The Auburn Mosque in Sydney

SYDNEY, July 30 (IslamOnline.net & News Agencies) – Ruling that it was the right of all Australians to practice what they believe, an Australian court upheld Wednesday, July 30, an appeal by Australian Muslims against a Sydney council's decision to bar construction of an Islamic center under the pretext it was not compatible with the area.

The New South Wales state Land and Environment Court ruled in favor of Muslim businessman Abbas Aly who had sought a reversal of the ruling by Baulkham Hills Council, which claimed the center would affect the rural-residential character of the area and most of the worshippers were living outside the suburb of Annangrove, reported Agence France-Presse (AFP).

But the court ruled it agreed with Aly, ordering the council to allow the center to be built whether its residents want it or not.

A jubilant Aly said :"I strongly believe that this country supports fair play and this was a fair result."

The suburb's council claimed that the prayer center would cause social unrest, anti-social behavior and would not accord with the community's shared beliefs.

One resident who asked not to be named told ABC radio that those opposed to the development would fight on and take the matter to the court of appeal.

"It proves that communities have no say whatsoever when it comes to planning," she argued.

Another resident told commercial radio the community was disappointed with the decision, referring to the flood of letters opposing the construction adding: "I suppose we expected 5,000 people and letters had some sway in our day and age."

She said Annangrove residents were disappointed that other sections of the community had labeled the prayer center's opponents racists.

"Obviously there's some elements of people outside of us who have tried to make this a racist issue, but we've resisted that very strongly."

Prejudice

The court ruling coincided with the release Wednesday of new research showing that Muslim communities across Australia are facing an increase in prejudice since the September 11 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States.

Research released by the Australian Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission (HREOC) Wednesday showed that sweeping stereotypes about religion had led to an increase in violence and ridicule against Muslims including incidents such as individuals being spat on and women having their veils pulled off.

The HREOC launched a project aimed at eliminating prejudice against Arab and Muslim Australians.

Isma (or Listen) project is also aimed at restoring and maintaining harmony in the Australian community at a time when negative feelings against Muslims are on the rise.