1 10 101 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/3f67635b6295c2d3a4496e1e43cd85e3.jpeg d4d8a40bb0bb2c210b010b0bd38ea90d 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.muslimguide.com/show/Darr_Al_Rahma_Cemetery_22296 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 This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl 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. Ga_10 Location The location of the interview Albany, GA Year Year the case began. 2016 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 711 W. Highland Ave, Albany, GA 31701 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. HRFM+MJ Albany, Georgia Proposed Project 123-plot cemetery on property the Islamic Center owned Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068005827245">Islamic Center of Albany</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications In September 2016, the Albany City Commission voted 5-2 to allow the construction of the cemetery with conditions, including burials at a 6-foot depth and using six-sided concrete burial vaults. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2016, the Islamic Center of Albany requested constructing a 123-plot cemetery on its property in Albany, GA. Originally, it had sought to purchase graves in Riverside Cemetery, operated by the city, but was unsuccessful. The Islamic Center could not find other suitable land and decided to build its own cemetery instead (Fletcher, 2016, Sep 7). On September 1, not enough members of the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission were present for its regularly scheduled meeting, failing to attract a quorum. Some members of the Islamic Center believed city officials were purposefully attempting to sabotage their cemetery construction plans (ibid.). At the subsequent September 7 meeting, there were Albany Police Department officers present to maintain a peaceful environment. Local residents voiced numerous concerns about the cemetery, including groundwater contamination, flooding, property values, health issues, aesthetics, and sanitation. In response, Mohammad Okashah, the president of the Islamic Center, stated, “I’ve done the research, and there is nothing whatsoever that indicates burying a body naturally – a so-called green burial – poses any type of danger” (Fletcher, 2016, Sep 28). After considering the ten criteria relevant to cases requiring special approval, the Planning Commission voted 7-1 to recommend that the cemetery be approved with restrictions, including burials at a 6-foot depth and using six-sided concrete burial vaults. On September 27, the Albany City Commission voted 5-2 to approve the Islamic Center’s proposal with the aforementioned conditions. Ward I City Commissioner Jon Howard summarized his decision, explaining that “[The Islamic Center] met the 10 criteria we’ve approved, and even though a lot of us may leave here mad and frustrated tonight, with our city attorney [Nathan Davis] telling us we have no chance of winning a lawsuit if we refuse this special request, I’m going to support this measure” (ibid.). The Darr Al Rahma cemetery was successfully built and is now fully operational. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Fletcher, C. (2016, September 7). Planning board recommends cemetery approval for Islamic Center of Albany. Albany Herald. <a href="https://www.albanyherald.com/news/local/planning-board-recommends-cemetery-approval-for-islamic-center-of-albany/article_7403e366-4d68-5c63-9b35-acd0c5426ae4.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Fletcher, C. (2016, September 28). Albany commission OKs Islamic Center cemetery. Albany Herald. <a href="https://www.albanyherald.com/multimedia/albany-commission-oks-islamic-center-cemetery/collection_e1843012-85b7-11e6-a9b3-47ab2575925e.html#1">Web</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. June 16, 2024 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 In 2016, the Islamic Center of Albany requested to build a 123-plot cemetery on property the Islamic Center owned in Albany, GA. Residents expressed concerns about groundwater contamination, flooding, property values, aesthetics, and sanitation. After approval by the Albany-Dougherty Planning Commission, the Albany City Commission voted 5-2 to allow the cemetery's construction with conditions, including burials at a 6-foot depth and using six-sided concrete burial vaults. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource Albany, GA Approved Built Cemetery Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/efaad8dd08be02abc3defe208e05ab2e.png d0d4ab714d64b6e4207b3086f0220746 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 The Muslim Community Help Center was denied approval to turn a field near U.S. 27 and Maples Road into a cemetery. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Request for 3,000-grave Muslim cemetery denied. (2019, December 18). CBS-15 Local News. Available at https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/request-for-3000-grave-muslim-cemetery-denied. 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 This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Year Year the case began. 2019 Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. In_02 Location The location of the interview Allen County, IN Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 8631 Decatur Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46816 Proposed Project The Muslim Community Help Center attempted to build a 14-acre cemetery with 3,648 graves with bodies placed in concrete vaults on land zoned agricultural. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100063216039951">The Muslim Community Help Center Cemetery Association</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Planning and Zoning, Public Campaign Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 86HP2V4X+H5 Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was denied in December 2019 by the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA). The board did not state any reasons for the denial, but during the public hearing, questions were raised about the cemetery's size and the lack of a perpetual care fund for cemetery maintenance. In February 2021, The BZA approved a modified proposal. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In December 2019, the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals (BZA) rejected a proposal by the Muslim Community Help Association to establish a new cemetery. The group, primarily composed of refugees from Myanmar, sought their own cemetery due to the growing size of their community. The proposal was for a cemetery with 3,648 graves on a field behind a former church building. The Muslim community had purchased the church property earlier that year, converting it into a Muslim worship center known as Masjid Quba. The land, zoned for agricultural use, had previously been part of the church’s community gardening program. It required a special exception or conditional use permit (CUP) to be used as a cemetery. At the BZA meeting, a local real estate agent assisted the Muslim Association. Despite assurances that the Association was registered with the state and would comply with all relevant regulations, including the use of concrete vaults for burials, the zoning board denied the request by a vote of 4-1. During the meeting, board members did not explain why they voted against the cemetery (Rodriguez, 2019, Dec 20). Board member David Bailey was the sole dissenter, arguing that the board had limited jurisdiction over the matter. However, his motion to approve the plan failed due to a lack of a second (ibid.). Key concerns community members and the zoning board raised included questions about the group's capability to manage and maintain the cemetery, including the need for a perpetual care fund and a clear maintenance plan. Neighbors also expressed worries about the burial practices. The Muslim tradition of not embalming bodies sparked concerns about potential environmental impacts and the feasibility of reverting the land to agricultural use. Additionally, the overall size and the proposed number of grave sites raised concerns (Darby, 2019, Dec 18). In February 2021, the Muslim community reapplied for a cemetery permit with the help of a Fort Wayne attorney, Pat Hess, who represented the group at the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals (Rodriguez, 2021, Feb 18). The Association’s new proposal for the cemetery was similar to the earlier one but included several key revisions. The number of gravesites was reduced from 3,648 to 890, and an access drive from Hessen Cassel Road was eliminated. Additionally, the application reserved space for future burials in two property segments, though the number of graves planned for those sections was unspecified. The Muslim community also indicated that funeral homes would be responsible for services and body preparation, and those activities would not occur on-site (ibid.). Despite some concerns from nearby residents about the septic system and potential drainage issues, the board approved the proposal unanimously after ensuring that the cemetery would comply with state guidelines and establish a perpetual care fund. The language specifying that burials were limited to Muslims was removed to avoid any appearance of discrimination (Rodriguez, 2021, Feb 18). A news article from March 2023 reported that the cemetery was under construction and that the Association held a fundraiser to support the project (Benkowski, 2023, March 19). References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Benkowski, G. (2023, March 19). Muslim Community Help Center holds fundraiser for cemetery. CBS 15 Local News. <a href="https://www.wane.com/top-stories/muslim-community-help-center-holds-fundraiser-for-cemetery/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Darby, C. (2019, December 18). Request for 3,000-grave Muslim cemetery denied. CBS-15 Local News. <a href="https://www.wane.com/news/local-news/request-for-3000-grave-muslim-cemetery-denied">Web</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Rodriguez, R. S. (2021, February 18). Muslim burial grounds get OK. The Journal Gazette. <a href="https://www.journalgazette.net/news/local/20210218/muslimburialgrounds-get-ok">Web</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Rodriguez, R. S. (2019, December 20). Proposed Muslim cemetery rejected: Zoning board votes 4-1 against Decatur Road plan. The Journal Gazette, p. 1C. Available from <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%252F1780BC4767E07B18">NewsBank</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. June 12, 2024 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 Allen County, IN Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource In December 2019, the Allen County Board of Zoning Appeals rejected by a vote of 4-1 a cemetery proposal by the Muslim Community Help Association of Fort Wayne, citing insufficient planning and justification behind the proposed size of the cemetery and management of the property. The 14-acre site for 3,648 burial plots had been advanced as contingent use on land zoned agricultural. The Help Association applied again in 2021 with a slightly modified proposal addressing some of the concerns raised in the 2019 public hearing before the board. The new proposal was unanimously approved in February 2021. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ben Damon Approved (initial denial) Cemetery Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/6f171fdae71e6718aa477e380af6e819.jpg 668e4513da165c315521e3765b44510f https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/7c58793701d639bef32892fe56c5d715.jpg ad28465ee52b35bd88255a16e424ced5 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 Georgia 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. Ga_03 Location The location of the interview Alpharetta, GA Date June 2009-March 2010 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The Hamzah Islamic Center (HIC), founded in 2005, is a mosque developed on a 12 acre lot in Forsyth County. There was backlash from the opposition towards the construction of such mosque due to primarily traffic regulation concerns; however, the decision was approved in court in late 2009. The county did, however, insist the mosque use the public sewage system that would result in greater deforestation and costs so the HIC wanted to hold a public hearing to address their concerns; however, the request was denied in a 5-0 decision in reference to the sewer requirements. After resolving the debate over the type of sewage system the new facility will orchestrate, construction began in early 2011. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 665 Tidwell Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30004 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 4Q82+XG Milton, Georgia Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 34°09'19.1"N 84°14'52.4"W Proposed Project An Islamic center that would involve construction on a 12-acre property along Tidwell Road of a roughly 20,000 square foot building that could seat up to 750 people, 130 parking spaces, and playground and picnic areas. The building would contain a mosque, school, community center, and gym. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.masjidhamzah.com/">Hamzah Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign (incl. legal campaign) Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Unanimous approval of a sketch plat for the Hamzah Islamic Center in South Forsyth by the Forsyth Board of Commissioners. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Hamzah Islamic Center (HIC) was founded in 2005. The center rented a property of 6,000 square feet at 1350 Union Hill Road to accommodate growing prayers and Sunday school demands. But after growing in size and wanting a more peaceful location, options for a new site were considered. Originally, the mosque was proposed to be built on property off Old Alpharetta Road, but an alternative option had to be considered after it was met with strong opposition from neighbors. Propositions by the HIC were met with concerns about traffic and opposition by the residents and adjoining businesses. It was decided that the proposed plan for the Islamic center would involve construction on a 12-acre property along Tidwell Road of a roughly 20,000 square foot building that could seat up to 750 people, 130 parking spaces, and playground and picnic areas (Pepalis 2009, Oct 5). The building would contain a mosque, school, community center, and gym. The Tidwell Road site is located on land zoned as agricultural, which allows for houses of worship. In June of 2009, members of the mosque organized a meeting with nearby residents of Tidwell. During the meeting, there were discussions on traffic, how the building is going to look, and other logistical aspects. Some who attended were friendly, while others were prejudicial. Some mosque representatives were told that they were not wanted in the area and were questioned on whether they were “planted by some foreign country” (Arrington 2009, Oct 1). In late June of 2009, an engineer for the mosque, Jack Hamilton helped run a county-mandated community meeting to explain to residents the plans for the 12 acres that the HIC had bought (Quinn 2009, Oct 3). Tareef Saeb, chairman of Hamzah said that they were going to, “talk about our plans and what it’s going to look like...and a little bit of religious background, educational stuff”, adding that they would also, “address any concerns or issues neighbors might have” (Reddy 2009, Jun 17). The meeting was held in an office of the Union Hill Road facility. Hamilton, who is half Thai, quickly became a target for ire and prejudice with his dark skin and hair. Someone asked in the meeting if the members of the mosque were in the U.S. legally (Arrington 2009, Oct 1). Another asked where the money to build the mosque was coming from. Others simply said, “We don’t want you here.” Wendell Walls, who lives near the mosque said that it’s strange that none of the Muslims have ever spoken up against Islamic radicals and extremists. However, Hamzah members made sure to treat their guests kindly. Food was prepared and visitors were asked to take of their shoes when they entered the prayer area. Only one woman refused to take off her shoes. Stuart Teague, an attorney working for a neighbor who opposed the mosque said the mosque members were “very courteous and nice” (Quinn 2009, Oct 3). Opponents of the center have repeatedly stated that they don’t oppose the center location because of its religion, and would do similarly if it was a Baptist church. For many of the Forsyth county residents, their biggest concern was traffic issues. Jennifer Howard, speaking on behalf of Quail Ridge and adjacent neighborhoods said that the facility would increase traffic, stating that “This [project] is entirely too large for this narrow two-lane road. Tidwell is a neighborhood street with no sidewalks and a great deal of pedestrian traffic. It has sharp 15-mile-an-hour turns, hills, and valleys with virtually no sight distance” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). Other concerns involved issues such as parking spaces. Thomas Pappagallo, who lives close by to the site and was one of the opposition organizers, told commissioners that the neighborhood needs revitalization like sidewalks, better roads, and security to increase property values. The development of the mosque would cut into this. However, during the public hearing on October 1, 2009 on the decision to approve the mosque, overtones of fear and faith were not present. Instead, residents discussed concerns regarding trees being cut down, traffic, environmental impacts, and the effect on property values. Pappagallo and others tried hard to make sure the discussion didn’t devolve into