7 10 101 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/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/657e345e39c4d74d30bd4d2d4824fd17.png 69cdc1bafa7853e83d78b50b5c2e9b26 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) TN_04 Date 2014 Year Year the case began. 2014 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 Nashville, TN Description An account of the resource In December 2016, a federal district court in Tennessee dismisses for lack of subject matter jurisdiction a claim by the Islamic Center of Nashville (ICN) lawsuit challenging a Tennessee property tax exemption law on religious freedom grounds. In February 2014, ICN sought a property tax exemption for its education building, to be applied retroactively, seeking continuity of exempt status as provided by Tenn. Code Ann. 67-5-212(b)(3)(B). The State Board of Equalization denied tax exempt status for the period prior to October 2013, when the Ijara payments were ongoing, but granted exemption from that time onward. ICN appealed the decision before an Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) in January 2015, and after receiving an unfavorable ruling, appealed again to the Tennessee Assessment Appeals Committee, which also found that ICN was not entitled to the exemption prior to October 2013 due to the transfer of property in the Ijara agreement. [Source: www.rluipa-defense.com] Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Florian Pohl Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Lawsuit (RLUIPA) School https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/6ff10bec359b16f8ee5bb6fd86eb66f9.jpg 2ee54cbb75850e38d17e50c808765c2b Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. De_01 Location The location of the interview New Castle County, DE Year Year the case began. 2020 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 786 Port Penn Rd, Middletown, DE 19709 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. G99P+3P Middletown, Delaware Proposed Project 942-plot cemetery with 1,000 square-foot building Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/p/A-Light-of-Hope-100069426126447/">A Light of Hope</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Legislation Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The cease-and-desist order was lifted after the cemetery worked with the Delaware Department of Transportation to pave a driveway and add parking spaces. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. A Light of Hope is an organization that provides religious and educational services to the local Muslim community in Delaware. In addition to establishing a mosque and funeral home where they perform washing and shrouding for free, A Light of Hope constructed a Muslim cemetery in New Castle County. Previously, families needed to drive more than an hour to the nearest Muslim cemetery in South Jersey or opt for a non-Muslim burial ground (Read, 2020, Mar 5). In February 2020, after only three burials had taken place, the property failed a code inspection and was subsequently issued a cease-and-desist order to halt all burials (Cherry, 2020, Feb 28). Though current zoning allows for new cemetery use, no land use plans have been approved by the county. State Representative Kevin Hensley, whose district covers the unauthorized cemetery, said in a Facebook post that he had received multiple calls from constituents about “suspicious” activity at the property (ibid.). County officials stated that the cease-and-desist order would be in effect until they approve all required land use plan submissions and any associated site improvements. Additionally, New Castle County would have discretion over how the proposed property would impact traffic, noise, and similar criteria (ibid.). The next month, leaders from A Light of Hope met with county officials to obtain approval for their cemetery (Bodies Buried Along, 2020, Mar 4). The property did not comply with local codes as it did not contain parking and walkways. During a press conference, New Castle County Executive Matt Meyer stated that the cemetery could continue burying people without special permission once safety concerns were met (Porter, 2020, Mar 4). On March 5, it was reported that A Light of Hope was working with the Delaware Department of Transportation (DelDOT) to pave a driveway and add parking spaces. The cease-and-desist order was temporarily lifted for humanitarian reasons to allow for the burial of 1-year-old Ja-Ziyah Gordon, who was taken off life support after being born with a heart defect and contracting a deadly lung disease (Cease and desist order lifted, 2020, Mar 4). In August 2020, about 70 people who live near the Muslim cemetery met to ask county officials questions about the approved project (Parrish, 2020, Sep 2). The meeting was initially scheduled for March 25 but was delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Residents mainly voiced their concerns about the risk of groundwater contamination. In response, public health officials stated that they did not believe water contamination would occur based on the water flow and history of the land (ibid.). Questions about environmental regulations and how the county would monitor water quality were left unanswered because officials from the Department of Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) were invited to the meeting but did not attend. Naveed Baqir, a representative from A Light of Hope, briefly spoke to the crowd, stating that many of the residents’ questions could have been answered if they had contacted the organization. Additionally, Baqir accused Hensley, who organized the meeting, of exhibiting racist behavior by not including the Muslim community in the conversation. “I feel like I am crashing the party today because I was not invited. The Muslim community was not invited,” he said. “You are asking the right questions to the wrong people” (ibid.). In response, Port Penn residents claimed their concerns were not racially motivated and instead related to the quality of their water supply. Hensley stated that he did not invite anyone specifically to the meeting and only posted about the event on Facebook. Ultimately, the cease-and-desist order was lifted after a driveway and parking spaces were added. New Castle County authorized 942 burials and the construction of a 1,000-square-foot building (ibid.). The Muslim Cemetery of Delaware is now fully operational. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Bodies Buried Along Delaware Road Raises Red Flags. (2020, March 4). NBC10 Philadelphia. <a href="https://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/bodies-buried-along-delaware-road-raises-red-flags/2314971/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Cease and desist order lifted at Delaware’s only Muslim cemetery. (2020, March 4). ABC6 Philadelphia. <a href="https://6abc.com/muslim-cemetery-of-delaware-burial-gravem-new-cast-county/5986197/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Cherry, A. (2020, February 28). New Castle County halts burials at unauthorized cemetery in Port Penn. WDEL 107.1FM. <a href="https://www.wdel.com/news/new-castle-county-halts-burials-at-unauthorized-cemetery-in-port-penn/article_715003b8-5a69-11ea-a58b-abb087f2267b.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Parrish, A. (2020, September 2). Concerns over Muslim cemetery in Port Penn continue. The News Journal. <a href="https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/local/2020/08/27/concerns-over-muslim-cemetery-port-penn-continue/5645167002/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Porter, I. (2020, March 4). Burials will proceed at Muslim cemetery once safety conditions are addressed. The News Journal. <a href="https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2020/03/04/burials-proceed-muslim-cemetery-port-penn/4954998002/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Read, Z. (2020, March 5). Delaware’s only Muslim cemetery can resume burials after cease-and-desist order lifted. The Philadelphia Tribune. <a href="https://www.phillytrib.com/news/state_and_region/delaware-s-only-muslim-cemetery-can-resume-burials-after-cease-and-desist-order-lifted/article_e3ae30d0-5ed1-11ea-bd63-bb9e61e9b9bb.html">Web</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. July 10, 2024 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource In February 2020, the Muslim Cemetery of Delaware failed a code inspection and was subsequently issued a cease-and-desist order to halt all burials. Multiple residents had called State Representative Kevin Hensley regarding “suspicious” activity at the site. In March, the cease-and-desist order was temporarily lifted to allow for the burial of a one-year-old child. Residents met in August to voice their concerns about groundwater contamination. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Title A name given to the resource New Castle County, DE Approved Built Cemetery Planning and Zoning Public Campaign https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/a98ba9e17e53af7a0227cbfe5b7de890.jpeg 0ec0ff316857cace1cefdf1d1d929b18 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource This collection documents 29 cases of public opposition towards American Muslim cemetery building projects from 2002 to 2023. Each case contains a narrative that describes its events, which was compiled through analyzing newspaper archives via NewsBank and NexisUni. The primary challenge American Muslim communities face when establishing cemeteries is obtaining administrative approval from an entity such as a city council or board of commissioners. Residents' concerns related to groundwater contamination, lowered property values, and aesthetics often pressure authorities to deny cemetery projects. These reasons for opposition differ from those involving mosques, which tend to focus on increased traffic, violations of noise ordinances, and the potential for terrorism. This collection is more comprehensive than other compilations of cemetery cases, which cover a limited timeframe, are no longer current, or need to be updated (e.g., Pew Research Center 2012, Younes 2017, ACLU 2017, New America 2018, HuffPost 2024). However, it does not fully represent all controversies surrounding American Muslim cemeteries, as it focuses on post-2000 cases and does not include cases of vandalism against established cemeteries. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ryan Wang Title A name given to the resource Cemeteries Language A language of the resource English Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource Current and former Oxford College of Emory University students: Sofia Fonti, Ben Damon, Geneva Cunningham, Ameer Alnasser, Nadira Hassan, Chloe Peyrebrune, Lauren Yee, Ammarah Ahmed, Alexander Cleveland, Ehren Fernandez, Andres Lebed Wright, Bryce Bentinck, Rahim Khan Alidina, Ayman Badawy, George Drakos, Shahmeer Khan, and Snehitha Vardhineni. Project supervisor: Dr. Florian Pohl Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Ga_09 Location The location of the interview Newton County, Georgia Date August-September 2016 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A Muslim community from Doraville encounters strong expressions of concern about their efforts to purchase property on the eastern side of Newton County where they intend to build a Muslim burial ground and mosque. Public opposition begins to be voiced after a local newspaper reports on the building project in early August. In reaction, Newton County’s Board of Commissioners imposes a moratorium on building permits for new places of worship and, a week later, holds public listening sessions on the issue. A subsequent BOC meeting to discuss lifting the moratorium is canceled because of security concerns over a demonstration by a militia group. The moratorium expires without any direct BOC action. The event receives national, and some international, news coverage. The cemetery project proceeds but the county passes a new ordinance requiring public hearings for the development of projects on sites of more than ten acres. Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. F3MJ+95 Oak Hill, Georgia Coordinates Enter the coordinates for the location, if they are available. 33°29'01.3"N 83°55'10.3"W Proposed Project 135-acre development for cemetery; future mosque, cemetery expansion, school as well as residential and open space Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. Al Maad Al Islami Inc., Masjid At-Taqwa Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Local Ordinance (Public Protest) Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The public campaign and actions by the Newton County Board of Commissioners slightly delayed the project, but the cemetery opened to begin operations in 2017. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. On August 9, 2016, local journalist Alice Queen reported that Al Maad Al Islami Inc., a non-profit organization from Doraville, had received administrative approval from Newton County to develop a 135-acre property for a mosque and cemetery (Queen, 2016, Aug 9). Current zoning regulations did not require rezoning to construct a religious site. The developer purchased the property in August 2015 and submitted preliminary conceptual plans for a 10.5-acre cemetery with a burial preparation accessory facility. Also included in the plans was space for a future mosque, cemetery expansion, school, and residential and open space. The announcement triggered significant public opposition, particularly concerning the lack of prior public knowledge and potential increases in traffic and noise (ibid.). Commissioner John Douglas, whose district the project was in, received numerous complaints from residents. He voiced concerns about the project's impact and suggested changing zoning ordinances for future developments. Douglas also questioned the need for such a development based on the Muslim population in the county. He speculated about the possibility of the federal government resettling refugees in the area. Asked Douglas, "[W]ould building those things make us a prime area for the federal government to resettle refugees from the Middle East?" (Queen, 2016, Aug 9). Emails made public later revealed Chairman Ellis's struggle in responding to the project. Ellis emphasized that while the mosque and cemetery required no approval, a conditional use permit would be necessary for the school. In a later interview with Public Radio International, Ellis admitted that "[a]s a Christian, I probably reacted in some of the same ways. I will have to admit that I was a little nervous for the future of Newton County" (Bell, 2016, Nov 30). Douglas was more direct in his approach and asked the Board of Commissioners to put the cemetery project on the agenda for the next meeting on August 16, 2016. In an email to a member of the local clergy, he urged, "[A] show of local residents would be helpful to back up our displeasure and desire to change the direction of this project" (Tegna, 2016, Sep 5). On August 16, 2016, a boisterous overflow crowd attended the Newton County Board of Commissioners meeting to express their anger over the project. During the meeting, Commissioner Douglas proposed, and the commissioners unanimously approved a five-week moratorium on permitting places of worship to review and amend zoning ordinances. Although the decision to impose the moratorium was greeted with cheers from many in attendance, the Georgia Chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-GA) later described the action as discriminatory and called on the Department of Justice (DOJ) to investigate the case. Finally, because no public comment was allowed at this BOC meeting, the commissioners decided to hold a public hearing on Monday, August 22, in a public venue large enough to accommodate the interested public. Following the BOC meeting, oppositional momentum picked up on social media. A Facebook group calling itself STOP the Mosque in Newton County established itself as the most influential social media site through which opponents expressed their hostility to the project and organized action seeking to prevent it from going forward. This group gained significant traction and was later listed as an anti-Muslim hate group by the<a href="https://www.splcenter.org/fighting-hate/extremist-files/ideology/anti-muslim"> Southern Poverty Law Center</a>. In contrast, three Facebook groups supporting the mosque emerged but attracted far less attention. More than 600 citizens attended the public hearings on August 22, 2016. Due to limited space in the Historic Courthouse, two successive seatings were scheduled. Most speakers voiced strong opposition, with concerns ranging from traffic to fears of terrorism. Anxiety that the project would serve as an Al-Qaeda training camp or that it would lead to the imposition of Sharia law in the community could be heard as well (Bluestein, 2016, Aug 23). The public meetings received unflattering national press coverage (Islamophobia in the age of Trump, 2016, Aug 23). In response to the public hearing, CAIR Georgia held a joint press conference at the Atlanta Masjid of Al-Islam with the Georgia NAACP and other organizations on August 23. The press conference addressed the Islamophobic statements heard at the town hall meeting the previous night. It also provided an update on the DOJ's response to CAIR's call for a federal investigation. Edward Mitchell, Executive Director of CAIR-GA, said that the DOJ had agreed to review CAIR's request and was deciding whether to begin a formal probe. Mitchell also reported on local outreach activities to churches and community leaders in Newton County. At the same time as the press conference, a delegation of Newton County clergy and residents followed a lunch invitation from Imam Mohammad Islam to visit the Doraville community at Masjid At-Taqwa to get to know each other and build mutual trust (Lutz, Aug 23, 2016). The following week, the Newton County commissioners met with Masjid At-Taqwa and CAIR-GA representatives in closed-door meetings. The talks resulted in a joint statement on August 31, 2016, indicating that the moratorium would likely be lifted at a special meeting on September 13 (Burns, 2016, Aug 31). However, due to security concerns following threats from a militia group, the BOC canceled its meeting. The moratorium eventually expired on September 21, 2016, and CAIR-GA withdrew its request for a federal investigation. Despite this resolution, international press coverage continued after the moratorium's expiration (Teague, 2016, Oct 13; Younes, 2016, Nov 7). Following the moratorium's expiration, Commissioner Douglas made one more attempt to stop the project by requesting the county change its cemetery ordinance to require "leak-proof" caskets and vaults. Georgia law does not mandate embalming or caskets for burial. The planning board rejected Douglas's proposal at its October 25 meeting. Construction of the Daarul Barzakh Cemetery moved forward in the spring of 2017. An access road to the cemetery property was built, and the first funerals occurred. Outreach efforts by the members of Masjid At-Taqwa also continued. On April 21, 2018, the Muslim community invited its neighbors around the cemetery property and interested residents to a meet-and-greet luncheon. The gathering was preceded by a service event that was part of the Great American Cleanup, locally organized by Keep Covington and Newton Beautiful (KCNB). Three Oxford College students who participated in the event later published an op-ed piece about their experience in a local newspaper (Pace, 2018, May 21). Daarul Barzakh Cemetery remains operational, with plans for a funeral home as part of the next development stage. References <ul> <li style="font-weight:400;">Bell, M. (2016, November 30). A planned Muslim cemetery and mosque outside of Atlanta is still on hold. PRI’s The World. <a href="https://www.wgbh.org/news/2016-12-01/a-planned-muslim-cemetery-and-mosque-outside-of-atlanta-is-still-on-hold">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Bluestein, G. (2016, August 23). Feds weigh whether to investigate Newton County mosque debate. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. <a href="https://www.ajc.com/blog/politics/feds-weigh-whether-investigate-newton-county-mosque-debate/ePAScV95yxfH6eig99S43O/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Burns, S. (2016, August 31). Newton County to lift moratorium on mosque, cemetery. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/local/newton-county-lift-moratorium-mosque-cemetery/BwSidKGAaY00D8cPeQlbWI/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Islamophobia in the age of Trump. (2016, August 23). The Economist. <a href="https://www.economist.com/democracy-in-america/2016/08/23/islamophobia-in-the-age-of-trump">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Lutz, M. (2016, August 23). Newton County mosque fight might draw federal scrutiny. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. <a href="https://www.ajc.com/news/local-govt--politics/newton-county-mosque-fight-might-draw-federal-scrutiny/5G0BS4JQZaAiR8smtK6rtO/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Pace, L. (2018, May 21). Students share experience with Great American Cleanup,” [Column] The Covington News. <a href="https://www.covnews.com/living/religion/pace-students-share-experience-great-american-cleanup/">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Queen, A. (2016, August 9). Nonprofit plans to build mosque on Ga. Highway 162 in Newton County. Rockdale Citizen. <a href="https://www.rockdalenewtoncitizen.com/news/local/nonprofit-plans-to-build-mosque-on-ga-highway-162-in-newton-county/article_70b245e8-0979-54d3-9061-319302b83972.html">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Tegna (2016, September 5). Emails: Newton Commissioners wanted to ‘impact’ mosque, cemetery project. 11 Alive News. <a href="https://www.11alive.com/article/news/local/emails-newton-commissioner-wanted-to-impact-mosque-cemetery-project/85-313972997">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Teague, M. (2016, October 13). Armed ‘3%’ militia fights against proposed mosque in tiny Georgia town. The Guardian. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2016/oct/13/three-percent-militia-georgia-muslim-mosque-isis-doraville#:~:text=Armed%20'3%25'%20militia%20fights%20against%20proposed%20mosque%20in%20tiny%20Georgia%20town,-This%20article%20is&text=A%20Muslim%20congregation%20in%20central,ground%20for%20the%20Islamic%20State.">Web</a>.</li> <li style="font-weight:400;">Younes, A. (2016, November 7). American Muslims brace for the worst after US election. Aljazeera. <a href="https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2016/11/7/american-muslims-brace-for-the-worst-after-us-election">Web</a>.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. June 10, 2024 Year Year the case began. 2016 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 Newton County, GA Description An account of the resource A Doraville Muslim community meets public resistance to buying land in Newton County for a burial ground. Due to controversy, the county pauses worship building permits and holds public listening sessions about the proposed project. A subsequent BOC meeting to discuss lifting the moratorium is canceled because of security concerns over a demonstration by a militia group. The event gains national and international news coverage. The cemetery project advances, prompting a new county ordinance mandating hearings for projects on sites over ten acres. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Florian Pohl Approved Built CAIR Cemetery Legislation Planning and Zoning Public Campaign Public Speech https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/f6ece3d97880eda74ce0174c9dc406a9.png 3ebda4c4f554cd963d57171026d693a6 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Virginia Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Va_08 Location The location of the interview Nokesville, VA Year Year the case began. 2017 Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 12655 Vint Hill Rd, Nokesville, VA 20181 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. PCJH+R6 Nokesville, Virginia Proposed Project ADAMS plans a 22,400-square-foot mosque in Nokesville, Prince William County, that will accommodate 500 worshippers, offer Sunday school, and host interfaith events. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://www.adamscenter.org/about">All Dulles Area Muslim Society</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign, Legal Action Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications Approved Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. In 2016, the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS) sought a special-use permit for a property in Nokesville intended for the construction of a 500-person mosque, aiming to serve the local Muslim population of 150-200 individuals who currently worshiped in rented premises in nearby Manassas. The proposed facility would serve as an Islamic Center accommodating prayers, classes, fundraisers, and similar activities. The project faced significant opposition from local residents, citing concerns such as its perceived clash with the rural ambiance and aesthetics of the town, potential traffic congestion, and fears of setting a precedent for excessive development. The Prince William County Planning Commission initially recommended approval of the permit with the condition of using a septic tank. However, adhering to federal non-discrimination laws, the County Board of Supervisors approved the project, allowing ADAMS to connect to the public sewer system. This decision led to community groups challenging the County Board of Supervisors in court and attempting to remove Chairman Corey Stewart from office. During the Planning Commission meeting, public concerns centered on the mosque's size and its impact on the landscape, traffic flow, and the Rural Crescent—a protected area of approximately 80,000 acres to prevent urban sprawl and excessive development. Public sewer access within the Rural Crescent was traditionally restricted to control building size and development. The Planning Commission's decision to permit the mosque without public sewer access was justified based on these zoning regulations. Supporters of the mosque noted previous exceptions for religious institutions to connect to the public sewer system, while opponents argued that these exceptions were granted due to specific infrastructure-related needs. At the Prince William Board of Supervisors meeting, the motion to approve the proposed mosque project was divided into two parts. The first part, concerning the mosque's construction without access to the public sewer, was unanimously approved. The second motion to allow the mosque to connect to the public sewer system, which initially faced rejection, was revisited and ultimately approved. This decision reversal followed inquiries directed to the County Attorney regarding RLUIPA and the application of County policy in prior cases involving religious institutions. During this discussion, the Board was reminded by its legal counsel of the unsuitability of a septic system for the sporadic usage typical of such religious institutions, citing a previous determination regarding a Christian church. Subsequently, the motion to grant the mosque access to the public sewer system was approved by a vote of 5-3, overturning the previous rejection resulting in a 4-4 tie. Following the Board's approval, civic groups like Save Our PWC, LLC, mobilized to petition for Chairman Stewart's removal, citing concerns about his conduct and adherence to regulations (Koma, 2017, September 14). Another group, Action for Rural Crescent, LLC, pursued legal action against the Board, arguing procedural irregularities infringed upon their due process rights and violated state law. Despite these challenges, Chairman Stewart retained his position, and the Prince William County Circuit Court ultimately dismissed the legal case brought by Action for Rural Crescent, LLC. References Koma, A. (2017, September 14). Group formed to recall Prince William chairman Corey Stewart. InsideNoVa - Prince William (VA). Available from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/166EBB3F0A5F1720">NewsBank</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 Nokesville, VA Description An account of the resource The case details the contentious approval process for a proposed mosque in Nokesville by the All Dulles Area Muslim Society (ADAMS). Despite local opposition citing concerns over rural aesthetics and traffic, the Prince William County Planning Commission recommended approval, leading to a legal battle and attempts to remove Chairman Corey Stewart from office. The County Board of Supervisors ultimately approved the project, allowing ADAMS to connect to public sewer after initial rejection. This decision involved considerations of federal laws, zoning regulations in the Rural Crescent, and comparisons with past religious institution cases, culminating in legal challenges and Chairman Stewart retaining his position. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Bryce Bentinck Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Lawsuit (non-RLUIPA) Legal Campaign Mosque Purpose-Built https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/da658e3ff2756938cfbc856e4635b6dc.jpg d0594a7f55ffda37a879d3a685fd772a Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Description An account of the resource Rivard, N. (2012). A model of the proposed Al Madany Islamic Center mosque that would be located at 127 Fillow St. [Online image]. Retrieved October 7, 2019 from https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Proposed-mosque-in-Norwalk-draws-controversy-3462899.php#photo-2783990. Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Connecticut Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. CT_02 Location The location of the interview Norwalk, CT Date April 2012 - September 2014 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. A Muslim community in Norwalk, Connecticut planned to build a 27,000 square foot mosque in a residential area of Norwalk (Rivard, 2012). The City of Norwalk held a hearing so Norwalk citizens could voice their opinion on the project as many were worried about increased traffic and disruption in a small neighborhood (Rivard, 2012). The Zoning Commission denied Al-Madany’s application and Al-Madany filed suit on religious discrimination charges. For two years, the case stayed on the docket and because it dealt with arguments of religious discrimination, the Department of Justice chose to step in and investigate the situation as well. As a result of increasing pressure to prevent Norwalk from spending millions on hearing the case as well as input from the DOJ, the two sides finally reached a settlement (Koch, 2012). However, citizens at the next public hearing were still concerned regarding the traffic on the two-lane road. The Common Council ultimately came up with a new settlement in which Al-Madany was paid roughly $1.3 million for dropping their charges and finding a new location for the mosque (Goetz, 2014; Greenwich Free Press, 2014). Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 127 Fillow St, Norwalk, CT 06850 Plus Code Enter the plus code for the location, if it is available. 4H96+59 Norwalk, Connecticut Proposed Project The plan was set for a facility of roughly 27,000 square feet, including a mosque, a school, a place for daily prayer and parking for up to 89 cars. It was estimated that during prayer times, around 1,000 members could potentially be at the mosque (Goetz, 2014; Rivard 2012). Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://almadany.org/">Al-Madany Islamic Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Public Campaign; Local Ordinance Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The project was delayed and the final proposed settlement that the commission approved required the City of Norwalk to pay close to $2 million. Norwalk’s insurer paid Al-Madany $300,000, while the City itself paid Al-Madany about $1 million (Goetz, 2014). The City also spent over half a million dollars to buy the disputed plot of land on Fillow Street and to pay Al-Madany for development expenses, once it found another mosque location (Goetz, 2014). Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. Background on the Case Since the 1970s, the City of Norwalk’s Islamic community has grown larger and larger, to about 100 families in 2012. Muslim members of the community in Norwalk did not have a mosque, so they would worship in one of the congregant’s basement (Rivard, 2012). But by 2012, their community had grown so large that it was necessary that the members find a permanent, spacious location for their worship. They drew up plans to build a 27,000 square foot construction with a mosque, meeting hall, school, and parking lot with 89 spots. They settled on a location in a more residential area of Norwalk, where a little red farmhouse took up a plot of land on 127 Fillow Street (Rivard, 2012). The Muslim Community sent its application in to the Norwalk Zoning Commission in June 2012. The Commission denied the permit after a public hearing in which many Norwalk citizens declared their fervent disagreement with having the mosque in such a residential location (Koch, 2016; Rivard, 2012). The Muslim community then sued the Commission on discrimination charges and violation of the Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act. Key Events April 4, 2012: The City of Norwalk held a public hearing so that community members could air their grievances about the proposed mosque. Most of the neighbors were concerned about traffic, as the road the mosque would be located on is a two lane road. Additionally, the neighbors argued, the traffic would be putting school children at risk near the street. Muslims pray five times per day, so presumably, there would be a higher influx of cars throughout the day, potentially putting pedestrians in danger (Koch, 2012). June 2012: The Zoning Commission denied the Islamic community a permit to build their mosque, and the community filed suit on religious discrimination charges. The Zoning Commission asserted their decision was not religiously motivated (Koch, 2012). December 2012: The City of Norwalk acknowledged that the U.S. Department of Justice was investigating the case (Koch, 2012). January 2013-July 2014: The case continued to stay on the docket, with both sides hiring more lawyers and preparing their case. There was increasing pressure to settle because hearing the case would cost the City of Norwalk millions. August 2014: The City of Norwalk and Al-Madany agreed on a proposal, pending approval by the Zoning Commission and Common Council, for a scaled-down mosque that was 22,000 square feet, with 135 parking spaces. The City of Norwalk and its insurer agreed to pay $300,000 to the congregation (CBS Local, 2014). September 4, 2014: At another public hearing in Norwalk with the community and the Zoning Commission and a Religious Land Use and Institutionalized Persons Act expert, many citizens still disagreed with the proposal, mostly because of traffic thought to be dangerous and disruptive in a residential neighborhood. Al-Madany had compromised at this point, saying that they would reduce the building mass by 11% by eliminating two floors. They also agreed to cut back the width by 4 feet (CBS Local, 2014). In order to combat the traffic argument, they agreed to hire a police officer to direct traffic during their days of celebration. After the public hearing, the Commission voted in favor of the settlement 4-3. It was the Common Council’s responsibility subsequently to negotiate the monetary terms (Greenwich Free Press, 2014). September 9, 2014: After hearing the complaints of the people at the Town Hall, the Common Council, even though the mosque location and design had been approved by the Zoning Commission, ultimately decided in a 14-0 decision that they would not allow Al-Madany to build on the Fillow Street property. The Islamic Center was paid reparations totaling roughly $1.3 million and the City helped them find a new location (CBS Local, 2014; Goetz, 2014). 2015: Al-Madany bought a plot of land in 2015 that had formerly belonged to the Christ Episcopal Church, who were very welcoming to the Islamic community when they said they wanted to buy the church (Chapman, 2015). The community still worships there today. It has been about 4 years since they moved in. Outcome & Lasting Effects The U.S. Department of Justice has “recommended” that the City of Norwalk and Zoning Committee reopen inquiries into the Zoning Regulations and initiate a Zoning reform to simplify the process for obtaining a special permit by updating criteria. In reality, Norwalk must take these “recommended” actions in order to avoid formal investigation by the DOJ (Koch, 2014). This push for a structural change in Zoning Regulations seems to be a debate that will continue for a number of years and will require multiple public hearings in the future (Koch, 2016a). References Enter list of sources cited using the proper format. Local <ul><li>Al-Madany (2018). Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://almadany.org/.</li> <li>CBS Local. (2014, September 9). Norwalk Common Council To Consider Mosque Plan Tuesday. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://newyork.cbslocal.com/2014/09/09/norwalk-common-council-to-consider-mosque-plan-tuesday/.</li> <li>Chapman, N. (2015, November 12). Al Madany plans to make Union Park church into a mosque. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.nancyonnorwalk.com/2015/11/al-madany-plans-to-make-union-park-church-into-a-mosque/.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2012, December 11). Norwalk officials acknowledge Department of Justice is reviewing mosque denial. The Hour. Retrieved from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/Norwalk-officials-acknowledge-Department-of-8229754.php.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2014, September 27). In wake of mosque battle, Norwalk to explore tougher rules for residential zones. The Hour. Retrieved from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/In-wake-of-mosque-battle-Norwalk-to-explore-8097523.php.</li> <li>Koch, R (2016a, June 11). After mosque battle, city considers changing zoning regulations addressing special permits and places of worship. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/After-mosque-battle-city-considers-changing-8045732.php.</li> <li>Koch, R. (2016b, June 13). U.S. District Court approves Al Madany settlement. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.thehour.com/norwalk/article/U-S-District-Court-approves-Al-Madany-settlement-8098561.php.</li> <li>(2014, September 5). Norwalk to Get a Mosque: Zoning Commission Votes 4 to 3 in Favor after Charged Public Hearing. Greenwich Free Press. Retrieved from https://greenwichfreepress.com/news/government/norwalk-to-get-a-mosque-zoning-commission-votes-4-to-3-in-favor-after-charged-public-hearing-22297/.</li> </ul>Regional <ul><li>Goetz, K. (2014, September 24). Norwalk settles mosque dispute with more than $2M payout. Retrieved from https://www.wshu.org/post/norwalk-settles-mosque-dispute-more-2m-payout#stream/0.</li> <li>Merriam, D., Seeman, E. (2014, September 18). City, Islamic Group Near Settlement in Mosque Suit; Proposed deal would curtail legal fees, end religious land use case. Retrieved October 3, 2019, from https://www.rluipa-defense.com/2014/09/city-islamic-group-near-settlement-in-mosque-suit-proposed-deal-would-curtail-legal-fees-end-religious-land-use-case.</li> <li>Rivard, N. (2012, April 6). Proposed mosque in Norwalk draws controversy. Retrieved October 4, 2019, from https://www.ctpost.com/local/article/Proposed-mosque-in-Norwalk-draws-controversy-3462899.php.</li> </ul> Last Updated Date revised. October 12, 2019 Year Year the case began. 2012 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Norwalk, CT Description An account of the resource A documented account of Case No. CT_02, occurring in Norwalk, CT, from June 2012 to September 2014 Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Ellen Harnisch DOJ Lawsuit (RLUIPA) https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/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/6249f0368c74ed42607be16e5e03897e.jpg d9ae4c74651cc4515a711d130b21b62d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Florida Case Use this Item Type to create the case Item Pages for the U.S. Mosque Controversies site. Case Number Enter the case number in this field using the format: Case No. XX_00 (e.g. Case No. Ga_01) Case No. Fl_08 Location The location of the interview Orange County, FL Date February-April 2018 Summary Enter a brief description of the case (no more than 600 characters). This should be one or two sentences. The Aisha Cultural Centers seeks to convert a landscaping warehouse into a community center to provide youth programs and social services. Planning staff recommends approval, but the county’s Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) votes to deny the center’s application for a special exception because of concern over a petition signed by residents in opposition to the planned center. The Board of County Commissioners does not follow the BZA’s recommendation and votes unanimously to approve the center’s application. Commissioners note that the opposition includes many members of the public not residing in the vicinity of the proposed site and that concerns over additional traffic and noise had been addressed. Address Enter the full address, if it is available. 1311 Hancock Lone Palm Rd, Orlando, FL 32828 Proposed Project The Aisha Cultural Center seeks to convert a landscaping warehouse into a community center to provide youth programs and social services. Although the zoning allows for religious land use, a special exception is required because the county’s future land use designation is not consistent with the underlying zoning. Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="http://aishacenter.com/">Aisha Cultural Center</a> Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance public campaign; administrative denial [initial] Outcome Rejected, Approved, Approved with Modifications The Board of County Commissioners does not follow the BZA’s recommendation for denial but instead votes unanimously to approve the application with eleven conditions that had been recommended by planning staff. The project is in the first phase of construction. Narrative Enter the narrative about the case here. The Islamic nonprofit Aisha Cultural Center Inc. (ACC) has been offering religious, educational, and social activities to the East Orlando Muslim community at its location on South Alafaya Trail since 2014. In 2017, it purchased a former landscaping warehouse on the east side of Orange County to expand services such as youth programs and college prep tutoring. ACC applied for a special exception to allow a religious facility with ancillary uses, including worshipping, social services, evening gatherings, and SAT programs. The application also included a request for a variance to allow unpaved overflow parking. Although the property was zoned agricultural (A-2, farmland rural district), which allowed for religious land use, a special exception was required because the county’s future land use designation (low-medium density residential) was not consistent with the underlying A-2 zoning. Upon receiving ACC’s application, county planning staff sent out 85 notifications to residents in a 600-ft radius of the property for a community meeting on January 10, 2017, to explain the proposed project and answer questions. No members of the public attended the meeting. The Aisha Cultural Center’s application for a special exception was placed on the agenda for a regularly scheduled meeting of Orange County’s Board of Zoning Adjustment (BZA) on February 1, 2018. Meeting all code criteria, the proposal came to the BZA with a staff recommendation for approval. The attorney for ACC, Tara Tedrow, presented the proposal highlighting, among others, that Orange County Transportation Planning had determined the project would produce de minimis traffic impacts. Furthermore, previously, two other religious communities in the vicinity of the proposed site had been granted a special exception for their religious facilities. During the public comment section, no member of the public spoke up in support of the project. Opposition was represented foremost by Michael Johnson, to whom several other speakers yielded their time. Johnson was given six minutes to address the BZA. (Johnson stated he lived about six miles from the proposed site. However, the address he provided as his residence places him at least 22 miles from the site, according to GoogleMaps.) Before the meeting, the BZA had received 30 to 40 letters expressing opposition to the development. Johnson presented additional petitions to the BZA. Most of the concerns expressed on the petitions were related to the expectation of extra traffic and noise. At least one of the letters expressed Islamophobic sentiments reading, "Keep terrorism out – No to this political system. I don't want the troubles Europe has." The BZA determined that about 40 petitions had come from residents near the proposed site. Johnson also raised concern that the fundraising page on the ACC’s website had included references to additional plans such as a soccer field not included in the official application for the special exception. Concerns about alleged omissions were repeated in a subsequent presentation by Allen Korman, who indicated that he had worked with Johnson to collect the petitions from residents. Korman, who stated he lived about 8.5 miles from the subject property, charged that ACC had omitted activities such as communal Friday prayers and activities by the Aisha School that would lead to occupancy at the proposed site beyond the submitted capacity. ACC’s legal counsel Tedrow responded to comments clarifying that the proposed community center was a low-use facility to provide social and educational services. It would operate separately from the ACC’s property on Alafaya Trail, pictures of which had been shown in the presentations by Johnson and Korman. Tedrow specified further that ACC had worked with county staff and followed their advice when preparing a site plan that was consistent with the surrounding community's character and low-intensity development plans. In their subsequent deliberations, the BZA members expressed low concern over the impact on traffic and noise. Members also voiced that they were surprised by the interest and involvement of residents from outside the immediate vicinity. The unanimous vote to recommend denial of the application acknowledged that about 40 of the petitions in opposition to the project seemed to originate with residents who the project could directly impact. The Board of County Commissioners did not follow the BZA’s recommendation of denial but instead voted unanimously to approve the application for a special exception at its regular meeting on April 10, 2018. Information presented in support of the application included an additional traffic study ACC had performed on March 23. The survey result confirmed the de minimis traffic impacts found by Orange County Transportation Planning. The public comment period lasted about 60 minutes. During that period some of the speakers who had signed up to speak against the project ceded their time to Michael Johnson. Opponents cited arguments made earlier at the BZA meeting over traffic and noise. Different from the previous BZA meeting, however, the public comment section also included statements of support from several community members in attendance. Commissioners acknowledged that the project was consistent with county regulations and that the additional traffic study had eased any concern over adverse traffic impacts on the surrounding community. Orange County Mayor Teresa Jacob expressed surprise that many of the opponents did not live near the proposed site. “I can’t recall when all but one person who was opposed were from outside the area and many were from outside of the county,” the mayor said during deliberations. The BCC voted unanimously to approve the application with eleven conditions recommended by the planning staff. They added that the county’s traffic division would reassess traffic conditions every other year to make appropriate recommendations on whether traffic control would be required for future events at the site. The involvement of members of the public opposing the project even though they did not live close to the proposed site was a recurring matter of concern during the deliberations over ACC’s application. In the only available news coverage of the county commission’s meeting on April 10, Channel 9 reported that four residents living close to the site had told reporters they either had not heard anything about the project or thought the petition seemed deceptive. One resident who had signed a petition is quoted stating, “I was just kind of stronghanded into signing a petition I didn’t really know anything about. Pretty much the minute I asked for more information, they kind of walked away” (Seaborn, 2108). A member of ACC who lived in the community close to the site was said to have experienced similarly misleading tactics when Johnson and a partner were canvassing the community around the site for signatures against the project. Johnson had a history of involvement in opposition to building projects by the Muslim community in Orange County. In 2016 he was part of the opposition against a mosque proposed in the town of Windermere (Kerr, 2016). The proposed site was more than 30 miles from his stated residence in Seminole County, FL. References Kerr, Z. (2016, March 31). Developers introduce plans for mosque. Windermere Observer (Winter Garden, FL), p. 5. Retrieved from <a href="https://infoweb-newsbank-com.proxy.library.emory.edu/apps/news/document-view?%20p=WORLDNEWS&docref=news/15CAEC12B5DC6420.">https://infoweb-newsbank-com</a>. Seabrook, L. (2018, April 10). ‘Keep terrorists out’: Residents write to commissioners in response to new Islamic center. ABC-9 WFTV. Retrieved from<a href="https://www.wftv.com/news/local/keep-terrorists-out-residents-write-to-commissioners-in-response-to-new-islamic-center/730348902"> www.wftv.com</a>. Last Updated Date revised. June 10, 2021 Year Year the case began. 2018 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Orange County, FL Description An account of the resource In April 2018, the Orange County Board of Commissioners votes to grant the Aisha Cultural Center permission for a special exception to convert a landscaping warehouse into a community center. Despite the planning staff’s recommendation for approval, the county’s Board of Zoning Adjustments (BZA) earlier had voted to deny the center’s request because of concern over a petition signed by residents in opposition to the planned center. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Stewart Zelnick Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Approved Community Center Public Campaign Under Construction https://usmc.oxomeka.org/files/original/6961146f56c047b7686209825bc742ad.jpg 0921f62955df742ad0c19d9a8eb27113 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://iccpaz.com/new-masjid-construction-phase-2/ 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 Arizona 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) AZ_01 Location The location of the interview Phoenix Proposed By List the entity (legal entity or community name) that proposed the project. <a href="https://iccpaz.com/">Islamic Cultural Center of Phoenix</a> Year Year the case began. 2010 Type of Opposition Public Campaign, Vandalism, Legal Action, Local Ordinance Vandalism 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 Phoenix, AZ Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 2010 Description An account of the resource A Phoenix, Arizona, mosque is vandalized while it is under construction. Paint was spilled on the floor and several tall, arched glass windows were broken by what appeared to be gunshots. Anti-muslim graffiti was found on the walls. Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available Oxford College of Emory University Crimes Against Property Mosque Under Construction