NSW - Riot Brewing

Police fear Cronulla-style riot brewing
December 23, 2007 - 5:50AM

There are fears a Cronulla-style riot may be brewing as tensions grow over plans to build an Islamic school in southwest Sydney.

Police are believed to be investigating a series of mobile phone text messages circulating Sydney, purportedly inciting violence.

"We have come together to call for calm after becoming aware of text messages being sent around targeting young Australian Muslims," Independent Centre of Research Australia Youth Centre president Fadi Abdul-Rahman told The Sunday Telegraph.

"Police have confirmed they are investigating.

"We are extremely concerned as this is exactly what happened with the Cronulla riots."

Mr Abdul-Rahman was joined by Uniting Church Minister Dr David Millikan in condemning the texts.

Dr Millikan launched an attack on Christian Democrats leader Fred Nile, whose comments in the past week may be seen as having added fuel to the fire.

Tensions escalated at Camden on Wednesday night at a public meeting to discuss the proposed 1,200 student Islamic school.

At the meeting Mr Nile spoke of Islam's opposition to Christianity and also claimed some Muslim schools overseas had produced terrorists.

Camden Council has received more than 300 submissions on the proposal and will make its decision on the development in March.

Early in November, 1,000 residents protested against the school, with some saying it would damage the area's social fabric.

Later in November two pigs' heads were rammed on to metal stakes and an Australian flag draped between them on the site of the proposed school.

AAP

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/articles/2007/12/22/1198175421734.html?s_rid=theage:top5