This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/7420907.stm
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
Version 3 | Version 4 |
---|---|
Australia Muslim school rejected | Australia Muslim school rejected |
(9 minutes later) | |
Authorities in an Australian town have rejected proposals to allow an Islamic school to be built there. | Authorities in an Australian town have rejected proposals to allow an Islamic school to be built there. |
Councillors for Camden, a small town on the outskirts of Sydney, unanimously voted against the proposed school for 1200 pupils. | Councillors for Camden, a small town on the outskirts of Sydney, unanimously voted against the proposed school for 1200 pupils. |
The councillors said they based their decision solely on planning grounds, citing an internal report about its environmental impact. | The councillors said they based their decision solely on planning grounds, citing an internal report about its environmental impact. |
The proposed development had met with fierce local opposition. | The proposed development had met with fierce local opposition. |
Camden's authorities received some 3,200 submissions from the public about the school and only 100 in favour. | Camden's authorities received some 3,200 submissions from the public about the school and only 100 in favour. |
The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Camden does not have a large Muslim population so most of the pupils for the proposed school would have had to be bussed in from Sydney, an hour's drive away. | The BBC's Nick Bryant in Sydney says Camden does not have a large Muslim population so most of the pupils for the proposed school would have had to be bussed in from Sydney, an hour's drive away. |
Town moves against school | Town moves against school |
That prompted a strong response from Camden locals. | |
"They've got terrorists amongst them, OK? We can't say they haven't - they have," said one resident. | "They've got terrorists amongst them, OK? We can't say they haven't - they have," said one resident. |
"We're quite happy to integrate, we happily integrate with Italians, Greeks, English, Scottish - this town has every nationality. Muslims do not fit in this town - we are Aussies, OK?" | "We're quite happy to integrate, we happily integrate with Italians, Greeks, English, Scottish - this town has every nationality. Muslims do not fit in this town - we are Aussies, OK?" |
The Quranic Society, the organisation behind the proposal, has kept a low public profile throughout the process. | The Quranic Society, the organisation behind the proposal, has kept a low public profile throughout the process. |
Its position has been that Australian parents have the right to educate Australian children wherever they wish, regardless of race or religion. | Its position has been that Australian parents have the right to educate Australian children wherever they wish, regardless of race or religion. |
An internal Camden council report had earlier recommended against construction, mainly citing traffic concerns. | |
Do you live in Camden? What are your views on the school? Send us your comments and views using the form below: | Do you live in Camden? What are your views on the school? Send us your comments and views using the form below: |
You can send pictures and video to: | You can send pictures and video to: |
yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions | yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Click here to see terms and conditions |
At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | At no time should you endanger yourself or others, take any unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |