REMEMBER WHEN

GOLD COAST BULLETIN Saturday Nov. 22, 2008

A MUSLIM leader said the Gold Coast community had nothing to fear as angry residents continued to rally against a proposed Islamic school at Carrara.

The chairman of the Australian International Islamic College, Imam Abdul Quddoos Al Azhari, spoke with The Bulletin about the proposed school, to allay the fears of residents.

“They are scared, you know,” he said. “There are stereotypes that the Muslims are coming and they think we’re aliens or terrorists. It is my job to clarify some of this misunderstanding.

“Just like other people have the privileges to have their private schools where they can instil their traditions, we would like to teach our children for half an hour some of the prayers and traditions while giving them the education that other schools are teaching, like Catholic schools.”

The Australian International Islamic College, a coeducational school, was expected to open in January 2009 with about 60 students working to an official Education Queensland syllabus.

Teaching staff at the school were to be registered nonMuslim teachers from the Department of Education.

Mr Quddoos said attempts to speak with local residents had been rejected.

He said the Concerned Carrara Residents Group which held a public meeting at the Nerang Bicentennial Hall the previous week - had not invited him to attend.

Close to 400 people were at the boisterous public meeting which was attended by area councillor Bob La Castra and Nerang police.