5 10 101 https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/6f171fdae71e6718aa477e380af6e819.jpg 668e4513da165c315521e3765b44510f https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/7c58793701d639bef32892fe56c5d715.jpg ad28465ee52b35bd88255a16e424ced5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Georgia Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ga_03 Location The location of the interview Alpharetta, GA Date June 2009-March 2010 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The Hamzah Islamic Center (HIC), founded in 2005, is a mosque developed on a 12 acre lot in Forsyth County. There was backlash from the opposition towards the construction of such mosque due to primarily traffic regulation concerns; however, the decision was approved in court in late 2009. The county did, however, insist the mosque use the public sewage system that would result in greater deforestation and costs so the HIC wanted to hold a public hearing to address their concerns; however, the request was denied in a 5-0 decision in reference to the sewer requirements. After resolving the debate over the type of sewage system the new facility will orchestrate, construction began in early 2011. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 665 Tidwell Rd, Alpharetta, GA 30004 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 4Q82+XG Milton, Georgia Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 34°09'19.1"N 84°14'52.4"W Proposed Project An Islamic center that would involve construction on a 12-acre property along Tidwell Road of a roughly 20,000 square foot building that could seat up to 750 people, 130 parking spaces, and playground and picnic areas. The building would contain a mosque, school, community center, and gym. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.masjidhamzah.com/">Hamzah Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign (incl. legal campaign) Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Unanimous approval of a sketch plat for the Hamzah Islamic Center in South Forsyth by the Forsyth Board of Commissioners. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Hamzah Islamic Center (HIC) was founded in 2005. The center rented a property of 6,000 square feet at 1350 Union Hill Road to accommodate growing prayers and Sunday school demands. But after growing in size and wanting a more peaceful location, options for a new site were considered. Originally, the mosque was proposed to be built on property off Old Alpharetta Road, but an alternative option had to be considered after it was met with strong opposition from neighbors. Propositions by the HIC were met with concerns about traffic and opposition by the residents and adjoining businesses. It was decided that the proposed plan for the Islamic center would involve construction on a 12-acre property along Tidwell Road of a roughly 20,000 square foot building that could seat up to 750 people, 130 parking spaces, and playground and picnic areas (Pepalis 2009, Oct 5). The building would contain a mosque, school, community center, and gym. The Tidwell Road site is located on land zoned as agricultural, which allows for houses of worship. In June of 2009, members of the mosque organized a meeting with nearby residents of Tidwell. During the meeting, there were discussions on traffic, how the building is going to look, and other logistical aspects. Some who attended were friendly, while others were prejudicial. Some mosque representatives were told that they were not wanted in the area and were questioned on whether they were “planted by some foreign country” (Arrington 2009, Oct 1). In late June of 2009, an engineer for the mosque, Jack Hamilton helped run a county-mandated community meeting to explain to residents the plans for the 12 acres that the HIC had bought (Quinn 2009, Oct 3). Tareef Saeb, chairman of Hamzah said that they were going to, “talk about our plans and what it’s going to look like...and a little bit of religious background, educational stuff”, adding that they would also, “address any concerns or issues neighbors might have” (Reddy 2009, Jun 17). The meeting was held in an office of the Union Hill Road facility. Hamilton, who is half Thai, quickly became a target for ire and prejudice with his dark skin and hair. Someone asked in the meeting if the members of the mosque were in the U.S. legally (Arrington 2009, Oct 1). Another asked where the money to build the mosque was coming from. Others simply said, “We don’t want you here.” Wendell Walls, who lives near the mosque said that it’s strange that none of the Muslims have ever spoken up against Islamic radicals and extremists. However, Hamzah members made sure to treat their guests kindly. Food was prepared and visitors were asked to take of their shoes when they entered the prayer area. Only one woman refused to take off her shoes. Stuart Teague, an attorney working for a neighbor who opposed the mosque said the mosque members were “very courteous and nice” (Quinn 2009, Oct 3). Opponents of the center have repeatedly stated that they don’t oppose the center location because of its religion, and would do similarly if it was a Baptist church. For many of the Forsyth county residents, their biggest concern was traffic issues. Jennifer Howard, speaking on behalf of Quail Ridge and adjacent neighborhoods said that the facility would increase traffic, stating that “This [project] is entirely too large for this narrow two-lane road. Tidwell is a neighborhood street with no sidewalks and a great deal of pedestrian traffic. It has sharp 15-mile-an-hour turns, hills, and valleys with virtually no sight distance” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). Other concerns involved issues such as parking spaces. Thomas Pappagallo, who lives close by to the site and was one of the opposition organizers, told commissioners that the neighborhood needs revitalization like sidewalks, better roads, and security to increase property values. The development of the mosque would cut into this. However, during the public hearing on October 1, 2009 on the decision to approve the mosque, overtones of fear and faith were not present. Instead, residents discussed concerns regarding trees being cut down, traffic, environmental impacts, and the effect on property values. Pappagallo and others tried hard to make sure the discussion didn’t devolve into religious attacks. After consulting at length with county staff and the county attorney, Commissioner Jim Harrell made the decision. The Forsyth Board of Commissioners unanimously approved a sketch plat for the Hamzah Islamic Center in South Forsyth. “I have consulted at length with staff and counsel,” Harrell said. “I don’t believe the board has any option but to approve [the request]” (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Additionally, eight conditions offered by the applicants and several by Commission Chairman Charlese Laughinghouse were added to the sketch plat. One requirement, for example was that the mosque meet any traffic improvement requirements determined by the county engineering department, such as turn lanes or traffic signals. Overall, however, the nearly 200 neighbors from the Tidwell Road area were disappointed by this decision. When Commissioner Harrell announced the decision, some in the audience gasped in disbelief. Many believed that the development would lower their quality of life. Pappagallo believed that the mosque would just add to the list of problems in the area, saying, “We have sex crime. We have an issue with gang activity. We struggle with a lot of things in our area and this is just adding to the problems and issues that we have” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). During a break after the vote was announced, Commissioner Harrell spoke to residents about the decision. A few of the residents challenged his decision and one woman vowed to make sure he doesn’t get re-elected. Several months later, on March 4, the commission voted 5-0 to deny a request by the HIC to hold a public hearing about sewer requirements (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Commissioner Harrell and the board agreed that a public sewer for the mosque was the best option. The hearing would have reviewed a Zoning Board of Appeals’ decision to deny a sewer variance for a private septic tank. However, this decision did little to deter Saeb and the mosque members. “At the end of the day, we certainly suffered a delay and we actually had to pay for the soil test,” Saeb said. “But that’s pretty much all that it does for us” (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). Meanwhile, opponents of the mosque were challenging the matter in court. Val Knudson of the Tidwell Road Neighborhood Residents felt like the commissioners made a mistake. The group’s writ of certiorari, or petition to the Forsyth County Superior Court include concerns like traffic, and underestimation of the congregation size (LaRenzie 2010, Mar 10). The group has gathered more than 100 signatures on a petition opposing the mosque. However, Saeb, the chairman of HIC, was not worried and planned to go ahead with the construction plans. Additionally, George Butler , an attorney from Dahlonega representing the center said he received a letter from Pappagallo's attorney asking for conditions that were over the top and couldn’t be taken seriously. One of those conditions includes a stipulation that Hamzah pays neighbors “$20,000 per 24-inch tree that may happen to die for any cause within three years of construction if its within 50 feet of the common boundary” (Arrington 2009, Oct 3). The letter also asked that the mosque’s Sunday school classes for children be allowed only between 9:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Fridays. In July of 2012, the HIC began holding its first prayers and classes in a temporary building on the site of its future permanent home in south Forsyth. Prayers have been going peacefully and the neighborhood is quiet. As the HIC members settle into the new Tidwell Road location, memories of the opposition fade. Traffic-wise, there has not been an issue. For those who had some fear of the unknown, outreach efforts and the openness of the center have made some of those concerns go away. The center has begun forming connections with the Cumming First United Methodist Church. Communications director of CFUM, Neida Streit has led her group class to visit the mosque for night time lectures and have also done a prayer walk on the site (LaRenzie 2012, Jan 31). The two churches plan to hold a soccer tournament for their youth groups and a cultural event for adults and families. References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local Coverage <ul> <li>Arrington, Julie (2009, October 1). Hearing on Mosque Thursday. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/local-government/hearing-on-mosque-thursday.</li> <li>Arrington, Julie (2009, October 3). Mosque Approved in South Forsyth. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/mosque-approved-in-south-forsyth</li> <li>LaRenzie, Alyssa (2010, March 10). Mosque Debate Not Over. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/local-government/mosque-debate-not-over</li> <li>LaRenzie, Alyssa (2012, January 31). Islamic Center Settling In. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/islamic-center-settling-in</li> <li>Pepalis, Bob (2009, October 5). Forsyth OKs Islamic Center Site. Appen Media Group. Retrieved from www.northfulton.com/news/forsyth-oks-islamic-center-site/article_8e04efd2-4850-546e-8c22-d157cb957f2e.html</li> <li>Reddy, Frank (2009, June 17). Mosque Meeting Planned Friday. Forsyth County News. Retrieved from www.forsythnews.com/local/mosque-meeting-planned-friday</li> </ul> Regional Coverage: Quinn, Christopher (2009, October 3). Prayers as Forsyth OKs its first mosque; Enmity marked June meeting on effort, but Muslims kept the faith. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, p.A1. Print. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Alpharetta, GA Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. GA_03, occurring in Alpharetta, GA. 30004 from June 2009 to March 2010 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Justin Huang, Shiva Dhanasekar, and Sid Chandrasekar https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/fc37ebd01d1fe2b6f0d133f559875771.jpg 548c2f21b8e7e625c5c65375509c633e 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://fredericksburg.com/news/local/site-work-starts-for-first-mosque-in-culpeper/article_cd2dd633-7b78-5d80-82c7-f7786deb4dd7.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 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) VA_07 Location The location of the interview Culpeper, VA Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 14434 Rixeyville Rd, Culpeper, VA 22701 Year Year the case began. 2016 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Narrative In January 2016, The Islamic Center of Culpeper (ICC) was looking for a place for a new worship facility. Since 2013, ICC had held prayers and educational activities for children in a small house with inadequate facilities. In 2016, the community made a $1,000 down payment for one acre of land within an R-1 zoning district, where religious facilities were permitted use. The ICC intended to demolish a dilapidated structure on the property and replace it with a small mosque that could hold up to one hundred people for religious gatherings. Mohammed Nawabe, President of ICC, then contacted the Zoning Administrator and Acting Planning Director, Sam McLean, to inquire about the proper forms required to build a mosque on the land. The health department told Nawabe that the community would need a pump and haul permit because the property did not have access to the county sewage system. ICC's application was scheduled for discussion at the County's Board Meeting on March 1, 2016. Before the meeting, Kurt Christensen, a local Republican leader, sent several emails to county officials and local media concerning ICC's application (Johnston, Mar 1, 2016). In response to questions from a local reporter, Christensen subsequently admitted that using the property for "Islamic" activities had been a motivating concern (ibid.). At the March 1 Board meeting, the County Attorney requested additional time to review the ICC's application. This caused the Board to table the permit request for 30 days until its next meeting on April 5 (Islamic Center of Culpeper v. County of Culpeper, 2017). Public opposition intensified after the March 1 board meeting. In addition to emails and phone calls to county officials, anti-mosque residents publicly displayed a banner that said "No Islamic Center" along with the April 5 hearing date and Chairwoman Fritz’s name and contact information (Islamic Center of Culpeper v. County of Culpeper, 2017). On April 2nd, Chairwoman Fritz emailed County Administrator Ergenson about the emails and phone calls she received regarding the mosque project (ibid.). The Board took up ICC’s application for a pump and haul permit again at its April 5 meeting. County staff recommended approval of the permit. During the Board's discussion, three Supervisors spoke out against approval, remarking that pump and haul permits should be granted only in emergencies and that ICC’s application did not constitute sufficient evidence of hardship. In the end, the Board voted 4-3 against the approval of the application. People in opposition to the ICC application cheered and applauded the denial. Subsequently, the County took steps to prevent ICC from its plan to build a mosque by imposing two consecutive 120-day moratoria on any new pump and haul applications in August and November 2016, thereby preventing ICC from re-applying. In January 2017, the Board's Rules Committee established an onerous new pump and haul policy, stating that "except in the rarest of circumstances and upon sufficient demonstration of extreme hardship conditions," the County does not support pump and haul as a permanent sewage solution. The new policy also required the Board to consider petitions for permanent pump and haul licenses case-by-case (Islamic Center of Culpeper v. County of Culpeper, 2017). The Board's On December 12, 2016, the Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Culpeper County, alleging that the County violated the terms of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act or RLUIPA (United States v. Culpeper, 2017). In March of 2017, the ICC, represented by Muslim Advocates, a national civil rights organization, filed a separate lawsuit against Culpeper County for discrimination (Islamic Center of Culpeper v. County of Culpeper, 2017). The ACLU also supported ICC’s legal case. Both suits claimed that the County's board members allowed anti-Muslim community members to influence the Board's decision. It had previously issued more than twenty similar permit requests with little discussion (Vote to settle mosque dispute is the right call for Culpeper, 2017, April 29). On April 21, 2017, the County of Culpeper and the ICC settled the case. The settlement agreement required the County to approve the ICC's original application and pay ICC $10,000 for expenses resulting from the denial. However, the County did not have to admit any wrongdoing. In September 2017, the court dismissed the DOJ's lawsuit since the County had granted the needed permit to the ICC. The County agreed to take other steps to prevent further violation of RLUIPA (United States v. Culpeper, 2017). By January 2019, the Islamic Center of Culpeper had completed the site plan and raised about $107,000 for Culpeper County's first-ever mosque (Brophy Champion, 2019, Jan 4). By April 2020, mosque construction was nearly complete (Jennings, 2020, Apr 26). References <ul> <li>Brophy Champion, A. (2019, January 4). After resolution of federal lawsuit, Culpeper's first mosque is on course for 2020. Richmond Times-Dispatch: Web Edition Articles (VA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/openurl?ctx_ver=z39.88.</li> <li>Islamic Center of Culpeper v. County of Culpeper, Virginia. (United States District Court: Western District of Virginia, March 9, 2017). Available at https://muslimadvocates.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/06/Court-Case_2017.03.09_ICC-v.-Culpeper_Complaint.pdf. </li> <li>Jennings, E. (2020, April 26). Culpeper mosque construction nearly complete. Free Lance-Star, The (Fredericksburg, VA), p. 3C. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/17A961C6CB66B768.</li> <li>Johnston, D. (2016, March 1). Culpeper board delays vote on Islamic prayer house permit. TCA Regional News. https://login.proxy.library.emory.edu/login?url=https://www.proquest.com/wire-feeds/culpeper-board-delays-vote-on-islamic-prayer/docview/1769273608/se-2?accountid=10747 </li> <li>United States America v. County of Culpeper, Virginia. (United States District Court: Western District of Virginia, September 1st, 2017). https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/virginia/vawdce/3:2016cv00083/105798/120/</li> <li>Vote to settle mosque dispute is the right call for Culpeper. (2017, April 19). Culpeper Star-Exponent (VA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/163E5846EB42D440.</li> </ul> Proposed Project 5,000 square-foot mosque on a one-acre property, including a library, playroom, youth Room, prayer rooms, parking lot Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://islamiccenterofculpeper.org/">Islamic Center of Culpeper</a> Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Culpeper County granted the pump and haul permit and approved the site plan after settling ICC’s lawsuit against the county in April 2017. 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 Culpeper County, VA Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Lauren Dumesnil and Mary Yuan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource In early 2017, the Islamic Center of Culpeper (ICC) settled its lawsuit against the County of Culpeper for denying a pump and haul sewage permit for a new mosque construction in a rural zoning district where religious land use was permitted by right. The U.S. Department of Justice had filed a separate lawsuit against the county alleging religious discrimination. ACLU Approved DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) Legislation Mosque Muslim Advocates Planning and Zoning Public Campaign REL383_SP22 Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/6419891a5fe60acc75469162f9b18922.png 2877c00510c8fc5a8f42b6a98267906e 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://islamiccenterofnaperville.org/new248/ Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Illinois Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. IL_19 Location The location of the interview Naperville, IL Year Year the case began. 2021 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 3540 248th Ave, Naperville, IL 60564 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. PQ2G+GQ Naperville, Illinois Proposed Project Multi-stage project on 13.3 acre parcel, including plans for a mosque with a dome and minaret, a school, a multipurpose hall, a gymnasium, and an expanded worship area Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://islamiccenterofnaperville.org/">Islamic Center of Naperville</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Approved Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In October 2011, the Muslim community of Naperville, Illinois, faced opposition in the initial phase of their plan for a new Islamic center. The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) tried to have the property on 248th Avenue annexed into the City of Naperville. The petition for annexation encountered some opposition, which included more fundamental concerns about the building project. In 2011, however, ICN had not submitted any concrete development plans for the site. It was only a decade later, in 2022, that the ICN began to propose plans to establish a 26,000-square-foot Islamic center containing a mosque, gymnasium, multipurpose hall, and school. The plans faced immediate backlash once they became public (Baker, 2021). At the time, Naperville was home to nearly 146,000 residents, with nearly 72% of them associated with Christianity, outnumbering adherents of every other religion disproportionately. Muslim residents make up about 6.6% of the population leading their opinions and perspectives to have a lesser vote in this city. Given the religious affiliations of Naperville residents and the fact that the land earmarked for the proposed mosque was initially designated for a church, the initial controversy surrounding the project is understandable (Baker, 2021). In January of 2021, the ICN decided to continue with their development plans but once again faced plenty of criticism. The Planning and Zoning Commission was overwhelmed by the scale of debate and controversy due to the mosque’s development plans. Naperville received approximately 2000 written comments, 13300 names in support and in opposition, and over 470 people wanting to speak at a public hearing regarding the mosque project (Baker, 2021). Additionally, at a meeting of the Naperville Planning and Zoning Commission in January of 2021, most of the complaints were about traffic and property values of the proposed mosque. Muslim residents and the ICN were confused because the land they purchased originally belonged to a church, giving the land a rich spiritual heritage. The ICN was told that there was no opposition to building a church on this land, so why as Muslims on the same property must they discontinue their project? Since a church previously occupied the land before the ownership by the ICN, the Muslim community became aware of the fact that they were discriminated against. There were many conditions placed on the project to be approved by the group named The Naperville Residents for Sustainable Development representing the nearby subdivisions of Ashwood Point, Pencross Knoll, and Tall Grass (Lamelza, 2021). They agreed to the proposal as long as the ICN was ready to proceed with the third and fourth phases so that the surrounding neighborhoods would have the opportunity to share their opinions and concerns with the project before a building permit was issued and the city would review each of the final three phases. In April 2021, ICN changed its plan for parking spaces and promised to add crossing guards during Friday services. The ICN by the Planning and Zoning Commission agreed to the following: accepting responsibility for traffic management, no construction after the second phase of the project until 248th Avenue was expanded, a school pickup plan for the second phase, splitting the cost with the city for traffic signal at 28th Avenue and Honey Locust Drive and finally no outdoor amplification of sound. In November 2021, the City Council unanimously voted to approve the proposed project. In five phases, the ICN would build a mosque, school, gym, and more over forty years. Due to the large scale of the project, the ICN had difficulties with the funding of the project. However, in 2022, the ICN proposed for individuals to buy a brick for $100, and their names will be engraved in a stone. This initiative was very successful as many people bought bricks for the mosque project. The fact that the building was allowed to continue and grow symbolizes the growth of America's tolerance, acceptance, and growth of the Muslim community. The ICN’s new <a href="https://islamiccenterofnaperville.org/new248/">Masjid</a> <a href="https://islamiccenterofnaperville.org/new248/">Al-Nur</a> on 248th Avenue is currently under construction and shows much promise. References <ul> <li>Baker, S. (2021, January 21). Thousands weigh in on proposal for new mosque in Naperville. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.</li> <li>Baker, S. (2021, January 24). Plans for mosque on 248th Ave. in Naperville raising concerns with some neighbors again. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.</li> <li>Baker, S. (2021, March 12). The debate over a proposed mosque in Naperville could span months if all 470 people signed up to speak do so. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.</li> <li>Baker, S. (2021, November 17). Last-minute deal between Islamic center and neighbors clears way for Naperville council to OK mosque development. Chicago: Tribune Publishing Company, LLC.</li> <li>Lamelza, J. (2021, November 19). Islamic Center approved by Naperville City Council. Dataqbid. [Blog]. <a href="https://blog.databid.com/blog/islamic-center-approved-by-naperville-city-council">https://blog.databid.com/blog/islamic-center-approved-by-naperville-city-council</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 Malak Abdelmoaty, Gabby Hilliard, and Hala Mansour Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource Naperville, IL Description An account of the resource The Islamic Center of Naperville (ICN) encountered opposition in 2021 when proposing a mosque and community center on land acquired a decade earlier, initially intended for a church. Despite initial backlash, ICN received approval in November 2021 to build Masjid Al-Nur. Economic concerns and community opposition posed significant hurdles. The project's approval included conditions such as reducing its overall size and requiring additional approval at later stages. Approved Islamic Center Public Campaign Purpose-Built REL230_SP24 Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/36dcbe2f6d267e27e9469ce367d4ef59.jpg 5d8cc890f67141210656fee9ff8916ba 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 Cuevas, S. (2012, Aug 10). A rendering of the future Al-Nur Islamic Center in Chino [Online image]. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.scpr.org/news/2012/08/10/33770/dead-pig-parts-dumped-future-chino-mosque-site-pro/">https://www.scpr.org/news/2012/08/10/33770/dead-pig-parts-dumped-future-chino-mosque-site-pro</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 California 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. Ca_08 Location The location of the interview Ontario, San Bernadino County, California Date March 2010-November 2016 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 4797 w. Phillips Bl., Ontario, CA 91762 Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 34.048394, -117.68075 Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.alnuric.org">Al-Nur Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action The opposition to this project was extreme. The opposition called Save Our Uniquely Rural Community Environment filed an appeal to stop Al Nur’s permit for land use to create their mosque. After that failed, two unnamed women vandalized the house the group operates out of with pig feet. Although the police investigated, the assailants were not found. References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local Coverage <ul><li>Petition opposes religious center - Plan calls for clinic, mortuary in county residential zone. (2010, March 27). Chino Champion (CA), p. A1, A2. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/12EF113DA5FEAF40.</li> <li>Mosque won't fit, city says. (2012, April 14). Chino Champion (CA), p. 1A. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13E30CE5E9AC9058.</li> <li>Opponents of Phillips mosque ask court to set aside permit. (2013, June 29). Chino Hills Champion (CA), p. 10A. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/1474AF7DE5BCCC10.</li> <li>Ewald, M. (2016, November 12). Residents sue over mosque permit. Chino Hills Champion (CA), p. A1. Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/160AEAA010CC3390. </li> </ul> Regional Coverage <ul><li>Johnson, J. (2012, February 17). Opponents said proposed mosque is being built on too small a parcel of land. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13CFF19EB93A7B70.</li> <li>Nisperos Staff Writer, N. (2011, March 18). Residents oppose center in neighborhood. Inland Valley Daily Bulletin (Ontario, CA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/13612D078969E598.</li> <li>Pig parts dumped at future Chino mosque site prompt call for federal investigation. (2012, August 10). KPCC - 89.3 FM: Web Edition Articles (Pasadena, CA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/14C583D1B3F8C770.</li> <li>Acceptance of Inland Muslims high, despite bigoted incident. (2012, August 11). Press-Enterprise, The: Blogs (Riverside, CA). Available from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/15353D094ECA1260.</li> </ul> Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A small Muslim community proposed and was approved to construct a 7,520 ft mosque in a 1.5-acre plot of land in Chino, California in 2011. Originally, the group proposed a 11,000 square foot Islamic Center, but because of public outrage, continued legal action against the Islamic group and financial issues, the footprint was reduced to 7,520 square feet. In the end, county officials approved the conditional use permit. However, the community continued to face legal actions from residents living in the area of the proposed Islamic Center. The Muslim community finally gave up on that project and decided to relocate. Proposed Project Al Nur Islamic group purchased 1.5-acre land in unincorporated Chino, California in 2009. Originally, the group proposed a 11,000 ft., two-story Islamic center that included, a worship space, a dining hall, multipurpose room, a free primary health and dental clinic, youth and adult counseling center, education center, library, senior center, and a mortuary service However, it was later changed to a smaller project: a mosque (7,250 sq. ft). Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications After vandalism and legal objections to the mosque, the project was approved by the Planning Commission of San Bernardino County for building on December 8th, 2011. However, it was a conditional permit that only allowed for a 7,512 square ft mosque instead of the proposed 11,000 after the size of the parcel was questioned. Current Status: Due to continuous legal action and harassment, the building for the new masjid became too difficult and the Al-Nur Islamic group was forced to give up on the Chino project and to relocate (AlnurIC.org). Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Background on local and Muslim Community Chino, California is a city located on the southwestern side of San Bernardino County in Southern California. It was incorporated on February 28th, 1910. Since its inception, the area has had a predominately white population. Today, the city’s population is 50.25 percent white. The area is considered semi-suburban to rural. The Muslim population in the area was estimated to be as low as 0.05 percent prior to the Al-Nur Islamic group. Proposed Project Looking to expand from their rental property in Montclair, the Al Nur Islamic group purchased 1.5 acres on an unincorporated piece of land between Ontario and Chino California in 2009. The group proposed to build a 11,000 square foot Islamic center. The center was envisioned to have three building in addition to the Imam’s home on 4797 w. Phillips Bl. Ontario, CA 91762. “The property is zoned residential…” said Robert Dawson, then deputy director of the planning division of the county land-use department (Chino Champion 2010). The zoning allowed for a house of worship to be built but required a conditional use permit before any religious activities could be conducted. The group filed a letter of intent to use land for religious purposes on October 23, 2009. Rashid Ahmed, then secretary of the Al-Nur Islamic group, explained how the building wouldn’t begin immediately but when the group had raised enough money. Upon conversing with neighbors, Mr. Ahmed detailed how they were “very optimistic” about the proposed project’s presence in their neighborhood. Conflict The problem arose when residents of the Northern Chino area in which the proposed project was to be built disagreed and began a petition in March 2010 to stop the building of the Islamic Center. Ms. Siefert, a resident living in the neighborhood where the Islamic Center was proposed, started the petition and gained 100 signatures in order to present them at the county hearing on the proposed project in the future. Opposed residents spoke of their concerns of increased noise and traffic, and harsh exterior lights disturbing other neighbors. A year later in March of 2011, the complaints increased. More and more residents near the property voiced concerns over how the project would “dramatically change the quiet rural character of their neighborhood with an unwanted increase of vehicular traffic” and the impacts of project on “landscape views, construction, sewage and runoff.” Additionally, Patrick Griffin, Chino Assistant City Manager, in his report to the County Planning Department, detailed that the “scope and size” of the building project was “not consistent with the character and scale of the residential neighborhood” (Nisperos 2011). Eventually, passing the planning commission permit review screening, Al Nur was approved for a conditional use permit on December 8, 2011. In response to this decision, a group of residents near the approved structure submitted an appeal on the Planning Commission’s decision to the County Board of Supervisors that was seen on February 28, 2012. The County Board of Supervisors rejected the appeal and Al Nur maintained their permit. Later in April of 2012, a homeowner group went to legal action in a lawsuit on March 29, 2012, under the California Environmental Quality Act, asking the “judge to cancel county officials’ approval of the [structure] and require the completion of an environmental impact report which was approved” (Edwards 2012). The fight between the residents of Chino and Al Nur continued for 4 more years. After the event surrounding the first lawsuit, the proposed site was vandalized. Pig feet were found placed in the driveway of the site. The Council of American-Islam Relations (CAIR) intervened and pushed the U.S Department of Justice to open an investigation, but the “community did not have security cameras to catch the vehicle license plate number, therefore the detective could not arrest or bring any one to justice” as stated by the Al Nur group themselves. County officials granted the Al Nur Islamic group a “Worship Permit” that allowed them to practice in the house on the approved site. A subsequent lawsuit and repeal followed to stop the permit but both failed. Al Nur Islamic Center maintained their conditional use permit and was also granted a worship permit. Outcome After, being approved for their conditional use permit, Al Nur was allowed to start construction for the mosque. However, the group was also forced to downsize their original plan of a 11,000 sq. ft Islamic Center to a mosque. The group experienced vandalism of the site. The group later met with other religious groups after the vandalism and gained more support from the public. However, that wasn’t enough. The fight for their the Al Nur Mosque wasn’t over even then, the group had to suffer another 6 lawsuits since the initial one in 2012 (Ewald 2016, Nov 12). Current Status Public controversy and legal action against the group continued. The group made the choice to relocate because of safety concerns and dwindling attendees. The group’s website details how the group is now trying to raise money to purchase “1.3 acres including an existing 265-person capacity church, a school building, concrete parking, and 2.43 acres of vacant land” (AlnurIC.org). 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 Ontario, CA Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. CA_08, occurring in Ontario, CA between March 2010 and November 2016 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource McKenzie Hann https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/9d0fe206ce7dbfc874a18ce687fbf307.jpg 7fb342f26a9ba59784d7f11e503b8de3 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tennessee Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Tn_01 Location The location of the interview Murfreesboro, TN Date May 2010-July 2014 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. After more than thirty years in the community, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) encounters fierce opposition in 2010 when the county approves ICM’s plans to build a new mosque for its growing congregation. Efforts to thwart the building project include intimidation and threats, incidents of arson and vandalism, public statements by politicians, and a prolonged legal campaign that, among others, advances the claim that the Muslim community did not deserve First Amendment protections because Islam is not a religion. Support for the Muslim community comes from local groups but also includes help on the national level from a broad interfaith coalition. The Department of Justice intervened twice in the legal process on behalf of ICM ensuring that the Muslim community receives the required permits to use its new mosque in time for Ramadan in 2012. Although all pending legal cases are finally dismissed in July 2014 after the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear the opposition’s appeal, ICM continues to experience ongoing harassment and obstruction for projects such as its cemetery adjacent to the mosque. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 2606 Veals Rd, Murfreesboro, TN 37127 Proposed Project Islamic community center (mosque; cemetery; school; swimming pool; gymnasium) Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.icmtn.org/">The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance bias-related incident; crimes against property; public speech; public campaign; legal campaign Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro’s construction plans were initially approved, but ICM faced controversy and a long litigatory ordeal where their right to construct a mosque was repeatedly challenged in multiple trials. Following support from the Department of Justice, the mosque was finally granted a certificate of occupancy to reopen, after the local Chancellor attempted to block Rutherford County from granting the mosque one. References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. <ul> <li>Allyn, Bobby (2012, Jul 30). Mosque opponents file federal motion to stop Islamic Center of Murfreesboro. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Associated Press (2010, Nov 17). Judge refuses to stop construction of US mosque. Web.</li> <li>Associated Press (2013, Jun 13). Man pleads not guilty to Murfreesboro mosque threats. Web.</li> <li>Becket Fund for Religious Liberty (2012, Aug 8). Murfreesboro Media Information Sheet. Web.</li> <li>Broden, Scott (2010, Jun 21). Mosque expansion proposal in Murfreesboro spotlights fear, shame. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Broden, Scott (2012, Aug 5). Murfreesboro church’s crosses offer message to Muslims.” The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Broden, Scott (2012, Aug 24). Murfreesboro mosque opponents keep fighting. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Brown, Robbie and Hauser, Christine (2012, Aug 10). After a Struggle, Mosque Opens in Tennessee. The New York Times. Web.</li> <li>George, Stephen (2010, Sep 9). Opponents of the Murfreesboro mosque say it’s not about religion. Their Muslim neighbors aren’t buying it. Nashville Scene. Web.</li> <li>Gowan, Annie (2010, Aug 23). Nowhere near Ground Zero, but no more welcome; Outcry over mosque proposals in Tennessee and elsewhere could be a sign of rising anti-Muslim sentiment across the country. The Washington Post. Web.</li> <li>Grantham, Christian (2010, Oct 21). Witnesses fund lawsuit against local mosque. The Murfreesboro Post. Web.</li> <li>Echegaray, Chris (2010, Jun 17). Murfreesboro mosque plan ignites backlash. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Kemph, Marie (2012, Jul 18). UPDATED: Federal judge allows Murfreesboro mosque to reopen. The Murfreesboro Post. Web.</li> <li>Loller, Travis (2012, May 29). Judge stops construction of Tennessee mosque. Associated Press. Web.</li> <li>Loller, Travis (2010, Sep 18). Mosque foes want restraining order – County attorney denies claims in complaint. The Commercial Appeal. Web.</li> <li>McGreal, Chris (2010, Sep 10). Muslims in America increasingly alienated as hatred grows in Bible belt. The Guardian. Web.</li> <li>Nelson, Lauren (2012, Jul 18). Federal judge sides with Tennessee mosque in time for Ramadan. The Los Angeles Times. Web.</li> <li>Pew Research Center (2010, Aug 24). Public Remains Conflicted Over Islam. Web.</li> <li>Rapoport, Abby (2012, Jul 19). Sharia Scare in Tennessee. The American Prospect. Web.</li> <li>Schelzig, Erik (2010, Jul 27). Tenn. Gov hopeful questions if Islam is a ‘cult.’ Associated Press. Web.</li> <li>Smietana, Bob (2011, May 6). Muslims made unwelcome as times toughen. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Smietana, Bob (2012, Aug 11). Murfreesboro mosque opens after years of controversy. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Smietana, Bob (2014, Jun 3). Murfreesboro mosque fight laid to rest after Supreme Court ruling. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Stockard, Sam (2010, Nov 23). Mosque lawsuit boils down to dislike of Islam. The Daily News Journal. Web.</li> <li>The Daily News Journal (2010, Jan 21). Editorial: Vandalism a sign of stupidity. Web.</li> <li>The Murfreesboro Post (2012, Jul 2). Judge blocks Murfreesboro mosque from reopening. Web.</li> <li>The Tennessean (2014, Jun 19). Dismissal could end Murfreesboro mosque cemetery case. Web.</li> </ul> Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) was established in the 1980s for a burgeoning Muslim American community located 35 miles southeast of Nashville, TN. By 2009, they had outgrown their smaller prayer space in southwestern Murfreesboro and purchased 15 acres of land in the eastern section of town. Construction for the new center, which would include a12,000 square-foot mosque, a cemetery, social space, a school as well as a swimming pool and gymnasium, began the following year in 2010. Although the project received unanimous approval from the county’s planning commission, a conservative minority in the community and leaders from ultra-conservative organizations mobilized public opposition against the project. On May 24, 2010, the Rutherford County Planning Commission approved plans for the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro to be constructed on Veals Road. However, in the wake of a Rutherford County Commission town hall hosted in June 17, 2010 to accommodate citizens’ concerns about the project, the proposed mosque site was met with fierce dissent from across the nation, as Murfreesboro was thrust into the national spotlight alongside the Park 51 project, a New York City prayer center that opponents deemed to be too close to the site of the September 11, 2001 tragedy. However, the Rutherford County Planning Commission affirmed its approval for the mosque in early August 2010, with construction crews breaking ground on August 20, 2010. Over the next four years ICM was subject to intimidation and threats, incidents of arson and vandalism, public statements by politicians, and a prolonged legal campaign that, among others, advanced the claim that the Muslim community did not deserve First Amendment protections because Islam is not a religion. Opponents included both local groups and leaders from ultra-conservative organizations such as Proclaiming Justice to the Nation. Mobilization in support of the Muslim community included student groups from the Middle Tennessee State University as well as national organizations such as the ACLU and SPLC. The legal campaign against the center started in September 2010 with opponents seeking an injunction in Rutherford County Chancery Court to halt construction. In addition to claiming the county had violated open meeting laws, the lawsuit (10CV-1443) centrally alleged that Islam was not a religion and that the Muslim community therefore was not entitled First Amendment protections—an argument which the attorney for the opposition, Joe Brandon, sought to make repeatedly during the hearing portion of the trial. Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy, whom the Southern Poverty Law Center lists as “one of America’s most notorious Islamophobes,” was called by the opposition as an expert witness. Legal support for ICM came from the Interfaith Committee on Mosques and from the Department of Justice which issued an amicus brief asserting that the U.S. throughout its history had acknowledged that Islam is a religion entitled to constitutional protection. Ultimately, the state court dismissed the opposition’s charges except for the public-notice claim. This allowed opponents to file a subsequent claim. The subsequent lawsuit against the project centered solely on the charge that the county had failed to provide adequate public notice about the mosque. Taking place in the shadow of increased public mobilization in Tennessee around an anti-Sharia bill, the trial ended with the state court finding on May 29, 2012 that the county had failed to offer the public sufficient opportunity for public input. Although the county had followed regular procedure, the court held that the project required a heightened notice requirement and special handling by the county because of the significant concerns it caused among residents. Following his finding, County Judge Robert E. Corlew III ruled that the county could not grant an occupancy permit to the mosque. In response to the requirement that the county withhold the occupancy permit, ICM and the DOJ file to separate lawsuits against the county. With the support of the Becket fund, ICM sued the county for violation of its religious freedom and equal treatment under RLUIPA. More than 100 faith leaders signed an open letter in support of ICM’s religious freedom and equal treatment claims. In a separate lawsuit (United States v. Rutherford County, Tennessee [(M.D. Tenn.]), the DOJ made similar RLUIPA claims against the county and filed a motion for a temporary restraining order, which the court granted the same day. The order enjoined the county to issue a temporary occupancy permit allowing ICM to use its new mosque for the Ramadan celebrations in early August 2012. At the ICM’s grand opening in November 2012, Attorney General Thomas Perez delivered remarks that touched upon the DOJ’s commitment to securing religious freedom rights for Muslim Americans. Despite strong local and national support and although all pending legal cases were finally dismissed in July 2014 after the U.S. Supreme Court had refused to hear the opposition’s appeal, ICM has continued to experience ongoing harassment and obstruction. Year Year the case began. 2010 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Murfreesboro, TN [Islamic Center] Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nabihah Khan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Description An account of the resource After more than thirty years in the community, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) encounters fierce opposition in 2010 when the county approves ICM’s plans to build a new mosque for its growing congregation. Efforts to thwart the building project include intimidation and threats, incidents of arson and vandalism, public statements by politicians, and a prolonged legal campaign that, among others, advances the claim that the Muslim community did not deserve First Admendment protections because Islam is not a religon. Although all pending legal cases are finally dismissed in July 2014 after the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to hear the opposition’s appeal, ICM continues to experience ongoing harassment and obstruction for projects such as its cemetery adjacent to the mosque. Approved Bias-related Incident Built Crimes Against Property DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) Legal Campaign Mosque Public Campaign Public Speech https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/d3d2c6ae25111e97920f9d6569e21531.jpg ff76d0d20b0c1802d185549f50615146 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 Williamson County (2015, Jul 1). Mosque Front. Franklin, TN. Retrieved from https://www.icwctn.org/about-us/ Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tennessee Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Tn_02 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Affluenza and Islamophobia: A Cocktail Destined to Doom Democracy? Located about thirty miles from the Nashville metropolitan area, Brentwood is a small, affluent suburb that has rarely entered the national spotlight. Yet that all changed in April 2010, when the congregation of the Islamic Center of Williamson County (ICWC) began making plans to construct a new, more spacious mosque for their community. The ICWC at the time had approximately 40 members, but their website made note of the fact that their congregation had been growing rapidly in recent years, with more people attending prayer services and sending their children to the religious Sunday school program. Additionally, many in the community did not have the time to drive the thirty miles to Nashville to attend daily and weekly services, a trip made all the more difficult by the frequent traffic jams that are part-and-parcel with metropolitan life. Thus, recognizing they had outgrown the rental space they occupied on Carothers Street in Brentwood, the ICWC made plans to construct a 12,000-square foot mosque that could safely accommodate 325 people, and would include a fellowship hall and kitchen to host communal meals (Ragland-Hudgins 2015, Jun 26). A Torrent of Vitriol The first step in this construction project was for the ICWC to submit their intent to rezone a 14-acre tract of land on Wilson Pike in order to build their mosque. While their initial submission to the Brentwood City Commission in April 2010 did not cause a stir, coverage from the local press drew mosque opponents into a frenzy, who sent furious virtual messages to the City, crafted Islamophobic blog posts, and used word of mouth to drive the false notion that the mosque was tied to terrorist organizations. A key leader in the organized resistance to the mosque, Matt Bonner, stated, “Not enough people understand the political doctrine of Islam. The fact is that the mosques are more than just a church. No one can predict what this one will be used for" (Smietana 2010, May 23); Schwartz 2010, Sep 3; Gordon 2010, Aug 1). Bonner, and many others in the opposition, also cited the rhetoric of Bill French, a former physics professor who now runs the Nashville-based Center for the Study of Political Islam despite not having a background in religion. They stated French’s writings have had a significant impact on their views toward Islam. French uses the pen name Bill Warner, and has attempted to convince the public that Islam is not a religion, but, rather, a dangerous cult (Smietana 2010, May 23). On April 12, 2010, the Brentwood City Commission voted 6-1 to pass on reading an ordinance that would rezone the 14-acre lot from large-lot residential to service-institution religious (Brentwood Home Page 2010, Dec 29). The ICWC agreed to a series of restrictions on the project, including not using a loudspeaker or floodlights on the property, and the mosque’s modest size was still far smaller than the maximum building capacity allotted for that property. It is important to note that Brentwood law states that for a rezoning to be accepted, a community meeting, a public hearing, and review by the Planning Commission must be conducted (News & Events 2010, April 30; Jilani 2010, May 26). In a subsequent meeting of the City Commission on May 5, an attorney representing the ICWC pointed out that the construction of the mosque was protected under state and federal laws. However, the ICWC’s use of legal counsel only served to fan the flames and drive animosity, as Bonner stated, “The impression is that they are seeking special treatment. What kind of neighbor is that who comes in threatening lawsuits?” (ibid.) The opposition also perceived that the mosque community must have had something to hide if they needed a lawyer to represent them. However, the ICWC defended their decision, stating they retained the aid of legal counsel to ensure that the voices of the Muslim families were duly heard. The Muslim community also expressed their confusion at hearing Islamophobic rhetoric from their neighbors and encountering the threat to their civil liberties in a nation that prided itself on upholding the freedom of religion. A Brentwood physician and spokesperson for the ICWC, Jaweed Ansari, stated, “We are trying to build a place where God's name will be glorified, The same God that the Christians and Jews worship… We are a small group of 40 people, and no matter where we want to build, thousands of people can come in opposition. What does that mean? Does that mean that minorities have no right? If they don't want us to have the mosque, does that mean we can't have a mosque?” (ibid.). Admitting Defeat… for Now Just days before the second and final vote on the project was to be scheduled, Brentwood’s Planning and Codes Director Jeff Dobson was notified by the ICWC that they intended to withdraw their plans to rezone the 14-acre lot to construct their new 12,000-square foot prayer facility (O’Neil 2010, May 20). The ICWC would have had to agree to seven special restrictions in order to have their project be reviewed by the City Commission, but the last requirement of a $450,000 turn lane made the project untenable for them. The community-driven opposition and barrage of Islamophobic rhetoric also drove the ICWC to pull their project, with Ansari stating, “There comes a time when you have to say, 'We can't do this anymore'” (Smietana 2010, May 23). While the ICWC did acknowledge that their initial plans were not ideal, as part of the lot was located on a floodplain, and tensions were already at an all-time high due to the historic flood that devastated Nashville earlier that year, they also did not expect it to be a central focus of the opposition’s arguments, as the mosque would have been constructed on only 4 acres of land, away from the floodplains (ibid.). Eric Rassbach, the director of litigation for the national organization, The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, noted that the turn lane requirement was likely a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act in that it imposed a significant hardship on a religious group without an avenue for relief, but the ICWC had no plans to file a lawsuit like the neighboring mosque in Murfreesboro eventually did when their initial mosque plans were also unfairly challenged in 2010. Ansari stated that the ICWC hoped to build bridges with their neighbors, rather than contribute to the animosity, stating, “For us, to be good citizens and to have good will is more important.” (ibid.) Finding A Sanctuary After the Storm Following the fall-out surrounding their initial construction plans, the ICWC initiated a variety of interfaith programs and offered an array of social services to the greater community. They also returned to praying at their cramped rental space on Carothers Street. But in 2015, the ICWC purchased a 8,400-square foot property on Brentwood’s Mallory Station Road from Richard D. Heydel for $1.525 million. The site used to house aquatic facilities and a swimming pool, which the ICWC plans to fill with concrete to yield an additional 1,500 square feet of space. The repurposed mosque, once the former site of Endeavor Performance, Bluewater Scuba, and Miss Anna’s Swim School, is now a sanctuary for the ICWC community where they can worship safely in nearby Franklin, TN (Ragland-Hudgins 2015, Jun 26). However, it appears that in 2016, mosque opponents tried to start rumors that an Islamic Cultural Center in Michigan were planning to construct another similar center on Wilson County, but this was proven to be false (Brentwood Home Page 2016, Jun 23). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. <ul><li>Brentwood Home Page (2010, Dec 29). YEAR IN REVIEW: Top 10 Stories of 2010. Web.</li> <li>Brentwood Home Page (2016, Jun 23). Word of Islamic Cultural Center in Brentwood is long-standing rumor. Web.</li> <li>Gordon, Jerry (2010, Aug 1). Mega-Mosque Conflicts in America. New English Review. Web. </li> <li>Jilani, Zaid (2010, May 26). Muslim Americans Under Attack As Far Right Fights to Deny Them From Building Their Own Place of Worship. ThinkProgress. Web.</li> <li>News and Events (2010, April 30). Islamic Center of Williamson County Rezoning Proposal. Web.</li> <li>O’Neill, Donna (2010, May 20). Islamic Center of Williamson County withdraws from Wilson Pike project. Williamson Herald. Web.</li> <li>Ragland-Hudgins, Mealand (2015, Jun 26). Islamic center buys Franklin property. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Smietana, Bob (2010, May 23). BRENTWOOD, TN: Mosque Not Alone in Defeat. The Tennessean. Web.</li> <li>Schwartz, John (2010, Sep 3). Zoning Laws Aside, Mosque Projects Face Battles. The New York Times. Web.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. July 7, 2020 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. Having outgrown their cramped rental space on Carothers Street in Brentwood, TN, the Islamic Center of Williamson County (ICWC) submitted their plans to rezone a 14-acre plot of land to construct a 12,000-square foot mosque and community center in April 2010. Their congregation, then composed of approximately 40 members was growing, and they hoped to construct a mosque that could safely accommodate up to 325 people, and also house a kitchen and fellowship hall for communal events. On April 12, 2010, the Brentwood City Commission voted 6-1 to pass on reading an ordinance that would rezone the 14-acre lot from large-lot residential to service-institution religious. However, on May 20, 2010, the ICWC withdrew their rezoning request following community-driven opposition. Although the Muslim community complied with a series of restrictions placed on the mosque construction site, which included not having loudspeakers or floodlights on the property, the expensive cost of a $450,000 turn lane ultimately made the project untenable for them. While the restrictions on the project were almost certainly a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, the ICWC chose not to file a lawsuit, and instead hoped to build bridges with their community through interfaith and social service initiatives. They returned to pray at their original rental space, but in June 2015, purchased an 8,400-square foot former aquatic facility for $1.525 million with the intention to repurpose it into a mosque, where they worship at present. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. Wilson Pike (Tax Map 035 Parcel 003.3), Brentwood, Williamson County, TN 37027 Proposed Project Plans proposed a 12,000-square foot mosque that could safely accommodate 325 people and would include a fellowship hall and kitchen to host communal meals. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.icwctn.org/">Islamic Center of Williamson County</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign; bias-related incident; administrative denial Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications While the restrictions on the project were almost certainly a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act, the ICWC chose not to file a lawsuit, and instead hoped to build bridges with their community through interfaith and social service initiatives. They returned to pray at their original rental space, but in June 2015, purchased an 8,400-square foot former aquatic facility for $1.525 million with the intention to repurpose it into a mosque, where they worship at present. Location The location of the interview Brentwood, TN Date April-May 2010 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Brentwood, TN Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nabihah Khan Description An account of the resource Having outgrown their cramped rental space on Carothers Street in Brentwood, TN, the Islamic Center of Williamson County (ICWC) submits plans to rezone a 14-acre plot of land to construct a 12,000-square foot mosque and community center in April 2010. After a series of public hearings before the City Commission, ICWC withdraws its rezoning request because the city’s restrictions on the site, which include $450,000 for a turn lane, ultimately make the project untenable. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Mosque Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Withdrawn https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/b88a3d34e6d196e4f8cca6af5c6773f8.jpg f79e305c963cdd03463b6ffdc29bc8da Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Tennessee Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Tn_03 Location The location of the interview Antioch, TN Date May-August 2010 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. As the Muslim community in Antioch, Tennessee, had grown rapidly in the years leading up to 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee hoped to purchase an old movie theater in Davidson County with plans to convert complex space into a mosque and community center that would include a convention hall, several classrooms, a swimming pool, and basketball court among other amenities. However, dissent in the community grew, as the opposition employed Islamophobic rhetoric, fearing that the mosque was a training ground for violent jihadists. Others were upset as they had hoped to renovate the theater into a community college building, crafting a petition with claims that they would support the mosque’s construction if it were relocated elsewhere. However, the ICT’s project was approved and the Muslim community was able to purchase the old Bell Forge Theater complex from Carmike for $1.5 million in August 2010. Today, the Antioch community seeks to expand their mosque to accommodate the ever-increasing number of Muslim families in the area. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 5400 Bell Forge Ln E, Antioch, TN 37013 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 29W3+PF Antioch, Nashville, TN Proposed Project Islamic center (mosque, classroom, convention hall, swimming pool, basketball court) Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a>Islamic Center of Tennessee</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign; bias-related incident Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. By 2010, the Muslim community in Antioch had grown rapidly, and they required a place of worship that would be large enough to accommodate the burgeoning population. Antioch is a suburb located just 30 miles from Nashville, but for Antioch Muslims, the four mosques in Nashville were small and cramped, and a hassle to get to because of frequent traffic jams. When addressing Fox News reporters, a spokesperson for the Antioch mosque, Yasser Salah Arafat, stated, “The four mosques that we have in Nashville are very small and are very crowded. If you come on Friday people pray in the street. So, we said 'OK, what can we do to make it better? What can we do to accommodate the growth but do it in a way that will attract the youth?" (Maced0 2010, Aug 9). The community began to make plans for attaining a new, larger facility. But the congregation of the Islamic Center of Tennessee (ICT) also treaded cautiously, for they were aware that their requests would come in the wake of the anti-mosque showdowns that had occurred in nearby Murfreesboro and Brentwood. However, the ICT still proceeded with their plans to purchase the old 45,000-square foot Bell Forge Cinemas from Carmike in order to repurpose it into a mosque, as well as to accommodate two prayer halls, a convention hall, several classrooms, swimming pool, basketball court, and other amenities. The ICT’s offer of $1.5 million was accepted in August 2010, and the property’s appraisal value was listed as $3.8 million. (Snyder 2010, Aug 10). However, despite remaining resolute in their purchase plans, the Muslim community did encounter opposition. Karen Johnson started a petition after finding out that Nashville State Community College had also been interested in the old theater complex, and she grew concerned that the mosque would lead to a downturn in business activity in an already-sluggish Antioch (Macedo 2010, Aug 9). Furthermore, opponents launched a smear campaign against ICT, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro, and the Memphis Islamic Center, which was then publicized by Fox News. The campaign consisted primarily of conspiracy theories that attempted to link congregants to nefarious terrorist activities. This report highlighted controversies surrounding Awadh Binzahim, an ICT director and Muslim chaplain at Vanderbilt University who made controversial comments regarding Islam in January 2010 (ibid.). Despite the vitriol and animosity, the Islamic Center of Tennessee proceeded with their plans for their mosque and continue to worship there to this day, with Arafat stating in 2010, “We have as much equal rights as anyone else. We are American citizens, we pay taxes… you have a professor, a doctor, an engineer out of every 10 Muslims in the United States; we are an affluent people and we do have the ability to grow as well… The place [new mosque] is big. It could accommodate a lot of activities inside of it. It'll have a mosque, it'll have a library, a movie theatre, lecture halls, it'll have a coffee stand for people to sit down and do their homework, it'll have a gym, it'll have day care… it would completely create an environment for our kids, for our youth, and for our families to come, enjoy and have fun, but at the same time worship as well." (ibid.). While the Muslim community of Antioch and surrounding areas have been able to worship at the renovated mosque since 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee again made headlines in 2017, when Imam AhmedulHadi Sharif made controversial comments in a Friday sermon which were not condoned by ICT. He had stated, “We do not hate the ethnic Jewish rather we do hate the oppressors of this Zionist because the Prophets of Allah some of them were from Bani Isra’il so we do not have as a problem ethnically with them but politically the Zionist politic that they come and take the land of the people claiming that this is the Promised Land and they call themselves from all over the world, West and East so that they can take over people’s land and after that they say let us have the peace and still they blocking the roadway to the peace and this is what we are opposing my brothers in Islam” (Alto 2017, Nov 20). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. <ul><li>Alto, Chris (2017, Nov 20). Islamic Center of Tennessee Imam Preaches Against ‘Enemies of Allah.’ The Tennessee Star. Web.</li> <li>Macedo, Diane (2010, Aug 9). Plans to Build Massive Islamic Centers Raise Concerns in Tennessee. Fox News. Web. </li> <li>Snyder, Eric (2010, Aug 10). Islamic Center of Tennessee buys old Antioch movie theater for $1.5 million. Nashville Business Journal. Web.</li> </ul> Year Year the case began. 2010 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Antioch, TN Description An account of the resource As the Muslim community in Antioch, Tennessee, had grown rapidly in the years leading up to 2010, the Islamic Center of Tennessee hoped to purchase an old movie theater in Davidson County with plans to convert complex space into a mosque and community center. Despite outspoken and at times Islamophobic opposition in the community, the ICT’s project was approved and the Muslim community was able to purchase the old Bell Forge Theater complex from Carmike for $1.5 million in August 2010. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Nabihah Khan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Mosque Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/5131bd13d14a929e3f0a48f39ce3b82c.png 0dd60ad6287b467c6daf4c32e1214ece 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 Bruce, G. (n.d.). Masjid Al-Noor, Brookfield [Online image]. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/things-to-do/2018/12/10/two-faith-leaders-talk-not-being-christian-holiday-season/2243863002.">https://www.jsonline.com/story/communities/lake-country/things-to-do/2018/12/10/two-faith-leaders-talk-not-being-christian-holiday-season/2243863002.</a> https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/8b3552a6127ad8ab26b1d01b96d89a76.jpg 721c79f775da6beca7d5519e6c0585f4 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 Sink, L. (2012, May 16) Common Council Meeting [Online image]. Retrieved from <a href="https://patch.com/wisconsin/brookfield-wi/mosque-vote">https://patch.com/wisconsin/brookfield-wi/mosque-vote</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 Wisconsin 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. Wi_03 Location The location of the interview Brookfield, WI Date February-May 2012 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 16670 Pheasant Drive, Brookfield, WI 53005 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A large Muslim group, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee, initially planned to construct a mosque in Brookfield, Wisconsin. However, the Brookfield Common Council delayed construction by demanding that public hearings needed to be held. In addition, the council subsequently demanded the initial mosque plans be revised over worries regarding traffic congestion. Public backlash further delayed construction plans. Although the mosque project was successfully completed, it has faced security threats. Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 3V8J+F6 Brookfield, WI Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. Latitude: 43.066068 Longitude: -88.120589 Altitude: 255 meters Proposed Project The Islamic Society of Milwaukee purchased a tract of land in an industrial area on Pheasant Drive, just off Calhoun Road in Brookfield, Wisconsin for the construction of a mosque (13,000 sq ft). The mosque was initially intended to be of large size (housing capacity upwards of 250 individuals). The plan was eventually revised after concerns by the public and the city about the mosque construction. The mosque was downsized to a housing capacity of 114 individuals. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://www.ismonline.org">The Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM)</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign/Protest; Local Ordinance Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was delayed but ultimately moved forward and was successfully constructed in 2015. Despite the successful completion of the mosque, the Muslim community nevertheless experiences threats of violence resulting in the need for increased security. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Opposition Surrounding the Construction of Masjid Al-Noor In the years prior to 2012 a vast majority of Muslim immigrants choose not to remain in the city of Milwaukee but rather elected to move to Milwaukee’s suburbs. As a result, Brookfield, a western suburb of Milwaukee, garnered a large Muslim community. The suburb of Brookfield itself, however, lacked a mosque. The closest available mosque for the Muslim community was in the city of Milwaukee, which was over 30 minutes away. Thus, in 2012, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee (ISM) elected to build a mosque, Masjid Al-Noor, in the Brookfield area. In early 2012 the Islamic Society of Milwaukee purchased land in Brookfield to serve as the location of the mosque. On February 21, 2012, mosque construction plans were proposed to the City of Brookfield, but the project had to be delayed because the Brookfield Common Council voted unanimously to hold a public hearing on the mosque. The City of Brookfield stated that the reason for delaying this project was not religion but rather worries concerning traffic congestion (Hughes, 2012). To ease these concerns, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee decided to revise the original construction. The Brookfield mosque was initially intended to have an occupant capacity upwards of 250 individuals but was downsized to 114. The planning committee passed the revised proposal (Lavey & Rosoff, 2012). However, construction could not begin until an official public hearing was held. The Islamic Society of Milwaukee began holding informal public information sessions starting on April 23rd, 2012. In the information sessions, community members could ask questions regarding the mosque project and have them answered directly by the Islamic Society of Milwaukee. Most of those in attendance were there to stand in solidarity with the Muslim community. However, a few outspoken opponents criticized the mosque construction on the basis of religion. They stated that a mosque would attract religious extremists and pose a safety concern in the Brookfield community (Lavey & Rosoff, 2012). The second public information session was held on May 2nd, 2012. During this second information session all questions had to pertain to construction only (Keen, 2012). There was no backlash at this meeting, rather several community members voiced their support including a prominent Christian cardinal (Johnson, 2012). The two official city meetings occurred on May 2nd and 7th (Rosoff, 2012). On May 15th, 2012, the City of Brookfield’s Common Council voted to pass the revised plans to build the mosque. The mosque eventually opened to the public on March 2nd 2015 with expenses totaling three million dollars (Sachs, 2015). Current Safety Climate Despite the successful opening of the mosque in Brookfield, the Muslim community nevertheless remains vulnerable to acts of violence and harassment (Mathias, 2017). In early August of 2019, the Islamic Society of Milwaukee had to take several measures to increase the safety of local worshippers. Earlier in the month of August there was a white man suspected of domestic terrorism lingering in the mosque (Brookfield increases police presence at places of worship after reports of a suspicious man, 2019). This threat was taken seriously given that another religious minority group suffered from a domestic terrorist attack a few years earlier (Smith, 2012). On August 5th 2012, a gunman killed six people and wounded three others at a Sikh place of worship in Oak Creek, Wisconsin. The distance between Oak Creek and Brookfield is approximately 25 minutes (Gjelten, 2012). Furthermore, earlier in the year on May 9th and 10th, 2019, the Waukesha County Exposition Center was used on what was perceived by the Islamic Society of Milwaukee as a gathering place for anti-Muslim extremists. The Waukesha Exposition Center hosted a Security Conference in which spectators and speakers discussed matters concerning public and private safety. Speakers at the conference had histories of bigotry and hate. As a result, the Muslim community and other faith councils denounced the conference as Islamophobic because it demonized Muslims (Milwaukee Organizations issue statements about Islamophobic Conference in Waukesha County, 2019). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local <ul><li>Brookfield increases police presence at places of worship after reports of a suspicious man. (2019, August 16). CBS 58 Newsroom. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.cbs58.com/news/brookfield-increases-police-presence-at-places-of-worship-after-reports-of-a-suspicious-man">https://www.cbs58.com/news/brookfield-increases-police-presence-at-places-of-worship-after-reports-of-a-suspicious-man</a>.</li> <li>Hughes , T. (2012, February 22). Public hearing to be held regarding proposed Brookfield mosque. Fox6 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://fox6now.com/2012/02/21/vote-expected-tuesday-night-regarding-brookfield-mosque-plan">https://fox6now.com/2012/02/21/vote-expected-tuesday-night-regarding-brookfield-mosque-plan</a>.</li> <li>Lavey , T., & Rosoff, H. (2012, May 7). Plan Commissioners approve mosque project, now goes to Council. Fox6 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://fox6now.com/2012/05/07/public-hearing-monday-night-on-proposed-brookfield-mosque">https://fox6now.com/2012/05/07/public-hearing-monday-night-on-proposed-brookfield-mosque</a>.</li> <li>Rosoff, H. (2012, May 3). Religious discussion not allowed at public hearing regarding mosque. Fox6 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://fox6now.com/2012/05/02/religious-discussion-not-allowed-at-public-hearing-regarding-mosque">https://fox6now.com/2012/05/02/religious-discussion-not-allowed-at-public-hearing-regarding-mosque</a>.</li> <li>Sachs, J. (2015, March 2). "A $3 million project:" It began 15 years ago with a dream; on Monday, Brookfield Mosque officially opens. Fox6 News. Retrieved from <a href="https://fox6now.com/2015/03/01/a-3-million-project-it-began-15-years-ago-with-a-dream-on-monday-brookfield-mosque-officially-opens">https://fox6now.com/2015/03/01/a-3-million-project-it-began-15-years-ago-with-a-dream-on-monday-brookfield-mosque-officially-opens</a>.</li> </ul>Regional <ul><li>Johnson, A. (2012, May 5). BLOG: FaithWatch: Faith groups voice support for Brookfield mosque in advance of public hearing. FaithWatch (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel). Retrieved from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:55JT-SB31-DXX7-H0YW-00000-00&context=1516831">https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:55JT-SB31-DXX7-H0YW-00000-00&context=1516831</a>.</li> <li>Johnson, A. (2019, March 16). Milwaukee-area mosques boost security after attacks. Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (WI), p. A9. Retrieved from NewsBank: Access World News – Historical and Current: <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/172333065383D598">https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/172333065383D598</a>.</li> <li>Milwaukee organizations issue statements about Islamophobic Conference in Waukesha County. (2019, May 14). Wisconsin Muslim Journal. Retrieved from <a href="https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/milwaukee-organizations-issue-statements-about-islamophobic-conference-in-waukesha-county">https://wisconsinmuslimjournal.org/milwaukee-organizations-issue-statements-about-islamophobic-conference-in-waukesha-county</a>.</li> </ul>National <ul><li>Mathias, C. (2017, April 14). Muslim Woman Attacked In Possible Hate Crime Thought She Was Going To Die. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:5N9T-9711-F03R-N1FC-00000-00&context=1516831">https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:5N9T-9711-F03R-N1FC-00000-00&context=1516831</a>.</li> <li>Smith , D. (2012, August 8). Guns, Sikhs and Obama's political inertia on domestic terror. Retrieved from <a href="https://global-factiva-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/ga/default.aspx">https://global-factiva-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/ga/default.aspx</a>.</li> <li>Keen, J. (2012, May 29). Mosque projects face resistance: Extent of bias debated as foes cite worries such as traffic, parking. USA TODAY. Retrieved from <a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:55RY-2HW1-DYRR-93KP-00000-00&context=1516831">https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:55RY-2HW1-DYRR-93KP-00000-00&context=1516831</a>.</li> <li>Gjelten, T. (2012, Aug 6). Oak creek tragedy puts Sikh community in spotlight. Talk of the Nation. Washington, D.C.: NPR. Retrieved from <a href="https://login.proxy.library.emory.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/docview/1031208290?accountid=10747">https://login.proxy.library.emory.edu/login?url=https://search-proquest-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/docview/1031208290?accountid=10747</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. November 12, 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 Brookfield, WI Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. WI_03, occurring in Brookfield, WI 53005 in early 2012 (February-May). Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Naomi Gonzalez https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/0723544dbba75b0d8129b86da7eeb63f.jpg 6e22c928ac78d91aaa504464b9b02be5 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 SOMA Architects (2011), A street view image of the proposed Park51 Islamic center in Lower Manhattan [Online image]. Retrieved from https://www.npr.org/2011/05/05/135951856/developer-plans-for-n-y-mosque-moving-forward 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 York 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. Ny_08 Location The location of the interview Lower Manhattan, NY Date December 2009–September 2011 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 43-51 Park Place, Manhattan, NY 10007 Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 40.7138° N, 74.0099°W Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Sharif El-Gamal (Soho Properties) and Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf Last Updated Date revised. October 18, 2019 Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Background on the Case Park 51 was a project that was envisioned as an interfaith Islamic community center and mosque in Lower Manhattan. The developer, Sharif El-Gamal, sought to promote interfaith relations and dialogue through the proposed community center. However, the project was soon dubbed the “ground zero mosque” due to its proximity to the 9/11 attacks. Thus, a national controversy ensued. People that opposed the project viewed it as disrespectful to build an Islamic center so close to the place where Muslim terrorists had killed American citizens in the name of Islam. It was referred to as a “victory mosque.” However, the project’s organizers maintained that the space was to be a place to build peaceful interfaith relations. While the project’ opponents described the project as a mosque, the project’s organizers emphasized that it would be a community center with a prayer space. The official Park 51 website mentioned that although a mosque was part of the plan, the mosque would be run separately from the rest of the Park 51 center and open to all, regardless of religion. Key events* <ul><li> July 2009: An empty building at 45-47 Park Place, New York, NY was purchased by the real estate company Soho Properties. The building, which was previously a Burlington Coat Factory, was purchased for 4.85 million dollars. This purchase was led by real estate agent Sharif El-Gamal and his investment group.</li> <li> December 2009: The New York Times published an article, “Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero,” about the planned Islamic Center. This brought the case into the public eye. </li> <li> Later in the month, Imam Feisal Abdul Rauf’s (the leader of the proposed mosque) wife, Daisy Khan, was interviewed on Fox News’ The O’Reilly Factor. In her interview Khan explained the purpose of Park 51 and how it would “ deliver a message of tolerance and love” (Seminary 2009).</li> <li> May 2010: The formal plans for Park 51 were proposed in a meeting with the Finance Committee of Local Manhattan Community Board No.1. It was approved with a 12-0 vote. The project was then officially titled the Cordoba House, after a region in Spain where people of different religions coexisted peacefully. </li> <li> Later in the month, Pamela Geller, the executive director of the organization Stop the Islamization of America, began posting about the Park 51 project online.</li> <li> June 2010: The first major protest over the Park 51 project occurred. The protest was organized by Geller and attracted over 1,000 protesters.</li> <li> September 2010: Protesters converged in Lower Manhattan over opposition to the “Ground Zero Mosque.” There were rival demonstrations which resulted in some heated confrontations.</li> </ul>*The description of key events regarding this project draws primarily from information available at History of WTC Muslim Center (2016). National Controversy Numerous American politicians weighed in on what had become a national controversy. Sarah Palin, the former governor of Alaska, addressed the controversy via twitter saying, "Peace-seeking Muslims, pls understand, Ground Zero mosque is UNNECESSARY provocation; it stabs hearts. Pls reject it in the interests of healing” (History of WTC Muslim Center, 2016). Newt Gingrich, the former speaker of the US House of Representatives, issued a newsletter opposing the proposed project. In addition, on August 11, 2010, CNN published a poll (CNN Opinion Research Poll, 2010), which showed that 68 percent of Americans opposed the plan to build the Islamic cultural center (Park 51) two blocks from the site of 9/11. Only 29 percent were in favor of the plan (History of WTC Muslim Center, 2016). However not everyone opposed the project. President Obama said publicly in 2010, "As a citizen, and as President, I believe that Muslims have the same right to practice their religion as everyone else in this country. That includes the right to build a place of worship and a community center on private property in lower Manhattan… This is America, and our commitment to religious freedom must be unshakable” (History of WTC Muslim Center, 2016). Some relatives of victims of the September 11th attack felt that the proposal was offensive because of its proximity to the site of the attacks. In addition, the terrorists who committed the attacks did so in the name of their Islamic beliefs. A majority of the opposition to Park 51 came from online sources. Opposition came from Pamela Geller and Robert Spencer, cofounders of the group “Stop the Islamization of America.” They popularized the term the “victory mosque” to refer to Park 51, which later defined the controversy. Pamela Geller stated, “This is humiliating that you would build a shrine to the very ideology that inspired the attacks of 9/11” (“The Man Behind the Mosque,” 2011). The American Center for Law and Justice, filed a lawsuit against the city’s Landmarks Preservation Commission over the proposed Park 51 project. The lawsuit was filed on behalf of former firefighter and 9/11 responder, Timothy Brown. In the lawsuit they alleged that 43-51 Park Place was a historic landmark. If the property were declared a historic landmark, this would have made building the project at that site even more difficult. On July 13, 2011, New York Supreme Court Justice Paul Feinman dismissed the lawsuit (Kirpalani, 2011). There were also several public protests in opposition of Project 51. Outcome and Current Status Sharif El-Gamal’s plan for an Islamic cultural center has been put to an end. Instead, it will be replaced with a 665-foot luxury condominium. By 2011, El-Gamal and his investment group gave into public pressure and decided to abandon the idea for an Islamic center. The site is due to open in 2019 and will include approximately 50 apartments and a small Islamic museum and public plaza. However, it will not include a mosque. The site is no longer referred to as “Park 51.” However, the new name of the project has not yet been announced (Kaysen 2017). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Regional <ul><li> Blumenthal, R., & Mowjood, S. (2009, December 8). Muslim Prayers and Renewal Near Ground Zero. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2009/12/09/nyregion/09mosque.html</a>.</li> <li>Fahim, K. (2010, November 23). Islamic Center Seeks 9/11 Recovery Grants for Lower Manhattan. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/nyregion/23mosque.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2010/11/23/nyregion/23mosque.html</a>.</li> <li>Kaysen, R. (2017, May 12). Condo Tower to Rise Where Muslim Community Center Was Proposed. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/realestate/muslim-museum-world-trade-center.html">https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/12/realestate/muslim-museum-world-trade-center.html</a>.</li> </ul> National <ul><li>Adler, M. (2010, July 15). Islamic Center Near Ground Zero Sparks Anger. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128544392">https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=128544392</a>.</li> <li>Khan, A. (2011, October 17). Rent Dispute Threatens Plans for Controversial NY Mosque and Community Center. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/rent-dispute-threatens-plans-for-controversial-ny-mosque-and-community-center/">https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/article/rent-dispute-threatens-plans-for-controversial-ny-mosque-and-community-center</a>.</li> <li>Kirpalani, R. (2011, July 13). 'Ground Zero Mosque' Clears Legal Hurdle to Build. Retrieved from <a href="https://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque-wins-legal-battle-build/story?id=14062701">https://abcnews.go.com/US/ground-mosque-wins-legal-battle-build/story?id=14062701</a>.</li> <li>History of WTC Muslim Center. (2016, December 16). Retrieved from <a href="https://wtcmuslimcenter.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=006679">https://wtcmuslimcenter.procon.org/view.resource.php?resourceID=006679</a>.</li> <li> CNN Opinion Research Poll (2010). Interviews with 1,009 adult Americans. Retrieved from <a href="https://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/CNN%20ground%20zero%20poll.pdf">https://www.procon.org/sourcefiles/CNN%20ground%20zero%20poll.pdf</a>. </li> </ul>Multi-media References <ul><li>Associated Press (Producer). (2011). +4:3 Islamic Centre close to Ground Zero opens to public [Streaming video]. Retrieved from Associated Press Video Collection database.</li> <li>Seminary, A. (2009, December). Religious Leader: Muslim Leader Daisy Khan responds to the question of prayer space at Ground Zero [Streaming video].Retrieved October 27, 2019, from <a href="https://vimeo.com/33167007">https://vimeo.com/33167007</a>.</li> <li>D. (2011, September 27). The Man Behind the Mosque. Frontline. Retrieved October 15, 2019, from <a href="https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/man-behind-mosque/">https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/film/man-behind-mosque</a>.</li> </ul> Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A New York real estate man, Sharif el Gamal, wanted to build a mosque and community center on Park Place. Park Place is two blocks from ground zero, the place where 9/11 occurred. The project was met with major controversy. Eventually the project known as Park 51 or Cordoba House began to be called the “ground zero mosque.” The term “ground zero” mosque was used because of the proposed building’s proximity to the World Trade Center, the site of the September 11 attacks. Proposed Project The project that was proposed was an Islamic cultural center. The center was to include a Muslim prayer space, a swimming pool, a preschool, and a 9/11 memorial (Fahim, 2010). Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign/Protest; Legal Campaign/Lawsuit Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was called off by its developer Sharif El-Gamal in 2011. El-Gamal abandoned the idea for an Islamic cultural center. His new design is of a luxury 43-story condominium. 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 Lower Manhattan, NY Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. NY_08, occurring in Lower Manhattan, NY 10007 in 2011 and 2012. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rachael Obe https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/ed3b6381b5715fd7d64d22b0269cfe34.jpeg c0d32334d3d73efa5adbbf5f2b8638e0 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) TN_01x Date 2012 Proposed Project cemetery on 1.5 acres of a 15-acre property owned by the Muslim community Year Year the case began. 2012 Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications approved with conditions Location The location of the interview Tennessee Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Islamic Center of Murfreesboro Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2012, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro (ICM) faced opposition to its plans to construct a Muslim cemetery. The quest to secure the required permits for its cemetery occurred within the context of ongoing public and legal challenges to a mosque project the ICM had faced since 2010. Although the details of the ICM’s mosque project are <a href="https://usmc.oxomeka.org/items/show/13">described separately in this archive</a>, the broad outlines of this case, which garnered national attention in 2010, are outlined here to provide the context for the Muslim community’s efforts to secure the rights for the cemetery. In March 2009, the Murfreesboro Muslim community began planning for a larger mosque to serve its growing population, eventually purchasing land on Veal Rd in 2010. The Rutherford County Planning Commission approved the mosque's construction on May 24 (Broden, 2014, Jan 9). However, this decision sparked controversy, leading to protests and inflammatory remarks from influential figures. This opposition escalated to a lawsuit against Rutherford County on September 17, 2010, with plaintiffs making Islamophobic arguments. Rutherford County Chancellor Robert Corlew swiftly dismissed the lawsuit, but subsequent legal battles ensued. In April 2012, Corlew sided with the mosque's critics, citing insufficient public notice regarding the construction. The Department of Justice intervened on July 8, filing a lawsuit on behalf of the mosque and arguing a violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Protections Act (RLUIPA). The DOJ appealed Corlew's decision to allow the mosque to open under a temporary occupancy permit in early August 2012. In June 2014, the Supreme Court finally resolved the matter, rejecting to hear the opposition’s appeal two years after the initial permit approval (Haynes, 2014, June 2014). Against the backdrop of ongoing litigation concerning the ICM’s mosque project, the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro faced additional challenges when it tried to construct a Muslim cemetery on its property. Since 2010, the ICM had discussed building a burial ground adjacent to the mosque after one ICM member was buried on the mosque's property under a conditional-use permit (Murfreesboro mosque seeks cemetery permit, 2012, Nov 1). Like the ICM’s mosque building project, the conditional-use permit was met with opposition. Opponents were concerned that the body would "contaminate the water because it was not in a casket and vault" (ibid.). Mosque leaders argued that the burial had followed Tennessee law, but protest persisted. On November 1, 2012, the ICM applied for a special-use permit to construct its cemetery. The approval process for the cemetery was contentious, with public hearings and debates highlighting concerns about traffic disruption and groundwater issues. On January 8, 2014, after a public hearing and a 3-2 vote, the cemetery was approved, albeit with conditions imposed by board member Joe Meshotto. These conditions included maintaining burial records, setting a minimum grave depth of five feet, limiting the number of burial plots to 1,500, restricting grave marker height to one foot, and tying the permit strictly to religious use of the property (Broden, 2014, Jan 9). Despite the ICM's agreement to these conditions, opposition persisted, notably exemplified by Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.), who criticized on social media the application of the Tennessee Religious Freedom Act, which was applied in favor of the cemetery, for enabling religious groups to circumvent other laws (Murphy, 2014, Jan 24). In March 2014, public outcry culminated in a lawsuit challenging the cemetery's approval, echoing the anti-Islamic sentiments seen in previous legal battles over the ICM's mosque (Stockard, 2014, Mar 26). On June 18, 2014, Judge Paul Summers dismissed the case against the cemetery's construction, affirming the validity of the special-use permit and the legality of the zoning appeals board's actions (Broden, 2014, Jun 19). Unlike the mosque project, the cemetery's approval did not require intervention from the Department of Justice, marking an end to years of controversy and litigation surrounding the ICM's projects. By the end of 2014, the ICM secured its rights to proceed with the mosque and cemetery projects, concluding a tumultuous period of opposition and legal challenges. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Broden, S. (2014, Jun 19). Judge dismisses mosque cemetery lawsuit. Daily News Journal. <a href="https://www.dnj.com/story/news/2014/06/19/judge-dismisses-mosque-cemetery-lawsuit/11098267/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Broden, S. (2014, Jan 9). Murfreesboro mosque cemetery approved. The Tennessean.<a href="https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/local/2014/01/08/murfreesboro-mosque-cemetery-approved/4394147/"> Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Haynes, C. (2014, June 23). First Amendment: Religious freedom trumps Islamophobia. The Holland Sentinel, p. 6. Available from<a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/14EA2D1CB87D9028"> NewsBank</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Murfreesboro mosque seeks cemetery permit. (2012, November 1). The Associated Press State & Local Wire. Available from<a href="https://advance-lexis-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/api/document?collection=news&id=urn:contentItem:56YD-0N31-JBGK-F2TB-00000-00&context=1516831"> NexisUni</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Murphy, T. (2014, Jan 24). GOP Congressman Blasts Proposal for Muslim Cemetery. Mother Jones. <a href="https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2014/01/gop-congressman-blasts-proposal-muslim-cemetery/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Stockard, S. (2014, Mar 26). Tempers flare at Judicial building over Muslim cemetery. Murfreesboro Post.<a href="https://mainstreetmediatn.com/articles/murfreesboropost/tempers-flare-at-judicial-building-over-muslim-cemetery/"> 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/. Title A name given to the resource Murfreesboro, TN [Islamic Cemetery] Description An account of the resource In March 2014, opponents of the Islamic Center of Murfreesboro cemetery seek a court order to stop the project by challenging the county's approval of the project. Following the approval in January, Rep. Scott DesJarlais (R-Tenn.) is reported to have made disparaging comments on his Facebook page about the cemetery. The campaign echoes themes from 2010 when opponents sought to stop ICM's expansion project. The cemetery sits on 1.5 acres of the 15-acre ICM property. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, and Shahmeer Khan Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Built Cemetery Legal Campaign Public Speech REL230_SP24