Dear Messenger,
In response to the article in the August 2007 Messenger regarding the proposed building of a 3 storey Madressa on the Masjid Umer site, I and many other residents felt this rather biased and not reflecting the full picture, and would make the following comments:
No one is objecting to there being a small local mosque, however, over recent years Masjid Umer has been utilised as a Madressa (teaching establishment), contrary to the original planning application. This has led to problems of people from outside the local vicinity sending their children there when there are adequate facilities in other parts of Burngreave and Sheffield.
“… over 700 people attend the Madressa” – The original planning application was for a local mosque not a city-wide Madressa, with no indication, at the time, that the mosque committee wanted to develop a Madressa on a scale completely unsuitable for the site or vicinity.
“…vast majority of the young people that attend are from Burngreave” – Comments on the Council Planning Department Website show that many in favour of this application come from around the city: Firth Park, Heeley, Walkley, Dronfield and as far as Leicester, York, Leeds and Hull.
“…there is a genuine traffic issue, but the issue is only between 7–7.15pm.” – at the recent Area Panel meeting in July, the Area Co-ordinator and Councillors acknowledged, “problems of travel and parking issues in the area around the Northern General Hospital,” and parking issues due to the Madressa are among issues documented by residents on the Council website and at the Area Panel meeting. A three-storey purpose-built Madressa on the proposed site would just add to the problem.
Those voicing concerns are not against having local mosque(s), but against an ill-thought out application for a 3 storey teaching facility, which is clearly not suited to its current location. We hope those involved in the application think again and take into account the feelings of both Muslims and non-Muslims and look for an alternative more suitable venue that won’t add to the current problems experienced by local residents.
Name and address provided.