Ahuntsic-Cartierville votes No in polarizing referendum on local mosque

Two-thirds of voters in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville borough have voted against recognizing the Ahuntsic Cultural Centre as an official place of worship in a referendum Sunday.

The referendum was triggered by residents in the area after the borough initially approved the cultural centre's request for official designation.

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"The outcome was negative for us and simply we're going to accept it," said the centre's spokesman Rachid Hajir.

Of the 481 valid ballots cast, 290 people voted Noin the referendum (60.5 per cent). Voter turnout rate was 43 per cent.

"The only reason why I'm against it is for the lack of parking," saidnearby residentDonatoDonato on Saturday

He saidthe borough allowedup to 125 peopleuse the centre at a time "we don't even have parking there for 30 people."

Hajir, however,believes those opposing the place of worship designation aren't actually worried about parking, which he says isn't a real issue.

"Whatever is behind this is purely and simply Islamophobia," he said."Some of us have been living in this place for 20 years, 30 years."

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The centre has served as a mosque and community spaceforMuslims in the area for the last three years.

"Sometimes we readQur'an, we pray," saidRayyanRaselma, one of the children who participates in activities at the centre.

Amongother things, Sunday's vote means the people who attend the centre will no longer be allowed to pray there, Hajir said.

Plan B in the works

Though Hajir saysitwill respect the referendum results and operate as a community centre, "there's always a Plan B."

"We're going to continue to exist and there's other means and other avenues that we can go down to get our right and our voice heard."

Hajirsaid a newplan is in the works but would not give any more details.