近距离内射合集

The Bernalillo County Planning Commission on Wednesday cleared the way for a mosque to be built in the North Valley, denying an appeal that would have prevented the place of worship from breaking ground.

The Albuquerque Islamic Center said the 45,000-square-foot mosque 鈥� which would be at 9600 Second NW near Alameda 鈥� is meant to provide a larger space for worship and various programs. The organization has another mosque on Menaul NE near Moon and Wyoming.

The appeal, filed by Maria/Diers Neighborhood Association President Pat Hauser, raised concerns about noise and traffic and said the mosque would violate zoning laws.

On Wednesday, commissioners voted 5-1 to deny the appeal. The AIC said the mosque will be built under specifications meant to alleviate concerns of nearby residents.

Hauser began the hearing by walking planning commissioners through the various issues he had with the mosque, primarily that traffic in the Alameda area would worsen. However, he also denounced individuals who used the appeal as an opportunity to make borderline or outright Islamophobic statements.

鈥淚 want to be truly clear that 鈥� we do not support any group or individual using this case to promote anti-religious rhetoric,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat is not our agenda and is not the agenda of the neighbors who joined this appeal.鈥�

Opposition

Hundreds of people filled the room at the county headquarters in Downtown Albuquerque on Tuesday morning. Fire marshals had to send people into an outflow room. The meeting, which began around 11 a.m., continued until nearly 4 p.m. as religious leaders, North Valley residents and others shared their opinions about the mosque. Commissioners had to quiet the crowd multiple times.

Some attendees donned green scarves to show their support for the mosque, while some in opposition wore American flag shirts and cowboy hats. One woman referred to those wearing the scarves as "jihadis" and said she had lived near a mosque in the past and that it was 鈥渉orrible.鈥�

Opponents of the mosque spoke against the Muslim community as a whole, stating that Sharia law and the Quran were 鈥渁nti-American and anti-equality," and said supporters want to 鈥渃onquer and destroy Christian beliefs.鈥�

James Clements said that worshippers would not assimilate into a 鈥淲estern capitalist free enterprise system.鈥�

鈥淚 was accused by some of our colleagues here of being a Ku Klux Christian,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 wear that brand proudly. I鈥檒l let you know that Islam is not a religion; it鈥檚 a geopolitical ideology masquerading as a religion.鈥�

Lindsay Sedillo, who submitted a comment virtually, wrote that Muslims planned to invade America and the mosque being built was another step toward that.

鈥淭hey burn American flags and want to conquer America,鈥� she wrote. 鈥淚mport the third world and you get the third world. 9/11 is a reminder of the hate that Muslims have for America.鈥�

Others, such as Suzanne Presti, said that the mosque would compromise what is a traditionally rural community of smaller businesses, homes and farmers while causing traffic issues.

鈥淒ue to the adverse impact on traffic and safety 鈥� the location is just not appropriate for the size and scope of the project,鈥� she said. 鈥淭he North Valley is not a city. You鈥檒l find chickens, horses, crops and open fields.鈥�

Even the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta, which hosts one of New Mexico鈥檚 largest events, submitted a comment stating it was "unclear whether a comprehensive traffic study was conducted鈥� and cited heightened traffic conditions during the event.

Support

Mohammed Naqib said that the mosque was a celebration of diversity and intercultural relationships within New Mexico.

鈥淲hen people ask what this mosque contributes to Albuquerque, I think the answer is found in the people it helped shape,鈥� he said. 鈥淚t helped raise compassionate young adults who care about their neighbors.鈥�

The Rev. Christopher Hallada, a Catholic priest at Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in the North Valley, said he supported the mosque because as America celebrates its 250th anniversary, the rights of Americans, including freedom of religion, need to be maintained.

鈥淭hat is something important for us to cultivate,鈥� he said. 鈥淭here are so many influences from the Islamic culture and the Moorish community. This is consistent with our identity as New Mexicans, as Christians, as Americans, and in my denomination as Catholic.鈥�

Taha Abdeljawad said that a mosque was just like a church or a synagogue, providing people a space to practice their religion peacefully.

鈥淯nfortunately, most of the opposition we've seen has been rooted in misconceptions and fear rather than facts,鈥� he said. 鈥淢y hope is that we choose understanding over division and judge this project based on what it truly is, a place of worship for families who simply want the same opportunity to practice their religion and have a good space as everybody else.鈥�

Nakayla McClelland covers crime and breaking news. Reach her at nmcclelland@abqjournal.com or at 505-823-3857.