ANGRY residents are planning to form a human chain around a construction site in Jid Ali tomorrow to halt work on a mosque that was earmarked for a public park.
Excavation on the project started in February, despite the Capital Trustees Board approving the site for a public park and a mosque three years ago.
Around 30 Bahraini residents threatened to protest last month, but put their plans on hold after board chairman Mohammed Al Khozaie, who lives in the area, promised to push for the public park, which was initially supposed to cover the majority of the 2,000sqm plot.
However, his efforts fell on deaf ears as his colleagues voted to officially classify the plot for a mosque after discovering that the Justice, Islamic Affairs and Endowments Ministry had officially taken up the property.
The mosque is being funded by a donor, who has informed government officials that he did not want to spend his money on the park.
Residents have now vowed to stand in the way of diggers working on the site tomorrow.
“My neighbours have every right to protest the move in the way they feel suitable and I support them,” said Mr Al Khozaie.
“Our area doesn’t need a mosque, there is another one less than 300 metres away, and we just need a public park.
“We are already facing traffic jams on a regular basis in the area and having a new mosque will just add to the problem.
“People coming to a public park don’t come altogether, while for prayers everyone comes at the same time – just imagine the traffic jams and congestion in our peaceful quiet area.”
Resident Adel Ismael, who is leading a campaign and petition to reinstate the park, said forming a human chain was the only way to shed light on the issue.
He also told the GDN that he hoped Mr Al Khozaie would join the protest because a leading community figure would make a difference.
“Work was halted for two weeks but resumed on Monday.
“Maybe during that time the ministry was working on getting the deeds officially transferred to it to build the mosque, making the board’s vote symbolic – unfortunately they succeeded.
“It is good that Mr Al Khozaie has voted against the move for the mosque, but now that his efforts fell on deaf ears is he ready to stand with us when we form a human chain?
“I hope that he will be present because a top community figure like him makes a difference, but even without him we will manage as we are set to stand in front of diggers.”
However, the board’s technical committee chairman Majdi Al Nasheet said it was “very difficult” to oppose this project even if residents did not want it.
“Even if I voted against the plan it wouldn’t have made a difference as the government wants a mosque, so a mosque it should be, whether residents agree or not,” he added.
“The donor wants the mosque and has paid for it to fully occupy the 2,000sqm area rather than our original plan for 200sqm and the rest of the space for the park.
“I am very sad that our integrity is questioned by people, but they have to realise that sometimes things are out of our hands – this is one of those times.”
Two opposing petitions were presented to the board in February, one demanding a return to the original plans and the other expressing support for a mosque-only development.
However, the petition seeking a park had three times more signatures.
It was later discovered that the Sunni Waqf (Endowment) Directorate, which oversees Sunni places of worship, has not even been granted a permit to start work.
The original project approved by the board was ratified by Works, Municipalities Affairs and Urban Planning Minister Essam Khalaf in April 2015.
mohammed@gdn.com.bh
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