Developer puts plan to build Muslim residential community near Montreal on hold

MONTREAL — The developer behind a controversial proposal to build a Muslim housing community on Montreal’s south shore has temporarily put his plans on hold.

Nabil Warda said he’s not giving up on the idea, but decided to postpone a presentation to the local Islamic community centre in Brossard scheduled for Friday evening.

He said he put off the meeting because of the backlash he’s faced this week over his plan to build dozens of homes near the community.

“My plan is to make a project that is acceptable, legally and socially, when the people are ready to accept it,” he said.

He said his proposal was misinterpreted as a “Muslim ghetto” although he had never intended to limit membership to any one group.

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“Right now, we are just letting things calm down and waiting for the time people will use their brains more than their emotions,” he said.

The plan drew widespread criticism this week, with Premier Philippe Couillard weighing in that the concept of segregated neighbourhoods runs counter to Quebec values of diversity and inclusiveness.

A spokesman for the Islamic Community Centre based in Brossard, Que., said it wasn’t associated with Warda’s project.

The centre published a statement on its website saying it did not wish to be linked “to development projects that are not initiated or approved by ICC or its management.”

“We promote full integration within Quebec society and we are proud Quebecers and Canadians,” the statement read. 

Warda, an accountant, said his proposed development would be open to all qualified buyers, regardless of colour, race and religion.

His primary goal with the project is to help Muslim families who couldn’t otherwise buy homes because their beliefs prevent them from paying interest.

“We are second-class citizens money-wise,” he said. “It is unfair that because people have religious beliefs, they cannot have access to real estate.”

He’s hoping to show there’s enough demand to convince banks to offer what he calls “Islamic financing,” where the principal and interest are presented as one lump sum.

Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press