A campaign to bar a Muslim prayer group from using an East St Kilda Community House for one hour a week is being driven by extremists with an anti-Muslim agenda. The public controversy was manufactured by a group calling themselves the Q Society. The Q Society identified a need for a planning amendment to the Community House that would affect all groups that use the space.
Q society spokesperson Vickie Janson, who ran for Victorian Upper House for the Christian Democratic Party of Fred Nile and does not live in the area, is leading a campaign of innuendo and mis-information. St Kilda East’s relatively high population of Jews have taken an interest in the issue. For the most part, Jewish organisations have recognised the right of people of goodwill to practise their faith in the Neighbourhood House.
The Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) has a long and proud history of standing for social justice While prejudice exists in every community, it is disappointing to see it emerge in our own. Human rights are indivisible, they cannot exclude any one group. If Jews, Christians and atheists can use the space, what argument can there be to exclude Muslims?
AJDS urges everyone in our community to condemn this blatant instance of religious intolerance, and support the campaign for a new planning permit for the Alma Rd Community House.
Petition in support of tolerance
Media contact: [email protected], Harold Zwier 0416 236 690
AJDS Condemns Hysteria Over Muslim Prayers At Neighbourhood House
A campaign to bar a Muslim prayer group from using an East St Kilda Community House for one hour a week is being driven by extremists with an anti-Muslim agenda. The public controversy was manufactured by a group calling themselves the Q Society. The Q Society identified a need for a planning amendment to the Community House that would affect all groups that use the space.
Q society spokesperson Vickie Janson, who ran for Victorian Upper House for the Christian Democratic Party of Fred Nile and does not live in the area, is leading a campaign of innuendo and mis-information. St Kilda East’s relatively high population of Jews have taken an interest in the issue. For the most part, Jewish organisations have recognised the right of people of goodwill to practise their faith in the Neighbourhood House.
The Australian Jewish Democratic Society (AJDS) has a long and proud history of standing for social justice While prejudice exists in every community, it is disappointing to see it emerge in our own. Human rights are indivisible, they cannot exclude any one group. If Jews, Christians and atheists can use the space, what argument can there be to exclude Muslims?
AJDS urges everyone in our community to condemn this blatant instance of religious intolerance, and support the campaign for a new planning permit for the Alma Rd Community House.
Petition in support of tolerance
Media contact: [email protected], Harold Zwier 0416 236 690