Blatant Islamophobia? It’s about parking

Residents and nonresidents have their say in letters sent to the JC

I have — cars unable to go back or forward as parked cars were on both sides of the roads, noise, slamming of car doors etc to past midnight.

We have controlled parking in the area up to 6.30 pm which works well but what is now proposed is to increase uncontrolled parking up to 12.30am. Apparently the present consent for the previous use was for parking up to 11.30pm.

Based upon the above Mr Dysch, would you not object. It has nothing to do with Islamophobia.

Irvin Tarn

Stephen Pollard says “shame on the protestors” who are concerned about the conversion of the Hippodrome to an Islamic Centre. But he is making an assumption about the bona fides of the objectors that may be completely unjustified — we simply do not have the data to generalise about their concerns. Until we do, it would surely be preferable for those in leadership positions who have been so quick to make assumptions to keep their counsel.

Jonathan Hoffman

The recent furore over the Golders Green Hippodrome is of concern, as Laura Marks has written. Ms Marks mentioned that anti-Muslim rhetoric around Arabic being spoken by congregants of the Centre for Islamic Enlightening and its association with violence and terrorism does not bode well for future community relations and such intolerance needs to be challenged.

The fact is that the Shia, a minority sect in Islam, are much less likely to be involved in terrorist activities. Jihadist Salafist-based extremism, linked to groups like Isis, target Shia Muslims for torture, murder and annihilation. So, in all fairness, the chances of terrorism and Isis-type activity by Shia Muslims, is virtually nil.

Therefore, my call is that both communities celebrate their joint desire to counter and challenge extremism together.

Fiyaz Mughal

Founder and director of Faith Matters

I find it very sad that some members of the Jewish community have used threatening abusive language against Muslims while opposing the Islamic Centre in Golders Green.

Objection to a planning application is the right of any individuals in a democratic society but to air religious hatred against any faith is not called for.

As a Muslim I have great respect for Jewish religion, as there are so many practices and beliefs common to both faiths.

During last few decades a microscopic minority has turned to criminal violence in the name of Islam which is strongly condemned by overwhelming majority of Muslim community. Muslims as a whole must not be judged by the actions of these criminals, who abuse Islam to recruit innocent youngsters to their cause.

I would like your readers to know that Muslims are not enemies of Jews. The rift is all political and not of their making, nothing to do with true meaning of Islam.

Tariq Mir

Marcus Dysch states that the controversial responses to the change of use of the Hippodrome in Golders Green is nothing more than blatant Islamophobia. I am astounded that a reporter for the Jewish Chronicle would make such an explosive comment.

There are many of us who live very near the Hippodrome and are more concerned about the volume of traffic than anything else.

Too many people are making very unhelpful throwaway comments — this can only cause much unrest. Surely we should leave the local council to make their decision once they have all the For and Against comments. Sandra Lawson

The articles by Laura Marks and Stephen Pollard referred to in some of the letters can be read at www.the.jc.com