10 10 101 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/bc9e8736b3acab37ebb7becf710a1024.png df9347e25abffa073037b0da625a739b 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 Hasan Siddiqui of Tyrone Township addresses residents at the Nov. 14 Tyrone Township Planning Commission meeting. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.tctimes.com/news/muslim-run-cemetery-plan-revised-noise-traffic-burial-practices-addressed/article_99c21386-2c85-11e8-8a2f-f34ba4315e32.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/. 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 This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024).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. Mi_09 Location The location of the interview Tyrone Township, MI Year Year the case began. 2017 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 7155 Denton Hill Rd, Fenton, MI 48430 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. P77V+CF Fenton, Michigan Proposed Project Development on 10 acres of land; original plan for 3,847 gravesites, later reduced to about 1,500. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://rawdacemetery.com/">Rawda Cemetery</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications On June 19, 2018, the Board voted 5-0 to approve the special land use permit for the proposed 1,500-plot cemetery. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In November 2017, Hasan Siddiqui submitted his initial plan for a ten-acre cemetery with a maximum of 3,847 gravesites on his family-owned property in Tyrone Township, MI, open to everyone, regardless of their faith. On November 14, 34 residents attended the Tyrone Township Planning Commission’s meeting to discuss the proposed cemetery project, voicing their concerns about groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and excessive noise (Jagielo, 2017, Nov 17). Every property in the surrounding area is on a well, and neighbors believed that a traditional Muslim burial in which bodies are wrapped in a shroud and placed directly into the earth with a stone placed on top would negatively affect their water supply (Jagielo, 2018, Mar 20). In response to the residents’ concerns, Tyrone Township planner Brian Keesey stated that there is no definitive evidence of cemeteries' positive or negative effect on property values (Jagielo, 2017, Nov 17). No vote was taken at the Planning Commission meeting. The next month, Livingston County took soil borings and studied the flow and direction of the water to determine the cemetery’s effect on the neighborhood’s groundwater (Controversial “green cemetery” approved, 2018, Jun 22). Afterward, the cemetery was cleared as being safe. County regulations state that burial sites must be at least 75 feet from a residential well, which the site exceeded (Jagielo, 2018, Sep 6). In March 2018, Siddiqui submitted a revised proposal to the Planning Commission, which reduced the size of the cemetery to 1,589 graves, increased the amount of open space, located burial sites farther from the road, and established set hours of operation to ensure that heavy machinery would not be operated in the evening (Jagielo, 2018, Mar 20). The Planning Commission sent the proposal to Livingston County officials to clarify if the revised plan met county requirements. On June 19, the Board of Commissioners voted 5-0 to approve the special land use permit for the cemetery (Controversial “green cemetery” approved, 2018, Jun 22). Despite the approval, it was reported that opposition towards the cemetery continued at subsequent board meetings and in the local press (Jagielo, 2018, Sep 6). After obtaining state approval and developing the land, the <a href="https://rawdacemetery.com/">Rawda Cemetery</a> has been built and is fully operational. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Controversial “green” cemetery approved in Tyrone Township. (2018, June 22). Tri-County Times. <a href="https://www.tctimes.com/news/controversial-green-cemetery-approved-in-tyrone-township/article_13b14bd0-763c-11e8-aaed-2bb430c8593f.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Jagielo, T. (2017, November 17). Community debates proposed Muslim-run cemetery. Tri-County Times. <a href="https://www.tctimes.com/news/community-debates-proposed-muslim-run-cemetery-concerned-that-muslims-are-buried-in-shrouds-not-vaults/article_dc88074e-cbc7-11e7-8acf-dbb82a6206c8.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Jagielo, T. (2018, March 20). Muslim-run cemetery plan revised. Tri-County Times. <a href="https://www.tctimes.com/news/muslim-run-cemetery-plan-revised-noise-traffic-burial-practices-addressed/article_99c21386-2c85-11e8-8a2f-f34ba4315e32.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Jagielo, T. (2018, September 6). Would you live next to a “green” cemetery? Tri-County Times. <a href="https://www.tctimes.com/news/would-you-live-next-to-a-green-cemetery/article_684eadde-b10d-11e8-b5d8-53e1d6f474cf.html">Web</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/. 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 Tyrone Township, MI Description An account of the resource In November 2017, the Tyrone Township Planning Commission held a public meeting at which a Muslim developer’s proposal for a green cemetery was discussed. The proposal drew critique from residents primarily concerned with the potential impact on groundwater. After commissioning an Environmental Impact Report, the developer submitted a revised proposal to the commission in March 2018. The revised plan lowered the number of burial sites, increased open space, located burial sites farther away from the property line, and established limited hours of operation. The Township Board unanimously approved the revised site plan in June 2018, though opposition continued at subsequent board meetings and in the local press. Approved Built Cemetery Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/df60b3a1fa79c878974cb05bebe1905f.jpeg d82e6f8a68659d27dc5219819443c9cc 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 Virginia 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. Va_05 Date 2013 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 2401 Courthouse Drive, Virginia Beach, VA 23456 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 Virginia Beach, VA Description An account of the resource Councilman Bill DeSteph of Virgina Beach, Virginia, says a city council approved mosque is a threat to national security and has ties to the Muslim Brotherhood. He provides no evidence to support his claim, and is the only council member to vote against the mosque. [Source: CI] Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Mosque Public Campaign Public Speech Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/88dbfdd722025d702fe3bfed1632d19f.jpg ef17ce24e858b1dfa5767396ef35a47b 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 Yu, S. (2008). Aerial photo of the Nicodemus Farm the Ahmadiyya community wants to purchase. [Online image]. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Retrieved from https://www.fredericknewspost.com/news/continuing_coverage/hindsight/hindsight-2020-walkersville-residents-debate-muslim-community-center-throughout-2007/article_f0c8b6d2-c04f-5bba-86d6-fd013850318e.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 Maryland 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) No. Md_01 Location The location of the interview Walkersville, MD Year Year the case began. 2007 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 8939 Woodsboro Pike, Walkersville, MD 21793 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. FJGX+P9 Walkersville, Maryland Proposed Project The AMC intended to use the Moxley Farm as a place of worship and residence for its imam, as well as to hold an annual three-day religious event called the Jalsa Salana. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.ahmadiyya.us/members/">Ahmadiyya Muslim Community USA</a> Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The city rejected the proposal, and the Muslim community withdrew from the contract to buy the 224-acre property. The landowner sued the city under RLUIPA. The city settled the lawsuit agreeing to buy the property for $4.7 million. 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 Walkersville, MD Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource In August 2008, the city government of Walkersville, Maryland, rejected a request for a special exception by the Ahmadiyya Muslim Community (AMC) to build a religious center on a portion of a 224-acre farm in the agricultural zoning district. The project included a mosque for about 200 people, auxiliary facilities, and space for tents to host up to 10,000 participants for an annual three-day convention. The town also enacted an amendment to its zoning ordinance, introduced after AMC’s purchase plans had become public, blocking places of worship in the agricultural zoning district, even by special exception. Denied Lawsuit (RLUIPA) Legislation Mosque Not Built Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Public Speech 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 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/52c1346a599bfdfc34e902d20af01731.png 22e5c0f5dff0a6be8baf90696ec92907 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.isgl.org/funeral-services/ 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. Ma_03 Location The location of the interview Walpole, MA Year Year the case began. 2014 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In the summer of 2014, Al-Marhama Islamic Burial Services proposed the construction of a cemetery with 3,700 burial plots on three acres of open land in Walpole, MA. The Muslim group is part of the Islamic Society of Greater Lowell, which operates a mosque in Chelmsford, Massachusetts. In response to the Walpole Conservation Commission’s concerns about the use of wetlands located at the property, Al-Marhama reduced the size of its project to 3,400 grave sites (Seltz, 2014, Sep 3). After receiving clearance from the Conservation Commission, the project went before the Planning Board, which determined that Al-Marhama needed permission from the State Department of Environmental Protection and the local Board of Health (ibid.). Public opposition to the cemetery project was organized in an online group, Walpole for Clean Water, which circulated a petition with more than 350 signatures against the project. Adjacent property owners commissioned independent reviews of Al-Marhama’s site plan and hired legal counsel. In response, representatives of the Muslim community stressed that three professional studies had been conducted showing that groundwater contamination was unlikely, assured the residents that they would have protocols in place to avoid burials involving contagious diseases or radiation, and offered to use concrete encasements for all burials (Stuhlman, 2015, May 14). In a series of public meetings in early 2015, the Walpole Board of Health discussed the cemetery project. On May 12, the board had its final public hearing on the project at the local high school, where officers were present to keep the peace (Ferguson, 2015, May 14). Although the analysis from the Department of Environmental Protection found the cemetery did not pose a significant threat to the water supply and that contamination was very unlikely, the local Board of Health voted 4-0, with one abstention, to reject the project because it could contaminate the aquifer. Health Board member Carol Johnson summarized the Board’s decision by stating, "I am not totally convinced that this green cemetery would be responsible for any contamination, however, in good conscience, if there's the slightest, slightest possibility that this cemetery could result in the closing of this well, I need to vote accordingly" (ibid.). However, abstaining Health Board member Mona Bissany explained that chemicals from projects other than cemeteries were more likely to endanger the water supply and noted other burial grounds on aquifers that had been approved in the past (ibid.). Al-Marhama did not choose to appeal the Board of Health’s decision. The community continues to use a section of The Gardens at Gethsemane Cemetery in West Roxbury, MA, to bury deceased members. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Ferguson, K. (2015, May 14). Aquifer risk kills cemetery plan. Wicked Local. <a href="https://www.wickedlocal.com/story/times-advocate/2015/05/14/aquifer-risk-kills-cemetery-plan/34556488007/">Web</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Seltz, J. (2014, September 3). Walpole aquifer complicates bid for Muslim cemetery. The Boston Globe. <a href="https://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/regionals/south/2014/09/03/islamic-burial-service-proposes-build-muslim-cemetery-walpole/HMJeC51bEIc4fvYwRhfAPM/story.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Stuhlman, A. (2015, May 14). New concrete liner plan would come with size concerns. Walpole Times. Available through <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/15554614B2179BC0">NewsBank</a>.