ePetition details
New parking restrictions imposed around Imam Khoei Islamic Centre
We are appalled at the sudden measures taken by Brent Council, without prior notice or warning, to extend the parking hours surrounding the Imam Khoei Islamic Centre from five days a week till 6.30 to a surprising 7 days parking ban until 10 pm! When your officers where questioned about this their reply was rude and offending: “because they’ve got something going on in there” he said, pointing at the Islamic Centre.
The Muharram commemorative programs began on Saturday 26th November 2011 and your sudden restrictions will not only disrupt the attending of the memorials but will create much unnecessary inconvenience to not only members of our congregation but also to local residents who have thus far complained that friends and family are unable to visit them because of the parking restrictions.
Indeed and in consideration of Brent’s attitude towards the excessive use of enforcement officers outside the school this recent parking imposition is being perceived as a prejudicial act against our community and in breach of our fundamental human right under Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights to freedom of religion. By imposing these restrictions you are making it extremely difficult for people to attend the Muharram memorials and in certain case preventing them from coming.
We are very community orientated and value the well being our neighbours and respect their rights. The Islamic Centre has already recruited specially trained trafficking stewards who have been successfully controlling cars, mitigating any amenity impacts and reducing obstruction on the highway.
We expect Brent to maintain a uniform policy when it comes to taking such drastic arrangements, however this has not been the case here. We have several witnesses that live in Brent near the Sattavis Pattidar Centre where the council not only turns a blind eye to traffic enforcement in the area during occasions that are non-Islamic, but even gives the center passes so the visitors to the center can park their cars on the streets during event days without risking a penalty!
This begs the question and motive behind the Council’s actions and causes uncertainty amongst our congregation who already feel upset and angry that their basic rights to practice their religion freely and without fear are being violated.
We urge the council to share our community spirit and remove the
new parking restriction in order for those visiting to be able to
park as they would otherwise during the year.
Started by: Jamal AlBedri
This ePetition ran from 08/12/2011 to 29/02/2012 and has now finished.
675 people signed this ePetition.