The land has been sold to the Ahmadia Muslim Association in Portugal, which plans to develop a community complex with a library and sports areas, among other facilities, accessible to the public.
In a statement, the Socialist party accused the local government of allowing the plot to be purchased by a private entity intending to erect a large building on the site.
“Building a large facility there, regardless of its nature, will attract more car traffic to that location. Samora Correia does not want more cars, but rather leisure space for its residents,” they stated.
The Socialist party revealed plans to transform the space into an urban park, a proposal included in their municipal program to be presented “soon” to the citizens of Samora Correia, in the Santarém district.
“We have a proposal to develop an urban park there for public enjoyment. It is our intention to equip Samora Correia with infrastructures that enhance its urban environment, as well as in Porto Alto and Benavente. This park will significantly improve the quality of life for residents, offering a green and recreational space,” the party asserted.
The land was acquired by the Ahmadia Muslim Association in Portugal for 300,000 euros, according to the sale deed accessed by Lusa.
Fazal Ahmad, the association’s president, stated today to Lusa that their intention is to build “a facility serving the community, including a library, a meeting room, and a place for sports, not only for Muslims but for the entire community.”
He explained that the project is still in its early stages, with the choice of Samora Correia made due to its proximity to Lisbon and more affordable land prices.
Fazal Ahmad emphasized that the Ahmadia association has been active in Portugal since 1987 and has a presence in over 100 countries.
“We have mosques in Spain, France, Germany, and England. We are a peaceful community aiming to spread a message of peace and love,” he said.
The Socialist party, in their statement, stressed that they hold no objection against the land buyers or their intentions but criticized the local government for lacking a strategic vision for the area.
“The Benavente Town Hall should have a strategic plan for Samora Correia to protect it from concrete overdevelopment wherever possible,” reads the statement.
Contacted by Lusa, Benavente’s Mayor, Carlos Coutinho, dismissed the criticism, stating that the local authority neither received a proposal to buy nor intended to acquire the land.
“We have not received any proposal to buy or acquire that plot. Even if we had, we cannot buy every piece of land; we are not a real estate agency,” he stated.
The mayor further emphasized that “any entity can submit projects,” noting that the council does not discriminate or hinder investments in the municipality.
