Islamic center in Spotsylvania, US to hold 2nd public meeting on proposed mosque

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Wednesday 02 Dec 2015 - 13:09 Makkah mean time-20-2-1437 Image from Fredericksburg Spotsylvania County, Virginia (IINA) - Another meeting to discuss a proposed mosque in Spotsylvania County in Virginia will take place less than a month after a volatile forum that was interrupted by anti-Muslim comments, Fredericksburg online news reported. The Islamic Center of Fredericksburg announced on its website that the follow-up meeting has been scheduled for Dec. 11 at Riverbend High School’s 1,200-seat auditorium from 7 p.m. to 8:30. “The plans will be presented, and the public will be allowed to ask questions and express any concerns about the plans,” an announcement on the Islamic center’s website stated. Samer Shalaby, a trustee of the Islamic center, said he will give a presentation at the beginning of the meeting. Attendees will then be allowed to make comments individually. “We’re going to try to have a little bit better control,” Shalaby said, adding that more deputies would be at the meeting. Shalaby said he also expects more supporters to attend after hearing from many people who were outraged by the hostile tone of the initial meeting last month. A deputy halted that meeting after some residents expressed anti-Islam sentiments, with one man declaring that every Muslim is a terrorist. An overflow crowd attended the forum at the Chancellor community center. Sheriff’s Capt. Jeff Pearce said there would be “adequate security” at the upcoming meeting, but declined to elaborate. “We don’t anticipate having any issues arise,” he said. Supervisor Timothy McLaughlin, whose Chancellor district includes the proposed mosque site at the corner of Old Plank road and Andora Drive, had suggested holding another forum in a larger venue. The proposed 8,000-square-foot mosque would have 200 parking spaces and an entrance on Andora Drive. The Islamic center has been at its current location on Harrison Road for 15 years, but its trustees say they have outgrown the facility. Shalaby acknowledged in a previous interview that some people have legitimate concerns, but that their voices were drowned out by “belligerent attacking.” Islamic Center trustees have not submitted a formal proposal for the project, which will require separate public hearings before the Planning Commission and Board of Supervisors. SM/IINA