A proposed Shiite mosque next door to an existing Assyrian church in Coolaroo has been approved by the state planning tribunal.
The Al Sadiq Foundation proposed the mosque, next door to St Mary's Ancient Church of the East.
The church's congregation has many people of Assyrian background. St Mary’s Church is the only church in Melbourne for followers of the Ancient Church of the East.
Hume Council approved the proposal last August, despite more than 1400 objections.
A spokeswoman said the council had taken the significance of the application into account when it came before councillors last August. She said the council "believes this is a fair outcome".
In Coolaroo, according to the 2011 Census, 27.5 per cent of residents cite Islam as their faith, 26.6 per cent are Roman Catholic, 10 per cent claim no religion, 8.2 per cent are Anglican, and 3.5 per cent are Eastern Orthodox.
Linguistically, 39.6 per cent of people speak English as their first language, 13.9 per cent speak Arabic, 13.8 per cent Turkish, 7.5 per cent Assyrian Neo-Aramaic, 2.8 per cent Chaldean Neo-Aramaic, and 2 per cent speak Vietnamese.
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