1 10 3 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/61dc6cf6780d3f2c0bac73ca511384bf.jpg 3f95b8e2d2f3df335637006ba2ddaec1 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.myrecordjournal.com/News/Meriden/Meriden-News/Mosque-sues-Meriden-over-permit-denial.html Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Connecticut Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) CT_03 Location The location of the interview Meriden, CT Date 2019 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 999 Research Pkwy, Meriden, CT 06450 Year Year the case began. 2019 Proposed Project The Omar Islamic Center sought to convert a property that once housed a fiber optics equipment manufacturing company into a mosque and Islamic center. The property—vacant for more than a decade--was located on a 3.65-acre site featuring a two-story, 31,000 sq. ft. building and a 110-space parking lot. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Omar Islamic Center Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Zoning Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was initially denied but subsequently approved after the OIC's legal challenge. However, the property owner withdrew the offer to donate the building to the OIC, so the project did not move forward. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In March 2019, the Meriden Planning Commission unanimously denied the Omar Islamic Center’s special permit request to move to the first floor of 999 Research Parkway, a building that had sat vacant for seventeen years. The Omar Islamic Center, started in 2018 by Muslims who live and work in Meriden and nearby towns, sought the building to establish their first permanent place of worship (United States Department of Justice [DOJ], 2020, Nov 5). Additionally, the site would provide office space for the community, with professionals renting the building’s second-floor offices (Meriden Planning Commission Minutes, 2019, Feb 13). Initially, the Planning Commission held a public hearing on the case, where community members voiced their support and opposition to the proposal. Community and commission members stated that the center would bring unwanted truck traffic and property tax changes (Meriden Planning Commission, 2019, Feb 13). During the following meeting, the application was rejected. The Planning Commission cited that the mosque did not match the Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) designation of the zone for industrial, office, and commercial spaces as their reasoning for denying the mosque (ibid.). The Commission was primarily concerned with the zoning purpose of the site, as they had previously rejected plans for a school at the same location (Mosque situation awaits resolution, 2020, Nov 12). However, these zoning practices and permit rejection were challenged in court. In April 2019, the Omar Islamic Center filed suit against the city, alleging that the commission violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) and Connecticut Religious Freedom Act (CRFA) (Omar Islamic Center, Inc v. Meriden et al., 2019). In the suit, the Omar Islamic Center alleged that the “[City of Meriden] violated [the Center’s] constitutional rights by prohibiting it from operating a mosque on a property located in Meriden, Connecticut.” Additionally, the lawsuit charged the commission as having "created a reason for denial that no place of worship could surmount" (Mosque situation awaits resolution, 2020, Nov 12). In response to this controversy, the Meriden City Council held a special virtual meeting, where they authorized $45,000 to be used in a settlement with the Omar Islamic Center as well as urged the planning commission to reverse their decision and approve the center’s special permit application (City of Meriden, 2020, June 18). At a special meeting later that week, the planning commission unanimously approved the Omar Islamic Center’s request to turn the first floor of 999 Research Parkway into a mosque (Meriden Planning Commission, 2020, Jun 23). The controversy drew the attention of the Department of Justice’s Religious Liberty Task Force, which launched an investigation in July 2019. In November 2020, the DOJ filed suit against the City of Meriden, alleging their rejection of the mosque and zoning code violated the RLUIPA (Collins, 2020, Nov 5). In the suit, the federal government claimed, “the Defendants’ actions in denying the Center’s application for a special exception permit imposed an unjustified substantial burden on the Center’s exercise of religion” (DOJ, 2020, Nov 5). On the same day that the Justice Department filed suit, city and federal officials came to an agreement in which the suit was dropped in exchange for the modification of the city's zoning policies as well as mandatory RLUIPA training for city officials (Vondracek, 2020, Nov 6). Though the planning commission approved the mosque, and the city council offered a $45,000 