Sonny Bill Williams Backs Mosque Project, Igniting Local Tensions

The Hurstville Masjid and community hub is planned for a residential street in Carlton, southern Sydney, after a prolonged conflict with the Georges River Council culminating in the Land and Environment Court in 2022. The project involves transforming an abandoned nursing home and adjacent property into a mosque designed to accommodate 120 worshippers, operating daily from early morning to evening, ultimately serving a larger Muslim community of around 20,000. Ongoing local opposition has arisen, attributed to concerns about increased traffic and noise from a continuous influx of worshippers. As the construction remains indefinitely halted, recent developments include the council approving a separate application for 24 external lights, exacerbating local frustration. Residents have expressed fears that their quiet suburban environment will be adversely affected, leading some to install CCTV for security amid reported disturbances. In 2021, hostility manifested in protest signs as some community members voiced their discontent, which Williams has described as rooted in racism. The project drew support from notable figures in sports, including Williams, boxer Anthony Mundine, and rugby player Hazem El Masri, although Williams clarified that he merely promotes and fundraises for this initiative. He emphasized the longstanding presence of the Muslim community in the area and the importance of diverse places of worship. Amid ongoing community tensions, numerous locals have reportedly chosen to leave the vicinity due to the mosque proposal's implications for their neighborhood. Despite opposition, the intent to build a mosque has raised broader discussions about cultural diversity and community acceptance in suburban Sydney, highlighting the complexities of integration for minority groups in such contexts.