A Longview Race Relations Committee member said Thursday he is disappointed by the negative reaction from a portion of the Longview community toward a mosque being built on Amy Street.
“Quite frankly it was very disheartening to me to see that type of discussion taking place here in our community,” Vik Verma said during public comment at a Longview City Council meeting. “I believe it’s strongly unwarranted. The Islamic community of Longview is merely wanting to have a house of worship just like any other faith in Longview, in Gregg County, in Texas and in the United States. I think this is a value that our community should embrace.”
Verma’s remarks came after Amy Street resident Lee Rosen spoke to the city council to air his concerns about the mosque. Rosen said a notification had not been posted regarding the structure; however, he learned the mosque is not going to be located within the city limits so it was not the council’s place to address it.
“Because it is outside of the city limits, it’s always under the state laws that deal with building and there’s no requirements for notification and those sort of things, and the city as well wasn’t notified of this project,” Development Services Director Kevin Cummings said.
Envisioned as a 2,500- to 3,000-square foot mosque and cultural/education center, the facility on Amy Street would take the place of an apartment where local Muslims have held Friday prayers for about two decades, Islamic Community of Longview member Saleem Shabazz has said.
“I guess I’m just trying to spread my concern,” Rosen said.
Verma said freedom of religion is a right granted in the U.S. Constitution and that the community should embrace it.
“I support the mosque. I’m glad it’s coming to Gregg County,” Verma said. “I think it’s good for diversity in our area, and I think it’s good for the community as a whole.”
In regular city business, the council called adopted an ordinance ordering an election for May 12 for the mayor and city council districts 1 and 2.
Filing starts Feb. 6 and ends March 5. Early voting is April 30 to May 8.
Mayor Jay Dean, who completes his second term this year, has not announced whether he will seek a final third term. District 1 Councilman John Sims has said he intends to seek re-election while District 2 Councilman Daryl Williams is completing his third and final term of office.
brillo posted at 1:38 pm on Sat, Feb 4, 2012.
The Longview News-Journal first stated that Mr. Vik Verma, who spoke in favor of the Mosque in Longview, was a Longview Texas resident. He has, in fact, a Kilgore address. The news paper made a correction in the paper and instead says that he is a member of the Longview Race Relations Committee. My question is why is a Kilgore resident been put on a Longview Committee? Why is a Kilgore resident addressing the Longview City Council? Why is our Committees being filled by non Longview residents who want to further their own agneda?
brillo posted at 2:28 pm on Thu, Feb 2, 2012.
All Muslems are terrorists exept the 94% who are not. This statement has been posted on many sites. According to the CAIR (Committee on American-Islamic Relations), there are 1.8 billion Muslems in the world. About 8 million or (0.6%) live in the U.S. Does the 6% of Muslems that are terrorists worry any one at all?
bagpups posted at 3:11 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Everyone take a deep breath. The mosque will give Louie Gohmert the opportunity to watch for terror babies !!!
Bob posted at 3:08 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Here's a thought and a solution to all living on Amy Street. Be very, very nice to this Muslim congregation and then convince them that they all should purchase your homes.This way it will eliminate the traffic concerns and safety issues and they in turn to could walk to their place of worship.
diamondfox posted at 2:06 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Easy for you to say see when you don't know the area. Do you live on the street? Have you been on this street? Do you even know where the street is? Whats not mentioned is the street divides the city and the county. The church won't be located in Longview city limits so that is why the council is not concerned about the extra traffic. Conveniently located in a loop hole area where noone cares.Why did they pick this area? Why not in the city? Why not on a street with more than one way in and one way out? Lots of legitimate questions for this neighborhood to ask.
seetherealworld posted at 1:17 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
talk and talk it will be built... there is not going to be traffic like Mobberly church just a small group going to church....get over it...
diamondfox posted at 1:15 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
How did some of you turn this into a race\religion discussion. IT IS NOT about either it is about safety concerns within a neighborhood. If you haven't driven on this street before then get your happy self out of your house and check it out. This street was built for a small neighborhood with light traffic. Kids play along the street, families walk together along this street (hmm what a concept families actually spending time together walking), several people jog along this street, ride bikes etc. Amy Street is barely passable for 2 cars. Maybe the builders should accept some of the responsibility and make improvements to the infra-structure to help ensure the safety of those that live there now. As to the apartment where they have held worship for the last 20 years why does the report not state that it is NOT located on Amy Street. There are no apartments on Amy Street that I have seen when i visit family on this street. One more note again this is not about race or religion but some of you want to make it so. Get the whole facts and then form your opinion but until then keep it down to a low roar as you bore me with such naitivity.
