Plans for possible Islamic Center in La Porte draw online backlash

LA PORTE, Texas (KTRK) -- A member of the Muslim community in Deer Park calls it "hurtful" that plans for an Islamic Center in nearby La Porte have faced backlash online.

"I've never had that issue up until now," Neil M. told ABC13.

Neil, who only wanted part of his name used due to safety concerns, said he's lived in Deer Park and La Porte for the last 33 years.

Neil worships at the Mariam Center in Deer Park, which he said has been in a strip center along Spencer Highway near Cunningham Drive for about a decade.

"Nobody really knew we were here," he said of the Mariam Center.

He said that changed about two weeks ago after a discussion at a "city meeting" related to the Mariam Center's fundraising plans for a new Islamic Center in nearby La Porte.

He said they're using those funds to pay off land they bought for the center about five years ago.

Neil said that plot of land is located near Spencer Highway and East Boulevard in La Porte.

"It would be a community center and a soup kitchen with a masjid," he explained. "It would serve the community."

A petition on Change.org was filed two weeks ago that indicates not everyone in La Porte is in favor of the Mariam Center's plans.

A petition titled "Stop the construction of a new Islamic mosque in La Porte, Texas" currently has over 2,100 signatures.

It also includes comments that say things like "Everywhere Islam is allowed eventually has problems with Islamic takeover. It is their agenda."

"I just don't think people understand," Neil said. "We don't push any agenda."

ABC13 has reached out to the individual who started the petition.

Eyewitness News also reached out to the City of La Porte, though Neil said no formal plans have been filed with the city.

He told ABC13 that they're trying to pay off the land before proceeding with construction plans for the possible center.