Who knew just the idea of a mosque in Sterling Heights could drum up so much negativity? Certainly not one resident, Michael, who was "appalled" by his neighbors and others'reactions to the proposed Islamic structure.
According to the Arab American News, "Many citizens (of Sterling Heights, Michigan) did raise strong points about zoning issues the place of worship could bring to their neighborhood, but the shocking number of residents who expressed their bigoted views overshadowed them. From suspecting that it is funded by international terrorist organizations, to raising concerns that it would lower property values in the neighborhoods, one by one residents took their turn to lash out radical comment to city leaders."
In contrast, Michael, was quoted as saying,
I find the bigotry, hatred and ignorance on display both tonight and last Thursday to be harmful to the reputation of our city. The Sterling Heights I know is a welcoming and tolerant place and these people and their views is not reflective of the city population at large, who believe and follow the U.S. constitution. This is a house of worship for residents of our city and nothing else. I find it despicable that citizens of the United States are being discriminated against.
Welcoming Michigan, an organization that aims to build an immigrant friendly community recently began a petition to gain support and signatures of Sterling Heights residents who wouldn't mind having a Muslim place of worship in their city. In this way, they invite and encourage residents to "join us in demonstrating that love is greater than hate". Petition linkhere.
The organization went on to thank the Sterling Heights Planning Commission members for rejecting inappropriate comments at their recent meeting and as they deliberate the merits of the proposal to build a mosque at 15 Mile & Ryan Road.
With enough Sterling Heights signatures the proposed mosque may in fact see the light of day. The final structure would hope to be 20,500 square-foot.