</li> </ul> Address Enter the full address, if it is available. At the corner of Rte. 1 and Foxhill Drive between the Hilltop Drive apartment complex and old driving range. Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 4Q42+F8 Walpole, Massachusetts, USA Proposed Project The project plan included converting three acres of forest area into a Muslim cemetery with 3,400 burial plots. The property was in a zoning district where cemeteries were allowed by right. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.isgl.org/funeral-services">Al Marhama Islamic Burial Services</a> Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications In May 2015, after acknowledging the property assessment by the Department of Environmental Protection, the Walpole Board of Health rejected the cemetery proposal in a 4-0 decision, citing fears that green burial practices would pollute the water supply since the site was on the town aquifer. 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 May 2015, the Walpole Board of Health denied Al-Marhama Islamic Burial Services a special permit to construct a cemetery on three acres of land. The board justified its decision by citing potential groundwater contamination because the property sits atop the town’s aquifer. Al-Marhama conducted several environmental studies and offered interment in concrete caskets but did not appeal the board’s decision. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Sofia Fonti Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource Walpole, MA Cemetery Denied Planning and Zoning Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/7b7763df518a6f7f72d25c010806892e.png 9849bcd9cdf5cfab9cc76ef8bcac1cdd 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 Elturk meets with Michigan Muslim leader Dawud Walid, left, Sharon Buttry of the National Conference for Community and Justice, and pastor Roger Facione of Warren's Mt. Calvary Lutheran Church. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Detroit Free Press Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Dan Cortez. Muslim Leader Embraces Challenge Warren Presents. Detroit Free Press. May 9, 2006. 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 Michigan 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. MI_01 Location The location of the interview Warren, MI Year Year the case began. 2006 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 28630 Ryan Rd, Warren, MI 48092 Proposed Project mosque a former office building (adaptive reuse) Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/">Islamic Organization of North America</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Local Ordinance Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Approved Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The case involved the rejection of a planned mosque in Warren, Michigan, by the town’s Planning Commission. On March 13, 2006, community member Imam Steve Elturk proposed to the Warren Planning Committee to establish a mosque in a former office building purchased by Elturk and the Islamic Organization of North America in August 2005. The proposition was rejected by the Commission on a vote of 6-3, citing concerns about the additional traffic that people parking to attend services may cause and that the call to prayer being broadcast outside will disrupt the neighborhood. It was not Elturk’s first attempt at building a mosque, as he had first tried to locate it in Hazel Park, but the city would not rezone it to accommodate him. He eventually settled on the lot found in Warren, believing the location to be perfect for serving Muslims in a 10–12-mile radius. The location had 87 parking spaces and was in a commercial area. Elturk responded to the Commission’s concerns that the Zoning Board had already cleared his proposal with the agreed-upon stipulation that the Muslim community could not place loudspeakers outside for the call to prayer. Elturk cited this and the previous rejection of Hazel Park as evidence of bias and decided to threaten litigation (Cortez, 2006, Mar 16). The issue over amplifying the call to prayer was raised again on April 11 with an addendum specifically addressing the loudspeaker concerns (Stolarz, 2006, Apr 12), though there was an attempt to table the resolution the previous Monday. The meeting hall was filled with many people, both for and against the proposal. It included derogatory comments alleging a connection between the Islamic Organization of North America and terrorist cells. Also present was a mediator from the US Department of Justice, dispatched to ensure the civil rights of Elturk were being respected (Cortez, 2006, Apr 12). The initial vote was 4-4. However, a subsequent re-vote resulted in a vote of 5-3 in favor of the proposition (Cortez, 2006, Apr 11). The mosque opened on May 25th, 2007 (Krupa, 2007, May 24). While some raised suspicions that the rejections of the plan were Islamophobic in nature, such as Elturk or Dawud Walid, executive director for the Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the members of the board maintained that the only issues they had with the project were logistical (Cortez, 2006, Mar 16). At the second convention to discuss the issue, however, many noted the use of Islamophobic statements and tropes throughout the speeches of both councilmembers and Warren residents, including one in which Commissioner Daniels asked about possible human or animal sacrifices that may take place on the premises. This statement and many others like it caused the Department of Justice to announce it would be reviewing the tapes of the meeting (Cortez, 2006, Apr 12). In response to this outcry, Elturk announced that the mosque would hold outreach programs to assuage concerns in the local community and answer any questions they may have regarding the mosque and Islam (Stolarz, 2006, Apr 25). The mosque continued with its outreach programs into the general community, such as with its “Meet your Neighbors” symposiums, where events were held between the members of different religious communities to foster a greater sense of cohesion within the different faith groups of Warren (Krupa, 2006, Jun 8). This did not quell all anxieties from non-Muslim members, attested to by a series of vandalism attacks on the location of the prospective mosque and a drunk accostment of Imam Elturk. The mosque opened on May 25, 2007 (Krupa, 2007, May 24). Elturk attributed the mosque proposal's ultimate success to collaboration between the Muslim community and groups of other faiths. On February 22, 2021, he was honored for his work on with the IFLC Interfaith Leader Award (IONA, 2021, Feb 23). Since the establishment of the city’s first mosque, Warren has had a flourishing and diverse Muslim community that has only gotten bigger, with the original mosque established by Elturk having to expand due to increased demand and numbers in the community. Initially, Elturk wanted to expand into neighboring land, but the owners were asking for too much money, so Elturk was forced to look elsewhere (Macomb, 2010, May 17). As of 2022, roughly a dozen mosques are situated in Warren (Warikoo, 2022, Sep 15). References <ul> <li>Cortez, D. (2006, March 16). Warren rejects mosque proposal. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved from <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/warren-rejects-mosque-proposal-march-16-2006">https://ionamasjid.org/warren-rejects-mosque-proposal-march-16-2006</a>.</li> <li>Cortez, D. (2006, April 11). Warren board approves mosque plan. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved from <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/warren-board-approves-mosque-plan-april-11-2006">https://ionamasjid.org/warren-board-approves-mosque-plan-april-11-2006</a>.</li> <li>Cortez, D. (2006, April 12). Mosque exposes fears in Warren. Detroit Free Press. Retrieved from <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/mosque-exposes-fears-in-warren-april-12-2006/">https://ionamasjid.org/mosque-exposes-fears-in-warren-april-12-2006</a>.</li> <li>Islamic Organization of North America [IONA]. (2021, February 23). Imam Steve Mustapha Elturk recipient of IFLC Interfaith Leader Award [Press Release]. <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/imam-steve-mustapha-elturk-recipient-of-iflc-interfaith-leader-award-february-23-2021/#:~:text=Imam%20Steve%20Mustapha%20Elturk%20Re">Web</a>.</li> <li>Krupa, G. (2006, June 8). Mosque raises interfaith issues. The Detroit News. Retrieved from <a href="https://ionaonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=307:mosque-raises-interfaith-issues-june-8-2006&catid=60:iona-in-the-news&Itemid=258">https://ionaonline.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=307:mosque-raises-interfaith-issues-june-8-2006&catid=60:iona-in-the-news&Itemid=258</a>.</li> <li>Krupa, G. (2007, May 24). Joint resolve gets mosque open: Multifaith effort pushed project past obstacles. The Detroit News. Retrieved 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%252F11955E82939CEB78">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li>Macomb, J. (2010, May 17). Warren mosque looking to expand. Macomb Daily. Retrieved from <a href="https://ionamasjid.org/warren-mosque-looking-to-expand-may-16-2010/">https://ionamasjid.org/warren-mosque-looking-to-expand-may-16-2010</a>.</li> <li>Stolarz, C. (2006, Apr 12). Warren approves plan for the city's first mosque. The Detroit News, p.04B. Retrieved 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%252F110F9853E00C0A60">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li>Stolarz, C. (2006, Apr 26). Mosque plan spurs effort to reach out: Warren project sparks worry, underscores need for dialogue about faith, Muslim leader says. The Detroit News: MI. Retrieved 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%252F1113FC8EF02A7D78">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li>Warikoo, N. (2022, September 15). Megachurch now a mosque as number of Islamic centers grows in Michigan. Detroit Free Press. <a href="https://www.freep.com/story/news/local/michigan/2022/09/15/number-of-mosques-grows-in-michigan-as-church-becomes-islamic-center/65926143007/">Web</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/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Helia Hamidi, Matson Holmgren, Partha Jain, and Amina Malone Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource Warren, MI Description An account of the resource In 2006, the Warren Planning Commission rejected a proposal for a mosque in Warren, Michigan, citing concerns about traffic and noise disruptions. Imam Steve Elturk, who had faced previous rejections in other locations, confronted bias allegations. A Department of Justice mediator intervened amid suspicions of Islamophobia. After a contentious process and outreach efforts, the proposal was eventually approved in April 2006, and the mosque opened in May 2007. Despite initial resistance, the mosque's establishment led to community cohesion efforts and Elturk receiving recognition for interfaith leadership. Warren's Muslim community has since grown, with multiple mosques now serving the area. Adaptive Reuse Approved (initial denial) Bias-related Incident Built DOJ Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign REL230_SP24 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/90cc03a8095012f61b6c24ba91f6581b.png 0b42bcb5dbc527a401169a618229919c 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_01 Location The location of the interview Wayne, NJ Date 2003-2008 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The Township of Wayne in New Jersey delayed a mosque’s building application for three years and eventually sought to seize the purchased property under eminent domain. The mosque sued under RLUIPA and the DOJ filed an amicus brief against the Township of Wayne. A court went on to agree with the DOJ that the use of eminent domain in this specific case violated RLUIPA. The case was settled in 2008. As a result of the settlement, the Muslim community sold the property to the Township in 2009 and subsequently found a new property in nearby Riverdale. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 1840 Hamburg Turnpike, Wayne, NJ 07470 Proposed Project mosque Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://aaccriverdale.org/">Albanian Associated Fund</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance administrative denial; public campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications AFF sold land to Twp after settlement; subsequently moved to different location outside of Twp Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. On October 5, 2001, the Albanian Associated Fund (AAF) finalized the purchase of a property along the Hamburg Turnpike in the Township of Wayne (“Wayne”) in northern New Jersey. A year later, the AAF submitted a Land Development Application and a Site Plan for a religious facility. The AAF met with the Township of Wayne Planning Board for the first time on March 24, 2003. The original plans for the development included a 39,392-square-foot recreation center and school as well as a 4,864-square-foot mosque (Ratish, 2004). After the first Planning Board meeting, the Township of