Australia is supposed to be a free and democratic country with freedom of religion. Don't tell me the decision was based on land issues - we know it is purely on emotive issues since 9/11 which have heightened the local reaction to such a school being built.

you Camden racists deserve to be taken for the fools you are. the whole country is laughing at you

"the boy" you really have no idea do you? You clearly do not come from this area, or you would understand the immense problems with infrastructure we already have, despite a declining population in the town. I don't care where the school is built and what the school stands for so long as it is in an appropriate area where there is a need. There is no need for a 1200 student school when the schools in existence in the town are faced with declining enrollments and crumbling infrastructure. Just how are these kids going to get to this school? By private car and bus... try travelling on these roads during these times and see how much fun it is. The intersection where the school was proposed for is not adequate and already banks up each morning with traffic, adding another say 500 vehicles will certainly not help. As for your comment that the town is racist, perhaps you ought to have a better look at the submissions. Many of the submissions (over 3000) were on planning grounds, granted some were based on ethnicity and religion, but EVERY SINGLE one of those in support of the school, talked of religion. Where is the racist in that? Perhaps you ought to head to the nearest school and learn how to punctuate and use grammar. A real man doesn't call names and hide behind a fantasy name.

Everyone knows that if the proposal had been for a Christian school, it would have been accepted. Who are you trying to fool? Racism is alive and well in Australia. Camden residents should be ashamed of themselves.

I agree, this act is purely based on racism. No matter how much they are saying there is no religious motives but...We live in the area where there are around 2/3 Christian, Greek arthodox schools in one road and it's fully residential area. We the resident even not able to park our cars properly for the schools and the parents cars but no issues have arisen for that. I recon it may spark a racial conflict among the communities who are living in peace in this country.

Thanks to John Howard for allowing this level of racism to be considered acceptable in our society. What a disgrace. From now on, whenever anyone tries to tell me that Australians are tolerant, I will be quoting this story.

How could you put a comment that Camden people are racists? The majority of people vote against it do not make them racists. If you categorised that as racism, then you should try to go to muslim country and try to build a Christian school in the middle of the muslim population.

please do not allow a islamic school..not only in camden but all across the western hemisphere.......... AS SIMPLE AS THAT I HATE TO ELABORATE ON THIS BUT THE WHOLE WORLD KNOWS WHY?

I'm saddened to hear about the rejection of a Muslim School but what disgusts me is to hear the offensive racist comments from the Camden community. I am terribly ashamed that my fellow Australians cannot be as accepting and tolerant as my husbands Muslim community is of me and my culture. We have something to learn of their culture, their religion speaks of acceptance, tolerance and non violence, something the Camden community needs a lesson in. This community needs to be educated before their ignorance causes more pain, their attitude is shameful and un-Australian.

I'm an Australian living in Texas, and I am embarrassed at what I've been seeing in the news. Embarrassed because of the intolerance and bigotry displayed by a few members of the Camden community, but embarrassed also by the intolerance and bigotry of a large number of uninformed outsiders eager to attack the people of Camden without any impulse to understand their situation. It seems that hateful, black-and-white thinking is not unique to racists.