settlement in 2020, the case was not settled that year. The Omar Islamic Center leased a small space in neighboring Middletown, Connecticut, at 24 Broad Street as the controversy continued. Additionally, while the suit was being decided, the building owner decided not to donate the property to the center (United States District Court of Connecticut, Sept 30). Because “[t]he donation of the [999 Research Parkway] Property [was] contingent on the Center obtaining the appropriate zoning approvals” (DOJ, 2020, Nov5), it may be assumed that the zoning controversy contributed to the owner’s decision to revoke their offer to donate the site. The Omar Islamic Center’s lawsuit continued its way through the court system. In September of 2022, the court issued an opinion that the zoning regulations of Meriden violated the Free Exercise and Equal Protection Clauses and that the Center was entitled to damages, including the costs of leasing and renovating their alternate location. However, the court also ruled in favor of the city on claims made under the CRFA because “the construction of a house of worship does not constitute religious exercise” under the act (Seeman 2023, Jan 6). The Omar Islamic Center was never moved to 999 Research Parkway. Instead, the mosque remains located at 24 Broad Street, Middletown, CT, a small building poorly suited to the community’s spacial, parking, and location needs. References <ul> <li>City of Meriden. (2020, June 18). City Council Virtual Special Meeting Minutes. Retrieved from <a href="https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/63d87fff-81bc-ea11-a300-000c29a59557/cit-min-06182020.pdf">https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/63d87fff-81bc-ea11-a300-000c29a59557/cit-min-06182020.pdf</a>. </li> <li>Collins, D. (2020, November 5). Feds, Connecticut city settle over rejection of mosque plans. Associated Press. Available at <a href="https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-john-durham-meriden-8d8e973de690a9df0f0f6460a1e12d85">https://apnews.com/article/connecticut-john-durham-meriden-8d8e973de690a9df0f0f6460a1e12d85</a>.</li> <li>Meridian Planning Commission. (2020, June 23). June 23, 2020 Special Meeting Minutes. Retrieved from <a href="https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/0af6dd6c-deb7-ea11-a2fe-000c29a59557/pc-min-06232020%20Draft.pdf">https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/0af6dd6c-deb7-ea11-a2fe-000c29a59557/pc-min-06232020%20Draft.pdf</a>.</li> <li>Meriden Planning Commission. (2019, February 13). February 13, 2019 Meeting Minutes. Retrieved from <a href="https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/51c1ba15-c936-e911-a2c9-000c29a59557/pc-min-02132019%20(Draft).pdf">https://meridencityct.documents-on-demand.com/Document/51c1ba15-c936-e911-a2c9-000c29a59557/pc-min-02132019%20(Draft).pdf</a>.</li> <li>Mosque situation awaits resolution. (2020, November 12). Record-Journal. <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB4F3D1A01B2A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F17EBABC5E07A4520">https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88-2004&rft_id=info%3Asid/infoweb.newsbank.com&svc_dat=WORLDNEWS&req_dat=0D0CB4F3D1A01B2A&rft_val_format=info%3Aofi/fmt%3Akev%3Amtx%3Actx&rft_dat=document_id%3Anews%252F17EBABC5E07A4520</a>.</li> <li>Omar Islamic Center, Inc v. Meriden et al. (C.T. District Court, 2019). <a href="https://dockets.justia.com/docket/connecticut/ctdce/3:2019cv00488/132359">https://dockets.justia.com/docket/connecticut/ctdce/3:2019cv00488/132359</a>.</li> <li>Seeman, Evan. (2023, January 6). Court Rules Meriden, CT’s Zoning Regulations Discriminatory. National Law Review. Available at <a href="https://www.natlawreview.com/article/court-rules-meriden-ct-s-zoning-regulations-discriminatory">https://www.natlawreview.com/article/court-rules-meriden-ct-s-zoning-regulations-discriminatory</a>.</li> <li>United States Department of Justice. (2020, November 5). Justice Department settles claims against City of Meriden, Connecticut, involving denial of mosque. [Press Release]. <a href="https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-claims-against-city-meriden-connecticut-involving-denial-mosque">https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/justice-department-settles-claims-against-city-meriden-connecticut-involving-denial-mosque</a>.</li> <li>Vondracek, C. (2020, November 6). Meriden, Connecticut, Justice Department reach mosque agreement. Washington Times. <a href="https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/nov/6/meriden-connecticut-justice-department-reach-mosqu/">https://m.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/nov/6/meriden-connecticut-justice-department-reach-mosqu/</a>.