IPRAY, an Islamic organization, has purchased a large wooded acreage on Colfax Road in Wayne. to build a Turkish Mosque This is a residential neighborhood a half mile from Laurelwood Arboretum, an environmental sanctuary. Their structure will dominate the landscape. The Iman is planning for a 56,000 - 96,000sf Mosque with 250 parking spots on a 10-acre lot.
They are not focused on preserving the character of the neighborhood. The Imam, Gazmend Aga, is the director of the North East Islamic Community Center and is a board member of Peace Islands Institute NJ.
According to Bridgette Gabriel, Lebanese Author and Activist, a large percentage of mosques in the U.S. are "infiltrated by radicals." That is why the community must do its due diligence to block their construction, based on national security threats.
The local Conservative and Reform Rabbis, socialize with this Iman and support him. They think this mosque is different since it is Turkish. While many think of sweet Turkish treats, I think of the Turkish Ottoman empire and their slaughter of 1.5 million Armenian Christian neighbors. This 1915 war was the first to be labeled a Genocide.
Today I stood up at the podium at the monthly Zoning Board Meeting, to challenge the Iman on why the need for 250 parking spots when in last month's testimony he stated that each of his five daily prayer sessions only has 20-40 people. His answer was evasive... He talked about Friday services from 12-2:30, timing prayers to avoid sundown, comparing his services to churches,..... Basically a politically-based non-answer. I asked if he considered off-site parking. There is a large lot at the Al Ghazaly Islamic High School. He said his prayer sessions are only 30 minutes and that the parishioners leave work early to make it there, so it would be inconvenient.
Before I gave up the podium, I asked if he had met with the Chabad Rabbi. I already knew the answer. He smiled as he deflected, talking about an upcoming Iman, Rabbi, Priest retreat. The Chabbad Rabbi, Rabbi Ghurkov, shares my concerns about Islam. He has no desire to socialize with this Islamic Iman.
Personally, I would like to know Iman Aga's views on Israel, and Anti-Semitism in our schools. How will he avoid radical elements taking hold in his Mosque? I have been trying to search for information on iPray's Board of Directors. There seems to be minimal to zero social media presence. This raises my suspicions. Funds were solicited through GoFundMe, so there's no way to vet where the financing is coming from.
Found in my Research:
The original IPRAY site referenced this quote “Sahîh al-Bukhârî and Sahîh Muslim”. According to reddit.com, Sahih al-Bukhari 2926: Allah's Messenger said, "The Hour will not be established until you fight with the Jews, and the stone behind which a Jew will be hiding will say. "O Muslim! There is a Jew hiding behind me, so kill him."
I also found some info on iPray's founder F. Gulen: fgulen.com/en/fethullah-gulens-life-en/questions-and-answers-en
NOTE: when they post the recording of the Zoning Meeting, I will add the link here.
