To rectify a zoning oversight a group from the local Muslim community has applied for a conditional use for a place of worship.

"We have the same hearing for any church that wants to establish in Winkler," Mayor Martin Harder says, adding it's not a freedom of religion discussion but one of location.

"Does it meet the requirement? Yes it does," Harder says. "The decision wasn't hard."

The application for a non-home based religious assembly conditional use passed unanimously through City Council Tuesday night.

While controversy was stirred on social media surrounding the issue, Harder says it's not a time to be adversarial, "we're here to show the love to our community that we as a Christian community are known for."

A member of the Manitoba Islamic Association, Pembina Valley Committee Zahid Zehri explains a local group of approximately 30 people have been meeting for over a year at 10-385 Mountain Ave.

"We want to comply with the by-laws of the city," Zehri says. "That's very important for us."

A number of local residents attended Tuesday night's public hearing, some voicing concerns surrounding the religion, others support for the group.

Zehri notes many who have questions surrounding Islam are invited to contact the group and start a dialogue or attend one of the weekly prayer gatherings.

Dr. Idris Elbakri, President of the Manitoba Islamic Association was also in attendance Tuesday, he explains while there are difficult issues occurring around the world, he says the message of Canadian Muslims is to not preach hate.

"Here we are Canadians, we are Canadian Muslims, and we are just simply trying to... worship freely as guaranteed by the Canadian constitution."

Dr. Idris Elbakri, Past President of the Manitoba Islamic Association was also in attendance Tuesday