SpecialKinNJ posted at 1:11 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
It is too bad that "mosque" has come to be perceived as a "bad word",
but in many (western) quarters it has so perceived, principally because
most of the turmoil in the world today emanates from mosque-saturated
regions. From Murfreesboro to New York City to Longview it's the same;
and until peace-loving folks of the Muslim persuasion succeed in distancing
themselves from their jihadist counterparts the image of mosques will
remain much the same.
In a generally related vein, trial continues of a devoutly Muslim father (in a northeastern state) charged with honor murdering his young daughters; who
was subsequently taped as having said, should they somehow come back to life, he'd - - - - their bodies before cutting same into little pieces.
Symbols (like mosques) of a culture that generates such beliefs tend, understandably, to be viewed with suspicion.
One day, perhaps, mosques will be viewed as benign, but until then, to forthright opposition proposed builders must be resigned.
devout Muslim father
Number9 posted at 12:07 pm on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
I know for a fact that leeroy and meaganator do not have a Jesus sign in their front yards. Why is it that when there is opposition on anything it comes down to race and/or religion. Can't we take people at their word. God is the ultimate judge and jury and both leeroy and meaganator know this and are both true to the words they speak. This is not about religion to them . . . as it is not for me either. I have a young grandson that lives on this street. Now when I go to see him I'm going to have to contend with the extra traffic? These houses aren't being built around a place of worship, this place of worship is being built in the MIDDLE of an established neighborhood. So stop and think about it, if a place of worship, or any building, was being built in the middle of your neighborhood, how would you react?
seetherealworld posted at 11:57 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
how many Muslims do you see in the Police news.. let look at the Mexican that are taking over.....
meaganator posted at 11:54 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
In response to your question, chaunce, NO, I do not have a Jesus sign in front of my yard. You are being biased to question that. Religion does not come to play in the manner of my protest. I would feel the same with if a BAPTIST Church were being built in the same location. You're right, most churches are built in residential "neighborhoods." Yes, I put that word in quotes. When churches are built in neighborhoods, they are being built in areas that have many streets connecting, with more than one way out. This street has no cross streets connected, has a cul-de-sac and one entrance/exit.
You know...come to think of it, maybe I SHOULD put a Jesus sign in front of my yard. Is it so wrong to be a Christian and have opinions that are not related to the religion aspect of it? Apparently, in your eyes, along with the media and most people, the answer is yes.
chaunce posted at 11:24 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
If its not about religion, explain the Jesus signs along the street.
Do leeroy or meaganator have Jesus signs in their yard like others on that street?
Also, why should the mosque members locate somewhere else as suggested? They own that property, not other property. Any property owner should be allowed to do what they want with their property as long as its legal and conforms with any zoning regulations.
Seriously, churches don't have the traffic that shopping centers and commercial properties do. Lots of churches are on residential streets and cause no problems.
RollinYos posted at 11:06 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
None of my neighbors have ever checked with me or met with the residents of our neighborhood prior to purchasing a property, building on it, and moving in. I didn't realize that was a requirement. If it was, it sure would be difficult for anyone to move anywhere. I would prefer to have the whole street to myself. I can accomplish that by buying 20 or 30 houses, but that would seem so pretentious. That's why we have laws and zoning restrictions. If you're within the law, you don't have to ask for permission.
meaganator posted at 11:00 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
I would like to ask everyone to step back and ask themselves, "If I were a resident on this street, would I want anything built but a house?" and I'm sure that most would agree that no, they wouldn't. I agree that thoughts and opinions are being taken out of context. Did anyone notice how the Longview News-Journal quoted Verma but barely quoted Rosen. That seems biased. I thought the media was supposed to remain unbiased and let the public come to their own decision and opinion. I, too feel the same way as leeroytull. I too, in fact, live on the street, and I'm sure am going to get many dissaproving comments, etc. But, just as you have the right to express your opinions and the freedom of religion, so do I; so does leeroytull.
Keep in mind, this street is barely wide enough for two vehicles to pass. There is a ditch on either side of the street. Many families play outside, walk with their children, dogs, etc. This is not an issue of race or religion. This is an issue of the neighborhood safety. The road was not designed for excessive traffic. Excessive traffic-I'm sure that will gain a response, so here's my rebuttal: yes, it is excessive traffic when there are 15-20+ cars coming every week during a specific time period. The street was designed for regular neighborhood traffic. The road has one outlet, there are no connecting streets, it has a cul-de-sac at the end.
It saddens me to see and hear how everyone is focusing on the religion aspect. I guess that's what comes when you live in the Bible belt.
Leeroytull posted at 10:48 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Rollin, I am stating there is an aspect of this that has absolutely nothing to do with the freedom of religion and nothing to do with the freedom of expression that some of the more twisted forms of society spout off. And just because there is racism and religious fears in the world doesn't mean that no argument can be made any time about a mosque (or any religious structure/business for that matter) being placed anywhere. People of either side twisting the view point into a religious argument are plain wrong.
If Mr. Shabazz wanted to do things the right way, he would have purchased a property and built his facility in the same manner the facility was built in Tyler. Did they get opposition? Yes. Was it built anyways? Yes. I have no delusions. The facility is going up. They have already invested too much money. But Mr. Shabazz is trampling on a community without hearing what they have to say first. And that is why he is getting the vast majority of his opposition. If you want to separate the coooks from the legitimate arguments, put the facility on an appropriate parcel of land. This is not. Placing a blanket argument of 'xenophobia' is just as close minded as the actual fear based responses.
RollinYos posted at 10:14 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
So, Leeroy, you are claiming that the neighborhood minority is making the majority look guilty by association? Sound familiar?
Leeroytull posted at 9:52 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Bob the First amendment is not what is in question. I do not care that there is a mosque going up. Most of these residents have no problem with the religion of Islam. The problem is not the right to practice or pray. As stated I would welcome a Muslim neighbor. Stop making the issue religion. It is the same mistake Vik Verma and the longview news journal are making. Honestly at this point I don't believe it is a mistake, I think they are twisting the issue on purpose. MIne and several other upstanding residents concerns are over our property rights. Yeah there is a fringe group of people who can not get over the fear and hatred they have in their hearts. That does not make them them majority. I would certainly not support their issues.
bagpups posted at 9:31 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
The neighbors saying that the only issues are traffic and parking are not being honest. If they were they would not have bombarded the street with Jesus signs. First Baptist Church should be ashamed and repudiate what residents on Amy street are doing.
Bob posted at 8:40 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
Amendment 1 of our Constitution: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances. So get over it people and move on!!!
RollinYos posted at 8:31 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
When this story hit the airwaves several weeks ago, the immediate reaction by posters, bloggers, and Email users was to solicit support based on the fact that a MOSQUE was being built in Longview. There were many direct and indirect references to the fear that exists and the overriding paranoia regarding the Muslim faith. Warranted or not, the primary focus was mosque and Muslim. I'd rather have a church in my neighborhood than a private residence full of neighbors who behave like animals; racing their cars and 4-wheelers up and down my street, having beer parties 'till 2:00 AM, playing boom boxes that shake the walls, and shooting fireworks half the night. That's why rich folks live in gated communities, I suppose. That way, they can make sure they don't have to live by mosques, churches, businesses, and noisy East Texas trash. Those of us who must live in public neighborhoods with public streets don't get to pick and choose our neighbors regardless of how much we may dislike them.
Leeroytull posted at 7:11 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
The argument has nothing to do with race or religion. It has nothing to do with freedom of religion. I do not have a personal quam with any type of house of worship. This world would indeed be a better place with more God and more prayer.
My problem is with the placement of the mosque. This is being built on a 'no outlet' street. This is going to affect the property values of the homeowners that purchased homes expecting a quiet area. The story making me out to be some type of racist hillbilly is irresponsible. I have no issues with Mr. Shabazz or Mr. Verma. I just don't want him building this structure on my residential street. I will again state, I do not want a Christian church of any denomenation. I don't want a synagogue. I don't want a circle k or whataburger built at the location of where the mosque is going up.
seetherealworld posted at 6:46 am on Fri, Jan 27, 2012.
good news journal keep things in front of the people... this Country was founded on Freedom.. speech and religion, this is like me or you not liking of the religions that are now in America... go about you day take care of your own problems... has anyone ever thought God is watch...