On Friday, the Mayor of Porto, independent Rui Moreira, decided to withdraw from the agenda of the private meeting held this morning, the proposals for granting vacant buildings for two mosques as it was not a consensual issue.
Today, the City Council’s Urban Planning, Public Space, and Housing Councilor said that it will be up to the next executive to decide on granting vacant buildings for mosques, after the proposal sparked “doubts, concerns, and intense reactions.”
“We realized that this proposal [granting vacant buildings for mosques] raised doubts, concerns, and intense reactions, even from people who usually accompany and support us,” stated Councilor Pedro Baganha in a statement distributed to journalists.
At the end of the executive meeting, the PSD Councilor considered that the vacant properties might currently have another use, namely for housing, sheltering domestic violence victims, or people experiencing homelessness.
“We believe that the city has so many needs that vacant properties might have another use other than this [mosques] at the moment,” emphasized Mariana Ribeiro Macedo.
Stating that if the proposal were put to a vote, the PSD would vote against it, the social-democrat explained that it did not serve the interests of Porto’s citizens and the city.
“This has nothing to do with religious freedom, which we naturally respect, nor with integration, which we defend and encourage,” she stressed.
Despite being in favor of integration and religious freedom, Mariana Ribeiro Macedo highlighted that Porto currently has other priorities.
On the other hand, BE Councilor Sérgio Aires showed total support for this granting of buildings, regretting the withdrawal of the proposals.
In his view, the proposal’s objective was to create security, community, and strengthen bonds.
“What concerns me is that we are going to let the situation drag on because what was on the table was finding dignified spaces for these people to be,” he emphasized.
The blocist reminded that the communities continue to exist, and the city cannot, nor should, pretend they do not exist, pointing out the need for reflection on the matter.
Understanding the withdrawal of the proposals by the Mayor, CDU Councilor Joana Rodrigues emphasized that the issue is “effectively complex.”
“We perceive the good intention of these proposals, but we also understand that a deep reflection on this matter is necessary, so that Porto continues to be a city of tolerance and inclusion,” she remarked.
The proposals in question aimed at granting surface rights of two vacant properties for the construction of two mosques.
“The construction of a mosque in the city of Porto is a crucial step in consolidating an inclusive city that promotes the peaceful coexistence of diverse religions, reflecting not only the cultural diversity of the city but also its commitment to the fundamental principles of religious freedom,” stated the proposals.
