2 10 101 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 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/808c0e7f1e4e9216f78372fbd8acc06d.png 1bacfa06b859a3a8b1dbb8a6487a1b86 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 Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky (2010). Illustration of proposed mosque in Florence, KY [Online image]. Retrieved June 1, 2021 from http://www.realcourage.org/2010/08/kentucky-mosque-protests-efforts-in-florence. 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 Kentucky Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. After approving the Mercy Foundation’s plans for an Islamic Center, city officials in Florence, KY received several messages and phone calls voicing opposition to the building project. The opposition was spurred on by anti-Islamic online messages as well as an anonymous flier to Florence residents that warned of a “takeover of our nation.” A year after the controversy, the Mercy Foundation abandoned the building project at the contested location and sold the property to a developer. Spokespeople for the Mercy Foundation clarified that the sale was unrelated to the earlier controversy. The Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky subsequently moved to a different property on Action Boulevard where it is currently operating. Public opposition to their mosque project in 2010 was not the first time the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky had experienced a backlash against plans to construct a facility for their growing community. Eight years prior, in 2002, the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky saw its plans thwarted when the Board of Adjustments rejected its application for a conditional use permit to build a mosque and adjoining school in Boone County. Having operated in a leased storefront since 2003, the Islamic Center in 2008 purchased a 5.5-acre property in Florence to realize its building project. The property was zoned Commercial-2, a designation that allowed for a variety of uses, including houses of worship. Different from 2002, the group had no difficulties obtaining the required permits from the Boone County Planning Commision. Building plans for the new location depicted a two-story Islamic Center that would accommodate 635 people and featured a dome that brought the overall height of the building to just under three stories. Coinciding with the national debate over the so-called Ground Zero mosque in Lower Manhattan, opposition to the Florence mosque emerged after news of the project had become public in the summer of 2010. An anonymous flier with anti-Islamic messaging warend of “the take-over of our country” and urged residents to speak out against the project. It was amplified on a website and Facebook page protesting the mosque (Kentucky: Mosque protest efforts In Florence, 2010, August 16). Opponents criticized that the city had granted permits without holding public hearings about the project. City officials in Florence answered phone calls from residents about the project but took no further action in response to the opposition (Residents have questions about mosque, 2010, August 16). In 2011, the Mercy Foundation sold the 5.5-acre plot of land to land developers for a profit. The Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky (ICNK) subsequently renovated a nearby property on Action Boulevard where it has been operating a mosque and Islamic school. In October 2015, the ICNK’s mosque was among several Islamic centers nationwide named as locations for what the Council on American-Islamic Relations described as “hate rallies by possibly armed anti-Muslim extremists targeting mosques nationwide” (DeMio 2015, Oct 5). In July 2016, a man spread a rumor via social media that he saw men unloading rifles and other weapons into the mosque, only to later admit that his son had fabricated the story (Brookbank, 2016, July 26). References <ul><li>Brookbank, S. (2016, July 26). Florence mosque moving forward after viral hoax. The Enquirer. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/local/florence/2016/07/26/florence-mosque-moving-forward-viral-hoax/87573882">https://www.cincinnati.com</a>. </li> <li>DeMio, T. (2015, October 5). Florence mosque among sites for anti-Islam rallies. The Enquirer. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2015/10/05/florence-mosque-among-sites-anti-islam-rallies/73384516">https://www.cincinnati.com</a>.</li> <li>Eigelbach, K. (2002, August 10). Islamic plans under fire. The Kentucky Post (Covington, KY), 1K. Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/0F564AADD9D557FE">https://infoweb-newsbank-com</a>.</li> <li>Kentucky: Mosque protest efforts in Florence. (2010, August 16). Responsible for Equality and Liberty (R.E.A.L.). Retrieved from <a href="http://www.realcourage.org/2010/08/kentucky-mosque-protests-efforts-in-florence">http://www.realcourage.org</a>. </li> <li>Residents have questions about mosque. (August 16, 2010 Monday). The Associated Press State & Local Wire. Retrieved from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:8064-9C31-2PBV-923F-00000-00&context=1516831">https://advance-lexis-com</a>.</li> </ul> Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ky_01 Location The location of the interview Florence, KY Year Year the case began. 2010 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 900 Cayton Rd, Florence, KY 41042 Proposed Project The site plan is for a 8,000-square-foot mosque on 5.5-acre plot zoned commercial. The zoning allows religious buildings. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.icnky.com/">Islamic Center of North Kentucky</a> [Mercy Foundation, Inc.] Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The city council issues the required permits, but the mosque never gets built on the site because the Muslim community sells the property to a developer in 2011. Last Updated Date revised. July 28, 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 Florence, KY Description An account of the resource In August 2010, Florence, KY witnesses public opposition to a proposal by the Islamic Center of Northern Kentucky to move from a rented storefront facility in a strip mall to a purpose-built mosque on a 5.5 acre lot. Opponents create a website and distribute fliers in the neighborhood to prevent the project from moving forward. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck Approved Mosque Not Built Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/2b3e4b9ec902e6c18fdcf7c32e0e5fff.png fb374d2604673c50567b19c80325f69b 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 Kentucky 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. Ky_02 Location The location of the interview Mayfield, KY Year Year the case began. 2010 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2010, Khadar Ahmed, a member of the local Somali community, applied for a permit with Mayfield’s Board of Zoning Adjustments to rent a commercial storefront for use as a mosque and community center. The property was to be rented to serve approximately 150 Somali immigrants who worked at the nearby Pilgrim’s Pride chicken plant. The storefront property was located in a zoning district of Central Mayfield where the board had previously approved two similar permits for churches. The Board had initially approved Ahmed’s permit on Aug 10th but reversed the approval at a special board meeting on Aug 24th, stating that members of the community had not been given an opportunity for public comment on the matter. After the ACLU provided Ahmed with legal representation, the Board once again reversed its decision citing “pending or threatened litigation” (Right to worship, 2010, Oct 10). The permit was finally approved on November 9th. The Board’s initial approval was based on existing zoning for commercial properties and the precedence of other religious buildings permitted within close proximity to the site. Following the Board’s approval of the permit on the 10th, public opposition to the mosque grew until the meeting on the 24th, where the meeting room was filled past capacity. Over 250 residents packed into the building, with more than 100 participants forced to stand in the hallways outside the meeting room. There were no members of the Muslim community present at the 24th meeting, as law enforcement had turned them away after the seating capacity inside the building had been reached. Speakers received applause after stating that they would oppose the erection of a mosque anywhere in town. Some citizens wore shirts with the phrase “I’m an American, I believe in the Christian Church” (Kendall, 2010, Sep 30). The board cited parking and capacity concerns as reasons for their decision to reject the mosque’s permit. Both during and after the meeting, the Somali community was unable to defend their interests due to a significant language barrier and a lack of familiarity with local laws and procedures. After the rejection, the ACLU sent a letter to the Board stating that the rejection of the permit violated the rights of Ahmed and the Somali community. They pointed out that the rejection was based on false assumptions about the behavior of those visiting the Islamic Center and warned that the city’s denial was a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA) of 2000. The ACLU hired attorney William Deatherage to represent Ahmed and the Somali community. Following the involvement of the ACLU on behalf of the Muslim community, the Board voted to approve the permit during a subsequent meeting on November 9th. In February of 2011, it was reported that the Islamic Center no longer used the rental property for worship. The ACLU confirmed that this was the result of a financial inability to afford the rental fee for the space (Money troubles close Mayfield mosque, 2011, Feb 5). References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Kendall, T. (2010, September 30). From the Bottom. Paris Post-Intelligencer, The (TN). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1428E94EE6D498F8">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Money troubles close Mayfield mosque, ACLU says. (2011, February 5). The Associated Press News Service. Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1413E0EB6687A9A8">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Right to worship - Battle over Mayfield mosque has statewide ramifications. (2010, October 15). The Daily Independent (Ashland, KY). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/132E6B8D6B0E8D70">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. July 24, 2021 Proposed Project The Muslim community seeks to use a small storefront building in the downtown business district as a mosque for a maximum occupancy of 40 worshipers. Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Administrative Denial Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Following final approval in November 2010, the Somali community turns the commercial storefront into the Mayfield Islamic Center. In February 2011 it is reported that the community is no longer financially able to keep the Mayfield Islamic Center in operation. 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 Mayfield, KY 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 Description An account of the resource In late August 2010, the Mayfield Board of Zoning Adjustments nullifies its previous permit for a group of Somali-born Muslims to use a rented storefront building in the downtown business district for worship. The Board later reverses its decision again and approves the permit after the Kentucky ACLU provides the Somali community with legal support. ACLU Approved Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/bfa15ef5d529c3020560172e575f2dd4.png 30faf6e25db7baa9b1a75b2c683513f8 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. Ky_03 Location The location of the interview Bullitt County, KY Year Year the case began. 2013 Proposed Project The Louisville Islamic Center seeks to build a cemetery on a 10-acre plot zoned for agricultural use. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Louisville Islamic Center Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Administrative Denial Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Following the denial in Bullitt County, the Louisville Islamic Center receives the necessary conditional-use permit to form the <a href="https://moflou.com/ghc/">Green Haven Cemetery</a> in Louisville, KY, in December 2013. The cemetery remains operational to date. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In February 2013, the Bullitt County Board of Adjustments denied a conditional use permit to the Louisville Islamic Center for a cemetery project in Mount Washington. The Louisville Islamic Center hoped to use the permit to purchase 10 acres of land zoned agricultural to establish an Islamic cemetery for their community in nearby Louisville, Kentucky. Previously, the community had to drive 46 miles to Elizabeth, Kentucky, to bury their dead (O’Neill, 2013, August 24). The Bullitt County Board of Adjustments rejected the permit on August 16th to loud applause from the citizens in attendance. The Islamic Center decided to look for another property and received the necessary permits from the Louisville Metro Board of Zoning Adjustments in the neighborhood of Buechel in December 2013. The property in Mount Washington was a piece of agricultural land that required a conditional use permit for use as a cemetery. Many nearby citizens opposed the project at the Board’s meeting. At the meeting, neighbors voiced concerns about increased traffic, groundwater safety, and maintenance of the community’s character (Bullitt County, Kentucky: Residents’ opposition fuels rejection, 2013, Feb 27). The property was located on a gravel road. The road was 15 feet wide, and at least 22 feet were needed for a road to be considered two-lane. The Louisville Islamic Center addressed some concerns, clarifying that fewer than 40 burials were in the community within the last 10 years. In support of the Louisville Islamic Center, attorney Greg Ehrhard addressed issues such as traffic (giving 20 feet of land to the town for widening the road) and maintenance of character (agreeing to an 80-ft setback from Hubbards Lane and a 6-ft white perimeter fence). He also cited the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act (RLUIPA). Beyond these concerns, citizens claimed the cemetery would be detrimental to their children in a variety of ways, that the beliefs of their community could not coexist with those of the Islamic faith, and that the cemetery would dishonor US veterans (Bullitt County, Kentucky: Residents’ opposition fuels rejection, 2013, Feb 27). The Board rejected the permit, with one board member stating that the cemetery was not harmonious with the surrounding neighborhood, one of the conditions for approval (Permit for Muslim cemetery, 2013, Feb 14). The Louisville Islamic Center abandoned plans for a cemetery at the proposed site and began looking for a different property. Later, in 2013, the group applied for a conditional use permit for a cemetery on Action Boulevard in Louisville, KY. The land was adjacent to another large cemetery, and the case manager for the Louisville Metro Department of Codes and Regulations asserted that the cemetery and burial practices did not present any issues. The leaders of the Louisville Islamic Center met with neighbors of the property to address concerns over water quality due to casket-free burials. Neighbors had no opposition to the cemetery project when they were assured that burial methods were safe. Few residents attended the public input session, and none opposed the project. On December 16th, 2013, the conditional use permit was approved. The<a href="https://moflou.com/ghc/"> Green Haven Cemetery (GHC)</a> remains operational to date. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Bullitt County, Kentucky: Residents’ opposition fuels rejection of Islamic cemetery. (2013, February 27). Courier-Journal. Retrieved from<a href="https://islamophobiawatch.co.uk/bullitt-county-kentucky-residents-opposition-fuels-rejection-of-islamic-cemetery"> https://islamophobiawatch.co.uk</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">O’Neill, T. (2013, November 24). Muslim community seeks cemetery in Ky. Courier-Journal. Retrieved from<a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/11/24/muslim-group-seeks-cemetery-in-ky/3694693"> www.usatoday.com</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Permit for Muslim cemetery near Mt. Washington rejected. (2013, February 14). WDRB News. Retrieved from<a href="https://www.wdrb.com/news/permit-for-islamic-cemetery-near-mt-washington-rejected/article_56e6d4a1-badd-5e87-9d7d-f5e51b3f7be7.html"> https://www.wdrb.com</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. June 8, 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 Bullitt County, KY Description An account of the resource In February 2013, the Bullitt County Board of Adjustments rejects the Louisville Islamic Center’s application for a conditional use permit for an Islamic cemetery on land zoned agricultural. Several citizens had voiced concerns over groundwater, traffic, and aesthetics. Later in 2013, the Louisville Islamic Center acquires land in nearby Louisville, KY to successfully establish an Islamic cemetery. 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 Built Cemetery Denied Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Relocated https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/2d6f54ceac8425b940d78077686dbfa2.png a6c35e2f66a5b72b33a4d01d680a32c5 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) Case No. Md_02 Location The location of the interview Cooksville, MD Proposed Project The preliminary concept for the 65-acre property includes two school buildings, an administration building, a mosque, a daycare center, and residential facilities. The proposed on-site mosque would serve 800 local families, with a maximum occupancy between 2,500 and 5,000 worshipers for the major holidays. The property is zoned rural-conservation, with conditional-use permits for educational uses. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://darussalaam.org/">Dar-us-Salaam</a> (Al-Huda Islamic School) Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign -- also administrative hurdles (not sure yet how to "tag" for that) Last Updated Date revised. July 27, 2021 Year Year the case began. 2013 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 14196 Frederick Rd, Cooksville, MD 21723 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 8X9W+P9 Cooksville, Maryland Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The purchase agreement between Dar-us Salaam and the Woodmont Educational Foundation expires before the Board of Appeals decides on the Muslim community’s revised proposal. The property of the former Woodmont Academy is purchased by St. Mary Coptic Orthodox Church in 2017. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In June 2012, Dar-us-Salaam signed a purchase agreement for the property of the former Woodmont Academy to build its Education and Community Campus in Cooksville, MD. The community entered this agreement on the condition that the zoning of the property could be changed from rural with an educational conditional-use permit (CUP) to Community Center Transition zoning. Although the Howard County Department of Planning and Zoning recommended the change, the comprehensive zoning request ultimately was withdrawn due to strong public opposition from local residents at an initial hearing before the Howard County Planning Board on April 8, 2013 (Ames, 2013, Jun 19 ). To secure the required zoning permits, Dar-us-Salaam decided to go through the conditional-use process--a more time-consuming and expensive alternative. On May 15, 2014, a county land-use judge approved the CUP but with extremely restrictive conditions. Dar-us-Salaam appealed the decision and submitted an updated, scaled-down proposal. The Howard County Board of Appeals eventually dismissed the appeal after Dar-us-Salaam’s purchase agreement had expired in late September 2014. Before any applications were submitted to the local government, the Carriage Hill HOA held a meeting to discuss Dar-us-Salaam’s plans. About 300 residents were in attendance. Most of these residents strongly opposed the project, espousing the view that the proposed usage was too intensive for the area. Opponents asserted that western Howard County was protected by rural conservation and rural residential zoning, and that this project put the town's rural nature at risk. Local residents soon after formed the nonprofit Residents for Responsible Development of Woodmont (RRDW) and hired legal counsel to assist in their opposition to Dar-us-Salaam zoning requests (Western Howard residents fighting plan for Islamic center, 2013, Apr 8). Local residents and the RRDW opposed both the rezoning and the CUP applications, stating that the project would overwhelm traffic and nearby roads and set the wrong precedent for zoning in the future. In May of 2014, a County land-use judge approved the conditional-use permits of Dar-us-Salaam, but with thirteen conditions. The most restrictive was the denial of the proposed residential use. Other limitations included the prohibition of exterior amplification devices, the requirement that the congregation provide alternative transportation methods to events such as a bus or shuttle, no outdoor lighting other than for parking, no overnight visitors, and limitations on occupancy after 4 p.m. The Dar-us-Salaam community appealed the decision along with a revised proposal that reduced the size of the project and limited residential facilities. The Howard County Department of Planning recommended the revised proposal for approval. After several days of public hearings before the Howard County Board of Appeals in October 2014, the Board voted to table the case because Dar-us-Salaam’s purchase agreement had expired in late September. The appeal was finally dismissed six months later when Dar-us-Salaam did not sign a new contract with the Woodmont Educational Foundation (Yaeger, 2014, Oct 31). In 2017, the Woodmont Academy property was sold to the St. Mary Coptic Catholic Church for use as a church and educational facility for around 100 families. The Church was able to gather the necessary CUPs to make this conversion. The Dar-us-Salaam community remains at its original campus in College Park, MD. References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Ames, B. (2013, June 19). Rezoning request for Woodmont Academy withdrawn. Howard County Times (MD). Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1470C0D5EECDE348">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Western Howard residents fighting plan for Islamic center: Planning Board to hold hearing this evening on zoning change request. (2013, April 8). The Baltimore Sun, p. 2A. Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1459073F496E5E20">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Yeager, A. (2014, October 31). Woodmont, site of proposed Muslim community center, placed back on the market. Columbia Flier. Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1519807FC206F390">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>. </li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Cooksville, MD 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 Description An account of the resource The preliminary concept for the 65-acre property includes two school buildings, an administration building, a mosque, a daycare center, and residential facilities. The proposed on-site mosque would serve 800 local families, with a maximum occupancy of between 2,500 and 5,000 worshipers for the major holidays. The property is zoned rural-conservation requiring conditional-use permits for educational uses. Community Center Not Built Planning and Zoning Public Campaign School https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/9d1d3b8f936bd0646c2710f2d87ea27f.jpeg e3c9d456b69e8ca9f702158e3e750879 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) Case No. Md_03 Location The location of the interview Marriotsville, MD (Howard County) Year Year the case began. 2019 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 11424 Old Frederick Rd, Marriottsville, MD 21104 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 83CR+29 Marriottsville, Maryland Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://maryumcenter.com/">Maryum Islamic Center</a> [<a href="https://www.facebook.com/maryumislamiccenter/">Fb site</a>] Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Bias-related incident Proposed Project The Muslim group purchased a former church building on 5-acre property to use as Islamic center. Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The Maryum Islamic Center was able to continue its fundraising events and other functions following the incident. The congregation closed on the property in May 2020 and opened the facility for normal operations shortly thereafter. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. When forced to vacate the space that it had leased for several years in Howard County, the Maryum Islamic Center (MIC) began looking for a permanent place of worship. The Center reached a purchase agreement for the former Hosanna Korean Baptist Church on a 5-acre property in Marriottsville. The project was disrupted by online threats targeting members of MIC in response to an advertisement of the group's fundraising dinner for the new property. The threats made against the mosque appeared to reference the Christchurch mosque shootings in New Zealand a few days earlier (Security increased following threat, 2019, Mar 22). After they had to vacate the rental property, the ICM members worshiped in a temporary rental space while fundraising for their move into the former Hosanna Korean Baptist Church. In order to cover the costs of this property, the MIC began hosting several fundraisers. On March 21, 2019, the Maryum Islamic Center received an online threat in response to an invitation to a fundraising dinner. The threat was addressed to the Center saying, “You know the only thing you don’t want us to do is really show up right. And here’s what I say I got your address … maybe you’ll be next” (CAIR welcomes stepped-up security, 2019, Mar 23). The use of “maybe you’ll be next” was understood as a reference to the mosque massacres in New Zealand, which had occurred just six days before the threat was made. In response to the incident, Howard County Police increased their presence at and around the mosque and its fundraising events, which CAIR commended (ibid.). Since the incident, the Maryum Islamic Center has continued its fundraising and was able to close on the new property in May 2020. The congregation was able to begin using the property shortly after minor renovations were completed. References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">CAIR welcomes stepped-up security after online threat targeting Maryland mosque. (March 23, 2019). Impact News Service. Retrieved from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:5SHX-W0X1-JDG9-Y3R3-00000-00&context=1516831">https://advance.lexis.com</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Security increased following threat at Howard Co. mosque. (March 22, 2019). CBS Baltimore. Retrieved from <a href="https://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2019/03/22/security-increased-following-threat-at-howard-co-mosque/">https://baltimore.cbslocal.com</a>. </li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. July 12, 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 Marriotsville, MD Description An account of the resource In March 2019, the Maryum Islamic Center receives online threats in response to a fundraising dinner for a new Islamic Center in Howard County. The threats come less than a week after the mosque massacres of Christchurch, New Zealand. As authorities investigate the threats, CAIR commends local law enforcement agencies for increasing their efforts to keep the local Muslim community safe. 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 Bias-related Incident Built CAIR Mosque https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/15dcdddf3bfb5fd021560627652dbee6.jpeg 63bde76cc2a3c3a6e3517856dacfca99 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) Case No. Md_04 Location The location of the interview Bel Air, MD (Harford County) Year Year the case began. 2020 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 2215 Creswell Rd, Bel Air, MD 21015 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. GP3M+FX Bel Air, Maryland Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://hic-md.org/home">Harford Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The Harford Islamic Center received the required permits and is in the process of converting the existing barn-structure into Masjid Ibrahim. Proposed Project The project consisted of a 12-acre section of a larger 55-acre property zoned for rural residential use. An existing barn on the property was to be converted to a 60-seat mosque. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Harford Islamic Center wanted to build a mosque in the town of Bel Air to serve its small congregation of about 28 families. In late February 2020, the congregation was in the initial phase of creating a proposal to subdivide a 12-acre parcel out of a larger 51-acre plot and convert an existing barn structure into a mosque for a maximum of 60 worshipers. Access to the mosque was proposed from Quail Creek Ct., a small residential road. Before the proposal was sent to local authorities, the Harford Islamic Center received vocal public opposition to the project, including vicious online threats. Representatives from CAIR worked with the Harford Islamic Center to address anger in the community (Anderson, 2020, Mar 3). On March 1st 2020, the police were notified of threatening online posts and comments directed at the congregation and their project. Some of these posts encouraged citizens to take up arms in protest and threatened to burn down the center (Anderson, 2020, March 3). Harford County Executive Harry Glassman issued a statement saying, "We do not tolerate violence against anyone and expect our citizens to be a model of civility for the state and the nation" (Anderson, 2020, March 4). At the Development Advisory Committee meeting on March 3, 2020, many residents distanced themselves from the hateful comments as they continued their opposition to the project on the grounds of residential aesthetic, precedent, and traffic. The proposed use of Quail Creek Ct. as the primary access to the property was of particular concern. Residents of the neighborhood held that since the property also bordered Creswell Rd (State Highway 543) it was inappropriate to use the entrance on Quail Creek Ct. Some residents cited a declaration of covenants signed by the previous owner in the 1990s and edited in 2005, which showed the intention to limit land usage to residential only. The Developmental Advisory Committee stated that these were private documents and therefore not part of the county review. The Harford Islamic Center received the required permits to subdivide the property and convert the existing barn structure into what will be known as Masjid-Ibrahim. References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Anderson, D. (2020, Mar 3). Plans to build mosque in Creswell area of Harford County draw outcry, threats on social media. The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.baltimoresun.com/maryland/harford/aegis/cng-ag-creswell-mosque-0304-20200303-no4tqy6sjnhpvmp4wxnymafm6e-story.html">www. baltimoresun.com</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Anderson, D. (2020, March 4). Development meeting on proposed mosque in Harford County draws standing room only crowd Wednesday morning. The Aegis (Bel Air, MD). Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1798077D5003B758">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>.</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Harford County, MD Description An account of the resource In early 2020, the Harford Islamic Center faces vocal opposition and online threats in response to its plan to convert an existing barn in a rural zone of Bel Air into a mosque. At a subsequent public meeting of the Development Advisory Committee residents speak out against the project but generally avoid anti-Muslim rhetoric. 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 Approved CAIR Mosque Public Campaign Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/dac91cd9ff61ba7d5e9f9e0854b36a9b.jpeg bee198dcd880c72e9b9a71c0353edbcd 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 Oklahoma 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. Ok_01 Location The location of the interview Edmond, OK Year Year the case began. 2012 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 525 N University Dr, Edmond, OK 73034 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. MG6F+8V Edmond, Oklahoma Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Islamic Society of Edmond (ISE) had built a 680 square foot mosque across the street from the University of Central Oklahoma in 1990 to serve the local Muslim community. In 2012, the organization had their plans for an expansion put on hold by the Edmond Planning Commission, until ISE finalized some decisions about the project. In 2013, ISE applied for a special-use permit which would allow them to add a 8,307 square foot expansion to the existing mosque. This addition would serve as a fellowship activity building and the existing mosque would serve as the main prayer space. The addition would include meeting rooms, classrooms, offices, etc. After the Edmond Planning Commission recommended that the City Council approve the permit, citizens began sending in letters of complaint to public officials. Members of the public showed their opposition at the Edmond City Council meeting where they cited concerns regarding traffic, parking, neighborhood aesthetic, the large size of the building, and the dangers of possible affiliations with terrorist organizations. The City Council denied the special-use permit on December 12, 2013. In May 2015, a revised proposal for a considerably smaller fellowship hall adjacent to the existing mosque structure and with additional parking spaces received approval from the City Council. Prior to the July 2012 meeting of the Edmond Planning and Commission to discuss the Islamic Society’s expansion plans, public officials received letters and phone calls from members of the public asking commissioners to “consider the grandchildren” and called the mosque a "a headquarters for terrorist affiliate organizations" (Expansion of Edmond mosque causing controversy, 2012, July 24). At the meeting, ISE proposed a 10,500 square foot addition to the property, but the matter was postponed by the Planning Commission because the Islamic Society needed to finalize some of the details of the plan. When the society refined their plans for a 8,307 square foot fellowship hall and applied again for a special-use permit in 2013, they were met with similar opposition from the public. The most commonly-voiced concern was parking and traffic. The Islamic Society had included 33 additional spaces in their expansion to match the expected occupancy of 97. (Local law required 3 parking spaces per permanent seat in churches.) In addition, the neighboring Church of Latter Day Saints offered the use of 14 of their parking spaces, and many of those who attended the mosque for prayer were students who walked to the mosque. Members of the public also complained about the size of the mosque and encouraged the commissioners to look into possible terrorist ties of the organization and its leadership. Despite these expressed concerns, the Edmond Planning Commission recommended that the Edmond City Council approve the addition as proposed. At the following city council meeting, residents voiced more of the same concerns. The Council rejected the special-use permit citing parking concerns and saying that the expansion was too large. Members of the Islamic Society of Edmond pointed out that nearby churches in the same zoning areas were much bigger than the proposed expansion. In April 2015, about a month before the Islamic Society of Edmond brought another proposal to the Edmond City Council, their mosque was vandalized. At the mosque, members found bacon wrapped around door handles and scattered around the parking lot. Following the incident, the Oklahoma chapter of Council on American-Islamic relations called for law-enforcement to look into the incident as a hate crime. The revised proposal the Islamic Society submitted with its application for a special-use permit in 2015 reduced the size of the fellowship hall to around 1,100 square feet and increased the number of parking spaces from 33 to 61. The City Council approved this permit with the conditions that no loudspeakers are used for the call-to-prayer and other minor parking/traffic adjustments. The Islamic Society of Edmond finished the construction of the fellowship hall in 2018. Proposed Project The initial proposal in 2012 was for a 10,500-square-foot mosque expansion across from the University of Central Oklahoma. In 2013, ISE submitted a revised application for an expansion of 8,307 square feet. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://edmondmasjid.org/">Islamic Society of Edmond</a>; Fb page: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/edmondmasjid">https://www.facebook.com/edmondmasjid</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Planning and Zoning Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications In May 2015, the City Council approved a revised proposal for the construction of an 1,100 square fellowship hall adjacent to the existing mosque. The proposal increased the number of additional parking spaces from 31 to 66. The expansion was completed successfully in 2018. 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 Edmond, OK Description An account of the resource In July 2012, the group requested city permission to expand its mosque to five times its current size. After notifying the community of the expansion plans, the Edmond Planning Commission received letters from residents concerned about terrorism. One called the mosque “a headquarters for terrorist affiliate organizations.” Another letter referred to the controversy surrounding a planned mosque in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and expressed concerns about “what our grandchildren are going to face.” A planning commission official stated that only nonreligious concerns, such as building codes and regulations, will be considered. [Source: Pew 2012] 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 Approved Built CAIR Expansion Planning and Zoning Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/b50a2cb8c551aa3e64fd815292e8104c.jpeg f35b45ded76401999c5dba5bfa67eeb1 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 North Carolina 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. Nc_01 Location The location of the interview Raleigh, NC Year Year the case began. 2017 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. On October 06, 2017, construction workers of a mosque and Muslim youth community center reported that a campaign sign in front of the property had been vandalized. The vandals had drawn a swastika, “TRUMP”, and a racial slur for Muslims on the poster, which was in support of Muslim city council candidate Zainab Baloch. Zainab commented on the incident, saying: "The vulgar language that was used was very traumatizing; it was hurtful” and that she was aware that by running for the position, she might put herself at further risk for these types of attacks, but believed that the city needed more representation in leadership positions (Athans, 2017, October 06). Following the vandalism, both CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper and the Muslim American Public Affairs Council called for Americans to condemn this act of hate. Baloch was running for one of two at-large city council seats but was not elected, coming in fifth out of seven candidates with 11% of the popular vote. References Athans, E. (2017, October 6). Campaign sign of Muslim Raleigh candidate defaced with racial slur. ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. Retrieved from <a href="https://abc11.com/zainab-baloch-racial-slur-muslim-culture-campaign-sign-woman/2499969/">https://abc11.com</a>. 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 Raleigh, NC 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 Description An account of the resource In October 2017, vandals spray painted “TRUMP”, a racial slur for Muslims, and a swastika on the campaign poster of a Muslim city council candidate in front of the construction site of a local mosque in Raleigh, NC. A re-zoning application for the mosque project had been approved in 2014 and a site plan filed in 2016. Approved Bias-related Incident Mosque Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/70ce41af5ddc7ef6423038e546f869ac.png 18055724f968e96dd9f11f088c91656c 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 Mississippi 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. Ms_02 Location The location of the interview Madison, MS Year Year the case began. 2009 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 1465 US-51, Madison, MS 39110 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. FWR2+2W Madison, Mississippi Proposed Project The proposed site plan showed an 11,000-square-foot structure that included an Islamic Center, the Mississippi Muslim Associations’s headquarters, and a free health clinic–with a maximum occupancy of 650. The 5-acre property just outside the City of Madison was zoned residential and required a special exception for houses of worship. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.mmaic.org/">Mississippi Muslim Association</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Planning and Zoning Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project is ultimately approved with restrictions, including the stipulation that it only be used as a place of worship and not also as a health clinic. Construction began in 2011 and has been completed. The Magnolia Islamic Center remains open for use. Last Updated Date revised. August 2, 2021 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2009, the Mississippi Muslim Association (MMA) applied for a permit from the Madison County Planning Commission to build the 11,000-square-foot Magnolia Islamic Center. The new Islamic center would serve 100-150 local Muslim families and allow them to avoid long drives to MMA’s mosque in Jackson. Initially, the City of Madison had stated that the property was in a certified area for sewage service by the city, but city officials later withdrew that statement saying that MMA would have to gain a permit from the Mississippi Department of Health to build an alternative waste management system. As a result, the County Planning Commission denied MMA’s request in April 2009 (Lynch, 2009, Jul 9). MMA appealed the decision. On August 3, 2009, the Madison County Board of Supervisors voted 3-2 to grant MMA the request for a special exception but with several conditions that included the provision of water and sewer. Given the City’s denial of sewer service, the conditions put MMA’s project in jeopardy. Residents opposing the project held that the mosque did not fit the character of the neighborhood, jeopardized prospects for future commercial development in the area, and would lead to declining property values. While the area was zoned residential, the planned mosque was located on a strip of land that officials and residents expected to become a commercial strip in the future. Residents stated that the mosque would look awkward within this commercial area. At the initial Board of Supervisors meeting on August 3, 2009, many residents showed up in opposition and presented a petition against the project with over 400 signatures. Opponents hired attorney John Reeves who asserted that the preliminary approval contained many stipulations such as the requirement of a sewage master plan, which could prevent the construction of the Islamic Center (Warren, 2011, Jan 7). Following preliminary approval in August 2009, the Magnolia Islamic Center initially received certification only for a smaller onsite septic system. After re-certification several months later, the County Supervisors verified the onsite wastewater treatment plant once it had received assurance from the local water supplier and the Mississippi Department of Health that the center had met requirements for water and sewer treatment. On March 22, 2010, after a delay of nearly a full year, the Board of Supervisors gave final approval (3-2) to the project in its original scope, but with the stipulation that it only be used as a place of worship, and not also as a health clinic (Lynch, 2010, Mar 22). Following its approval, the Magnolia Islamic Center was able to break ground on the project later in 2010. Construction has been completed and the Magnolia Islamic Center is currently in full operation. References <ul><li style="font-weight:400;">Lynch, A. (2009, July 9). Reeves lends weight to mosque opposition. Jackson Free Press. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2009/jul/09/reeves-lends-weight-to-mosque-opposition/">www.jacksonfreepress.com</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Lynch, A. (2010, March 22). Mosque construction planned in April. Jackson Free Press. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.jacksonfreepress.com/news/2010/mar/22/mosque-construction-planned-in-april/">www.jacksonpreepress.com</a>. </li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Warren, A. (2011, January 7). Year in review. Northside Sun. Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/134C50E51AF4A668">NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current</a>.</li> </ul> Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Madison, MS Description An account of the resource In April 2009, the Madison County Planning and Zoning Board rejects the Mississippi Muslim Association’s building application for a mosque over concerns about sewage and water utilities after the City of Madison refuses to provide sewage service. Hundreds of residents petition the local government to oppose the project with some expressing anti-Muslim opinions. With a delay of almost a full year, the County Board of Supervisors narrowly approves the project in late March 2010 after the Muslim group demonstrates the ability to provide an adequate master plan for sewage. 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 Approved Built Health Clinic Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign