Residents have been bombarded with an anonymous anti-Islamic letter drop, protesting against the proposed development of 150 houses by Qartaba Homes in Riverstone and Schofields.

Rivo Respect, Responsibility & Recognition founders Danielle Fragomeli and Carroline Parkes said hundreds of flyers titled "Future of Riverstone a Muslim enclave", as well as an eight-page booklet titled "Islam Aggressive Religion, Totalitarian Political System" had been distributed.

The pair said the letter-drop had caused panic among some community members. "Many elderly people have told me they are scared about the proposed development because of the flyers," Mrs Fragomeli told the Rouse Hill Times. Ms Parkes said: "We think the flyers will give residents a pre-conceived notion about the Islamic development which could be wrong."

Qartaba Homes director Wajahat Rana played down the impact of the flyers, saying the issue was settling down. "We are not worried about these anonymous flyers as we have had good discussions with the local Chamber of Commerce and a community group," Mr Rana said. "We are a business, not an Islamic organisation, and the people who are doing this are ignorant and trying to portray a bad reputation for Riverstone by using scare-mongering tactics which will consequently have a poor economic outlook for Riverstone."

Controversial Dutch politician Geert Wilders, also referred to the "Muslim enclave in Riverstone" during his speeches in Sydney last week.

Rouse Hill Times, 28 February 2013

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Firebrand Dutch MP Geert Wilders has told supporters in Sydney's west that the ideology of Islam is dangerous, while claiming Australia is seeing an "Islamisation" of its cities.

The far-right politician addressed the Q Society of Australia on Friday night at a function centre in Liverpool on the third leg of his controversial tour of Australia. Protesters gathered outside the venue to voice their anger at the MP's controversial tour.

Many members of the media were blocked from entering the event, despite having being told by the ultra-conservative Q Society group that they would be allowed to attend. However, in an extract of the speech obtained by AAP, Mr Wilders labelled Sydney as "the Australian city where Islamisation has progressed the furthest".

"This city needs to hear the truth about the dangerous ideology of Islam," Mr Wilders said. In the speech he made disparaging remarks about the Koran, the holy book of Islam. He said when some journalists charged him with being intolerant he replies: "I prefer the so-called intolerance of Churchill over the so-called peace of Islam." Mr Wilders called participants in last year's riots in Sydney "al-Qaeda sympathisers", and noted that there were now more than 60 mosques across the city.

About 100 protesters, many carrying anti-Wilders placards, rallied outside the function centre before the start of the speech and chanted: "Muslims are welcome, racists are not." Police officers, including some on horseback, ensured guests invited to the event could make it through the crowd.

Outside the event an anti-Wilders protester addressed the crowd over a loudspeaker. "We have to make sure that these people are hounded if they try to do these things," he said. Thanks for helping brand Geert Wilders what he really is."

One protester, social commentator Antony Loewenstein, said Mr Wilders believed in dividing society. "I think his message of division and hatred against Muslims is exactly the opposite of what Australians should be hearing," Mr Loewenstein told reporters. "It's ignorant and shows a desire to exclude Muslims."

AAP, 22 February 2013

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An interest-free housing project aimed at the Muslim community and boasting 100 per cent halal housing has sparked a major row, with critics labelling it a discriminatory plan that could lead to a Muslim enclave.

Qartaba Homes' plan offers "100 per cent Halal housing to the growing Muslim community of Australia" in the heart of the northwestern Sydney suburb of Riverstone.

While the company has insisted people from all religious backgrounds are free to take up the offer, it advises that the loans are "100 per cent Halal" and a "chance to escape Riba (interest)" because interest is a sin under Islamic law.

Qartaba Homes director Khurram Jawaid said it was the real estate deal of a lifetime, open to Australians of all faiths and backgrounds, but the state MP for Hawkesbury Ray Williams said the project was divisive.

"I can only imagine the repercussions if a developer were to advertise a new Judeo-Christian housing estate; they would be hung, drawn and quartered," Mr Williams said.

"I hardly think the advertisement for a 100 per cent halal Muslim housing community is inclusive; it's very divisive and I'm sure it will be viewed that way by the majority of fair-minded Australians."

Blacktown councillor Alan Pendleton said the community was concerned it could turn into an enclave. "There's great concern about ... what they consider could be an enclave. (There's a belief) you have to be a Muslim, otherwise they won't sell you a site," Mr Pendleton said.

"Our philosophy is interest-free, pay as you own," Mr Jawaid said. "You don't have to go to a bank or a financial institution. It's open to everyone. From the business point of view, we can't do it that way (Muslims only)."

A spokesperson for Fair Trading Minister Anthony Roberts said the department had found no grounds for discrimination action against the Qartaba Homes flyer.

Daily Telegraph, 9 January 2013

So, in short, there is no proposal to establish a Muslims-only housing estate in Riverstone. This doesn't prevent the Telegraph from headlining its report "Plan for Muslim housing enclave in Sydney suburbs".

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