</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Meriden, CT Description An account of the resource In March 2019, the Meriden Planning Commission denied the Omar Islamic Center's request to establish a mosque and community center at 999 Research Parkway due to zoning mismatches. This decision sparked a legal battle alleging religious discrimination under RLUIPA and CRFA. In addition to a private lawsuit against the city by the Omar Islamic Center, the DOJ investigated and filed suit against Meriden, leading to a settlement involving zoning policy changes and training. Despite the commission eventually approving the mosque, the property owner withdrew their offer, and the center now operates from a smaller space in Middletown. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Hilary Barkey, Aidan Chung, Pierce McDade, and Jacqueline Thrailkill Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Adaptive Reuse Approved (initial denial) DOJ Islamic Center Lawsuit (RLUIPA) Not Built Planning and Zoning REL230_SP24 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/da658e3ff2756938cfbc856e4635b6dc.jpg d0594a7f55ffda37a879d3a685fd772a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Rivard, N. (2012). A model of the proposed Al Madany Islamic Center mosque that would be located at 127 Fillow St. [Online image]. Retrieved October 7, 2019 from https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Proposed-mosque-in-Norwalk-draws-controversy-3462899.php#photo-2783990. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Connecticut Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. CT_02 Location The location of the interview Norwalk, CT Date April 2012 - September 2014 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A Muslim community in Norwalk, Connecticut planned to build a 27,000 square foot mosque in a residential area of Norwalk (Rivard, 2012). The City of Norwalk held a hearing so Norwalk citizens could voice their opinion on the project as many were worried about increased traffic and disruption in a small neighborhood (Rivard, 2012). The Zoning Commission denied Al-Madany’s application and Al-Madany filed suit on religious discrimination charges. For two years, the case stayed on the docket and because it dealt with arguments of religious discrimination, the Department of Justice chose to step in and investigate the situation as well. As a result of increasing pressure to prevent Norwalk from spending millions on hearing the case as well as input from the DOJ, the two sides finally reached a settlement (Koch, 2012). However, citizens at the next public hearing were still concerned regarding the traffic on the two-lane road. The Common Council ultimately came up with a new settlement in which Al-Madany was paid roughly $1.3 million for dropping their charges and finding a new location for the mosque (Goetz, 2014; Greenwich Free Press, 2014). Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 127 Fillow St, Norwalk, CT 06850 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 4H96+59 Norwalk, Connecticut Proposed Project The plan was set for a facility of roughly 27,000 square feet, including a mosque, a school, a place for daily prayer and parking for up to 89 cars. It was estimated that during prayer times, around 1,000 members could potentially be at the mosque (Goetz, 2014; Rivard 2012). Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://almadany.org/">Al-Madany Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign; Local Ordinance Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was delayed and the final proposed settlement that the commission approved required the City of Norwalk to pay close to $2 million. Norwalk’s insurer paid Al-Madany $300,000, while the City itself paid Al-Madany about $1 million (Goetz, 2014). The City also spent over half a million dollars to buy the disputed plot of land on Fillow Street and to pay Al-Madany for development expenses, once it found another mosque location (Goetz, 2014). Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Background on the Case Since the 1970s, the City of Norwalk’s Islamic community has grown larger and larger, to about 100 families in 2012. Muslim members of the community in Norwalk did not have a mosque, so they would worship in one of the congregant’s basement (Rivard, 2012). But by 2012, their community had grown so large that it was necessary that the members find a permanent, spacious location for their worship. They drew up plans to build a 27,000 square foot construction with a mosque, meeting hall, school, and parking lot with 89 spots. They settled on a location in a more residential area of Norwalk, where a little red farmhouse took up a plot of land on 127 Fillow Street (Rivard, 2012). The Muslim Community sent its application in to the Norwalk Zoning Commission in June 2012. The Commission denied the permit after a public hearing in which many Norwalk citizens declared their fervent disagreement with having the mosque in such a residential location (Koch, 2016; Rivard, 2012). The Muslim community then sued the Commission on discrimination