Canberra is a sophisticated and multicultural city, so the prospect of essentially a second mosque being built in the national capital should not be an issue of concern perse. Would the building of a new church in Canberra cause undue distress?

At the same time, if there are planning questions, such as traffic issues associated with the building of the community centre-cum-mosque, those with concerns should be allowed to voice them without being demonised. Most people can remember the ugly scenes at Camden in western Sydney when a proposal for an Islamic school was put to the community there in 2007.

No doubt some residents in Camden had genuine planning concerns, but they were quickly overwhelmed by protesters who simply used anti-Islam rhetoric to make their point, in scenes that were broadcast around Australia. One resident reportedly was even concerned about whether he would be able to display Christmas decorations in Camden should the school go ahead. All stuff and nonsense.

The Camden Council did ultimately reject the Islamic school proposal on planning grounds and last month the NSW Land and Environment Court rejected an appeal against the council's decision, agreeing that the school did not fit with the rural nature of its proposed location.

In Canberra, it is clear the Muslim community has outgrown the city's sole mosque in Yarralumla. Last Friday scores of worshippers could not fit into the mosque, so prayed outside in the chilly conditions. And the streets nearby were clogged with parked cars.

The community needs a new place of worship, especially to serve the burgeoning new suburbs of Gungahlin.

A public information session will be held tomorrow in Palmerston by the Canberra Muslim Community and the Land Development Agency. It is incumbent on all involved that opinions are respectfully put and considered and that we don't succumb to trying to alienate Muslim members of our community.

A welcome cause for celebration

AS THE world contemplates another despicable act of terrorism, this time in Jakarta, let's celebrate a remarkable show of life Canberra's new triplets Aiden, Bryce and Cooper Stuart. Wewish the quickly-expanded family all thebest.