“I recently went to see a production of 'Grand Hotel' at the Sir Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford, (named after the actor who starred in 'Reach for the Sky' ). I had a problem finding it on a Saturday night. Of the six different people I stopped to ask directions from in the centre of Ilford, one was Irish, one was of Oriental appearance, one was black and 3 were Asian. Although they were all polite and helpful not one of them knew where it was, only the Irishman had even vaguely heard of it. It was in fact, just around the corner. Finally when I arrived at the theatre, passing the Art exhibition in the foyer and the Bar and upon entering the Auditorium I couldn't help noticing that there was not one representative in the audience from a 'minority' group as far as I could see.( Perhaps this was because the theatre was packed and they couldn¿t get in, but I doubt it). Nor were there any on the stage.
The theatre group is open to anyone who can sing. The cast is not paid. They do it for the love of it.
I wonder, is it possible that we are not involving the majority of these newcomers in our culture sufficiently, or could it be that they themselves are not interested in it?
Are they perhaps only concerned with bringing their own customs and way of life with them and preserving them within our infrastructure?

I note with dismay that the Kenneth More Theatre is now earmarked for demolition and redevelopment, to be replaced by a 'Community Centre' which will be more suited to the 'needs' of the community.
I invite other contributors to speculate upon the implications of this decision, upon who has taken it, of whom Ilford¿s local decision making authority consists and how one day we ourselves here in Brentwood may be faced with similar situations.
The construction of a Mosque here in Brentwood will lead eventually to a future application for and establishment of a Muslim faith school. This would make Brentwood an attractive proposition and provide the core of a future ethnic community, an incentive for migration to this district from other areas. Before long the very nature and atmosphere of this area would begin to change . We have some immigrants here already and as far as I can see they are making a positive contribution to our town, keeping our cars clean at Sainsbury¿s and providing us with the Big Issue outside Marks & Spencer in the High Street and Tesco¿s in Shenfield, but they are not overwhelming in numbers ¿ yet!
But, why would we need an additional influx of people in order to ¿enrich¿ Brentwood?
Resistance to this possibility, which is obvious on this website and elsewhere, has nothing to do with fear of the unknown or fear of change. Some commentators are speaking from experience, having already seen the total detrimental transformation of once traditional communities elsewhere. They just wish to preserve the integrity , tradition and atmosphere of the town in which they live.
This point of view may well be condemned as racist but it is not. It is not an incitement nor a call to arms, It is simply an opinion held by many people.
If people with the opposite viewpoint desperately wish to live in a multi ethnic environment they have the option of moving to Hackney, East Ham, Leyton, Barkingside, Ilford or anywhere which already has the cosmopolitan atmosphere they crave.
However, please don't force me and many others to have to move further afield in order to find somewhere traditional to live.
I am reasonably happy with Brentwood as it is.”

“For goodness sake, you all promote political correctness, but behind closed doors you express your fears. My children won't go down King Edward Road when there are throngs of MEN, not women, in their traditional attire entering/ exiting their makeshift mosque. It is daunting to say the least.
This is not intolerance, this is a political sect whereby women are considered inferior and the participants follow a different legislation.
Pickles you can kiss goodbye to your constituency if this is permitted.
I believe in a fully integrated society with tolerance, but not at the risk of my freedom of speech. Which is what you are all losing.
Spend an afternoon in Luton and wait for the sectarian in-fighting all within the muslim community.
Which is why I have sent this anonymously.
Note: I am a liberal from a mix of cultures.”

“Darren, where does money come into this? "Helping the econnomy" and "Paying for it themselves" is not the issue in this argument.
It is clear that people are afraid that building a mosque would be the thin end of the wedge and would become a focal point for an Islamic community in Brentwood. If they feel uncomfortable with such a scenario it is coming from deep within themselves, based on their own life experiences and views. Perhaps they are anticipating the problems which , in their eyes, could manifest themselves a few years hence.
I am fairly neutral on this issue having descended from immigrants myself. However I can understand those fears having seen how the character of a district can be transformed out of all proportion by an excessive influx of people from an alien culture. True there are some things to be gained by a degree of multiculturalism but if it is excessive it becomes threatening to the traditional way of life. This is what concerns some people.”

“Does anyone know where Chinese people or Sikhs go to worship around here?”

“Fair enough, if they are willing to pay for a property (which they are) where is the harm. Each to their own, there is obviously a need in the community and it will likely bring more people into the area and help the economy so it can only be a good thing. Oviously what we don't want is some Abu Hamza style services to be run out of it, but if it is all above board we have no reason to worry. Good luck to them I say.”

“In response to Joe from Pilgrims Hatch. No im not in favor of the traveller sites but I am in favor of a mosque. I am in NO WAY left wing or relgious, and I have very strong views on immigration policy and "cultural diversity". But the one thing I am not is a racist. There are FAR worse things that could be built than a mosque. If there is a growing Muslim community in Brentwood give them thier place of worship. Where I am against the traveller site is that they HAVE NO PLANNING PERMISSION and they don't obey the law.”

“Its only a mosque. Get over yourselves”

“Mohammad, what on earth are you talking about!? We don't 'feel' we are being pushed out from area to area, we ARE being pushed out! You must be seriously deluded too if you think that the construction of a Mosque is going have an ameliorating effect on the town and its residents. We don't want it, don't need it and if you don't like it, rest assured that there are plenty of other locations which have been Islamized to your tastes not very far away. Go there, not here; it'll save you a bomb on construction costs too!”

“Beware good people! The opening of a mosque in Brentwood will be disaster for the so-called peaceful community relations and co-existance. First there was 1 Muslim and now look already 200!. Soon there will be 201, then 202. where will it all stop? If we are not careful it may even get to 300. We may even get the Martians soon. Stop now before it is too late. As all good English people know, do in Spain as the English do. Can they not practice what we preach? It says in the Good Book: 'Behold it is said unto thee, let not the Mofques come to Ye Hatche of Pilgrims' Act now before it is too late. Join the British Nosepicking Party now”

“Ignorance will lead to an ever increasing fear in any community. Why cant we reach out to one another and come to an understanding of mutual respect?”