Insurance Scarce For Risky Mosques
Illawarra Mercury
Saturday October 13, 2001
Ethnic leaders have protested to insurance firms refusing to reinsure mosques because they are a high risk and subject to racial attacks.
Some communities are having to hire security guards for 24-hour protection and are even considering closing down their mosques.
The newly formed NSW Community Relations Commission discussed the crisis when it held its first regional meeting in Wollongong yesterday.
Muslim leaders have asked Premier Bob Carr to speak to insurance companies about the issue.
Commission chairman Stepan Kerkyasharian said yesterday not only mosques, but places of worship generally, were regarded by insurance companies as growing risk factors.
``The Insurance Council of Australia told me recently that the issue of public liability and property insurance for places of worship had been of concern for some time because of vandalism and theft," he said.
An Insurance Council of Australia spokesman confirmed there had been an increase in vandalism, theft and arson at places of worship in recent years.
© 2001 Illawarra Mercury
Share This