Wayne’s planner found that the application met all permitting requirements in October of 2003. Over the next four years, the Planning Board continued to deliberate AAF’s application in more than twenty hearings. After deliberation, the Planning Board would eventually attempt to seize the AAF’s property through the use of eminent domain. This extended span of meetings is very much not the norm and eventually led the AAF to accuse Wayne of possessing a bias against Muslims. Shortly after the initial hearing, in November 2003, the Township of Wayne held a public vote to approve an Open Space Referendum. In January of 2004, the township created the Open Space Committee, which was chaired by the mayor. The goal of this referendum and subsequent committee was to set aside parcels of land for preservation. One such parcel was the land that the AAF had spent years trying to develop. While the AAF’s application was still under discussion by the Planning Board, the Township began eminent domain proceedings to condemn the group’s property for open space preservation. In Planning Board meetings from 2003 to 2006, city officials raised concerns over many different aspects, ranging from traffic and noise to concerns about the water level of the area and the rocky terrain. In an effort to assuage these concerns, civil engineer Arthur Hanson explained stormwater plans at a special Planning Board meeting on February 3, 2005. Residents, however, continued to oppose the project. In a coordinated effort to oppose the mosque project, residents of Wayne formed the “Property Protection Group” (PPG). According to the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty which served as legal counsel for the AAF, the PPG “[had]...attempted to prevent the Muslims from locating in Wayne, complaining about minarets, calls to prayer, and describing the Mosque as ‘a public nuisance’” (Becket). On March 14, 2005, the Planning Board adopted the aforementioned Open Space and Recreation Plan. This plan listed the undeveloped land in Wayne, but “did not prioritize properties for acquisition as required by the Open Space Ordinance” (AAF v. Wayne Complaint). In February of 2006, the township offered the mosque $510,000 in compensation for the property and suggested alternative locations for the project. The AAF refused to sell the property. This led to the township ending the AAF’s application process on March 8th and beginning the condemnation process shortly after. In July, the AAF sued the township for trying to seize the land under eminent domain. As mentioned previously, the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty served as legal counsel to the AAF. In response to the suit and the condemnation process, a federal judge temporarily blocked Wayne from seizing the property. In late January of 2007, the Planning Board officially vetoed the mosque project with a 7-0 vote. On February 23, 2007, it was reported that the AAF would go before a federal court judge with the complaint against the township in April. The township filed a request for summary judgement and claimed that the eminent domain proceedings did not fall under the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act of 2000 (RLUIPA). On July 24, the DOJ backed the AAF lawsuit and alleged that the property was taken in order to stop the AAF’s project. The DOJ also recommended that the court deny the township’s request for summary judgement. Part of the DOJ’s reasoning included the fact that the property, which was intended to be used for religious purposes, was seized by eminent domain. Thus, the DOJ stated that the AAF’s case did indeed have standing because of the intended religious use of the property. On October 1, 2007, a district court reflected the DOJ’s view when it ruled that RLUIPA can apply to the case and that the case could go to trial. There is no public record of the settlement between the AAF and Wayne, but in December of 2008, the Township approved the sale agreement for the land to be sold. On June 16, 2009, the AAF sold the property for just over $1,000,000. The AAF has since moved to a site located at 90 Riverdale Road in Riverdale, New Jersey. Last Updated Date revised. July 1, 2020 Year Year the case began. 2003 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 Wayne, NJ Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. NJ_01, occurring in Wayne, NJ 07470 from 2003 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 DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/f3dac1baf0ae487bb4b13734616127b6.png 8369294a5b8bd65a0378f9108fe59010 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 Alamin Center in Boynton Beach targeted and defaced with words of hate [Online image]. Retrieved from https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.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 Florida 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. Fl_04 Location The location of the interview West Boynton Beach, FL Date April 2011- [?] Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. After a small group of Muslims continued to congregate for prayers in Boynton Beach, Florida, they finally decided to purchase a property to build a mosque, now known as the Al-Amin Center of Florida. Many of the residents were upset because the construction of the mosque had been approved without their consent. They thought that the mosque would cause disruption and be a distraction to many living in the area. The Al-Amin Center of Florida was constructed and finished building though many had issues with the construction. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 8101 South Military Trail, Boynton Beach Florida, 33436 Proposed Project Islamic Center; Mosque; Cemetery; School. According to the congregation’s architect, Saleh Elrowney, the project will encompass a 17,000 square foot building that includes the mosque, a Sunday school, a courtyard, and administrative offices. The mosque will also be built with an influence in Mediterranean Spanish architecture Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://alamincenterflorida.org/">Al- Amin Center of Florida</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign/Protests, Vandalism/Threat Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Approved as proposed; finished construction. Current Status: The mosque ended up being built. However, around the same time of the 2016 election, with Trump’s proposal of a Muslim ban, Al-Amin Center of Florida had vandalism on their signs as well as threats. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2011, a group of Muslims planned to build a mosque in West Boynton Beach, Florida. They had been renting space to congregate near US Hwy 441 and wanted their new site to be located on 8101 South Military Trail (Pesantes 2011). This specific site was originally supposed to be used to build a church in 2003, but that never ended up happening. The site was already approved for building a religious institution. However, since the church was never built, this group of Muslims wanted to build their mosque on it instead. The site had been prepared and approved to be used for city purposes since 1998 (Pesantes 2011). Although the county commission had approved project to build the mosque in April 2011, residents raised questions about the project. Some residents were irritated that there had been no public announcement about the project. (Public hearings had taken place when the site was under initial developed for a church project in 2003.) Others expressed concerns about the disruption that might be caused due to calls for prayer through large speakers, and the distracting structure of the mosque, specifically, the minarets and the dome. On June 7, 2011, the Coalition of Boynton West Residential Association (COBWRA), an association representing the communities of West Boynton Beach, held an informational meeting in the Lantana Road Branch Library (Pesantes 2011). According to the association’s website, COBWRA had no problems or concerns with the plan to build a mosque on Military Trail. The one request that COBWRA made however was that a deputy should stand on guard on Fridays during Jummah prayers to regulate traffic on Military Trail. Residents from Gateway Palms, a community close to the proposed mosque project and one not represented by COBWRA, attended the informational meeting in large numbers (Pesantes 20110). They were upset that the project had been approved without a public hearing and that it would move forward without their input or opinions being represented. Many were angered by the approval of the construction of the mosque, and voiced their opinions, stating that as taxpayers, they shouldn’t have to pay for something they don’t want. Others expressed fear that the mosque would lead to an increase in traffic, that it would not be open to the public, and that the architecture would be an eyesore. Alarm over the source of funding for the project could be heard as well (Pesantes 2011). The Muslim group’s architect, Saleh Elrowney, assured attendees at the meeting that no loud speakers would be used for call to prayers and that there was no plan for building minarets or domes. He explained that the project would encompass a 17,000 square foot building that includes the mosque, a Sunday school, a courtyard, and administrative offices, and that mosque’s architecture would be influenced by a Mediterranean Spanish style (Pesantes 2011). In order to calm down the citizens living around the area of the Al-Amin project, Elrowney also stated that there would be a larger distance between the mosque and the homes than required by the county code, and that the buildings would not be higher than 35 feet. Despite Elrowney’s efforts, there still remained a lot of chaos surrounding the Al-Amin project (Pesantes 2011). Though there remained chaos surrounding the project, the Al-Amin Center of Florida eventually finished construction. After construction, the Al-Amin Center for Florida did very well in Boynton Beach. The center’s neighbors made sure to make them feel welcome by correcting the misconceptions of Islam. They have “hosted interfaith Mother’s Day potlucks, welcomed non-Muslim community members to their Ramadan celebrations, and invited congregants from local synagogues over for dinner” (Farzan, 2016). However, many years later during the 2016 elections, Muslims faced much more adversity than compared to previous years. FBI statistics show that Muslim hate crimes increased by 67% when Trump first introduced his campaign in 2015 (Johnson 2016). On November 3, 2016, an unidentified individual drove to the Al-Amin Center of Florida, and spray-painted derogatory words onto the mosque’s welcome sign. The graffiti was removed, and the Palm Beach County police were determined to find the culprit, but they never succeeded (Farzan 2016). The Al-Amin Center of Florida remains an active part of the South Florida community today, even though it has faced much adversity in the past. References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. <ul><li>(2019). Usatoday.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/11/14/hate-crimes-2015-fbi-data-muslims/93805146/">https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2016/11/14/hate-crimes-2015-fbi-data-muslims/93805146/</a> </li> <li>(2019). Worldpopulationreview.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/florida-population/">http://worldpopulationreview.com/states/florida-population/</a> </li> <li>Farzan, A. (2016). Vandals Spray Paint "Fuck Islam" on Boynton Beach Mosque's Sign. New Times Broward-Palm Beach. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/vandals-spray-paint-fuck-islam-on-boynton-beach-mosques-sign-8204143">https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/news/vandals-spray-paint-fuck-islam-on-boynton-beach-mosques-sign-8204143</a> </li> <li>Sun Sentinel - We are currently unavailable in your region. (2019). Sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html">https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html</a></li> <li>Sun Sentinel - We are currently unavailable in your region. (2019). Sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2011-05-24-fl-boynton-new-mosque-20110523-story.html">https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2011-05-24-fl-boynton-new-mosque-20110523-story.html</a> </li> <li>Sun Sentinel - We are currently unavailable in your region. (2019). Sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2011-06-07-fl-boynton-mosque-meeting-20110607-story.html">https://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/fl-xpm-2011-06-07-fl-boynton-mosque-meeting-20110607-story.html</a> </li> <li>Sun Sentinel - We are currently unavailable in your region. (2019). Sun-sentinel.com. Retrieved 22 October 2019, from <a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html">https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html</a> </li> <li><a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html"></a></li> <li><a href="https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/palm-beach/boynton-beach/fl-boynton-mosque-signs-vandalized-20161103-story.html"></a></li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. November 4, 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 West Boynton, FL Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. FL_04, occurring in West Boynton Beach, FL, 33436 from April 2011 to [?] Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Zia Pirani Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/b3104cfc5945e25666e7d9e9c722e86d.png 1ca6f46cf1eb7689eac436c9a568cbdc 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 Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center in Carlisle, Pa. Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived https://www.phillyvoice.com/pa-township-turns-down-proposed-islamic-cemetery/ 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. Pa_04 Location The location of the interview West Pennsboro Township, PA Year Year the case began. 2015 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 315 McAllister Church Rd, Carlisle, PA 17015 Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center of Carlisle Proposed Project 80-plot cemetery on land zoned agricultural Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Zoning and Planning Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Approved (overturned following initial denial) Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Carlisle, Pennsylvania, is home to around eighty Bosnian families who immigrated there after the end of the 1995 Bosnian War and formed the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center, which in November 2014 applied to build a cemetery in Dickinson Township. However, the proposal was denied, as the township’s zoning did not specify that cemeteries were permitted, and there were concerns about the landlocked nature of the property and its proximity to residential properties (Walmer, 2015, Mar 23). In 2015, the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center requested the construction of their cemetery at a different site in West Pennsboro Township. The zoning of the property was agricultural and allowed for cemetery use. In February 2015, despite objections from West Pennsboro Township citizens, the township zoning board recommended the Board of Supervisors approve the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center’s eighty-plot cemetery. However, the township’s Board of Supervisors rejected the application in March 2015, citing concerns over groundwater contamination. Expressing public opposition, West Pennsboro Township residents said the cemetery would “disturb their quality of life,” citing concerns about groundwater contamination and a decline in property value (DeKok, 2015, Mar 24). A resident called the building of the cemetery a “slap in the face” to veterans, further reinforcing the idea that Islam is seen as un-American (Walmer, 2015, Mar 23). Around 120 residents came to the township hall to protest the building of the Islamic cemetery (ibid.). A geologist testifying for the Bosniak community stated that Islamic burials would not impact nearby water wells. Moreover, the attorney for the group also emphasized that the burial practice did not violate state law, especially since the center had agreed to bury bodies five feet deep. The Township Board Chairman, Donald Agar, claimed that the proposed site would not be appropriate for a cemetery of any faith (DeKok, 2015, Mar 24). The head of the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center of Carlisle, Alija Sejmenovi, told journalists he would appeal the township supervisor’s decision (ibid.). In April 2015, the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center appealed the Board of Supervisors' decision, stating that the application's denial had not been evidence-based and that the board had overstepped its position. In May 2015, Judge Kevin Hess finally overturned the rejection and approved the group's cemetery development (Vaughn, 2016, May 4). Since then, there has been little information on any progress with the cemetery project. The case did not receive extensive coverage from media outlets. However, it was mentioned in several articles discussing the spread of Islamophobic backlash of Muslim burials (e.g., Lavoie, 2016, Apr 25). Most media coverage of the case was negative, with news outlets describing the Islamophobic actions of the township supervisors and city residents. Regarding the larger public response, Marian Kulp, a resident, wrote a letter calling for peace and freedom of religion (Kulp, 2015, Apr 7). References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">DeKok, D. (2015, March 24). Pennsylvania township nixes proposed Islamic cemetery, appeal likely. Reuters. Web.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Kulp, M. E. (2015, April 7). Everyone has right to proper burial [Letter to Editor]. The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA). 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%252F15493E0CF9EB9360.">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Lavoie, D. (2016, April 25). Backlash greets plans for Muslim cemeteries around the US. Associated Press. <a href="https://apnews.com/general-news-58d4287818d94658ac52db51ddd94f36">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Vaughn, J. (2016, May 4). Ask/Answered: Fate of Islamic cemetery. The Sentinel (Carlisle, PA). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/15CAD83D4C15F2C8">NewsBank</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Walmer, D. (2015, March 23). West Pennsboro Township officials vote down Bosniak Cemetery. The Sentinel. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&t=&sort=YMD_date%3AD&maxresults=20&f=advanced&val-base-0=West%20Pennsboro%20Township%20cemetery&fld-base-0=alltext&bln-base-1=and&val-base-1=2015&fld-base-1=YMD_date&docref=news/15444CEA21F27DA0">NewsBank</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/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, and Lauren Yee Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource West Pennsboro Township, PA Description An account of the resource In 2015, the Bosniak Islamic Cultural Center applied to build a cemetery in West Pennsboro Township. Despite the agricultural zoning allowing for cemetery use, the township board rejected the application in March 2015, citing groundwater contamination concerns. Residents protested, expressing fears about property value decline and quality of life. The Bosniak community argued that Islamic burials wouldn't affect water wells and didn't violate laws. After an appeal, Judge Kevin Hess overturned the rejection in May 2015. Media coverage highlighted Islamophobic sentiments, but some residents advocated for religious freedom and peace. Approved (initial denial) Cemetery Planning and Zoning Public Campaign REL230_SP24 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/4a6d8fa59390954437d6a9ec4b7f836d.JPG cacf5a218f9817793739645c0f75c8b8 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 Florida 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. Fl_03 Location The location of the interview White City, FL Date November 2008-February 2009 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. It took the Muslim Friends of Florida almost a decade before they could celebrate Ramadan in their own Islamic center. Their first attempt to build a mosque on a 3-acre lot in White City encountered substantial community opposition when MFF submitted its proposal to St. Lucie County in 2008. Eventually, a compromise was found that allowed MFF to receive the necessary permits from the county, but the project never moved to construction because of financial difficulties. It would take another five years before MFF, now operating as the Islamic Association of Treasure Coast, established the Islamic Center of Treasure Coast at its current location in Fort Pierce. In 2008, the MFF made plans for a purpose-built mosque in a rural area of White City. The group had been in the Treasure Coast region since the early 1970s where its members had participated in prayer services at other area mosques. The plan for their own mosque took concrete form in November 2008 when the group submitted a proposal for an 18,000-square-foot facility replete with Islamicate architectural elements including a dome and spire. In addition to a prayer hall for an estimated average of 50 worshippers during Friday prayers, the building also included space for social and educational events (Pfahler, 2008, December 4). A rezoning application was required because only one of the two parcels on which the structure was to be built had been zoned for a house of worship. The other was zoned for residential development. Public opposition was first formed at a Planning Commission meeting in November and a public information session MFF held to discuss the project with the community. It reached a peak at the subsequent County Commission meeting on December 4. More than 100 residents were in attendance. Most of those speaking out against the mosque during the three-hour public comment section cited concerns about the proposed project’s size, drainage issues, and negative effects on property values. A property appraiser who spoke on behalf of opposing residents reinforced the concern over property values by comparing the project to the construction of a Home Depot in a residential zone (Westbury, 2008, December 4). The project had come before the County Commission with a 7-2 recommendation for approval from the Planning Commission, which in turn had followed staff recommendation for approval. The County Commission, however, tabled the vote on the project with the understanding that MFF would bring back a scaled-down site plan for approval at the next regularly scheduled meeting in February. "We have micromanaged this particular property beyond anything I've ever seen,” remarked one of the Commissioners at the end of the initial re-zoning hearing (Pfahler, 2008, December 4). The County Commission eventually approved MFF’s smaller site plan for a 14,400-square feet facility at its February meeting over strong opposition from local residents. Despite the eventual approval, the project never came to fruition for financial reasons. To accommodate their members’ persistent need for worship space, MFF first rented a storefront in Fort Pierce for several years before finally acquiring a former church building for its Islamic center. In June 2015, just in time for Ramadan celebrations, the new Islamic Center of Treasure Coast opened. References <ul> <li>Pfahler, Eric. (2008, Dec 04). St. Lucie to revisit proposal to build White City mosque. TCPalm. Retrieved from <a href="http://www.tcpalm.com/news/2008/dec/04/st-lucie-to-revisit-proposal-to-build-white-city">www.tcpalm.com</a>. </li> <li>Westbury, Anthony.(2008, Dec 4). Mosque debate shines dim light on community. TCPalm. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.tcpalm.com/story/opinion/columnists/anthony-westbury/2017/04/28/anthony-westbury-mosque-debate-shinesdim-light-community/101023194">www.tcpalm.com</a>.</li> </ul> Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 9MW4+98 White City, Florida Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 27.395971, -80.344158 Proposed Project The submitted side plan details a 18,000-square-foot facility with Islamicate architectural elements including a prayer hall for an estimated average of 50 worshippers as well as space for social and educational events. The property is partially zoned for religious use. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Muslim Friends of Floridan (dba <a href="http://ictcfl.org">Islamic Association of Treasure Coast</a>) Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The revised plan receives the county’s approval despite continued public opposition. The project, however, never gets built for financial reasons. Last Updated Date revised. June 12, 2021 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The St. Lucie County Commission eventually passes a scaled-down site plan for a mosque over strong public opposition. A rezoning application is required because only one of the two parcels on which the structure is to be built is zoned for a house of worship. County staff and the Planning Commission recommend approval over concerns from residents about the project's size and its impacts on the environment and property values. After three hours of public comments, the County Commission strikes a compromise and asks the Muslim community to submit a downsized site plan for approval. The revised plan receives the county’s approval despite continued public opposition but never gets built for financial reasons. Year Year the case began. 2008 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 White City, FL Description An account of the resource In February 2009, the Muslim Friends of Florida eventually receive approval from the St. Lucie County Commission for a scaled-down version of a site-plan they had proposed the previous year. The approval follows months of public opposition that reaches its peak at a County Commission meeting in December 2008. The meeting is attended by more than 100 residents. 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 Mosque Not Built Public Campaign