Proposed Mosque In Monroeville Sparks Debate At Council Meeting
MONROEVILLE (KDKA)- A proposed mosque in Monroeville led to a long debate at last night's council meeting.
A Shia Muslim group has requested to build a worship center on Old Haymaker Road next week.
Imamia is seeking permission to build the mosque on property the group owns at 351 Old Haymaker Road. Ameer Ali, a member of the Imamia's board, told the planning commission that the group used a building in Plum since 2005. But they had to leave the building a few years ago, because a sprinkler system burst.
The worship center proposed for Monroeville would be 8,400 square feet and include an area for prayer on the ground floor and a kitchen and storage space in the basement.
Not everyone is happy about a mosque moving into town.
"I think it's pretty blatant when the Koran tells us, Muslims must muster all weapons to terrorize the infidels," said Kim Wilson. "How does that end up to be self-defense? I'm just concerned about my safety and your safety."
One man speaking on behalf of the Imamia said, "There are two main groups of Muslims, the Shia group and the Sunni group. We are the Shia group that has been a victim of ISIS, the group that has been a victim of terrorism for the past 1,400 years."
Despite the man saying the group does not believe in violence, some residents of Monroeville are still leery of a proposed mosque.
"It is a questionable lifestyle," said David Watson, who opposes the mosque. "It will be closed off to us, it's anti-American. Their teachings are well against the format of normal American values."
The Monroeville council plans on voting on the proposed mosque on Aug. 11.
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