religious attacks. After consulting at length with county staff and the county attorney, Commissioner Jim Harrell made the decision. The Forsyth Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a sketch plat for the Hamzah Islamic Center in South Forsyth. “I have consulted at length with staff and counsel,” Harrell said. “I don’t believe the board has any option but to approve [the request]” (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Additionally, eight conditions offered by the applicants and several by Commission Chairman Charlese Laughinghouse were added to the sketch plat. One requirement, for example was that the mosque meet any traffic improvement requirements determined by the county engineering department, such as turn lanes or traffic signals. Overall, however, the nearly 200 neighbors from the Tidwell Road area were disappointed by this decision. When Commissioner Harrell announced the decision, some in the audience gasped in disbelief. Many believed that the development would lower their quality of life. Pappagallo believed that the mosque would just add to the list of problems in the area, saying, “We have sex crime. We have an issue with gang activity. We struggle with a lot of things in our area and this is just adding to the problems and issues that we have” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). During a break after the vote was announced, Commissioner Harrell spoke to residents about the decision. A few of the residents challenged his decision and one woman vowed to make sure he doesn’t get re-elected. Several months later, on March 4, the commission voted 5-0 to deny a request by the HIC to hold a public hearing about sewer requirements (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Commissioner Harrell and the board agreed that a public sewer for the mosque was the best option. The hearing would have reviewed a Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to deny a sewer variance for a private septic tank. However, this decision did little to deter Saeb and the mosque members. “At the end of the day, we certainly suffered a delay and we actually had to pay for the soil test,” Saeb said. “But that’s pretty much all that it does for us” (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Meanwhile, opponents of the mosque were challenging the matter in court. Val Knudson of the Tidwell Road Neighborhood Residents felt like the commissioners made a mistake. The group’s writ of certiorari, or petition to the Forsyth County Superior Court include concerns like traffic, and underestimation of the congregation size (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). The group has gathered more than 100 signatures on a petition opposing the mosque. However, Saeb, the chairman of HIC, was not worried and planned to go ahead with the construction plans. Additionally, George Butler , an attorney from Dahlonega representing the center said he received a letter from Pappagallo's attorney asking for conditions that were over the top and couldn’t be taken seriously. One of those conditions includes a stipulation that Hamzah pays neighbors “$20,000 per 24-inch tree that may happen to die for any cause within three years of construction if its within 50 feet of the common boundary” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). The letter also asked that the mosque’s Sunday school classes for children be allowed only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. In July of 2012, the HIC began holding its first prayers and classes in a temporary building on the site of its future permanent home in south Forsyth. Prayers have been going peacefully and the neighborhood is quiet. As the HIC members settle into the new Tidwell Road location, memories of the opposition fade. Traffic-wise, there has not been an issue. For those who had some fear of the unknown, outreach efforts and the openness of the center have made some of those concerns go away. The center has begun forming connections with the Cumming First United Methodist Church. Communications director of CFUM, Neida Streit has led her group class to visit the mosque for night time lectures and have also done a prayer walk on the site (LaRenzie 2012, Jan 31). The two churches plan to hold a soccer tournament for their youth groups and a cultural event for adults and families. References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local Coverage <ul> <li>Arrington, Julie (2009, October 1). Hearing on Mosque Thursday. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/local-government/hearing-on-mosque-thursday.</li> <li>Arrington, Julie (2009, October 3). Mosque Approved in South Forsyth. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/mosque-approved-in-south-forsyth</li> <li>LaRenzie, Alyssa (2010, March 10). Mosque Debate Not Over. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/local-government/mosque-debate-not-over</li> <li>LaRenzie, Alyssa (2012, January 31). Islamic Center Settling In. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/islamic-center-settling-in</li> <li>Pepalis, Bob (2009, October 5). Forsyth OKs Islamic Center Site. Appen Media Group. Retrieved from www.northfulton.com/news/forsyth-oks-islamic-center-site/article_8e04efd2-4850-546e-8c22-d157cb957f2e.html</li> <li>Reddy, Frank (2009, June 17). Mosque Meeting Planned Friday. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/mosque-meeting-planned-friday</li> </ul> Regional Coverage: Quinn, Christopher (2009, October 3). Prayers as Forsyth OKs its first mosque; Enmity marked June meeting on effort, but Muslims kept the faith. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p.A1. Print. 