Guildford: Masjid Assalam Mosque plans to expand at McArthur St

An $9.8 million mosque is planned for a western Sydney street as part of an Islamic group’s proposal to expand on the site. See the plans.

A $9.8 million, double-storey mosque is planned for Guildford as part of an Islamic group’s proposal to expand on the site where they have a smaller prayer hall.

The Masjid Assalam Mosque project on McArthur St will include men’s and women’s prayer rooms, a religious training room, a caretaker’s dwelling for the imam and a three-deck basement carpark.

Development applications were lodged with Cumberland Council and the State Government’s Sydney Central City Planning Panel — which will ultimately determine the project’s fate — in December.

However, former Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou told community radio station 2mfm in November the project already had pre-approval.

“I’ve managed to have pre approval for the Masjid Assalam Mosque and that’s going to happen down at (nearby) Marian St,’’ he said.

An artist's impression for a mosque at 68 McArthur St, Guildford.

“We’ve been working with them for the last eight months and we’re very happy; that’s going to host roughly 300 worshippers when that’s finished. I run an athletics squad where 55 per cent of that squad are children from Islamic backgrounds.’’

When asked this week whether the pledge was premature, Cr Christou said: “What the gist of it is I’ve been helping them (Masjid Assalam Mosque) gain the right advice.

“That’s what I meant. Before they lodged plans they had their ducks in a row.’’

The mosque will replace a carpark, if approved.

He added: “On a personal level I wish the applicants all the best with their application.

“As this matter is now being assessed before an independent panel I cannot comment further in regards to this application.’’

The earmarked site at 68 McArthur St is now used as a carpark for the adjacent mosque

Wet weather has delayed a noise assessment of the site but a traffic report concluded that the mosque would have negligible impact on roads.

There are three other mosques in Guildford, which has a significant Muslim community.

MORE NEWS

Khayam Ali pleads guilty to assaulting Cumberland Mayor Steve Christou

Granville man Anajur Tejaswi charged after alleged phone scam