Public Hearing Tonight On Norwalk Mosque Proposal
NORWALK, CT (CBSNewYork) - A huge turnout is expected at a public hearing in Norwalk tonight as Muslims renew their efforts to build a mosque in a residential neighborhood in the city.
WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau On The Story
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Right now, a little red farmhouse sits on the one and a half acre site at 127 Fillow Street.
This bucolic setting is where Muslims are hoping to build a 23,000-square-foot building with parking for 89 vehicles.
Han Memmin, who is on the board of the Al Madany Islamic Center, says the mosque would serve the growing Muslim population in the community that has no place to congregate.
"The Muslims pray five times a day. You know, children's educational activities. You know, the two major holidays that we have, which is when we expect that the mosque will be at capacity," he told WCBS 880 Connecticut Bureau Chief Fran Schneidau.
Neighbors fear the increased traffic will endanger kids playing or walking to school. The center's own traffic engineer told Schneidau the impact would be significant.
However, Memmin said, "The five daily prayers, for example, occur at times when there is nobody on the street. There aren't kids walking at sunrise and there aren't kids walking at sunset."
Tonight, both sides will sound off at Norwalk City Hall at 7 p.m.
What do you have to say about the project? Sound off in the comments section below!
