If the Islamic Center for Human Excellence in Little Rock, Arkansas, has their way, there will soon be an Islamic enclave in Little Rock. (Hat tip: twostellas.)

Controversy over building a proposed Islamic community in Little Rock and many residents are not pleased. The planning commission unanimously approved the project which includes a mosque, a school and more than 20 homes. This stamp of approval is just the first step in a long process that will include much opposition. Several members of the community and members of the planning commission expressed their concerns. Their biggest concern, they are fearful this planned Islamic community will exclude other religions. Little Rock resident… Tim Lawson, says, “I’m opposed to any type of segregation and I believe this is what’s going to happen.”

… in which the Islamic call to prayer will be heard five times a day.

Lou Schickel’s planned West Little Rock shopping center (Page 12) isn’t the only interesting issue before the Little Rock Planning Commission this week. It’s also set to consider a proposal by the Islamic Center for Human Excellence to build a mosque, educational center and 22 single-family homes on vacant land at 40th and Potter streets, just southwest of Boyle Park.

Neighborhood residents haven’t exactly welcomed the idea, although they’ve apparently changed their objections from religious/ethnic concerns to more pedestrian issues like the noise of the five-times-daily call to prayer that would come over a loudspeaker from the 100-seat mosque. No one from the Islamic Center returned a message before press time.