The Good Shepherd Church in
the remote Queensland mining town has offered space in its parish
building to the local Islamic community for use as a prayer room. "Over the years a number of people have asked, 'Is there a place or a space in Mount Isa for a prayer room?'" Fr Mick Lowcock said.
"A couple of the people who I know fairly well approached me and sort of said, 'Is it possible for us to use one of the rooms?'"
Fr Lowcock said his decision to allow the Islamic community to use the space did not come without contention.
"You don't want any backlash against them or against us, and there have been some concerns raised by people — even someone from out of town has rung me about it."
According to Fr Lowcock, the questions stem from misunderstanding and a fear of Islamic extremism and terrorism.
"The question in the back of everyone's mind [is] 'What's ISIS all about?'" he said.
"I think every time people mention the word 'Muslim' or 'Islam' they immediately think of ISIS.