the mosque do not represent the people of Penrith.”