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 Alpharetta, GA Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. GA_03, occurring in Alpharetta, GA. 30004 from June 2009 to March 2010 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Justin Huang, Shiva Dhanasekar, and Sid Chandrasekar https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/b88a3d34e6d196e4f8cca6af5c6773f8.jpg f79e305c963cdd03463b6ffdc29bc8da 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 Tennessee 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. Tn_03 Location The location of the interview Antioch, TN Date May-August 2010 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. As the Muslim community in Antioch, Tennessee, had grown rapidly in the years leading up to 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee hoped to purchase an old movie theater in Davidson County with plans to convert complex space into a mosque and community center that would include a convention hall, several classrooms, a swimming pool, and basketball court among other amenities. However, dissent in the community grew, as the opposition employed Islamophobic rhetoric, fearing that the mosque was a training ground for violent jihadists. Others were upset as they had hoped to renovate the theater into a community college building, crafting a petition with claims that they would support the mosque’s construction if it were relocated elsewhere. However, the ICT’s project was approved and the Muslim community was able to purchase the old Bell Forge Theater complex from Carmike for $1.5 million in August 2010. Today, the Antioch community seeks to expand their mosque to accommodate the ever-increasing number of Muslim families in the area. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 5400 Bell Forge Ln E, Antioch, TN 37013 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 29W3+PF Antioch, Nashville, TN Proposed Project Islamic center (mosque, classroom, convention hall, swimming pool, basketball court) Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a>Islamic Center of Tennessee</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign; bias-related incident Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. By 2010, the Muslim community in Antioch had grown rapidly, and they required a place of worship that would be large enough to accommodate the burgeoning population. Antioch is a suburb located just 30 miles from Nashville, but for Antioch Muslims, the four mosques in Nashville were small and cramped, and a hassle to get to because of frequent traffic jams. When addressing Fox News reporters, a spokesperson for the Antioch mosque, Yasser Salah Arafat, stated, “The four mosques that we have in Nashville are very small and are very crowded. If you come on Friday people pray in the street. So, we said 'OK, what can we do to make it better? What can we do to accommodate the growth but do it in a way that will attract the youth?" (Maced0 2010, Aug 9). The community began to make plans for attaining a new, larger facility. But the congregation of the Islamic Center of Tennessee (ICT) also treaded cautiously, for they were aware that their requests would come in the wake of the anti-mosque showdowns that had occurred in nearby Murfreesboro and Brentwood. However, the ICT still proceeded with their plans to purchase the old 45,000-square foot Bell Forge Cinemas from Carmike in order to repurpose it into a mosque, as well as to accommodate two prayer halls, a convention hall, several classrooms, swimming pool, basketball court, and other amenities. The ICT’s offer of $1.5 million was accepted in August 2010, and the property’s appraisal value was listed as $3.8 million. (Snyder 2010, Aug 10). However, despite remaining resolute in their purchase plans, the Muslim community did encounter opposition. Karen Johnson started a petition after finding out that Nashville State Community College had also been interested in the old theater complex, and she grew concerned that the mosque would lead to a downturn in business activity in an already-sluggish Antioch (Macedo 2010, Aug 9). Furthermore, opponents launched a smear campaign against ICT, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, and the Memphis Islamic Center, which was then publicized by Fox News. The campaign consisted primarily of conspiracy theories that attempted to link congregants to nefarious terrorist activities. This report highlighted controversies surrounding Awadh Binzahim, an ICT director and Muslim chaplain at Vanderbilt University who made controversial comments regarding Islam in January 2010 (ibid.). Despite the vitriol and animosity, the Islamic Center of Tennessee proceeded with their plans for their mosque and continue to worship there to this day, with Arafat stating in 2010, “We have as much equal rights as anyone else. We are American citizens, we pay taxes… you have a professor, a doctor, an engineer out of every 10 Muslims in the United States; we are an affluent people and we do have the ability to grow as well… The place [new mosque] is big. It could accommodate a lot of activities inside of it. It'll have a mosque, it'll have a library, a movie theatre, lecture halls, it'll have a coffee stand for people to sit down and do their homework, it'll have a gym, it'll have day care… it would completely create an environment for our kids, for our youth, and for our families to come, enjoy and have fun, but at the same time worship as well." (ibid.). While the Muslim community of Antioch and surrounding areas have been able to worship at the renovated mosque since 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee again made headlines in 2017, when Imam AhmedulHadi Sharif made controversial comments in a Friday sermon which were not condoned by ICT. He had stated, “We do not hate the ethnic Jewish rather we do hate the oppressors of this Zionist because the Prophets of Allah some of them were from Bani Isra’il so we do not have as a problem ethnically with them but politically the Zionist politic that they come and take the land of the people claiming that this is the Promised Land and they call themselves from all over the world, West and East so that they can take over people’s land and after that they say let us have the peace and still they blocking the roadway to the peace and this is what we are opposing my brothers in Islam” (Alto 2017, Nov 20). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. <ul><li>Alto, Chris (2017, Nov 20). Islamic Center of Tennessee Imam Preaches Against ‘Enemies of Allah.’ The Tennessee Star. Web.</li> <li>Macedo, Diane (2010, Aug 9). Plans to Build Massive Islamic Centers Raise Concerns in Tennessee. Fox News. Web. </li> <li>Snyder, Eric (2010, Aug 10). Islamic Center of Tennessee buys old Antioch movie theater for $1.5 million. Nashville Business Journal. Web.</li> </ul> Year Year the case began. 2010 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 Antioch, TN Description An account of the resource As the Muslim community in Antioch, Tennessee, had grown rapidly in the years leading up to 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee hoped to purchase an old movie theater in Davidson County with plans to convert complex space into a mosque and community center. Despite outspoken and at times Islamophobic opposition in the community, the ICT’s project was approved and the Muslim community was able to purchase the old Bell Forge Theater complex from Carmike for $1.5 million in August 2010. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nabihah Khan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Mosque Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/2e59e949d8c54d384b1a62a07983dd6b.png 4d26b51dcedc89f74a72f85eba825338 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 This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl 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) VA_10 Date 2018 Year Year the case began. 2018 Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.gliaweb.org/">The Greater Lynchburg Islamic Association</a> Address Enter the full address, if it is available. property located at the intersection of Double Bridges Road and Hundley Springs Road in the Promise Land community Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. On July 11, 2018, the Appomattox County Planning Commission announced that the Greater Lynchburg Islamic Association had withdrawn its petition for a conditional use permit (CUP) to operate a cemetery on an 8-acre property zoned agricultural. The county’s planning commission had tabled the petition the previous month in response to strong opposition from residents. The parcel in question was located in the Agricultural Zoning District (A-1) in an area designated Rural Preservation Area by the county’s Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan. At the same meeting during which the commission announced that the Islamic Association had withdrawn its CUP request, commissioners discussed a motion to increase the review requirements for “religious assemblies.” Public opposition emerged in early June when the Islamic Association’s plan became public to operate a cemetery on a property at Double Bridges Road and Hundley Springs Road. On the local ABC channel’s Facebook page, the article reporting on the plan received hundreds of comments. While some Facebook users supported the project, most comments voiced opposition ranging from concerns over well water contamination and property values to statements targeting Islam and Muslims (Tyree and Hoffman, 2018, Jun 1). The county’s Planning Commission heard public comments on the project before a capacity crowd at its June 13 meeting. Residents spoke up in opposition to the project, citing the adverse impact on the neighborhood’s character, noise, traffic, and loss of property values. Concern over water contamination also featured prominently in remarks. One resident stated, "The bodies are not put into a casket or a vault. They're not embalmed. And that goes into our water" (Langlitz and Wilcox, 2018, Jun 13). In addition, opponents presented a petition signed by 395 citizens urging the commission to reject the CUP request. However, opponents made no explicitly anti-Muslim or anti-Islamic statements at the meeting. Islamic Association President Maqsud Ahmad introduced the cemetery project outlining the need, low impact, and adherence to local and state laws. Support came from a Lynchburg area pastor whose congregation had developed a positive relationship with the Islamic Association over the years. Ahmad expressed that the project would abide by all required regulations, including proper setbacks to ensure groundwater would not be affected. He also signaled the Islamic Association’s willingness to consider alternative burial methods saying, "We can come up with a plastic upside down or a concrete upside down [encasement], which is what they do in Charlottesville” (Langlitz and Wilcox, 2018, Jun 13). The Planning Commission tabled the application following the county attorney’s recommendation to allow additional time for staff review. At the subsequent commission meeting in July, commissioners announced that the CUP request for the cemetery project had been withdrawn. Public documents do not offer information about the reasons for the withdrawal. At the same meeting, the Appomattox Planning Commission discussed proposed changes to the county’s zoning ordinances to increase the review requirements for “Religious Assemblies.” The amendments proposed changing the “Religious Assembly” land use category from permitted to conditional use in four zoning districts, including the Agricultural District (A-1). The change would not affect cemetery projects, which already were conditional use under the current zoning regulations. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Langlitz, R. and K. Wilcox (2018, June 13). Appomattox Co. Planning Commission hears community concerns for proposed cemetery. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://wset.com/news/local/appomattox-co-planning-commission-hears-community-concerns-for-proposed-cemetery">https://wset.com/news/local/appomattox-co-planning-commission-hears-community-concerns-for-proposed-cemetery</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Tyree, E. and Ch. Hoffman (2018, June 1). Neighbors concerned about proposed cemetery infecting well water. ABC 13 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://wset.com/news/local/neighbors-concerned-about-proposed-cemetery-infecting-well-water?fbclid=IwAR0LmITKyCf58LUNMR-U8OVJ31EgiY-IpuMG9SdUl%E2%80%A6">https://wset.com/news/local/neighbors-concerned-about-proposed-cemetery-infecting-well-water?fbclid=IwAR0LmITKyCf58LUNMR-U8OVJ31EgiY-IpuMG9SdUl%E2%80%A6</a>.</li> </ul> Location The location of the interview Appomattox County, VA Proposed Project The Greater Lynchburg Islamic Association requested a CUP for an 8.05-acre property zoned A-1, Agricultural Zoning District. The parcel was designated Rural Preservation Area by the county’s Future Land Use Map in the Comprehensive Plan. Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign: Social media (Fb) opposition; attendance at Planning Commission meeting; petition (395 signatures) Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Withdrawn -- The County Planning Commission announced a month after it had tabled the petition that the property owner had withdrawn the CUP request. 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 Appomattox County, VA Description An account of the resource On July 18, 2018, the Appomattox County Planning Commission announced that the Greater Lynchburg Islamic Association had withdrawn its petition for a conditional use permit to operate a cemetery on an 8-acre property zoned agricultural. The county’s planning commission had tabled the petition the previous month in response to strong opposition from residents. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Florian Pohl Cemetery Public Campaign Withdrawn https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/d81d45d93f38f304d6f9a2529e3a056c.gif df33ce0e473f11aa9c451930b2201c9a 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 Arkansas 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. Ar_01 Location The location of the interview Bella Vista City, AR Date September 2010 Year Year the case began. 2010 Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The City has not banned the construction of mosques. There is no mosque in Bella Vista City at present. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In September, Mayor Frank Anderson reported that he had received several emails from a small number of residents in regard to a mosque construction ban. In order to give them an opportunity to voice their opinions, two local residents, Kay Strickland and Bill Duncan, were permitted to speak at a Bella Vista City Council work session. All six council members were present, along with an estimated fifty residents. At the meeting, Kay Strickland asked that the Council protect residents by banning the construction of mosques and enforcement of Sharia law. Strickland was joined by Bill Duncan, a veteran and member of an organization called Veterans Against Jihadism. Duncan referred to his travels abroad to support his claim that Sharia Law was not compatible with the US Constitution. Several attendees at the work session spoke out against the proposed ordinance. Stephen Sheppard, a US Supreme Court Bar member and Distinguished Professor of Law at the University of Arkansas, warned the council that the ban would be unlawful. Also in opposition, Joel Gordon, the director of Middle East and Islamic Studies at the University of Arkansas, stated that the proposition ran “against the grain of our Constitution” and was “mind boggling” (Belloni, 2015, September 25). Mayor Anderson thanked the participants and council members made no comment on the matter. The Bella Vista City Council has not revisited the issue of Sharia Law or issued any ordinances on the matter since Duncan and Strickland’s contributions. References Belloni, G. (2010, September 25). Both sides present views on mosque - Bella Vista City Council hears from experts, residents. Benton County Daily Record (AR), p. 3. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13E1BA6D1EC89D80">https://infoweb-newsbank-com</a>. Last Updated Date revised. August 1, 2021 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 Bella Vista City, AR Description An account of the resource In September 2010, two residents speak at a work session of the Bella Vista City Council to urge the Council to ban the construction of mosques and practice of Sharia Law in Bella Vista. The City Council takes no action on the issue. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Public Campaign 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 Pennsylvania 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. PA_03 Location The location of the interview Bensalem Township, PA Date 2012 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 3743, 3805, 3825 Hulmeville Road Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Bensalem Masjid 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 Bensalem Township, PA Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/b59004af5aa9aea88d68179568b2a590.jpg a7709842fcdd9acb4613461fe30e10e9 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 Illinois Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A mosque operating out of a former school building in the Village of Berkeley, IL wanted to build a 13,000-square-foot addition to its Center, including a dome and minaret. Additionally, the mosque planned to renovate the exterior of the building. The Albanian-American Islamic Center had been operating continuously on the property since 1982. In 2001, the property was rezoned as a business district which required the Center to apply for an exception to construct the expansion. After more than 3.5 years of public opposition and permit denials, the DOJ launched an investigation. The investigation was closed when the Village approved the project in March 2008. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Il_03 Location The location of the interview Berkeley, IL Date 2004-2008 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 5825 Charles Rd, Berkeley, IL 60163 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. V3QP+M6 Berkeley, Illinois Proposed Project mosque expansion Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/XHAMIJASHQIP/">Albanian-American Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance administrative denial; public campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved (after DOJ investigation) Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. DOJ Closes RLUIPA Investigation After Illinois Village Allows Mosque Expansion* On April 4, 2008, the Civil Rights Division notified the Village of Berkeley, Illinois that it was closing its investigation into whether the Village had violated the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) by refusing to allow the Albanian Islamic Center’s 13,000-square foot expansion plan. The Division closed its investigation after the Village approved resolutions on March 18 permitting the mosque, which had operated on the site for more than 25 years, to go forward with its expansion. In 1982, the Albanian Islamic Center purchased a 4.5 acre parcel of land housing a former school building on St. Charles Road, in Berkeley, Illinois and began holding religious services there. The Center has operated continuously at that location since then. The Center is the only Islamic institution in the Village of Berkeley and the only mosque in Illinois that aims specifically to serve Albanian immigrants. In 2001, the land on which the mosque sits was rezoned as a business district, which permits only tax-generating businesses and residences built on top of ground-floor businesses. Existing uses were grandfathered, but alterations to existing uses were prohibited unless an exception was given. Between January 2004 and May 2007, the Center made four applications to construct an approximately 13,000-square-foot addition to the Center, including a minaret. The Center proposed to expand to accommodate its growing membership and to give the Center a more mosque-like appearance. The Center’s religious services were often crowded with congregants spilling out into the halls. The Village denied all four of these applications. On August 3, 2007, the United States notified the Village that it had opened an investigation into whether the Village had violated RLUIPA by denying the Center’s applications for permission to expand. On March 18, the Village approved the Center’s proposed expansion and the Division closed its investigation in response. *Civil Rights Division of the United States Department of Justice. (2008, March/April). DOJ closes RLUIPA investigation after Illinois village allows mosque expansion. Religious Freedom in Focus, 32. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.justice.gov/crt/religious-freedom-focus-volume-32">https://www.justice.gov/crt/religious-freedom-focus-volume-32</a>. Last Updated Date revised. June 27, 2020 Year Year the case began. 2004 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 Berkeley, IL Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. IL_03, occurring in Berkeley, IL, 60163 from 2004 to 2008 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Stewart Zelnick Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built DOJ Expansion Planning and Zoning https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/59bcbb4ea8c06069ca65209d32953b44.jpg 6b99c5266ad81c05df6e2f48d6175739 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 New Jersey 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. NJ_07 Location The location of the interview Bernards Township, NJ Date April 2012-August 2017 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The Islamic Society of Basking Ridge (ISBR) seeks to construct a 4,252 square-foot mosque on a 4-acre residential lot in Bernards Township, NJ. The Planning Board ultimately denies ISBR’s application even though the ordinance permits houses of worship in residential zones. The denial comes after close to 40 hearings on the issue over three and one-half years of outspoken public public opposition to the project. ISBR files an RLUIPA complaint against the township. Support comes in the form of an amicus brief by the Becket Fund and a broad interfaith coalition as well as a separate RLUIPA complaint by the DOJ. A $3.5 million settlement finally allows the project to move forward even though the Thomas More Law Center seeks to obtain an injunction against the settlement. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 124 Church Street, Bernards Township, NJ 07938 Proposed Project Islamic Center (mosque) Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="isbri.org">Islamic Society of Basking Ridge</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance crimes against property (vandalism); public campaign; administrative denial; legislation; legal campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved as proposed (after initial denial and lawsuit/settlement) Last Updated Date revised. July 20, 2020 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 Bernard Township, NJ Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. NJ_07, occurring in Bernard Township, NJ, 07938 from April 2012 to August 2017 Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Stewart Zelnick Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/ddc135627e3c3847cd25a404d4b44f16.jpeg 4bf8dc30699729742781000374aa84a6 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 Minnesota Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Year Year the case began. 2013 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 8710 Central Ave NE, Blaine MN, 55434 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/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Brandi Cox, Azia Mitchell, and Amanda Sotolongo Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource Blaine, MN REL383_SP22