Bob Unruh put out an Islamophobic take on the rejection of a proposed mosque in South Carolina in a May 17 WorldNetDaily article:
Islam is not a religion – it’s a takeover.”
With those words of warning from a resident ringing in their ears, officials in Lancaster County, South Carolina, have rejected a plan to demolish a home on a five-acre lot in a low-density housing subdivision and replace it with a mosque.
Mosque supporters spoke if favor of their religion, insisting they would seek peace at the mosque, but other neighbors, who had not been told by the purchaser he wanted to drop an Islamic center in their front yards, protested.
They called out Sharia law, and one warned, “This is not about a place of worship; this is not about religion; Islam is not a religion, it’s a takeover.”
Another warned officials that under sharia they could convert to Islam, submit as a second-class citizen, or “be killed.” And yet another warned the Quran requires, “Make war on the infidels living in your neighborhood.”
Online reports said it was Waxlan Investments, owned by Arafath Mohammad, that bought the acreage. He then asked permission to destroy the existing home and plop a 3,000 square foot mosque on the land, which would also have 28 parking spaces.
Comments included, “This wasn’t a humble house of worship. It was a calculated conditional-use gambit in a zone never meant for it. Planning staff recommended approval on ‘religious freedom’ grounds. The Planning Commission said no.”
Note the pejorative language Unruh uses throughout his story — the rezoning plan is described as a “scheme” that would “plop” a mosque in the area. Unruh doesn’t bother to quote any mosque supporters, but he gives attention to the conspiratorial, Islam-demonizing arguments of its opponents.
WND has a history of demonizing Muslim worship plans, while lashing out at anyone who opposes plans for Christian churches and schools.