September 10, 2007 SMH
A MUSLIM centre built in the heart of Sydney's Bible Belt is facing fresh opposition - over its plans to host midnight prayers.
But plans to extend the Annangrove prayer centre's hours and permit it to open late at night on three holy days have attracted four objections - well short of the thousands of complaints that almost blocked its construction four years ago.
Baulkham Hills Council is considering a development application to vary the consent orders for the Imam Hasan Centre.
The trustees want permission to open the doors until midnight three times a year, an increase in capacity from 120 to 150 people and a 45-minute extension in operating hours to permit cleaning and the occasional committee hearing.
"Can you tell me any church that has any time restriction or limit on numbers?" said Abbas Aly, one of the centre's trustees. ...
