New mosque in Wyoming draws protest; Facebook user says 'I don't want jihadis in my neighbourhood'

The Queresha Masjid in Gillette, Wyoming (Google)

A newly opened mosque in Gillette, Wyoming, is drawing protests from residents of the area, with one of them setting up an anti-Muslim page on Facebook.

"Stop Islam in Gilette" Facebook page creator Bret Colvin said, "I don't want jihadis in my neighbourhood" in an interview with Wyoming Public Radio's Miles Bryan, Raw Story reported.

The townsfolk also said they are afraid the federal government would put Syrian refugees in their community.

"We don't want to take the chance of having a problem. Why let them all in and then see what happens when you can just nip it in the bud?" said Colvin.

Bryan said in November, Colvin confronted the local mosque-goers. Members of his Facebook group even threatened to throw bacon at the mosque to show their displeasure.

Aftab Khan, who said he's been living in Gilette for almost 16 years, said there are about 30 Khans living in the town and a couple of them bought an old house and turned it into the town's mosque. The family came from Pakistan.

"The rhetoric has gotten so bad, so negative, so harsh that it's just stunning everybody. I mean, it's just unprecedented. It's never been that way for us, even after 9/11," said Khan.

He said he went to the University of Wyoming. "I mean, you can't ask for anybody who's, basically, you know, been more of a Wyoming person than me. My whole life I've been here," said Khan, who runs a hotel in town.

He said, "People have attacked my family and threatened us physically. I'm not going to sit here and deny the fact that I'm a little bit nervous and a little bit worried."

The anti-Muslim Facebook page had the message: "Stop the Islam invasion sponsored by [Wyoming governor] Matt Mead and Barack Obama. Remove the mosque and Islam school from Gillette." It recently changed its name to "Stop Forced Syrian Immigration to Gillette."

The group's focus is preventing Syrian refugees from settling in Gillette. Wyoming and Montana have not accepted any refugees since 2012.

related articles
Doomsday Warning in London Arises from the Christian- Muslim Conflicts in Europe

Doomsday Warning in London Arises from the Christian- Muslim Conflicts in Europe

Muslim Council of Britain launches #VisitMyMosque day
Muslim Council of Britain launches #VisitMyMosque day

Muslim Council of Britain launches #VisitMyMosque day

Muslim anti-war protester bullied by former Lord Mayor
Muslim anti-war protester bullied by former Lord Mayor

Muslim anti-war protester bullied by former Lord Mayor

Anti-Islam marches due to begin in cities across the US
Anti-Islam marches due to begin in cities across the US

Anti-Islam marches due to begin in cities across the US

U.S. attorney general vows to take action against \'anti-Muslim rhetoric\' that \'edges toward violence\'
U.S. attorney general vows to take action against 'anti-Muslim rhetoric' that 'edges toward violence'

U.S. attorney general vows to take action against 'anti-Muslim rhetoric' that 'edges toward violence'

Anti-Islam group, Tea Party gang up on Florida sheriff for hiring a Muslim deputy
Anti-Islam group, Tea Party gang up on Florida sheriff for hiring a Muslim deputy

Anti-Islam group, Tea Party gang up on Florida sheriff for hiring a Muslim deputy

News
Primary school in area where just 1% are Muslim cancels Easter service for diversity reasons
Primary school in area where just 1% are Muslim cancels Easter service for diversity reasons

A school in Eastleigh has cancelled its Easter service for diversity reasons.

'Very sad day' as Isle of Man becomes first part of British Isles to legalise assisted suicide
'Very sad day' as Isle of Man becomes first part of British Isles to legalise assisted suicide

Campaigners supporting improved palliative care have voiced their sadness after the Isle of Man parliament approved a draft bill to legalise assisted suicide.

Wet feet: Taking the first step of faith
Wet feet: Taking the first step of faith

Faith is often accompanied by uncertainty, yet it is in stepping forward that we encounter the power of God. The Israelites learned this at the Jordan River, where God performed a miracle only after they demonstrated obedience. 

When New Year’s Day used to be on 25 March
When New Year’s Day used to be on 25 March

25 March is known as Lady Day, also known as the Annunciation of the Lord, and it used to be the old New Year’s Day.  This is the story …