charges and violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Key Events April 4, 2012: The City of Norwalk held a public hearing so that community members could air their grievances about the proposed mosque. Most of the neighbors were concerned about traffic, as the road the mosque would be located on is a two lane road. Additionally, the neighbors argued, the traffic would be putting school children at risk near the street. Muslims pray five times per day, so presumably, there would be a higher influx of cars throughout the day, potentially putting pedestrians in danger (Koch, 2012). June 2012: The Zoning Commission denied the Islamic community a permit to build their mosque, and the community filed suit on religious discrimination charges. The Zoning Commission asserted their decision was not religiously motivated (Koch, 2012). December 2012: The City of Norwalk acknowledged that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating the case (Koch, 2012). January 2013-July 2014: The case continued to stay on the docket, with both sides hiring more lawyers and preparing their case. There was increasing pressure to settle because hearing the case would cost the City of Norwalk millions. August 2014: The City of Norwalk and Al-Madany agreed on a proposal, pending approval by the Zoning Commission and Common Council, for a scaled-down mosque that was 22,000 square feet, with 135 parking spaces. The City of Norwalk and its insurer agreed to pay $300,000 to the congregation (CBS Local, 2014). September 4, 2014: At another public hearing in Norwalk with the community and the Zoning Commission and a Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act expert, many citizens still disagreed with the proposal, mostly because of traffic thought to be dangerous and disruptive in a residential neighborhood. Al-Madany had compromised at this point, saying that they would reduce the building mass by 11% by eliminating two floors. They also agreed to cut back the width by 4 feet (CBS Local, 2014). In order to combat the traffic argument, they agreed to hire a police officer to direct traffic during their days of celebration. After the public hearing, the Commission voted in favor of the settlement 4-3. It was the Common Council’s responsibility subsequently to negotiate the monetary terms (Greenwich Free Press, 2014). September 9, 2014: After hearing the complaints of the people at the Town Hall, the Common Council, even though the mosque location and design had been approved by the Zoning Commission, ultimately decided in a 14-0 decision that they would not allow Al-Madany to build on the Fillow Street property. The Islamic Center was paid reparations totaling roughly $1.3 million and the City helped them find a new location (CBS Local, 2014; Goetz, 2014). 2015: Al-Madany bought a plot of land in 2015 that had formerly belonged to the Christ Episcopal Church, who were very welcoming to the Islamic community when they said they wanted to buy the church (Chapman, 2015). The community still worships there today. It has been about 4 years since they moved in. Outcome & Lasting Effects The U.S. Department of Justice has “recommended” that the City of Norwalk and Zoning Committee reopen inquiries into the Zoning Regulations and initiate a Zoning reform to simplify the process for obtaining a special permit by updating criteria. In reality, Norwalk must take these “recommended” actions in order to avoid formal investigation by the DOJ (Koch, 2014). This push for a structural change in Zoning Regulations seems to be a debate that will continue for a number of years and will require multiple public hearings in the future (Koch, 2016a). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local <ul><li>Al-Madany (2018). Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://almadany.org/.</li> <li>CBS Local. (2014, September 9). Norwalk Common Council To Consider Mosque Plan Tuesday. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/09/09/norwalk-common-council-to-consider-mosque-plan-tuesday/.</li> <li>Chapman, N. (2015, November 12). Al Madany plans to make Union Park church into a mosque. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/2015/11/al-madany-plans-to-make-union-park-church-into-a-mosque/.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2012, December 11). Norwalk officials acknowledge Department of Justice is reviewing mosque denial. The Hour. Retrieved from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/Norwalk-officials-acknowledge-Department-of-8229754.php.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2014, September 27). In wake of mosque battle, Norwalk to explore tougher rules for residential zones. The Hour. Retrieved from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/In-wake-of-mosque-battle-Norwalk-to-explore-8097523.php.</li> <li>Koch, R (2016a, June 11). After mosque battle, city considers changing zoning regulations addressing special permits and places of worship. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/After-mosque-battle-city-considers-changing-8045732.php.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2016b, June 13). U.S. District Court approves Al Madany settlement. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/U-S-District-Court-approves-Al-Madany-settlement-8098561.php.</li> <li>(2014, September 5). Norwalk to Get a Mosque: Zoning Commission Votes 4 to 3 in Favor after Charged Public Hearing. Greenwich Free Press. Retrieved from https://greenwichfreepress.com/news/government/norwalk-to-get-a-mosque-zoning-commission-votes-4-to-3-in-favor-after-charged-public-hearing-22297/.</li> </ul>Regional <ul><li>Goetz, K. (2014, September 24). Norwalk settles mosque dispute with more than $2M payout. Retrieved from https://www.wshu.org/post/norwalk-settles-mosque-dispute-more-2m-payout#stream/0.</li> <li>Merriam, D., Seeman, E. (2014, September 18). City, Islamic Group Near Settlement in Mosque Suit; Proposed deal would curtail legal fees, end religious land use case. Retrieved October 3, 2019, from https://www.rluipa-defense.com/2014/09/city-islamic-group-near-settlement-in-mosque-suit-proposed-deal-would-curtail-legal-fees-end-religious-land-use-case.</li> <li>Rivard, N. (2012, April 6). Proposed mosque in Norwalk draws controversy. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Proposed-mosque-in-Norwalk-draws-controversy-3462899.php.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. October 12, 2019 Year Year the case began. 2012 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norwalk, CT Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. CT_02, occurring in Norwalk, CT, from June 2012 to September 2014 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ellen Harnisch DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/8977ed1ca055b884cce0537eec5a1768.jpg c6829b3c02fff5c4cfa6f386cbcdaf46 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Hilal Zoberi, left, and Shamila Zubairi talk with Norma Buchanan in the prayer room during a community dinner Saturday celebrating the opening of the Islamic Center of Wallingford. Photos by Justin Weekes, special to the Record-Journal (myrecordjournal.com/News/Wallingford/Wallingford-News/Wallingford-mosque-reopens-in-new-location.html) https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/e0192bfe253b3ae6ba0fa4a37943a3c6.jpg 8c31384ee8ca4e781fb98c18dada78aa Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Connecticut Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ct_01 Location The location of the interview Wallingford, CT Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 105 & 109 Leigus Rd, Wallingford, CT 06492 Proposed Project The original project at the Leigus Rd site was a 4,900 sq. ft. mosque, along with up to 135 parking spaces, and utilizing an existing house on the property for office space. The final site (S. Whittlesey Ave) was converted from the Ward Street Church of Christ into the mosque with minimal renovation. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Tariq Farid; Islamic Community of Wallingford Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign/Protest; Local Ordinance/Legislation Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Delayed; denied at Leigus Rd site; approved at Whittlesey Ave site Date April-October 2008 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. In the town of Wallingford, CT Sunni Muslim and Pakistani immigrant Tariq Farid proposed plans for the Farid Islamic Center. This would be a mosque built on the 105 & 109 Leigus Rd site in Wallingford, CT. The mosque was intended to honor Farid’s late mother and allow local Muslims to pray in their hometown. The plans passed through Wallingford’s Wetlands Commission but failed to pass through the Planning and Zoning Commission. Public opinion was opposed to the mosque. The town cited legal reasons for denying the project. Following the denial, the worshipped for over a decade out of a rented space at 950 Yale Ave, Wallingford. In 2019, the Muslim community purchased and converted a former church building Ward Street Church of Christ into the Islamic Center of Wallingford. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Story Behind the Farid Islamic Center Tariq Farid came to America as an immigrant from Pakistan when he was just 11 years old. During his time in high school, his parents bought a flower shop in hopes to have their children run the business. In 1999, the two brothers used their floral and technological knowledge to start the now immensely successful company, Edible Arrangements. In order to start the business, the brothers borrowed $50,000 from their mother, who demanded only $20,000 back with the promise that something was built in her memory. She passed away in 2005 after suffering from heart disease (Moore, 2008). In her honor Tariq had built the Salma K Farid Islamic Academy, a private school in Hamden, and intended to build the Farid Islamic Center, a mosque, on Leigus Rd in Wallingford (Moore, 2008). Details of the Project The Farid Islamic Center was intended to be a mosque with 4,900 square feet, a multi-step parking project to include 135 parking spaces, and utilization of an existing home on the property as “a temporary place of prayer while the mosque is in construction” and eventually an office space (Moore, 2008, p. 1). The project site spans across two lots, 105 & 109 Leigus Rd on the corner of Leigus Rd and route 68 in Wallingford, CT. (Moore, 2008). The mosque was designed to hold up to 115 occupants, but Farid estimated to draw crowds of fewer than 100 members on Friday services, and a mere 10-15 members during the week (Record-Journal, 2008). The mosque would allow for the local Muslim population to have a nearby place to pray, as there are limited places for Muslim residents to worship in the Wallingford area. The mosque, in conjunction with the Salma K Farid Islamic Academy, would host community events that encourage non-Muslim community member participation (Moore, 2008). Key Events After withdrawing the original proposition for revision, the Farid Islamic Center plan went before the Wetlands Commission on May 7th, 2008. The vote was postponed due to concerns of nearby residents, even though “officials initially appeared satisfied with plans for [the] mosque on Leigus Rd” (Moore, 2008). On June 5th, the plans were approved by the Wetlands Commission of Wallingford. The Planning and Zoning commission of Wallingford decided in late August to delay voting on the Farid Islamic Center and opened public comment on the matter until October 16th. A motion to deny the permit to build the Farid Islamic Center was passed unanimously by the five members of the Planning and Zoning Commission on October 16th, 2008 (Town of Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission, 2008, 24). Following the denial, the community needed to find a space to use regularly until a permanent site for the mosque could be found. After worshipping for over a decade at 950 Yale Ave, Wallingford, in a rented space, the Islamic community found a permanent home at 164 S. Whittlesey Ave when it purchased and converted the former Ward Street Church of Christ into the Islamic Center of Wallingford (Jeniece Roman, 2019). Points of Opposition In its initial town meeting, its introduction to the Wetlands Commission, the project faced public opposition. According to the Record-Journal, even though “wetlands officials initially appeared satisfied with plans for a mosque on Leigus Road,” the vote on the matter was delayed because of public concern and questions (Moore 2008). These concerns were generally focused on the traffic that the mosque would bring to the residential area. These claims though seemed to ignore “16 religious buildings in town that are in, or adjacent to, residential zones” along with an office building permitted to build right across the street from the 105 and 109 Leigus Road plot (Moore 2008). The project’s passing through the Wetlands Commission seemed to light the public opposition. Following this passing, signs reading “No mosque on Leigus” began to appear on property around town and the Leigus site, along with one neighbor sending her concerns of “Islam’s treatment of women”, and online forums showing local views that the mosque would bring terrorism (Moore, 2008). Views of opposition did prove influential at the final meeting during which the project was denied. The chairperson at the time stated that the “information we received from the public was very voluminous and consistent, outlining for the Commission and the public record, citing dates, facts, and specifics why they opposed the application” (Town of Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission, 2008, 24). The Planning and Zoning Commission of Wallingford cited five legislative reasons from its local zoning ordinances for denying the application for the necessary special permit. These legislative reasons included concerns over traffic and parking as well as a lack of compatibility “with the character of the neighborhood” (Town of Wallingford Planning and Zoning Commission, 2008, 24). Outcome The Farid Islamic Center was never approved and constructed as intended. As a result, the community had to practice in a temporary space that was ill-equip to meet the group’s needs. Finally, in 2019, the Muslim community was able to raise the funds to purchase and renovate the Ward Street Church of Christ on S. Whittlesey Ave. to use as the Islamic Center of Wallingford. Last Updated Date revised. November 2, 2019 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Wallingford, CT Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. CT_01, occurring in Wallingford, CT, from April to October 2008 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck