Controversy over proposed Brookfield, Wisconsin mosque is much ado about nothing

The Islamic Society of Milwaukee wants to build a mosque in Brookfield, Wisconsin, and some area residents are freaking out. Members of the Eagle Forum cite traffic concerns as the central reason they oppose the mosque, but it’s hard to believe that’s the case after reading comments made at their Tuesday night meeting. Of course, the fear and ignorance displayed by a few is not a reflection on the entire community of Brookfield. Hopefully, most residents understand that the addition of the mosque is not a big deal, no matter what Mark Belling says in order to stoke the fires of controversy.

From Brookfield Patch, here are a few of the comments made last night:

“My fear is what is being taught there,” said a woman who did not want to give her name.

“Our God is not your God,” one man said.

“What is it about your religion that draws so much extremism and hatred?” another asked.

And here is the response from Islamic Society of Milwaukee President Ahmad Quereshi:

“You are our brothers and sisters of humanity,” Quereshi said. “We are not the people advocating for hatred and violence. We’re here as American citizens.”

“We are against any kind of extremism,” Quereshi said.

Quereshi welcomes those with concerns to stop by the Islamic Society in Milwaukee, and is happy to hold a forum for residents with additional questions to talk openly about the mosque.

I really hope that locals who are troubled by the addition of this mosque and its implications will take Quereshi up on his offer, ask questions, open their minds, do their research, and educate themselves before the tentatively scheduled public hearing on May 7.

I’m sure residents will find that their fears are unfounded, and that Mark Belling is just riling them up to drive up ratings for his radio show.

Controversy sells, but it tears apart communities.

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4 thoughts on “Controversy over proposed Brookfield, Wisconsin mosque is much ado about nothing

  1. Comments on Patch, like the comments on JSOnline prior to the paywall, are an amusing diversion from reality, but ultimately, don’t matter.

    I wonder if anyone raised the question of “traffic” when Brookfield allowed the Elmbrook Monster-Church to be constructed on Highway Y?

  2. I haven’t seen much improvement in the comments at JSOnline.

    “I wonder if anyone raised the question of “traffic” when Brookfield allowed the Elmbrook Monster-Church to be constructed on Highway Y?”

    Well they apparently did…they certainly increased the lanes near the church…it’s been years since I’ve been out there but didn’t they add lights and traffic control officers during services at one point?

  3. The comments are from residents interviewed at the Eagle Forum meeting; they’re not people who posted in response to a Patch article.
    Because these residents are actively taking steps in opposition to the mosque, they’re not simply a diversion, but may actually affect the outcome…

  4. The church opened on a two lane road and they most certainly did have publicly funded traffic cops out there. Then the county put in the huge road, crossings, lights, everything to accommodate.

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